Laws and Expectations

[Mable Wood]

Thought I was ready to continue here and will in a moment. Just need to finish with Mad Cap first so I can give accurate info in this scene.

[Mable Wood]

Thank you. That helps.

[Jacque]

Since the court conversation about the subject has died down a bit, do you think you've done everything you're going to do related to Madcap and Jack so we can continue moving this thread? If so, Steven are you good with unfreezing?

[Mable Wood]

Thank you for your patience. When Steven gives the go ahead I'm good.

[Mable Wood]

Mable looked right at Ale and answered the only way she knew how, honestly. If anyone ever was to know anything about Mable it would be she doesn't lie, she always speaks her truth.

"You may call in anyone you wish who was at court. While some may not like me or like the way I handle things, the truth is I do handle them. And since we can't seem to move forward until this matter is cleared up, which is not a complaint or an issue for me just a fact. I will tell you everything I saw and did from my perspective."

"I was watching court happenings. Now I admit I did not listen in on every conversation and every word that is happening in court. I am not skilled at that but am trying to improve. From body language I could tell things were heating up a little between the Herald and Madcap. Madcap was starting to increase in volume and I was able to hear him essentially asking for the Herald to discontinue the conversation. The Herald continued to push him which I also heard. Madcap asked him to stop and he didn't yet again. Then Madcap called to me to come help."

"I went over and the Herald chose to leave but also made a remark about calling for his mommy. Which by the way I didn't appreciate that my job was belittled so much. But I ignored the remark and continued to Madcap. He was settling down and did not wish to make any formal complaints. I chose at that time to allow him some cool down time. and I went over to the Herald to check in on him that all was good."

"The Herald handed me a note about Madcap calling him a name. I believe he called him a weasel. I asked if it was a formal complaint. I was told no. But I should consider doing something about it. I agreed I would consider this. Then a bit more of a conversation led to the Herald offering a boon if I would do something about it. I said, “I am assuming that is who you meant the minor boon was for since I am just doing my job checking in with you both. I am to remain neutral which includes not taking bribes to make things sway one way or another." I was making clear my position to remain neutral, also clarifying that he did not mean it for a bribe."

"How he meant it I really don't know. Either way I felt things were at an end since they had separated fairly quietly. After some conversation involving Mr. Meadows, the Herald left. Before the Herald left I did ask him why he was pressing an issue which happened several courts ago. He left without answering, I was trying ascertain if he had a request to gather the information. However, I personally believe that questioning such as that should be left to a private meeting outside of court, especially if it is something which may evoke a passionate response."

"Next, I went back to Madcap and addressed the name calling and the shouting across the room. He did apologize and explained that he could feel the beast rising and was afraid he was going to go into a frenzy if he tried to do anything more. I told him I would be reporting this to his Priscus to deal with and if it happened again it would mean an escort from court. I warned him to walk away next time before it gets to that point."

"Later in court, Bishop Garcia stepped up for the Ventrue and discussed the matter with Priscus Prosper. Please note that Priscus Simmons was absent from court and the clan Whip had left at that time. I think that's it. I may have left out details, but it's not from me trying to hide truth. There was just so many things said by everyone."

"Please let me know what I could have done differently or better. I am trying to learn and improve. But my honest opinion and that of multiple others in attendance was that Herald pushed too hard for an in court conversation and Madcap called him a weasel and also called to me. They both were in the wrong but settled with a minor intervention. I felt that was appropriate and acceptable."

Mable waited for what she was sure was going to be anger and repercussions for her failures. This is what she had grown used to, never doing anything right. Well, she would stand tall because she did what she thought was best and had remained neutral and calm.

[Mable Wood]

Can someone cross out the mommy text for me? I misread it as being said out loud and it was his thought process. Sorry about that everyone!

[Jacque]

Jacque's eyes drifted back to Mable, "You should be quite aware of how I meant it, Keeper Wood. Did you forget that I informed you in May that Prince Antinori specifically wished usto work together on the decorum?"

Hearing what occurred after he left, "If you intended to enforce decorum as such, then I don't understand what the point was of announcing such an insulting implication that I was bribing you. You could have simply stated that you would not be accepting boons for the offenses from either party but you would be warning us regarding the decorum. That would have fully satisfied the concern I gave you via note without the social ramifications. There are no formal complaints that need to be filed. There is only action from you to uphold decorum, or inaction to allow such behavior to continue to be the norm. You think I am against you?" He shakes his head at the thought, "I was trying to help you understand the expectation given the circumstance in the absence of the Prince." he glanced to the Prince as a silent sign to stop him if he was wrong about her expectations.

"My options were limited to either allow such a lethally sensitive cousin of yours to continue festering a grudge with me or hear him out under the safety of Elysium and hopefully resolve the issue before it became problematic. Most of that conversation included him stuffing words in my mouth to try and provoke me or perhaps even himself while avoiding every request to explain why asking everyone being treated equitably was so offensive to his honor. I was calm and curious, trying to understand his perspective through the entirety of the conversation whereas he resorted to trying to growl and intimidate me to the point of apparently nearly losing control of his Beast..." he pauses to roll his eyes at the thought, "...and somehow I'm made out to be the asshole who was pushing things." He had a feeling that Mable was simply trying to fill in the gaps for a conversation she didn't pay attention to while trying to not cause trouble with her new Whip.

"What do you mean by 'stepped up for the Ventrue'", his eyes linger off.

Shrugging his shoulders, looking to Alessandra, "If what she says she did afterwards is true then she did uphold the decorum. That's all I wanted seen done as per your wishes, however, I wish she would have just done so to begin with instead of disrupting the integrity of your voice in the process. I'm certain that Keeper Wood and I can come to a suitable agreement outside of this meeting to resolve that offense so that we can continue with what she was requested to come here for." He bows his head, "If it pleases Her Majesty, that is."

[Alessandra]

She almost thanked Mable for her permission to call someone in. But she didn’t, she simply sits and listens.

“So if Mr Madcap,” which just sounded weird, “was increasing in volume, why didn’t you approach sooner? Why did you wait for him to ask you over?”

An eyebrow raised, “We have formal complaints now? Is there a box for them?” she wasn’t insulting anyone, she just found it amusing.

“But you still referred to it as a bribe outloud? Which some,” no names given, “could take the wrong way. Leading to more of a disruption.” Again, the Prince wasn’t giving her a hard time, just giving her observations.

“I believe I’m not the only one who knows that simply asking Mr Madcap a question can lead to a very passionate response. Though Court is supposed to be a safe area to work out differences. If no resolution is established, then we can move it to a meeting room with someone to oversee it.”

Miss one fucking Court and shit hits the fan.

“So he could feel his Beast rising, and instead of removing himself, he shouted across Court?” she held little faith that Garrett was going to care.

“Why was Mr Garcia attempting to smooth things over with Mr Propser? Because if memory serves me right, Mr Garcia had taken exception to Herald Jack offering Boons in his name. So I hope that’s not what was going on and things were just being explained and talked out.” Because then his issue with Jack had nothing to stand on.

“Next time, I expect Mr Madcap to be thrown out. The sheer amount of disrespect going on disgusts me. I am not saying Herald Jack was in the right, because we all know that Mr Madcap has issues controlling himself. So that matter should have been handled differently. But calling members of my Court names will not stand.” She was firm on that. But she wasn’t angry, Mable had no direction going in.

Her attention shifts to Jack. “That is correct, I need you guys working together. I can’t always be there to put these fires out, nor should I have to be.” But seems missing a Court wasn’t going to happen again.

Nodding, “Implying that Herald Jack, who, in my absence, speaks for me, was bribing another Court Officer wasn’t the best way to handle that. If it had been me, I would have thanked him for the concern, but that his aide wasn’t necessary. Then after, spoke with him in private about how his offer could have been perceived. That way it shows a united front without attempting to throw mud on another officer.” This was a teaching experience she reminded herself. Take it slow, think out the words, be helpful.

There was simply a nod of her head to continue.

“I might be able to answer that Herald Jack. Treating everyone equally is not a view shared by all. There are some who will scream Clan unity and Clan first all fucking night long. When the reality is, the words are false and they put Covenant before all else, even family. So the problem? You’re not of their Covenant, and you haven’t kissed the right ass. Pardon my language.” She says with a wave of her hand.

“If you wish to continue to attempt to work with Mr Madcap, then I suggest a meeting here, in Elysium, with a third party. One who could care less who is right and who is wrong, and just allow everything to be heard once and for all. Or, you could simply ignore him and move on. But if his reaction was as described, then it’s best to drop it.” It wasn’t worth it.

“I’m willing to look at all of this as a learning experience. Though should this happen again, then I’m not going to happy. I want my officers to present a united front in Court, any issues can be hashed out behind closed doors. Like right now, if there are issues, I want to hear them so we can work them out.”