The First Council of Neonates

[Dorian M. Black]

"Did you know your Sire as a human?" A pause. "You are an adolescent English girl. Unless you are to tell me that your Sire is in fact also your natural father I think you will find that I understand him better than you without even having met him; I've lived in aristocracy as a man and I know how they work. Across every available political or experimental scope I am better at this little game than you."

"While I appreciate this endlessly renewable contract that you have with your own brokeness, it does you no service. What did you think would happen? You pack your ridiculous catastrophe of a gown (where is the other half of that, pray tell?) and just be off? We would discuss everything in depth first, at the same time I log your external behaviour to him."

"You perceive your Sire as eternally unwilling to Release you because you are acting atrociously. You are the antithesis of what he wants from you. Of course you will see no lenience. This is a careful rope you need walk to maintain your dignity, but you are already on the ground looking up at it."

"You were Embraced for a reason; all I need to do is determine what that reason is - and then use it. Ventrue are an easy read, particularly one so new to the city. It's not difficult to imagine what he wants. As long as you weren't Embraced for sexual purpose, I have no concern for my success. What are you afraid of? Someone else doing... better than you at your own life?"

"And shouldn't you let your friend decide whether this price is too high for her to pay? You speak of personal responsibility and in the same stroke remove another's agency from the decision."

[Samuel Taylor]

"No? No. Not doing that, good."

Taylor breathes raggedly and slowly return to his calm collected self. As Dorion speaks his hand starts to twitch and shake on the table surface.

[Becca]

The Spider watches the Doctor for a few moments, then leans towards him and speaks quietly, his voice low and soft, controlled.

Now Doctor, take but a moment to quiet yourself - you understand that this is a hypothetical conversation, yes? No decisions are being made as they speak, only ideas of neonates - despite Dorian's usual decisive nature, don't you think he is aware of this? There is nothing to be afraid of, nothing to cause a threat, don't you see? You understand that no action will be taken until all are agreed?

He places his hand flat on his notebook, closing it and making a soft slapping sound, designed to attract Taylor's focus to that one point, then he speaks again, softly and calmly.

Good Doctor, it is imperative that your knowledge, your experience and your wisdom be retained in this conversation, do you understand? I can rely on you to provide guidance to the group, I assume? Perhaps a little later, once things have been resolved, a more academic discussion can take place?

If, at any point, anyone speaks while he is talking to the Doctor, he will shoot them a deeply withering glare to try and shut them up and then return his focus to the trembling Malkavian.

[Violet Clyntahn]

So much for trying to change subject. Violet glares at Dorian this time she doesn't even try to keep the anger out of her voice, she's bored with this subject. "I perceive my sire as unwilling to release me as he's told me as much, I know my behaviour is irrelevant because he has Told. Me. As. Much." She says this last bit slowly as if talking to a child. "I know because I listen, a skill you would clearly benefit from".

"I'm sorry you're finding it so difficult to understand that a mere possession has something to say before she's bartered off to someone else for the price of a major boon, perhaps stating it more simply will help. I do not want you to do this, my freedom is not your concern. If you still can't shake the desire to imitate a girl in a catastrophe of a gown I'm sure there are plenty more out there for you to choose from". Violet lapses into silence but continues to glare at Dorian,

[Dorian M. Black]

Dorian seems to ignore the insults.

"You believe everything your Sire dictates? Precious. Well then. You are a woefully lost cause. Had I known you were this lathered up about leaving his coattails I would not have bothered. You should perhaps drop the act that you wish to be anything other than his property, since you relish it so dearly."

[rhiann90]

A shrug of the shoulders, "Oh well, she said no. No boons. So sad. Let's move on." leaning back into her seat, Lilliana notices the doctor.

The shakiness in his voice, the trembling in his hands. She had heard that Malkavian's suffered from problems, but this was truly concerning. Talking about imaginary friends called Ge... Gefren? It was a sign that his mind was losing it. Perhaps he is thinking of an old friend? There was only one thing she knew to do about these people when they were going into the depths of insanity. Surprisingly, it was not to slap them.

"Do you have a lucky charm Doctor?" Lilliana stares at Taylor with serious, genuine concern. She notices the others have a look of confusion on their face. Lilliana emphasises her silver necklace locket around her neck, and adjusts it for his view.

"It's something that ties you to reality and focuses you. I knew many men who needed a picture of a loved one, or a trinket from them, that helped them calm down during times of stress. Stress being a war zone. Where blood would fill the streets, children would scream, men would beg for death..." She rubs the silver locket around her neck in a soothing action, "It helps to bring you back and know you are safe. It is lucky. Do you have one? If not, you can borrow mine for a bit. Until you relax again."

She unclasps her necklace and offers it to him. Come back, Doctor.

[Samuel Taylor]

Taylor stills, raising his head he locks eyes with Lilliana and gives her a nod of thanks. By all accounts Taylor seems as normal as he ever is. His shaking has stopped and his voice has returned to normal.

"Thank you Miss Crowe for your offer. Your generosity is noted and appreciated."

Reaching into his pocket he retrieves a single white pawn, momentarily twirling it in his fingers it is placed down in front of him before he speaks again

"However, I have my own token upon which to focus."

Looking around at the entire room Taylor nods his head apologetically

"My apologies for having to see that Ladies and Gentlemen."

[Becca]

Spider eyes the Doctor, considering his recovered state, then resumes his note taking. He seems to be ignoring Dorian for the moment.

[Dorian M. Black]

Dorian himself seems to be doing very little beyond giving Taylor his wary appraisal.

[George Williamson]

Horror had decided upon the council. The Lunatics threw their minds at one another. Each battling the other for dominance in the communal consciousness. While in a seemingly other place entirely the lords battled pride against pride for what amounted to nothing. George was sure that each had taken up the side that the other would have prefered. Dorian had only manifested the idea into relaity as a most prized rebuttal to the Rabble, and the Childe had only opposed because the idea was not her own.

'This is maddness.'

As quick as it had heated it had cooled once more. The look of shock slipped from George's face into a look quite tired. yet glad that it was over. George would gladly ignore this ever happening. This had one benificial effect - to find an idea that is known but missing one must begin his search again. Ventrue.

" 'N so, if we wana take out the Stalker we're gonna need a way to find out what each one eats." He looks towards Violet, a something of her own to have, "Can ya confirm that your sire, nor yourself, like the blood of children?" Then a brief gesture to Dr Taylor, "The Stalker does eat children right?" Before going back to Violet, "How much can ya find about where his Consulship", George enjoyed making up a new term each time, "has been? More importantly, where he's been on the nights of the Stalker. Does anyone know what nights they've attacked?"