Haunting the Waterfront

”Sometimes it does us well to honor our roots, and the roots of the Lance are hedonism most joyus. To indulge here and there is only human, a trait we often so desperately try to maintain a grasp of. Beyond that, what will God do, turn us into blood sucking creatures of the night again?” He shrugged. ”Smiting with lightning maybe but that seems far fetched, doesn’t it?”


Farfetched, says the Vampire.

”Monomacy was a courtesy to all. First and foremost the Prince was going through all the trouble to choose a Keeper, had it been Jack she may have had to do it all over again once I was finished. That would be rude. I also acted in a fashion that was outlined in the Laws of the Domain, the observance of Final Death in the case of Monomacy. I would have settled for a battle to Torpor, but the quick thinking of the Invictus of Sacramento is something to witness.”

“And to be fair, Jack backed away. The universal sign for submission. I have tussled with the Invictus in the past, and if the game is going to be that the Princes ruling dismisses his submission? Well, I don’t think I will be able to hold back my laughter - I always have loved a good joke.”

It was nice to hear that Thomas wasn’t dancing in joy about his Banishment. Small appreciations built up over time, built rapport.

”Holding all the cards is a strong statement, and not necessarily wrong. The way to act is to remove the cards, one by one, make them drop a few and maybe stumble, and if necessary liberate a hand from the body. All in metaphor of course, and a general musings I assure you. The history of Latin America is rife with asymmetry in conflict with sometimes surprising results. Forgive my rambling, I get excited about my history - Pride you know.”

Yes, just theory and thought. Of Course.

”A Major and two Minors offered shortly after the fact. When my body was first fully racked by the hunger. All brushed to the side, without a second thought. Sure I am happy to not owe but this combined with other smaller requests and offers. Probably a half dozen interactions regarding Prestation with myself alone. But this inability to interact with our most basic form of courtesy is frustrating, and I am left agonizing if it is altruism or ignorance”.

"Hm" The Ventrue Acolyte ponders the Lance's words. The man was clearly capable of fire and fury, and yet his speech was... moderate "Since when a member of the Church wants anything to do with their human side? Doesn't it teach that we are all God's monsters, and that the kine are only as important as the souls that can be saved?" There is no judgement in his tone, just a recounting of what he perceives to be facts. Thomas's long ago resolved to leave the judgemental part to preachers "Besides, if the Bible is anything to go by, the Almighty can get very creative in thinking up punishment for those that stray from their purpose. Not that I would have insight into His plans. We're not exactly on speaking terms, you see" How can you speak to someone blatantly refusing to acknowledge your questions, even in your living days?

"As I have pointed out in a different place and a different time, the word 'shall' is a bit legally ambiguous. I wouldn't put it past the person who drafted this law in the first place to intend it as a trick and loophole to be exploited" It was probably authored by another Invictus, there's hardly any other reason a First Estate tradition would make it into the universal Laws "Then again, that's one of the parts I don't get. Alessandra is not stupid, but she doesn't seem like the kind of Invictus lawyer that would twist the rules to suit her need. The situation was much too dynamic for any power behind the throne to intervene. Maybe she's too new to the First Estate to understand the full meaning behind Prestation and Monomacy? I don't know, really... everyone keeps saying she has a criminal empire under her thumb, but that was some poor crisis management on the Invictus' side" He shakes his head. It really made little sense without getting into the murky territory of personal psychological traits. And Thomas didn't know the Prince nearly well enough to guess at them.

He snort-laughs at the mention of 'general musings' who were really anything but "Of course. We're just two guys, thinking over history in the abstract. So I'm going to tell you, also in the abstract: open conflict with hands being cut off and cards thrown out is not suited for our existence, not unless you can end it with a few decisive strikes. Think about it: if there was a gang war on the streets, that means interest of mortal authorities. That means hunters, the Brood and the VII using the chaos to gain ground. That means the Lupines sniping at the Domain refugees. The spirit world gets frayed and bloody, food is suddenly in short supply because mortals don't go out at night, and those that do, do so in armed groups. It's hell on earth, good luck ruling over the pile of ashes that remains after" Like a kid playing with matches, ending up burning the house down, Kindred should also remember their power over kine is a double-edged sword, one they can control only to a certain extent.

"Of course, assuming it even gets that far, and the commander is not discovered, outed as a traitor and executed" Would Antinori stay her hand, if York was the traitor? Thomas thinks not. How much easier would it be, then, to end someone far less important to the workings of the Domain, with far less rapport?

"In the immortal words of Subcomandante Marcos, however, ideas are also weapons. You know. Abstractly speaking" He smiles. It's true, the history of Latin America provided many examples of how guerilla warfare of one kind of another should be waged. Knowing one's strengths and weaknesses was key.

The Lord grows ever more concerned - and it shows - as Garcia explains his predicament. Of course, could he really tell if the other Ventrue was fully honest, as opposed to playing some kind of ruse, or even spinning a martyr narrative for his own psyche's benefit?

  3 successes

Date		Action		Roll		Result
2019-06-09 16:19:59		Thomas Boyle rolls 5 to Does Garcia look like he's not being forthcoming? (Wits + Empathy) (10 Again)		1, 4, 10, 2, 8, 10, 6		3 successes

"Does the Prince have an altruistic vibe about her?" He asks rhetorically. Does any vampire? "Yet, I think it may be more than just ignorance"

”Valid point, there does seem to be a disconnect between legends and reality. Though, I would not be surprised to learn that the extent of a Criminal empire was vast - it is something that by nature is designed to be operated in compact blocks with its own management. Meanwhile our world has a much more direct approach, much less middle management so to speak. Needless to say, you hit the nail on the head - it certainly shook things up.”

“We may have to sit back and consider the blood really. Being completely objective, we have a Savage Prince and so we may be dealing with a brute, the type that does well in spheres such as the seedy underbelly of the Kine. There is nothing wrong with that really, but it seems probable with a poor reactions to the political dance while still justifying why there is power in her seat.”

“As for the understanding of kindred concepts? That is a whole other issue. I have dealt with the First Estate in the past, Monomacy included - there has been a failure of education somewhere be it Sire or somewhere else down the line.”

“This is not gospel though, just my perception.”

He glossed over the matters of Faith for the moment, not because he didn’t want to answer but for the sake of pushing their more pertinent conversation forward. There was always another night for philosophy - he was sure the two Lords could have an interesting night.

Thomas than went on about his bit about guerrilla war. As they moved down the path, Arturo nodded in agreement as he spoke and slipped his hands into his pocket. He had an appreciation for Thomas having the background on it. A scholar he was, and he wielded his education like a weapon. It was wonderful.

”You are not wrong on any of that. I am sure if there were any devout masters of clandestine warfare things would already be burning, but here we are still musing. Discussing matters from a perspective of theory and practice. On that, I weigh in more on the practical side to be perfectly honest, but have established an appreciation for the other. What about yourself? Ever had a cause?”

He mused as he asked Thomas if he had ever played revolutionary. It was always an interesting question to ask.

”I honestly believe that Alessandra thinks she is an altruist. Plays nice until something cracks. An issue I suspect from fledglings not, leaders.”

Arturo’s body language, tone, and general word choice - while sometimes meandering comes off as sincere. There seems appears to be no drastic change to the narrative. While Arturo is not trying to hide anything, and it is up to Thomas to determine how interprets it all. If you need anything else cleared up ping me and I can correct where necessary

"You speak from experience" A statement, not a question. Garcia's words werenot those of a dilettante, or someone who just brushed with criminality. Clearly, he was a seasoned cutthroat "I don't want to bestereotypical, but didn't you say, back at the meeting, that you worked in Ciudad Juarez? I assume it comes from there?"

Not necessarily ending - or beginning - at that point, of course.

"Being completely objective" The funny thing about saying things like that is it doesn't make your statements any more objective "Gangrel blood doesn't imply brutality and low impulse control. Take Prosper, for example - I don't know the man nearly as well as I'd like to, but if he had a spirit animal, it'd be a snake or a cat, not a dire wolf. Mable is another example. Dirt Nap, when he was around. It's definitely a factor, but I doubt it's a deciding one - besides, as far as solutions go, pondering it is no more than a thought experiment. What are we to do? Change Alessandra's sire?" Of course, Garcia was very right that the Blood shapes its vessels, but perhaps in a less overt manner than he suggested. Besides, it's one of those things you can do nothing about, just like you cannot make a fish be a bear.

Was he a man of revolution? Well, certainly Thomas had some lofty goals, but to change the world was a mean to an end, not the end itself. Does that qualify?

"Well, there was a time, when I breathedwith more ease, that I was a member of a Christian church. Not just any church,you see - one of those you hear in the news about, a compund in themiddle of the desert, a charismatic leader with multiple wives, doomsdaygospel, the whole shebang. Then, when I got sick of it, I burned that bridge -literally - and before I know what hit me, I'm a member of a roving gang -camps in the middle of the desert, a charismatic leader with eye candy on hisarms, us versus them mentality, the whole shebang" He smiles as memories float up to the surface of his mind "Then he happened and for the first time in my life I realized I was thinking too small"

The shape in the night, darkness within darkness, and yet his gift was that of crimson-colored light.

"Do you see where I'm going withthis?"

”Experience with the Kine? Most definitely, you hit the nail on the head. Criminal organizations served as another outlet to exert social control just as much as the other Channels the Lance controlled. Noble duties mingled with ugly tasks, and always gave me enough of a look at the better life to keep on doing it.”

He stopped walking at this moment, and closed his eyes for a moment - before opening them and continuing, using larger strides to catch up if left behind. Sometimes there needed to be moments of reflection.

Thomas than provided an excellent commentary on what was essentially not judging a book by its cover. It was a valuable lesson to say the least and Arturo appreciated the use of their own Domain’s Gangrel to illustrate his point.

”Again, an excellent discourse. Maybe I am painting in too wide of a stroke and there are other things I am missing. But the pairing of a thug and a savage go together like the right dessert and wine combination. You are also correct that there is nothing that can be done about it. It can only be anticipated and accounted for.”

In short, he could be wrong - but he would prepare for the obvious results and go from there.

This was concluded with Thomas’ own reflections. His fellow Lord had a thing for story telling it seemed, and it would be fair to consider Arturo engrossed in the short but informative narrative he was given. He even smirked a little at the end of it all.

”I think I get it.”

He nodded with some certainty.

”And does your position as a Crone fully fit and fulfill your ambition? Did you Covenant come early for your or later? The Lance and I were tied together from the beginning with no other option for me. Thankfully it worked in my case.”

When the Hispanic Lord stops to contemplate, Thomas holds as well. He knows these floods of memories all to well, and so is content to wait until they are soaked in, taking in their surroundings in the meantime. It was so peaceful.

"That's the thing. We are looking at a puzzle, perhaps even know what the image is supposed to look like - but so many of the pieces are missing. Or hidden? Six feet under?" As exciting as the constant turnover of Kindred in Sacramento was, it provided little opportunity to paint a clear, detailed picture of the past and present.

"I was an Acolyte since the very first night. But when the others worshipped, I contemplated - thus, joining the Circle was only the first of many steps, with a lot more to come. My ambition is not so easily extinguished... as, I am sure, is yours" It's something all the Lords have in abundance, more even than the other four Clans. For what is merit, if it is not propelled forward by a desire to use it?

"Speaking of ambition - do you believe in the dialectic clash of history? That over time pressure builds between a thesis and antithesis, which eventually results in historic moments, when will of the few changes the lives of the many?"

You know. For the sake of theoretical argument.

”Has there ever been a truly spontaneous movement that led to significant change? I have dabbled in history, but I am no master. I know about Immanual Kant’s thoughts on universal democracy, and quandary faced when looking at the great figures of history. In most cases it is someone enforcing their will, or lashing out against another.”

The path turned, the path was dark as tree canopies thickened - it may have been a lovely place to walk when the sun was high. A pleasure none of them would ever experience again.

”Let's look at a film I have always enjoyed, Spartacus - the power of one to gather others and stand against something that is broken. Though I suppose there is beauty in the scene where everyone becomes Spartacus, so maybe I am answering my own question?”

He placed his hands in his pockets as the path turned once more and they cleared the canopy of the trees.

”Am I sounding the fool now? You’ll have to forgive me, I never was much of an academic, casual interests at best.”

"Nothing is truly spontaneous, because all is causally determined" The Ventrue replies casually "And will is nothing without the myriad members that make up the body, just like a body without will is simply a few pounds of dead flesh" Which was as true on a personal level, as it was referring to political organizations.

"You do know what happened to Spartacus, right?" Maybe what Arturo was going for was some form of martyrdom? It'd fit the Covenant, but not necessarily the person "Ultimately, he served as a fodder of change, not the one driving it. Although, the image of a rotting Roman Republic is an appealing one, as far as theory goes" There certainly can be comparisons drawn to a certain Californian city "Historically speaking, Rome was strong when it had charismatic leaders, driving it full force forward. It was never about the legions, or the roads - it was about adaptability and the durable civil backbone. When the Eternal City lost that, it became flaccid, making way for more lively cultures of the so-called barbarians"

Thomas scoffs at what he perceives to be false modesty. Arturo asking genuinely asking forgiveness? Oh please "Enforcing one's will is, however, something that needs doing. Like you started, back in Court, when you parlayed with Prosper" Which, truth be told, was itching Thomas ever since "Can I ask you to give it to me straight? When the Lords finally meet for the second time, will you be trying to secure the leader's seat, or was that simply concern about the Family's standing?" The Acolyte already knew the answer, or at least believed he did, but hearing it from Arturo's own moutyh could afford some clarity.

”Like I said, a great movie - you have to take it for what it is and if you do it right the results may be different.”

He offered a gentle shrug and continued his stride, letting Thomas expand on his own history lesson. Skilled orator, but the clever part was not to talk over the audience. Valuable, it helped keep situations cool rather than amping them up. But there was now more serious matters on the table, and Arturo had to decide if he wanted to be forthcoming with his Peer.

”Very interesting question, one I have a not so simple answer too. However, you asked for it straight. Yes, I do. While I appreciate what the Priscus has done for us, and myself there will either be a dramatic overhaul of how we operate, or there will be an aggressive play on my hand. The actions at last Court were put in motion by our Priscus dodging a public outing following her comments on torture, and Jack has multiple times now proven he is unable to operate with Kindred.”

Arturo stopped and shifted his body so he was facing Thomas’ body.

”You are the only person privy to this information, and that is only because I respect you. But I think that there needs to be a shakeup, because something about this is not working. If it was about petty things I would have fought more aggressively for Whip or even pushed an agenda sooner. Things have changed. When this happens, will you try and stop me?”

Thomas stopped when Garcia did, and now you have two Lords engaged in a staring contest. How dramatic!

"I couldn't stop you if I wanted to, Arturo. You are an armored train..." the Ventrue makes a soft 'choo choo' sound "...and water curtains have always been more my way than concrete walls. However, what I'm seeing from this conversation and from what I observed before - we identify the same problem, namely that the system in place can't function properly anymore, but want to apply different solutions" The two vampires came from very different worlds, and it was not only apparent, but openly stated before.

"You want the status quo beaten into submission. Me? I believe we can work within the status quo, fill the obvious cracks with our special concoction. We'll act as the glue that holds the Domain together... thus deciding how the pieces are arranged. Arguably, my method has bore more fruit so far" Or at the very least, Thomas' orchard of possibilities is larger.

"Don't take this the wrong way, but I may be the only friend you have in this Domain, while I have had some success in breaking the Circle out of the isolation it's been in when I arrived. Some of the Invictus owe me. The others I can count on to listen to me with open ears" Is it bragging? Perhaps. Is it true? In Thomas' eyes, yes "And when you yank out the Priscus seat from under Simmons, I can assure you the first thing Jack will do is go cry to the Prince and Seneschal about it, nixing whatever progress you've made towards getting out of this..." A vague movement of hand indicating the surroundings is given.

"I have a counter-proposal. Support me for Priscus. We'll exchange Boons - a Major to you, a Minor to me - and I'll make you Whip, at which point we become partners in both governing the Clan of Kings and steering the city in the direction of faith and integrity, as it's supposed to be, sharing intelligence and resources. Further, I will do what I can to convince Alessandra you are more useful close to her than in the Barrens. If I fail in this, or you do that on your own accord, we'll just erase the Minor"

A multi-part agreement, and like all agreements - open to negotiation. The Acolyte wonders if Arturo will accept it, or even ponder it.

"The chariot of history is rushing at us both. We can take its reins or be swept away by it, but if I may be forward: neither of us can get the control we want without the other"