(2004) Consilium - Venus in Converse

[Aurora]

The Shaman stands, looking to Pixel for a moment, before eyes settle back on Anima, “That depends on Anima.” If he was going to be smart about this, or stupid. It was hard to tell which with him. If it needed to be decided by a Duel, then, well stupid.

Another sip of her drink, “Did we want to take a moment to discuss this?” looking to Briar Rose as well.

She was fine with whatever way he wanted to take this.

[Star]

Ooooooo-kay. So that's a thing.

Never getting those three minutes of his life back.

The worst part is... wait, no. The whole Thyrsus thing is still going on. Sweet. Almost as good as Phoenyx giving Beaver the what-for. That grin like a kid walking into a carnival is probably Totally Inappropriate, but whatever. Just a few weeks ago? Apathy reigned. This is the good stuff.

Just gonna... sit. And hope Anima puts up a fight.

Sentences are all done, right? A sweet Duel would totally be the best way to end the conclave. Dinner and a show.

[Kaze]

Kaze looks like he's in a much better mood when he comes back, though he's still not talking or anything. He takes his seat, fishes out a protein bar from his jacket pocket and quietly munches on it, watching the continuing proceedings.

[Briar Rose]

Well, at least people weren't shouting out, and being just horrible, things did seem to be getting done. Maybe there was something to this, uh 'style' of running things.

Maybe she'd been to harsh. Knowing only Consiliums unlike Sacramento's, Cabals required to step foot, Order a perquisite to even have a voice. She'd agreed on Sacramento because it was wild and lawless. With voice joining others into a cacophony of opinions and thoughts.

It was annoying yes. Amusing to watch, but so, so different then anything else she'd known.

Looking up, she frowns, it was Aurora's. She's the only one who could take Councillor from Anima, and everyone here knows it.

She straightens in her seat, having been called to speak. Another difference.

"You already know my opinion. Given last time the Path met." she says, looking towards the other Shamans.

[Abacus]

He respected Masters of the Art. Their Wisdom was paramount, of that there was no doubt. But Aurora was simply being childish and Anima wasn't all that different. It seemed that these two Thyrsi were all too willing to show the rules of their Wyld--what amounted to prideful bestial chest-beating--and all too blind to see that to the rest of mammals who used more than their hind-brains, this was simply arrogance.

Maybe she understood that. Maybe she simply did not care. Maybe Mastery brought with it an ennui that could only be abated by empty, expectant challenges. That depends on Anima.

It was pathetic. And the very thought left a bitter taste in his mouth. Like most of the Wise here, he would be willing to bet that she too, would be reluctant to take a seat among the Council. To do so, is to stare at the gleam of steel that hangs over your neck. Who would ask for such a sight?

Damocles didn't.

As the Obrimoi made their return, the Enchanter wondered who among them would take Winter's place. Phoenyx tended to bite more than she could chew, whether she chose to or not. Kaze was soon-to-be Incarcerated, so that ruled him out from the jump. Star would have been happier telling them how to do their jobs, rather than take the chance of doing it himself. Insulation from criticism.

He awaited their decision and he would have no complaints because the work was more important.

New Councilor. No Hierarch. Pixel would love that. Punk looked so fake on "Gen Z". All aspiration and no grit. How could there be?

"Have the Obrimoi reached a decision?"

[Naga]

So there was no Hierarch at all. That did explain why this Consilium meeting was like a kids birthday party with no adult supervision. Nobody was holding the reigns.

Naga was honestly surprised by Igor's proposal. Not that he wanted her legal expertise, but that he chose to ask her right now. Eyebrows arched elegantly as she glanced briefly at the... aromatic... folder. She cleared her throat and set it aside.

"I'm sure we can discuss this, and other matters, at a later time. For now, Magus Igor, let's allow the Council to proceed with their official business, shall we?" She smiled and gestured towards Campanella, suggesting that the giant of a man take a seat with his Path.

With that, the Warlock sat back and wondered if the Seers would attack the building just to bring more chaos to this circus.

[Pixel]

Pixel remained silent. The Obrimos returned but the Thyrsus were just getting started. Or finishing. He didn't know what Briar Rose meant but assumed the others would. Which left Anima and Aurora to sort out the path business. While the Council did have official business that business wasn't anything Pixel intended to push with people predisposed, and so the waiting would continue.

Which really left the giant to focus his attention on. With his final words, beckoning Campanella to 'use him', Pixel's face visibly contorts into an unpleasant mix of surprise and horror. His mouth opens as if to say something, but he shakes his head and thinks better of it. Instead it's Abacus who rescues him from his thoughts and he turns his attention to the returning Obrimos.

[Anima]

The things you covet end up controlling you. Not this Shaman though. That would be unwise.

If you're too busy looking at the chaos and the arguments you're not really seeing what's going on. They're just words. Words mean nothing to the wise. Will is everything. And the wisdom to employ it. A politician can say whatever they want, all that really matters is their vote.

"The Stone Book will take a moment to speak."

He stands and strides down the nave a short ways.

Shaman Side thread

[Campanella]

Campanella made a faint nod as Igor CandidesDream continued.

"By and large, the Councillors were selected quite recently. This Concilium selects Councillors based on Path, rather than Order; there has been much disruption and movement in the area and as a result the Pentacle Orders do not have a lot of infrastructure here. The Circle is a Sanctuary and a Bequest of sorts, I think."

He struggled, trying to find appropriate terms for what the Circle of Creation meant. In the end, he ran out of time as the Paths selected their new leadership quickly and on-the-spot.

"As you see, they are choosing new Councillor's now. As former Hierarch, I can't really put myself back on the Council. It is... too close in time. Pixel became Councillor of the Warlocks when the previous one left suddenly. Abacus was the first Enchanter to stay in quite some time and ended up Councillor by default; only recently have some new Enchanter's arrived and I don't think any have challenged him. Not sure what is going on with the Thyrsus..."

Campanella watched from his seat. Frowning.

He turned back to Igor with a wry grin. He did not mention that the position of Moros Councillor was vacant...

"As far as I know, we would be the only Awakened bound to the Watchtower of the Lead Coin. And I'm afraid I cannot help you in regards to Twilight. I am more... Alchemist than Necromancer."

Fingers brush his chin as Campanella takes on a thoughtful pose. Then a faint smile.

"Instrument you say? Well I don't know about using you but if you wanted to ingratiate yourself with a Councillor, you could always make an enquiry of Anima Mark . He has come into the possession of a mirror under unusual circumstances. I do believe he wants the object examined using the Grim Sight. He has suspicions that the mirror may have been used in a ritual but he is unable to confirm his speculations alone."

He nodded to where Anima spoke with the other Shamans.

[Winter]

The matter of succession is rather uneventfully solved, but as the Obrimos makes his way to the main aisle, he's taken back by another surprise.
Not really.
That the doctor was fucking around was evident from the getgo. That he's openly showing his sourcerous sundries, and as it turns out, they're an amateurishily concocted plot, though, further solidifies his opinion. The Council - right now - was an ineffective tool.
"Do we wait for Machiavelli or we can move on?", he says, making no effort to conceal his sarcasm. "Going forward Phoenyx will represent the Golden Key", not without qualms on his part. But she had a good head on her shoulders. Besides, beggars can't be choosers.