Vincenzo's Side Table

[Seryna]

Vincenzo looks at Alicia for a moment. He looks towards Mr. Schneider.
“Ms. Carmen’s dismissal of a demand for a boon had occurred in open Court. She did not conduct herself well.” A look to Alicia.
“I have seen people mobilizing with pictures of the former Priscus myself. I don’t think that qualifies as mere rumors. Yet you need a private chat with someone else?” His eyes follow Alcia asking a question of someone else.
“Mr. Schneider, I can speak to those who treat me with civility. What is it that you wish to discuss?”

The Kindred walks to a side table for a discussion. There is nothing private in Court. All discussion was free to be overheard.
The other Kindred do nothing that calls attention to themselves.

Continued from (2411)Formal Court...

[Otto Schneider]

The Priest cast a glance at the Daeva to see if she would join the discussion before turning to the Legate. There was a pensive look on Otto's face as he tried to be as diplomatic as possible, both because he realized that there was no real privacy to the conversation and because he did not want to be seen as rebuking a senior member of his own Covenant.

"While I cannot claim to know everything about what has happened with Ms. Carmen, I have it on very good authority that the Reeve is looking into the matter. And based on my own conversations with the Reeve, I wouldn't say that all blame can be placed on Ms. Carmen. That said,"

His gaze turned towards Alicia at that point, making it clear that he wasn't only addressing Vincenzo. "She is hardly without blame. But the question of who bears the greatest responsibility is actively being investigated. Having discussed this matter with the Reeve, I felt it was important to relay that information." In truth, Otto had no real desire to be stuck in the middle of the arguing Kindred. However, he wanted to reduce friction between some of the only individuals he felt he could easily work alongside if at all possible. How they would react now would be up to them.

[Alicia Silvers]

Walking over proper to discuss with the previously unknown man, turning to give him a nod in accordance with his status, followed by one to Otto. A look to the others, with a nod for them should they so join in on the conversation.
"Do read my words right Sir Vincenzo, she was asked if words were needed, not invited for talks. There are more important matters to attend to here as you so clearly have demonstrated." Listening to the praising words of Mr.Schneider, and having to keep herself from letting her face move in accordance. Not having expected him to have such warm words for her, they hardly knew one another after all. Interesting, I wonder what lies behind such strong words. "So the Kine are gathering with images of someone who do not get stuck on images, or someone that looks enough like her at least. A feat that is beyond near any Kine and Kindred alike, what more do you know of this?" Who would be stupid enough to fall for a trick like that? To make an image similar or identical no real hassle for one talented in art, but still who did they hope would bite?

Looking toward Mr.Schneider with a curious look upon her.
"Would you be so kind as to enlighten me on what you speak of? Her blame for what, and what was discussed with the Reeve?" Turning her smile a degree warmer. "I am not blaming you, nor looking for an argument, merely curious. How she is involved in this matter is clearly one of the Kine´s making or someone that wants a trap, so to know on what you speak would be ever so helpful."

Leaving herself neutral to them both, showing neither signs of desiring to argue nor annoyance, rather desiring to get to the bottom to know how to help her family going forward.

[Seryna]

"I have not noticed the Reeve in my movement, yet she no doubt has greater investigation skills than I."

Vincenzo looks at Alicia. He states plainly. "I don't pretend to know your intentions. If you state needing to talk to others, I cannot know which take priority.

You can see for yourself, Ms. Silvers."
The man withdraws a poster from the pocket of his coat, roughly folded in squares. He carefully holds it out and turns it to indicate that it is only paper. He offers it on a palm for Ms. Silvers to reach out and take from his offered palm. He does not reach into her space. If the poster is taken and unfolded, it shows a high-definition picture of Verity Carmen's face. The words under the picture are Please Help.

"The image is clearly of your former Priscus." He does not speak on other parts of Alicia's statement.

"Perhaps you could be helpful and determine why this image exists." He states, clearly not getting into Alicia's other words.
"I am not stating anything inflammatory, simply making a statement that these images should not be circulating in Kine hands. Are one of you doing something about this?"

[Otto Schneider]

Otto stifled a deep sigh of frustration. Threading the needle and only myself to blame. It wasn't helped by the fact that Reeve Kingsley probably didn't want every detail of the investigation out in the open. There may be a simple way of assuring them that I'm not talking out of my ass, though.

"Without going into too much detail, Reeve Kingsley has specifically asked me to assist in investigating the matter. That's why I can say with some confidence that Domain leadership is taking steps to address the problem and why I might know a bit more than most." The Ventrue was showing his hand more than he liked, but it seemed like the easiest way to give his explanation at least a modicum of authority.

"My skepticism for her innocence is simply from the fact that there is a clear picture of her. While difficult, with enough concentration and will, we can force ourselves to appear on film just as any mortal. But it's a conscious, deliberate act. While I can believe it wasn't out of malice, that is why I think Ms. Carmen bears at least some responsibility for this incident occurring." It was also far too early to tell what exactly was going on. Hypothetically, Alicia could be correct in placing responsibility on the mortals. It wouldn't be entirely surprising to hear that a suitably obsessed and experienced occultist had fashioned some ritual to forcibly capture a Kindred's likeness. Otto doubted that was the case here, but he couldn't cast a final judgment yet. "I am hoping to be proven wrong." He decided not to mention that the most generous assumption was that the former Priscus had allowed herself to be duped.

"As I said, the Reeve is addressing the matter. And I am assisting." He turned to Vincenzo. "In a manner of speaking, I am acting as an Inquisitor on behalf of the Domain rather than the Sanctum. I do not presume the authority to speak at length about what is going on, I leave that to Reeve Kingsley, though I feel that I can at least share what I already have. Additionally, I am fairly confident that the average person doesn't suspect anything unnatural from the photo." He reached over to tap the text at the bottom of the flier. "In fact, they think this is evidence of something very mundane: human trafficking. They assume that Ms. Carmen is a helpless victim. So, while the fliers are concerning, I don't believe they are proof that someone is trying to spread awareness of the Masquerade. If anything, they show continued ignorance."

The Priest cast glances at Vincenzo and Alicia, trying to gauge their reaction. He was thoroughly annoyed at having to play peacemaker, but it was also a role that he had brought on himself. The only thing he could do now was pray that he had some success at it.

[Alicia Silvers]

Eyes upon the prideful man, how a simple question if a talk between family was needed span this much a mystery to her.
"Then my presence here and not with her should hopefully show that you and this matter have my attention."

Taking the paper from his hand, unfolding it and looking it over for a moment, a bit hesitant and confounded how it had come to be or what the truth might be.
"It certainly does look like her, now an image can be faked or even painted by skilled hands, and the words underneath does make me wonder what the truth might be."

Looking up at him with a nod.
"On that I agree, but at the same time so dependent on her age so can there circulate countless images of her through social media, or from concerts from when she was still one of the Kine´s. Now we have already heard that the Reeve is looking into this, whom else to trust more than her?" Anyone who joined their ranks in the past 20 years probably had one or hundreds of images to find of them after all, not like they were retroactively protected. "I am thankful for the information, but do believe that I shall speak with the Reeve myself before acting." Like I would bite to quickly at this kind of bait of unknown origin, either a trap or someone just using the most beautiful visage there is to draw attention.

Looking over to Otto, carefully listening to his words and reasoning.
"Your words about me has been kind, so allow me to offer you a piece of advice. Whilst you have been trying to speak in answer to my question, without giving things away so did you answer my question many times over with far more information than you probably had wanted to share." Giving him a small grin. "Listen to the words spoken, grasp what they speak or ask of, and you might be able both answer and not give out more than needed, balancing the best of both worlds." Turning her head back in a neutral look upon them both. "The trafficking is intriguing though, and like it suggests so could there be countless of matters involved in this. One thing is certain though, by using the visage of my family´s former Priscus the likelihood of a trap or someone wanting to draw our attention is to high to act without caution. One should never meet a foe on their terms, neither a confirmed or potential one."

[Seryna]

"Then go. I don't need to explain the Kindred condition to someone who should already know about it. Go talk to the Reeve."
Vincenzo turned away from Alicia.
"Something is clearly wrong, as this is an image of the former Priscus with her purple makeup the way that she has styled herself.
The Reeve is addressing the matter and these," The flyer in Alicia's hand is indicated. "Are being handed out to Kine in the streets. That's an issue. Are you covering up the issue so we don't have Kine looking for Verity where we are, Priest Schneider?"

[Otto Schneider]

Sometimes I wonder why I even bother. The Priest tried not to let his lack of surprise show when it became clear that the other Kindred were uninterested in being civil. He merely gave each of them an even look as the responded, glad that they were at least absorbing what he was saying. It took force of will to not roll his eyes at Alicia's chiding about oversharing. If only you knew how little of real substance I'd told you.

At least in his mind, it had played out much as when he'd been forced to make uncomfortable phone calls to clients in his living days. 'Yes, there was an unexpected dip in your stock's value. Our office is actively taking steps to make sure we can recoup the loss. I am personally speaking to some experts about it.' Of course, he always left out the details about how their office would be engaging in what could ostensibly be labeled as 'insider trading' and 'corruption of public officials' to counter something they'd seen signs of well in advance.

"Your point on proceeding cautiously is well taken, Ms. Silvers." A thin smile resolved on Otto's face. "Rest assured, I am not in the habit of acting rashly and am taking necessary precautions as I continue to aid the Reeve's investigation." He turned to Vincenzo at that.

"Not directly, no, Legate Vincenzo. I am aiming to cut off the problem at its source." He gave the flier a disdainful look. "Once I've found the source of these fliers and eliminated it, cleaning up what's left should be simpler." He returned his focus to his fellow Sanctified. "That isn't to say that no-one is addressing the immediate problem. However, I can only speak for what I am personally doing to address the situation. And my role at this time is to behead the serpent before it can bite our heels a second time. Helping to treat the venom comes after that."

[Alicia Silvers]

Keeping herself calm as she looks to the clearly agitated man, letting nothing show on her face. It was clearly a better strategy to not be gauded into his behavior.
"I shall keep the flier in hand and have things looked over." Clearly he was either agitated or had not grasped how their appearances worked to begin with, how locked they were.

Listening as Otto spoke with great care to take his words in.
"Considering my family is involved so is that appreciated, as is the information you have given me here. Be certain it shall be well used."

Glancing out over to the more common area as the words of Whip Grey reaches her, at least someone was actively stating the fact she had left, not certain if it was a context clue or not but clear words did show the clear indication at least as she curiously begins to listening for her cousins reply with a bow of her head in accordance to Otto and Vincenzo´s status, then the ones close by that had fallen silent before walking off to the main area again, making sure to keep the flier for herself.