After a few moments, you ask your first question. "Earlier, you tried to take my blood while I was asleep. Am I the first person you've done this to? Or are there others?"
"You're not the first person I've drawn blood from," Eleanor confirms. "The whole reason I started the bed and breakfast business was to make feeding easier. Most of my guests are tourists from out of town - they don't usually stay long enough to realize that they're experiencing the symptoms of blood loss."
You nod. In Kindred parlance, Eleanor would be what some might call a "sandman" - a lick who feeds from sleeping victims, usually by breaking into their homes. However, Eleanor seems to have found a more discreet and profitable way to slake her thirst. Why trip a burglar alarm when you can have vessels pay for the privilege of turning their Airbnb into the Kindred equivalent of DoorDash?
While the possibilities are intriguing, you have more immediate concerns to address. "How long have you been like this? Can you recall what you were doing shortly before that point?"
Eleanor purses her lips in thought. "God, it's been months since I turned into…
this. I barely remember what happened. All I know is that one night, I got mugged while on my way home from the dry cleaner, and the next day, I woke up on the side of the road, covered in blood. Everything hurt."
You hum in thought. It sounds as though Eleanor's sire was some anonymous transient Anarch who got sloppy while feeding. Part of you wants to put a stake through whoever did this. However, discovering the culprit would be next to impossible with a trail of evidence this cold. For all you know, Eleanor's sire could be on the other side of the moon. In any case, you'd be better off pursuing a different line of questioning. "How have you been affected by your condition? How have you been hiding it?"
Eleanor takes a moment to consider. "Well, I can still go out during the day and look the same as when I was alive. Aside from, you know, the constant Hunger, not much has changed. I can still keep food down fine, too, though I can barely taste it anymore. Aside from Bruno and Margaret, blood is the only thing keeping me going. If I can keep from going hungry, the Beast inside me stays quiet."
Eleanor drops her head down, staring at her feet while lost in memory. You recall how she cringed when Bruno mentioned the death of the family cat, Marmalade. It's far from uncommon for fledglings fresh from the Embrace to have accidentally killed something during their first few nights as one of the Damned. You'd be willing to stake a boon that Marmalade was the unfortunate victim of Eleanor's first feeding frenzy. In any case, it'd be best not to let your hostess dwell on her slain pet. "So what do you plan on doing; now that you're Kindred?"
Eleanor's reply comes almost immediately. "To keep my family safe and happy - and in the dark about what I am now."
Privately, you wonder just how long Eleanor can keep up the charade. The thinness of her vitae may allow her to pass as human, but it's only a matter of time before her family notices that she hasn't aged a day since her Embrace. You were fortunate to have Nick stand by your side as you adjusted to your new condition, but could Eleanor say the same about her family? Should Margaret discover her wife's true nature, would she take Bruno and run away before Eleanor's bestial temper causes her to tear the family apart, perhaps literally?
You decide to change the subject. "Did you get involved in the neighborhood watch before your Embrace or after?"
"Before," Eleanor answers. "We've got a strong community here. Everyone on the street works together to keep each other safe. That said, the neighbors don't need to know what happens
inside my home."
You nod. "Would you prefer to have contact with other Kindred or stay on the down-low and keep to yourself?
"I want to find another person like me," Eleanor replies, staring at her hands. She then looks up at you. "If you could introduce me to someone who can help keep my family safe, I'd appreciate it."
You hum in thought. While you don't know any thin-bloods besides Eleanor, you know a couple of full-blooded Kindred who might be willing to overlook the thinness of her vitae if it means advancing their plots and schemes. Connecting Eleanor to the right lick could pay dividends for you later on. After a moment's thought, you supply Eleanor with a single name.
[] [CONNECT] "Naomi Stewart." She might be willing to take on Eleanor as another student in her academy.
[] [CONNECT] "Alan Sovereign." The Prince's Seneschal is constantly looking for another revenue stream.
[] [CONNECT] "Bronwyn." Eleanor might bond with the Malkavian over their shared experience running B&B properties.
[] [CONNECT] "Kathy Glens." They both have strong ties to the people living here.
[] [CONNECT] Forget bringing other licks into this. I'm the best bet for Eleanor to make it as a fledgling.
[] [CONNECT] I'll write the name of a different Kindred who might be a good connection for Eleanor.
-
"I've got one last question for you, Artie." As she says this, Eleanor fixes you with a look determined to get answers out of you. "Why are you here? I may not know much about Kindred, but I doubt they rent rooms in Chicago suburbia for fun."
You now have a choice to make. You've spent enough time with Eleanor to get the feeling that she'll stay out of your way if it means keeping her family clear of the dangers of being a vampire in Chicago. However, her connections to the local community could prove instrumental in keeping Kathy's family safe from whatever lick is stalking them. If you want her cooperation, you must decide which maternal button to press.
Of course, you needn't rely on words alone. Everyone has their price, and you have enough cash to keep your hostess from asking too many difficult questions. However, if you wish to keep your green, you could always offer Eleanor the red stuff she's been craving. Of course, whether you inform her of the dangers of partaking in another vampire's vitae is entirely up to you.
[] [ELEANOR] I don't want to risk Bruno losing a parent. "The less you know, the safer you and your family will be."
Automatic Success
[] [ELEANOR] I'll appeal to my hostess's maternal instinct. "I need your help protecting another family who lives here."
-[] I'll make a Rouse check to add two dice to my roll.
-[] I'll spend a point of Willpower to reroll up to three dice unaffected by my Hunger.
Charisma + Persuasion - 1 (Difficulty: 5)
[] [ELEANOR] Let's play on Eleanor's fears as a mother. "A bloodsucking monster is stalking the neighborhood."
-[] I'll make a Rouse check to add two dice to my roll.
-[] I'll spend a point of Willpower to reroll up to three dice unaffected by my Hunger.
Manipulation + Intimidation + 2 (Difficulty: 4)
[] [BOOST] Words mean nothing. I'll sweeten the deal and offer Eleanor something of substance to lower the Difficulty by one.
-[] I'll pay her a dot of Resources to keep an eye on the Kathys.
-[] I'll feed Eleanor a Rouse check's worth of vitae. After all, it's what she came here for.
--[] No need to tell her about the Blood Bond just yet… (One Stain)
[] [BOOST] I'm confident enough in my people skills to sway Eleanor with words alone.