Home Again (Ren) - Henri's Penthouse

"I will probably have lots of questions." She was still staring out the window. "Though I suppose that's mutual."

She smiled and nodded.

"Oh, I have plenty of questions. But why don't we start with yours?"

"What's the issue between you and Victor?" It was asked respectfully.

Henrietta sighed.

"You don't pull your punches, do you?"

She was silent for a long moment, but more as if she were gathering her thoughts, than an unwillingness to answer the question.

"Have you ever felt the beginnings of love?"

"I'm Brujah, we never pull our punches." Though it sounded like she was making light of it, she was actually rather serious.

She glanced over at the woman. "I've never felt anything close to love." She admitted. "If this is too deep of a subject, too painful, I can withdraw the question."

She shook her head.

"Non, it is not too painful. It is a facet of me that you must understand if you are to be my student."

She paused again, taking another long sip of her wine.

"New love is a bright and shining thing. And Victor was there for me when I was in a time of need. But when he faked his death, I mourned. I raged. And then I was reminded of an older love, one that was raging as much as I was."

She sighed.

"When Victor came to Port St. Lucie, and I ran into him when Sam called for help, something inside of me broke. I will never forgive him for what he did, and he will never forgive me for turning back to Doc so quickly. And we have forever to hate each other."

Henri smiled sadly.

"Love is a beautiful thing. I have only to think of Doc's feeling's for me, and I'm Queen of the World."

"Do you want me to go on about the good aspects? That might take a while."

"I have time" She smiled.

She wanted to get to know her Clanmates...for once.

She smiled.

"Love. It is a wonderful thing when it works. You always know that the one who loves you will be there, waiting for you, ready to give you anything you want or need. You need never wonder if you are worthy, because they make you feel such by their presence alone. I have no fear with my love around, for he will back me up in everything. I have a full and complete partner in him, never mind that I am the only one of us with the semblance of life."

She gave a hesitant smile. "That sounds wonderful."

Henri nodded ever so slightly.

"It is. But it is also rare, even among the kine. So very rare that when I first beheld Doc's love for me, I did not know what it was. But he didn't let me forget, once I did."

"I've never experienced anything like that. I'm not sure I can." She'd tried to be open to it. It just wasn't there.

Henrietta smiled.

"As I said, it is a rare thing. But if you should ever find it, the person who reciprocates it should stick around long enough for you to realize what you feel."

"Someone sticking around at all would be nice." She laughed, sort of.

Henri chuckled.

"Oui, but I sense that has changed. You have people around you who have no intention of going anywhere. We will love and support you in our own ways until you no longer need us. And then it will be you who has the choice of walking away."

She smiled.

"Good."

"Thank you, Henri." She was grateful to have family around who didn't hate her.

She smiled.

"You're very welcome, love."

"I'm rather tired, would you mind horribly tucking me in?" So small, and so very fragile.

Henri smiled and stood.

"Of course, love. Right this way."

Ren followed the beautiful woman.