Dear Paine,

There is indeed a difference between a 'vampire' and Consanguine. The
Consanguine are vampires, but not all vampires are Consanguine. They are
not mere synonyms, but rather the latter of the two terms indicates one
who is a part of broader Consanguine culture and shares Consanguine
ideals as they are enshrined in the legacies. Being Consanguine entails
more than merely suckling on mortal necks, it involves attitude,
decorum, and worldview.

That I was once mortal, I do not deny. All of us were once mortal, after
all. We were once our own prey. This is neither an especially astounding
nor an especially troubling revelation for the Consanguine. We know this
intimately, because we were all elevated above our mortal nature. We
spent years, decades even, allowing the transmuted Blood to percolate
through us, to work its subtle changes upon our bodies and upon our
minds. We are not what we once were and we owe no debt of gratitude to
those who wish to remain as they are.

When I wish to capitulate to the more primal urges I experience owing to
my vampiric nature, I do so. Do not, ever, make the mistake of thinking
that I, or other Consanguine, do anything mindlessly. I AM a
bloodthirsty predator, and I make no attempt to conceal it. My mortal
body died nearly a century ago. My lethargic mortal mind took longer to
adjust than did my undead body, but the Blood prevailed once I allowed
the outer Embrace to become the inner Embrace.

We are not the same.

Penned by my hand on the 9th of Severin, in the year 162 MA.