The First Council of Neonates

[Dorian M. Black]

Time does you this perverse service of expansion when all you've got to fill it with is horror.

Dorian paused for a long moment, his gaze reluctantly finding Spider.

"I won't be; you know I don't slip."

And if there was the briefest hint of something else there, buried in his expression, he's masked it for their current company.

[Becca]

"What if Malota and Viktor notice your absence? If Clyntahn attempts to blood bond his childe... or if he already has?

You have more thought to give this plan I think?"

His expression tries to return to its normal blank mask. Fails.

[Dorian M. Black]

Frustration flares.

"I intend to brief Viktor. I am not so absurd as to think I will do this without assistance. Do not presume I have not thought this through. I have other cards, too, that I intend to play."

There's something more in the tone, but it's rather ambiguous.

[Becca]

Spider closes his mouth, his expression becoming icy cold. His own anger flares, evident in the slight quiver in his limbs. He doesn’t reply, but he doesn't return to his notes either, simply staring into space in front of him as he clenches his jaw shut.

[rhiann90]

Damn you Dorian! Merde. I can't believe he agreed to it. A major boon though? Like those matter. Cards? Is that an English thing?

Lilliana offers her hand outstretched, "Fine. A major boon then." the hand is relinquished before Dorian could even have the chance to shake it. "Provided that Violet desires this and has the ability to swap back should she be unable to bear the lifestyle. I will not force this on anyone. You will need to ensure communication with her so that when the time comes she can step back into her role, should she desire to. If she accepts, then I shall pay the price."

What have I gotten myself into? Either a brilliant idea or stupidity extreme. I will need to prepare my... Haven. Merde.

Her Haven. What was Lilliana thinking? There is room, sure, but how will she explain the situation to those around her? She tries her hardest to not think about them. Explaining her temporary (What if it isn't temporary) living arrangements is easy. Lists of things that needed to be done started swirling around Lilliana's head. A slight panic on her face.

[George Williamson]

'And she agreed?!' With hindsight it wouldn't be that surprising but in the moment it seemed quite absurd. George was instantly drawn away from whatever serious answer the Doctor was giving to the much more immediately gratifying conversation of childe swapping. This was thrilling! Extatic feelings flooded Georges system. This was brilliant! He hadn't felt so alive in such a long time. The thought of when he last felt like this threatened to suck all that energy away but the wish to stay in this feeling and more importantly stay in the loop with this grande scheme.

"I can act as communication. We Nosferatu have ways of talking without even seeing each other." Goerge let out a high pitched squeak, sounding like a small rodent, sounding jolly enough. To those who understand the tongue of beasts it was the equivalent of a laugh.

[Samuel Taylor]

Taylor puts his face in his hands, as his shoulders begin to shake it is unclear whether he is sobbing or laughing.

The matter is settled as he raises his head with a wide almost manic grin spread across his mouth

"Oh...oh my, this is quite simply the most glorious prank I have ever heard! And the Stakes! For if Dorion dies Gehenna will decend upon is all."

Taylor voice rose as he spoke, becoming high pitched and near hysterical.

[Becca]

The Spider raises his eyebrow, then begins noting in his jounal again.

ST demonstrates dramatic personality change under threat or stress. Part of larger maladay?

[Dorian M. Black]

Dorian genuinely startled, so focussed was he on the Brujah and her ward.

Malleus Maleficarum struggled to mind; a 15th century publication describing a priest whose tics were 'believed to be related to possession by the devil.' Clearly, this was the first time that Dorian had witnessed one of Taylor's tics.

More importantly,

"Who the devil is Gehenna?"

[Violet Clyntahn]

Violets eyes widen at the change in Lilliana’s tone she wasn’t being serious?! Offering up her face, her life to that… OF ALL THE PEOPLE TO CHOSE. She couldn’t possibly trust him? He could do anything! He could get her killed, could even get Zhaspar killed. Sure she agreed to come along to the meeting, but this? She entered the south fully intending to leave at the end of the night.

She is even more shocked when Dorian doesn’t instantly dismiss the idea, letting a small gasp escape her mouth. As he keeps talking several childhood memories of her haven flash through her head, finally ending back on that one room, all broken furniture, old blood stain still plainly visible on the floor, left there only to haunt her. Relishing indeed.

But she would be free.

The thought of freedom was enticing, but could she really betray Zhaspar in such a way? The thought hurt her head, could she even survive without him? How would she eat? This was all spiralling out of control so quickly, it felt like the floor had been taken from under her. She needed to focus, they didn’t understand!

She’s waited far too long to speak already, time to try and put a stop to this madness now occurring all around her. Finally, Violet takes a deep breath and starts to speak. She looks towards Dorian “whilst the idea of you in any of my dresses is surely an amusing one, I feel on this occasion I am going to have to decline your kind offer. You do not know Zhaspar as I do. You speak of him releasing me as if it is a certainty yet he is in no way inclined to ever do such a thing.” She takes another breath, it felt strange finally saying that out loud. “In any case the price is too high for Lilliana to pay when it is so unlikely you will achieve the desired results”. She casts her friend a grateful look. She will get her freedom one day, but not like this, this is too high cost with too little control.

Rather than addressing the doctor’s sudden outburst she tries to steer the conversation back to the initial matter at hand. The night stalker. “several months ago I took a cab home and had an interesting conversation with the driver, during this chat he told me he also takes the Consul Maximus amongst others to and from various places in the city. He does not remember me of course, but I kept his details. Knowing where the prince goes could give us more clues on his feeding habits”. She knew it was a stretch, who takes cabs on their adventures eating children? At least it might move the groups focus away from the ridiculous idea of Dorian walking imitating her.