Childe of Passion

Two bland, middle-aged men escorted her from her Sire as soon as their carriage arrived at Collège-lycée Ampère. She read a book while she waited in the cold, quiet room she'd been abandoned to. It was titled De Proprio Procreatio. In English, it meant On Proper Procreation. It was a book Sébastien had accidently incorporated in the stack assigned to her. What he did not know, Louisé would not reveal to him. The book was not particularly thick, being divided into only five sections. It tightened her stomach to read the words, which came across more as Commandments than suggestions as the text implied:

For this is the proper method of Siring, according to the good and noble wisdom of our Forefathers:

1) Thou shalt chooseth of a strong and proper Man, for men exemplify the unblemished perfection of Creation. Man is the head of all things: family, business and politics. He is the creator and ruler of strong cities, lord of his household and controller of the purse. He is the honor of his father before him and the carrier of his noble name. He containeth strong Phlegm and is ruléd by his mind. Therefore, any true and loyal Ventrue shalt first look uponeth Man for thine ideal Childe.

2) If nought a noble or virtuous Man is to be found amongst a Ventrue's domain to chooseth from, then they shalt chooseth next from an able-bodied and learnéd youth. They are but lesser Men and containeth all humors to make an ideal Man. Noble Ventrue are warned that youth are ruléd by Sanguine, and weaketh to the wiles of Glory and Lust. With a steady, gentle hand their Sire may gaineth much in domain and riches.

3) If Ventrue of dignity feareth the weakness of the Youth and have nought a noble or virtuous Man amongst their domain, then good and noble wisdom sayeth turn thine eyes amongst the noble and virtuous flocks of Women. True and loyal Ventrue may Sireth a Woman without first looking uponeth Man or Youth if thou art also a Woman. Lesser than Man, and bringers of Sin, Women are stainéd with the weakness of their sex. A Woman must manage of her house, respecteth her husband, bear strong sons, and be-th full of Faith, noble blood, and many seasons. Let good and noble Ventrue be wise that Woman is ruléd by Melanchole and recquireth of a strong hand by her Sire to manage.

4) True, good and loyal Ventrue shalt turn thine eye from the weakness and debauchery of Female Youth. For theirs is the eyes of Eve and in their hand, they holdeth thine Fruit of Destruction. Ruléd by Choleric, Female Youth are servants of anger and wrathful temper. Daughters of Lust and Jealousy, Female Youth shalt be the bane of their Sire. If brethren feeleth the lure of Female Youth, thou shalt lean uponeth the wisdom of thine Forefathers and dispatcheth this Female lest they shareth in her imperfections.

Good, noble and true Ventrue shalt remember thine own dignitas and gravitas in all matters of procreation. Thou shalt honor thy clan in all thine Childer. These art the words of wisdom of our Forefathers.

It couldn't have been written more than three hundred years ago, and yet the words read as if they had been spoken by God, Himself. She would have liked to believe this was a book for radicals, but the fact that Sébastien had one lent credence to the notion of it being commonplace amongst Ventrue archives. The room door swinging open was welcome distraction from the awful words. She left the book behind and followed the two men. They took her from the room, down a candlelit hall and to a circular room. There was a singular chair in the middle of the room and balcony where a few Kindred sat.

Louisé sat in the chair when they directed her to. It was daunting, being in the middle of emptiness. Though the eyes were few, all were on her and there was, perhaps, a shred of mercy between them all. She hadn't been sure such cold an existence could become colder. Now she was sure it could.