|
|
Post by Prince Amy O'Connor on Feb 1, 2016 1:10:09 GMT
The Gangrel Primogen and his warden meandered slowly over to the gathering at the bar, their steps practiced and easy. Felix seemed stiffer, far more uncomfortable, and his eyes darted nervously through the Court that was present, breathing in through his nose. The tension was thick and rancid, making the fine hairs in his nostrils burn. His tongue flicked out like a snake, tasting the air. Where was the tension coming from?
Mizuki, however, seemed completely at ease. He looked first at Graham, that predatory smile enough to freeze the blood of any mortal. Each tooth fixed together in perfect triangles, making his mouth seeming too wide for his face. Leaning heavily on his cane, he spoke softly. "Not nearly long enough, shitsurenia. Not nearly long enough." He spared only a moment to gaze upon Finn, the two exchanging silent nods. While they respected each other for what they had done for the city, there was an obvious uncertainty between them.
Then, the old monster turned to look over Octavian. His smile softened, kindness evident in his gaze. He stepped over to him, raising one aged hand to rest it upon his shoulder. "Ahhh, little puppy. The Clan will be so glad to hear about your return! The kitsune kitling and her bird have been asking after you."
(Rumor and David. Obviously.)
Amy kept her husband's hand as the welcoming echoed through the hall, her fingers squeezing gently to remind him that he was home. No one, except maybe Finn, seemed so happy to see him again. She knew that the city had missed him...
The madman, however, had turned to look at the Ventrue soldier. His emerald eyes glittered with rage, even as his smile broke out, looking misplaced and uneven across his face. He tilted his head slowly to one side and didn't speak, but there was knowledge in his gaze. That voice... Ahh, even that voice had begun to echo across his Network.
"Come," he said in that low baritone. "Sit." He patted the barstool beside him, surprising even Mizuki. Felix looked downright uncomfortable.
|
|
|
|
Post by Graham Micheals on Feb 1, 2016 2:54:28 GMT
Graham continued to smile dispute Mizuki's comment.
"Shitsurei? Kitto anata wa watashi o imi suru monode wa arimasen ka?"
(Disrespectful? Surely you don't mean me?)
He chuckled hoping that speaking in Mizuki's native tongue would get under his skin.
"But I agree, not long enough."
He picked up his drink and proceeded to drink it. He would take the rest of the time to listen to everyone else speak.
Though when the large kook patted the seat next to him offering it to Octavian even Graham was caught off guard for a moment. What was this about? Hadn't he just been feeling anger seething from him only moments before... What's going on inside that head of yours... Graham quickly decided he rather not know. Still at least it appeared that the night was still quite young and there would be much surprise and excitement still to be had.
|
|
|
|
Post by Octavian O'Connor on Feb 1, 2016 8:50:59 GMT
Octavian, grinned as Mizuki patted his shoulder, comforted by the old Gangrel's warm welcome. "It's good to see you well my friend." He responded with equal amounts of appreciation and respect. Hearing that both David and Rumor were both still concerned brought an almost relaxing amount of comfort. It wasn't just Amy who had missed him. He tucked away Graham's little comment for later thought, perhaps there was more to the Toreador Primogen than he'd first thought. We're the Toreador and Gangrel warring for territory? It would explain the tension in the city and the meeting with both of these particular Primoven present.
Finn's open invitation and smile brought all his doubts screaming back into the pit of his stomach. ~~It's a trap you know. Why do you think they're all here?~~ ~"You deserve it."~ It was uncanny how perfectly in synch his thought was with her statement. If it was in fact the case and it was a trap, he did deserve it. And he'd see it out. "Thank you Finn." He replied warmly, his warm eyes caught Finn's and he smiled an odd sort of smile, both of horrible acceptance of the possible trap and the sad feeling deep in his gut that the towering Malkavian decided to either kill him or tolerate his existence only because of Amy.
Before sitting, he reached over past Graham dragging a barstool next to his for Amy, but not between he and Finn. Her delicate squeeze was another comfort.
~~Maybe she's in on it too, you think? Maybe it's an act and she's just letting you get comfortable, sure that everything is going to be okay... Then she'll laugh as your disgusting little heart breaks, followed quickly by the rest of your body as Finn breaks you... You do remember the chains... Don't you?~~
Oh did he remember, just as clearly as the night it had happened. A slight shiver ran up his spine. He knew that this was getting more and more dangerous by the second. Something would have to give, and if it was him, he didn't know what it was exactly that he would do. Determined as he was, it wasn't going to silence the doubt that Rink was so easily manipulating any time soon. "Something I can do to return the kindness of this gesture?" He asked his emerald eyed 'friend' with absolute sincerity.
|
|
|
|
Post by Prince Amy O'Connor on Feb 1, 2016 15:14:49 GMT
The tension between the two Primogen was thick, their gazes clashing and cruelty radiating off of them both. It was far from difficult to see that the two disliked each other. Felix shifted in an effort to break it, just as Graham looked away, and moved to the bar to secure his Clan leader a seat. He shifted it so that he would be sitting just behind Graham's shoulder. He didn't seem to want to make it any easier on the degenerate. Deep in his youthful little heart, he wanted to make him as uncomfortable as he could. He deserved it.
Mizuki, however, thought differently. He wobbled over towards the bar, keeping a careful eye on the far-too-welcoming kook, and then allowed Octavian to take the last bar stool for the Prince. He was a monster: he would stand. His pride did not let him ask for another seat, nor would it allow him to take one should it be offered. The only one that seemed to notice, however, was Felix, and his frown was deep. He knew better than to argue with the elegant Prince as she took her seat, but it didn't sit well with him. It never did. A well-worn, aged hand rose to brush along the younger Gangrel's shoulder, and when Mizuki spoke, it was soft and low. "Felix," he said. "Go check on the car, will you?" While he didn't look happy about it, the warden gave a single nod and slipped out of the manor home.
"Forgive him," Mizuki asked, his gaze returning to the Prince and her husband as they settled in together near Finn. He offered a far less predatory smile, giving a little chuckle. It sounded almost like a dry cough. "He is still young." Amy, however, gave a shake of her head. As she had sat, not needing to adjust, she leaned to brush ice cold lips across Octavian's shoulder. Her chill would slip in beneath his clothes, of course, but she seemed focused entirely on the Gangrel. In fact, unless somebody had been paying close attention, they would have missed the moment of affection completely. "There is nothing to forgive, Mizuki."
It was Finn's laughter that brought the moment back. It was low but maniacal, reminding any who may have forgotten that the giant was, in fact, completely off his rocker. His fingers spasmed as if he imagined something, and his smile was disturbing, even to the Prince that had grown old with him. She reached out a gloved hand but did not touch him, emerald meeting ice. She gave him a frown and he quieted his laughter. His head tilted from side to side for just a moment, and his thoughts echoed across the Madness Network: a quiet little whisper.
"......foolish little neonate. If I wanted to.... *STATIC* .......kill her I could have. Deign this. Think it. HAH.
His laughter calmed, then, and the tension was once more thick in the air. Amy took a deep breath, tapping the bar to silently order a drink from her Harpy. While the little Asian moved immediately to serve her Prince, she recognized the movement for exactly what it was: a reminder to keep her mouth shut. Business was at hand.
"My beloved," she said, speaking directly to Octavian. "Your return home... It's so welcome... We've missed you so much." Her smile was genuine, her hand coming to rest delicately on his arm, just beneath his shoulder. Her heart squeezed at the very thought. "I am afraid, however... That you have come home at a very dark time for Nagasaki."
There was nobody to help her tell her husband this. She was Prince. It was her responsibility. She was expected to have all of the answers, and deep in her heart of hearts, that idea destroyed her. She felt sick to her stomach and fear radiated through her entire body, tensing her muscles. Her jaw gave a visible twitch, but aside from that, her facade was exactly as it always was: perfect. She took a deep breath, steadying herself, and then spoke simply, her gaze sweeping from Octavian across those that had gathered at her request.
"We are going to war."
|
|
|
|
Post by Graham Micheals on Feb 3, 2016 22:53:20 GMT
Graham shifted as Octavian grabbed the chair next to him, smiling politely. He didn't want to get in the way. Graham watched with interest noting everything of importance going on between the Prince, Octavian, and the large Vampire beside them. Such a strange sight to see even in his many years.
His attention was taken away when Mizuki sent Felix away. Choosing to stand, such a proud creature, Graham could almost respect him... If it weren't for the fact he couldn't stand the mutt. But Graham stood up and shifted his seat for Mizuki.
"Here you go my old friend. Your old bones look like they might need a rest."
He would say with the most polite smile he could muster. He hoped that was a shot straight to his pride. Though Graham would not be able to savor the moment as the Prince start the serious order of business. Time to tell the long lost husband of the things he has missed. They were going to war. It had been a long time coming. But now it's official... Well things would definitely become interesting. He wondered how the others in the room would take the news. But he could guess their reactions since everyone here had a feeling this was going to happen... Save one.
Graham paid close attention to Octavian to see what he would do. How he would react to this news.
|
|
|
|
Post by Octavian O'Connor on Feb 4, 2016 22:32:54 GMT
Nothing could prepare the young Ventrue for the laughter, and it wasn't just Finn, Rini's laughter matched the madman's. His muscles tightened involuntarily, every hair on the back of his neck stood up on end. The warmth that was always so constant, so reliable vanished. Octavian's blood ran cold, what color he had drained away, leaving him absolutely alabaster. Fear gripped his heart, true and unbridled fear. Was Finn actually working with Rini? Had he set the whole series of events in motion? *No, he didn't.* Just his thought, his voice ringing inside his head. The stool he was sitting on felt suddenly like the electric chair, and just when things couldn't possibly get any worse, Amy began to speak.
War.
Fear, torment and guilt washed away, only to be replaced with rage. His muscles had only twitched, but his entire being had shifted with that one simple word. The gentle blueblood sat completely motionless for a few long moment's. His eyes fixated on Amy. "Then they die." Simple words, nothing complicated or elegant about them. The words were completely out of character for Octavian, but the tone in which he spoke was absolutely final. Whomever it was, had made their last mistake. Inuko Locke had died defending Nagasaki. Everyone the young Ventrue loved and cherished lived within its borders. They could not be lost, and they would not suffer at the hands of the real monsters.
"Who is coming and how much time do we have?" The words he spoke, were almost crystalline in their clarity. There was no warmth, no compassion to them, just cold and calculating rigidity. Even Rini, such a horrible constant in his mind was silent. Chocolate eyes remained locked with Amy's frigid blues. The light of his love shown as brightly as ever, but there was no warmth inside them. The eternal summer of Octavian O'Connor had become a true Kindred winter.
|
|
|
|
Post by Prince Amy O'Connor on Feb 5, 2016 1:06:11 GMT
All present remained silent as the fledgling spoke those words, so cruel and uncaring, as if he would kill them all with his bare hands. Surprise rippled across the room, evident upon the faces of those that had gathered. Only Amy seemed unaffected, her gaze clashing powerfully with her husband's.
There was no approval, no acceptance, in that gaze. She expected uncertainty. She expected him to ask for the details of the attacks. She expected... anything. Anything other than this. No one would see the shock that resonated deep within her core... Oh no. That, she could keep perfectly hidden. Unlike young Octavian, there was no rigidity in her posture. She appeared perfectly calm, relaxed.
"Octavian," she spoke softly, raising a hand to cut off any speech from those brave enough to try. "We will not exact the first blow."
Just as final as his speech, only hers held the strength of a command: the word of a Prince. She would not budge on this, and that much was obvious.
"We have a liason from the Keu-jin arriving in three nights time. I expect you all to inform your Clans," this spoken to the Primogen present. "I want one representative of each here at 10:30 pm on that night. None should have ranking in my Court. You will be expected to assure they can defend themselves, should it come to it."
Her ice colored eyes wavered and ran along the few Kindred before her, and the first signs of what could possibly be rage showed in her features: one side of her lip twitched up in utter contempt.
"As we all know, the Eastern monsters do not understand, nor respect, the rules of an Elysium."
|
|
|
|
Post by Graham Micheals on Feb 7, 2016 19:41:22 GMT
The air in the room was still. Emotions of all sorts were flooding to and fro. Excitement, anger, bloodlust... This council was finally ready for something to happen. There was mention of a meeting with a liaison. Interesting, Graham was going to have to ponder over who he would send, but right now that was unimportant.
The anger seething from Octavian was interesting to the old vampire. This was a side of him he hadn't seen before. Though Amy's counter to Octavian... He had seen quite a few times and he hadn't remembered a time when her words went unchecked with those eyes focused on someone.
Everyone else's reactions were to be expected. Whether it was good or bad, they all played to the roles that Graham had deduced them to.
|
|
|
|
Post by Octavian O'Connor on Feb 9, 2016 23:11:58 GMT
Octavian's brown eyes matched the icy blues of his beloved, fire danced behind his eyes, cold, and prepared. His voice remained even, perfectly trained as his stance relaxed. "As you wish my Prince." He conceded politely, closing his eyes and allowing the rest of the conversation to continue between the leaders of the respective clans. War was the worst act any group could inflict upon another, and the consequences of war were never predictable. He'd taken part in the battle with the Setite, and they'd lost someone. War was many battles, with many casualties, his gut instinct was to end it as quickly as possible. This wasn't human war, it was kindred war. It was their area of expertise, their play, and he could not stop them.
He hoped that they'd either strike quickly and decisively, or the peace talks would go off without a hitch. He doubted either would happen. Resignation was visible in every bit of him, his body seemed to deflate, to surrender. 'I'll end this before it begins...' Slowly he began formulating a plan. He'd deal with the eastern monsters himself. Either through diplomacy, or, if all else fails bloody, violent combat.
With the plan set in mind, all he had to do was get out of the Manor, undetected, before the eastern monster arrived.
|
|
|
|
Post by Prince Amy O'Connor on Feb 11, 2016 20:48:26 GMT
He agreed, but he agreed far too easily. She knew that tone, the way he turned his head, and it made her feel sick to her stomach having to wonder what he might be thinking. Octavian would never betray the city, she told herself. She had to believe that... If she didn't, she knew that she would never see him the same way again. She had to swallow her doubts and her uncertainty, her fingers quivering, as she turned to look over those that were present. Everybody was staring at her, waiting for her directions, and she wished - not for the first time - that she was just another citizen in the City, that these decisions did not have to be hers to make.
"We will keep an open mind with this liaison," she instructed all present, her voice still just as cool and commanding as before. She stood from her seat and moved a few steps away, turning to look at them. Mizuki offered her what he hoped was a comforting smile, but with those jutting shark fangs, it was difficult to find comfort in his smile.
Amy had little else to say. What once would have been an easy choice to make exhausted her to think about. Her husband had made her soft... She thought of all the lives that would be lost in the upcoming months, maybe even years. People would fall, litter the streets, and it would be up to her to make sure that they received their proper burials and that the Masquerade was untouched. If she were on her own, she would have rubbed her forehead. This was all irritating for her to think about, and she knew she had a lot of thoughts that still needed to be had.
"Understood, Prince," Finn said with a slow, wild smile. Then, emerald green eyes turned to rest upon the Prince's beloved. "Octaviannnnnn..." It was a low murmur, something akin to a growl. "I... believe I need your help..." Even Amy found that suspicious, but nobody said anything against it. "Won't you help an old man?"
|
|
|
|
Post by Octavian O'Connor on Feb 12, 2016 0:07:52 GMT
Octavian nodded again listening to Amy, her method was reasonable, particularly where the liaison would be concerned. She wouldn't have mentioned War had it not been what she expected however, and he wasn't willing to let War hurt Nagasaki, especially if he could help it. He'd seen it with the Taliban, with the Afgani people, with so many insurgence groups. The peace talks, if they could be called that, were a facade, a sham while people died on both sides in the background. He trusted and respected Amy, more than anyone, but this was his idiom, not that he liked to admit that. He'd experienced war, he'd experienced it first hand, and it wasn't pretty, and words would never cover up the blood and the violence and the tragedy that it always entailed.
Would they be able to fight the eastern monsters? Of that he had no doubt, even defeating them he was almost certainly sure of, but the cost would be to high for his soft and warm heart. "An open mind, and open arms." He agreed quietly. "I don't know that we have the proper facilities or refreshments to suit their tastes, but I'll do whatever it is I can to make them comfortable." He spoke calmly, his eyes moving this way and that as his plan came together slowly in his mind, only to be interrupted by the one person at their meeting he'd never expect. Finn.
"Yes, of course Mister Finn, anything you need." He responded, almost automatically. It wasn't as if he felt subservient, but there was a debt there, a debt he so desperately wanted to repay. "What is it that I can help an old man out with?" He asked, warmth once again radiating from his voice, his eyes beginning to smoulder with that same warmth that always seemed to be there. One debt, his debt, then a war, then he and Amy could go back to how things were. Relaxed and comfortable in every sense of the word. Falling to the oblivion of sleep next to her every night, no fear, no worry, just Amy.
|
|
|
|
Post by Graham Micheals on Feb 19, 2016 22:52:26 GMT
Graham didn't take his eyes off of the two speaking, not even to grab his drink that been refilled. It was intriguing to watch. It was as if they were both playing a chess game that neither of them wanted to play. The thought of it brought on the hint of a smile.
However his concentration was thrown off by the sudden growling of the old crazy creature. Curious by what he meant by that Graham raised a brow and hoped that he would have his answer without resorting to... Unwanted means.
|
|
|
|
Post by Prince Amy O'Connor on Feb 20, 2016 1:25:35 GMT
Finn rose quickly and rather suddenly, closing the distance between him and Octavian without moving obviously. His gloved hand reached out to take him by the back of the neck, fingers spasming against his skin. Emerald eyes were full of amusement and entertainment. Did he really think it was a good idea to go with him so willingly? Was he not afraid? The naivety that he clung to so desperately endeared him to Amy, but to the lunatic? He just found it... interesting. It was a form of insanity, of that he was certain.
Everybody thought he was so damned innocent. But Finn knew better.
"Come with me," he instructed, leading Octavian out into the garden in the back. It was Amy's favorite place, aside from her private quarters. She took such good care of the plants that they thrived, despite her inability to touch them. It was private out here, where the retainers and employees of the manor knew better than to ever come. The door would slam behind the two of them, cutting off their conversation from curious, listening ears.
Amy remained silent as she watched her closest companion take her beloved from her, heart immediately aching with the distance. She took a deep breath and turned her attention back to those that had gathered. The silver haired Prince gave a shake of her head and gave a half-smile to the others, their conversation continuing in peace.
(Scene Change: The Following Is To Be Finn and Octavian. The Others Will Resume At The End of Their Conversation.)
|
|
|
|
Post by Octavian O'Connor on Feb 20, 2016 1:42:25 GMT
Octavian followed the giant Malkavian willingly, allowing him to lead him by the neck through the doors and out of the building to the private garden. He remembered when last he was out there with the madman. It was the day he returned to ask for Amy's hand. The day he'd cherished so much in his memories. It was just as perfect and pristine as it had always been. Amy's careful tending keeping all of the plants and flowers happy and healthy. His warm brown eyes turned up toward Finn's. Still no fear in his eyes, not for the madman, not for himself.
"What is it you need my friend?" He asked Finn, stepping free of his grasp if he'd let him. Octavian would turn toward him, staring into his harsh emerald eyes. His own brown eyes, sincere warm and caring toward the man he'd struck. "Whatever it is, I'll do everything I can to make sure it happens." He said honestly, and without hesitation or concern for his own health. He felt for the madman, felt guilt for striking him, and a sort of sadness for whatever it was that had made the madman the way he was. Perhaps he could change it, somehow help Finn to become, better.
|
|
|
|
Post by Prince Amy O'Connor on Feb 20, 2016 1:51:16 GMT
He dropped his hand from the neonate's neck and turned his gaze outwards, over the plants so brimming with life. To him, they all looked dead, skeletons of what they once were. Leaves decorated the browned grass and stems withered back to the ground. They looked sad, in a way, some reaching towards the night sky as if reaching for life itself. The sight was so familiar to him that it held very little to respond to.
Instead, his attention turned back to the rotting corpse before him, watching the black flesh as it clung to his bones. That sight made him smile, and the vision of red beneath the brown made it grow.
"Do you remember?" He asked, though it would quickly become apparent that he was no longer speaking to Octavian. The Madness Network rippled with life, his words easily reaching Rini, deep inside his head. "Amy has always kept a garden. It's been a while since you've seen it, child of my father."
|
|
