(2505)Formal Court

[Jennifer Hazelton]

“Alarm?” Jennifer made a slow smile. It touched her eyes and was sincere. “I was mentally taking stock of who to muster were the Brood active in our Domain, Priscus Schneider. Sadly, those numbers are few.”
That sentence hissed at the sadly, and threw some venom at those who should have reacted to that word and had chosen to be silent and fade into the background of the Domain.

The venom was not directed at Otto Schneider. She was not going to bite someone socially for showing interest. The Priscus of Lords had been stepping up and he was not going to face censure from her on this choice.
“I understand your intent.” A small nod towards the Priscus of Lords, recognizing the mollifying gesture for its intended purpose.
“We should table that talk for another time, heeding who are present.”

With those present, she was not going to continue the topic of Brood. Too many ears that were too far to hear clearly could spread misinformation. There were some who had not yet earned the Seneschal’s trust.

“Priscus Schneider, we are going to have to disagree there. The ghouls are forever below us in terms of worthy of respect, yet they have their place. There are roles that they fit like a glove. As one aspect, for those of us who are growing personal goals, the security of a daytime minder is vital. Would I have grown so much from 2011 were I not able to use my orchestra and my ghoul?” Jennifer posed.

“Some emphasis on our personal resilience and persistence to follow on our goals. Yet use the tools that are available to you.” A slow smile. “Perhaps that is too much First Estate philosophy for an open debate.” She leaves it there for an easy out for Priscus Schneider if conversation was not picked up. She has enjoyed conversation with Priscus Schneder and so, offers him more courtesy than she would with others.

“Priscus Silvers, I have heard you say "Unfortunately they are not, and there is reason for concern. But I believe I have raised that concern to the level it affects us all already. I do am looking forward to see matters settled soon." ‘ and I do expect to know for what specific reason you are raising this matter in open Court. I know that I have received your report dated March twenty - fifth, and so,” A look directly at Alicia Silvers ‘- what is the problem? I am curious if this is in response that Reeve Kingsley has at this point in time only responded to your first report with words to keep her in the know.”

The Seneschal's brown eyes tick to Helen. “I would expect for you to have some professional interest in a Priscus and an investigator involved in the Domain to be making such concerns known. As I have stated to Priscus Silvers, Priscus Silvers’ skills can be utilized elsewhere for the Domain’s boon when current matters are solved. I feel that the current investigation should be nearly solved. It has been so much time from the investigations have been taken up. Reeve Kingsley, your opinion on the matter?”

[Seryna]

Aletheia Thistle departs Formal Court.

[Alicia Silvers]

A bit surprised at her name being said twice but keeping her composure as she addresses the Seneschal calmly.
"My concerns has been clearly stated already last month, we have a private security company not employed by the city checking ID´s to leave the Southside Park as the star Sol is close to rise, not set. It is information I believe should be known to each of us, and the way it is setup is concerning." Slightly tilting her head to the side. "They should be indeed."

Listening to her fellow Priscus speak in full, not really sharing his views nor beliefs but seeing no reason to raise such a discussion here and now.
"Denial of a tool in our arsenal sounds detrimental for us though, they have their role to play, and have as many uses as our creativity allows for." Eyes drawn over to the Reeve as she spoke on the matter, and back to Otto. "Should such a lecture take place so would it be intriguing to get to join in."

A calmness washing over her, a glance around them. You were right in your suspicion it seems, to bad you will never know. Turning her eyes back towards the Seneschal.
"It is not in response to any action or inaction from Reeve Kingsley. A knowledge of such matters as to what I am addressing should be made common knowledge for us all to ensure only ones who have proper ways of exit goes there. Else we risk drawing unnecessary attention, attention that will only make it harder for us to wrap up the current matters."

[Alessandra]

Now this was too amusing to her and she found herself chuckling as she stood and made her way over.

Metal scraped against the floor as Savage and Hell Hound walked over.

Cain places himself between Ale and the gathered Kindred, hate filled eyes watching each, not lingering on any, but watching.

“I just found this conversation way too entertaining to not join. Ghouls, pathetic? And pitiful? That is rich considering I’ve seen more Ghouls get manners, etiquette and my titles correct then many Kindred I’ve come across.” She says with an amused smile. “While they may not be my equals, they are treated as family in my House, and I can guarantee each makes more than any mortal or Kindred in this Domain and city. They want for nothing, treated to the best this life has to offer. Plus, there is something to be said for treating others with respect.” She could give two shits what his sky daddy had to say.

“Though it is good to hear that the Brood has not returned and I do not have to drive them out again. Be wary speaking of the Brood, they were once, a threat, but that was some years ago and were swiftly dealt with. Now if you were looking to speak of something that is pathetic, then that would be the Brood. But it’s hardly tasteful discussion for Court.” Then a chuckle once again, “And there is no panic, believe me. I’ve handled them once; I can handle them again. I just find the topic distasteful.”

Glancing to Jenn with a shrug, her tone bored, “The Brood tend to be disorganized at best, take the head down and the rest fall.” She fondly remembers wearing the wounds of that battle with pride to Court as Reeve. Deep wounds in her chest that made others uncomfortable, but she earned them.

“An excellent point Seneschal Hazelton. While I have my soldiers who take care of much of the day-to-day activities of some of my businesses, Gabriel sees to others. Perhaps one is able to see the value when one is unable to grow to tend to things, when one grows stagnant without the help of another?” looking at Jenn. “I know not only my businesses, but there was some personal growth as well when I was able to get assistance.” A shrug, “But that’s my personal experience, everyone is different.” Some are just stuck in their ways and unable to move forward.

[Otto Schneider]

Otto cast a glance as the Inquisitor departed court but otherwise paid her no mind.

He offered a slight nod of agreement to the Seneschal. There was no urgency to discuss the Brood, it could be tabled for a later date. The Prince's reaction made him a little curious, but he felt it would be unwise to press her for information. I'm just thankful to know that the Domain has a leader who will take them seriously.

He had expected his opinion on Ghouls to be far from popular, some of that was just a matter of doctrine and belief, but it seemed that some of it was also due to poor communication. What was truly shocking was the fact that the Prince had decided to join the impromptu debate. The Priest bowed in deference when Alessandra approached, mumbling a greeting appropriate to her title.

"I don't think I explained myself very well." He began, speaking softly to nobody in particular. "For starters, I do not deny that they are incredibly useful. I understand why Kindred make use of them and I don't think that there is anything inherently wrong with that." He was also aware that some domitors that formed closer, personal bonds with their Ghouls. And the Prince's comments about treating hers as family was a keen reminder that some of them were also very highly ranked members of Kindred society. As the saying goes, 'when in Rome, don't spit in Caesar's face.'

"It might be easiest for me to say they make me uncomfortable." The Priest hoped nobody noticed his brief glance toward the Prince's hellhound at that. She'd already sent a verbal jab at him for his stance on Ghouls, he didn't want to publicly acknowledge his distaste for animals on top of everything else. "Intellectually, I understand their place in our society and their utility. Emotionally, I have a hard time seeing myself having one. Call it a weakness, or a phobia. I won't defend my position, but I have found it difficult to completely abandon it. Believe me, I've tried." He was being a little dramatic, but he hoped it would earn him some grace. This was not a belief he was trying to preach to others.

[Seryna]

Raul leaves Formal Court.
Skip his marble moving forward.
Helen Kingsley needs to post to Court.

[Jennifer Hazelton]

Jennifer waited. A look at Reeve Kingsley. A half turn and long look at Priscus Silvers. Yet to her surprise, not a word of response or reply was given by one.
"This would have been an excellent time, Reeve, for you to have addressed one of the investigators." The brown eyes look towards Helen. "If there were matters to be discussed, the two Kindred who are here together with relevant information should have resolved the issue. I will note that you," The look moves to Priscus Silvers.
"- seem not to need any aid in a matter that you raised to me in the letter that I meant to address in person. Here. Tell me all of the details of this company - for there has to be more that you know, for I do not even know what color uniform that they were or their name - and I will personally follow up on it."
Brown eyes now turn to spear Helen Kingsley.

"Talk about personal opinions about ghouls and not one word to one of the investigators who has been out in the streets gathering information and compiling reports." The serpentine voice was dry and unamused. Jennifer believed that everyone who had been at the last Court that Priscus Silvers mentioned the Southside Park was present here and now.

Jennifer inclined her head slightly to the Prince. "I am in agreement with you, Alder Prince. To state that ghouls are slaves here is reductive and quite uninformed. As far as I know, no Kindred in this Domain utilizes slaves. The use of Ghouls is a time honored tradition and allows for much growth and security."
Jennifer looks towards Priscus Schneider and makes a small nod.
"Being uncomfortable with something that you are uneducated on is to be expected."

[Alicia Silvers]

Eyes immediately drawn towards the approaching Prince, falling down into a deep curtsy before her, extending the position in silence making certain to not even begin to rise back up before hearing her start to speak. Silently listening with a slightly lowered head to each word spoken, feeling the etiquettes of an earlier life washing over her little as that vile prelude was the one she even liked to admit to.

A glance over towards the Reeve, unable to deny the surprise in the exceeding silence of the woman. Having grown rather accustomed to the fact that she did not speak all to much, but this was starting to get a tad to silent to truly function.

Shifting her eyes over to the Seneschal as the whip leaves, closing her eyes to take a moment to think back to the park, visualizing the sights before herself for a moment before answering.
"Aid would always have been appreciated, the ones whom have attempted to engage with the matters other than myself and Priscus Schneider having fallen off one by one, never sticking around for long or getting to deep." Then again none of them are even left in the domain anymore. "As for their names so do I not know, what I can tell you about them though is that they wear blue uniforms with a black stripe on their legs. They were four people working in teams of two my last time there, the ones I got a closer look of were a taller man approximately six feet, with a build seeming to favor agility over strength quite well honed and with close cut blonde hair. His partner was shorter not to different from myself so likely around 5'6-5'7", with an androgynous appearance, and close cropped black hair paired with olive skin." Trying to recall but unable to see any name tags before her minds eye. "The last thing I can say is that they utilized earpieces to speak with someone, if it was the other team or someone else I do not know."

Unable to deny the words, not aimed at her yet worthy to answer regardless.
"The treatment of a ghoul as a slave, punching bag, or grander mistreatment to make them feel utterly belittled, or ridiculed against their will is how the tales of ones going rogue have been born." Doubting anyone would not have heard such tales. "Simple respect ensures a far better relationship whilst mitigating risks of such things happening."