Burying the Hatchet (Private)

[Dillon Connery]

What the Gangrel Priscus seems to be looking for in Emma, is weakness. A crack in her resolve, or a flaw in her reaction.

He finds none.

For in Dillon's mind, sadness, remorse, or regret... even anger at your failings are in themselves no such fault. That his cousin makes no excuses, nor does she make a defense or bitter blame against him, speaks volumes of strength.

Dillon wants to smile. He almost does. And for someone who does as much as he, it can be very hard not to.

"Then I'm charging you to express your gratitude by sticking around, and serving what punishment you got with your head held high - while you continue to work toward the welfare of the Domain. I want to keep Gangrel like you in this city.

"Will you do that for me?"

[Emma French]

Emma felt Dillon was being very kind. If he only understood what was on her mind perhaps he wouldn't be. beast stirred inside her, wanting blood from the Daeva bitch who caused her so much trouble. But Emma shoved beast down so hard that it almost physically knocked her out of her chair. She would not allow beast to ruin what she had here in this domain. She wanted to be done running for a while. "I can and will do so." Emma responded to Dillon's request. "And thank you for wanting me to stick around." Others had wanted Emma to stay in their domains in the past however, Dillon's request felt different. Dillo didn't seem to want her to stay as a plaything or as a means to grow his army or for any selfish reasons. Emma couldn't put her finger on it but for the first time in a long time she flet she was wanted just for being herself. Even if this wasn't true, it was a nice thought and one she would hold on to for now. "Are we done here? I need to get going on this diary." Emma looked down at the massive mess of scrap paper. "It is going to take some work, even for an archeaologist." Emma gave her head a little shake, trying to get a read on people from beads and pieces of pottery was probably easier than this pile of crap.

[Dillon Connery]

Now, Dillon can smile.

"Go ahead and browse through it some more, but don't go too far yet. Our second objective for the night was to get you and Velma Star in the same room again to square things away. If words get heated, you will look to me to straighten things out, rather than threaten to do so yourself.

"In that way, we will prove our resilience. Understood?"

Here, Dillon will stand, and walk with his cousin to the Conference Room door. Once on the outside of it, he begins peering around to see if the stunning Daeva has arrived, yet. Aside to Emma, he says quietly, "I wish to speak with Miss Star alone, first. But as I said, stay close enough to be found so that we can finally put this water under the bridge where it belongs."

The Gangrel Priscus gives another, apparently reflexive display of weariness at the stress of recent nights. He rolls his shoulders, flexes fingers, and tilts his chin sharply to one side. Long-dead tendons stretch, and vertebrae pop.

Almost done, hopefully.

[Emma French]

Emma gathered the book and placed it gently back in her Hello Kitty bag. In a hushed tone she said, "I will be pleasant, but please watch for tricks." The comment was less of a warning than it was to convey to Dillon that Emma was wary of this particular Daeva. So far in this domain Velma was the only one she had ever had trouble with. Emma stood straight with a confident smile, she quickly gave Dillon a peck on the cheek and whispered, "Thank you." Her own beast whined at the impulsive action which brought her so close to him. But she fought the feeling of flight and instead calmly walked out the door to find a place to read.

[Velma]

Arriving the time and hour of her appointed meeting with Dillon and Emma, Velma entered the Avalon underground court. Today she was wearing something more casual, jeans, snickers a black leather jacket and black gloves, the Daeva had this thing for accessories.

Once her final footsteps placed her at the end of the steps Dillon’s terrifying beast made itself known. Velma still remembered watching the deputy turning into a hellbat of ash and cinder… and the mental images still inspired awe and dread. She didn’t saw Emma nearby which probably meant she would join them later or was waiting for them already.

After struggling not to let her meek grip over her beast escape her, the Daeva composed a beautiful smile and offered it to the savage deputy. A few melodic words and a passionate look from her round blue eyes as well:

“Good evening Deputy Connery!”

“It’s good to see you again.”

Velma’s smile was radiant even if she knew that what had brought her here was a very sour affair… perhaps it was Dillon’s easy smile rubbing on her?

[Dillon Connery]

Knowing Emma to be the wary type, and never one to discourage caution, Dillon simply nods his understanding. His friendly smirk settles into a humble smile of gratitude as she kisses his cheek, but he almost immediately recovers, offering her an encouraging wink.

After Emma goes to find a spot to study, and Velma arrives, Dillon's greeting smile grows a bit silly. He maintains perfect serenity, however, even as his mind interprets the fetid, slobbering growls of his Beast into goading. It still seems to think Velma would make a lovely snack. Even though hers is becoming familiar, that of the Gangrel is forever willing to be wicked.

And perhaps Velma Star does look good enough to eat. Even when dressed as casual as she is.

Down, boys.

"Good evening, Miss Star," he can't seem to resist himself. "It's always good to see you."

Nodding back toward the Conference Room he recently emerged from, he politely offers his arm for escort. "Mind if we talk privately for a few moments before Miss French joins us?"

[Velma]

Velma’s eyebrow lifts just a bit at the savage’s expression. It was a bit surprising to hear the deputy in such a good mood, surprising but not unwelcome.

“I’m glad you feel that way Deputy.” The songstress’ smile widens a bit more, perhaps a bit teasing. It was a part of her that showed up naturally, growing up with her means and living the life she lived such things were as natural as breathing…

Velma reaches for Dillon’s athletic arm after he offers to escort her, she suffuses her body with warming blood and forces it to run in her undead veins, that way Dillon wouldn’t have to suffer the cold of her undead condition.

“Sure, we can talk for a few moments.” She says as she is guided by the Savage Deputy inside the conference room.

Blush of life active -1 blood

[Dillon Connery]

Dillon seems to be in no hurry to get down to the grim, possibly unpleasant business that has brought them here tonight. He does hope that circumstances will be better between Velma and Emma, but they certainly have obstacles to overcome, first.

Feeling the warmth of the Daeva's hand through the sleeve of his jacket prompts a bit of a stretch to his smile, which by now had settled back into its friendly smirk. From the very moment he'd seen her in Sacramento, when she had such fun with he and Martha at her Acknowledgement, thoughts of her warmed flesh threatened to creep into his thoughts. Fight them as he may, it is still an intriguing temptation.

For his part, the muscle tone in his arm is as hard as marble, with steel cables running toward his hand. But such a level of dedicated athleticism is probably no surprise in a Deputy Reeve.

Closing the Conference Room door behind them, Dillon continues to guide himself and Velma toward the expansive table. The bundle of envelopes still lay near the far end, all but forgotten for now.

"I wish this could be under better circumstances," the Gangrel finally says. "It seems like every time we are together or at the same event, there is something else going on. Are you settling well?" Besides the obvious mess, of course.

We are a long way from Chicago.

[Velma]

After being guided by Dillon to the large table the Daeva elegantly sits at her designated chair.

“Thank you.” She says while slowly stretching her arms forward.

Velma continues listening to Dillon as he ensures she is comfortable for what they had to discuss. It was better this way. For both of them.

“I’m settling…” the Daeva adds with uncomfortable contentment. Her eyes navigating the room almost as if the meaning was both about the present moment and the more general meaning of her stay in Sacramento.

“with all the events these past couple of months I can’t say I’m doing bad... “ by her tone it was clear that she was talking about Conner, Ariana… even Alice which she envied the most but whose departure had left a bitter aftertaste in her mouth.

“Maybe after the dust settles I will find a more permanent placement for myself. I’ve been meaning to find one for some time as you are aware.” Dillon had been there when Velma had addressed the subject of employment and tenancy with the Herald.

“And you? I trust the nights have been long in the patrols. Being shorthanded in such an abrupt way… and of course… The Bishop.” She empathized. Her blue eyes kindly looking towards the savage with compassion and kindness.

“Hopefully you will find equally competent deputies to fill in the gaps.” What the succubus left unsaid was how she believed Dillon to be fit to substitute Sidor. After the moving speech he had given at the Mass she was sure he would give a fine leader for the Sanctified.

[Dillon Connery]

Watching Velma take the seat he pulls out for her with no attempt to veil his interest, Dillon joins her immediately after. His nod at her words is one of true understanding.

"I've found that the Kindred who find a lasting place in this Domain are those who are willing to keep their chin up when adversity is thrown their way." His eyebrows bounce once in a cue that there is a bad joke coming. "I suppose 'trial by fire' is an insensitive pun to use among our kind, but you know what I mean."

Dillon himself is certainly no stranger to adversity. Not a weeks' worth of nights were behind him in Sacramento when he'd lost control to his own hunger at the Ridge Motel. He'd ripped a poor, possessed mortal girl limb from limb... and though he'd offered her Last Rites, he never even learned her name.

After a brief pause of ponderous silence, he smiles again. "Just hang in there, you will be fine." And there is a nod, conceding to her subtle point about the pressures that had been placed on him. "And we will be fine, as well. This is actually a time of advantageous circumstance for newer residents of the city. The power vacuum will have to be filled with relative quickness. Opportunities will be knocking."

He could be hinting at something, or he could just be fishing for interesting conversation.