“The ancien régime has for centuries grown rich and bloated off the labour of the peasants, while giving nothing in return. The nobility and clergy tell us that them ruling over the common folk is just the natural order… well I say, to hell with the natural order!” cried Maria, her words sharp and passionate as she spoke to the gathered revolutionaries in a secluded cafe in Machecoul.

“Liberty, equality, fraternity!” chanted the other revolutionaries.

While Maria was young, her devotion to the revolution burned brightly and she had already gained the admiration and respect of the small revolutionary militia of Machecoul. It saddened her that anti-revolutionary sentiment was more common amongst her neighbours, but Maria was determined to inspire as many as she could.

“Quite the riveting speech,” said Richter, her adoptive brother and fellow vampire hunter, as the meeting ended. “Really, almost drew my attention away from my drink a few times there.”

“God you’re such a wanker,” she remarked with a roll of her eyes.

“I’m heading out, I heard from one of your rebel friends that a vampire’s been harassing his grandpa’s farm. You coming?” asked Richter.

“I have some errands to catch up with. I’m sure you can handle it, you are a Belmont and all. But if you get your arse kicked, I’ll be sure to show up to save it and gloat,” said Maria with a teasing smirk.

Richter gave an eyeroll of his own and departed. While Maria did have some errand to run, she was still angered at what she’d heard. The nobles and vampires worked together to suppress and harass the commoners, bleeding them dry… quite literally in the case of the vampires.

Maria also hoped to find unfamiliar faces in the cafe. Machecoul was only a small part of France, and the Paris newspapers took months to get here. Outsiders often brought news, and also gave new thoughts and perspectives for Maria to debate and inspire.

With France changing so quickly, and the vampires on the prowl, Maria was eager to get as many allies as she could.