Jack and Mable

[Mable Wood]

Mable thought a moment, "Well, I feel like you think I have ulterior motives when I speak. I realize many of our kind do that. I do not. I may misspeak or simply say the wrong thing. I frequently am just trying to understand what others mean or are saying. I have stated before that I am not a clever person. I don't speak in riddles nor do I tend to understand the meaning behind what people are saying. I have spent the majority of my being alone in the forest with the animals and nature in general."

"So I guess the biggest feeling of misunderstanding is you seem to project your or others more complicated social games? thoughts? anyway ...stuff onto me. I am a simple girl. And usually I am just trying to understand what others are saying." Gods, how embarrassing to have to admit just how stupid you are to someone who already acts superior in all ways.

[Jacque]

"The road to failure is paved with good intentions," Jacque quipped. "You acknowledge misspeaking but actions mean far more to anyone than these types of confessions."

His eyes narrowed on Mable, "If you don't want to play, then you can't allow others to use you as a pawn. My gut doesn't believe all of what you told me, but I've refrained from using my skills as a lawyer to really find out if I'm right. If you have trouble understanding the angle from which someone is approaching, then match their tone and approach until you figure it out. Once you commit to a decision though, that falls completely on you and the consequences that may come with it." He shrugs with a smile, "Kindred tend to react to actions and false accusations, not discrete conversations and clarifications. Even a 'simple girl' should be able to understand that part of the game."

Waving his hand dismissively, "Never mind all that business though. You've committed to correcting my grievance and I'm willing to give you the opportunity to see it through. No need to rehash." Tilting his head to the side, "Tell me, what does this wild child want in the Sacramento society? You've risen to serve as Her Majesty's Keeper, what is next?"

[Mable Wood]

Mable decided to let most of what Jack said to just sit and percolate in her mind.

She grinned at the wild child comment. "It's kinda funny, I don't really care about titles."

She holds up a hand momentarily, "I know, hard to believe, especially for an Invictus, I'm sure. I decided to go for the Keeper job because I wanted to help and do my part for the domain. However, the job isn't what I thought it would be. Keepers in other domains had a bit more responsibility. I really have none." Mable shrugs.

"What's next? I don't know. I may even just go back into the forest. I work with the Urban Forestry Project right now and am doing great things for the area."

She paused, might as well tell him her real thoughts, "I believe that I need to help save the forests in order to help keep our domain alive. It is my belief that if the forests burn or die off then the animals will leave. Then the kine will drift away. That means less food for the kindred of the domain. We have seen this happen in the barrens. I want to make sure the whole domain doesn't turn into the Barrens."

"What is next for you? Is there anything I can do to help you advance to where ever it is you want to be?"

[Jacque]

Jacque arched his eyebrow, "What drives you isn't dependent on which covenant we happen to belong to. You are either inpatient, ungrateful or just simply blind to the potential." He briefly paused to shift in his chair before offering a less pointed explanation, "Elysium is the most ancient of our traditions and you were selected to ensure that tradition is upheld in Sacramento. That is not an insignificant role nor is it without influence or power. Granted, the current population is quite respectful of the rite so perhaps that may be the reason you feel you have nothing to do?"

"That's a possibility. Ecosystems can be touchy, but I'm sure you've noticed they are also fairly resilient. I commend you for your effort on that front. I'm sure that too feels like a fruitless endeavor at times." He tilts his head as he contemplates her question, "Not really. Just solidifying my place in the Kine world again. You know, influence and such." He smiled as he flitted his fingers in the air, "Your allies among the kine might be useful for future projects but perhaps we'll cross that bridge when those plans start moving."

"How is the farm?" he asked as he shifts his focus around the room. "Are you able to manage it well enough on your own?"

[Mable Wood]

"You're right. It's probably the low numbers at the moment. Just wish I could help more." She looked contemplative.

"Oh on the future projects front..." She took a deep breath, sharing this was big...at least to her. "I have a new skill. I can see and hear everything a mark sees and hears even after they leave my sight."

"The farm is fantastic, thank you for asking." She looks around. "I have people from the college come here and train. They do most of the actual farming for me."

[Jacque]

Jacque shrugged his shoulders, "Being the Herald is not exactly more fruitful in that regard. An official announcement here and there, helping rewrite the laws to address a multitude of riffraff in the domain. The Archon is similarly not called upon at their full capacity. You currently do much of the vetting of new arrivals as the prior Seneschal had." He pauses a moment before contemplating, "Really, the only more active role would be the Reeve and only if there are threats testing our Domain's resolve."

"Oh?" he enthusiastically replies. "That does sound useful. Are there any limitations to the skill or are you simply able to eavesdrop indefinitely?" He grinned as he recognized his thirst to learn was being lightly teased by the savage in front of him, "Thomas used to tell me about similar things he was working on, the last of which was to do with mirrors." He would have enjoyed hearing if that research ever bore fruit.

"Well, if you find yourself in need of some extra hands you need only ask."

[Mable Wood]

Mable nodded, what Jack said made sense. "That makes me feel better that it's not just me. Thank you for sharing."

"The thing I can do lasts for a set amount of time depending how well the ritual takes. But, I can turn it off and on during that time period. The down side is when I am 'spying' I am at risk because all my focus is on what I am seeing and hearing. So, I will need someone I trust to guard me and keep me safe. I really think it can be useful when we are tracking some of the really bad people." Mable knew she was putting a lot out there but she was trying to show Jack that she was trying with him.

[Jacque]

Jacque nodded as he quietly absorbed the new information and keyed in on certain phrases she used, "That is very interesting. The risks are rather similar to some of my blood's more potent abilities." he offered. "Just so I know when to best recommend you for a situation, are there any components you need for such a ritual to be viable?"

After he gets his answer he shifts to the edge of his seat, "Unless there is something else you think we need to discuss I should really be heading out for the evening."

[Mable Wood]

"Nope. Well, I need a line of sight. But that's it. That and someone to protect me while I am seeing and hearing." She didn't mention the personal cost to her, but for the domain she was willing to do it.

"I'm all set. Thank you for coming over to discuss things." She walked him to the door.

[Jacque]

"That could get tricky," he mused about the potential applications. This is why clarifying questions were a necessity. "Congratulations on developing such a skill."

He made his way to the door with his escort, "Thank you for hosting me. It was a productive and insightful evening." He smiled in earnest. After all, a mutual understanding was far more amicable than the alternative. "Take care, Mable."

Great scene!