Narg
Independent Alliance
Posts: 153
|
Post by Narg on Sept 26, 2018 0:04:43 GMT
Continued from this threadThe room was furnished with purple velvet couches, and oak coffee tables with glass tops. The lamps gave off warm light from maroon lamp shades, and the smell of incense became potent as the three entered the room further. Pictures of various landscape paintings, almost entirely of vineyards, lined the walls except for one that was taken up, floor to ceiling, with a large wine rack. Sitting upon one of the seats was a very dark skinned Indian man with an impeccably trimmed beard and a fine navy blue suit with a similarly colored dastaar. He sat with one leg upon his knee and a glass of blood in one hand. "Greetings, Solomon. We have much to discuss," the man said clearly and concisely. "I greet you as well, Alexander. It is good to see you again at last. It has been long since you left your study." "A pleasure, Dr. Luthra." Solomon said. Alister found it unusual how cordial and proper Solomon was being. He had never seen his sire behave like this. The man had so many different facets, and Alister found himself consistently surprised. The Golden haired woman walked up to Alister and gently took his hands in hers, "Hello young one. I don't believe we have yet met each other. You may call me Liya. What may I call you?" Her tone was sweet, gentle, and entirely sincere. Alister felt calm around her, even safe, and nowhere in Oddhaven was safe.
|
|
|
Post by Alexandre LeChevalier on Sept 26, 2018 11:46:36 GMT
As the Restless introduced herself to the neonate, Alexandre took his seat. Immediately a wineglass found it's way into his hand, with the bare arm of server also presented. Under normal circumstances, he might have accepted to arm as well; blood was always best straight from the tap. The attentiveness of the blood dolls was one of his favorite things about Elysium, doubly so in these nights when, even if his own herd hadn't been scattered by Rodriguez, he had to hunt to keep pressure behind his domain. He eyed the arm with temptation, but given that he had burned blood in the fight he waved it away, uncertain he could keep the Beast in check. It was Brujah's unique challenge, after all. Sanjiv no doubt noticed this, but given the bloodstains on his shirt and waistcoat that the sharp-dressed Assamite had been too polite to comment on, he suspected Luthra intuited his reasons.
Sipping from the glass, he responded to the Assamite, "I confess, I haven't been making as many social calls as I should these nights. But it's easiest to do business when people know where to find you, and I've had much business to attend to lately." This was all true enough, but he didn't mention that staying in his domain also allowed him to strengthen his claim. He certainly didn't mentioned the Tremere curse he had unwittingly caught. No one except himself knew of it, as far as he knew, and he was doing everything in his power to keep it that way.
"I always have time for the Primacy, however. I make time for the clan in general, and Solomon in particular, as well," he said, motioning to the bloodstains with a grin, "no matter how heated that gets. The viziers are milder in that regard, I trust? You say I haven't left my study in too long, but some of your clan make an amateur of me there."
|
|
Narg
Independent Alliance
Posts: 153
|
Post by Narg on Sept 26, 2018 22:08:17 GMT
"Our nature compels us as such." Sanjiv replied, taking note of the way Alexander was sitting medicine + perception difficulty 7 as Alexander has no external wounds TpNyVFpfp_p_p_p_p_p_p_p_ The doctor succeeds "Just as your nature compels dire injury. I suggest you consume blood and rectify your... state. There's no way that you could be comfortable like that." Sanjiv stopped himself and continued, "I apologize, this is not an examination room. This is no place for my commentary. You can take the surgeon out of the Operating room, but you can't... I'm sure you know the rest of the saying." He said smiling conservatively, and chuckled at his own poor attempt at a joke. Sanjiv picked up his glass of blood and took a small sip, "In regards to Solomon, it seems that because of him the bonds within the Oddhaven Brujah are strong. A unifying figure. Without him, things may come to blows amongst the rebels. Believe me, such factional fractures are never good for the order of things. The Viziers know this all too well. I am sure it is very important to your clan that this cornerstone does not falter." ·······
|
|
|
Post by Alister Rockwell on Sept 27, 2018 5:59:53 GMT
"Alister," Alister said uneasily. "My name's Alister Rockwell."
So this was Elysium? He understood it to be a sort of neutral ground for the Camarilla, a place to socialise and air grievances - as well as a place to receive decrees from the prince. Something like a medieval court. And damn if it didn't unsettle him. Alister was comfortable in a seedy bar, in a dirty back alley, throwing fists at a petty crook or some dumbass who borrowed money from the wrong person - but this just felt antithetical to his being. This woman, Liya, was entirely too gentle, and this environment too...sterile. Controlled.
He shivered, feeling like he was back on the operating table watching the blood stream out of his forehead, and screwed his eyes shut as if that could make the memory go away. Paradoxically, the safer the place was, the less safe Alister felt - he made his living in Oddhaven's unsafe spaces, after all, and he had no idea how to act in the safe ones. He pulled his hand free of Liya, saying, "Excuse me," and went to find a bathroom - he couldn't drink water anymore, but splashing cold water on his face still seemed to help.
|
|
|
Post by Alexandre LeChevalier on Sept 28, 2018 4:35:45 GMT
Noting Alister's discomfort, Alexandre rose to intercept him before he could leave- straining at the effort, and deciding to take the doctor's advice.
"Alister," he said warmly, catching his arm. With his back turned to Luthra, he angled his brow and shot a glance to the fledgling that advised him to stay put. "Allow me to introduce you to Sanjiv Luthra, Primogen of Clan Assamite. We were just discussing what a pillar of the Brujah community your sire is. That the Primacy is willing to come to his defense is proof of this," he said with another flash of the previous look.
Hopefully he would pick up the word defense, and realise that he needed to socialize and put on a good front for the Primogen. The fledgling probably didn't realize he and his sire would be facing trial. Had Solomon not told him? It seemed foolish not to bring him up to speed, but then Solomon's recklessness is what brought them to this situation to begin with.
Alexandre decided bringing Alister up to speed fell to him, and only hoped he could do so incrementally enough that Alister would figure out the situation without seeming unaware or overwhelmed- at least, any more overwhelmed than any fledgling would be. "Alister here is a great warrior, worthy of Solomon's embrace. A shame necessity forced the embrace to be done illegally. He's too humble to admit his prowess, but Solomon would hardly have risked both their lives if he weren't a worthy heir." He took another sip the blood, his hunger from the healing making it all the sweeter.
(Spending 2 BP on healing)
|
|
|
Post by Alister Rockwell on Sept 30, 2018 13:46:09 GMT
Christ, Alister felt out of place. He knew LeChevalier was just trying to help, but the last thing he wanted was to bounce from one Camarilla bigshot to another. But he put on a brave face regardless - not so much picking up on LeChevalier's cues, but trying not to reflect badly on Solomon. It felt like being introduced to one of your father's friends, and you want to come off well so your father doesn't look like a bad parent (even though he was) and he won't hit you with the bottle later (which he will regardless).
"Nice to meet you, Primogen," he said, trying not to let his general unease show. "I'm still getting a grip on..." He instinctively felt under his upper lip to the razor-sharp incisors. He could control it now, but he'd slashed his lips open several times after he was first Embraced before he finally learned how to retract them properly. "All of this. I hope I...I hope I end up reflecting well on Solomon as a child...e. And on all of the Brujah - I only met them for the first time earlier tonight."
|
|
Narg
Independent Alliance
Posts: 153
|
Post by Narg on Oct 2, 2018 0:18:10 GMT
"A pleasure, young one." Sanjiv stood and bowed his head slightly in respect. "The early nights are never easy, especially not for one in a predicament such as yours." The man gracefully ignored Alister's discomfort and moved on in the conversation, turning to Alexander
"You make quite the assumption, however, LeChevalier, that the Viziers will support you. We cannot afford to bring Loire's ire down upon us, nor that of the Tremere, unless all the other clans promise to protect and look out for us. We have yet to see what Ima says."
Liya walked into the circle, bringing Solomon with her, having finished their own pleasantries and conversations. "We understand that Sanjiv. There is a reason that we asked Brujah, Assamite, and Malkavian to come tonight. Each of you were the hardest for me to reach, and I have already confirmed the support of Toreador and Nosferatu. Tremere, obviously, given the situation, is not amiable to dear Solomon's plight, nor Alister's."
With that, a small goth woman, with shitty tattoos and a lollipop sticking out of her mouth, skipped into the room and looked around, before quipping, "Jeez, It's like a funeral in here. I LOVE it!" The shorty with a pixie cut, and centimeter thick eyeliner, pranced over to the blood doll and coaxed the mortal's arm up with a tickling motion, making the food source visibly uncomfortable. She sunk her fangs into the servant's forearm and sucked heavily from him before backing off, taking out some black lipstick and reapplying the makeup. She didn't use a mirror to do so, yet once she was done, the application was perfect.
"Damn, did someone die?" She asked as she walked over to the stunned group, rattled by this display of brazen character. She looked over at Alister and squinted. "I don't know you. You're the problem childe aren't you? That's cool I guess. I like rebels. Ima Noone, and you are?" She held out her hand and looked at Alister expectantly.
|
|
|
Post by Alexandre LeChevalier on Oct 2, 2018 7:05:57 GMT
"It would seem we all here, then." The Brujah examined Ima briefly, trying to gauge her personality-of-the-day as accurately as he could, before continuing, "Forgive my boldness, Vizier. But as you said, Solomon is a splint keeping away fracturing that never ends well. True for the clan, but true for the sect as well. The Primacy either stands united as a front that can actually sway the Prince, or it fractures into petty inter-clan strife and loses all real power, giving it up to the Prince. Solomon has served the Camarilla loyally with distinction until now, his first fault. A fault brought about by the unique weakness of his clan. If we allow the Prince to destroy him for that, we allow her to destroy anyone she pleases- there is a weakness in all our blood. And if the Prince has that kind of power, there is no purpose to the Primogen. It would just be clan against clan under her. I would think this is the last thing you would want. Within your life, you saw your own clan standing alone, and breaking apart as a consequence. How long would an already fractured clan- newest to the sect, no less- last without a strong unified Primogen council to check the desires of the Prince and represent all the clans?
"Surely," he said, turning to Ima and hoping to reach her late, rebellious affectation, "all the power being in the hands of one is something none of us want. It's something we Rabble, clan of rebels, have always stood against, anyway."
|
|
Narg
Independent Alliance
Posts: 153
|
Post by Narg on Oct 3, 2018 0:02:11 GMT
"You extrapolate the death of one vampire to a pillar in the Parthenon, Alexander. And further you imply that if we do not reach a similar conclusion here, we will not be able to agree on anything in the future." Sanjiv, responded in an even tone. "What you say about the primacy is untrue. Tremere does not stand with you in regards to the Sheriff, and should the Viziers choose neutrality, so as to escape the ire of a woman known for righting the weaknesses of clan Malkavian, a similar weakness to that of the Viziers, you would still have the majority of the primacy to oppose Loire. But if what you say is true, then you have failed already."
Solomon spoke with fire behind his words. "Tremere's always been in the pockets o' tha prince, no matta who they is. They know they can weatha' any politickin' that the prince and the rest o' the clans go through so long as their order is maintained. Damn Tyrants, chainin' their childer like dogs."
Sanjiv quickly retorted to Solomon's outburst. "Believe me, I have no love of Tremere. My Clan has been distinctly effected by their machinations in a far more severe manner than any here. That is not the issue however. My issue lays in the question, 'what do the Viziers gain from siding with you?' What does the Sheriff of Oddhaven have to offer? It is unlikely that you will retain the position after trial anyways, and we can expect no consistent support from clan Brujah, with the turmoil you currently weather, regarding Rodriguez and LeChevalier here."
"Solomon is a powerful ally Sanjiv, with much love and favor accrued across many clans. A series of boons from him, and his childe, will be valuable investments going forward in the future. I am as concerned about the wellbeing of The Viziers as I am about Solomon, and our newest member of Kindred society here, Alister." Liya spoke in her usual sweet tones, subtly making an offer on Solomon's behalf. She seemed to recognize what Sanjiv was asking. It would take more than rhetoric to convince Dr. Luthra to support the endeavor.
"Oh, come on Liya." Ima, said, butting into the conversation after introductions with Alister. "This is about shoving it to that Maniac, Loire. Now I'm a Bitch, but I'm a reasonable Bitch, unlike her. This Tarantula doesn't give a flying fuck about anyone but herself, and certainly not any of the other Lunatics." She took the, now bare, stick of the lollipop and tossed it at the trash can, missing by about a foot, visibly not giving a shit. "We're garbage to her, all of the dementive ones, and she sees everyone else as a toy to be dolled up or mutilated as she pleases, just cuz fucking Anne, over in Europe, thinks that Loire's some gilded steaming shit, somehow better smelling than the rest of us." She glared at Sanjiv and continued. "The point isn't to escape Loire's ire. You literally can't do that, cuz she doesn't make allies. She's a danger to all the Viziers, and all the Dementive Malkavians on the Isles, and we need to start standing up for ourselves now. Liya's just too tactful to say that Loire is shooting Cum in the Cake Batter that she's been stirring to a perfect consistency for years now."
The petite goth threw herself back onto the couch and sprawled out across it before taking out another lollipop and stuffing it in her mouth, sucking on it suggestively and staring over at Alister. "What's this gaunt gremlin got to say about it? The newbie's ass is also on the line after all."
|
|
|
Post by Alister Rockwell on Oct 3, 2018 6:51:40 GMT
Considering Alister had been so put off by the manic Ima's entrance that all he had managed to say was "My name's Alister," the sudden turning of everybody's attention to him made him want to shrink. He knew enough to know the importance of a Primogen, and even though he didn't understand the scope of what was happening here, he knew power - and pivotal moments - when he was in its presence.
Alister dry-swallowed - it was a mortal habit that hadn't broken yet. He wasn't a words guy, he was a fists guy. He groped for what to say, looking to the closer LeChevalier as if he could find words written on his face. Everyone was looking at him expectantly - except for Solomon, who was looking at him with a wry grin that said 'Go on kid, tell 'em what you've told me a buncha times'.
"I...uh..." Alister tapped his hands together as he tried to find words. "I think that nobody should be afraid of their leader, every leader should be afraid of the people that follow them, you know what I'm saying? They're up there to tell us what to do, sure, but I reckon that anybody who thinks they're judge, jury, and executioner needs to get knocked down a few pegs, you know? If this Prince is everything I've heard of them, then I reckon they need to be reminded to be afraid of the plebs. If they're not afraid of what the plebs'll do to them, they'll do whatever they want, and then they'll start stomping on anybody they don't like."
|
|
|
Post by Alexandre LeChevalier on Oct 3, 2018 7:57:55 GMT
Alexandre smirked to Alister, pleased with his response. "Which is precisely why Solomon is where we need to take a stand. Loire is going to be probing with this trial. If she can get away with destroying a well respected Kindred without repercussion, she can do the same with most other members of our society."
|
|
Narg
Independent Alliance
Posts: 153
|
Post by Narg on Oct 3, 2018 8:35:17 GMT
"I like you, kiddo." Ima said blowing a kiss Alister's way, "You're authentic, real, unconcerned with the façade of the Kindred and the Kine. That's a luxury not all of us get."
"You like 'im today at least..." Solomon muttered under his breath.
"I agree with Alister." Liya said with a warm smile. "I personally have no desire to see what the underside of Loire's boot looks like, and it would be nigh catastrophic to lose an individual, and resource, as prominent as Solomon. Plus, I concur with Ima's sentiment, Alister. I find you authentic and passionate. While I may disagree with some of your generalizations about the powerful, your words regarding the current situation resonate. I don't believe I have yet offered you something to drink. There are shotglasses over there in the liquor cabinet. Grab one, if you like, and I will get something for you. The highest quality, I assure you, celebrating your entrance into our world." With that, Liya walked over to the wine rack, pulled out a stool and started perusing the bottles on the highest tier.
Sanjiv interjected with a worried look on his face. "It seems that all of you are quite... enamored with this alliance. It must be implicit that we each come to the other's aid if such... transgressions were to occur in the heat of the moment. Know that this is an attempted suspension of the traditions, and that this example will resound throughout Oddhaven. Do not be surprised if other prominent Kindred see this and think that the traditions do not apply to them. They are what separate us, The viziers, from the rest of the Assamites, and the entirety of the Camarilla from the Sabbat. This exemption must not be taken lightly."
"The powerful got passes before, they just normally aren't stupid enough to piss off the Tremere." Ima said while absentmindedly tugging at the arm of a new blood doll and biting in. After having her fill and wiping off her mouth, she continued. "It doesn't usually get to the Prince. Saoirse has a, particular amount of pull with the head of The Pyramid in Oddhaven."
"Speaking of powerful connections, we forget who supports Loire." Sanjiv said, bouncing another objection off of Ima's quick interjection. "The Prince's web of influence reaches far beyond any of ours. Queen Anne's strings are taught and far reaching. We must be careful if we are to oppose her, and choose a course of action following the sentencing that makes sure that things play out in our favor."
"Play our cards right, and we may have a say in a new Sheriff." Liya spoke, returning to the circle with a bottle of blood. "It would be beneficial for all to have a new, impartial enforcer. Loire won't want it that way, however. This move will require a lot of political clout being pulled." Liya turned to Alister, "My hand's are a bit full at the moment, Alister dear. Would you mind getting us all some shot glasses from the liquor cabinet, please?"
|
|
|
Post by Alister Rockwell on Oct 3, 2018 9:11:08 GMT
Alister's relief was palpable. He hadn't mangled (horribly) what he was trying to say, and everyone had seemed to like it - he caught sight of Solomon's approving grin and couldn't help but grin back. Everyone's attention left him, back to talk of traditions and alliances - that was all still over his head, and the offer of a drink was pretty appealing right now. He went and grabbed a shotglass, and then grabbed one for each of the Primogen plus Solomon and himself, stacked them into each other, and brought them back to hand out. He didn't really care much for the quality of the blood, it all tasted pretty good - he hadn't dared to feed on a living person yet, though.
|
|
|
Post by Alexandre LeChevalier on Oct 7, 2018 7:18:32 GMT
"Dear Vizier, I think you overstate things. This is hardly an alliance, and we hardly calling for a suspension of the traditions. This is merely the Primogen council acting as it should, with the best interest of all Clans at heart. And we aren't proposing that the traditions are ignored, but rather that in this particular instance the transgression not be met with the fullest extent of Loire's right to punish.
"All I propose is that we attend Solomon's defense before Loire, and each speak in his- and by extension, Alister's- behalf. We propose that while punishment is necessary for a breach of the traditions, execution would be unwise in this instance. We would merely advise Loire before she makes her decision, and would not impede that decision once made. The Primogen have always held such a role, with ample precedent, and it's hardly bold enough that Loire could publicly hold it as a stand against her, especially if all the Primogen are of one mind on the matter. Likewise, I think we would hardly need to be concerned with Queen Anne becoming attached to the matter. Besides, would Loire look to Anne for aid in such a minor, internal matter? I would suspect that would only make Anne doubt her choice to support Loire.
"As I said before, the Primogen are only effective when standing as one front. You want a promise of aid, Luthra, but I want you to be aware that such aid is only possible while the Primogen stand together. Stand with us, and a precedent is set that is more valuable than any promise of aid that would come from a fractured council that Loire would believe she should fracture easily."
|
|
Narg
Independent Alliance
Posts: 153
|
Post by Narg on Oct 7, 2018 7:52:05 GMT
"'If thou creates another without thine elder's leave, both thou and thy progeny shall be slain.' I believe I quote the third tradition correctly, Alexander. I know the intensity and proportion of which I speak." Sanjiv did not seem ready to back down. Many hearty debates had occurred between the two in the past. Alexander was a skilled rhetorician, but Sanjiv stood firm in his understanding of the situation.
He continued with resolve, "You speak of a united front, do you not? You speak as if Tremere's opposition means nothing. You speak as if Ima does not change their mind on a day to day basis. The only bulwark you have against Loire is words, and all that I see are words. I need promise of action, Alexander. I need it from those I am helping. I will need more than implication of future assistance."
Dr. Luthra put down his glass and looked directly at Alexander. "The idea of a united front implies reciprocity from all partners. I find that implication often leads to misunderstanding. I either need word from you, Alexander, that for my support now, I will have your support in a future plea, or I need some assurance that the lives I am working to save will work to assist The Viziers in a time of need. I have my people to worry about Alexander. I need to be sure that this play doesn't bite the Viziers with nothing to gain. I say this because your front is not united, like you think it is. There are already gapping holes in the line, where Tremere and Malkavian stand."
Ima quipped in with an irked expression, "Are we really just going to gloss over the fact that this prick called me inconsistent and unreliable, like, twice now? Fucker..."
"You wear many faces, dear." Liya said with a calm tone. "Your different selves often have different, brilliant ideas. We value that immensely. It is true, though, that your opinions vary greatly based upon your visage."
|
|