(1006) Eternal Court III

[West]

"Well, then I also might not know you were capable," Asa shrugged. After Kira, Regina, and Markos, the thought that he should feel guilty never crossed his mind.

He was suddenly curious why the other man wasn't a Sworn of the Dracul, but that was his own business, and it was also Covenant business rather than City. It was a reminder, though, that aside from the Oracle and Ishani, he didn't know his Covenant well, at all. Gideon, he had spoken with and was getting to know, and then Peter -- but both were gone now.

And Headstrong, too, thank goodness. Ding, dong.

"And it probably is as dire as you think," he finally spoke again. "Unfortunately, Horizon was a greater threat, both to the First Tradition, and to the majority of the city's Kindred.

"I'm not sure of what you heard before you arrived...," Asa paused, rubbing at his brow line. "Most of Sacramento's Kindred were killed in their daysleep by a biological attack," he said, sitting forward. He spoke softly, looking at Max in the eyes to impress the seriousness.

"Maybe... six or seven... of us survived. Total. Horizon engineered the attack."

[Max Heinz]

I'm not mad about being kept in the dark about certain details... *That much was true, he was mad about being laughed at, not the lack of details.* it's just rather embarrassing. I feel like a man running through the streets, screaming about Ms O'Leary's Cow after San Francisco already burned down.

*Max nods as Clarke's words.* The Lost Nights. I only knew that something had happened here when I first arrived. In truth it was what drew me here; quite a mystery to investigate. I've sense learned the details of the attack, and dealt with the aftermath myself.

[West]

Asa nodded, still serious.

"And therein is the problem. Rumors. Worse, founded in truth. Can you imagine what would happen if it became known that Kine had developed a toxin that destroyed Vampiric Vitae?"

There was a pause; it wasn't a rhetorical question.

"If not open warfare to possess the formula, then a new Camarilla -- all sanctioned under the First Tradition, all targeted... here," he explained, face animated. Perhaps less Asa the Prince, and more Asa the Dragon, or even Deputy.

"All while racing the clock: to contain, and handle, Horizon before a second extermination was attempted. All while trying to maintain some sense of order and appearance of normalcy in the face of daily new arrivals seeking fortune in a suddenly empty city."

Asa doesn't enumerate the circumstances with pride; if anything, it's relief that it's over.

[Heathcliff Staley]

"Indeed?" Heathcliff sighed to himself, even as he laughs quietly at this one's humor. Is there any room left in the broom closet for when this one pisses the wrong person off? "You are quite funny, aren't you, Dwight? Much funnier than I. I shall return momentarily. Please wait here." Heathcliff disappears into his office and produces the jester hat that crazy Nellie woman had sent him back in place of his own John Deere cap, the one with bells on.

The Seneschal returns. "I declare you the funniest person at Court this evening, Dwight Crown," he says, handing him the hat with a flourish. "So you will wear this hat for the rest of the evening. I will require its return before you leave, of course." Heathcliff's wrinkled mouth turns upward into a smile as he studies the man's reaction.

Hat

[Phoenix]

Just before Ciara left, Amos salutes her by bowing it's head and gratifying her with a 'Buenas Noches'. A short time after that, a new kindred arrives and, judging by his reaction, a newcomer as well. He was about to introduce himself when another kindred arrives. This one seemed a lot more confident in the court which was confirmed when Amos heard about his role as deputy to the domain.

He bows before the gangrel and smiles at his joke about the stakes. As far as he was concerned, he was hoping no one else would get staked here for some time. He would hate to be on 'you get to take care of the body' duty.

As usual, he bows before the deputy as he did for other kindreds since arriving here.

"A pleasure to meet you deputy. And thank you for your warning. Besides we would not want to spill blood on this beautifull floor. Buenas Noches."

He then turn his attention to the newcomer and cannot but repress a laughter at the way he introduces himself. But when the senechal hands him his jester's hat, he really has trouble containing himself. He decides to settle with a big smile. At least he won't have to drag this one to the closet.

" Nice meeting you Farme ... hum ... I mean, nice meeting you Senor Dwight. As the senechal has pointed out, my name is Amos Rodriguez of the Mekhet clan. A pleasure to make your acquaintance."

He then reports his attention towards the senechal, waiting silently for him to make the next move. He was trying to find a nice pun to do about the hat, but he finds he has neither the inspiration to do so as well as not wanting to anger Heathcliff further.

[skarecrow36]

Michael

Watching as Heathcliff leaves and then returns with a jester hat Michael can only cringe inside. Good god, is he serious? Well nice to know there are levels of punishment when angering him. I'd hate to think that making jokes was worthy of receiving a lashing from Regina Pia's sword. Still remaining silent, Michael watches Dwight wondering what else the jester will do in his new roll. Careful Seneschal, in some courts in history, the Jester was more revered than the king he entertained.


Charlie

Prior to Max leaving Charlie nods to him and says "I'll be sure to give ya call soon brotha."

He then watches the exchange between Dwight and the Senechal. WHen the jester hat comes he looks to the Senechal and slips a small grin in before letting it fade. Niiiice. He's even more impressed with Dwight rolls with the joke some more. Cute kid. Something I would have done when I was first embraced. Might get you staked but hey, I'm laughing. Comedy isn't for everyone. Let's see if this guy picks up the cue from Amos and finally tells us what damned Clan he's part of."

[Heathcliff Staley]

The Seneschal chuckles, which sounds more like a valiant attempt to unclog a toilet. "You don't give yourself enough credit, Dwight. I think you look exceptionally fool-ish. Well done. I leave the question of the jacket entirely to your discretion."

Heathcliff smiles at Michael. "Thank you for coming, Michael. I am interested to hear your report after I've finished meeting with this one," he says, indicating Amos with a nod, before turning to the Mekhet. "Follow me, please, Amos." The Seneschal leads him to his office.

Heathcliff's office has been generously furnished by the Prince with a dark, heavy oak desk, upon which sits a desktop computer and a small Far Side calendar, behind it a black leather swivel chair and a bookshelf adorned with rows of classical literature and a myriad of other subjects. Two fixed black chairs sit in front of the desk, and Heathcliff gestures for Amos to take one as he seats himself. "So, Amos. Tell me about yourself," his tone closer to that of a job interview than a chat.

The description is even more apt when Heathcliff takes out a clipboard and a pen, then looks back at Amos expectantly. He had no intention of writing anything about the man down, of course, but merely found that the act of writing something while an applicant is speaking can be quite unnerving for them.

[Phoenix]

Amos smiles at the response of the seneschal though he tries to hide as he is not sure how the other kindred would react to that. He follows Heathcliff after being asked of it by his superior. He observes the office, nicely decorated and with plenty of books it seems. He then sits on the chair opposite the seneschal and waits for him to initiate the conversation.

Amos start to feel a bit anxious when the seneschal takes a clipboard seemingly ready to note what the young mekhet will say. If the aim was to unnerve him, that was quite the successfull attempt.

" Well ... hum ... that's quite a general question Senor Seneschal. Let's see, what could I tell you that would be worthy of note ? Well firt and as you may have noticed by my accent, I am of mexican origin. I originally came from the city of El Paso where I was embraced. I spent much of my requiem living a nomadic lifestyle traveling from city to city.

And after having lived like this for a while, I realized that it's not a very natural way of unlife for a vampire. Finding good vitae to feed on is not very easy when you have to switch cities frequently. Same goes for finding shelter from the sun. There are other factors playing as well but I do not want to bore you with the details. The important thing is that I am ready to settle in a city and begin a sedentary requiem. "

He stares for a moment at the seneschal attempting to judge his reactions but tries not look directly into his eyes unless ordered to do so.

"What else can I tell you ... oh yes ... I have already mentioned it in the main room but, for the sake of completeness, I am from the Mekhet Clan. I am a bit short of ten years which is quite young in vampiric terms though I had the opportunity to hone some of my vampiric abilities as well as to learn some survival skills. It's quite necessary when living as a nomad. "

If he were human, he would catch his breath but, as it stands and being a vampire, he just keeps talking and talking which seems to somehow relieve the stress of this interview.

"Also, and because of my young age and nomadic lifestyle, I have not yet had the opportunity to join a Covenant, which makes me unaligned. And I am not on plan of joining one before a few years have passed, so that I have time to know if one of them could accomodate someone like me.

And, of course, if my modest mekhet abilities can be usefull to the authorities of the domain, I would be happy to oblige. "

He skipped the part about what happened in his origin city, concerning the belial's brood and especially the fact that he was embraced by one of them. He certainly would like to keep this a secret for as long as possible though he cannot but wonder if it would be a good idea to be honest with the seneschal about it.

"Is there anything else you would like to know Senor Seneschal ? "

[skarecrow36]

Charlie

After Staley leaves he looks back and forth in puzzled silence. That's it? He gives the dude a dorky hat and takes off? Well, then again, he did tell him to check the Elysium boards regarding laws. Still, I'd like to know more.

"So...Dwight is it?" he asks to the new jester, flicking one of the bells that hangs in front of him, listening to the little jingle before asking "You got family and friends? I'm Priscus Barrett by the way, Priscus for the Gangrel, although I'm not aligned with anyone in particular."

Michael

"Of course Senechal." Michael says to Staley before he takes off, deciding to follow them only until after they are gone and waits a few feet outside his door until the meeting with Amos is finished.