On the subject of missing items

[Jacob Swainswick]

"Very well. Although someone should do something," he added. "The stories that we read leave out an obvious objection: heavens, it's cropped up amongst our own clientele here. Were I an anarchist, I cannot fathom any reason to remain within the city once my goal - whatever the intent might have been, the d-mnable wretches - was achieved. Particularly with the police and militia in such high numbers. And yet the constables continue to turn the city upside-down! Either they think they know something - what I cannot imagine - or they cannot muster the brains between them to fill a pail. After the other night I begin to suspect the latter."

The tailor hugged her tighter, enjoying the moment of closeness.

"Oh," he said, "what's a harpy? Another dreadful term, it's as bad as ghoul. Who concocted the vampiric lexicon?"

[Valentina Audley]

"Believe me darling, people are doing something. It might even work, you never know your luck."

She tilts his head down to her, fluttering her eyelashes at him.

"I have no idea who came up with the terms, but they predate you and I by quite a long way. As for what Harpys are.."

She kisses him on the nose, giggles then spins away, moving just out of reach.

"Harpys are our bankers, but they are more than that. They guard our traditions, they ensure we carry on. They police our society and reward those who uphold our laws."

She shivers. "They... have ways of punishing those who transgress."

She looks at him, wide eyed and solemn. "We revere them, but a wise Kindred also fears them."