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THE MONSTER OF EALING
Last night, several people reported the sighting of a "screaming red monster" in a quiet neighbourhood of Ealing. After a power shortage in the area, a building caught fire. It was then when, what was described as a "man shaped, footless creature" emerged from the flames, leaping, running, and screaming. One woman has told our reporters that the man had "teeth like a wolf, and the face of the devil". Police officers are still trying to get to the bottom of this; neither the power shortage nor the fire have still been explained. A spokesperson from Scotland Yard has stated that the "so called monster" might be a wounded person, escaping the fire.

TRAGEDY IN TOOLEY STREET
The police has found the bodies of three TFL workers in the construction site at Tooley Street. One of their colleagues raised the alarms last week, when the three workers didn't attend their shifts. The bodies of the men have been found in a deep hole, uncovered by the refurbishment works that are taking place in the area. According to the Police, the bodies were horribly mutilated, which has led to the wildest speculations. The names of the three workers are being kept anonymous, following the wishes of their families.

HOROSCOPE
MARCH 8 - PISCES
You are used to making sacrifices, to prioritising the happiness of others before yours. Even though that is a noble attitude, there are times in life where the only healthy alternative is to embrace your own selfishness and allow yourself some enjoyment. Reserve one hour per day to do something you really like. Treat yourself! Your colour for this month is blue.
Echoes from the past ring back into London. Their intensity increases until they are deafening. What once was a faded memory of a glorious time, now becomes a shocking reality. The consequences of actions taken decades ago ripple into the present, altering the lives of everybody in the City. Unguided and blind, Kindred wander around, trying to make profit out of the reigning chaos.


The appearance of four mysterious figures turned the city upside down. Mistrust and jealousy became the official currency of London. Serpents and fiends rise to power, misdirecting the blaming eyes of the Camarilla towards imaginary enemies. Only those with clear vision and the ability to trust each other strive, while the rest run towards a shallow grave.



Across The Board
Current Chronicle: Dragons and Lions; Pride and Fire
Current Season: Spring
Controlling Sect: Camarilla



Index
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Population: 31

Camarilla
Anarchs
Other
Ventrue: 1
Toreador: 5 (6)
Brujah: 2 (3)
Malkavian: 7
Tremere: 2
Nosferatu: 3
Gangrel: 1
Ventrue: 1
Toreador: 0
Brujah: 2 (3)
Malkavian: 0
Nosferatu: 1
Gangrel: 1
Setites: 5
Sabbat: ???


THE CAMARILLA

Prince

Nobody

Sheriff
Meredith Furlong
Hounds
Robyne Sheridan
Rosella Marie Allain


Keeper of Elysium
Davvad Bisset

Grand Harpy
Catherine Wilke

Primogen
Ventrue: Marcus Antonio Russo
Brujah: Thomas Krusen
Gangrel: Alexa Mallik
Malkavian: Ellora Reese
Tremere: Hannah Sundling
Toreador: Arsenio Pozzi
Nosferatu: Dogan Khojak



ANARCHS

Baron

Khoza

Baronets
Enfield: Leslie
Haringey & Barnet: Clarice Harris
Harrow: Jelena Korolenko

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5th M-Meeting: Jean Marthereau
Topic Started: Thursday, 27. March 2014, 19:37 (1,314 Views)
Jeremy Starling
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Seneschal of London
* * * * * *
Luckily Beddington Park was not in Sabbat or Anarch territory.
But it was quite far away from the city center.
For Jeremy it was quite unusual to meet someone in a park.
Mr. Finney had driven Jeremy here and was waiting in the car for him. It made Jeremy feel a bit safer to have his ghoul close by.

The Ventrue was wearing a dark blue suit and a long black coat made of wool. Jeremy looked at his watch. It was five minutes to 11.
It didnīt rain, at least not at the moment, but just in case he had an umbrella with him...which also could be used as a weapon do defend himself, if needed. But hopefully that wouldnīt be necessary.
Jeremy entered the park and walked around a bit, having a look if Mr. Martherau was already here.
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Marthereau
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No sign of rain was to be seen. The park was empty, or at least it seemed empty. No other persons crossed Jeremy's way as he entered the park, save for a jogger, who quickly disappeared after getting past the Ventrue at the park gate. The lamps weren't in the best condition and rather dim, the illumination unable to fully poke through the darkness before him. Only small glowing dots were able to tell him where the next lamp was. The shapes of the benches and trees only slowly peeled out of the dark, until he finally saw a bench that looked occupied.

In fact, he recognized the person he was looking for, even if the Malkavian was wearing a rather dirty and old coat and had a stubble on his face that had not been there on the night of the Gala. He didn't seem to have noticed Jeremy, looking at some point out in the darkness Jeremy couldn't see. There was more than enough space for the Ventrue on the bench.

"A nice quiet night, would't you say, Mr. Starling ? Inviting and not unsuited for a little talk."
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Jeremy Starling
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Seneschal of London
* * * * * *
It was quite dark here. That was one reason why Jeremy wouldnīt walk around in a park normally. Because it was too dark for his taste.
To be in parks had been so much more enjoyable in the daylight. Parks were not made for the night, or that was at least how he saw it. In bad areas parks could even be places were dodgy things went on during the night, or where drunks or drug users hang around.
Jeremy tried to forget about the rather bad associations he had about parks at nighttime.
Surely it wasnīt dangerous here. Hopefully.

Finally Jeremy found the Malkavian. Luckily he wasnīt lurking in the shadows to appear suddenly in front of Jeremy, that was a relief. He didnīt like it very much if someone sneaked up on him like that.

"Good evening, Mr. Marthereau. Yes, it is a pleasant night indeed."
And it was unlikely that there were any unwanted eavesdroppers here.
Jeremy sat down on the bench beside the Malkavian.

"In the daytime parks are a lot nicer though. A lot of things looked nicer in the daytime. Do you miss that sometimes? I do. Well, daylight was nice, but I wouldnīt want to get decrepit...I prefer the darkness of the night a lot to that."
No, being a vampire wasnīt too high a price to pay for staying forever young...mostly.
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Marthereau
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"Are they really ? Filled with all sorts of people, dogs, birds and whatnot ? Smelly, noisy, people watching every step of yours... I prefer this. No other people, no animals, no lights, no noise."

Daylight was indeed... nice. It was so much more than that, but he didn't say that. Jean doubted someone like Jeremy would understand the complicatedand rather special relationship the Malkavian had had with the sun when he had been still alive. The biggest and brightest reminder about life, yet taken for granted so much until it was too late... He turned his head towrds the Ventrue, not much, just enough to look at him. A bit like a cat that had cornered a mouse and was nw pondering what to do with it. Deal the lethal blow immediately ? Or have a bit of fun while they were at it ? A chill gust of wind made a few leaves dance at their feet as silence fell between the two kindred.

"Do you really, Mr. Starling ? Have you staved off decay and decrepitness ? Or have you traded one form for another ? Your body will not decay or age, yet, you are bound to witness everything around you wither and rot. Your mind is free from dulling with age yet, but still, you are bound to forget things, trivial things at first, things you didn't think would matter to you. The feeling of the sun on your body. Genuine emotion. A life without the beast inside you. The taste of your favourite food. The caress of a loved one. All that and so much more, either already lost to the years or still about to. No dementia will ever claim you, yet you will evetually end up a relic that doesn't fit into society, unfamiliar with who and what happens around you. And for what ? For a few more pathetic years on this soil. It has a Dorian Grey-esque feeling to it. Do yo know why, Mr. Starling ?

When your time comes, you will still die like everyone else does. None of what you have gathered over the years and decades will protect you. No money. No knowledge. No power. No debt. No weapon. No retainer. No ally. It will make no dfference at all and the only question that counts is, what have you done with the years you have been given ? Have they been used well ? Or have they been squandered for nothing of value ?"

Jean's eyes fixed on those of the Ventrue. They were cold and devoid of emotion as they sized up Jeremy. It as like the Malkavian was looking beyond those eyes, deeper down. Wasn't it said that the eyes were the windows to he soul ? The lips in the sea of stubble curled into a thin-lipped, predatory smile as he spoke again.

"Do you fear eternity, Mr. Starling ? Do you fear death ?"
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Jeremy Starling
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* * * * * *
"I donīt like it either if itīs too crowded, but a small amount of lively people around me is quite pleasant for me."
And then...the smalltalk suddenly turned into something unpleasant, with somehow philosophical and existential questions...but not anything Jeremy hadnīt asked himself before. He got lost into negative thinking sometimes.
"I wouldnīt like it a lot to look old and unattractive, I quite like being attractive."
Was he vain about his looks? A bit maybe.
"But indeed, unlife has its price. And Iīm aware I havenīt paid much of that price yet."

Jeremy didnīt shy away from letting Mr. Marthereau look into his eyes.
It sounded as if the Malkavian spoke out of his own experience. His eyes reminded Jeremy a lot of Max. But not only the eyes, also what he said. And the coldness.
Jeremy kept hoping that he could wake some warmth in Max. Jeremy wanted to "save" him, the Ventrue kept hoping that his love could save Max. Save him from what? From becoming even less human?

"I would guess you are quite old...maybe about a hundred years older than me...
You remind me of someone of that age. He has said similar things, about forgetting memories or even emotions. It sounds terrible. It doesnīt make eternity sound very inviting. I suppose one becomes innerly dead...
Yes, it has something of Dorian Grey. Not looking older, but getting coldhearted.
But some kindred become like that quicker than others.
I know kindred younger than me who are quite inhuman already."


Somehow it was impossible for Jeremy to say anything else but the truth. He felt as if the Malkavian would notice it anyway if Jeremy was lying.
"Being kidnapped and then tortured for years, thatīs something I fear more than death.
But do you know what would be the worst thing for me? If Iīm not able to love any more. To me personally that would be worse than death. At least thatīs what it feels like now. Who knows if I will still feel that way when the time has come?
Surely itīs impossible to stay warmhearted forever...but I try to hang onto it as long as I can.
Does it feel like a loss to you, not to be warmhearted?"

Well, but some people already were quite coldhearted when they were still humans.
And he wondered what it would be like when he finally lost his ability to love. Would it really feel bad?

"I suppose it depends a lot on the circumstances if one can stay as īhumanī as possible after the embrace. The ones who kill lose it quicker.
And my older friend said to me, the less one cares to simply kill others, the more important it is to have strong principles and a strong self-control.
When the time comes that I canīt love any more, maybe I wonīt mind any more that Iīve lost that, maybe Iīll be a powerhungry Prince then, who knows? Or maybe I wonīt even get that old...
And there are different opinions of course what is of value and what isnīt, and if the years were wasted or not.
Iīm very aware that every night might be my last one. So I personally try to īliveī as if every night might be my last one, but also as if Iīve got still all eternity ahead of me...so, no unnecessary rush.
If I die tonight I wouldnīt feel my existence was wasted. I would be totally forgotten one day of course, oh well, thatīs the course of things. Itīs the moment that matters. I exist one moment at a time. And the numerous nice moments were certainly worth experiencing, oh yes...I donīt feel at all that it was all just pathetic. I am melancholic sometimes, but I donīt let negative thinking rule me.
Is your existence not enjoyable at all to you? That would be a pity. Isnīt there anything you are aiming for?"

Maybe such questions sounded naive to the older kindred.
But it must be terrible if you thought your existence didnīt really make sense. Jeremy hoped it wouldnīt be like that for him in the future.
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Marthereau
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Jeremy reminded Jean of the saying his Sire had been quite fond of. In Ventrue vanitas. Immediately some thin voice from the back of his head complained that it should be vanitatem. It may have been right, it might have not. The pun worked, that mattered ! Very well, he wouldn't get into the whole topic too much, that was a discussion for another time. For another tie in the remoter future, not ten seconds in the future. Of course.

"You have. The realisation of how much you paid will just need time to sink in, thats all."

He shortly regarded the words of the younger kindred. Reflective, much ? Not being able to love anymore was the worst that could happen to Jeremy ? Worse than death or the prospect of long torture ? Poor little swallow... All alone up there, gliding down. He wodered how Jeremy would react when he realized that his wings were unable to get him back up again, a slow downward glide the best he could hope for, with a fast and deadly descent so much more likely ? Jean couldn't say he had been through all that, but he had seen enogh to know a few things about life. Ironic, seeing as he now was no longer among the living. A walking dead man was all that was left of him.

"That is the beauty of it, Mr. Starling... Its not torn away from you, quite the opposite. You lose it one tiny bit after another. And I mean very tiny. Insignificantly small. Bit it amasses with time. You dont wake up and notice you feel a bit colder. You rationalize. You rationalize until you look into the mirror one morning and stop liking what looks back at you. Only then its too late already. Does it feel like a loss ?"

He chuckled softly but didn't say anything more. Perhaps Jeremy figured out what he meant, perhaps he did not.

"If my existance were unenjoyable and I had nothing to aim for... What would make me sit here instead of going to see the sun a last time or having my remains distributed by a gust of wind, Mr. Starling ? You see, thats the brilliance of it. Death is cheap for us. If your existance becomes a burden, there are a myriad of ways to getting out of it. It is laughably easy, really !

But I don't think philosophy is what this meeting is about, is it ? You said you wanted to get to know the family and establish good relations."

Jean kneaded his hands which were dangling in front of him, at about knee level. He focused his attention on that for a few moments, then he returned it back to Jeremy.

"Why ?"



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Jeremy Starling
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Seneschal of London
* * * * * *
Jeremy was beginning to get afraid that the Malkavian might get angry about the questions Jeremy had asked, and maybe they had sounded naive.
Why should someone who never had been much of a warmhearted person suffer from not being warmhearted? So it was foolish even to ask such a question.
But did Jeremy suppose that this man had never been much of a warmhearted person? Maybe thatīs what Jeremyīs intuition told him, he wasnīt sure, he simply felt foolish.
But he somehow couldnīt imagine that someone who had never been very warmhearted anyway could one day dislike himself when realising how coldhearted he was.
But what could Jeremy know...he could only guess.
Surely he must seem like a foolish green youngster to Mr. Marthereau.

This stuff was not very pleasant really, it made Jeremy feel as if he had been led on thin ice, and that the ice could break any moment, so that he would fall into very cold water. So he was glad about the change of subject.
It was as if Jeremy switched back into Ventrue-mode then.

"On the Gala was the Masquerade in effect, I wasnīt supposed to say any words like Primogen, so I couldnīt introduce myself as Whip, unfortunately.
Primogen OīReily is doing his best to establish good relations to the other Primogen.
Simply ignoring a whole clan only because thereīs no Primogen, thatīs not how my clan wants to handle things here. And itīs not as if there are just one or two Malkavians in London. Itīs my task to make contact to all Malkavians of the Camarilla who are staying in this domain and to establish good relations.
Why good relations? It wouldnīt be sensible to have bad relations...
Your clan is now already quite a long time without a Primogen. What do you think about that, should that be changed?"
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Marthereau
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"Unfortunately."

The Malkavian simply reiterated the expression, sprinkling it with a hint of disappointment that Jeremy had not been able to do so. Establish a relationship with all Malkavians in the domain ? He could easily imagine where this might be leading, especially after the heads-up Jane had given him.

"It depends on whether this means having someone able to fill the office take it up or simply press-ganging someone into the job because it is vacant and this is seen as undesirable. You will notice that there haven't been killing sprees. Pranks involving the Princes goons, a few tuna, whipped cream, food colours, flamingos and razors have been rather scarce as well."

Although it surely had been a creative way to express displeasure with the Princes ghouls' way to present themselves. Even if it hadn't been funny, it had at least been imaginative, he had had to give the pranker that much...

"So as you clearly might have met more Malkavians than I have in the time I have been to this city... What do you think ? Should it be changed ? How have your talks with the other Malkavians turned out so far ?"

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Jeremy Starling
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"Well...it is of disadvantage for a clan to have no voice on the council. A clan without Primogen has less influence and canīt vote for anything.
But...nobody should be press-ganged into such an office.
It is not ideal if the office is vacant, but to have an unsuitable or unwilling person in this office might be even worse. Itīs a great responsibility, and politics is not everybodyīs thing."


Jeremy himself wasnīt exactly experienced with politics, but he tried to do his best for the clan. If only he wasnīt now failing again in another meeting with an Ancilla, Jeremy really couldnīt afford that.

"I thought it might be best to talk to only one Malkavian at a time, and it turned out to be a good thing to do it that way. To me it seemed that the Malkavians I spoke to donīt want to be bossed around by a Primogen. It looks as if they would prefer to have no Primogen at all than someone trying to control them and giving commands. But they might accept someone who is not like that.
Have you met Mr. von Raugrafen? I doubt that he would be accepted...but I also canīt imagine he would accept any Neonate as Primogen.
Could you imagine to be Primogen? I would guess that you might be the person who is likely to be accepted by most Malkavians here.
But Iīm not saying that to persuade you into anything.
Itīs of course entirely up to your clan to decide about that. If your clan prefers to be without Primogen for now, then this should be accepted."


Jeremy certainly didnīt want to urge anybody into an office.
Edited by Jeremy Starling, Thursday, 17. April 2014, 20:30.
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Marthereau
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"It may be seen as a disadvantage, I agree. That doesn't necessarily mean it is one. You ake a valid point though, Mr. Starling. Having no voice on the council asopposed to shanghaing an unwilling person are equally problematic. What would you do ?"

Jean still sat somewhat hunched over, kneading his hands and looking at them or some point in the distance mostly. It was almost as if he was more reflecting to himself than talking to Jeremy.

"What makes you think he wouldn't be accepted ? Is he not to your liking ? He strikes me as a person the Prince would be able to bond with over some things, at least from what I heard. But tell me more about me being accepted by most Malkavians as Primogen. I'm curious what makes you think that someone like me would be seen as able to fill the office."

He chuckled shortly, more to himself than to Jeremy.

"It's of course entirely up to us to decide about about that. But I would like to know what you think about the other Malkavians, if you dont mind that too much. What puts me over them ?"
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Jeremy Starling
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"If thereīs at the moment nobody who is suitable and willing to be Primogen...well, then what else could be done than to wait until a Malkavian moves to London who is...?"
Not an ideal possibility, but Jeremy couldnīt think of anything better.

"And...a Primogen should ideally be a person clanmembers can turn to when they get into difficulties. Who can try to defend and protect them, even against the Prince. If a Primogen does that it carries more weight, so itīs more likely to be effective.
As long as no Malkavian gets into serious trouble, thatīs not needed, but it might happen some night..."


Mr. Marthereau wanted to know a bit more about the other Malkavians, so Jeremy better told him something.
"I have met four Malkavians by now, you are the fifth. There should be at least one more in London. A man called Agustin.

Ms. Marlow has formerly worked for the police force, has a strong sense of justice and would surely find it extremely difficult to act against here conscience. If anybody tries to push her into a different direction, that would be fatal. Sheīs already very busy with one office, to be Primogen as well would be a bit too much.

Ms. Harris is two persons, Clarice and Chris. Chris is a man and bit more rough. I got the impression they like their freedom. They donīt seem to like other Malkavians much, donīt trust Mr. von Raugrafen, but spoke highly of you...thinking you are someone how knows what things are about, and they would have liked to get to know you better.

Ms. Watts was also an investigator. She said very openly she doesnīt want to be bossed around by a Primogen. She also said she wouldnīt want to lead the clan.

I do care about these three Neonates I met, and I would wish them a tolerant Primogen who does not just want the office to boost the own ego by gaining a higher status."


Indeed, Jeremy cared about them and even if he moved away from London tomorrow and wouldnīt ever have to deal with Mr. von Raugrafen any more, Jeremy wouldnīt wish them someone like that as Primogen.

"I truly donīt seek to offend anybody, and yet, my meeting with Mr. von Raugrafen didnīt go very well.
I experienced him as quite strict, demanding, easily offended and unforgiving. I shouldnīt say anything bad about an Ancilla really...well, you asked me, and I donīt want to lie...
He might well behave like that towards his clansmates, too, sooner or later...
And I would think the Neonates I spoke to can sense if another Malkavian mainly wants to be Primogen for the own glory...and wouldnīt like that...and that Mr. von Raugrafen is like that and youīre not."

And that would make him a better Primogen than Mr. von Raugrafen...at least in Jeremyīs opinion.

"I would be surprised if you care much about the additional status an office would give. Itīs intuition that tells me that, so I might be wrong?
And you donīt seem to be very bossy, otherwise you would have behaved differently towards me...
Yes, I would think the Neonates would accept a down-to-earth person without airs and graces and that you are such a person."
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Marthereau
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"An interesting suggestion you open up there, Mr. Starling. So the Primogen is responsible to the clan first and the Prince second ? That would put you into quite a pinch if you were Primogen of the Prince's clan, would it not ? And it is nicely outlining the trappings of city politics, especially the power distribution of the domain. I see you point though. Blücher is an outsider, a continental and a neonate to boot. How much power would he wield if it weren't for his Primogen, correct ?"

He took up commenting on the different candidates after his little inquiry, still looking everywhere else but Jeremy.

"Why fatal ? She could simply not support the suggestions that don't sit well with her. Isn't that the point of being on the council ? Not being pushed but pushing back if the pressure becomes too much ? Also, she could always resign her one office for the council.

Clarice and Chris might find that their freedom lies in sacrificing a bit of their freedom to make sure that there is some left for the rest of the clan, including themselves. They don't have to particularly be liked to do this and in the long run, they would benefit as well although the ulterior motive would paint it as somewhat selfish enough to keep them unconcerned to turn into a goodie two-shoes.

If Miss Watts doesn't want to be bossed around, she would have an interest in showing peopl it ca be done differntly. Even if she doesn't like the hassle that comes with it, she could still be the kind of figure people follow, just without bossing."

However, as enlightening as the thins Jeremy said were, the ones he didn#t say were even more so, considering who he didn't name in the slightest.

"Just so we are clear on this, Mr. Starling... I take it you don't see Mr. von Raugrafen as a suitable Primogen. You think he is willing, but not suitable. You think he is a person that wouldn't protect and listen to his clanmates, a person that is not to be trusted and bossy. Intolerant and only wanting to boost his ego by gaining status and glory."

He looked over to Jeremy, slowly turning his head until he could see the neonate.

"Was the meeting with him really bad enough to get all those impressions ?"
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Jeremy Starling
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"Yes, I suppose it can be tricky at times for a Primogen who belongs to the same clan as the Prince."

Somehow the Malkavian had misunderstood something Jeremy had meant.

"It looks as if youīve got good arguments how the Neonates could be a suitable Primogen if they view things differently. Maybe you would be able to convince one of them...if you donīt want the office yourself.
In any case it is not up to me to convince anybody...all of this is not my business really.
Maybe I already interfered too much by talking about this stuff.
I should add: This is my first office, I havenīt got any political experience yet. But of course I do try to do my best..."


Just that he wasnīt always sure what was the best thing to do...
If only he didnīt have to go on talking about Mr. von Raugrafen, that might get Jeremy into serious trouble.
"Basicly, yes, but I didnīt say that I think he canīt be trusted at all...that would mean doubting heīs loyal to the Camarilla, and I wouldnīt do that. And I donīt think he might not protect and listen to his clanmates at all.
Iīm sure Mr. von Raugrafen has some qualities that I didnīt have the opportunity to discover. I wish I could be more positive about him. But my meeting with him was...very bad indeed.
Well, but of course the more appropriate thing according to etiquette would have been to invent something positive about him."

Jeremy was beginning to get nervous.
What if Mr. Marthereau got annoyed now with him, too?

"If there happens to be something that you dislike about me, my behaviour or what I say...might it be possible that this can be dealt with just between you and me?
If another Ancilla complains about me to the Prince..."

He didnīt dare to think about it. The first time he had managed to explain it away, but if a second Ancilla complained...
Jeremy felt visibly uncomfortable, and he knew that the Malkavian could see it. The Ventrue scolded himself that he didnīt have his feelings better under control and that he had revealed a weak point.
But the thought that the Malkavian might otherwise simply go straight to the Prince and complain was even worse.
Why on earth did there have to be a second Malkavian Ancilla of the Camarilla in London?
It was so much easier to deal with younger Malkavians. Jeremy felt so much at this manīs mercy...and if this meeting ended badly then Jeremy very likely would be in the deep shit.
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Marthereau
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It looked like Jeremy didn't get the message the way Jean had intended him to. But that wasn't a bad thing. Tricky, indeed.

"Well, Mr Starling, as I viewed it, your assignment was to monitor people's attitude towards the office, not convincing someone to take it up."

A whip with no political experience ? That was interesting and provided some insight that weighed in on how he viewed some of the things that he had witnessed or at least heard about in the recent past. It also pointed some other things out that would influence the way he'd handle matters. Jean bent over and patted Jeremy's shoulder.

"I was merely saying I had the impression you two don't get along well, that's all. But if you want and think it might become necessary, we can leave the Prince completely out of this, no problem at all."

Did Jeremy think about how much more deep shit migh end up waiting for him without the Prince to protect him ? But then, the Ventrue was clearly getting nervous. This was good and bad. Perhaps it would be better to return a bit to the man's comfort zone ?

"Anyway, sorry for derailing your interview, Mr. Starling. I am sure you have some questions for me you'd like to ask. I'll try to answer them without missing the point too much."

He now looked at Jeremy again curiously. Behind him in the distance, one of the lamps started to flicker weakly, giving the shadows more time and space to move and form to grotesque shapes for mere fractions of a second, appearing perfectly normal at the second glance.

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Jeremy Starling
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Luckily Mr. Marthereau didnīt seem to be angry about what Jeremy had said about Mr. von Raugrafen, so the Ventrue began slowly to calm down again.
The Prince could protect Jeremy, if he wanted to, but Jeremy didnīt want to be in need of such protection. It would be shameful to be in need of it. And Jeremy was afraid of him and his possible anger and being seen as a failure.
There were leaders who were feared more than the enemies. And Jeremy would even prefer to be ripped apart by sabbat members than ever to experience the Princeīs fury if he was utterly disappointed in Jeremy and absolutely despised him.
But no outsider could and should understand that and know about it.
And somehow Jeremy was quite certain that the Prince would be quite angry if he knew some of the things he had said to the Malkavian and see Jeremy as weak.

"Oh no, you didnīt derail anything.
Itīs just that it can happen too easily sometimes that things are understood differently than intended. Saying bad things about an Ancilla is not something I would normally do, it can easily annoy people, especially if itīs sombodyīs clan member.
Due to the complaint of Mr. von Raugrafen I had an etiquette lesson from the Grand Harpy. A repetition of that...to get another etiquette lesson, that would be very embarassing indeed, as you surely can imagine. I trust you are treating this with discretion...
I myself wonīt be gossiping of course about what I talked about with the Malkavians I met."


Obviously the Malkavian had not intended to intimidate Jeremy with the comment about Mr. von Raugrafen, and now he was changing the subject, luckily.

"You said you are from the New World? Where have you lived there? I have never crossed an ocean until now.
I wonder, did you ever have an office before? And are you interested in kindred politics at all? If you donīt mind telling me..."


Despite his nervousness it hadnīt been unnoticed by Jeremy that the Malkavian hadnīt answered directly to the question if he could imagine to be Primogen. Maybe because he didnīt want to be Primogen, or maybe because he didnīt want to say if he wanted to. But it was surely better not to press him for an answer. But it would be interesting to know if he had an office before.

"I have lived in several domains, and it were genereally the Ancillae who were engaged in politics. In the Domains I lived it was an exception if a Neonate was Primogen, the Primogen were mostly Ancillae. But here in London all Primogen except one and also other office holders are Neonates...very unusual. I wouldnīt have expected that in a cosmopolitan city like London. Well, with hardly any established old kindred present, that gives young kindred a chance for a career...like for me.
What was it that brought you here to London? This domain doesnīt seem to be attractive for many Ancillae, otherwise there would be more of them."

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Marthereau
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"Oh yes, that happens quite easily, thats one of the things that make life interesting, if complicated for someone not really used to it. So it is easy to see that someone who wants to make sure you get the embarrassing end can do it. Status is all thats needed. I can imagine the embarrassment quite well, but if you treat things tht have been discussed in the meetings discreetly, I don't see why I shouldn't."

He exhaled audibly. Not necessarily as a sign of annoyance, more as a filler for the silencethat ensued as they moved on to the next topic. Or topics, for that matter. Another small chuckle started the answers to Jeremy's questions.

"I'm not that old, Mr. Starling... Therefore, the Colonies are Africa, not the Americas. Its easy to see how you came to the thought you had, though. I lived in the Madagascar area before coming to Europe. Did I hold an office... ? Perhaps some sort of brevet office, nothing official, though. I guess I have always been more useful in an unofficial placement as it seems."

He nodded shortly, either to reenforce his point or to agree with Jeremy. It wasn't quite clear as things stood.

"That depends on the domain. Which domain are you thinking of when you refer to the domain where you lived ? But then, I'm pretty sure that a Prince as young as Blücher would have been laughed out of most domains either on the continent or in the states. That might have set a precedent, with much hppening and a great turnover rate, you could indeed say that London might be a market of opportunities.

See the other side of it. If an ancilla came to London and wanted to carve out a niche, he would have to go toe to toe with the alread entrenched and established kindred. It is not like they would step aside just because the newcomer used to hold higher status in another domain that he left behind for whtever reason, correct ? Might as well be somone with a blood hunt or other troublemakers. You never know. So many would have to weigh the risks and I don't blame them for staying away from London, as it seems to happen. As for me, I happened to be in the area for the Gala and pulled a few strings to get in. To have a look at the who is who, if you want.

What brought you to London ? The fresh air ? The antiques ? Or something else entirely ?"
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Jeremy Starling
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Jeremy was relieved that Mr. Marthereau was obviously a lot different than Mr. von Raugrafen.
"Madagaskar...what is it like there?"
Jeremy knew hardly anything about that island.

"I suppose London is not a terribly stable domain, and has to deal with several threats...so itīs risky to be here.
That might put potential newcomers off, or it attracts some of them. Itīs more likely to attract those who seek opportunities and take on the risk for that.
But Ancillae are mostly well established in some domain, so why should they give that up to take the risk to find themselves a niche here. Thatīs understandable of course.
Itīs just surprising that thereīs not such set of established Ancillae here already, like I have experienced in other domains.
I have lived mostly in huge cities of Germany. Berlin, Cologne, Hamburg, Frankfurt, Dortmund, Karlsruhe, Dresden. For a Neonate there wasnīt much of a chance for a career in these domains, unless you stayed there long enough to become Ancilla yourself, while gaining influence. But I didnīt stay anywhere long enough..."


That was quite a long list of cities where he had lived. And of course there was a reason for that why he didnīt stay anywhere long enough to achieve anything much...his brother John getting in trouble...but Jeremy would rather not state that towards the Malkavian.

"I came back to England because I missed my homecountry. I could have gone back to Oxford, but I donīt think it would be ideal to live in the same domain as my Sire. So I chose London, mainly because itīs a cosmopolitan city and itīs a good place for an Antique dealer. There is a relatively big amount of rich people here, who a potential customers.
The kindred side of things was secondary, I simply took the situation as it was.
I would also have come here if there were lots of Ancillae living here.

You came here quite spontaneously, it seems? So it might be uncertain how long you stay?
Or maybe youīve got the same style like me, not staying anywhere longer than a few years? I must say Iīve had quite enough of that by now, I hope this will finally be a domain where Iīll stay for decades instead of just a few years."

And this hadnīt been a livestyle of his choosing anyway, it had been dictated by his bloodbond to John and Johnīs tendency to get into trouble.
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Marthereau
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"Wet, hot and lots of cyclones. No place for everyone, I have to say, but I guess that goes for most areas down there. You have the negroes down there as well and have to deal with the situations that arise from that. It' interesting, but also complicated and demanding, especially if you are white."

He scratched his chin as Jeremy spoke about the state of the domain.

"It depends on a lot of things in the end. Some people made Ancilla by knowing the right people. others had the right timing and others were just very bad at dying or simply lucky. With all the things that seem to have happened recently, it would be easy to see the domain as mre trouble than its worth. Also, it depends on what definition of Ancilla you use. Age ? Genration ? Status ? Depending on that, the lines will blur significantly and the questions and answers that go with it will change accordingly.

Perhaps the Ancillae were swept away during the Sabbat invasion ? Who knows. However, accepting powerful outsiders into the domain is after all a risky gamble. Especially if they might have enough power to rival a rather young Prince that wants to get rid of the impression his predecessor left. This is the Princes biggest problem and it will be the one that will make sure he will either succeed spectaculaly or fall, with no steps in between."

Because thats what it was all about in the end. Blücher wanted to show tat he could do the job. He wante to be taken seriously after his predecessors reign. He was vulnerable and needed to rack up a victory and success count to show his competence. The Germans had a phrase for that, and it fit. In his opinion, Blücher would be damned to win himself to death.

"Perhaps I'll stay, perhaps I wont. I found that such things are hard to answer beforehand. You however, seem to be quite heavily centred on Germany. Isn't that unusual for an Englishman ?"
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Jeremy Starling
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"Doesnīt sound very inviting to me..." Jeremy commented after the Malkavian had told him about Madagaskar.
A country like that wouldnīt be the home of Jeremyīs choice. As a human he wouldnīt have liked the tropical climate anyway. Now he didnīt sweat any more, but there were enough other downsides.

"I might as well have said īkindred over 100 years oldī instead of Ancilla, as indeed there are only few kindred that old in this domain. Too much turmoil is not too inviting, I suppose. Iīm not sure how many and which kindred were killed by the Sabbat."

Mr. Marthereau thought that the Prince would succeed spectatularly or fall?
The Prince was trying very hard to do things well...and hopefully he would succeed. Otherwise it looked a bit bad for Clan Ventrue. If he fell, then surely not another Ventrue would become Prince.
Of course Jeremy did his best to help Prince Blücher.
And Jeremy was quite sure that no Ancilla-Newcomer could rival the Prince easily. At least not very quickly. It took time to gain influence.

"It wasnīt bad to get away from this island for a while...I suppose one could get easily too narrowminded if living in the same place all your life. Itīs good to see different countries. I have visited other European Countries, too, but only shortly.
To live somewhere permanently itīs essential to be able to communicate in the language the inhabitants are talking. I canīt do business properly otherwise. German happened to be the only foreign language I can speak fluently, my French is not good enough. And Iīm not that eager and talented in learning languages...what about you, can you speak a lot of languages, and have you seen many different countries?"

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Marthereau
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"It depends. You need to be willing to part with some of the more... European commodities. On the other hand, there is much more social mobility than in the old world. In the end, it is a matter of whether you see it as worth the bother or not."

Or simply convenience and matters like preference. But that was neither here nor there at the moment, ths was after all not a philosophical discussion, was it ?

"Again, that depends on what you see as many. Spontaneously, I can think of five, there might be more though. It does't matter though, really. I can only say too many were killed by the Sabbat. I don't know how they could gain that much of a foothold, but it looks like they will be subject to an attempt to finally drive them out again. Or should be. If they aren't, I think that will make what's wrong in this city rather obvious for onlookers."

After all it was not like the Sabbat seemed weakened. If even he heard about that in his dark and remote alleys, something had to be up indeed. This something could come in different flavours. He was curious if they had his favourite in store too.

"I guss its more the eager than the talented part, Mr Starling. I'm pretty sure you could learn conversational French if you put your mind to it and simply worked hard. It's not like you will run out of time to do it, will you ? If you're willin to put some work into it, you can learn anything.

Myself, I don't know many languages. I didn't need those in what I did or where I lived. I speak three and can sort of recognize two others, understand basic things and make myself understood. I lived in Germany for about... fourteen months, in some place near Cologne. I have seen a bit of the world, yes, but not enough to beale to brag about it. I would have seemed well-traveled back in my days, but not today. But it depends on whether you travel for travelling's sake or if there's an agenda. Was there an agenda behind your constant moving ?"
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