The Seneschal's Office Hours

[Jennifer Hazelton]

Jennifer considers for a moment.
"If the Reeve was present, there was no need to send a report to her. This could certainly affect people who do not have a herd to feed from. Have you heard of difficulties from others?" Jennifer made a slight shake of her head.

"It could be that many Kindred do not approach me to share their difficulties. Yes, perhaps I will need to take a look at the Neighborhood Watch and see if there is a person who can spearhead the situation on the ground for me."
There would be situations where I would not be able to directly affect a situation, due to her other responsibilities. Jennifer thought. There was a slight pause as she considered Priscus Schneider, her eyes moving over his face thoughtfully.

"I support the concept of keeping Diane as a resource." Jennifer states. "We do not have enough time to learn everything that we need to. We have other responsibilities." Jennifer states thoughtfully. "This person could be made into a useful aid." A meaningful pause. "This could help your position."
Jennifer made only a long look to Priscus Schneider at the comment on Alaric. "If this does not attract attention.
Ah, Priscus Silvers. The opinion of Priscus Silvers matters to you?" Jennifer's sibilant Curse lingers on the question.

"The Priscus is the partner that you would choose or she is the partner who stepped up, when others fell off?" A decision to share some of her personal history. It was not something that she did often.
"I had been working to try to form a working partnership where information would be shared. I found that the others professed interest with their mouths, yet had no desire to do the actual work. Priscus Baker left without a word. A fellow Estate Member, Mr. Godwin, left as well. You see where the Mekhet Clan stands now."

The requests with the expectation that wise Kindred would want to please Domain Officials had shown that many of the others not in this room were foolish.

"Ghouls, yes you may." Jennifer's curiosity was peaked.

[Otto Schneider]

Otto gave a little shrug. "I haven't specifically heard any complaints, but it seems like a logical conclusion." In theory, as a Priscus and nominal head of a Covenant, he had opportunities to hear the opinions and musings of a decent cross-section of the Domain. In practice, aside from the rare act of Confession, very few Kindred confided in him. Perhaps I should devote part of Moore House to be my own office. He mused silently.

The Priest initially refrained from responding to Jennifer's thoughts about the Neighborhood Watch. He didn't want to overextend himself. However... "As I said, I intend to look into the matter alongside the haunting. I would have to prioritize my efforts to be able to move both matters along, but I am willing to assist as needed." On one hand, Otto didn't want to commit himself to too many investigations at once. He was already concerned about how much time he had to devote to his congregation. On the other, it would be incredibly short-sighted to allow threats to the Domain to go unchecked.

The very idea of being reliant on a kine vexed the Priest. This was in no small part because it was counter to Sanctified doctrine, that the Damned were innately superior to humanity by God's design. It also wounded his pride to be truly dependent on others, though he wouldn't admit it. Still, the Seneschal made a compelling argument. "I will carefully consider the matter. I admit, her insight into the occult has been both surprising and useful." It was far from an easy decision for him, though it seemed that the Ventrue was seriously weighing the matter.

The questions about Alicia caught him off-guard, though Otto managed to keep his expression neutral. Still, there was a noticeable pause as he thought about his response. "She has certainly proved herself more reliable than others." Whatever the reason, other Kindred had left him holding the bag on certain investigations. "I admit, she would not have been my first choice. But I have grown to value her insight more than expected." In spite of a few eccentricities, and a lack of faith, the Daeva Priscus had surprised the Priest with fresh perspectives. Blessings in disguise, and all that.

"The state of Clan Mekhet is lamentable, to be sure." Obviously, the wellbeing of his own Clan would always come first, but each lineage of Kindred fulfilled a purpose. It was disappointing to see the Clan of Shadows so diminished. "What kind of information were you intending to share? If you don't mind my asking, of course." Otto found himself curious about Jennifer's disclosure.

"Specifically, I wanted to ask what you know about mandrakes. And, ideally, how to cultivate them."

[Jennifer Hazelton]

“Yes, I imagine that those of our inclination who are not as socially adept as you and I may have more difficulties. I shall devote my time to finding if there is any other Kindred who could assist you. If not, I shall contact you to see how I could assist you in the matter of the Neighborhood Watch. My Mentor, the Lady Notary Micha Chappelle, has confided to me in the past how her cyclical Dynasty had experience with Hunters who lit their Candle by simple means of a Neighborhood Watch. This is my concern involving these mortals. It is best to present them with no presence of the supernatural essence of Kindred. If there is no smoke, there is no fire – in essence.” Jennifer states.
“Intriguing.” Jennifer remarks. Her expression is thoughtful. The information sparked questions. Yet that would be followed up upon later. Jennifer made a note in her book to do just that.

"I know something of mandragora creation." The sinuous voice states to Otto. “I know that they can be created by feeding Vampire Vitae to a plant. Which creates a ghouled plant. After that moment, the plant would require blood to continue to thrive.
I have an interest in ghouls and ghoul families.” Jennifer confides. “Perhaps there is some overlap between your interest in Mandagora and my own research into Ghouls and Ghoul Families. If you would like to speak more on this, I would be open to sitting down for a separate conversation.”
“I do wish to extend an invitation to you.” Jennifer opens a drawer and removes an invitation size envelope. The outer envelope bore the initials O. S. and was sealed with a simple emerald green wax. No Masquerade breaching sigils or words were present.
Upon opening the envelope, the second inner envelope read ‘Priscus Schneider’. The card of fine off – white cardstock read:

Invitation

Priscus Schneider, Priest of the Lancea Sanctum,
You are invited to an evening of art appreciation and conversation at Lotus Salon on May 7^th, at 9 PM. The other invitees are the Alder Prince Alessandra and Whip Dominguez.
Dress is Dressy Casual.
Seneschal Jennifer Hazelton, Priscus of the Nosferatu, Baroness Notary of the First Estate.

"Thank you for meeting with me, Priscus Schneider. ”
Jennifer states. “Your summary of the ongoing investigations has been most helpful. Please do mail me an update when something changes. If you need urgent attention, please do call me."

2 successes

Date	Action	Roll	Result
2025-04-29 18:27:40	Jennifer Hazelton rolls 7 to Occult (Meeting with Otto) (10 Again)	4, 2, 9, 1, 3, 3, 10, 1	2 successes

[Otto Schneider]

Otto was surprised by his own sense of relief at the Seneschal's declaration that she would look for other Kindred to head the investigation into the Neighborhood Watches. The mention of Hunters prevented him from totally relaxing, however. "I sincerely hope that they are merely overactive, concerned citizens." His tone made it clear that he didn't have much confidence that this was the case. "But, just to be on the safe side, I will take great pains not to rely on our innate gifts around them." Jennifer's quick notetaking drew his attention for a moment, but he ultimately said nothing.

He maintained a polite expression as the Seneschal shared what information she had on Mandragora, though he couldn't help but sigh slightly in disappointment in the end. "That was about what I had managed to puzzle out as well." Otto didn't blame Jennifer for not having more to say at the moment. He had been genuinely surprised at how obscure the topic had been when he had first asked around about it. Most other Kindred had either shrugged the matter off entirely or made oblique references to solitary Vitae-gardeners who shunned the company of their peers. The Ventrue had been highly skeptical of these rumors.

The invitation to continue the conversation lightened his expression, however. "I appreciate the offer. For my part, I will consult what Covenant lore I have available for information on Ghoul Families. It doesn't hurt to see if there might be some overlooked information in the old records, and I would hate to ask for a favor without offering anything in return." Really, it was that Otto believed in the adage that there was no such thing as a free lunch, but it was better to be polite. He had already had to catch himself before making a comment, nearly forgetting Liam's presence with how quiet he had been. At least he knows how to be unobtrusive.

His expression brightened further, and a thin smile broke on the Lord's face as he scanned through the letter's contents. "I would be delighted to attend, Seneschal Hazelton." Otto rose from his seat and bowed steeply to Jennifer before standing straight and tucking the invitation into his breast pocket. "I am always pleased to be of assistance to the Domain. To that end, I intend to keep you informed regarding any noteworthy findings I come across. Good evening, Seneschal. I look forward to meeting again at the salon."

[Jennifer Hazelton]

Jennifer is quiet for a few moments.

"I would be interested in what Covenant lore are able to locate. Such information is such a treasure." The snake - like voice slithers, yet the words are sincere. Jennifer's expression is one of neutrality as she nods towards Priscus Schneider.
"I am pleased to expect you in attendance, Priscus Schneider. I expect that it will be an enjoyable evening. Do be well." Jennifer bade.

The unobtrusive ghoul in the room moved to the door and opened it, performing a slight nod of respect as he moved back to his former position. The Seneschal was pleased with the meeting and now she was focused on how to address the issues with the new information that she had been given by Priscus Schneider.