Of Princes

[Asa]

Well, that was a bit of a surprise, he thought, watching the Seneschal. Looking around, he saw faces he didn't know.

Ishani's words suprised him more. It was a good thing he had made preparations, or it would have shown on his face. He didn't even hear what Dr. Asaan said, as he composed his thoughts.

Some things were better said in private, but some things he could not let wait.

Standing, he spoke. "Thank you all for your endorsement," he said with a nod to Lioni, Erika, and Elle. "For those here that I haven't had the pleasure of meeting before this, it's only fair to share a bit about myself.

"My name is Asa Clarke, and I was a resident of Sacramento during Straiphen's reign. I left the city shortly after Freddrick assumed the Princedom, and returned some time ago. At that time, I accepted the Priscus position left vacant by Kisten Maze and shortly thereafter was deputized by the Sheriff. I have recently joined the Invictus," he said, pausing.

There. That's on the table. Now, for what needs to be said.

As much as he liked Rahyna, he wasn't aware that she had done anything other than serve as the Harpy, and the Sheriff's words had stung him.

"Since my return, I have served the city faithfully. When the rogue Nosferatu prowled the sewers, I was there to assist in her destruction. When the Gardeners came, I was at the Circle of Creation and the Scotts residence, and continued to investigate their origins and means afterward. When "Tombs" Thornton Breached the Masquerade, I led the investigation that brought him in. When the Bloodhunt was declared on Gabriel Marcus, I was one of the ones that found him and assisted in bringing him to justice."

As Asa spoke, he did so calmly, taking time to look at everyone there -- everyone except the Sheriff.

Which was odd, considering he usually looked directly at the person to whom he was speaking.

"I do not say these things to boast," Asa continued with sincerity. "I tell you all these things to let those that do not know me know what I have done for the city. I have served her faithfully, answering her needs, and I have shed my Blood for her. If those assembled here find me worthy, I will answer the city's call again, and be honored to accept the title of Prince."

Asa sat, and waited. He had chosen his words carefully, and doubted anyone would realize 'the city' and 'her' were not the same. As blunt as the Sheriff was, she may not realize it either; but that wasn't important. He had said what he needed to say, after her words.

[Elle Moiraine]

Elle listens to his speech, proud to have a friend like Asa, and glad he spoke up. She holds her tongue though, waiting to see what the others will say.

[Shadow]

Shadow looks at Asa and nods respectfully. "Yes, you have done a great deal and served the kindred of Sacramento well in your role as Deputy. Other then the rogue Nos, however, everything you have done has been within the perview of your job in that capacity. We thank you for your service to us and honor your commitment, Priscus."

She looks around the room, taking in each kindred's face as she continues to speak. "What I am interested in is what you plan to do now. What do you feel this city needs and are you prepared to do what it takes to provide the leadership and compassion that is required to hold this title? That is what I am interested in."

[Sweets]

Rahyna can not help but have shock on her face for a brief moment as Ishani mentioned her to take the title as Prince an Invictus of all people had nominated her against another Invictus maybe she should rethink her outlook on the Invictus as a hole but she pushed that thought aside for the time being she had greater things to think about like how to present herself to those present in the room she wanted this probably not as bad as Asa did but she still wanted it.

Listening to Shadow speak she thought through what she had done for the city which unfortunately was not very much but then again she had not been here very long either so she thought to the future of the city what did it need what would she do if given the chance to change things.

After a few moments of puzzling over all the thoughts in her head Rahyna stands tall with her head held high "First let me thank both Sheriff Ishani and Prefect Dr. Asaan for their nomination I would be happy to accept this position if the city will accept me though I have not been in the city very long."

Looking to Shadow she smiles before continuing "I feel that right now, in such a time of turmoil, the city does need to present a united front. I feel that the person who ascends the throne needs to be looking out for the city's best interest, not the personal interests of clan or covenant. At this point the city needs to discover what has taken down the power structure so quickly. Anything that has the ability to take on so many kindred at one time needs to be dealt with quickly. That being said, once we have determined the outcome of this meeting we should gather all Hounds, Sheriffs, and Deputies to decide the best course of action for the city and how we are going to unite the city to bring down this unwanted and unknown threat. Which will no doubt be a city altering encounter and we need to not only utilize those present in the room but branch out to some of our citizens for help as well. This is a fight that I feel we can not take on with only those present in the room." Rahyna looks at each person in the room individually before continuing on "We are kindred we are the things that go bump in the night the kine fear us as they should but what I see in the future is to be a thriving society once more. We need to put aside our own personal goals and thoughts and do what is best for not only the kindred society but all those that reside within the walls of Sacramento otherwise we may not be able to sleep soundly in our heavens during the day with out worry of the kine coming in and staking us for something that this unknown has done and to do that as I have said we as the heads of our clans and covenants and as the advisors need to agree and put up that united front." sighing slightly she takes her seat one more knowing that what she had said is probably not what some of them wanted to hear but she had spoken her mind and that is all that she could do.

[Asa]

Asa listened, and considered Rahyna's words. He was glad this wasn't going to degenerate into mud slinging, and --no matter the outcome-- the city would be better than it was with Freddrick.

Standing again after the Harpy had sat, he addressed the room again. "Compassion is a significant word to have used," he nodded to Shadow, "especially given our natural inclinations. As those that lived under Straiphen and Freddrick know, they ruled by fear. Fear begets obedience, but fear does not inspire. As Kine governments have shown us, governing on fear alone ultimately fails. Make no mistake; weak leadership ultimately leads to anarchy. A firm hand, tempered by compassion, I wholeheartedly endorse. A directorship, rather than a dictatorship."

He briefly glanced at Neil Coben; he had been fair. He had given the man an opportunity, then a warning when it became necessary. Ultimately, Neil had failed him, and he had simply replaced him.

"As for the current situation," he continued, "I agree a united front is necessary, and that will require direction -- direction from the Prince. What I would propose is that the Covenants focus on the problem as a whole, but focus on what they are most effective at. The Dracul and Circle will research and see what answers they might provide; the Sanctum will comfort those in need and convert their churches to mass Havens, should safety in number be required. The Invictus and the Carthian Movement will assist in the investigation of whatever has done this, under the direction of the Sheriff and Hound. When these preparations have been made, those best suited among us all to deal with the threat will do so."

Will that include the 'willworkers'? They are still an unknown quantity, and better left unmentioned.

Asa sat, and awaited the questions, or decision, of those that had not made their voices heard. Some may disagree with his thoughts, or suggest they needed adjustment; that was fine, but he was a Ventrue, and hopefully had shown them that he was capable of making decisions and being the leader the city needed.

He still hadn't looked at the Sheriff, not wanting to see the thoughts behind her eyes. It was going to be a long, unpleasant night, he felt.

[Lexi]

Dr. Asaan continued to look uncomfortable, but his voice didn't waver this time as he spoke. "Perhaps then, if we must present a united front, in particular in face of both the crisis at hand, and the oaths and orders to which most of us belong, we should find someone to lead who is not bound by covenant ties. Someone who has no one to answer to but the city itself." He shrugs slightly, and leans back in his seat, "Many covenants have requirements that they must be put first, and if I am wrong in this, then I apologize, but perhaps someone should be given power that does not have one to consider."

[Shadow]

Shadow frowns and looks at the Doctor. "So, you would have us make the same mistake twice then? No, I don't think so. This is about looking past the covenent to your city and your subjects." She looks at Rahyna and Asa. "If either one of you cannot do that, then step out of the running now."

[Asa]

"My choice of Covenant has never influenced my decisions as a Deputy," Asa replied, "nor will it influence my decisions as Prince."

He was fairly certain Rahyna could and would say the same; he had never seen her use the position of Harpy as a weapon for her Covenant.

[Sweets]

Rahyna gives Shadow a slightly hurt look that she would even for one second think that she could not put her personal interests aside for the good of the city but the look was brief when she heard Akasha stating that we would possibly want another unaligned prince this was almost laughable at least when you had someone who had allegiances you had a least a small idea of their beliefs.

"I believe that the good of the city should come before anything else if that means the city would like an open door policy to the prince so they feel that they have a voice in the decisions being made then by all means the door should be open which is something that we did not have under Fredrick's rule or if the city feels that we need to integrate more cohesion during times of distress then I will provide a safe place for that to happen. This city is need of a prince who rules with an open ear and but still has the sense to curl the fist around those that would harm the city I feel that I would be able to do this if deemed worthy by those present in this room."

[Elle Moiraine]

Elle looks around, waiting for the last to cast their votes, hoping she is keeping her place.