Court: War of the Haunts

[Matt]

" So business is going I see. Too bad I am not rich, I could use the skills of a talented architect. As for the granite park, I am not sure what the authorities of the city have planned to keep this under wrap. Hopefully, they will do something. I am not sure it would be good for us if word came out about cannibals. Hunting is already difficult enough as it is. "

He remembered the last court he has been with the deputy covered in blood and in wounds he received from the cannibals.

Speaking of business, I would like to talk to you one of these nights. I am looking for business partners and I would like to know if maybe an association would possible between us. "

He was actually looking for partners to work towards gaining favors and hunting privileges in the city. Amos thought it would be easier if he had allies and not the type that would try to screw him around ... ok any vampire would try but at least somebody who would not screw him around TOO MUCH. As both Wyatt and Amos once claimed membership in the Carthian, the chance was there they could have a productive association. Here goes to hoping ...

"Well in the mortals terms yes, its too bad you are not rich. In our terms then just give me a call and we can arrange a meeting. I am sure we can come to some sort of arrangement."

Wyatt smiles. He was not expecting something like that to come up on the first night. Still, the mortals had very little to offer. There promises were even short lived. Hell could you even hold them to there promises.

"A Business assosiation may be possible. However we would need to discuss the particulars."

Wyatt had no idea what Amos could be thinking. It could be something to do with slautering puppies as far as he knew. However you do not make friends by denying opportunitys such as this one.

[Mykel]

Ciara

*Ciara shuts the door and leaves the two men to prepare, making her way back towards the gathered Kindred. She rounds the corner just in time to hear the Prince's announcements. She couldn't believe the outcome of the Venery; not the fact she had lost but the political outcome. The announcements of new Regents was like an uppercut after a jab to the stomach.

When that insolent little Red Brady was announced as one of them, it was all Ciara could do to keep from marching over to the Prince's ghoul and grabbing a map to see if an immediate move was in order. Instead, she grits her teeth and remains silent, ducking behind one of the curtains even before Asa motions towards her; anyone turning towards her seeing only a thin leg and a black Giuseppe Zanotti high heel disappearing into the inner Court.

A few moments later, the curtain is pulled down revealing the surprise for the evening. The inner Court has been turned into an actual Court; two large, multi level bleachers set against either wall with seats for most of city's Kindred. The raised stage has been outfitted with more comfortable cloth back office chairs, three over stuffed ones in the center reserved for the Prince and his two consorts; the remaining chairs for the Clan Priscui, the head of the Ordo; as well as the Seneschal, Harpy, and Ciara herself. All the chairs are clearly marked with the person's name; though there are no seats reserved for just the Regents, as Ciara was not aware of the events of tonight.

In between the two bleachers are two wooden podiums, fenced in on three sides with hand railings; each perhaps 4 foot square and raised a foot off the ground. These are for the two Kindred debating tonight; so that they face the Prince and his Court when they first step in. Behind them is the big surprise for the night; a gigantic bust of Justice; eyes blinded by a cloth, holding aloft her scales. Normally one would be drawn to the size of the object, her head almost brushing the ceiling of the Court, were it not for the scales she holds up. Instead of the normal platters, the torpid forms of Marcos Connelly and Azmi Korkmax are balanced from either end of of the cross bar. Hanging upside down by one leg by thick ropes, arms dangling lifelessly towards the floor, their eyes and mouths are closed, the stakes hidden behind the flowing folds of togas wrapped around each man. All that enter are able to go around the right side of the statue and avoid them; but they stand as a not so subtle reminder that Clarke's Law was the final verdict tonight.

Ciara unclasps the latch on the velvet rope, motioning with her hand.* If I may have the Royal Court come forward? Then those officially recognized within the city. Once everyone is seated, I will gather the evening's debaters...

Court Layout

The grey boxes are the bleachers
The black boxes are the podiums
The red oval is the outline of the statue
Yes, I know it looks like a face

Statue

Max

*Max is silent at the Princ's announcement, more stunned than respectable. Even if the other Deputy had spoken right away, Max wouldn't have heard him, the gears in his mind spinning to life to calculate the impact of the news. Damn it, just when he had begun to nail life down as predictable and routine, this little gremlin popped up. Looks like he has a new land lord to pay rent to.* I don't think you should wait either, Mac. swimming alone can be just as dangerous as in the middle of the feeding frenzy...

[Heathcliff Staley]

Heathcliff is about to explain the nature of the mystery he offers to Nagaraj when they are interrupted by the maskless Conner. "Good evening, Grey," he says in rather bored fashion. As the remarkable work of the Keeper is revealed, and the nature of tonight's Court begins to dawn on the Seneschal, he sees Arnold Culler in one of those British-lawyer robes he's seen on TV. That a member of his Clan must argue tonight, publicly, is quite distressing. He wonders, more than idly, who his opponent is, and what the fuss is all about. "I'd be happy to explain another time, Regent Nagaraj," he says. "For now, it appears we have important business to attend." Heathcliff locates his seat, but walks slowly towards it, gauging his speed by looking towards the Prince to see if he is waiting for the rest of the Court to seat themselves, and he the last, or whether the Prince will take seat first, and he should follow naturally after his Hounds. If he cannot understand, then he will wait for the Hounds to seat themselves before he does so, erring on the side of caution.

[Michael Hall]

Michael listens and is surprised at the reinstatement of all the covenants that had been banned particularly because his team did not win the Venery. Still, can't say that I'm disappointed, our former prefect holds regency here and now the Movement need not worry about talking behind closed doors from the city officials.

Then Michael sees the scales of Markos and another kindred he does not recognize. Right well that put a real damper on the little high that I had. I wonder if this Court is to decide if someone else will be added to that statue tonight.

Patiently Michael waits for the first tier of kindred to take their seats at the request of Ciara before taking his own as well.

[Jayant Nagaraj]

Jayant turned to glance at Connor and was about to reply when it seemed Court had suddenly taken on a rather literal term. He looked around to see Arnold enter dressed entirely in robes and wig of the British legal system and frowned. A serious matter for sure.

"Excuse me, Mr. Greyson, it seems tonight has just turned even more interesting." Jayant then moves to take an appropriate seat.

[West]

Asa takes in the setting, smiling slightly. Whatever could or could not be said about the Keeper, she was an enthusiastic decorator. He looked over at Twist, lifting an eyebrow to share the joke. Moving over to the Herald-Hound and Judex-Hound, he offered them his arms and the three proceeded to take their seats.

Arnoud listens to the proclomations, the only reaction a slight raise of the eyebrows at the Myrmidon's name. He offers a polite smile to Jillian's congratulations, then moves to sit after the Seneschal.

Erika Brady smiles as she listens, and softly laughs as the 'courtroom' is revealed, following Arnoud to be seated.

Dog looks towards Erika, then Roxie, choosing to sit near the other Gangrel. If anything, she'll kick him if he dozes off.

Argent golf claps at the restoration. He was surprised his effort was not the winning one, but maybe if he hadn't spent so much time with Kathy and Dirge... Alas, one would never know, but at least he'd had the opportunity to sample the blind Haunt's charms. He, too, waits for the appropriate time and takes a seat.

[Joseph Hartman]

Joseph gives Roxie a nod. "Congratulations." He listens to the Prince's proclamation and withstands the shock. Things are about to get a lot more complicated.

This is gana be a cluster.

He waits for those in power and those ridiculously dressed to enter this beautified Court. The First Estate are going to freak over this. Following them in he takes a seat and waits to see what unfolds. Joesph has never attended a Court like this, a court Court. The curious parts of his mind gather speed and run off on their own while the rest waits patiently to see what exactly arch-predators do in court.

[Premsyl]

As Arnold waited for the trial to begin the Prince's words sunk in.

He was somewhat thankful that Leonard Pope's victory in the Venery had resulted in not just the Movement's restoration, but instead all of the fallen covenants. He would rather have contributed to a mass re-institution than directly aiding the Carthians alone. Also, considering how muddy the waters in the Invictus had become, and indeed the same could be said for the entire Domain, then it might come to pass that the other Covenants could be made useful.

The announcement that the city had been carved into sections and distributed to Regents interested Arnold. If Prey in the city was to be made exclusive to those that sought regional approval then this put Arnold in an interesting situation to say the least.

Perhaps this will be a vehicle by which I can find relief from my current troubles?

When the Keeper revealed the Court and its refurbishment Arnold frowns, somewhat frustrated. It was all so theatrical.

All this for the dissent of a mad, half-blind Samurai and a girl with too much influence and a chip on her pretty little shoulder?

He could only hope that the rest of the night could be carried through with dignity.

His eyes are drawn to the statue, particularly the hanging torpid body of Markos Connelly. He smirks, thinking If only Dirge could see you now

[Roxie Hart]

You know, one of the reasons she actually had showed up this evening, Roxie thought, beyond the whole 'required by the prince' aspect of it, was so she could grind that bitchy little redhead's pretty little button nose into her ascendancy like an coked-up driver grinds the face of the homeless man he hit coming home from the party into the asphalt of the road. Fucking Daeva.

If she was alive and had thought of it, she would have to watch her breathing. She'll just have to settle with finding ways to make the Sanctum's reinstatement as thorny as possible.

"Thank you," don't say Fόhrer, "Priscus, Mister Hartman." She looked around at the other Kindred, as they started the laborious task of getting themselves in order, and as she and Dog and the Priscus and the Dragon moved to seating area, she ventured a comment.

"So, Priscus Von Schusten," she starts, nodding to Hartman to include him in the conversation should he wish it. She didn't mention Dog, but she knew that if he felt he had anything to add he'd add it and she knew he knew she wouldn't mind, You must hold the esteem of your extended family to rise to such lofty heights so quickly. What do you think of this evening's entertainment?"

[Yog-Sothoth]

Dirge

Dirge had stood mostly silent for the evening. She let her mind wonder as the people droned on around her in their conversations. Then when the Prince spoke she almost considered tuning him out and continuing to count the moments until she could slip out for the evening. With everything that had happened to her, and all the people she had lost she was not in the mood for all this phony political posturing. In the end she decided that it was safer to listen to the man as he addressed the gathering.

After all, this is probably the point where he orders my execution for being a member of the crone or some such nonsense, she thought bitterly letting her foul mood cloud her thoughts. She realized that it wasn't a fair assessment of the Prince considering how much he has worked with her in the past, but it would take her time to work herself out of the funk she found herself in.

Then her brain finally processed the message behind Asa's announcement, she was no longer a non-entity and could actually claim membership. She could hardly believe her ears, in fact she could not and was certain that the Prince had misspoke. The blind haunt continued to wait for the retraction, which never came. He instead mentioned some nonsense about more regents, and she would consider how that effected her at a later time. Right now, Dirge was unable to think about much else other than the fact that the Crone was back, as gutted and as pitiful as it was, but at least it was back.

When they announced the opening of the court proper she waited and then finally took a seat. She let her self being to feel a glimmer of, if not happiness, then a relief at her official status. Perhaps there would be a time for joy, but it had no place in her current season of sorrow.

Victoria Stamford

The Harpy stood somewhat smugly as the Prince stepped away to begin court, however, she was polite enough not to show it to those around her, after all that wouldn't be proper. Then as she heard the Prince's announcement her orderly little world was shaken in utter shock. She had expected some manner of surprise, but nothing of this size. But that was just the beginning, and then came the announcement of all the regents, which had appeared out of no where like worms crawling out from under a rock after a rain. It sickened her.

Where the hell did all these people come from? She thought holding back her anger that these kindred that might as well have been piles of ash for as active as they have been suddenly rose to such prominence. Hell the Reeve has been more active than these clowns, and that's saying something.

When the announcement of the next part of court began and they called for people to come forward she took a place due her position as Royal Harpy. The theme seemed forced and melodramatic, with the hanging kindred as rather tacky and unnecessary. Yet as she thought about it, that description summed up Ciara in a nut shell so it was strangely fitting that the theme matched the decorator.

She found herself wondering what message Asa hoped to convey, was he behind this and were they being mocked? It gave her something to think about while she waited for things to begin.