Roleplay City
Infusco => INFUSCO: Enter The Shadows => The Luminary => Topic started by: Existentially Odd on July 31, 2012, 09:35:39 PM
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As it happened, the Luminary and his fledglings landed in the city (after a subdued flight back from Austria) just after nightfall. It was the eleventh night since they'd left and the first sign that something was not as it should be was that they exited the jet in their private hangar and found two sleek, black Oligarchy cars waiting for them. Drivers were visible through the windscreens but only one of them was flanked by a very large demon in human form. Bralik. Head of the Mimics.
He stepped forward as Kerr descended the stairs of the jet, ahead of Ben and Ichabod, and he gave a small nod of acknowledgment as Kerr's leather dress shoes touched the shiny floor of the hangar. "Ride with me," the demon said in his deep voice and from the way he turned and steered Kerr towards one car - via polite fingers on his elbow - it was understood that Ben and Ichabod were to travel back to the Chambers in the other car. Kerr cast a frown over his shoulder to see that they were alright but he was quickly whisked into the back seat and his sedan drove off immediately.
Bralik wasted no time with his tale. He didn't have much to spare for there was a lot to be done. Kerr happened to have worn a smooth black double-breasted suit tonight, over a cream shirt with a dark red tie. There was a neatly-folded red kerchief poking elegantly out of the breast pocket on the left side of his jacket and his cufflinks mirrored the deep red colour at his wrists as well. He'd dressed for his resignation, planning to convene a meeting when they got back and officially resign his post but when Bralik started speaking, he knew that wouldn't be happening after all.
Not long into the journey, he was handed his phone, thoughtfully reclaimed from Vomas' care. Kerr had used Ben's phone on the return flight to alert his acting replacement that they would be there within a short time; it was how Bralik had found out that it would be convenient to meet him at the airport and assure himself some personal time with the Luminary. The first thing Kerr did with it was phone Conner, head of the Oligarchy's Spy Division. The second thing he did was send a text message to every Oligarch and significant heads of divisions within the organisation, simultaneously.
Be at the Oligarchy Chambers in one hour's time. Main boardroom. No exceptions.
He didn't sign it, for they knew who the message came from, yet it only took a couple of minutes before his aide was calling him, asking why he was getting phone calls about an emergency meeting. Swearing softly, Kerr apologised for not thinking very straight, explained he'd called an emergency meeting and if anyone else called his aide, he was to instruct them that he knew nothing and advise they follow the text's instruction. Be at the boardroom in an hour; he'd be in his office until then.
Bralik was silent for rest of the ride back and Kerr appreciated that, taking the time to look out at the city as they drove through it and ponder the consequences of the news he'd been given. By the time they reached the Chambers and he'd whisked Bralik up to his office, the questions were flowing out of him, his concerns aired and addressed with welcome decorum by the Mimic Demon.
They used up the rest of what remained of the hour secreted away in his office, planning and insuring. As the meeting time approached, Kerr had only long enough to call Ben to check that he and Ichabod had reached the Chambers. When he found out they had, he calmly instructed his lover to take his bag, Ichabod and a car from downstairs and drive to somewhere in the city that wasn't the Chambers or the Capital. He would call later when he knew more but he wanted Ben and Ichabod where they wouldn't be found. Just in case. He hated hearing the panic in Ben's voice when he demanded to know why, but insisted he wanted to tell him face to face. There was little to say after he'd begged for trust and obedience and he hung up.
When he walked into the boardroom, an eerie hush fell. Where before there had been open curiosity, whispered conversations and even bombastic theorising, as soon as he was sighted, silence fell like the ripples moving across a pond. By the time he'd reached his seat at the head of the enormous table - capable of seating all currently-serving Oligarchs and Conner, the only significant 'extra' employee present - every eye was turned on him. The proverbial pin dropping or the first crack of a chick hatching out of its egg could have been heard.
Though he pulled his chair back from the table, he didn't sit, for he needed some room to move while he delivered his message. "Ladies and gentlemen," he began, fingertips resting, lightly-splayed, upon the surface of the enormous desk, "I thank you all for your promptness in responding to my summons. As a pre-cursor to the news I have to share with you tonight, I would firstly ask that you respect these rules that I lay before you now: do not speak over another member, indicate that you would like to speak by standing and wait to be acknowledged, and keep all of your responses brief. We're not here for posturing. I assure you, we are here tonight to decide - together - how to face a very dire situation indeed."
Kerr let that sink in, waiting to see if his preliminary rules would be tested and allowing people to get anything off their chest that they simply couldn't hold in any longer, before he continued. He looked around at his gathered council members one by one to be sure they were ready to listen to what he had to say.
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Conner hated to leave Scott and Bryant just then, but Kerr himself had called - not texted, but called - in an extremely urgent manner. Without explanation or elaboration, a simple instruction and no room for argument. It hadn't been easy; he'd felt he'd been on the verge of truly healing the rift that had grown between himself and Scott, and hated leaving Scott alone to deal with a newborn fledgling without the assistance of any friends. He'd done what he could, though, and Scott had been understanding, given the circumstances.
He pushed the thought from his mind, focusing on the task at hand. He made sure his mental barriers were solid, which was something of a task in the current situation. Reviewing his appearance, he decided he was only slightly underdressed for the event. Black slacks and a button down shirt with a deep crimson tie, pinned in the front with a slim steel clip. He was wearing his nicer leather jacket this evening, instead of his older one. Shined black combat boots with steel grommets matched his black leather belt; he was fond of dark colors, and tonight he was all red, black, and steel. It fit the mood of the meeting, he felt. His hair was mussed from the wind whipping at it on the bike, and he hadn't taken the time yet to fuss over it. He'd instead spent that time instructing Scott in the care of a newborn and then, when he'd returned to his offices on the way to the meeting, issued the necessary orders to recall all agents. As a precaution, he'd ordered all agents both active and inactive to report in and await instruction. Even now, his aides should be wrapping up the last calls.
Conner listened with some trepidation to Kerr's announcement, trying not to let it show on his face, but knowing that the Oligarchs would probably all be able to read his expression easily. Instead of schooling his expression, he focused on fiddling with the cuff of his jacket, his eyes roaming back and forth between Jake and Kerr. He'd been listening to the whispers, and it did not seem to bode well. So he played with the cuff of his jacket and kept a level head, steadfastly ignoring the new psychic input in the back of his mind. The best way to serve his new family was to serve the Oligarchy. That steadied him and gave him strength enough to not lose his cool when the meeting came to life.
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Dominik looked relaxed in his chair at the table, his elbow propped up on the arm of the chair and his chin, covered in a thin layer of stubble (he’d shaved that morning but that was about eighteen hours ago now), rested lightly against his fingers. His long legs were stretched out underneath the table and he sat quietly as the other Oligarchs chatted and gossiped, trying to guess what was about to happen – Dom guessed they would probably all be wrong in their assumptions, so didn’t bother giving his input.
It wasn’t a full moon tonight so Dom had been planning on a night at home. He’d been on his way to his car in fact when he’d received Kerr’s text, so he’d done an about turn and headed back upstairs, calling Carrie to let her know something had come up. He didn’t really expect this meeting to affect him all that much, most people ignored the werewolves and their role in this society, thinking of them as vermin, cursed. But he hadn’t been about to argue with the Luminary about whether or not he was needed at this meeting when no one knew what it was about. Hopefully it would be over in ten minutes and he could go home to his lover, baby and bed. At least in the hour he'd had spare lingering in the Chambers he'd managed to find some food when helped his mood a little.
He was tired and really just appreciating a few minutes to sit quietly now – what with the clamour at work (with the Luminary gone people seemed to have been making appointments over the smallest matter just to try to get a glimpse of what was happening in the Chambers) and at home the new arrival wasn’t exactly making things relaxing. After the hasty delivery Carrie and the baby were doing fine and Dom had never been so happy – when he wasn’t ready to rip his hair out with frustration and weariness. The first time the newborn had shifted had been scary for Carrie, but at least Dom had been there to help her with the bundle of fur – shifting took too much energy for her to be able to shift too often though which was a relief at the moment. Taking her out in public was going to be a risky business.
The shifter sat up straight to attention as Kerr entered, bringing his thoughts back to the table, alert and ready to pay attention. He straightened his grey tie which was worn with a black shirt and a tailored grey suit before leaning forwards slightly, resting his elbows on the table and fixing his grey eyes on the Luminary, content to sit and listen for now. What was the point in speaking up and arguing against the rules before they had heard anything else?
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Quin was dressed in his pyjamas. They were striped light blue and white, with yellow moons and stars scattered throughout. They were childish pyjamas, and in the store when he'd seen them in adult sized, he'd laughed so hard he just had to buy them. Every time he wore them to bed (as long as he didn't have company), he would grin. Going to sleep happy was always a good thing. He'd gone to sleep quite happy about three hours ago. Now he was awake and unhappy. He was unhappy because he was awake, and he hadn't managed to find a bottle of anything in the car. He was extra unhappy because he was awake and sober.
He was slouched on the chair and squinting at everyone, giving whoever showed up dressed immaculately a scowl. Did they all live here or something? Oh, he knew some of them were rostered on, and for the vampires this would be much like the early afternoon for them. But it wasn't afternoon, it was the middle of the fucking night and he'd only gone to sleep three hours ago. He'd only managed two hours before his ringtone had awoken him (and it had been his own hilarious idea to make Kerr's phone a clanging emergency siren sound, something he hadn't appreciated the humour of at midnight). Because he lived a forty something minute drive away at the far reach of the city's limits, he'd had to jump in the car and head straight in. He hadn't showered or brushed his hair, and after rooting around in his car in the garage below, had only found seven empty bottles of alcohol. Not even a dribble inside them!
When Kerr looked at him, he peered up at him through his lashes with a grudging expression, but the seriousness of Kerr's countenance had him sitting up properly and squaring his shoulders, folding his wings tighter against his back. He gave Kerr a nod of acknowledgement to his words, and started to chew on them. This was the first time he'd had to haul himself over here on the double, and until now, he hadn't wondered why.
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She had been in the middle of enjoying some pleasurable company when the text made her phone vibrate on the bureau across the room. It disrupted her orgiastic rhythm enough to make her partner groan, though to this she paid no mind. Instead of stopping to check it, however, she lifted herself back off of the young Spaniard who lay beneath her soaked in his own putrid sweat and odor until he groaned again. It was only then that she placed herself back onto him and renewed their sense of desire.
When the boy had collapsed after a pathetic version of orgasm, Zoheret rose casually with a refreshed sense of energy and retrieved the phone and its message. Lazy human hands pulled at her flesh as she easily pulled herself away from the young Romeo once she returned to her own bed. The angel shrugged the boy's hands off until Kerr's message finally sank in and she frowned indelicately at what she saw. A pulse of annoyance struck her and she threw the human's filthy hands off of her body, despite his claims of wanting more of her. The boy was lucky he didn't receive a slap as the angel's once pleasant mood faded into one of irritation.
She despised being interrupted, especially by some ignorant creature who thought he ran the world. Kerr Galvin was nothing more than a bug beneath her boot and his apparent lack of concern for this fact made Zoheret angry. Certainly, the Luminary had done nothing in particular to make them enemies and on the surface she had always given him the respect he seemed to believe he deserved. But never had the vermin ever gone so far as to command her to do something. This was simply unheard of - some vampire, a lifeless revived corpse ordering around a powerful independent servant from God simply because he thought that his manhood was long enough to do so! Yes, the Luminary was going to hear about this from her the minute she stepped into that boardroom!
She had only had five minutes to ready herself and get down to the conference room where no doubt the other Oligarchs would be waiting. The nerve of that damnable bastard! And while she readied herself, pinned her hair until only a few strands hung around her face. As she croutched rummaging through the clothes that had ended up scattered on the floor, she cursed Kerr silently. She managed to find the purple silk robe (http://s4.hubimg.com/u/4180531_f260.jpg) she had been wearing when she had first summoned the human boy to her chambers and slipped into it without a word of what was happening to her human companion. The angel tied the thing in the front, slipped on her earrings, and once again refused the groping hands of her Spaniard - until he unknowingly scraped her invisible wing. The feeling sent a ripple of angry heat through her body and without warning she grabbed onto the human's hip, giving him a terrifying pulse of searing pain. Zoheret left the Spaniard writhing - naked and flaccid - as she slammed the door to her suite and went downstairs.
As she entered, she made no eye contact though most of the other Oligarchs looked up at her as if she were Kerr himself. She felt the eyes of a few of them linger on the dip of her cleavage or the hem of her robe as it slid against her legs right above the knee. An icy sneer was given back to whatever beast let their eyes catch hers and Zoheret sat down in her usual chair to the left of the Fae, Quin. She didn't look at any of them, but sat with her legs crossed until the Luminary came in a moment later, her cheeks red and her nostrils flaring.
As Kerr finished spouting his dramatic excuse for an introduction, Zoheret simply raised an eyebrow and kept her lips tightly closed. She was hoping that this ridiculous excuse for a meeting would be over promptly so that she could have a private word with the Luminary and not worry about petty things such as mortal problems as this undoubtedly was about.
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Jake had hated to leave Sam, but this was important. Jake had wiped the humans memories and told his progeny goodbye. He'd instructed her home and then in a flash of speed he rushed off to the chambers. He'd arrived early, and so headed to his chambers for a change of clothes. He'd ended up picking a blue pin stripe suit with a matching white shirt and gold vest and tie for good measure. He put on black dress shoes and made sure his hair was fixed after the quick run to the Oligarchy. He waited in his chambers for about fifteen minutes before descending to the board room and taking his seat.
Many of these people were strangers, but he had friends here. He smiled at Quin and gave him a nod as a hello. Conner stood bye and Jake acknowledged his friend warmly but silently. He looked troubled. Conner, so subdued and normally under control was fidgety and uneasy. Jake frowned. If his own mental blocks had not already been firmly in place, he would have asked Conner what was wrong through telepathy. Jake thought how others might assume he was asking about Kerr's message and that was not the impression Jake wanted to send.
Kerr's summons had surprised him, as in all the time Jake had worked at the Oligarchy he'd never seen them all assembled under one roof. Jake was not scared, but he was smart enough to be wary. Kerr was not an easy man to shake up. He'd helped Jake repel a Sabbat invasion, and anyone who was that brave should be listened to when called to action. Jake placed his hands folded on the table and nodded his understanding as Kerr finished speaking. He had no objections to Kerr's rules and sat back; looking between Quin, Kerr and Conner, hoping something would become clear soon enough.
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Tau had already finished his work for the night and returned to his tumultuous den when he'd received his summons message. He hadn't been entirely ungrateful to get away from his fatherly duties, as four yowling, hissing shifter children were never the most soothing and loveable company and his mate tended to glare at him a lot for reasons he could never truly fathom. He always did what she said though, for he knew that much was in his best interests. Leaving one of the children vomitting up the remains of day-old mouse on the lounge rug hadn't been his most stellar parenting moment but he had dutifully alerted Alec to its presence before he'd hastened out the door and into the car he'd recently mastered the art of driving.
He pulled away from the action-packed apartment with a sigh of relief, hoping that whatever this meeting was about was important enough to warrant the lashing he'd get from his mate when he returned later.
When he got into the boardroom, he found he was the first to arrive. He had responded enthusiastically and he didn't live far out of the city, he supposed... he looked around the vast table and chose the seat farthest from the Luminary's, to his right. As he sat, Tau hoped that Dominik wouldn't end up too close to him (and he'd likely move if he tried) because a bear-smelling shifter that reeked of werewolf bitch and pup was not something the cougar wanted to spend a meeting sniffing.
He'd stripped out of work clothes when he'd got home some time earlier, so he'd managed to dress in some loose jeans (that really should've had a belt) and the white business shirt he'd had on earlier (the top two buttons undone) to return to this meeting. He couldn't bring himself to put shoes on again, though, so he was barefoot. That only became apparent as time passed and others entered the room to find him in various states of sprawl in his chair, though. Once the Luminary entered, he sat up straight with both naked feet on the carpet, toes wiggling and one knee bumping in a common display of agitation, watching alertly and listening carefully to everything that was being said.
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Vomas had taken a chair near the head of the table, so he would only have an Oligarch sitting to his left, rather than one at each side. Now that he had the end of the table to himself, he didn't have to be concerned that his many belongings (his iPhone, leather-bound notebook, two fountain pens and an untouched glass of blood) might spill into someone else's space. He also didn't have to worry about bumping anyone with his elbow as he took notes since he was right-handed.
In his open notebook there were already a few lines written in neat cursive, and his pen was poised to write more. He was compiling a list of things he wanted to discuss while they were all gathered in the same room. Not because he needed the reminder, but because lists allowed him to impose order on the world - they made him feel in control, and that was exactly what he needed at the moment.
Half an hour before the Oligarchs were to meet, his lover and aide approached him at a dead run, his face even more pallid than typical. The library was gone, he'd stammered. Just gone. Samuel had been there when the books disappeared, leaving nothing but thousands upon thousands of empty shelves. It should've been a small mercy that everything they'd managed to scan still remained in their database, but they had been nowhere close to finished. They'd needed another decade, maybe two, before they could've uploaded everything to their private server. What they did still possess only acted as a reminder of everything they'd lost.
Then, he'd received a call from someone in one of the basement storage areas, and they had a similar tale to share: all the magic artifacts and relics kept there had just... disappeared. They'd been there one moment, and then the next, they weren't.
He, of course, had immediately called Kerr, but the Luminary had been frustratingly evasive about the whole thing. He'd reassured Vomas that everything was fine, and that he'd explain at the meeting.
So there he sat, expressionless in his custom-tailored charcoal grey Brioni suit, waiting just like everyone else to figure out what the hell was going on.
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After looking around carefully at everyone - and noting the unfortunate absence of his Oligarch for Demons - Kerr decided it was time to proceed. They didn't have perfect attendance but that couldn't be helped and there was certainly a quorum present who could help decide their fate. It would be enough.
"Right," he began, "I need to inform you all that, as of a few minutes ago, the Oligarchy stands undefended against any and all enemies. The Mimic Demons have gone." He paused to let that sink in, his fingertips brushing lightly over the surface of the desk, subconsciously seeking some sort of grounding.
"You may have noticed their numbers dwindling over the past couple of nights. That's because two nights ago an article was published about them in a supernatural publication that gave details of their species. Some of you may even have read it. It was a fluff piece, I suppose, never intended to do any harm, but the information in the article was false. It stated that if a certain ritual was performed on a new moon, a Mimic Demon might be summoned. The truth of the matter is, that if anyone had performed that ritual under the new moon we're going to be graced with tomorrow night, they wouldn't summon a Mimic Demon. They'd bind them. In servitude for a thousand years. Our good friends and faithful protectors have therefore abandoned us for their home plane, unwilling to stay here and risk being bound against their will, when they are unable to break the binding magic. The Oligarchy is vulnerable. Risk stands unprotected. We no longer have an unbreachable line of defense in this city. Anyone old enough or masses rabid enough could breach us, once they hear of this news. I want your thoughts on how you all feel we should proceed."
Kerr pulled his chair close and sat in it at last, surrendering the floor and thereby allowing others to stand and say their piece or ask questions. He'd barely skimmed the surface of the information he had to give but the heart of the problem had been stated. Essentially, all they had to decide now was how to continue forward, rather than worrying about looking back, but he doubted anyone would immediately leap upon that, while they were still processing the facts. Truthfully, he'd asked plenty of questions himself, while in closed discussions with Bralik over the last hour.
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As soon as Kerr declared that they were undefended against all enemies because the Mimics had gone, Quin took the moment's pause that Kerr gave them and stood. He could feel a number of eyes on him, but that didn't matter. He moved out of the way of his chair, didn't bother to push it in, and walked out of the meeting. He supposed he could've said "I resign" or words to that effect, but he really didn't want to make a scene - he just wanted to leave.
Quin walked the length of the table (because he'd sat himself quite close to the head, only three down), and to the double doors at the end. He hadn't noticed the lack of Mimics around, they were more subtle that one could properly realise, but it was likely because he was almost always sloshed. Right now he wasn't in his cups, he was dead sober, and he intended to hide himself away at home and have a drink while the rest of the Oligarchy sorted itself out (if there was to be one).
Feeling eyes at his back, but not caring, he opened the left hand door from the double set and slipped out.
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She watched the vampire explain what he seemed to think was his dire situation without empathy. Next to her, the Fae walked out. Good riddance, too. Let all of the mongrels leave the city - the fewer demons, fae, and vampires the better. Why should she care about these monsters? Nothing but a nuisance anyway in her book.
With the grace of her species and an impatience that was all her own, Zoheret stood and waited until all of the eyes of the board were on her - or at least the ones that mattered. "I don't see what the big problem is," she stated brutishly. If any eyes had landed on her, she had ignored their incredious looks. "You are all immortals, after all. Don't tell me you've been relying on those creatures to keep your personal safety?" She gave a bitter bit of laughter. "You're all lords of the city, rulers of the night! You are the defense of this city. And you're afraid of a few uprisings, Luminary? Squash them. It's as simple as that." She sat down and returned to her cross position that she had found herself in before, glaring daggers down the table for this ridiculous disruption by this cur.
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Jake was ashamed of Quin as he left and made quite the face as the coward exited. Jake was rarely wrong about people, but Quin had always seemed more brave. Jake was not unconcerned, but viewed this as a minor setback, not a total failure of government. He stood as the dark angel finished. He'd never met her but liked her style and her bravery.
"I agree with Zoheret," He stated. "The mimic demons were not our only tools. We still have a large number of very powerful and very old vampires who are faithful to us and especially to you Kerr. I expect challenges, but none that we can not crush if we act quickly. Most people who would challenge us are like the Sabbat, mad rabbles of fools with a vision and little real power."
He sat, waiting for people to respond to his statement.
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The news of the mimic demons' departure struck Conner hard, leaving a sour taste in his mouth. He agreed with Kerr in that their lines of defense were no longer unbreachable, and it worried him for a number of reasons. Chief among them was the fear that now the Tremere might feel it within their power to take him from the city by force. No time for that, though. He pushed it from his mind, realizing he'd fallen still and had developed the thousand-yard stare. His best option was the same as before; serve the Oligarchy, keep it strong.
In a moment of silence, he stood and waited to be acknowledged. When eyes turned to him, he took it as tacit permission to begin speaking.
"Before we proceed further, I'd like to give a brief status report. I've already issued orders for all of our agents, active and inactive, to return to the Chambers immediately and report in," he stated crisply, falling back on the ingrained hierarchical behaviors he'd learned as fledgling. "In the next two to three hours, all but the last stragglers should be reporting in. Beyond that, the perimeter enchantments that will notify us of supernaturals leaving or entering our borders are making progress. Within several weeks time, they should be in place. This should provide us with additional security from outside dangers. As things stand within the city, no large groups seem to be a threat at the moment. I'll be sure to brief everyone should that information change."
Looking directly at Kerr now, he continued. "There seems to be no immediate reason, to my knowledge, that we should be concerned about our ability to hold the city. Even without the mimics, we are a formidable organization with formidable resources. If you like, I can have a list of potential peacekeepers on your desk by dawn."
Conner sat again, nodding slightly to Jake in a belated greeting as he did so, hoping his information would be received well.
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Dominik lightly tapped his fingers against the table thoughtfully, running past what the disappearance of the mimic demons would mean. Yes, they could be attacked by another group wanting to take control of the city. But it sounded like Connor was all over that, they would have fair warning if anything like that happened. Dominik didn't usually pay much attention to the vampire politics in the city - but there had been a lot of vampires at that ball. Even if their outside defences were strong and warnings were in place out beyond the city, what about those inside? Dominik had no idea if any of them would be interested in attempting to take over though. He couldn't see the appeal in launching a battle against a ruling force when things seemed to be working well as they were. But it had happened throughout history, it would happen again.
But vampire politics aside in relation to his side of the job… the cages downstairs were strong and they rarely had problems, but woven with magic. Demonic magic. Without that to strengthen them the cages may well give way. With the systems and routines they had in place most werewolves were somewhat sedate during their night in the Oligarchy - but if one got worked up, one got out, it could stir up the others and all hell would break loose.
He waited until a few people had given their input before standing up himself, still pressing his fingers against the table, the tips white with pressure and his grey eyes focused on Kerr.
“You said that the ritual must be performed on a new moon. Is there any chance the mimic demons will return once the new moon is past and then return to safety each month?” It worked for the werewolves, but Dominik had no doubt there could be many variables at play with this demonic ritual. He sat again to wait for the response to his question, clasping his hands together as he waited. If the mimic demons didn't come back there were going to have to be some huge changes and Kerr's words hadn't even had the slightest glimmer of hope in them, but it was worth considering perhaps. He'd never been all that politically minded, he did his job which had fallen into his lap through hard work rather than him trying to raise himself politically.
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[ooc] How many are paying attention? [/ooc]
At the same time, in the penthouse suite of the Capital apartment building:
Ash closed the door after his sire's visit and was furious. It took him quite a while to wind down, in fact, and even after an hour of pacing and re-living the conversation between them, he couldn't stand it any longer and just had to vent.
"Fuck you very much, Kerr, for the fucking warning!" he screamed up at the ceiling.
Even though Kerr was busy with his political stuff, and they'd not really kept in contact all that much as a result, and their relationship had minimilised to simply texting every so often, he still considered Kerr a friend. Tonight he'd been blindsided by his sire's appearance in the city (which he should've felt, but at his age he couldn't tell distances so well), and then found out that Isaac and Kerr had had themselves a cosy conversation at the Oligarchy Chambers!
He grabbed his mobile off its charger and texted furiously, pressing send before re-reading what he'd written, before flinging the phone across the room where it impacted the wall and then fell harmlessly to the carpet - surprisingly still intact.
Kerr would receive the text in the next few seconds: What the hell is going on? I only just found out!
-
Vomas pressed his lips together thinly. The very creatures that held their organization together had been disappearing for nights and no one had thought it worth telling him before Kerr returned? What if Kerr hadn't returned and he'd continued on as acting Luminary until they were able to find a suitable replacement? Would Bralik have left without saying anything to him, leaving him to discover they'd been left vulnerable only when they were moved against?
And the Mimic Demons' leader wasn't the only guilty one. Even Kerr hadn't had the decency to take him aside before the meeting and warn him what it'd be about. It wouldn't have taken but a moment to do so, and it would've allowed Vomas a chance to sort through his thoughts on the matter away from all his fellow council members' blathering.
Even though they were only talking one at a time (at least Kerr had possessed the foresight to ensure that), Vomas was struggling to focus both on what they were saying and his own thoughts - primarily because everything they had to say forced his brain to screeching halt just so he could marvel at how short-sighted and ignorant they were. Did they really think all the Ancients and powerful creatures who had declared allegiance to them would remain loyal supporters once they found out their defenses had been shattered?
Despite his strong desire to point out how naive they were being, Vomas remained silent on the matter. He, like Dominik, had questions that needed to be answered first.
"And what of the reporter? Do they know anything else that would be damning to us?" he asked after standing. The moment he decided to take the floor, he'd established eye contact with Kerr, and he maintained it even after he sat down again.
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When Kerr's phone beeped, he heard it and felt it vibrate in his pocket. He considered ignoring it but thoughts of Ben or Ichabod in trouble spurred him to look at the screen, just in case (even though they were more likely to call or he'd have felt some disturbance along their blood connection if they were truly in danger). What he read in Ash's message panicked him enough that he unlocked the device and replied, 'How did you find out already?? Who else knows?? Is there any trouble brewing?!' as fast as his dextrous fingers would go. As visions of information and security breaches danced in his head, the last Oligarch got up to speak and he looked up, returning his attention to the proceedings at hand.
Internally, Kerr cringed when Vomas broached the subject he'd been pleased that everyone - up to that point - had avoided but he stoically got to his feet when it seemed everyone had had their initial say (except for Tau, who looked like he didn't have much to say anyway and was happy just sitting and watching from his seat) and they were looking to him to answer the questions that he'd wanted, impulsively, to answer as soon as they'd been voiced, but he'd restrained himself out of respect. He looked at each person he spoke to as he addressed their comment and he deliberately did it in reverse order so that the things he said first, hopefully, maintained less momentum and impact as he continued on.
"The reporter was questioned by one of our own spies at the behest of the Mimics the night the article was released. He was supplied the false information by another source and was pleased to have made a thousand dollars for his submission, that was about all they found out. He didn't do the research himself and didn't pose any danger to the demons, so he has remained relatively ignorant to the magnitude of the wrong he has done. The demons didn't see punishment as necessary, due to the general ignorance that perpetrated this act; it wasn't a purposeful sabotage, it was... an accident."
His gaze slid smoothly off Vomas and onto Dominik. "The Mimics will return in a thousand years or so. As far as I understand it, they can't come and go between their plane of existence and ours easily, but I suppose they can find their way back here after a certain amount of time. I don't know for sure. I do know that they were summoned here originally by Halen, using dragon magic," he said pointedly, hoping to inject a little sensationalism into the meeting with this fact (and avoid answering questions he was hoping would be forgotten because of it).
Kerr's final point of address was directed at the first three board members who'd spoken, his gaze drifting between them all respectively. "Conner, I thank you for your prompt response in withdrawing our active agents, I feared greatly for their safety in compromising situations with no backup to call on if there was trouble. With all due respect, though, without your sources splayed to where they're needed most, you won't be able to inform us if any of the groups that hold us in their esteem for any reason decide to move against us. We're blind, and deaf and we won't know until it's too late. Jake, you say that we have allegiances and that our potential enemies would be squashed easily if we move quickly but against who? Who do we attack to assert our dominance? And, my lady Zoheret, how? Do you have an army in your pocket with which to squash the uprisings? Do you plan to stand in a line with us, bearing a sword and facing down an ancient vampire who might be able to make you do things against your will far more easily than I could?"
To prove his point and wake the fallen angel up to the danger they faced, he pressed into her mind without warning, hard and fast, injecting a desire for her to reach up and slap her own face. He'd never explored the mind of a divine being before and he found it didn't work like a mortal's (unsurprisingly) but he did his best and didn't wait to see whether the result was as much as a slap or as little as a finger twitch - or nothing at all. The fact was, in the scheme of things he wasn't particularly powerful and he went on to make that point, fisting his hands and leaning on his knuckles as he looked around the table at everyone.
"To be blunt, on my return flight to the city tonight, I was planning my resignation simply because of what happened before I left the city; I proved how ineffectual I am in the face of ancient power. And now I do fear for my personal safety. Whether we like it or not, when we chose to stand on a council that controlled the supernatural behaviours in this city, we placed ourselves in positions of contempt and scorn to many. Personally, I've presided over cases where I've doled out punishments to vampires older and far more powerful than me because they broke the rules that we imposed. They hated it and they hated me. We were safe to do that though, because the Mimic Demons stood up to every power brought before us and could match it. We were never in danger.
"Now our force is gone and there are likely to be a lot of very pissed off supernaturals out there who bear a grudge against me for humiliating them. I'm a miniscule four hundred years old; most of them would chew me up and spit me out without a second thought! So yes, I do have some very real fears about what might come at us because we won't be warned, we aren't armed and I need you all now to think about the actions you've performed under the umbrella of the Oligarchy, with an unbeatable force behind you and consider very seriously where you stand now, with nothing but the supernaturals you count as friends to back you up. Also, think about the people we employ, everyone in this building, to whom we owe protection. Can we really stay safely snuggled here, going about our council business and imposing our rules upon those with superior powers and expect we'll remain intact? What sort of 'peacekeeper' force can we summon by dawn that could bear up against the potential uprising that could happen tonight - and I have some very real concerns that that could happen!" he warned, holding up his phone pointedly.
He sat down abruptly, tired of hearing his ever-rising voice, knowing he was getting louder as he grew more passionate. Yes, he was scared, and he couldn't understand how they could sit inside this fairy floss castle and feel that everything would be alright, as long as they banded together. He counted most of them as friends, but he gave more credit to the enemies he'd made, unfortunately.
-
Kerr's words sunk into Jake like a hot knife. The part about enemies made disturbed him, and only one thought pervaded his brain.
Lazarus...
Jake had suceded in pissing off the most ancient vampire he'd ever met very early on, and although he was sure Lazarus had long forgotten him, what if he hadn't? Jake had Sam to think about, Scott to care for and look after. In truth, Jake had dispensed quick and brutal judgement on many old and powerful vampires with the mimics at his back. His bravado wounded, he turned his gaze from Kerr's eyes. The Anarch thought what to do. He couldn't flee like that coward Quin, but he couldn't fight as if he had nothing to lose. He had a family to look after. This was quite a bind. Jake's mind raced quickly. He thought how other governments stayed in power when their military - although Jake thought the mimics were far more - was gone. He rose slower this time, unsure of what to say, but feeling as though something should be spoken.
"I don't know what's best for this city in the long run," he began. "However, we should take some time to identify our most likely attackers if we know them. Whatever we decide to do for the city won't happen if we are all dead in a week. If we all ran and left town those supernaturals who are potentially after us would follow. We need a emergency plan for the next few weeks until a more long term solution can be put in place."
He sat in his chair and looked towards the wood on his desk. He whipped out his phone and sent Sam and Scott the same message. With the possibility that Lazarus could use either of them as leverage or revenge he had to make sure they were safe. He made sure to look up if anyone spoke and log what they were saying as they said it. However, he would then go back to texting. He typed this into his phone.
Run my children. Leave now.
-
The 'received message' tone caught his attention and curiosity enough for him to stride over and pick the phone up. Kerr's message, filled with question marks as they were, conveyed the other's surprise at being found out. Good, Ash thought vindictively, and texted Kerr back.
Isaac told me himself. You better believe there's trouble.
-
A thousand years? Well, that definitely wasn’t going to be much help to them. But knowing was better than waiting around wondering if they might show up. His fingers twitched towards his phone as others in the room sent messages to their loved ones, or perhaps gave orders. His gaze settled on Tau, wondering what the shifter would do about his family, his cubs he had to keep safe. Dominik hadn’t had to worry about his family for a long time, but now he had Carrie and Hannah. If they left, where would they go? Carrie couldn’t survive in the forest as he had done when he was young, and Hannah needed her mother. And Kerr was right, there were others too. People who worked for him, people who had become friends, pupils.
This was their home and all they had done, all of the Oligarchy members, was do what was best for their city. But that would be no argument against those who thought they had had done wrong against them, as Kerr was talking about now. Those older vampires Kerr spoke of, and rouge werewolves or families who had lost members because of Dominik’s rulings for him. For each council member there would be an equivalent.
He gazed at Jake as the vampire spoke of identifying likely attackers. Yes, there could be plenty of those, but it might take them a while to discover what had happened and rally against them. Or as Kerr said it could happen in a few hours. They should be concerned about gathering those who were loyal to them first of all – figuring out who that was, starting with the most important.
Dominik fixed his eyes on Kerr as he stood.
“Kerr, would you want to stand and try to remain as we are? If we can gather a force to help protect what has been worked for? If enough of us will fight that we might stand a chance? You just said you were considering resigning, that you are all but useless in the face of what could come. So would you stay and try to work through this or are you leaving us?”
-
She was about to stand and point out to the Luminary that the Oligarchs needed no army, that all they needed was to defend themselves against any insurrection. No one was going to stand up to them. She was about to mention that there was nothing to worry about and that the council was an inconsiderate waste of everyone’s time. She was about to fly across the table and give Kerr a touch of her mind when he had reached into hers instead.
In all of her earthly days she had never been mentally invaded. Living under God, there was always His gentle presence watching in her mind and it was something that was relatable to breathing – so natural that she never really noticed unless He wanted her to. But this invasion by this despicable undead cur had been much different – rough and much like what she imagined rape would feel like. Zoheret felt her hand move without her consent and rise to touch her face with more force than a caress, though Kerr’s desire to have her slap herself fell far short of actuality. There was a light tap as her fingers connected with her cheek that she was sure the other Oligarchs could have heard with their supernatural senses, but the Angel let nothing else happen. She glanced around to see whether any of the other Oligarchs had noticed this infringement and was thankful when even the Luminary looked away. Had she been mortal, her delicate cheeks would have filled with a light pink. As it were, she looked down embarrassed.
Inside she fumed with anger, though the only thing that reached her face was a poorly hidden version of the fright she felt at having been unwillingly controlled to do the vampire’s bidding in striking herself. If she hadn’t been in such a state of shock, she would have struck out at the Luminary with everything she had. Instead her new sobriety made her feel foolish and forced her beautiful lips to remain clamped shut while the others spoke with words she couldn’t concentrate on.
Surely if she had defied the Creator, she could win in a battle with any demonic creature that came her way, right? To Hell with these vile beasts would coveted power in this city! She had never made such enemies with her commands – she had been as well respected in the city as she had been in Heaven, and there was nothing that she needed to fear from her people. It was the others that had to be smote, not her and her own. If there was to be a war amongst the vampires and other cretins of this world, so be it – she had no problem sitting back and watching this city burn itself to the ground, especially not that the Luminary had proved himself to be an effective leader.
-
Vomas, in a rare display of annoyance, sat back abruptly in his chair and shook his head as Kerr moved on to address Dominik's question. Why had he even bothered? Of course everything was alright because the Mimic Demons had determined the reporter wasn't a threat to them - not the Oligarchy, not to any of the council, but to them. And it was just a coincidence that the reporter had been provided information that had, regardless of his original intent, sent them scampering back to whatever plane they'd crawled out of, leaving them unprotected and squabbling over how they should proceed.
Like Zoheret next to him, Vomas remained silent, internally fuming and wondering how he could continue working under a leader who dismissed him so readily. But perhaps it'd been stupid to expect more from someone who'd fled from the problems he'd created for himself and left someone else to handle them.
Yes, tell us, he thought nastily to himself, will you flee again, Kerr?
-
Conner, having said his bit and feeling rather squashed by all the powerful people around him, wasn't doing much talking; he was doing a lot of listening, though. What he heard were what-ifs and maybe-we-could positions. That, he could help with. It was his job, after all, to provide this council with the information they required to do their jobs. He pulled out his phone, having finally gotten the hang of texting although he still hated it, and began sending a barrage of messages to his staff.
A moment later, his phone began blinking with the alerts for the responses from the messages he'd sent. The orders had been received and were being executed; summary and detail reports would be prepared as soon as possible. New information came with the confirmations, including one bit he found particularly disturbing. He shot to his feet, indignation and anger clear on his face. He barely waited to be acknowledged by the group before speaking.
"Luminary," he started, then slowed himself abruptly. If Kerr hadn't mentioned anything about it, he may have had it done in secrecy himself. "Are you aware of the status of the library, and the reason for the disappearance of our entire collection of relics, books, and supernatural artifacts?" He charged on, now that he was up. He hated standing in front of the entire group of them like this, so he just got it all out at once. "Also, as for the Oligarchy being deaf and blind, I was following your orders in recalling my agents. My agents are capable of handling themselves in their assigned roles, and some of them may have breached cover to return tonight. However, they have been temporarily reassigned to provide extra security for the Oligarchy itself for the time being, if that bolsters your immediate sense of safety. I've also sent several of my most perceptive and subtle agents to discern this reporter's sources."
He opened a tiny hole in his shields and sent a very private, quiet thought to Kerr, knocking on his mental shields as one might knock on a door to request admission. Stop panicking. Keep calm and assess the situation. We are only as strong as we think our leadership is.
"As I'm not an Oligarch," he finished, glancing around the room with an exceptionally jaded expression, "I think that's about all I have to contribute. Although we definitely need a new head of security." He sat abruptly, staring at his phone as messages continued to pour in, and began replying as fast as he could without muddling the words beyond comprehensibility.
-
Kerr managed a small smile for Jake, appreciating his candour and giving him a nod of acknowledgement; yes, a standby plan was exactly what they needed. He and Jake attended to their phones at the same time and Kerr's heart sank.
How far away is it? How big are we talking? Will there be time to evacuate the building - there are a lot of innocent people here, I NEED SPECIFICS FAST!!
He looked up from sending this message back to Ash and gave Dominik a pensive look, batting down a slight surge of resentment in favour of fair consideration. It was a precursor to Conner's speech, however and when he stood next, it was as stoically as he could (considering the most recent mental message he'd received).
"I'm aware of many things, not all of which I've told you yet, as I was wanting to stick to the core of the matter. There's no need to search for the source of the information, Conner; it's Ben, my partner. While we were in Austria, he found a book containing the incorrect information and sent it to his friend, Murphy, who published it. I've been charged with recovering that book as soon as possible. When I get some time tonight, I'll schedule a turnabout flight and keep that promise to Bralik. As for the books, the relics, the artefacts, my leadership... they're somewhat entertwined," he admitted, placing his phone on the desk and sliding his hands into his pockets as he looked at everyone in turn. His gaze settled on Vomas and stayed there.
"Recently, I experienced quite the crisis of faith and, feeling I'd let the Oligarchy - all of you - down, I walked away to get some perspective. I need to acknowledge the fantastic work you all did in my stead, none more so than Vomas. Had I not returned tonight, he would have been burdened with everything Bralik had to give and I have every confidence he'd have done as sterling a job as he did at being Luminary. Thank you, my friend; what you've done means more than words can adequately express right now." He gave Vomas a sad smile, sorry that there hadn't been time to tell him everything before the meeting and inexpressibly grateful for the support he was. His gaze wandered onward as he continued, alighting on everyone in the room.
"I learned a very important lesson while I was away. Ben was almost killed by an ancient who tormented him in recent years and when he was taken, I went after them. I wasn't good enough, didn't have any hope of succeeding against a man who could kill me as easily as looking at me, but I went anyway, because it didn't make sense not to fight for someone I love. I should've done better for you all after the ball, but I didn't know better until I'd had some time apart from the job. I never asked for any role in this organisation you see, I was blackmailed into it and had the leadership thrust on me by the Mimics, because they admired my character. I've never fought for the Oligarchy in any way. When you ask me now if I'll lead I tell you this; I won't, because I think we all need to stand together, somehow, all of us equal.
"But with that in mind... Bralik performed a little slice of magic at my behest tonight. Fearing the Oligarchy's time had come, I asked him if he could secure its most sacred and dangerous objects - mostly thinking that they might be turned against us or destroyed. Because they'd been Halen's precious belongings, he agreed and the entire collection has been stored in a dimensional vault somewhere, on some plane. I'm the only way to access it and I'm to put the book Ben read about the Mimics in as soon as I get it." As he spoke, he unbuttoned his shirt, moved his tie aside and parted the lapels to show everyone in the room a dark thumbprint that was burned onto his solar plexus, twisting until they'd all seen it. "I go through a little ritual and it opens... apparently. I haven't tried it yet and Bralik impressed upon me that I should always extend great caution when entering the plane. Also, only I may enter and leave, though I can retrieve and deposit items at will."
He righted his clothing as he let those bits of information sink in, but he had more to say.
"The thing is... I really believe that the Oligarchy, as it stood, is no more. I believe we're going to have to forge a new way forward. I do want to fight and I want to be an example, sacrifice myself for the sake of those I care about if it comes to that... but we can't afford to be the city's moral compass any more. Not without means of enforcement. That can no longer be our role. I'm interested in overseeing the supernatural lives in the city in some capacity but the motivation behind it would be to protect the non-supernaturals more than to police those that would do as they deem fit, now that there's not always something as big and strong imposing rules upon them. Things might get a little reckless and I definitely don't want to be involved in another apocalypse. What resources you have available to you, Conner, might be necessary to protect the innocent more than us. Perhaps we all should think about what roles would best suit us, in a freeform society, and retreat out of it for a short time, until everything has settled down?" he proposed.
When sitting, he reclaimed his phone, staring worriedly at it for his answer. Isaac was in this building; God knew what state they'd all be in if a guest (powerful and insightful as he was) such as he had already heard of trouble brewing.
-
Ash re-read the message a number of times before deciding Kerr had sent it to the wrong person. He couldn't associate his ire at Kerr for keeping Isaac a secret with this message whatsoever. Obviously something big was going down at the Oligarchy right now, if Kerr was sending messages about potentially evacuating the place. Wow. He had a little more respect for Kerr now, and figured he should cut his friend some slack for not thinking about warning him that Isaac was in town.
Feeling a lot calmer but still a little miffed, Ash replied back:
You sent this message to me instead of whoever you meant to. I'll leave you to deal with whatever you've got going down, but when you get a chance we really should talk.
There, he was quite proud of himself for taking the higher ground. Ash walked with his phone over to his sofa and flopped down on it, waiting for Kerr's next text while he stared out at the city lights. He liked being ignorant of all the threats that affected it, because he felt pretty safe with Kerr at the helm and his sire in the city (who was by now walking back to the Chambers and would probably find out the problem whether he liked it or not).
-
Jake became agitated and angry at finding out Kerr's impish child had caused this mess. Ben, was always skulking around the Oligarchy, never making friends, never contributing. Jake saw him as someone who only took; from Kerr, from the Oligarchy, from everyone. To think, that had Kerr's stupid child not read lies from a book the Oligarchy would still be an undisputed ruler of the city. Jake would still have a fucking job! He admired and respected Kerr, but this admission, although brave for it's honesty, darkened the ties that had bound the men over two years prior.
A slightly personal knife (and perhaps Jake's primary reason for hating Ben) was know twisting inside Jake's heart. A part of him had always found Kerr attractive, found him pleasing to the conversation. He liked Kerr as a man in addition to a leader. He'd even kissed him foolishly one night, and been utterly rejected for Ben. Had the child been some sort of genius, or great power, or hell even a nice person Jake would have accepted his defeat with grace. This idiot didn't even deserve to have immortality in Jakes eyes.
He stewed as Kerr threw in the white towel. The Oligrachy was no more. Kerr had said it. Jake knew that there was not another fit to lead them present who could pick up Kerr's sword and keep the now dead politically body alive. Other groups of older, meaner vampires would make their claims, and the city would fall to darkness and despair. For who could lead that people would also want to follow? The dark angel cared nothing for other races or for the problems of humans. Vomas was a talented politician, but in Jake's eyes a coward unable to strike the mortal blow needed to rule. Quin was a disgrace, the demon Oligarch hadn't even bothered to show up and vampires would never submit to the rule of either shifter. Then there was him. Jake knew he could lead vampires. He'd done it before. However he was unpopular among the demons, dark angels and fae. Even amongst his own kind he had sway with those who identified as having a clan more so than Cattiff. Jake was not fit to lead. They were doomed. It was all because of Kerr's offspring. It was all because Kerr had made a choice. It was all because of Kerr.
Jake pressed his lips together, worried that neither of his children had messaged him back. He rose, again at a loss for words, but needing to end the awful silence that had overtaken the room after Kerr's proclamation.
"I am a military man. I am at my best when I am fighting someone who seeks to kill humans or other supernaturals. I should be out fighting. I admit I was not the best Oligarch. I was never meant to be one. If this city needs someone to protect humans and other supernaturals then I and those who choose to aid me will commit ourselves to that purpose. I herby resign from the Oligarchy and commit to forming a group committed to protecting people from supernatural forces that seek to harm them. I will return to the Anarchs, who have a sizable number in this city. They will help me start."
Jake sat, hoping that his last words as an Oligarch would be received well by those he'd counted as his peers and friends. He hid is gaze from Kerr, too angry at his friend to look at him without showing his disdain. He sent a warm feeling to Conner, hoping it would be returned. He needed his best friend to stand by him, and if anyone was going to aid him in protecting people both human and supernatural he hoped it would be Conner.
-
While the men spoke, Zoheret remained stewing in her fury, her embarrassment by Kerr's doing, and the annoyance of listening to these animals who thought of themselves as men. Every word that Kerr muttered at the front of the table was like a slow churn of the cauldron of her hatred of this council and the bastards who thought they ran it:
The spineless Dominik, who couldn't even protect his own partner from being trampled by Kerr's drunkard nature, let alone feel as though he could stand without him.
The coward Fae, who couldn't even sit through the meeting to hear the fate of his people.
Zeus, the mongrel demon who had no respect for this council to begin with - hence his absence. Damnable beast!
That shifter beast, Tau, who constantly appeared to be of in some world where watching others decide was an Olympic sport.
The brat vampire who couldn't even figure out his own opinions of the city in which he reigned.
And then there was Cur, the Luminary who sat there apologizing for his young lover and his own actions. The Luminary whom, when things "got tough", had fled to a distant country to sleep with his concubines in comfort. It was Cur that let his young whelps have the reigns when he should have been sorting things out back in the city. It was Cur who now threw himself headfirst into the symbol of the only savior of the city's Good. With his ritual, he could prevent more Evil. With his sword he could help clean up the mess he made!
She, however, was not buying any of it. If Cur had only stood his ground like he was supposed to, perhaps they woulkdn't have been in this predictament. Perhaps they wouldn't be all afluster.
"The Oligarch of Fae. The Oligarch for Vampire. And even the Luminary. Who will be the next to fall, I wonder? Tell me, Gentleman," she began very slowly with poison in her voice, her body firmly in her chair and tightly tensed in an attempt to keep her own anger in. "If none of you were fit for the job of an Oligarch," and at this point her eyes landed on Cur, "why did you all feel it necessary to fake your way through the job in the first place?"
Her grin was dry as she spoke directly to the ex-Luminary. "And I promise, cur," she emphasized from her seat as she shot daggers at the vampire, "if you invade my mind again, I will ensure that it will be one of the last things you ever do. The same goes for the rest of the council." She smiled at the ex-luminary, knowing he had no more power over her if his resignation was true. Not that the Mimic demons were there to back him up even if it wasn't.
-
What?? It was meant for you! What sort of trouble are you talking about, then?? Kerr texted back to Ash, realising that there was a miscommunication at play here. That was both baffling and reassuring.
He listened as Jake spoke his piece and then looked disapprovingly at Zoheret as she spoke from her ass. Just as he'd requested not happen; how mature of her. Then again, she was likely pissy because he'd rattled her, so she could have her tantrum in any flavour she liked. He stood and made a show of bowing towards her, his expression a mockery of apology and sincerity as he said, "As you wish, my lady. I think you'll find we all faked our way through the job due to a sense of duty and honour. I'd like to think so, anyway."
Turning, he looked at Jake, uncertain why he couldn't make direct eye contact with him, but persisting anyway because his message was for his ex-Oligarch and friend regardless. "That's what Jake's displaying. If you're willing to make that committment, I'm willing to support you and stand beside you as necessary. I pledge all the Oligarchy's resources will be at your disposal because supernatural humility and mortal protection is our priority now, in any capacity we can achieve it. Do you want the building?" he asked and then sat.
-
Conner had heard more than enough. Fears of the Camarilla, or worse, the Tremere, entering the city and taking control before Jake could establish an Anarch stronghold rattled him. Anger that so many powerful figures would cave so easily; rage at Zoheret, one of the least powerful Oligarchs present, would speak to Kerr in such a manner threatened to overtake him. Jake's resignation, Quin's departure, Zoheret's arrogance, Kerr's willful defeatism was too much for him to deal with in a civil manner. Vomas was beyond annoyed, even Conner could tell that; most of the others looked fearful or discomfited.
"That is enough of all that!" he barked, bolting to his feet, not giving Jake a chance to respond. Fear of authority had deserted him; at this point, any power held was as tenuous as his own. When it came down to it, his authority was a lot less tenuous than the Oligarch's, as he was still in charge of one of the most important resources at their disposal. "I've heard enough. Zoheret, you bitch. You filthy, arrogant bitch. What power do you have while this council tears itself apart with fear and panic? Will you cause me pain? Will you try to blight me with your magic? I dare you to try; I guess that you know my powers far exceed your own, and I am not as humane as Kerr. So sit down and shut up. You may speak when spoken to. No wonder your God threw you down to the streets like the ungrateful whore you are."
Next, he rounded on Jake. "Give up that easily, will you? Abandon the Oligarchy because we might actually have to fight? This had better not be a grab for power, or...." He cut the sentence off before he would regret it. "Your talents are better suited to ensuring that the Oligarchy stays safe, stays strong, than leading it. You're not a peaceful man, Jake. You and I both know that."
Kerr was the next to be called out, and he did so with a vengeance. "And you. You would step down, disband the Oligarchy, hand it over with a sigh? What about the agents who trusted you, the employees who rely on you? Because I have no intention of stepping down from my post because my job got a little more dangerous. There are too many people who look to me for direction and, in that direction, security. That goes many times over for you. No, we are no longer undefeatable, but there are other spells that can control or banish demons. Any absolute safety you felt by having the mimic demons on our side was false in the first place. This changes little," he treated the entire group to a blazing, furious glower at this point. "Cowards and fools if you think that running will hide you from your enemies. To the last, you need to look around you. Disbanding this government would be anarchy and chaos. The secrecy of our kind, all our kinds, would be in grave jeopardy. Then would come the outsiders, some for power, others to keep the secret. So grow a set of spines, collectively, and use your heads."
Fury on his face, he ran a hand through his hair and sat down. "If anyone here thinks to censure me for my words, think twice about whether I still answer to any of you. You're in the process right now of removing that authority from yourselves. So remember, you'll sleep in the beds you make tonight."
-
She gave a chuckle of laughter as Cur threw around the words 'duty' and 'honor' as if he knew what it was he was saying. Now this vampire who abandoned not only his kind, but also his council when things got complicated or his heart was too overburdened by embarassment was trying to give her a word or two on duty and honor? That was laughable!
She had been about to inform them all that she would still remain the supreme ruler of her people in this city as the Oligarch, and that to do so was her duty. Not gathering at some private crying festival where everyone could gather and try to bolster Cur's self-esteem or to watch resignations, but then Conner opened his mouth to offend her. Throughout his tirade of trying to smash her image on his mighty rock of richeousness, Zoheret simply smiled at the description of herself. His description of her Fall was in no way original and it simply made her eyebrow perk and the smile to widen on her face. Men. Whether they were dead or alive, they were always the same.
"You attempt to offend me while the leaders you choose sit there wallowing in their resignations? How funny! Yet how ungrateful you are to be looking at one of the only Oligarchs who have not decided to give up without a fight? What do you all think will happen once the press catches wind that three Oligarchs and the Luminary have all decided to resign at the same time, so shortly after the Mimic Demons have left? To me that makes the city a prime target for invasion and insurrection. There is no defense if the Oligarchy doesn't stand. At least with it's members here, we have the chance to defend our races instead of running away with our tails between our legs like dogs!" She sat back down in a huff, not meaning for her voice to get as passionate as it did. This council was starting to become very taxing to her composure.
-
"I plan on defending all races, even yours you know it all bitch!"
Jake was standing with his gaze fixed on Zoheret. His dread ability had switched on and was now flooding the room. He didn't know if anyone in the room would be affected by it, but he hoped with all his might it would give Zoehert even a moment of pause. He was no fool and was a force to be dealt with. He was not be called a coward and would not be accused of running away. He kept his fangs hidden, as to display them to some supernaturals meant he was throwing the gauntlet outright.
"I don't have to defend myself to such a perverted, warped and pathetic creature as you." His tone was like venom. His eyes were black as onyx. "You lost, misguided abomination, you were made in God's image with almost unlimited power. After the fall you are a mere shadow. I could kill you at any time. Any of the four vampires in this room could do it. How does that make you feel? To be so weakened and powerless that something made by a curse from God could force you to slit your own throat or set yourself on fire? How does that feel you fucking bitch?"
He turned to Conner. "Conner you know I'm not giving up. I'm fighting for us all, just in a different sort of way. Be peaceful towards me friend. I will need you in all of this. You know me better than any. You know that I take no joy in power."
Finally he looked to Kerr. His anger was dropped by the time he locked eyes with the former Luminary. "I want, no I need, all the help your willing to provide. You are still my Luminary in my heart if nothing else."
He bowed to Kerr slightly and locked sad, anxious, scared eyes. He was angry with him. He was still hating him, but loving that he had faith in him. He was grateful that Kerr had faith in him, wanted to help him. After all they'd been through it was nice to know Kerr still trusted him. It was nice to feel.
-
When Kerr finally acknowledged (and in a very public way) the work he'd done when he'd taken over for him as Luminary, it was like a bucket of cold water had been thrown onto hot embers, but it didn't extinguish the guilt he felt for being so petty. He'd been overly concerned with receiving his proper due that he'd been blinded to what needed to be done. They all had, though for varying reasons, and it needed to be remedied before things got out of hand.
Vomas stood, straightened the cuffs of his jacket, and looked at each of them until finally, he felt he had their attention. He wished he could remain there until their anger dissipated, but he suspected it would only grow if he made them wait too long.
"I have a proposal," he said, leaning forward and resting his open palms on the surface of the long table they sat around. "The Oligarchy, in my mind, was formed for one purpose: to ensure we remained hidden from human eyes. I propose we continue that, if not in the capacity we have, then at the very least we make certain that supernatural mistakes - and they will happen - are taken care of... Cleaned up, if you will. I would gladly lead such efforts."
He returned to his seat, hoping that he'd broken the loop of anger-ridden comments being flung about, but believing that he might've just opened himself up to be ridiculed.
-
"Look," Kerr said with a tinge of exasperation as he stood and looked at Jake and Conner, "if you are all keen to keep things going as they are, that can be accommodated but, gentlemen, we don't need to attack one another! Show the lady Zoheret a lot more respect and acknowledge, please, that we are all working towards the same goal, even if we don't say things the same way or have the strong force behind us we used to have. What I'm seeing here is passion still burning for the task ahead of us, and I think it's wonderful but name-calling is not constructive at the very least and highly destructive at the most!"
He looked at Vomas. "Your proposal has great merit and it seems to me that everyone agrees, mostly. So tell me," he turned and looked at everyone present in turn, "how do you see all of this happening? Do we, in fact, remain in this building rather than evacuating it tonight and continue with our roles as we see fit? Just fighting off attacks as they happen? I'd thought it might be safer to disperse, as this place is a bloody obvious target and we couldn't, for instance, defend it against a strong-willed ancient with a force behind them. Not yet, anyway. Somewhere smaller, with less vulnerable mortals and the other luxuries we've become accustomed to in the way of support staff might be better, wouldn't it? Safer for them, too?"
He sat, impressed that people seemed very determined to continue forward but still very confused as to what the shape of it would be.
-
Jake gained control of his temper. He listened as Vomas spoke and actually liked his plan. It had major flaws, but so did all plans. Jake stood, making sure to not look at Zoehert. Her time would come. However, he knew she was not going to strike him down this evening and he was not going to strike at her. He rose with an idea of how to combine his plan Vomas had laid out. His tone was much more controlled and even. Kerr's words had soothed him. He began with an apology.
"I'm sorry my lady," he said making sure to have eye contact with Zoehert. "My words were misplaced. Thank you Kerr for pointing out how disrespectful I was being. Also, thank you Vomas for bringing us back to why we are here." He moved on to his idea.
"It seems we really need two separate programs. I agree with Vomas. We need to contain the breaches in the masquerade that happen, but that is not all that needs to be done. If Lazarus or another like minded ancient decides to go on a killing spree cleaning up after him will seem rather like janitor work. I suggest that those who wish to put down threats separate into one team and those who are good at mind control, secrecy, and hiding supernatural breaches go into the other. The military unit stays in this building to keep up use of the space while the containment crews vacate to another. That way, if someone wants a war we can give it to them, while at the same time keeping our other operation a secret. We can publicly disband the Oligarchy and let the military branch act as if they are usurpers. The real Oligarchy would continue in secret. Thoughts?"
It was really just a fleshed out version of Vomas's plan in Jake's mind. It was the best military strategy he could think off. Have a decoy, while the real work happens behind the scene. Let Vomas lead the containment crews, Jake would lead the war branch if Kerr allowed it.
-
Dominik sat quietly as the other began to shout at each other, watching Kerr with narrowed eyes. It sounded as though Kerr was willing to try, but if it all got difficult again how long would that last? And these vampires, talking of war and fighting – they weren’t an army and Dominik had no intention of becoming part of one.
“I am no solider and the idea of creating an army to prepare for war… it does not appeal to me in the slightest, but I can see how it might to some of you,” Dominik said, his grey gaze flickering to watch Jake for a moment. He’d never had much contact with the vampire Oligarch and to be honest what he had seen didn’t appeal to him. So much anger, so much desire to get up and fight when the threats were still only potential ones. For Dominik fighting was not something you volunteered for, it was a last resort.
“I do not know how the others of you wish you go about your cleaning up and keeping us hidden, but the lycanthropes at least will need to find another safehold and quickly. This place is well prepared, well stocked, but far too close to the city centre for my liking should the worst happen.”
Perhaps he was being selfish caring most about what would happen to the werewolves – but that was his job, this was his responsibility. Not fighting threats to the city, but keeping them secret, keeping the humans safe from a changed werewolf.
Kerr’s suggestion of dispersal seemed like the best option – so they each knew where they were, so they could help one another if needed, but Dominik would be more comfortable having a separate place distanced from wherever their new base was to be. The new moon was tomorrow night. Two weeks until the full moon. Two weeks to find somewhere, reinforce it, make sure all of the werewolves knew where they should be.
“And you’re right, a smaller place would mean a smaller staff required – if you believe we may be targeted an evacuation is definitely necessary at once.”
-
"But there is no proof that anything has started to happen, is there?" She said with flared nostrils and tight lips. Her words were staccato compared to her usual silky flow of language. These fools were not understanding the full effect of their own damn actions and she hated knowing that such imbeciles called themselves her equal. When Jake's dead eyes landed on her, she held his gaze with the coldest of expressions. Such an apology was meaningless to her. He and Conner had sealed their fates and both of the cretins would beg for mercy from her before the war even reached them. And she would smite them and all of their young, every memory, every legacy until they were nothing but ash in the sunlight. If she hadn't been so angry, it would have brought a frigid smile to her warm lips.
"If we were to run now, when nothing has happened, then the bull's eye of that easy target Cur spoke of would then land on this building and upon our organization. As it stands there is no threat. There may never be a threat. If we were to show even a glimmer of fright, only then would the threats become realities. Do you all not see this? If we attract more attention to something that is wrong, then more eyes will be paying attention, which is not what we want if we want to remain a council for the supernatural and hold onto our power.
"If you want to move your people, Dominik," she said coolly to the Oligarch near her, "then no one will oppose you. Move the mortals, too, if you must. If any one else wants to run, then run into your hiding spots and do your twiddling of your thumbs and kiss your children and lovers there with the knowledge that you damn us all. If you all want to be men about this, by God, stand up and act like it! Stand in defense of yourself, your position, and your duty to your people!"
With a breath, she gathered her composure and concluded with her final promise to the council. "I'm staying right here and my people have my ever-lasting protection."
-
"Zoheret, you make a valid point, but I believe we're right to be concerned about threats," Vomas said gently to the Dark Angel. Unlike his fellow vampires, he felt it prudent to speak carefully to a being who could curse him with a touch... especially because he was within easy reach, sitting next to her like he was. "Our library was... is... one of the most extensive that I've encountered, but we didn't have any information on the Mimic Demons. And then Ben just happens to encounter a book about Mimic Demons that sends them away from us, leaving us floundering and arguing about what should be done next? That, to me, seems deliberate. Planned. And it worries me."
He then looked at Dominik, and there was a newfound respect for the shifter in his eyes. "It is wise to want to find a safer place than the hotel for the werewolves to stay during their change. You are not running, you are being proactive."
Finished speaking, Vomas began to lower himself into his chair again, but he stopped abruptly and came fully to his feet again. "And wouldn't it be just as wise for us to all do the same? Kerr, you mentioned moving somewhere smaller with a skeleton crew, but what is preventing us from all doing that individually? We continue protecting our people and the city, but we do so separately, meeting as a council only if required. Certainly if there were more targets, rather than one, as Jake pointed out, it would be more difficult to launch an attack against us."
He returned to his seat, but leaned forward, eager to see how they'd react to his newest proposal.
-
Tau finally stood, reluctantly unfolding his long body and looking warily about the table as he fidgetted with his jeans, his toes flicking agitatedly at the carpet. "Shifters do not need to be looked after. They can shift and head for the forest if they have to. Most of the problems I have to deal with as an Oligarch are territory fights or young shifters changing form in public places and needing to be warned. I do not think my kind will need to be in a war or in danger of being attacked; they're animals, built to fight or run, depending on the situation." He sat, still looking awkward and a little spooked by speaking in front of all these emotional people.
Kerr sat and listened, gnawing on his tongue stud as he weighed up these options. Zoheret's point was valid but limited to her experiences; she didn't see a threat because she'd never experienced one, as he and his fellow vampire Oligarchs had. She also didn't have an inherent weakness towards others of her kind like he did, so she could afford to remain in position and swear protection for her species. He couldn't and he thought Jake and Vomas agreed with him. Others like Dominik and Tau had a penchant for protecting their own species in the most convenient way they knew how and he couldn't argue with that either. Add to all this the fact that he'd told Ben and Ichabod that he was no longer interested in the city's politics and they'd be his only focus after their near-death experience in Austria and his impulse to achieve a resolution was getting more difficult to decipher.
He stood again, after a significant silence - one of thought, he supposed - had reigned for a few minutes uncontested. "So all of us tend to the needs of our own species as we see fit, with others - such as Conner - providing their services to all species as necessary? Spreading the word that we'll offer assistance via back channels and subversive means? I'd still prefer to evacuate the vulnerable staff from this building and house our donors elsewhere so... leave Zoheret alone in the building? Hold it until we find out if there'll be attacks? What are your thoughts? I'll be out of the country again as soon as possible, but I'll happily comply with the majority when I come back," he offered and sat once more.
-
As much as she hated the vampires and other vermin of this city, Vomas was the probably the only other Oligarch she had real respect for. His voice remained calm as he delivered facts that she had not even considered, while Jake had blustered on and made a fool of himself by calling her out in such a childish way. It was Vomas that made her reconsider her options, while Cur told them about his plans to leave the city with his tail between his legs when the city could be at its weakest, whatever the reason. If there was anyone in this room that could make her even consider seeing another point of view, it was Vomas.
It was then just a shame that she had her mind already set.
"That sounds more than perfect to me," said the Dark Angel rising only after Cur had sat. "Although I do have one objection. Considering more than half of you will be leaving tonight and evacuating your staff, I suggest that we force the community to see this change as part of a supreme plan, rather than some haphazard attempt at controlling chaos. We should release something to the press that says that there has been a drastic change in the leadership of the immortal city. Redefine the Oligarchy as it stood and deem one person in control of the immortals - a Supreme Luminary. State that the Mimic demons have been disbanded and forced to go back to their own plan for some reason - an uprising or what have you; I care not. In the meantime, keep council as Oligarchs that have a God Complex - they have eyes in every spot in the city. What do humans call it? Big Brother?
"As such," She continued, her tone finally even and free of anger, "I nominate myself as Supreme Luminary. I will run the immortal population of the city for the sake of appearances. You will all manage your kind as before and keep the same rules as before, but you will answer to me. The city will see your resignations therefore as a change in government, not as a cowardly attempt to flee danger. This ensures that we keep our power and our hold over the city, and anything else that does come knocking thinks it is dealing with a more unstoppable force than before - an act of God."
-
Kerr stood almost as soon as he'd sat, looking at Zoheret with wide eyes. "I do not support your nomination," he said clearly and sat again, feeling it unnecessary to explain why he'd made a veto motion.
-
Jake rose and looked first at Kerr with a smile and then turned to Zoeheret. "I also do not support your nomination."
He then sat with that same smile on his face, only it had grown wider. In truth, her plan was not a bad one, but he would never bow to that power hungry bitch. He honestly thought Vomas would make a much better Luminary, but kept that thought a secret for the time being.
-
She smiled and stood slowly. Clearly, they were all missing one important fact here. "As I recall, Mr. Galvin and Mr. McCloud," she looked down her nose at both of the vampires respectively, "you both have resigned from the council. Therefore, it seems to me, that you have no say in the matter at all. I invite those who choose to remain Oligarchs to offer up an opinion.
"It should be taken into consideration as well that appearances must be kept, and if this is only a ruse until we are free of the danger that seems so appearant, then so be it. My only interest is the appearance of power. And considering the shifters, lycanthrope, fae, and demons will no longer be inhabiting the building, yet the Oligarch for Dark Angels is staying, I'm not too sure what the problem is. You all have your duties to your people, as do I. That will never be lost amongst the chaos. All I'm saying is that if I'm staying in this building, I'm the natural choice for the position." Unless they were all about to change their minds and squabble about who would fill the position and remain, at which point her former argument about remaining as an unstoppable force as before would be given meaning. For Zoheret, it was a win-win situation. She sat neatly, enjoying her victory - the first of many to be sure.
-
Conner watched the goings on quietly. He'd reigned himself in, cooling down and reminding himself that even though he was now less at risk for censure, he was still surrounded by powerful people.
When Zoheret spoke to nominate herself for the new hypothetical position, he felt it was time to put his two cents in, though.
"I do not support you either, and I have not resigned," he stated flatly, not even fully rising to speak before sitting again. "As such, I speak for those who answer me as well, until I am relieved of that position." Fortunately, his voice didn't carry much heat, but his distaste for the Angel Oligarch was crystal clear on his face. "I nominate Vomas as an alternative. Kerr has already vouched for him in such a capacity, and I agree."
-
"Uh, I didn't resign!" Kerr protested, having been forced to wait for Conner to speak before he could stand and frown at Zoheret. "I said I'd planned to come here tonight and resign - but that would have been in a perfect situation, which this isn't - and I said that I wouldn't lead because I now viewed us all as equals. Frankly, none of us are perfectly equipped to face the changes set to come at us and shock made some speak hastily. That's fine, because Jake's statement about resigning was never ratified and has since been nullified by his subsequent comments anyway. So no-one has resigned, we stand as we are, still trying to work this out, together."
He turned to look at Vomas before he sat again. "Personally, I'd support you or share your burden, if you wanted to assume an elevated role co-ordinating the species efforts proposed but is it necessary? Do you even want the role of Luminary? You've recently tasted it, and your proposals have all been met with enthusiasm so tell me, is a Luminary still a part of what we are? If we're all going to look after our own species and meet only when we see fit as a council, we're surely equals - and at the very least we don't need to invent new titles! Also, what care have we for appearances?" he queried, turning his gaze to everyone gathered but settling on the dark angel.
"If you all think it's essential there be a press release, perhaps we can let it be known that I re-distributed power as I saw fit upon my return and the Oligarchy is therefore seeking a new direction. Say that I'm tired of presenting the council as above its citizens and we're all keen to usher in a new era of co-operation rather than judgment and punishment, where we have a focus on each species working more collectively with its Oligarchs and taking responsibility for their own actions, rather than being treated like imbeciles. Say that the Masquerade showed me a chasm of difference between us and our constituents and we're now keen to close it up, that we've dismissed the former strong arm of the law in order to boost our credibility and show we care - I don't know how you want to spin it, but there has to be better ways than leaving a sole Oligarch in the building to face criticism! We need to act as one and be seen as one, determined to work on a more real basis with all the supernaturals in the city. When it fails, when we're attacked or ridiculed, it can be my fault and then you might need to reveal a new leader; but let's discuss first steps first!"
-
Although Vomas was not shocked that Zoheret was maneuvering for power, he'd expected a more convincing argument from her. Rather than die a mortal after she'd fallen, she'd chosen to become what she was now. In doing so, she'd had to turn her back on God and everything he stood for, rendering her logic flawed in his mind.
"I'm afraid few would believe God made you - a Dark Angel - his champion." He allowed himself the smallest of frowns before he turned his attention to Conner.
"While I am honored by your nominations," Vomas said, inclining his head briefly in the Tremere's and then Kerr's direction, "I cannot accept it. The desire to maintain secrecy should be what drives us, not a single person. That said, I support dissolving the Oligarchy as it exists now." As Vomas continued speaking, he looked around the table, wanting to include each of them in what he had to say.
"I will reiterate: All Oligarchs will transition to ruling over the species they currently represent... as they see fit. There will be no Luminary, Supreme or otherwise. We will each find a new location to base our operations out of - this includes you Zoheret. We should be on equal footing, and if anyone remains in this building, they will be viewed as ruler and us, the followers. And finally, if there is a dispute between us that warrants mediation, we convene. Perhaps we could emulate the UN's ad hoc tribunals, but we can bang out the details some other time. First, we need to determine whether or not this is something a majority of us are willing to commit to. A show of hands would do."
He sat back down.
-
Kerr raised his hand.
-
Jake raised his hand.
-
Dominik hesitated for a moment, casting his gaze around the table before raising his hand as well.
-
Tau watched the others and raised his hand, even though he wasn't entirely sure what was going on. If the alphas agreed, though, he knew enough to follow.
-
As everyone may have expected, Zoheret remained as still as stone. She watched with contempt at all of the hands around her rising. At this point, she couldn't have cared less what all these fools thought of her - they were nothing more than idiots and she would not have her voice sullied by going with an irresponsible decision. Instead, she envisioned each oligarch's downfall and kept her arms crossed over her chest.
-
"We are decided, then," Vomas said, smiling for the first time that night. They were finally working together and making progress. Excluding, of course, Zoheret. His expression remained pleasant as he continued speaking, however, because he would not allow one petulant Dark Angel to dampen his spirits.
"I believe at this point, we should see to evacuating the building." He returned to his chair.
Now that he knew for sure they'd be leaving, Vomas was comfortable contacting Samuel to let him know that he needed to start gathering their things. The library server, for example, was something he felt needed to secured, as well as his files (both physical and electronic copies). That wasn't the start of it, though, for the whole building needed to be scrubbed of their presence and the thought of cleaning out something like the library with all its shelves, computers and printers was daunting.
It was a small blessing that they didn't have to clear out all the books too.
-
"Well," Kerr interjected hastily, holding up a finger and half standing, "technically we should probably decide what our spin is going to be. So it's the same message. We need to know what we're going to be telling everyone that will get them moving out of the building as hastily as possible, without panicking them completely." He sat again.
-
"Tell who you trust most the truth, and tell everyone else the story you made up about the decision to share power," Jake said, barely remembering to stand.
He payed Zoheret no mind at all. Her political goose had been cooked. That was enough for him; for now anyway. He was pleased with how things had turned out. His initial idea about dividing power had been altered by Zoheret and then by Vomas, but Jake prided himself as the originator of the idea.
"The vampires should meet after this meeting is done on how duties are to be divided amongst our kind," Jake suggested. "I'm sure we all still want to work together on these issues."
He sat. His phone buzzed. He checked it quickly to see if it was from Scott or Sam. His daughter had responded first. His eyes grew wide. She knew the demons were gone! Jake furiously texted back.
What? How did you know they were gone for good? Go home at once. As your sire I order you. You may not be safe. Do whatever you feel is needed to procure your safety. Bring a friend if you need to.
Jake knew a command via text would not be binding, but he knew Sam respected him enough not to refuse a direct command, especially if Jake was telling her that her safety was in jeopardy. As far as bringing a friend was concerned, Jake was sure Sam was socializing, and if she were allowed to bring someone back to Dante's Inferno she was more likely to comply quickly. Of course, Jake could be wrong about his progeny. He'd been wrong about her before.
-
After a few moments' silence, it seemed that everyone had had their say - for what it was worth. Kerr stood a final time. "Alright then," he summed up. "Vomas, Jake, Conner and I will retreat to my, er, ex-office to sort out the details of the mortals and the building. Everyone else will work on evacuating their people and important items from this building within the next two nights. Once everyone decides where their base of operations will be, I expect we'll all notify each other. We'll do our best to portray the removal of the Mimics as a voluntary change and also to present as united a front as possible. I wish us all the best of luck," he finished with a perfunctory nod, then looked at the vampire he'd named.
"Gentlemen? If you please," he told them formally and made his way out of the meeting room, surpisingly sad that nothing now would ever be this way again.
-
Dominik watched the vampires get up together and head off to their own private pow-wow. Of course, vampires always mattered most in this city – they overrun the place and as far as Dom knew they were the ones who caused the most problems. After all, why else would they need two Oligarchs?
He lifted a hand to scratch at the stubble on his chin, mulling over the best places to re-house the weres. Most of them had homes elsewhere, they would only need a place over the full moon – but it would take preparation and attention to keep it maintained. And to keep them in check when the full moon came. And without mimic magic, and their strength when it did come to problems – fuck, it could easily go to hell. And of course there were those who were reluctant enough to come when they were threatened if they didn’t show up. How was he supposed to keep them coming with the mimics gone? Some could be reasoned with, some had been dragged in several times to be warned.
He took in a deep breath as his gaze flickered over to the other shifter at the table. Most of them hated weres, and yes, they stank, they were uncontrolled and unpredicatable. But that wasn’t their fault all of the time. He knew he probably still held Carrie’s scent on him (he’d gradually got used to her smell although it caught him at times), but as the room was starting to clear there was no point talking across the table.
Dom stood up and moved over to Tau, sitting beside him but shifting his seat away from the other man out of respect that he might not smell amazing to the cougar’s nose and Tau’s usual reaction gave him no cause to think tonight might be different.
“Do you know any shifters, strong ones, who might be willing to help me on the full moon?” he asked in a low voice, leaning his elbows on the table and linking his fingers together.
-
(ooc: I kept forgetting this was here, sorry! I even remembered last week... then forgot again :( )
Tau tensed and leaned away warily as Dominik approached him - not so much that he was falling out of his seat, but since he'd been curled into it in the first place, he had the ability to lean out of it a little more than was subtle. Thankfully, the Werewolf Oligarch sat away from him, so he didn't have to smell his mate.
"To do what? Collect escaped werewolves?" he asked in a surly manner, barely burying the urge to yowl a warning at the bear shifter. They were natural enemies in the forest and he'd had plenty of run-ins with bears that didn't endear them to him at the best of times, let alone when they were rolled in wolf stink and sprayed with a love for creatures he would never understand.
Despite his opposition to Dominik though, the fact that he'd approached him got Tau thinking. His mind instinctively ran through his registered shifter list and he knew a few that might be willing to help - for money - but it was difficult for the cougar to think much beyond deciding what to do with his species, now that the Oligarchy wasn't around to tell them what to do. They were the ones most likely to gain attention by shifting willfully in front of ignorant mortals, they would need the greatest protection. Perhaps Dominik might be someone who would one day help him... and his people.
"I know a few that might be willing but it will cost you. Lots of shifters want work but can't find the right fit; they will do anything for money. You want me to give you their contact details?" he suggested, his tone still clipped, though his words were encouraging. His blue eyes scanned the bear shifter's face curiously as he waited for his answer, contemplating suggesting an alliance between them but not ready to commit, as yet.
-
Dominik raised an eyebrow at the sharp tone from the shifter Oligarch, feeling the hackles on the back of his neck rising but swallowing down the urge to growl at the cougar. But he was going to need a hand and the shifters were going to be the best option that he could think of right at this moment. With time perhaps he could come up with something else, but they had two weeks.
“Hopefully there will be no need for it, the shifters won’t even need to be anywhere need the werewolves. But yes, they will be there to stop any from escaping should the worst happen,” Dominik replied, trying to make it sound like an easier job than it might well be although he knew Tau may well see past that as he gave a small shrug.
He gave a nod at the declaration that it would cost him. Well, the Oligarchy had plenty of money and even with the split happening Dominik had no doubt that the money would still be available.
“Of course, that’s to be expected. I’ll make sure they get paid – it’ll only be for a few nights a month at first but could lead to more,” he said. Of course, there may be further work available if they proved themselves good employees and Dom needed extra hands to deal with werewolves shifting when it wasn’t the full moon, but one step at a time.
“If you could email me their contact details that would be great,” he said, standing up with a nod at the cougar. “And I trust that if any of them come to you asking what it’s about then I’ll have your support?” Dom added, his tone mirroring Tau’s and coming out more sharply than he meant it to. He knew Tau wasn’t his greatest supporter, they’d had little reason to try to work together in the past and there were inbuilt defences within them both telling them to stay away from each other. But it would be pointless Dom asking the shifters for help if they checked with Tau and the cougar advised them not to.
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"Yes," Tau agreed, instinctively tensing as his fellow Oligarch rose to his feet. He didn't uncurl from his chair yet, though, knowing that he wasn't being attacked. "Shifters need to work together now. I'm sure I will need to be given some help at some time, too. It's a good idea if we watch out for each other," he said warily, his blue eyes narrowing just because it wasn't in him to make a conciliatory gesture without proving he was on guard at the same time.
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Dom’s muscles tightened as he felt Tau tense and he couldn’t help being on his guard around someone who was so on edge around him. He put a lot of effort into trying to fit into the human world after spending so long in the wild, he found it frustrating that another shifter could taking him back to his basic instincts to be on alert with someone whose scent he didn’t trust.
Maybe it was just tiredness. Maybe he needed to get home to his mate and cub, as he was sure Tau would want to do. Or get home and start looking up places suitable to house dozens of werewolves on a full moon.
“I’m glad we’re like minded on this. I look forward to hearing from you soon,” Dominik said, watching Tau for a moment longer before taking his leave and heading towards the doors of the meeting room, and looking forward to getting home, his mind racing with things he needed to do.