Settling Matters

[Alessandra]

Oh, she would correct him if he was wrong. That was what this talk was intended to do.

“It’s unusual for one not of the First Estate to adhere to those steps. And as with all prestation, none can be offered in your name without your acceptance. Which is why one does not accept Boons in anothers name without speaking with them.” He had to know that.

“It is understandable why you are upset, I’m not diminishing that. But Monomacy is the most serious of the First Estates rituals. And as such, there are rules to make sure it is not abused and declared every night. Never underestimate the weight of Monomacy. There were other avenues you could have taken to get whatever it was you seeked. If you and Mr Jacque were unable to resolve it, then you bring in another party, and only after all avenues have been explored can the request be given any weight. The finality of Monomacy is Final Death. Was your ego that big that Final Death was the only acceptable outcome? Because I take Final Death as very serious thing and not something to issue over an ego being bruised.” What was it with people and wanting Final Death?

“Are you going to be able to reside in my Domain peaceful with your cousin? Or am I going to have to mediate this myself? Because I warn you now, you will not like it if I have to step in.”

[Twist]

Twist was quiet in the corner, the shadows of the office hiding most of her expressions as Arturo talked.

To be honest, she hadn't much paid attention to whatever conversation between himself, the Prince, Jacque and apparently now the Harpy so most of the nuances there were meaningless to her. But still ... monomacy over a single conversation?

She leaned back further into the shadows, keeping her mouth shut.

Already there were too many words in the air.

[Alessandra]

“A Boon you were within your right to deny. An offer which has clearly offended you.” She begins, “And yet, you turned around and offered a Boon to Sheriff Moretti anyways.” She had been paying attention.

“I overheard Mr Jacque state at the start of the conversation that he might need to cut it short to put his bid in for Keeper. You took it as a snub because you didn’t get what you wanted. You made the decision to interrupt a Formal Court with your petty squabble over a perceived insult.” Fucking children.

“No, there didn’t need to be a price. There needed to be your family setting up a time outside Court to sit down and settle things. Like adults.” She was done with people interrupting Formal Court.

“As a member of the First Estate I know there is a time and place for things. Violence and Monomacy are not the only answers to slights. Monomacy is for those who cannot settle their issues any other way. If it was granted every single time someone had their pride hurt, there would be no Domains.” She might be a Savage, but she knew violence didn’t solve everything.

“Mr Jacque put a matter of the Domain over whatever it was you were complaining about. I will not fault him for that. He told you he would discuss it at a later date, yet that was not good enough. This goes beyond what happened at Court, this is a deep-seated issue you have with your cousin. And even if he had not rejected it, I still would have denied it. Because fighting to the death over petty bullshit doesn’t fly with me.”

Shaking her head, “The matter only drags because you and Mr Jacque have not sit down and figured this out. But that is how it will be settled. You and Mr Jacque, along with your Priscus will come to my office and figure it out. There will be no violence, there will be no Monomacy, but it will be settled.”

And it kept going.

“There is no peace with Monomacy, there is still a Kindred left as a pile of ash at the end. That’s not peace. Tell me, why is Monomacy the only way you seem able to find peace?” she’d even had someone try and declare it against her.

“Considering my whole life and unlife was built around the Underworld, I have a keen understanding. I’m also aware that violence is not the only answer.” She’d made many allies by working things out instead of killing them.

“I will say this, and you better hear it and understand it. I have denied you Monomacy, and such, if something were to happen to Mr Jacque, it will be your Danse that pays for it. It will be public, and it will not be quick and easy. I will not have Kindred thinking they can skirt my Laws.” She was deadly serious.

“And if the only way to solve it to you is blood or submission, then you will not see your banishment lifted. This Domain has true threats to focus on, not bruised egos and pride.”

[Alessandra]

The way he spoke about needing retribution for whatever slight Jacque had caused, and to then back off? Ale wasn’t buying it, her paranoia reminding her that people say what they want you to hear.

He wouldn’t be content until he ended Jacques Danse. Not that she was attached to the Lord, but a Final Death for bullshit wasn’t her thing. This would need to be watched. Closely. She looks to Twist, knowing they would need to talk.

“It was never a debate.” She only wanted to attempt to understand. But she wasn’t able to. Perhaps a meeting with everyone involved would clear things up. If not? Well, she’d handle that then.

“I’ll get the meeting set up for sooner rather than later and let you know.”

[Alessandra]

Looking to Twist, then back to the Lord, "I have nothing else. And it's worth saying, you're not bothering me or taking up my time." despite how much the whole mess pissed her off, she wasn't holding grudges.

"I'll call you when the meeting is scheduled."