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11

† OUT OF THE CITY † / Re: Reconnection

« Last post by Existentially Odd on December 14, 2020, 11:53:51 PM »

Kerr's humour only grew as Ben listed off his Irish goals. He smiled and nodded along as Ben listed them off, pleased that they wouldn't be rushing towards any of the London councils just yet. It seemed they might have to negotiate a few Irish ones, though; Kerr suppressed his wince.

"I think there are four bedrooms, yes, but should we really intrude on their time together? I know how you like to toy with him, you won't get carried away and ruin their relationship, will you?" Kerr drawled, his tone playfully challenging.

He couldn't imagine the three of them - plus anyone else Ben decided he liked the look of and dragged home with them whenever he liked - would put Harm and his boyfriend at ease, especially if Ben's blatant attraction for the nurse was on display. They were probably monogamous. Merely the concept of Cain might be too much for them. Plus, it would feel more than a little disingenuous to have offered them a lovely place to stay only for them to crash the party when it was just beginning.

The whole concept made Kerr uneasy and he was looking for Ben to reassure him.

12

† OUT OF THE CITY † / Re: Reconnection

« Last post by Trillian on December 14, 2020, 11:39:45 PM »

"We're not leaving Ireland just yet. There are a lot of things I'd like to see and do first. After we leave your Irish roots we can still check out other places, like Dublin and Belfast. I want to drink from someone who's drunk on Guinness. I know I can do that at Venture but it feels more authentic to do it here. And to kiss the Blarney Stone and cross the rope bridge at Carrick-a-Rede and visit Newgrange and see the Cliffs of Moher. There's a list on my laptop," he admitted with a sly grin.

The grin turned into a sexy albeit tiny smile when Ben thought about Harm. "Then we can go to the London apartment and visit Harm and his boyfriend, see if they're still there." He was pretty sure they would be because London had the job thing that would earn them extra money for expenses. Harm had blurted out all his Euro plans during their museum date that wasn't a date. "There are a lot of bedrooms in your London apartment, aren't there? We could share for a bit before moving on. It'll be fun."

13

† OUT OF THE CITY † / Re: Reconnection

« Last post by Existentially Odd on December 14, 2020, 11:22:32 PM »

Kerr laughed, the sound full-throated and appreciative. He resisted the urge to say something along the lines of 'so as long as Jake hasn't sparked destruction and chaos in our absence, we're golden' because he thought it would only upset Ben again.

Jake was still not an easy topic to discuss and Kerr much preferred his love teasing him and making him feel better about fronting up to some councils and hoping for a good response. With ancients, things could go so very, very wrong so quickly.

"Alright, so we're back to my other questions that you didn't answer. When do you want to go and where should we stay if your friends are in our place?" He swung Ben's hand a little, feeling lighter.

14

† OUT OF THE CITY † / Re: Reconnection

« Last post by Trillian on December 14, 2020, 11:13:23 PM »

Ben was surprised that Kerr had turned his praise into something bleak. Was it a leftover from visiting the manor? Kerr's insistence on focussing on the negative wasn't like him; he usually bolstered Ben's confidence.

Ben attempted to do the same. "No, Halen was sent because the city was plunged in violence and chaos. Sacramentum was asked to come because Lazarus killed Halen. After you took over, nobody else came. I'm sure Charon sent back word that you were doing a good job. He was connected to a lot of groups, so news about your good work went everywhere." Ben listed them off by popping up fingers on his free hand. "The Circle. The Brotherhood. Sovereigns. The Patricians of Rome. Das Geschlecht. I can't remember all their names right now." He smiled at Kerr. "And those other, multiple, smaller councils with the pretentious Latin names."

15

† OUT OF THE CITY † / Re: Reconnection

« Last post by Existentially Odd on December 14, 2020, 11:04:18 PM »

"Brat Prince?" Kerr echoed, his nose wrinkling. He hadn't heard Jake refer to himself like that - the Black Prince, yes, and even the notion of royalty was enough to make Kerr scoff - but it didn't surprise him.

"Jake's preposterous. And immature. I don't need a command buried in my brain to feel naturally terrified of ancients, yet he taunts them and demands respect when he's done nothing but prance around looking pretty and swinging his sword. He deserves to be ignored. I... what if they think we're a joke now?" Kerr asked worriedly, relieved that Ben's hand was back in his to stabilise him. The thought had only just occurred.

"I mean, the ley lines make the city powerful and it draws all kinds of supernaturals. It's a nexus too strong to overlook. The councils sent Halen and the Sacramentum once, if they're truly not happy they could do it again. As much as I want to see Jake suffer and order restored, I'm more worried about our greeting here and now. I don't want us to be regarded as failures or accomplices in what the city's become," he mused, his shoulders slumping as the doubts invaded his mind.

16

† OUT OF THE CITY † / Re: Reconnection

« Last post by Trillian on December 14, 2020, 10:51:25 PM »

Kerr's flippant remark about Charon gossiping earnt him a light frown. It seemed disrespectful to dismiss the political lessons Ben got from the ancient patriarch as 'gossip'. He missed the joke entirely.

He didn't know what to say about Kerr's reappearance because he didn't know if Charon had sent word back to his contacts about it. The Oligarchy had fallen because the Oligarchs had divided the city up between themselves while the Luminary had been away. It didn't bode well for Kerr's ability to control them but it certainly proved that without Kerr at the helm, the city had plunged into a cacophony of squabbling supernaturals. And apparently, judging by the city central vote, the supernatural denizens enjoyed the chaos.

His mute anger returned and he turned away from Kerr, removing his hand and resuming their walk. His hand naturally slipped into Kerr's again.

"When I was living with Jake he mentioned the ancients a few times. He hates them because they don't treat him the way he thinks he deserves to be." Ben rolled his eyes. "He literally jokes about calling himself the Brat-Prince and still doesn't get it."

17

† OUT OF THE CITY † / Re: Reconnection

« Last post by Existentially Odd on December 14, 2020, 10:35:09 PM »

Kerr blinked, amazed by how much more Ben knew than he did. It took him a moment to process it all. So much for him thinking Halen might've been able to rule Europe, even he'd been a lackey? A fucking dragon?!

"Damn. Charon's good for way more gossip than I gave him credit for," he marvelled, his hands finding their way into his jeans pockets as he was complimented by Ben. Although it wasn't possible, there was a warm feeling emanating into his heart from Ben's hand upon his chest but it embarrassed him, too - hence the awkward joke rather than properly acknowledging Ben's words.

At what he perceived to be a pointed look from his love, Kerr sighed and relented. "Okay, I certainly hope that I gained some favour over here in my time as Luminary but I don't know if it's enough. Sawyl did a lot of damage. And I can't imagine me being in power when the Oligarchy fell was all that favourable, especially if they think I went into hiding or something while it was happening, rather than into another dimension," Kerr pointed out, deliberately not mentioning Ben's role in the Oligarchy's destruction. The Mimic demons were probably specifically summoned by Romania to be at Halen's side, too.

They should definitely strike Romania off their travel itinerary, just in case.

"I guess there's only one way to find out, though," he conceded, smiling a little at Ben. He was nervous but willing to give it a try and touch base with some councils in London. And other cities, too, although he didn't really feel like deviating to Dublin on the way. The Irish council were so hectic they always gave him a headache. "Hopefully they dislike Jake as much as we do and everything you tried recently counts as well, if they're still looking."

18

† OUT OF THE CITY † / Re: Reconnection

« Last post by Trillian on December 14, 2020, 10:16:29 PM »

"Charon's name and your name," Ben said, not liking what Kerr had said about him being where the power was at but unable to deflect those words because they were true. He filled Kerr in on the headlines of his accomplishments because his sire's humbleness was getting in the way.

He stopped walking and tugged Kerr's hand so he would stop as well. Looking into Kerr's eyes and with his hand over Kerr's heart, Ben spoke.

"You were the Oligarch for a long time. Our city is famous for its leylines attracting huge supernatural numbers. After the trouble that Lazarus and Halwyn caused every supernatural political figure around the world looked our way. Halen and his Oligarchy cleaned it up because that's who Europe sent. By Romania, I think." He shook his head and shrugged, indicating that detail was unnecessary. He didn't know why he'd bothered to mention it. "Once our city got their attention they didn't look away just because the mess was cleaned up. Sacrament Et Res made a new home there as a backup. They were poised to take over at any sign of trouble but they kept their heads down because you were doing a good job. I doubt the current situation is looked at favourably, slicing the city up like it's fucking pizza."

In his absence he knew the Ward were ready to make big moves. He hoped they had momentum.

19

† OUT OF THE CITY † / Re: Reconnection

« Last post by Existentially Odd on December 14, 2020, 09:53:27 PM »

Kerr chuckled as Ben stumbled through an answer of 'no' but then essentially said 'yes'. Yes, he did want to meet Namri and present to some councils, he did want to dabble in the European supernatural political scene. Sure, it wouldn't be as boldly as trying to run a city but he couldn't help himself, Ben had to be annexed to power somehow. Kerr should be grateful it wasn't fucking Rae getting his attention but there were bound to be even bigger, stronger dicks in some of these councils. He shouldn't count his chickens.

Sighing heavily and allowing his laughter to die with the breath of air, Kerr shook his head as he marvelled at the irony of his life. "I had a sire that didn't give two shits about what any council said, ever, and only wanted to toy with humans night after night. And I've got a fledgeling that's the complete opposite, only dealing with a few, select humans when it suits him but wanting to get close to every council he can because he knows that's where the power's at. Hopefully Charon's name will be enough to get you through Namri's door, considering he didn't officially endorse you," Kerr warned, hoping Ben wouldn't be disappointed if they couldn't get an appointment.

"Your curiosity has provoked mine. I want to know what he's like now, too. When do you want to travel to London? Oh, but your friends are in our apartment, aren't they?" Kerr mused aloud, thinking the conundrum through. He was sure the pretty blond human and his boyfriend were staying indefinitely and Kerr had had some communication about them arriving from his caretaker so... should he and Ben buy somewhere new? Stick to a hotel? Share their own apartment?

20

† OUT OF THE CITY † / Re: Reconnection

« Last post by Trillian on December 14, 2020, 09:34:46 PM »

"No, I... well, um, I mean..." Ben was uncharacteristically fumbling for his words. Kerr had challenged his idea for presenting themselves to one of the stronger councils. He remembered how Austria had been wonderful until that one terrible moment that Themba had made his presence known. Ben had stayed out of New York, out of his way. He had the understanding that should he cross paths with the African ancient again that he wouldn't be released. He might not even be taken in the first place, but it would be nice to fall back on someone powerful as a threat to Themba's good behaviour than Kerr, who Themba couldn't care less about.

They would have to have remarkably bad luck to run into the ancient vampire again on their second trip to Europe. Two for two? Surely not.

"If you think that's best, we can be discreet. My thinking was that we would introduce ourselves only because we're staying for a while rather than a short holiday. I was hoping to visit The Squire's Pipe in London. It was the Sacrament's first business. A safehouse for vampires to sleep, but they also had feeding rooms. Someone else owns it now but it's still a supernatural hotspot. I have a list of a few other places I'd like to see."

All vampire-related locations and he figured if they were going to be hanging around where vampires were going to be then word would get back to one of the councils about them.

"And I'd like to meet the vampire who Charon was going to send me to," he added like it was an afterthought but really it had been prevalent. "See what kind of person Charon was going to match me with." He would've trusted the ancient's judgment implicitly except he'd turned around and dropped Ben into Jake's lair as 'punishment'. Ben still wasn't sure if Charon had done it out of spite and jealousy or if he really had been mad at Ben's inability to be tactful and diplomatic. Ben never would be able to hold his tongue around Jake McCloud.