ezra

Some may say that my behaviors make me seem more like one of the degenerates, but believe me when I say that I am just as true a Ventrue as any. I have carved out my place the same as any of you. And I have personally overseen more success than many others could ever hope. Are we merely to abandon our humanity for some blind grasping for power? I disagree, when it is the human herds that are ultimately our responsibility. Providing for them properly shouldn't make me any lesser.

Years ago, before my Embrace many thought it strange that I never took a wife. Needless to say, I had my reasons. Becoming Kindred was difficult at first, but oh, what a blessing it was. Not only did it allow me to withdraw, avoiding such questions, but no longer did I have to rush, find an heir, pray that I had everything in order before Death took me. No, I could plan. I could wait. And it all paid off. I feel an immense amount of pride when I say that my investments played a role in establishing this nation as a world leader and superpower.

But, of course, as always it is never about my accomplishments. A man can spend his entire life doing nothing but building his assets more and more, but he shows pity to one mortal and that is what he's known for from then on.

The University was a fantastic place to feed. With the extinction of my old taste, the thirst quickly latched onto the students. And, with a little effort, many were willing to provide. I saw so much of myself in those young men. Ambitious, eager to prove and eager to please. I became more than just an investor, and made my impact more personal. They trusted me. They confided in me. More than a few became faithful ghouls and, of course, a fount of blood.

Was there more to it? Maybe. But I don't see how that is any concern of yours. I did my work. And I did it well.

Then... then the plague happened. It was an awful sight. Many of my boys didn't know what was happening until it was too late. They wasted away, and those infected were immediately cast out and treated as lepers. The government just sat by and watched, of course, more than willing to point fingers, tell the sufferers they had it coming.

I would not put up with such a thing, of course. But there wasn't much I could do, from where I sat. I re-situated my money to appropriate places, quietly paid off treatments. But, in this area, money was really all I had. And that could only go so far in changing hearts and minds.

Still, I appreciated what differences I could make. Like when I met young Simon Rose. Brilliant, handsome young man, smart as a whip with a wit to match. He was a junior reporter in the University's press. And he, too, was succumbing to the disease. Whether or not he knew, I did. I'd learned how to pick it out by that point.

And I couldn't let it take him.

He seemed so surprised when I hired him. Something tells me that he'd gotten used to rejection, but he wouldn't find that from me. I wasn't afraid. I had always prided myself in not giving into panic and irrationality and I wasn't about to start, I told him. Needless to say, he was more than appreciative. And we've been so close ever since.

These days... The blood holds him together. But he has to supplement it with more and more medication. He's lost a lot of weight. Looks sunken, but there's still a spark in those blue eyes of his. He's holding on. But I don't know how much longer he, as a mere mortal, can.

I may have to come before you again soon, I'm afraid. I will not have him die, not after all we have accomplished together. Not after-... I won't allow it. If it comes to it... I will need to ask your permission for an Embrace.