The Ambassador

So a friend of mine recently decided she was going to GM a chronicle of Vampire: The Masquerade and invited me to join. Using the family motto of "Fuck it, we ball", I went for it. The next few weeks were spent, among other things, figuring out what kind of character I wanted to play. Went through a few iterations before I landed on my final choice, and I really liked the opening monologue for one of the shelved characters. So I thought I'd share that here!

Pictured: Mood imagery.

Ah, I don't really belong to any specific clan, I'll explain more in a second. But first I need your word that I'll be given the chance to explain myself fully before anything happens. And should anything interrupt us, I would ask that you protect me until we are able to truly conclude our little matter. Are these terms acceptable?

Great! Let's begin. Now, I know each of you is somewhat new to this whole thing. But the walls have ears, they say. This speech is not just for you but it is also specifically for this group.

You can call me "The Ambassador." I represent a new clan, I suppose. One whose emergence was truly inevitable. But I'm getting ahead of myself.

You know, as much as you believe yourself separate from humanity, you sure suffer from the same flaws. And, my goodness, do you have a healthy dose of pride. Pride blinds you, you know.

If you haven't figured it out yet, I represent the interests of humanity in your little... Masquerade? I believe it's called? It's kind of adorable that you thought you could keep such a large secret indefinitely.

Now, there's only one reason I'm still alive right now having just said that. And that's that I'm a kindred. Am I using that term right? And you may be asking yourselves, why would a kindred take such a position? Well, the way I was embraced is a bit... unorthodox, to put it mildly.

But before we get any further, it is my understanding that the murder of a kindred by a fellow kindred is a serious offence. I cannot impress upon you how seriously an attempt on my life will be taken.

A microphone is pulled from The Ambassador's sleeve.

I am never alone. There is always someone listening. But I promise you this: As long as we are speaking, you will have an ally in the people on the other side of this. If you ever wonder how many we are, I can answer it with a simple statement: enough.

We are not here to wage war. We are here to make peace. The deer cannot blame the wolf for its hunger. The deer can only adapt. As part of adapting, we are prepared to... recognize the balance that The Masquerade represents. But we must understand it. And we must be represented in it. These are our two demands.

As part of... ensuring our representation, we've had to go through certain lengths to get to this point. Sticking with the metaphor, in the same way the deer cannot fault the wolf for its hunger, the wolf cannot fault the deer for its antlers. And in the spirit of openness, I do have a bit of a confession to make to you.

Fourteen kindred were... acquired. One of each clan that you recognize. A drop in the bucket compared to the number of humans who have met their demise, I'm sure. Had we been invited to the table earlier, we would not have had to go to these lengths.

They are quite comfortable; while they may technically be prisoners, their accommodations are meant to be a sign of good will. And, as of this conversation, we are releasing each one with a clear message: Accept the ambassador.

During their stay, they each made a sizable contribution to the cause. Specifically, a large amount of vitae, which was all mixed together. We call it "red blend." Consider it a payment of blood for blood. Some of that was used when a team of doctors drained my normal blood and I was embraced by science itself.

Now, I can't know that everyone will take too favorably to my existence. I'm sure some of those fourteen were not thrilled of their... involvement, despite how nice tier accommodations were.

And that's where I need your help. If not for the species you were so recently a part of, then do it for the well being of your current one. Because, as much as the wolf hates to admit it, they need the deer far more than the deer needs the wolf.