Conner's eyes go wide. Control? He knew Blood Ties made it easier to locate those connected, and could even be used to transfer emotions. But they couldn't manipulate someone like the powers of Majesty and Dominate. Maybe that would be enough. Maeve certainly seemed like someone who did not take abuse of power lightly, especially over herself.
Maybe he'd said too much? Maeve's gaze pierces him, and he doesn't have the energy to hide. Not tonight. He keeps his voice low. "While you were here, Quinn and I had a long overdue heart-to-heart. We had a history to unpack..." The blue-haired Shadow could clearly tell that this 'history' was more than just friendly. "She talked about setting something up in the coming months: a meeting with various Covenant heads. Lancea, Crone, Carthian...everyone but the Invictus. I think she wants a way to allow the other Covenants to operate without the Invictus holding too much power." And if she becomes Reeve... A little surge of courage...frustration...something that wanted to show strength propelled Conner's next words. "But maybe that's why you two clash as much as you do. You see power being abused for what it is: abuse. And you want to rectify it. But the system is all that Quinn knows; she was literally bred to be a political weapon for an Invictus dynasty bent on conquest. But you..." He puts his hand back on hers, with maybe just a hint of desperation. "You and I, we don't know that world. We operate at street level. We know what the world is like outside of Covenant schemes and Court agendas. And maybe that's not such a bad thing. Yes, she's given both of us hell. But she also hasn't shown us favoritism. I made sure of it..." His grip on Maeve tightens, but not to the point of causing pain. "She owes us nothing for our choices or mistakes, but neither do we owe her. We are Clan Mekhet! That can't be changed by who hates or loves whom. And if we pull each other apart, we let people like Prince Antiori sit in smug satisfaction. if we can show them that people who think differently CAN succeed within the current system, then they can't deny our place at the table." He doesn't say what is really on his mind, but maybe his Shadow Cousin could read it on his face, on the pained look in his eyes. I don't want us to fight. I don't want to have to choose.
He calms down and softens his grip as Maeve mentions being mentored by Jennifer. He gives a wry grin. "Honestly, I'm a little jealous. Jennifer seems like the kind of person who would WANT to help, not just help out of obligation." Say what you will about the Nosferatu, their unity was an inspiration. "I remember Bellemy" The pale, sharklike Haunt. "What's she like? She seems like an 'interesting' character." Anything to get the subject off of Quinn.