Alyssa Kostapoulos: Alyssa wanders into the chantry, wideeyed just like the first time. She gives a curious peek around once she gets to the bottom of the stairs. "Miranda?"

Miranda Okanedo [Ling's]: She's sitting in the main room, her eyes focused on a small paperback book in her hands. When she hears Alyssa's voice, she looks up, rising and setting the book down. "Hello, Alyssa," she calls out in that accented voice. She smiles to the girl and moves to approach her, all warmth and polite kindness. "I am glad you have come. How are you?"

Alyssa Kostapoulos: She gives a bright smile. "I'm good. How're you? Is marty feeling any better?"

Miranda Okanedo [Ling's]: "He is well enough." She smiles and reaches out to take the girl's hand...hers have the rough sense, of someone who has worked hard in their life. "We have both had much on our minds. But we will perservere. Come, sit."

Alyssa Kostapoulos: She gladly clasps her hand around Miranda's, following her to a seat. "He look troubled but didn't want to talk to me about it. I'd like to help.. but I don't want to pry."

Alyssa Kostapoulos: (looked)

Miranda Okanedo [Ling's]: "It is...a private matter of ours. Business of a sort...one that still may yet come to light, when the time is right." She seats herself on a couch, her hand drawing away from Alyssa's to fold with the other in her lap. "So, then."

Alyssa Kostapoulos: Alyssa plops down on the couch next to the woman, slipping the strap of the heavy bag from her shoulder and laying it to the floor with a heavy thud. She looks up with a bright smile. "What do I need to do to join your chantry? I've already spoken with Marty. He said I needed to speak with you."

Miranda Okanedo [Ling's]: She nods a little bit, smiling warmly. "I know...Marty spoke to me briefly about it. He said you have promise as a member." She's quiet for a moment, watching her, before: "Why do you want to join Madame Ling's, Alyssa?"

Alyssa Kostapoulos: "Because the traditions need to come together. Especially now. I want to help. I'm still a student, but my acarya says I show a lot of promise. I think joining Ling's will help me fit in better with the others. As it is, I don't think they much care for my methods. But I'm trying to learn."

Miranda Okanedo [Ling's]: She nods a little, approvingly. "What is it that you think they don't care for?"

Alyssa Kostapoulos: She frowns, looking down at her lap. "They say I'm giving away too much by the way I dress. And because I don't pray behind closed doors." She gives a defensive look to the woman. "I don't do magic in public. I would never do that. It just bothers me that I should be forced to hide my faith in the gods just because it makes the American's uneasy."

Miranda Okanedo [Ling's]: She nods, fully understanding. "I know exactly what you mean, child. I have practices that make most Americans nervous myself, and it bothers me that I cannot openly practice my beliefs."

Alyssa Kostapoulos: She nods to the woman, reaching into a full sleeve to scratch a bandaged forearm. "I've been a beleiver of the gods for far longer than my awakening. I don't see how praying in public offends them. I don't get offended when I see Christains praying."

Miranda Okanedo [Ling's]: "Do you know why other Tradition mages worry when they see you practicing your prayer in public?"

Alyssa Kostapoulos: She nods. "Because they don't understand what worship of the gods really means. They think that by my prayers I'm giving away secrets of the traditions. Drawing attention to myself."

Miranda Okanedo [Ling's]: "The concern is something like that, yes." She nods. "Alyssa...they would not be concerned if it were just the Sleepers that you were potentially alerting. But the Technocracy, our enemies...they are constantly on the look-out for those who are different. Different could mean us, we of the Traditions. Anyone who is not what is considered 'standard' in their narrow belief system, they watch. They worry about you for yourself, because while you are not doing magic, you may be alerting the Technocracy to your presence."

Alyssa Kostapoulos: "The union is already aware of my prescence. My name was on the list. They know who I am." She gives a confused look to Miranda. "I don't pray in the park anymore. Only in my home and out in the middle of the woods. But I still think it's unfair."

Miranda Okanedo [Ling's]: "It is unfair." She nods. "I very much agree." A hand comes out to rest on the girl's knee.

Alyssa Kostapoulos: She gives a tiny nod and a sad look down to her lap. "I'm getting used to things not being fair."

Miranda Okanedo [Ling's]: Her brow furrows curiously. "We all are. I'm...sorry that life has been unfair for you. Patience and diligence will win out in the end, whatever your problems, I am sure."

Alyssa Kostapoulos: She frowns. "It's not patience I need in this particular situation, I fear. If so I could handle that. I need wisdom. And I haven't much."

Miranda Okanedo [Ling's]: "Wisdom comes in time, child." She smiles warmly. "You cannot imagine the mistakes that I made in my youth. Ones I should have paid for much dearly then I did. However, it all worked out in the end. Try not to worry on your dliemmas overlong. And if you figure out how, please tell me."

Alyssa Kostapoulos: She gives a tiny nod, fidgeting with the corners of her sleeve. "I'm not comfortable enough with the situation to speak of it yet. Soon, though." She nods.

Miranda Okanedo [Ling's]: "Fair enough." She gives the girl a gracious nod. "So, then...tell me just a little about yourself, if you do not mind. I'd like to get to know you from yourself, rather then the words of another."

Alyssa Kostapoulos: "I'm Euthanatos. Of the Hierochthonoi sect. I awakened at sixteen and was found by the others on my island who took me in and taught me to be a proper preistess. That was.. almost six years ago."

Miranda Okanedo [Ling's]: "I see." She nods a little bit. "I have met some of the Hierochthonoi...they have always been very well-represented to me. What brought you to the United States?"

Alyssa Kostapoulos: She gives a bright smile, hearing her speak highly of her sect. "Since my induction I've been chela to the wise Ladon Lerios. He was always a good friend of the family. Late last year, my family and him decided it best for us to come to America to sell the family wine. And start a restraunt. I think he had it in mind to be a learning experience for me. Before then.. I'd never left the island. Never wanted to."

Miranda Okanedo [Ling's]: She nods a little. "Another experience I can relate to, being not a native to the United States myself. I've found, though, that coming here has expanded my horizons greatly...and I have much to provide those here, as I am sure that you do, as well."

Alyssa Kostapoulos: She nods. "I hope so." she shifts, fidgety. "I.. I've met things here that I never thought of much when I was back on the island." She frowns. "I've come across demons. And the undying. It's not that I didn't believe they existed.. I'm not that naive. But I never thought I'd be casually approached by them."

Miranda Okanedo [Ling's]: "Yes...there seems to be a lot of that in this city." She sighs, looking a bit older for just a moment. It vanishes quickly, though, and she smiles a bit. "More learning experiences."

Alyssa Kostapoulos: She gives a strangly pleading look to the woman. Looking as childish as ever. "Miranda.. someone I've grown very close to.. a boy I know. I just found out recently that he's one of the undying. It.. it bothers me. I know he's a violation of the wheel of life. And that as a preist of fate working as the hand of Atropos, I should push him along.. but.." She squints, looking down to her lap. "I'm confused. Nothing is as clear as it used to be."

Miranda Okanedo [Ling's]: An eyebrow arches. "A member of the undying. A...vampire, you mean?" She considers this for a long moment, eyes appraising the girl. "How did this come about?"

Alyssa Kostapoulos: She frowns. "I've known him for a long time now. He was one of the first friends I made in the city. But I found out from my acarya that he's.. Yes. One of them." She looks back down to her lap. Confused and ashamed. "It wasn't his intention. He isn't even aware of what he is. His mind has been invaded by an evil force of somesort. A bad person. He has two sides. My acarya pushed the bad side back for now, in hoping that we can find a more permanant solution."

Miranda Okanedo [Ling's]: She's quiet for a long moment, considering this. "I have no doubt your acarya is a wise man, Alyssa. I must admit, I am quite hesitant about this situation...vampires are typically abhorrant creatures, a violation of everything we are. I will trust in your mentor's judgment and yours...for now." The 'for now' is the stressed point. "You are aware, of course, that this person will never be able to enter here."

Alyssa Kostapoulos: She gives an adamant nod. "Of course. I would never bring him here. And I would never speak of the traditions in his prescence." she frowns. "He is greek though. A fellow worshipper of the gods. We pray together. I hope that isn't a problem."

Miranda Okanedo [Ling's]: She shakes her head. "Whatever you do outside of the walls of this chantry are your own business, Alyssa. Take care that you do not allow this knowledge of your association with him to spread. Others will not be so understanding as I, and will seek his and possibly your destruction. Is Marty aware of this situation?"

Alyssa Kostapoulos: She shakes her head "I only found out recently. I've only spoken with marty once since then.. And he looked so troubled already.. I didn't want to burden him any farther. I won't bring it to anyone else's attentions. But as deacons, you have rights to know certain things about my person. I hope you're not upset with me Miranda.."

Miranda Okanedo [Ling's]: "I am not upset, no." She shakes her head, smiling a little. "Merely concerned. But as I said, I will trust upon your and your acarya's judgment."

Alyssa Kostapoulos: She nods. "I've been praying about it. A lot. The gods will show me the way, in time."

Miranda Okanedo [Ling's]: "I'm sure they will." She nods, her smile strengthening a little. She really does seem to mean that. The girl certainly seemed to have good intent. "Will you be living here at Madame Ling's, or outside of the chantry? You will have access to a room either way..."

Alyssa Kostapoulos: "I'd like to stay close to my acarya, if that's alright. I'll continue to life in the loft above the restraunt."

Miranda Okanedo [Ling's]: She nods a little. "That would be fine...as I said, you will have a room here for you, should you ever have need of using it for whatever reason."

Alyssa Kostapoulos: She gives a proud nod to the woman "That sounds wonderful. Thank you. Is there anything I can do to contribute? Or help? Duties I'll have to carry out?"

Miranda Okanedo [Ling's]: "In the event that Ling's is ever under threat, of course, we band together to protect it. Protecting and respecting the privacy of the members of the chantry, of course..." She looks thoughtful for a moment. "And I must talk with Marty, but I believe we do have something we must do, that you can aid with."

Alyssa Kostapoulos: She gives a proud nod. "After you talk with him, come see me. Or have me come here. David Poe said people can spy on telephone calls. And he's very wise. If you come by the restraunt I'll prepare a feast in your honor."

Miranda Okanedo [Ling's]: She nods. "Of course. Welcome to the chantry, child. You are free to come in at any time, and have access to our node...I will contact you very soon, once I have spoken with Marty."

Alyssa Kostapoulos: She nods and stands. "Thank you Miranda. Be safe." She picks up her heavy bag with an oof and lugs it back over her shoulder.