(2105) Who Prince Deign to Answer

[JC Smith]

Flex. Relax. Twist would occupied. He knew this, but it didn’t stop the frustration from mounting. JC had waited. Sent letters. But still this unknown Kindred deserved priority. Begged acknowledgment. He could feel the anger building. Trying to justify killing the new comer. Killing them both.

Flex. Relax. He had time. All the time really. He’d put the theater visit out anyways for just such a purpose. To keep him safe. It made him angry that she didn’t come to him to say she had received his letter. At the same time, Twist had duties. Duties he would be rude to interrupt.

Flex, Relax. Move on. What else was here to do in court beside listen to rumor.

Flex,, relax. He knew what he had to do.

He bowed to the Hound. Priscus of the Daeva. Out of habit, because she had arrived first but also because he hoped to talk to her.

However, as the Prince descended, slit dress revealing her thigh to the… almost unmentionable, he bowed even deeper. And, like the Deva before him, held for a couple seconds. Trying to sort Domain rules from Invictus. Making sure he didn’t offend either.

Till at last he came close to the Prince.

“May I approach, your Grace?” he asked. More for courtesies sake than anything else. She could yell across the room if she wanted to hold a conversation that way. In many ways, he would have preferred it that way.

[Alessandra]

Was she surprised by JC’s approach? Not exactly, he had proven thus far to seem more comfortable in her presence. Well, as comfortable as a weakling could be she guessed. But not many dared approach, so she gave him credit for that.

There was a simple nod of her head, letting him know he could approach, "Good evening Mr Smith." her Beast urging her to rip his throat out.

[JC Smith]

“Good evening, your Grace,” he responded, bowing again for being granted the privilege before coming closer. Felt like one of those fake birds continually dipping it’s beak in water. He felt non-too-happy at having to approach her and ask permission either. Parts taking up the beast’s prejudice of having to endure the formality. Which just made him mad at himself for thinking as such.

Flex, relax. Separate his thoughts. See them but don’t act on them. And let them go.

How did he want to approach this? He would prefer directly, but he also knew this was court. A direct question could be seen as good as a demand. And admitting his haven couldn’t serve as a good trap was an invitation for invasion. Then again, he wasn't sold on even keeping it. So what harm was there?

“I have a question about tenancy.” In many ways he was lucky there was a new member in court. His inquest could be seen as on tangentially on their behalf “How would you recommend I seek that privilege?” Still pretty direct, but he wasn’t saying ‘that privilege that can only be granted by you, in your grace and intelligence’. Hopefully that was understood. The fact he had volunteered his haven and it had been found wanting hadn't even come up yet. He knew she didn’t begrudge ignorance. Nor working to correct it. At least in private. He hoped that attitude extended to such forthrightness in court. As Priscus, Regent, and Prince, there wasn't exactly anyone else he could petition.

[Alessandra]

Ah, there it was. The only reason Kindred approached her. He wanted something. They all wanted something.

“If you wish to petition for Tenancy, it can be discussed.” She begins, “But be aware that I grant those privileges to those who have earned them. I don’t hand them out because one might be a Cousin or share a Covenant with me. If you want your petition to be successful, I would ask you what you’ve done for the Domain that is worthy of such a privilege.” Tossing the ball back in his court. The Savage did not hand things out for free, you had to earn them.

[JC Smith]

She didn’t seem pleased. Or maybe that was just his own doubts be read into her tone. He gave a deep nod at her words and considered for a moment. He could keep speaking in hypotheticals. It was probably safer. But JC had decided on direct, so direct he remained.

“Then by your leave, I would like to petition for tenancy, your Grace. For the Domain, I have stepped up, alongside Priscus Durant, to organize and coordinate the investigation and quelling of the threat of what’s been called the Jackal. I made a call to consolidate information, and help form a response,” He couldn’t give exact details of what had happened that night. Not in court. Not till he’d had time to process it and regroup. “And as part of working to take care of the threat to the herd and the Masquerade, I volunteered my haven as a staging ground to trap it.” Which hopefully was seen as loyalty in service of the domain and not foolishness.

He could have said he’d do it again. Would fortify it with the intent to make it a better asset to the domain. However, while those things might make it more tempting to offer tenancy, they were not thing he could say he had done. It was hopefully able to be left unsaid that having done it once, he'd do it again.

He wondered if he should have said more. Sang his own praises louder. That held its own risks though. If the threat was large, then it might make the Prince seem weak. Lack humility and it could seem a challenge to her Beast. No simple was the right way to go. She likely knew a great deal of the background already. If she said no, then he'd just have to find a way to do more.

Night of the Jackal isn't finished yet put it is sticky. So... weird time shenanigans ahoy.

[Alessandra]

Her face neutral as she listened, “I’ve heard of the so-called Jackal, but am not yet aware that the matter has been sufficiently dealt with and punishment rendered.” Was punishment rendered without her being notified? “Once the matter is closed, and the party responsible brought in to be dealt with, we can readdress your request.” Just because one made the stupid decision to give their Haven does not mean the matter was over. It was still a threat.

Dark eyes sweep the room as new faces enter. Her Beast roars in anger at the weakness walking around her Court. But they seem to handled. For the moment.

The Savage looks back to JC.

[JC Smith]

The flash of anger came at being denied. JC had been expecting it though, or at least prepared for the option. He was able to use the acceptance he’d cultivated a few seconds before to calm the rage. Which still left the disappointment, but even that had more to do with what felt like the expectation of success rather than rewarding the effort being made whether it succeeded or not. But that was still his own misgivings.

“Thank you for hearing my petition, your Grace.” He gave a small smile and bowed in acceptance of decision. He’d have to try and set up another meeting after this to debrief everyone involved.

He followed her gaze across the room, his own beast mirroring hers at seeing more newcomers. A distrustful shadowy woman stalking Alexander despite having heard who the Seneschal was, a foreign Daeva taking his time getting acknowledged and robbing JC of a chance to speak with Twist, and a new Mehket that didn’t know well enough to hide how much he was trying to watch everyone. But they were across the room, and other people’s problems.

Which, that was probably how the Prince was seeing him, now he thought about it, as he reengaged with her look. She almost certainly had other things on her mind before his approach given the changes in the Domain.

“I was sorry to hear about Miss Alice Hart’s departure,” he offered in honest sympathy “She’ll be greatly missed.” Which was true, for JC at least. As hard as it was to see her as a person with her Nosferatu curse, he knew she was more than just a doll. “She was a font of wisdom.”

[Alessandra]

A single nod, “Please reach out when the matter is resolved.” It certainly wasn’t off the table. But that sort of business was handled behind closed doors.

“It sounds like you got to spend some time with her.” She remarks, “Her and I went back quite a way, before either of us had ascended in the Court.” Many evenings spent in the Caldarium, feet in the water, sharing stories. It did pain her to have the Haunt leave, but she respected the decision. “And yes, she certainly was. Her wisdom will be missed.”

[Alessandra]

Ale nods her head, excusing herself from the conversation(?) and moves back to the main Court area.

[JC Smith]

JC returns to main thread. Clsoing