Lestat pauses, his smile fading as Baldwin spoke of what might await his children. He had not thought they might be targeted for the blood in their veins. He had not thought his name night carry weight at all. He had not told them of Marius and Akasha, never explained why his blood might be special beyond that it might confer some gifts. Claudia and Louis had not manifested the fire gift not the cloud gift before their departure and Lestat assumed they probably never would. Would they be foolish enough to tell the vampires they met who they were? What they don't to him? He is sure Claudia would brag about it with pride, write the whole thing down in that little diary of hers.
"They wanted to find others and find them they will. What happens after that will be up to them. I hope they are smarter than you suspect. More deliberate. I do not wish for their misery. I mean, not indefinitely. I think there is a proper amount of suffering to be had, of course. Perhaps I do wish for it now. Let them struggle and regret for a decade or two and perhaps we will be reunited, no? Absence makes the heart grow fonder." Lestat brushes past Baldwin, through the foyer, into the parlor where the piano once was. A mangled fireplace mantle, damaged in he and Louis' confrontation, left as a reminder. "You would come with me?"
He's always wondered what Baldwin gets out of their relationship. He is older, more powerful. He doesn't need to interact with such lesser beings and rarely deigns to. He wonders why he's the exception, why Baldwin shows care and concern for him and not for others. Of course he doesn't ask. For one, he's not sure Baldwin has an answer and for two, if he points it out, Baldwin might realize and leave. As if he's not aware of all Lestat's flaws and shortcomings thus far. "Do you not have businesses to run? Trades to make, investments to...invest in." He doesn't know really what Baldwin does nor the terminology but he's trying. He picks up a newspaper from several weeks ago, with some fresh headline about the war. He gestures with it, looking back at Baldwin where he stands.
"I only know they went to Europe. Claudia spent a great deal of time researching, if you can call it that. Reading all about myths and legends, told by humans about our kind. War time did not seem like the best time to be wandering around the continent currently on fire, but what do I know? What do you think they'll find? Maybe they won't even go to Paris. And maybe they will. I warned them. I told them those vampires were vicious. Maybe they'll find that out yet." He pauses and shrugs. "Tell me about Coney Island."
The older vampire had to inhale to not snap to Lestat to wake up and smell the roses, the man was deeply in his grief and rattled beyond measure no doubt by his abandonment. "You would almost think that the entire world being at war puts day to day commerce at a standstill, Lestat. I have done very well, I will admit, out of supplying for the war" In the early 19th century his own fortune begun with steel, then armaments and both were in high demand when the mortals were busy trying to kill each other. "Hence the until you settle. New York, Virginia, Boston, Philadelphia, Baltimore and New Orleans.... what do they have in common Lestat?" he asked and did not wait for an answer.
"Hubs where the supply chain gathers and heads over the ocean to Europe. Hence, I was going to Boston, I can set up in New York. Question men on subjects you are superior in knowledge to and just leave the concern of the businesses I run to me. I came with the intention to assure your bankers that you are still alive, I have proof of life, Roget will breathe easier. I have dedicated an enormous amount of time to your significant investments under Roget, a favour to them more than to you but an investment that requires you alive." No, he did not take Lestat's question well as well intended as it had been as Baldwin always regarded Lestat as a youth and it was not his place so quiz him on his decisions. He would forgive him, he was a man grieving and not well but let this be a firm warning that Baldwin does not take well to even a hint of assumption that he was endangering his business for personal matters. One whiff of sentimentality into the rumour mill could cost him the trust of his clients.
No, he was not sentimental. He would chose New York for his new office instead of Boston as the intention had been a hub city and they both had their pros and cons, for the sake of ensuring Lestat left this grave and started a new life but it was yet another investment into Lestat of his most precious commodity. Baldwin's time and subsequent effort.
"If you are a believer pray that they do not make it to France. Your ghosts are not as buried as you think them...and to the West...well I don't need to tell you that Claudia will find nothing but hostility in Auvergne." It made him wonder if truly Paris would be their biggest threat or if Baldwin's family in Clermont-Ferrand. Paris at least was an isolated secular coven, Philippe had spies and human mercenaries in the entirety of Auvegne even during war time to keep any vampire and witch from disturbing the peace of Sept-Tours.
"Coney Island is escapism, a seaside escape where the mortals try to pretend there is a semblance of hope left by riding fun fare rides in carnivals and sideshows. How long will you need to pack and be ready for departure from the city, I will get my travel agents to prep you papers. Two nights? Three?" It did not look like there was much left to pack if he was to be honest.
