The First Council of Neonates

[George Williamson]

'Don't tell 'im to leave, you freakin'!...' George didn't hide his widened eyes. How stupid was Spider to think that ignoring the problem for a later time is what to do?! This has to be dealt with. But how?

Luckily Dorian's snapped reply gave George time to think. What is that Dorian actually wants? He's just another, slightly sociopathic, person who has no friends because he keeps pushing them away because? George thought back to the multiple times Dorian had insulted him, in English. They'd all have one thing in common, a lack of understanding or that Dorian and George were two radically different people. Well if George was going to have a wild stab in the dark he might as well go for the one thing George can change; understanding.

"Yea, 'course Brujah get angry quicker than most." A thoughtful wave of his hand tried to encourage the next few thoughts to turn into meaningful sentences. "They've got fire in their hearts 'n a passion that is their bein', we heard it just now," a quick smile to Lilliana hopefully indicated it wasn't an insult. "'N when we get poked or not listened ta 'bout what we care about, what do we do? Lash out. Fists or words or evil frickin' thoughts. We all do. So don't leave, " A split second of glare towards the Spider, "We're more tenacious than that. Like Brujah 'ave their fire, we have our ground to stand on. So we ain't gonna forget the fire in anyone's hearts or what evil can come from it, but now, despite everythin', after tonight, no one's gonna forget that we stick through no matter how much crap we 'ave walk through."

[Samuel Taylor]

"We are stronger together. And the current situation with the War has made the situation in the City less safe than it used to be. We need to band together for safety."

Taylor stands up

"The first point I would like to raise is that the Night Stalker has still not been brought to justice by the Sheriff's pitiful efforts."

[Becca]

The Spider holds Dorian's hurt gaze for a moment longer then sits, seemingly unconcerned about the angry Nosferatu. He turns his gaze to Taylor and begins making notes again.

[Dorian M. Black]

All this confusion his emotional strategist could only manhandle, to no extent; Dorian stared at The Spider for a long time, even after the other had sat. He digested George's speech in silence.

Took the peasant a while to think of his own words, but George stuck at it, plodder that he was. Dorian would never admit out loud that his Clanmate couldn't pull some corkers out of the air when the mood took him. He wasn't sure what he expected, as George monologued (it was a night for that, apparently). Whatever it was, it was surpassed by what he got.

Dorian had had his own fair share of toxic exchanges with George. Most recently:

"You can hear me, can't you, George?" A pause for confirmation. Dorian leaned in close and put his mouth to the shell of George's ear before hissing out a furious breath. "Menj a picsába. Keep your mind to yourself!"

And not much later, finally devoid of George, Viktor had asked, "What did you say to Mister Williamson?"

A long pause. "Would you believe me if I said..."

Dorian had struggled to think of anything humorous that Viktor would appreciate, and settled on too few.

"I told him to go fuck himself. Because he should. I apologise if this offends you. On your request, I am able to go and tell him to please fuck himself. I believe this is as far as my rudimentary grasp of Hungarian will allow."

"Why?"

"He treats that ability as a flippant, cheap cantrip - it's - it's clumsy and uncaring and he doesn't seem to notice that it's someone's mind that he is shoving himself into with it and-"

Dorian had stilled. "He should go fuck himself. It may stop him fantasising so much over your ward, or bothering other people who want nothing to do with him. He is an ignorant, uneducated idiot urchin that hasn't the common sense to notice that he has access to a tool more powerful than he can imagine and he uses it negligibly with no right to assume such familiarity of conversation on such an intimate level - I had assumed he was dying - I assumed that it was Malota - that it was Valeria - that-"

He'd snarled, cut himself off. "I do not want him in my mind."

But this time Dorian let concession to reason stay his tongue; it wasn't a bad monologue. Neither had been those prior, however much falsity he could pick apart from each. It was sickeningly unified, still, but nothing Dorian could immediately deny. Except the idiot part about 'not forgetting.' George had nothing to forget, he hadn't even been in the city. The stupid dew-beater. As for the city being safer before (Taylor occasionally baffled beyond all reasonable doubt), Dorian whole-heartedly disagreed. Having not almost-died for a continual few months now, Dorian was quite content with the safety of the city.

[rhiann90]

Insult after insult. My beast should be controlled like a stupid animal? "She pretends to behave." It's just a matter of time? Asshole. Breathe. Be friendly. Rein it in.

Lilliana struggles with her inner thoughts. She doesn't realise that she slowly starts breaking the side of the table when crunch. Splinters try to pierce her hands but are unsuccessful. Violet straightens her back at the sound. Eyes that were avoiding contact had come back. Fortunately, the peace-keeping doctor mentioned the monster that truly keeps her up at night. An excellent excuse.

Night Stalker. Dressed up, egg sucking, gutter trash.. Worse than Dorian, but not by much.

An exacerbated sigh flows from her mouth as she shakes the splinters that fell on her uniform. She lays back into her seat with a melancholic voice she remarks, "That beast needs to be put down. Its scaring my little ones." She recalls the time that Violet met the local urchins and how they often visited Lilliana at work for scraps of... bread. "It's also making business impossible. Smiffy is losing business as people don't want to risk travelling. The Long Drop has patrons on edge and not drinking. They fear for their children. All I can gather is rumours while patrolling the areas assigned to me."

She pauses. Lilliana continues through gritted teeth, "I... lack the... ability and influences... and... resources... to locate this Night Stalker alone. I... hate to admit this... but perhaps those of clan Nosferatu and Malkavian can... seek out this creature? Ventrue and Toreadore are well connected and may know its whereabouts. I need... help. We need to work together." The bitterness in her mouth was unbearable. "There is war brewing, infighting is happening between clans, and the Elders are focused on themselves. If we do not intervene then the very essence that keeps us alive will become extinct. Not all of us have the pleasure of eating, or walking freely above ground."

The final sliver of bread is popped into her mouth. The taste was sour. The room was sour. If there was no improvement soon she would have to resort to leaving.

[Samuel Taylor]

Taylor perks up at Lilliana's words

A hope? A chance?

Clearing his throat Samuel speaks

"As a matter of fact, I have information pertaining to the identity of the Night Stalker. With the Sheriff's continued failures I decided to do some.....personal inspection."

A flash of worry and rage flashes over Taylor's face, then his eyes settle on the Ventrue Childer.

"With an unreleased Childer in the room however, I cannot reveal this information. However...if we hope to stop this creature we will need to work together. They are extremely powerful and likely well connected in the court."

[Violet Clyntahn]

Violet’s mind starts wondering again whilst various people monologue, shes feeling slightly disappointed at how events seem to be panning out. She keeps her face passive trying to avoid the slightly glazed over look Zhaspars always complaining about, look interested, people respond to you better when you show an interest in them.

At mention of the night stalker she genuinely perks up, at least it was no secret that the sheriff’s efforts on the matter were pitiful. she thinks gingerly about the events after the last Elysium, did he genuinely think Zhaspar was the culprit? Children?! He’s just not that sort of monster.

Maybe if she shares what she knows on the topic she’ll end up finding out something in return! This may actually turn out to be useful after all! Oh, no, there it is again 'unreleased childer' hopes dashed again, so much for looking interested. Why is she even at such an event?! Of course she wouldn’t be welcome! She once again turns towards the doctor, speaking much more coldly this time “If my being here is posing such a problem for conversation I should surely be on my way!”. She stands up and provides the room with a small curtsy “thank you all for your hospitality, may you all have a charming time 'working together'” she says as she starts to rearrange her cloak.

[George Williamson]

George twitched. He hoped Richy couldn't hear that. George's ears would have to be on the steps leading up to the attic now for the nex few minutes. Keeping an ear out for bartenders who liked their function rooms functioning, ready to interrupt the conversation for silence if the mortal came too close.

What Lilliana said made sense. Gents had been fewer and more timid than before. Geroge had come to rely on them walking the streets with money in their pocket and fire in their eyes. We were all here to help each other, yet George had little to bring to the table on this subject. Luckily Dr Taylor jumped in actually. Though he did not seem to help the unity he most recently spoke of.

Violets response is, unfortunately, understandable. "Would ya wait a minite, Miss Violet, while we step out of the dark together?" It was a genuine question. George needed to see some level of leaneance away from pride in each of the group and this was Vi's chance. His focus went to Dr Taylor, "For the case of clearin' as much trouble off the table 'n not shootin' ourselves in the foot, could ya explain the reasons for not wantin' to say it in front of Miss Violet?"

[Samuel Taylor]

Turning to Violet Taylorr speaks

"My intent was not to cause offence My Lady, however...my sources tell me that it is a Kindred from the Clan of the Sceptre who is labouring under the identity of the Night Stalker. As you remain under the thumb of your Sire so greatly at present and could be forced to divulge the information I have. It would not go well for me if it was found I have this information. Especially if your Sire himself was the Night Stalker."

Briefly his eyes glaze over

"Although....if you were to be vouched for by another member of this council....and you swore to keep the information to yourself. I...would be willing to share what knowledge I have gleaned."

His fingers begin to play out a rhythm on the table in front of him. An obvious effort of willpower stays his movements as he looks around the room, eyes focuses intensly again.

[Violet Clyntahn]

In response to Georges question Violet nods slightly, she had time to wait if it meant she still might learn something, and if it didnt pan out at least she could use the extra time to get her cloak sitting right before she left, it still wouldn't do to be seen in such a place after all.

She keeps fiddling with her cloak as she listens to Taylor speak not bothering to look up at him, that is until he mentions her sire being the Night Stalker. Does everybody hold the same theory?! She wasn't even sure why she was going to the effort of defending her sire at this point, except it may just be one of the only things she knows he isn't capable of. She takes a deep breath, "Honestly?! Zhaspar the Night Stalker?! You claim the Sheriffs efforts are pitiful yet you cant seem to find anything better than the exact same conclusion?" She once again remembers the night of the elysium and her anger flairs anew, she knows she should stop speaking but the words just keep flowing from her mouth, they need to know it isn't him. "In all of Zhaspars long existence I know has had the chance to kill children, ordered too even" She gestures slightly towards her self. He wouldn't, its not him". She deflates as she finishes speaking, and drops back into her chair.

"As for someone to vouch for me, that's not really something I can ask is it?" She looks helplessly towards Lilliana for guidance.