(1904) Still Here

**Clara E. Verne** · Apr 10th, 2019 01:16 AM

The push and pull from weaker to similar to stronger Beasts was more of a chore than leisurely activity. Clara was eager to hear Alessandra's announcement when a stranger approached her. The pure want of crushing the face of Thomas Boyle in was something Clara hid through a Stepford smile. "Perish the thought; a night like this almost requires a gentleman escort." Boyle introduced himself with an aplomb she'd expect of Vivian York.

"Clara Verne, vagrant of Clan Daeva, at your leisure." She had been taking in the conversations around her and noted Simmons' admission as well as the Prince's supposed acquiescence. The Prince would sooner ash me than hear my voice. She reasoned, even as she thought on the hunter she'd tortured for scraps of information. Push it back. You're here.

"So at my service. Should I send the Grand Wyrm the bill if I were to return you...different than how I found you?" As she spoke Lina's title, Clara saw her make her voice heard on Simmons' torture. Then York. Then some Dragon. One after another Vampires speaking out.

Boyle had enough of her attention that she didn't leave him on the spot, but her eyes and ears were tuned to the Court around her.

@Thomas Boyle Woland

Apr 10th, 2019 06:49 AM

Thomas smiles pleasantly. A gentleman escort? So that is what he was to her - an accesory to her outfit? It probably couldn't be helped, the Daeva was prettier than him and their Beasts growled at each other as equals. But the night is still young, Fates only know what configuration they end up in at its end.

"I'd be interested to hear where your vagrancy takes you, Miss Verne" Travelers and explorers have that sweet allure the Crone Ventrue tries so hard to capture, after all. But then the Succubus says something... curious "Oh my" He says in theatrical fluster "And what do you have in mind for me that'd warrant informing Sheriff Moretti?"

Thomas' gaze wanders just behind Clara's, to each individual that speaks out, especially the Seneschal. Finally, it rests on the vixen's vivacious form again "What's your take on the issue?"

**Clara E. Verne** · Apr 10th, 2019 04:50 PM

Boyle's demeanor of agreeable manners and amusement left Clara curious. The only thing keeping her aware that there was any danger was the tinge at the edge of her senses signaling the Beast behind the affable gentleman. Clara didn't even pay attention to that tinge most of the time.

"Somewhere wicked, hopefully. Most nights just my own home. If you're asking where I've been, well." She let off a light chortle. "As to where I'm going, I'll make sure to keep a diary and leave it open for you to peruse." She tilted her head at Boyle's question about Moretti. "Aren't you one of her Dragons? Introducing yourself as an acolyte and such, I just assumed..."

Then Rebecca spoke. As she listened, Clara was remembering the envy she felt for Simmons and the Prince. How un-moored from guilt they had looked. I'm doing it right. I don't need to delve deeper. She turned back to Boyle as he asked her opinion. "Her justifications sound like a specter of Seven recruiting here at Court. About what you'd expect putting lipstick on a pig." Her body was turned towards Simmons as she spoke and crossed her arms over her stomach. She gave Boyle a side glance. "Yours? I know she's your Priscus, but I'd be sorely hurt if my gentleman escort would lie to me on any issue. You can get close and whisper, if you'd like."

Clara is trying to convince Boyle to answer honestly. I think it'd be a MAN + SUBTER roll to resist.

Pers 2 suxx

Apr 10th, 2019 06:17 PM

Okay, now Thomas is extra curious. Of course, maybe the Succubus wasn't anyplace interesting. Maybe she stalked nightclub restrooms in search of a quick fix, maybe she spent her Requiem fornicating with any mortal in sight, like many of her clanmates do...

...Or maybe not.

"A diary would be helpful. I promise to be discreet. But not even a bite to arouse the appetite?" To some people this might sound like naivete or a sign of slowness in reading between the lines. To the Daeva? And this Daeva in particular? It will be clear the Lord is just playing the game of wits along "I am not a Dragon. I am an Acolyte, a member of the Circle of the Crone. I'm sorry if I wasn't clear"

When she asks about his opinion on the issue of the hour, he says this "I'm loyal to my Priscus, but I also serve the truth. I believe Madam Harpy Simmons, as a fellow scientist, does the same - even if I don't agree with her methods" It was true, what Simmons said - discovery requires experimentation. But scorching ants with a looking glass? That's not experimentation, this is the worst travesty of real science. He didn't quite make the parallel Clara did, that of the VII, but they were of one mind in broad strokes. "Excuse me for a second" he says to Clara.

"Priscus, thank you for your invitation to speak. I will only say this: as a scientist, you know that any experiment towards which the experimenter is not perfectly neutral, produces flawed results. There's also a number of occultists of some knowledge in this Domain" Thomas himself included "any of whom could tell you Vinculum can be broken only with time or the death of a master, but there is no pain capable of this result. Lastly, as recent kine history teaches us, torture is not an altogether reliable way of getting information, even in the absence of mystical chains" As anyone with two brain cell to rub together knows, you pathetic mummy.

"I agree that in order to survive and thrive we must often do things others consider 'evil' or 'immoral' or even - yes, 'barbaric'. Has the torture session produced the expected result? Was any actionable intelligence, any proven truth gleaned from the effort?"

Oh, this is going to be rich.

Thomas' answer was honest, therefore no roll was made. The opinion on the subject, although spoken in the general direction of Rebecca Simmons rather than towards Clara, is posted here for convenience

**Clara E. Verne** · Apr 10th, 2019 10:49 PM

"A lonely woman with a still heart sat in her tub, soaking in lavender and rose petals, just wishing for someone to share it with...That sounds like the intro to my last entry." Clara said the words in a curt, dry hardness that crept into her voice. Court was escalating. She blinked as he said he was a Crone. "Oh. Pardon. Wow. I'm...not used to being that wrong."

Boyle shared his opinion, which had enough truth and a noncommittal reply to intrigue Clara. Then he spoke to Court at large. "No, you really—" she started, but quickly silenced herself as Boyle made his pronouncement to the Court at large. She pursed her lips and watched on with the cold detachment of someone who wasn't impressed. She then watched Prince Antinori's response. She was supporting her appointed Harpy, as expected. Then Lina. Well. Lina offered her resignation.

She was close enough to speak softly, but still had to raise her voice just enough for Boyle to hear. Anyone watching the two might catch Clara's lips move, but would have to strain their ears to hear her.

Whisper 1 suxx

"Don't think on right or wrong, but on gain and loss. What do you gain for challenging the Prince's Harpy? What do you lose? The invitation to speak is a trap, Monsieur Boyle."

Apr 11th, 2019 09:06 AM

"Well, I feel distinguished I was the one you had this first time with, Miss Verne" He winks at the Succubus when she admits her mistake "And I must confess, I love the smell of lavender. If you ever find yourself lonely again, I'd be happy to assist. According to some, I'm a good listener"

He doesn't seem to notice the hardness in her tone or her unimpressed expression, but then again - maybe he did, and just resolved he isn't here to be applauded by anyone? But, since Clara Verne decided it best to whisper her next words, Thomas will return the favor. Although surely to a far less succesful result.

failure

"I'm a scientist, not a merchant. I cannot pretend to be the latter anymore than a fish can pretend to fly. If I've ever had any worth, it was in sharing the truth, as best I understand it. And if that isn't recognized..." It would probably mean something nasty for Thomas, but the benefit of seeing the world as one giant cycle is that even after you die a second time there's a fair chance of something nice at the next turning of the wheel.

**Clara E. Verne** · Apr 14th, 2019 01:27 AM

"Boyle. Have you no shame? Propositioning me in open Court. You're either too young or far too old." She said the word as a cursory flirtation, though there's a specter of enjoyment in her eyes even as her sharp smirk gave no warmth.

Boyle had spoken on something approaching integrity. "No one told me honesty is so fashionable tonight. At least, until it's inconvenient for the wrong person." Her eyes fluttered into a rapid series of blinks. Memories demanded her attention but Clara grounded herself in the moment. "I can understand holding to one anchor. Next eclipse, try wearing one less heavy." She mimed dusting a spec off Boyle's shoulders without touching him. The Prince had just reprimanded the Harpy's escape route for touching another Kindred, so she made sure her movement was deliberate and couldn't be misconstrued. And she'd feed me to Caine in a heartbeat. Rebecca and Lina got second chances. Clara might get a head-start if she was lucky.

"So will you petition to be our truth-speaking Keeper of Elysium?" She asked the heavy question with a light inflection.

Apr 14th, 2019 02:45 PM

"Shame is not something I'm very good at, that's true. Humility is the best I can do, and even then..." He leaves it at that. What happens when humility lapses, everyone was able to see in his recent address to the Harpy "But what was that saying? The tongue always turns to the aching tooth? I was merely suggesting a pleasant get-together. You know: talk over some drinks, maybe a little music - innocent things. Then again, I'm open to ideas" His smile wide, brief. Thomas was most pleased to see the enjoyment in Clara's eyes and the warmth-less smirk. Even if a Daeva's attention span matches that of a six-year-old, it's still something to build on.

"Honesty is always fashionable, because in the long run it benefits everyone. History is kind to those willing to speak, as evidenced by the fact everyone knows who Giordano Bruno was, but not one person knows the name of his executioner" Of course, many would find little comfort in being proven right after death, but for Thomas it was sufficient. After all, all it took to enjoy the irony was one turn of the Cycle "Not that I think it'll be as drastic here, of course. From what I can tell, the Prince cares about results, and that leaves room for being frank"

He remains unmoved as Clara speaks of anchors and pretends to brush off dust from his shoulder. As for Keeper, however...

"Honestly? I don't know. The requirements for the job were rather... specific, in fact right until a few moments ago I didn't know applications are still open" Depending on what happens next, it will either show the Prince wants to see who is consistent in their approach, or confirm Thomas' suspicion - that there was no one with the right connections that threw their hat in the ring "You?"

Apr 17th, 2019 03:34 PM

After permission from Thomas, the shadow of a giant steps into the conversation. "So, what's all this about honesty?"

Apr 18th, 2019 02:47 AM

It'd be impolite to engage in a lengthy explanation without allowing Clara a chance to speak first, so Thomas elects to keep it brief... for his standards.

"We were just talking about the pros and cons of offering informed opinions openly to other Kindred" He answers the Hierophant. The Ventrue is certain he's heard every word, they have a tendency to carry in Elysium space. So, he is clearly getting at something.

But what?

Date		Action		Roll		Result
2019-04-10 16:38:54		Clara E. Verne rolls 6 to answer my question honestly (Pre + SL 1 + Pers) (10 Again)		3, 8, 5, 5, 10, 4, 7		2 successes

Date		Action		Roll		Result
2019-04-10 22:40:12		Clara E. Verne rolls 5 to whisper to Boyle (10 Again)		2, 5, 9, 2, 3		1 success

Date		Action		Roll		Result
2019-04-11 07:50:31		Thomas Boyle rolls 1 to Whisper (10 Again)		4		failure

(1904) Still Here

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