2026-03-15 19:37 - 21:20 PST
Javier texted Thalia. Apparently one of his goons, Liam, went missing. He figured Kingsnake might know. After a failing to reach Kingsnake, Thalia contacted Neres who offered to meet at the museum.
Before they got to business, Neres asked Thalia about how she killed the scourge.
“Was able to get the location of his lair out of one of his clanmates. Was able to slip in- he was strange. Even when I sliced his head off he did not torpor. I had to destroy all of his limbs before he stopped moving. Brought him to Kiri to see if she wanted to do anything with him, and she asked me to kill him. I don’t enjoy it- I avoid it if I can. But if anyone deserves it, it was Oswald.”
Then, Neres asked about Thalia’s strategy to end the war.
Thalia leans back straightening her back. “In truth. I am still working on it. But I do this. The anarchs may not be the most organized, but at least we are united in a common cause.”
A pause.
“Somewhat. But the Camarilla- they are not. They claim to be, and on the surface, this seems true. In truth however, they are- to excuse the metaphor- a vipers nest. But I am do not need to remind you of something you know. What I mean to say all this, is that right now, their forces are pointed at us- we are a common enemy, something to unite them. I aim to turn all those weapons they wield against us against each other. I have already gained knowledge that more then one Kindred would prefer remain hidden. I will ferry out every little dirty secret they have, and give the information to those who I think need to know. And once their masks are exposed, once their unity is shattered, that’s when we will strike. I aim to take the city, of course, but what happens- as long as we are no longer under the Iron boot of the Camarilla- I will be happy. There is a time and place for Violence- and I am not afraid to use it if need be. But our current strategy-”
She shakes her head.
“What’s the point of winning this war if half our people die before we achieve our victory. What kind of victory is that? Death should be reserved only for those who have shown that they will not change for the better. Because, and perhaps this is naive of me, I believe in the idea that everyone can change. Not everyone will- some will stay stuck forever. But if someone is willing to change, and they die before they can ever do so- that’s abhorrent to me. So our current way of doing things- I cannot stop right now. But by showing that my way gets results as good with less loss, less bloodshed on our part. That means something.”
Neres takes in all that Thalia says, and asks one brief question. “What are you willing to give to see your strategy succeed?”
A long pause.
“If it means the freedom of all Kindred of this city- everything I have and everything I am.”
Everything in her tone, her body, her words, seems sincere.
Neres’ glowing, serpentine eyes follow Thalia slowly, dilating. “Do you mean it?” She asks, despite interpreting Thalia’s sincerity.
Thalia looks back at her, gaze calm, yet hard.
“I cannot, and I will not claim that this movement is free of sin, of envy, of power hungry monsters who wish only to destroy. And I cannot save everyone- I would be a fool to think so. But I know what I can do. And so I will do it. Maybe it will work. Maybe it wont. But what kind of person would I be if I didn’t try? Not the kind of person I want to be. So yes, Ms. Neres. I mean it.”
“Then I will tell you, in earnest truth, that I have killed Liam Holmes.” Neres gauges Thalia’s reaction after she admits this.
When she asked why, Neres told the following lie:
Thalia examines a very articulate, very calculated, and very dangerous looking woman. Neres explains. “Kingsnake, who you know, is a woman who I have taken care of like an adoptive daughter. I love her and wish nothing but the best for her. I would lay down my life if it meant her well being.” “Liam was Kingsnake’s sire. Liam violently attacked and abandoned Kingsnake after her embrace, leaving her lost, confused, and scared. Since learning of Liam’s presence in this city, Kingsnake has attempted to make amends, leaving water under the bridge. In response, Liam has turned to stalking, inappropriately propositioning, and generally harassing Kingsnake. One day, he decided to follow her home. I had the impression that he was a dangerous man, from all my daughter had said about him. I then struck him, killed him, and disposed of him.”
Thalia took this all as true and understood. She said she’d never sire anyone, perhaps a bit too sharp, and Neres agreed. Mentorship, however, was the best decision she’d ever made. She voiced her support for Thalia, over Kiri Sol. That wouldn’t leave the room, of course. She suggested she remind Kiri she’d be welcomed as a hero in Los Angeles.
Thalia left and texted a lie to Javier. She couldn’t find Liam, but she’d keep looking.
Additional Notes from Sand
# camarilla gossip plotline pt. 2
thalia's plan, as she tells neres, is to turn the camarilla from the local country club into the local The Girls Are Fighting club
neres is pleased with this
she uses this moment of conspiratorial glee to deepen bonds by revealing the killing of kingsnake's sire as a token of trust
following up on this, she glazes thalia up on her ability to surpass and replace kiri once more. another successful day for the aspiring shadow government