False Virtues

The streets are littered with festering corpses, nothing unusual for this wreck of a city. And yet, it barely sighed as we led the Rat Pelts on a merry chase throughout the city. Typically, Eva almost failed in her duty; her silvertongue appears more akin to lead. The boy, of course, did well. He has developed an unhealthy fascination for the more volatile narcotics of this society, pumping himself full of rage essence. One can only guess where he got such a substance from but if he is to remain of any use to us, it would be best if I steered him away from it. I have seen better men devolve, becoming comatose, with only instances of blind, weakened rage left to move their emancipated bodies. You see, the drugs give power but they take a small part of yourself with every use. With that in mind, I am loathe to admit I was forced to use Quicksilver, with stupendous results. I worry of the effect continued use could have upon my own mind… the entire thing bears caution.
Hades, our gang, continues to build strength. So much so that I feel an encounter with Maximillian approaches closer than any of us might expect. Harry and Eva though are hardly ready; hardened thieves they may pretend at but there is a weakness in them. I have had to watch as mewling children approach them both, looking for handouts. Grasping claws and moist lips, gasping for a treat they are entirely underserving of. And the two indulge them… and indulge what they believe to be virtue as they do so. For all their proclamations of doing ‘whatever it takes’, it seems to stop them would take only a single word of strength aimed towards they growing brood. It is sickening, I must admit. One might be inclined to mention Eyas at this point and proclaim Vladislav a hypocrite. But they would be short sighted, as usual. Eyas, besides being my own blood, is a genius akin to her father. She is worth the entire orphanage and then a great deal more. Mistake me not, the children are useful for spreading discontent but I fear excessive empathy will be both of my companions undoing. Which would be unfortunate, but not crippling. Plenty more Lurks and Slivertongues roam the streets.
 
I must concede, however, to having underestimated young Eva. She dealt with Horatio well. There may be hope for her yet, which is why I have offered reconciliation. She insists on overstepping her boundaries however, trying to claim brilliance because she talked a fat man into eating a candy. Not exactly constructing Raphael, is it? In fact, one might go so far as to say the outcome was very much decided the moment we walked into that building. Perhaps that is too harsh though…. Credit where due. And of course, she possesses the bravery to allow me to experiment the first bio-technological fusion on her. Yes, Vladislav, you are being too harsh… you have always been solitary. Perhaps now it is time to allow others to assist you. Think of them as tools, if it helps… tools with potential. You’re quite right, of course. It would hardly be intelligent to throw away assets because my own ego needed a stroke.
 
Project Little Dove is progressing well; its creation shall be just what I need to wipe that self-satisfied smirk of that brat Leanne’s face. Beyond that of course, it should help to tip the scales when they come… then again, I doubt he would get his hands dirty. Formel though, is another matter. Little Dove is likely useless against him; after all, I designed the wretch myself. And sadly, I quite outdid myself.
 
Darks times approach. Now is the time to get our hands dirty, Vladislav. Yes, you are right. As always.