The Job Interview

[Emma French]

Emma's quickly looked at Martha in disbelief. There were obvious differences in the two of them. What was she looking for if not a professional organized person to run the office. "I believe before I can discuss the matter with Miss Star, we should have copies of each others resumes and qualifications. At this point in time I do not know her or her qualifications well enough to determine if we could share the position. I am quite sure I could work with her or anyone however, sharing a position is another matter." Emma turns to Velma, "Would you be willing to exchange resumes and decide if we can or even want to share the position and what I assume is also both receive tenancy?" Emma's voice was cold calculating and controlled. She was not pleased that what seemed to be a straight forward position was taking an unexpected turn. Emma was sure she was much more qualified than Miss Star for the position but obviously she was incorrect. Incorrect was not something Emma often was. Perhaps she was also incorrect about Sacramento. Emma would keep an open mind. "Miss Star, I would also like to show you my powerpoint on my qualifications and plans for the organization and training. I feel that these would help guide your decision as to us working together." Emma gave a smile which did not go to her eyes. To anyone who really knew her it would even seem slightly dangerous.

[Martha Villiers]

Martha watched with dismay. Emma's obvious reactions had raised an alarm she needed to explore. Blinked at Emma's sudden shift to coldness and raised a hand in a gentle gesture to stop Emma and Velma before they went any further.

"Doctor French..." she began gently, "I beg to interrupt. I said I would not, yet to my dismay I observe that you seem in some discomfort at the matter offered for discussion. Before Miss Star offers her views on this...I feel I should ask why you seem ill disposed. I meant no malice in making my position known. Rather, I had hoped it might continue..." Martha blinks now as she meekly adjusts her spectacles, "...proceedings in the spirit of transparency which I encouraged earlier. I am happy to disclose both submitted applications. But, Doctor, your suddenly cold demeanor has, I confess, me somewhat at a loss and ill at ease. Please explain your unhappiness."

[Emma French]

Emma adjusted her attitude slightly, composing herself before she spoke. "It was more surprise then dismay. I was surprised that you felt we had similar qualifications and qualities. It is like saying …” Emma quickly search for a reference, “Mary Anne and Ginger on Gilligan’s Island were similar. There is also the shock that we would no longer be competing for a job but sharing one. It could work if carefully defined who had what responsibilities, but in that case we need to be clear what each one brings to the table. As for any cold demeanor, it was simply me responding to the surprise. I am sorry to have distressed you.” Emma sat quietly with her hands folded around her lemonade. She would have to do better at controlling her feelings and temper. Sometimes beast could just sneak up on her in the oddest ways.

[Martha Villiers]

Martha had, of course, wanted to test their reaction to shifting parameters of situations and teamwork too. With a gentle smile of reassurance and obvious forgiveness, she nodded to Emma.

"Oh...I forgive you for my distress! Thankfully it was not too acute!" Martha giggles sweetly. Showing she remains in genuine good spirits, "As I hope I am likewise forgiven for shifting the emphasis of this encounter." another sincere smile.

Softly and meekly, Martha adds, "I also seem to have confused you...when I said little to chose between your qualifications and qualities I did not mean you were, in skills, identical or similar...rather that I found your skills were of equal amplitude: albeit in different arenas. As you were both speaking and replying earlier, it was clear to me that perhaps...as you too now suggest...such a combination could be very powerful. But I was aware that it would only be powerful if the correct mix of harmony and teamwork was found! Hence my question just now to see what reaction I received. Your discomfort did not bode well. However, I think we can all agree that this is a perfect opportunity for you two to see if you can operate with such harmony!" another smile to Emma and Velma. Tiny Martha makes another gentle hand gesture, as if to indicate that she is keeping an open mind, "It seemed a pity to waste the opportunity to see what we might accomplish together!"

She nods sweetly to Emma to indicate happiness now at the way things are advancing, "I hope we may now proceed with renewed purpose and greater clarity!" she cheerily adds, nodding to both Velma and Emma while making another delicate hand gesture inviting Velma to continue. Watching both with careful, if delighted, scrutiny.

[Velma]

Velma heard the Herald’s words attentively.

It didn’t strike her odd that Martha had decided to shake things a bit; Velma could certainly see the Herald’s words for what they truly were… if not a test then what?

But what Velma wasn’t expecting was Emma’s sudden reaction. The dangerous smile crossing the savage’s lips certainly made a slight chill in the back of the ravager, but she was in an Elysium. And an Elysium was no place for animals who resort to the basest of threats.

Velma pondered how to take advantage of such slide on Emma’s part, was it pride? Or just simple and irrational anger that sparked the sudden change in Emma’s demeanor.

It mattered not, soon she would know.

After the Herald made her effort to calm the situation and Emma presents her short apologies Velma slowly and confidently assumes the reigns.

”Well Doctor French, you must confess that after this small display you are not truly fit to deal with kine gripped in the deepest of sadness and pain.”

”You see, I trust this business requires a certain finesse that you clearly lack, finesse and restrain.” Her words were suddenly as heavy as stones thrown against the blunt of the face, they hit with the concussive force of a locomotive and if anything were bound to spark a response.

Exactly what the Daeva intended when she proffered them, as she did they reverberated with the supernatural strength and puissance of her blood.

Velma spends one blood to activate Sweeten Sin – Perfidy Level one

  Sweeten Sin – 5 suxx

Date		Action		Roll		Result
2012-10-29 18:51:45		Velma Star rolls 13 to Sweetens the Sin against Emma - Perfidy 1 - Man + Emp + Perf + Wp (10 Again, WillPower)		3, 10, 9, 7, 1, 10, 3, 2, 9, 1, 7, 4, 10, 1, 3, 1		5 successes

[Emma French]

   Love to Sin

Date		Action		Roll		Result
2012-10-30 10:13:44		Emma French rolls 2 to Forgot dice in dice roll (10 Again)		3, 2		failure
2012-10-30 09:48:15		Emma French rolls 8 to Resist Sin (10 Again, WillPower)		4, 3, 10, 2, 10, 7, 4, 9, 1, 8		4 successes

Emma looked down at her lemonade. Her eyes turned almost black from trying to keep control. The words which were spoken and the meaning behind them truly fell heavy on Emma. Beast yanked and pulled at the chain. Fury sorrow and hatred bubbled up into Emma’s throat. Her claws push out slightly. Emma folded her hands in her lap trying to hide them. She did not dare look up for she would lose control. Emma did the exercises she was taught so long ago to calm and soothe her mind. Her pride would not let her lose control, however, she could not let the insult to herself and her clan float out there in the universe. She needed to say something. To help this intellectually challenged creature of the night understand who she was dealing with.

Emma knew she had a savage inside of her. All of us did, she reminded herself. Her savage may make her more animalistic than others but that did not mean she was always violent and stupid. She was far from stupid and anyone with a brain could see animals take care of their own. Animals were frequently more nurturing then humans. Mothers would kill, would give up their lives for their young. Emma would look at the weak sad mortals as her young. They would need protecting from each other, themselves, and perhaps from her own kind. Emma’s mind was finally quieting. She just couldn’t lose that last piece of anger she felt from Velma’s words which seeped in like a dangerous venom.

Emma slowly lifted her very dark eyes and looked straight into the Daeva’s dead ones. The Daeva, they had always tried to hurt, to harm, to belittle, to use. Anger flash hot in Emma’s head. “Miss Star,” Emma sneered out the name like it was bad blood in her mouth. “I realize there are always concerns when kindred mix with kine. However, I am truly baffled as to how you can believe that being devoid of emotion or overly emotional is a better way of dealing with those in the throes of grief.” Emma pushed herself up from her chair, upsetting a glass of lemonade. Her claws were visible but she held her head high with confidence and pride. “I am from clan Gangrel. We are passionate, fierce and loyal. We are well aware of our more savage sides and many of us have mastered the beast enough to only unleash when in battle. Where I may lack finesse, I have control.” The word control came out as a loud growl. “How can you possibly think that your Barbie doll image, over sexed attitudes, and out of control selfishness of your clan is any better at taking care of the grieving than my clan?” Emma’s glare at Miss Star was strong, confident, and challenging. "And besides, what actual skills do you personally possess when it comes to running an office?" Emma knew that was a low-blow, but for some reason she couldn't resist the dig.

Emma looked down at the glass and lemonade soaking the table. “Sorry for the mess, Martha.” Emma said in very controlled tones. “I will clean it up.” Her eyes returned to Velma’s challenging her to insult Emma or her clan one more time before reaching for a napkin with her clawed hand.

[Martha Villiers]

There were so many sudden dangers...so many violations of the Elysian Field going on that Martha was losing count.

But when the claws showed, Martha swiftly stood, gripping her cane close to her chest, she watched with wide and alert eyes. Trying to take in the tactical situation in case more than just lemonade ended up getting spilled.

Taking a small step sidewards to create space for manoeuvre in case Emma lost full control, Martha used all her confidence and presence to mark her authority and mastery of the situation.

  

Date		Action		Roll		Result
2012-10-30 10:57:30		Martha Villiers rolls 10 to try to take control of the situation (Pre+Persuade+Spec+SL) = 10 (10 Again)		8, 7, 3, 10, 10, 10, 10, 8, 5, 5, 2, 1, 7, 3		6 successes

"Ladies! Ladies! Please! Doctor...please leave the lemonade and sheath your claws!" the tone of her request is polite, but very firm and leaves neither party in any doubt who's in ultimate control here.

"This is disgraceful! Raised voices...claws! All in the Elysian Fields! In...tolerable!"

Still holding her cane carefully and eyeing the two ladies with maximum attention.

"The interview is now at an end." staying stood, with no falter or flinch, she nods towards the door.

"We shall reconvene when tempers are less frayed and you comprehend teamwork. I shall bid you ladies a good evening!"

With a defiant, careful and studying, gaze of her candidates Martha clearly expects, and should almost certainly receive, prompt and full compliance.

-1 Vitae for Celerity...just in case.

(OOC: To help with any narrative to follow, it's worth noting that if Velma and Emma do leave as requested, Martha intends to discretely call Emma back to the classroom before she fully leaves the Elysian Field.)

[Asa]

Asa appears in the doorway.

For once, his expression is completely devoid of any charm or pleasantry, and his eyes are cold and hard.

"What. Is. Going. On?"

The words come from behind clenched teeth.

[Martha Villiers]

Martha quickly and respectfully curtsy's while offering an equally respectful explanation; "Majesty!" she blinks, "Majesty...I regret that Dr French and Miss Star have had an unforeseen disagreement. Hoping to restore order, I had dismissed them both and was about to privately rebuke Dr French for her unauthorized use of Protean." a gesture with her cane to Emma's claws.

[Velma]

It was done.

Velma had hit a piece in the domino of life and she was now watching it fell apart, one after the other they dropped. It was a small and controlled move she needed to take, even if a bold one.

As if hearing the lyrics of a favorite song Emma’s rant sounded sweet and melodious on her ears. Her hubris rang like a saxophone, proud and audible, invading the senses and taking precedence over everything. It was a solo at first.

Then came the clan card.

The vocals. Scat singing the pride of clan Gangrel and how much her words insulted them and the entire clan. Well Velma knew not to insult a clan in Elysium, but trying to bring it up showed Emma knew more than just the base saxophone solo.

And of course, the desperate move by the end.

Insults.

As audible and exciting as the piano, a good insult demanded finesse. Emma needed to see someone about piano lessons she decided...

Velma did smirk as she indulged the ravager in her, butchering Emma’s self control, her most prized quality, limb by limb. What would be left of her now?

Her savagery.

Everything seemed to be going well for her until Emma took things to another level.

Claws.

Savage, brutal and primitive claws. As sharp and cruel as a butcher’s knife, ready to turn Velma into a ragged doll. The Daeva felt the handle of the situation escape her grip. She wondered if she was going to meet her end now?

The cold fear crept through her spine, a cold chill of agony, her innards liquefying ensured the songstress remained glued to her sit, paralyzed as the entire scene unfolded before her.

Then there was Martha, whose authoritative presence shook her up from her petrified form; slowly Velma begun to reassure her composure until the voice of his Majesty echoed from the doorway.

Fuck!

Velma was sitting and slowly rose to her feet and bowed deeply and meekly. She was clearly shaken by the entire situation.

And for the moment she fell into sepulchral silence.