Terranda Jackson

One of the most recent additions to Kenya's Kindred community, Terranda is an African-American who came to paint in the land of her ancestors. Terranda is relatively young (13th generation) by vampiric standards; her sire Embraced her in New Orleans in 1975. She has spent the last decade trying to "find herself." Caught up in the resurgence of African pride, Terranda decided to see her homeland for herself. At a local gathering of Kindred, she presented herself to the city's kabaka (prince) and reveled in the tribal feel of the acceptance ritual. The local Kindred explained to her that the rituals had been passed down through thousands of years of tradition. Terranda felt she had come home. The next evening, Terranda made an enemy in the form of Dillon Abernathy. She spoke to him with great pride and excitement about her presentation to Mombasa's kabaka. Needless to say, Abernathy did not share her enthusiasm. He chided her for becoming involved with the dirty, uncivilized local Kindred. He chastised her for participating in their pitiful, tribal rituals which, he said, were merest ignorance and superstition. Terranda's pride and indignation would not let her ignore these remarks. Her teeth came out and she attacked. Abernathy was so surprised that she got a few good hits in before the elder realized what was happening. Other Kindred quickly intervened, and as soon as he could, Abemathy bolted. Since that night, Terranda has taken periodic safaris into the bush to paint pictures of the wildlife and of the native peoples. Several art shows have featured her paintings, which sell extremely well. Unfortunately, Terranda doesn't know that Abernathy has bought every one of them. He plans to destroy them as his revenge against her and he will make sure she sees the fire as they burn. At her haven, Terranda has one painting which she has kept. It portrays a young Bantu woman dancing around a ceremonial fire. In the background, the painted faces of the others watching are masks suspended against the darkness. Terranda calls it "Fire Dancer." She would never part with it.

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