Entry Point - A talk with Carol

You wake up feeling refreshed but confused. You're on a soft bed with crumpled sheets. Reaching out to touch the silky material, you wonder how you got here, then you realize.

"Welcome!" A cheery feminine voice greets you. Turning you see you're in a large room, the center of which holds the bed you awoke on. To your left, by the only door in the room, is the cheery voice.

"I'm Carol." She has honey dew hair and bright blue eyes. "You're probably feeling pretty good but pretty confused, right?"

You nod slowly and get up.

Approaching quickly and with her hand extended Carol continues. "I'm here to show you around, teach you the lay of the land....so to speak." She smiled prettily and she helps you off the bed. "We're in the Domicile right now. Fancy name for the Tacharan Lair."

She takes your hand and leads you out of the room. It opens up into an even larger, windowless foyer made of ornate stone. "This is the entry point, everyone comes thru here after being turned. We're deep underground right now, east of Nachton near the slaughterhouses but dont let that fool you. It's quite clean down here, really. There are miles of tunnels down here leading to the sewer, another place you'll see soon, and all over Tacharan territory." Carol is wearing a thin, pink shift that matches her rosey complexion. Her hair is swept up into a golden bun. You see various yellowing bruises on her neck. She notices you staring.

"I'm a familiar. I belong to Ellis." You blink curiously. "She's your leader. You'll meet her soon enough, she meets all the newbies. First I have to familiarize you with the rules, not that there are many." You both walk down a long corridor and you notice that the stone fades into a shiny metal material. The corridor opens up into a circular foyer lined with 6 metal doors. Carol, still holding your hand, walks over to the middle door and touches the print scan. A computer screen blinks on.

Carol stands back and nods toward the panel. "Your hand." Reaching up you touch the panel and feel a pin prick on your fingertips. Flinching you almost jerk away but Carol's hand comes up and with amazing strength keeps your hand in place. "Believe me it'll hurt if you pull away before its done." She gives you a brilliant smile. The machine releases you, as does Carol. You look at your hand and see the tiny pin pricks slowly fading. The metal door opens and Carol leads you through.

You enter an enormously large office decorated with deep colored pastels. Each wall had its own designed theme and were adorned with replica's (at least you assumed they were) of richly detailed watercolors. Apparently Carol was a Monet fan. "Have a seat," she points to the wine colored leather chair in front of a large metal desk. You do as your told. Sitting prettily into the chair behind her large desk, Carol's smile drops.

"This is your one and only warning about the clan rules. Listen carefully." Her eyes glare over and she repeats what sounds like a memorized speech.

"You were turned, with or without our leader's permission. Regardless you are immortal and bound by the covenants set forth by our leader. Refusal to obey the rules of the clan will result in your quick and painful demise." She leaned forward a little and said slowly. "Do not fuck this up."

Reaching into her desk she pulls out a LCD tablet and flings it at you. Carol, the sweet little thing that had met you when you woke was gone. Carol, dominatrix, was at the helm now. The tablet blinks on and shows you the sect r ules. You read them carefully.

***
Tacharan co-exists with two other clans. Clan Ananyta and Clan Evenhet. It would behoove you to steer clear of the other Clans until you have acclimated. Your existence is by the grace of our leader and any rule breaking will be dealt with by her.

Feeding: You will need to feed often, at first. Do not put this off. If you let yourself grow weak, you will undoubtedly be picked off by the clan's predators, ie other vampires or vampire harvesters (to be explained later). Clan Tacharan, not recognized by the Elders in either clan, will do as it pleases but keep in mind one thought.

DO NOT GET CAUGHT

***
Carol tapped her desk with her pen, forcing you out of your concentration. "Here's a few tips, newbie."

"You will quickly be quickly disavowed and left to deal with your own survival. Do not call for help. Do not come back to the Domicile. This will only result in your death.

"When leadership calls upon you, you will make haste and appear immediately. You will do whatever is asked of you. You will not question or your gift of immortality will be severed.

"If and when you are deemed worthy, you will enter the working ranks of the Clan. Till then, speak not of the clan or its doings, whatever information you may be privy to.

"Older vampires have the right to have familiars. You, however, do not. Any attack on another clan member's familiar will result in your death. Any assault on another clan's familiar you do out of your own risk. Be prepared to face the wrath of whatever vampire's holdings you taint. Do not enter upon a battle with a foe that will undoubtedly kill you.

"Hone your skills and dismiss what conscience you may still have for Clan Tacharan is a battle clan and we fight. Our business is death. Your alliance is to the leader and no one else. Defiance will again, be punishable by your death."

Carol smiled again. "Any questions? No? Good. Now we'll proceed to your residence here in the Domicile."

Choosing your residence