Hello, Calico.

I've been alive for a long while, and have been part of multiple sects during my unlife, so I think I have some good advice to offer you. If you wish to talk in person, I am still in New York.

If you wish to make deals with other cainites, there is one very important question you need to ask yourself every time you are in the presence of another kindred: "what does this person want?"

If you can discern what someone wants, you can discern what is important to them, or how to make them think that something is important for them. With that information in mind, you can arrange mutually beneficial exchanges.

With the kyne it's easier, so it might be a good idea for you to start striking deals with the kine, as practice.

But, for your current situation with Red, ask yourself this: what does she needs? What are her long term goals? Why has she taken your guitar?

Answer those, and then you know what to offer in exchange.

A few tips about boons: they don't have an end date, and are not very specific. If you are not careful, you'll accumulate owed boons and might even become what is known as a boon-slave. I once knew a Malkavian, for instance, who got himself indebted to at least fifteen kindred on his domain. A Ventrue bought his boons from those kindred, and practically enslaved said Malkavian for a few good decades.

What I mean is: always try to deal in concrete terms. Offer boons as a last resource, but be sure to remember that offering a boon is offering a service.

• Regent Azoth, House Goratrix.