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| Welcome To The Night You find yourself in London on a dreary, foggy night like any other. But what lurks in the shadows is the stuff of fantasies and nightmares, far from mortal reality. This game uses the cursed and immortal vampiric condition as a backdrop to explore themes of morality, depravity, the human condition, salvation, and personal horror. We are a writing and roleplaying community dedicated to telling complex and engaging stories. Your fate is your own. Mingle among the ivory-tower elite in the Camarilla, join the fight of the discontented and chaotic Anarch rabble, or set out independently and attempt to survive in London's nighttime underworld. Anything is possible in our World of Darkness. Create Your Account! If you're already a member, please log in to your account to access all of our features: |
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| Overlord; Alarik, Caston, Anyone else ask via PM | |
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| Topic Started: Tuesday, 18. June 2013, 21:06 (2,347 Views) | |
| Kiara | Tuesday, 18. June 2013, 21:06 Post #1 |
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Elder
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The pale moon was high and full that night, pouring it's silver light down into the trees below. The branches and leaves caressed one another when the wind blew, and their offspring was casted against the graves below in the shape of elongated and thick shadows with small, shifting holes about them. The church of St. Mary was the only witness in the vincinity, silent and ominous, and where the road ended and the doors awaited a lonely figure was waiting wrapped in the shadows of the entrance. Standing around 5'9 the figure was donning a black skirt complete with tights and plain boots. Waist up, a black leather jacket on top of a tank top hid most of her body, all up to her hands which were covered by black leather gloves as well, with their tip notably missing and giving way for the sharpness that protruded from them. Kiara was waiting with her back leaned against the side of the entrance, cold brick against the back of her head, and her gaze was fixed on the same path she had walked to get there. Even when ready to meet other Kindred she had went through the trouble of using makeup to cover the most evident traits of her curse. Even so, there was only so much that could be done about certain things. On the parking lot not too far away two ghouls awaited for her to return once the meeting was done. There was nobody else spying in the vincinity, the area was clear and had been taken care of. Her only concern thus far was the possibility of any ghost peeking on her, it was another thing she was keeping an eye on. She couldn't help it, to think of every thing that could possibly go wrong, backfire, or be exploited, every little hole and then try to plug it. A single, lonely raven was standing on top of the church, cocking his head to the side and watching things with odd curiosity, but that one was her's. |
| "There are no mistakes in life, only lessons. There exists no negative experience, only opportunities to be seized to advance on the path of self control. From struggle comes strength. Even pain can be a very good teacher." | |
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| Alarik | Tuesday, 18. June 2013, 21:55 Post #2 |
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"Papers, Please."
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The sound of footsteps carried along the straight path that led to St. Mary's church. The track was too narrow to allow two men to comfortably walk side by side, but Alarik Blücher still preferred to keep his steps synced with Caston Kane, the Toreador Primogen, whom he had convinced to accompany him. He could've gone alone. He was the one that had been invited. But somehow it had seemed safer to bring Caston along. Despite appearances, the other Kindred was older and more experienced. Perhaps he would be strong enough to help fend off an ambush, or to calm a frenzy that might happen if the meeting with this strange Kindred were to go wrong. Either that, or that sip of Toreador Vitae is clouding my judgement, he thought quietly to himself. He'd seen how newly created ghouls would find excuses to spend time with their Domitors, even before the blood bond was complete. Is it any different with Kindred? Is Ventrue willpower really better able to resist the blood of other clans? Or is such talk just a classic example of Kindred who had come to believe their own lies and propaganda? Setting these worries aside, he turned his thoughts to the meeting that was about to happen. He knew little about the Kindred they were about to meet, and that was troubling by itself. At least there was an obvious route of escape, in the form of his beige Audi A8. It was parked on the church path that ran beside the graveyard's low stone wall. In it sat Jhael, his ghoul and driver, who had been instructed to remain in the car and be ready to provide them with a quick getaway. As for the rest, Alarik thought that was generally a good policy to start off an encounter with an unknown quality while carrying a polite smile and observing good manners. And that is just what he was about to do. "I hope the night finds you well, miss Rivers" he said, bowing in a courtly manner and offering to kiss the female Kindred's hand. He kept his first impressions well-hidden behind an emotionless smile. The details of this woman's appearance - claws, exposed fangs and wild eyes - suggested to him that she was close to her inner Beast. Though it worried him, he eyed Caston sideways, trying to gauge if the other Kindred might feel the same way. Edited by Alarik, Tuesday, 18. June 2013, 23:12.
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| Caston Kane | Tuesday, 18. June 2013, 23:05 Post #3 |
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Don't Be Jealous.
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Caston had stayed uncharacteristically quiet while he and Alarik walked to St. Mary's, and not merely because it wasn't the time and place for him to indulge his companion with witticisms, but also because he didn't know what to say - a rarity for him. The Ventrue had asked him to tag along, and he got the distinct impression that it wasn't because he wanted the pleasure of his company. Caston believed he'd been asked there to provide strength in numbers. Alarik didn't reveal much detail to him, so perhaps he was as in the dark as the Toreador was. Was the blonde vampire concerned that he was walking into some sort of trap? Was he worried that they were there to greet a Kindred who may not be the friendliest? He didn't know, but until he did, he'd keep his mouth shut. As they approached the other Kindred and Caston laid his eyes on her, he had to blink to confirm that what he saw wasn't some sort of illusion: she looked positively feral, even for a Gangrel. Her eyes had an animal quality to them that the Toreador had never witnessed in another vampire before. His gaze fixed on her claws, imagining how much damage they could do and envisioning ways of evading them, if it came to that. He stopped and stood a few paces behind Alarik, letting him approach her: after all, it was his meeting, and more importantly, he didn't want to cause her alarm by his presence. She already looked like she was one bad mood away from Frenzy, and Caston was never one to needlessly stir the hornet's nest. For now, he would simply stand back and observe, and only step in if he was asked to.. or if their discussion took a wrong turn. |
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| Kiara | Tuesday, 18. June 2013, 23:38 Post #4 |
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Elder
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The Gangrel accepted Alarik's greeting him in a similar fashion, and nodded back to him "Good night Mr. Bucher, it is a pleasure to meet you" Tilting her head to the side only slightly she took a glance at Alarik's companion, eeying him as well. Caston's thoughts were not alone in weighing the danger everyone could potentially representate if a fight were to happen. Both of them looked fine in her eyes, Ventrue and Toreador. The raven croaked and took flight when they arrived, flapping it's wings until his feathers became impossible to tell apart from the night sky. "And good night to you too, Mr. Kane" Greeted him as well before opening the entrance of the church. The hinges let out a small cry but it opened all the same, inside, they didn't have to go far before they found a square wooden table with four chairs around it. The table itself looked old, and heavy. It was placed not far away from the entrance and just beyond the reach of the statue's gaze. Nothing else seemed to have been moved out of place, all the pews were in it's place and some candles were lit giving the old church a rather ominous and silent appearance at night. With a gesture of her arm, stretching it forward and describing a small arc, she invited both the Ventrue and the Toreador inside. Herself, she couldn't care less about mannerisms but she wasn't specially bothered by them either. "As you may have heard, there was a certain change of leadership within clan Gangrel, a most... unexpected accident happened to the former Primogen Harkness, and I have agreed to occupy his position in the Council and voice my clan's opinion on the topics of relevance" The way she had to pronnounce certain words made it seem her tongue was being dragged slowly against the bottom of her mouth prolonging them with some malice. |
| "There are no mistakes in life, only lessons. There exists no negative experience, only opportunities to be seized to advance on the path of self control. From struggle comes strength. Even pain can be a very good teacher." | |
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| Alarik | Wednesday, 19. June 2013, 00:12 Post #5 |
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"Papers, Please."
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Alarik elected to remain standing, head turning upwards to admire some of the Churches' interior decorating. He was apathetic to religious architecture, for the most part, though he figured that the choice of venue might provide some insights about the person who had invited them over. As it was, there was little that he could glean from either the old stones or the tall windows from which moonlight poured inside. "Interesting", was all he could venture at first. He wasn't quite sure what to say. The closed manner in which the proposition had been phrased suggested that the cities' Camarilla Gangrel had made their decision, and that the Primogen Council now had little choice but to accept it. Alarik's critical thinking skills were a little too developed to simply accept that premise, however. If this Gangrel's position was solid, she wouldn't want to consult with the Ventrue Primogen before simply showing up at a meeting and claiming her position by right. She needed something. Legitimacy? An ally? Whatever it was, it was likely that she wouldn't just come out and say it. Much better to negotiate from strength. "I've always wondered about the process by which Clan Gangrel chooses its Primogen. From an academic viewpoint. Comparative Politics is an interest of mine. And, forgive me, but so many interesting rumours about the process buzz around in Elysium", he said in a manner that he hoped would be considered smooth. Only then did he move on to the question of real importance, hoping that it might be somewhat cloaked by the wonkish inquiry: "Would it be considered prying if I inquired how your ascension to the position happened, Miss Rivers?" |
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| Kiara | Thursday, 20. June 2013, 14:49 Post #6 |
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Elder
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Kiara chuckled softly, closing the door with the same tranquility she had opened it. "Mr Harkness seemed to be under the impression that the process was based on who was more physically able and then demand respect based on that fact." Of course, she wouldn't tell him how did her clan's internal politics worked. Everything that could be known could be exploited, and she wasn't just about to facilitate that information to a member of a foreign clan, less so to a Ventrue. "Vox populi Mr. Blucher. I have been in this city for some time, and just now Princes have been dropping like flies. The people are concerned about this city's future. Harkness failed to deliver what was expected of him and I grew weary. I'd like to use this opportunity to get better acquainted with you -and Mr. Kane- before the official meeting if you don't mind, there have been certain... rumors about this new Prince and his retainer's behaviour. Most of the seats in the Primogen Council now belong to new faces I haven't seen before, too. It could be gathered without that much effort that she was sizing both Caston and Alarik based on their reactions and their words regarding the topics that she was presenting. |
| "There are no mistakes in life, only lessons. There exists no negative experience, only opportunities to be seized to advance on the path of self control. From struggle comes strength. Even pain can be a very good teacher." | |
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| Alarik | Thursday, 20. June 2013, 16:45 Post #7 |
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"Papers, Please."
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"Hn. 'The people', though perhaps concerned about the cities' future, are far too eager to spread rumours about those who hold power over them. The Princes' retainers behave as the Prince desires. The rabble may think of that what will.", Alarik said dismissively. Ventrue protocol demanded that one should never disagree with one's elder in public when other Kindred are about, nor fail to show the world a united front. Still, he couldn't outright state that 'the rumours' were false when they had been witnessed by a collective assembly of the cities' Kindred. Best, then, to own it. Attempting to change the topic, he continued: "That said, I'm glad to hear that you have won your clans' approval, and will be most interested in working with you. Is there anything in particular that may need to be arranged?" |
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| Caston Kane | Thursday, 20. June 2013, 17:53 Post #8 |
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Don't Be Jealous.
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Standing near Alarik, but a few paces behind him, Caston was silent for most of the discussion. His input wasn't necessarily solicited, so he let the two Kindred speak without interruption from him. That is, of course, until Alarik got to the part where he played off Prince Hamilton's behavior when he seized praxis. Rumors? Hardly. While Caston had no real issue with the Prince, he had an issue with a human, not having even been ghouled yet, telling Kindred what to do. She had a lot of stones, doing what she did. He'd heard about it and he wasn't even there. The Toreador were nothing if not masters of rumor and gossip, and his clan's word 'on the street' could be a significant factor in the making or breaking of a Kindred's reputation. "The Princes retainers behave as the Prince desires?" He asked rhetorically, repeating the Ventrue Primogen's words. "Of course, I would never contradict my colleague on rumors that he has referenced." It had been the first time he'd spoke since pleasantries were exchanged outside of the church. He gave Alarik an up-down glance and a smile, imagining the two of them doing unspeakable things together for a brief moment before continuing. "I would never give credence to the 'rumor' that the Prince has a thing for a human. Nor to the frankly fallacious idea that such a sway she holds over him that he let a mortal woman - who hadn't even been a ghoul, could you imagine? - tell Kindred whom we should show our support for in our own affairs." He had hoped that Kiara knew precisely what he was doing. "I couldn't even begin to comment on such an obviously false claim that this woman continues to assert authority over us that she does not possess because she believes herself to be the Prince's favorite mortal toy and that the Prince, so enraptured with her, lets her run around doing all of this with no consequence," he said, speaking with a fluidity and subtle sarcasm in his voice. He brushed off dirt and excess cobweb from one of the chairs before taking a seat at the table. "Certainly it can't be true, but if it were true, I would suggest that such a woman be dealt with swiftly and quietly and shown her true place: as kine. Perhaps privileged kine, given her apparently magical vagina that allows her undue influence over Kindred that ought to know better, but kine nonetheless." Caston sat with one foot on the chair, resting an elbow on one of his knees, in a very relaxed posture. "If those are the rumors that I might be asked to address, then I wouldn't even dream of commenting on them." He gave a faux-smug smile as he looked to Alarik and then back to Kiara, having stepped off of his proverbial soap box, continuing to listen. |
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| Alarik | Thursday, 20. June 2013, 23:52 Post #9 |
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"Papers, Please."
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"It is a good thing that you do not comment on rumours", Alarik interjected stoically. He'd been wanting to do so from the moment that Caston had started to spread the rumours on what he referred to as the Events At The Theatre [TM]. Had it been any other Kindred, he would have used Dominate to command him to shut up. But Caston was Caston, and he couldn't bring himself to do it. Instead, he simply glowered and folded his hands behind his back, remaining stiffly upright as he pleaded the Princes' case. "Consider taking the long view. It would be destabilising in the extreme if malcontents were to decide that His Highness Prince Hamilton was not up to the task. Especially if those malcontents were to try and bring about the second leadership crisis in a year." Turning his attention to Kiara, he continued: "It is our task as loyal Primogen to make sure that the Prince makes the right decisions. If the Prince fails to hold on to the Domain of London, we as Primogen will have failed as well. And if the Sabbat takes advantage, we may pay for such a failure with our very lives." |
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| Kiara | Friday, 21. June 2013, 22:53 Post #10 |
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Elder
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The smile was slow but ever-growing, almost up to the point where it started being uncomfortable to look at due to the unnatural nature of the gesture. The lips were far too back and too many teeth were showing. A rugged chuckle followed Caston's declaration of the Princes favorite toy, quickly dying off in bitterness afterwards. "An inexperienced Prince bringing instability in his own Domain is much more dangerous than the Sabbat, even more so when the wolves are at the gates. It is the difference between a united front and a crumbling empire. Even if and when the threat goes away, you will turn back and gaze at your home only to see it plunged into chaos and internal conflict." Kiara's index finger made a weak caress on the surface on the table, as a gesture as she spoke, but even like that the tip of the claw sank on the wood leaving a short trail. "If he is not fit for the office someone else will rise and seize praxis, someone more able and more worthy of it. It is not a forgiving position to hold, there is no room for bad calls. All his mistakes reflect badly on the domain as a whole, and the line between "dubious" and "this has gone on too far" is pretty thin. This... mortal toy of his, perhaps a few remodelations to her body or a more... permanent solution would help both the Prince and herself. A lesson that should be carved well, to serve everybody as an example and as a reminder in the nights to come." It was something as basic as the pecking order, and she was going to make sure there were no more doubts about it. "I do not intent to keep cleaning after the young Prince, perhaps he is too sure of his new position to not see the Jenga tower he's standing on despite constantly removing blocks from it. A slap of reality may be just what he needs." Or a stake of reality, she thought. |
| "There are no mistakes in life, only lessons. There exists no negative experience, only opportunities to be seized to advance on the path of self control. From struggle comes strength. Even pain can be a very good teacher." | |
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| Alarik | Friday, 21. June 2013, 23:54 Post #11 |
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"Papers, Please."
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"I'm afraid that such a course of action would provoke... complications, miss Rivers. The Prince has charged me with the responsibility of keeping watch over the mortal in question after it was pointed out to him that she might be the target of retribution. The task of monitoring her is in turn farmed out to one of my own retinue, a young ghoul with whom Primogen Kane is well-familiar. As such, any attempts against Miss Amber would not be prudent, at this time. " He glanced at Caston and gave the other man a Look that called on him to sympathise. Fucking over Ashley meant that Alarik and Jhael might in turn be fucked over, the first victims of what was sure to be a Princes' grief-struck frenzy. Amber's new-found virtuousness is getting bothersome, the Ventrue grumbled. The task of 'monitoring' Ashley had been sold to Alarik as a gesture of the Princes' high trust in him, but the job made it nigh-on-impossible for Alarik to get rid of her. He'd expected her to do something colossally stupid soon after Events At The Threatre. Something that he might take to Archon, with pictures snapped from behind a darkened car window as evidence. Insulting an Elder, sleeping with another man, regurgitating the Princes' vitae.... anything to put her in a bad light. Unfortunately, she'd been on her best behaviour since the monitoring had begun. "Anyway..." he returned to the topic at hand. "Miss Amber is not the Princes' only female favourite. There are plenty of young ladies in London whom he has shown his special favour. Young ladies who are not assets of clan Ventrue. Not that I'd like to be known as advocating any action against them either. I highly value the trust that His Highness places in me." |
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| Kiara | Saturday, 22. June 2013, 08:54 Post #12 |
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Elder
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"Has any punishment been delivered publicly as to appease said general public? Word of it, even? Or has "Miss Amber" been left to her own devices with no punishment whatsoever? Pardon me, left to her own devises under your care with no punishment whatsoever." As it stood, "Miss Amber" was a walking testimony of the weakness of the young Prince in the eyes of Kiara, and the more the conversation kept it's course the more she was sure of it. "This "trust" the young Prince seems to have in you, as you say it, it looks more like "need" to me. His manouver of putting you, a Primogen, in charge of watching over a problematic mortal pet of his at whim is nothing but an insult to you and your position, with a petty attempt at shifting the blame at that, using you as a shield with such a simple manouver. It does nothing but aggravate the image of weakness he displays. "But what can you do? As now the blame has been shifted and she has become your responsability should something happen?" You might be wondering. Were something to happen to her, evidence is the matter of least importance Mr. Blucher, as it can be forged, or there can be none of actual value and relevance. What really matters is the powers backing each faction should something happen. If something happens to this mortal by my hand because, let's say, she disrespected me. And the other clans stand by me, what do you think will happen? Nothing. I'll be slowly sliding his own severed cock down his throat, and he will thank me for it while making gargles of apology because a Prince is nothing without the support of the council. Should he take action to "defend" his disrespectful mortal pet, it would only bring about more instability and dissent, and make the Jenga tower he's standing own crumble at his feet as he finds himself isolated and powerless. It's a matter of cost-benefit even the most stupid of Princes should be able to see and it would mean the end of his short illusion of a reign. Taking action against me then, is not an option. But someone should be punished! Because it was clearly not his fault, lest he lose even more face... And then you Mr. Blucher, are next in line. But what happens if we stand by you? Ah... Then Mr. Blucher we are faced with reality, your support is worth much more of what the Prince let's you know. You are no longer his underling to be ordered around. And he won't take action against you, or your retainers lest you change your mind about him and decide his time is due past. The real leadership of this city does not reside where you think it does Mr. Blucher. Should Hamilton be replaced by someone of more worth, the city wouldn't suffer any real "leadership crisis", it would merely give the illusion of such a thing to those who can't see past the thinnest of veils. Kiara sighed in a way that was almost a slow, deep hiss. The fingers of her right hand drummed the table briefly, piercing it at the first attempt without the characteristic sound of nails slowly hitting against such a surface. Her eyes were fixed on Alarik's, without having blinked even once for minutes and the weariness in them was almost palpable. She shouldn't even be explaining this to him. "Not even that, seemingly, the young Prince has an harem of his own? Is he trying to compensate for something? It matters not. They serve no purpose whatsoever... yet." |
| "There are no mistakes in life, only lessons. There exists no negative experience, only opportunities to be seized to advance on the path of self control. From struggle comes strength. Even pain can be a very good teacher." | |
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| Alarik | Saturday, 22. June 2013, 13:06 Post #13 |
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"Papers, Please."
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As the Ventrue picked up on Kiara's weariness his own muscles tensed up, cold hands wringing together behind his back as he considered his reply. He had allowed himself to be lectured without interruption, at least in part because he judged her analysis to be correct. With the support of this new Gangrel Primogen and the others on the Council, they could probably get away with direct action against the Amber ghoul. But was the pursuit of petty revenge against a mortal rival truly wise? It was that question that he hoped to address as he spoke up once again. "While I am not generally fond of political aphorisms, it is a plain truth that men ought either to be well-treated or crushed," Alarik stated matter-of-factly. "Let us suppose that all you just said is true. Let us suppose that one could get away with delivering 'justice' to Miss Amber, and that in turn, the Council would graciously put its own favour with the Prince on the line to support me and mine. What then? The Princes' affection for me would still be much lessened, sowing the seeds of distrust between the two highest-ranking Ventrue in the city, exposing me to the possibility of His Highness' revenge at some point in the future and further weakening the Princes' grip on power in this Domain." Alarik no longer kept his hands behind his back, gesturing, voice waxing as he attempted to sway the two other Kindred with his rhetoric. "Justice would be done, you say, to this insignificant mortal. But what do Kindred like us care for justice? Looking at the fall-out of such a confrontation, I'd say that this would benefit you, an ambitious prospective Primogen of a rival clan. I do not see how it benefits me or the Kindred of this Domain. And as a Primogen, the interests of the Domain are foremost on my mind." "I return to my thesis that men ought to be well-treated or crushed, miss Rivers, and wonder. How is it that you intend to treat Prince Hamilton?" Moving closer, he placed his hands on the table and leaned forward towards Kiara, attempting to make direct eye-contact with the other Kindred so that he might invoke his Mesmerise Discipline. "You are amongst friends, miss Rivers, and we can afford to be discreet this night. Tell us, what are your true intentions for this Domain? Do you intend to seize Praxis or eventually to replace the Prince? If so, with whom?" |
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| Kiara | Saturday, 22. June 2013, 22:56 Post #14 |
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Elder
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Kiara nodded. While the Ventrue wasn't yet as experienced in certain fields he knew some things, most likely from having paid attention to history and notes taken by certain people of the past. And while that alone didn't seem much it was more than many could ever hope to be while believing themselves to be so superior to others. "Indeed, men should be well-treated or crushed" She said after Alarik's gaze without removing her's. Kiara noted how first he referred to her as a rival, and then said she was among friends, which was a little contradictory. "This domain has seen better years and it's not because of the Sabbat at the gates. The Sabbat have been there for years and done nothing ever since, every problem in this city has been born from internal conflict. This city was once one of the pillars of the Camarilla, and look at it now. This "Amber" issue wouldn't have happened with any other Prince. If the young Prince has enough time to chase after schoolgirls he certainly has more than enough time to oversee the rest of the problems that need solving. I intend to turn this domain into what it once was Mr. Blucher. Some times that means tending to the problems of the Domain and giving advice to those in need of it, and some other times it means to remove the problem from the root, should it prove the best solution. Should we decide this young Prince is more trouble than it's worth, I'm certain someone more suitable for the position would rise, don't you agree? Don't you ever think to yourself how differently would you have handled certain situations, in a more appropiate manner, should you have been in that position?" |
| "There are no mistakes in life, only lessons. There exists no negative experience, only opportunities to be seized to advance on the path of self control. From struggle comes strength. Even pain can be a very good teacher." | |
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| Alarik | Sunday, 23. June 2013, 00:08 Post #15 |
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"Papers, Please."
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Alarik fell back from the close gaze that had been exchanged between the Kindred, leaning back to sit on the little door that led to the box pew closest to the table. He placed his left arm horizontally in front of his chest and rested his right elbow upon it, fingers tapping thoughtfully against his temple. When dominating Kiara, he had asked a conditional question. It was troubling, then, to have received a conditional answer. It made things more... complicated. "Don't you ever think to yourself how differently would you have handled certain situations, in a more appropriate manner, should you have been in that position?" There was only one possible answer to such an inquiry, even if it was rhetorical: "If I had such thoughts, it would be impolitic of me to voice them. During my Agoge I was taught that Clan Ventrue should never fail to show the world a united front. I honour that code because I expect Prince Hamilton, and indeed all the other London Ventrue, to honour it in turn. Even so, I am worried that tonight I am skirting the provisions of that code already, merely by virtue of bringing it up." He pulled a bit of a face and continued in search of a consensus: "For now, I believe we are all in agreement that - as you said - the Primogen should tend to the problems of the Domain and give advice to those in need of it, most particularly His Highness the Prince of London. If..." he stretched out his right hand towards Kiara to indicate that this was a provisional. "If that situation were to ever change, we will find ourselves in this church again, to debate the best possible course of action. Are we all agreed on this?" |
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| Caston Kane | Sunday, 23. June 2013, 16:57 Post #16 |
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Don't Be Jealous.
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Caston gave Alarik just a glance. He wasn't about to defend the mortal in question. Since he'd been back in London, this unusually privileged human didn't once try to meet him nor try to contact him or reach out to him in any way, and based on what he'd heard about her, if she ever dared to tell Caston what he should or should not do, he would feed what he could from her and snap her neck without a second thought, no matter whose favorite she was. In this instance, he wasn't going to voice even an iota of suport for a kine he already had reason not to respect. He simply sat there, calm and collected, silent as the stone walls of the church with a forced pleasant expression. He wasn't going to rain on Alarik's efforts, because to Caston, Alarik occupied a very special status. He had a lot to say, but for Alarik's sake, and only for that reason, he was holding his tongue. He listened intently to Kiara speak, and when his fellow Primogen began speaking hypothetically of "justice" being delivered to Ashley Amber, Caston turned and listened to him speak, as well, intrigued by the "theoretical" idea. Though, when the conversation turned to replacing Archon, his somewhat apathetic attitude began to change. Alarik Dominated her. The Toreador listened to what Kiara wanted to do: replace the Prince. That was valuable knowledge, Caston realized. He would say nothing to anyone of it, and certainly not betray the trust of either of them, but it was still good information to have. He tucked it in his proverbial pocket. He watched Alarik become troubled by her response. And he nodded in agreement to meet there should 'circumstances' shake up the leadership of the city. Caston still stayed silent. One learned more from than listening than speaking, he'd learned long ago, especially when secrets were involved. If secrets were the currency of the Toreador, then rumors were their stock exchange; a fact he knew very, very well. His own circumstances may change in the future too, something the Gangrel and the Ventrue didn't consider. He was glad he only said what he had. For now, it suited his interests for Alarik to believe that he had no greater ambition, and since he never said that he agreed nor disagreed with her, Kiara may have implied by his silent presence in this meeting that he was at least somewhat intrigued by her idea - Complicit, even - and that worked out well for him. So, let them go on thinking whatever they will. If Caston chose to make any moves in the future that some might consider to be unexpectedly ambitious, he would do so knowing full well what everyone else's motivations were. He would know what both Alarik and Kiara wanted for themselves before they knew what his own intentions were - and that was a true Toreador move. Raphael de Corazon himself would be proud of him. It could be an extraordinary advantage or effective leverage. He picked at the edge of one of his fingernails for a second. Caston wanted them to see him as a typical Toreador stereotype that would happily trash-talking a young woman for a social faux pas, yet appear disinterested in the parts of the conversation that didn't necessarily concern him. But he would come from this conversation with knowledge; and if there was one lesson that he'd learned in his unlife, there is no knowledge that is not power. |
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| Kiara | Tuesday, 25. June 2013, 12:18 Post #17 |
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Elder
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"Agreed" Said Kiara after Alarik's suggestion, sparing the man anything that could sound like a lecture about his Clan's teachings. Her attention was shifting between the two Kindred then, reading the Ventrue first when they talked and then the silent Toreador. She didn't say anything as to not raise suspicions about it, but even so it was plain obvious that it would be odd to not say anything as the Toreador remained silent. "Mr. Kane?" she asked then turning her full attention towards the man who had started to pick at the edge of his fingernails "Are we all agreed on this?" said looking for a explicit answer to come forth from his lips before going any further with anything, should he provide it or bail out the outcome would remain the same and she would advance the topic on to the following. "Which leads me to the peculiar situation about the Brujah in the city and their recent claims regarding territory. Do you have any clue as to why such bold declarations might have been made, Mr. Blucher?" Her tone still carried a certain low, seething anger from the past topic. |
| "There are no mistakes in life, only lessons. There exists no negative experience, only opportunities to be seized to advance on the path of self control. From struggle comes strength. Even pain can be a very good teacher." | |
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| Caston Kane | Tuesday, 25. June 2013, 12:26 Post #18 |
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Don't Be Jealous.
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He knew what she was doing; a very intuitive move. He smiled and gave her a bow of his head. "Of course I'll meet back here to discuss this matter further, as the situation evolves and the need for discussion arises." She seemed to want something hard from him, something explicit. He answered her question to the minimum that he could, though non-committal to backing her claim to the Domain. "And you have my assurance that no one outside this room will be made aware of this discussion." He added. |
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| Alarik | Tuesday, 25. June 2013, 14:02 Post #19 |
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"Papers, Please."
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Alarik nodded silently as Caston provided a guarantee of discretion. That this sort of talk shouldn't be referenced casually in Elysium went without saying. The same held true, to a lesser extent, when it came to discussion of the Brujah claims. "Mr. Harris and his Clan are not known for their diplomatic flair. In fact, I will admit to some displeasure when that 'newsletter' was circulated among the cities' Kindred" he said with a casual shrug of his shoulder. It wasn't good business to let other clans know how enraged the Ventrue Prince and Primogen had been when they'd first heard the news. It didn't speak of composure. "As for his motive, it may be that he is testing the resolve of the young Prince, or it may be that he is simply staking out a claim for his own in the same way that other clans have 'unofficial' homes. I intend to have a word with him before the upcoming meeting of the Primogen Council. Perhaps matters can be settled there and then. If not, it will be up to the Council to decide about the Brujah claims. That is how things used to be, and so that is how they must be in the future." Edited by Alarik, Tuesday, 25. June 2013, 14:02.
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| Kiara | Thursday, 27. June 2013, 22:36 Post #20 |
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Elder
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"Testing his resolve is not the way I would put it. The Brujah's Primogen reaction is at the same time unexcusable and understandable. The means are bold, too rash, and without proper planning. I'd make a comment about that having something to do with him being a Brujah but I know better. The reasoning however... I trust you are clever enough to see this situation from other points of view and not only the Ventrue's. I trust you'll be able to handle the situation with more diplomacy than declaring a bloodhunt on him." Kiara had almost snorted when she read said Brujah's declarations, his actions were nothing if not appropiate and well-timed for everything that was going to happen. |
| "There are no mistakes in life, only lessons. There exists no negative experience, only opportunities to be seized to advance on the path of self control. From struggle comes strength. Even pain can be a very good teacher." | |
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1:48 AM Jul 11