A most unusual meeting

[Cinnabar]

"Mm." The Constable is thoughtful for a moment, gaze dropping to regard his tea as if he might scry the truth of the matter in its steam. "The problem that I can see in this, is that save for assumptions and coincidences of timing, I am not sure that the letter you received gives us much to work with in this matter. Certainly, unless further evidence comes to light, that alone is not likely to be enough for a conviction."

A glance for the Countess, but his attention soon returns to the Prince.

"Not in a Myrken court, in any case. As has been noted, your own... judicial process is perhaps less stringent in such matters. However, this leads us back to a familiar point: how you would wish your kind to be treated under Myrken Wood's laws. And how you deal with this matter is likely to directly influence that." Tea sipped, drained, and a wave to the bar for a refill; he remains quiet while the barkeep bustles over with the teapot, and waits until the girl departs again before he continues.

"You might hunt him down and execute him, based on what little evidence you have, and backed up with little more than speculation and assumption; this would indicate to me that you prefer to be apart from Myrken Wood's laws, with all that entails. On the other hand, you might forbear from slaying him out of hand, and instead have him delivered to the proper authorities and tried properly, for all that he would like as not escape conviction without more proof against him; this would tell me that you are willing to abide by Myrken Wood's laws, and would thus be entitled to the protection it offers."

His gaze upon the Prince is intent, emphasising the certainty of his next words.

"You can choose your laws, or Myrken's laws, but there can be no halfway-measures."

[Sherazade]

That voice, that question for a stretch of time went ignored, not even the hunters gaze shifted back towards Dabria, for she was keeping a close watch on both constable and prince, they had approached the crucital moment, the one in which a decision must be made.

It was she awaited the princes answer, that the other within her mind would answer I am who she will become, but she resists me out of fear There was a heavy accent of a purr beneath those words one the hunter studiously continued to ignore

[Dabria]

Was smiling, at the interaction she was having with the presence that shared the hunters mind, this little tidbit, made her fear the woman less....For as soon as the Constable found out what she had barried in her blood, she would soon be on the other side of the table, with the rest of the beasts....

A cant slip of her focus drifted from the hunter, back to the two males. The Prince had given the constable more leads then he had but hours ago, and still he spit at him... It churns her blood, as he thows ultimatums at her Prince. the Countess fights hard to not slash out at him with angry would akin to, then the blood of future victims be on your hands....But no, those were not spoken....

" I wish not to fall into conflict once more, Sir. But you must know, that if in the aftermath of those unfortunate deaths, left you no clues. Then others... and there will be others, will be equal impossible to prove without doubt, The true culprit...

And in this she did not mean to be crass, or argumentive, it was just that she knew of this ones ways...And mortal laws will never be able to catch him....

" My Prince wishes a peaceful partnership, between the two race...And for all the faults of both sides...I believe, it is a possible future. And one that could benefit all involved.

Another pause, as her back straightens, eyes looking from constable to Prince, chosing a different path this time when she speaks. Perhaps making up for her unseemly behavior earlier....

"I understand why you would wish to handle this matter, within your own laws... but you must understand, that he is unlawful. In both society, he has broken strick rules...Like you we do believe in the need for some proof. We feel there is enough to hold him in high suspician. We would hope you will to, if he returns... And constable, sooner or later he will. I fear your laws will not be able to hold him.... For he is powerful, and not just in the physical defenition of the words.... Fair warning constable. When you are ready. I hope you come to my Prince for aid in the Capture.

With that she was done, he could heed her well meant advice, or blow it off...She said her piece, in a pleasant, neutral manner...Eyes falling back to the hunter, as she leans over sightly....whispering..

" Here....kitty kitty....

[Sherazade]

Oh this was strange, very strange indeed, she was finding herself in agreement with Dabria's words, although she would not give voice to it. Gold flecks danced within the chocolate depths that watched her companions.

For herself Alexis would not wait for the law, would not even wait for the prince. If she found proof this other had done these hienous deeds she would quite simply strike. The idea that something would attack children out of some powerplay among vampires, really angered her.

Gold flecks were shining brightly showing evidence of her inner rage and then Dabria was leaning in, those soft words taunting with her mind and in answer a rumbling purr would leave the hunters lips.

Oh dear that caught the hunter offgaurd as it began to rumble and she lifted a hand to her mouth allowed herself to lean forward and begin to cough. "excuse me" She would murmur after the barmaid brought the swiftly signalled for water "I was trying to clear my throat"

Ohhhh nice one sweet alexis, do you think they will believe that lie? The voice was highly amused and definately mocking her but the hunter would not answer it, for it was getting her into far too much trouble

[Undertaker]

It is unfortunate the way the meeting between vampire and human has turned out. There was a lengthy glance towards Alexis before it shifted towards Dabria. there was a disturbance, his senses didn't tell him where or what but his eyes didn't lie to him ever. It was when they where both leaning forwards, Alexis and Dabria when it clicked, she was playing again thats when his lips spoke but three words that should be instantly understood by Dabria. "Time and place." IS all he said. It was then the purr crept to his ears and attentions once more shifted towards Alexis and it is clear to him that she is more than what she leads people to believe.

Finally the Constable came back into his view and he stares for a brief second collecting himself and replaying what Cinnabar had just spoken to him. "I have a few questions.." Hands folded atop one another as the Brujah Prince leaned in towards the table.. "I'm sure you know of our.. certain disciplines in areas that exceed the abilities of your own.. If I where to bring this kindred to you for you to judge jury and execute, how would you contain him.. mere iron bars will not hold even the weakest of my kind." Leaning back to his chair hands slid along with the motion and fell into his lap. "I'm afraid that there is no in between either, that is why this meeting is failed.. We can not live by your law just as you could never live by ours.. The reasoning for this meeting is not to smooth out details of law.. We abide by them save for the few childer of my flock than we have just discussed.. The reason for this meeting is to find common ground between us so that the future might just be a little brighter than the past has been.."

A pause then as he looked for a reaction from any of the three that sat at the table with him. He was gaugeing them right now, watching and listening to everything that was to happen at this table. and then he spoke a final few words. "I want peace, I want to beable to walk down the road outside without having to be aware of everything around me incase.." He motioned towards Alexis. "I am tired of being hunted when there is no reason to be hunted in the first place." If the prince could have heard Alexis's thoughts and heard that if she found proof she would skip all the legal steps and just slaughter the vampire then the meeting was doomed before it began and it would have only prooven the Prince more right than ever.. Luckily though she did not speak those words so the Brujah sits quietly now, not leaving the table like he would have.

[Cinnabar]

The Countess is granted the attention of that grey gaze as she speaks but the High Constable makes no reply, waiting first for her Prince to say his piece. It is a matter of priority, of authority; he did not agree to this meeting in order to listen to an embittered kindred gloat and rant and try to turn the world on its head, claiming predators to be victims and prey to be oppressors. that much is not relevant, nor indeed productive. Instead he turns his focus upon the Prince, sipping his tea as the vampire speaks.

Common ground. Hm. That prompts a quiet nod, and he tilts his head at the Prince's question.

"How would you recommend he be restrained? As you might guess, this is somewhat beyond our experience, so any advice you might have would certainly be appreciated. What would be sufficient to keep him under control?" A polite enough request for more information, perhaps hoping to appease the vampire by yielding to his greater knowledge of the subject. However, he has some questions of his own.

"Might I inquire as to why you feel unable to abide by Myrken's laws? You have already indicated that it is possible for your kind to survive without killing; I see no reason why your condition should prevent you from adhering to laws against theft, fraud and such; what other impediment remains, unless it is that you are simply unwilling to follow the same rules as the rest of society?" He laces his fingers about his mug, thumbs tapping lightly upon the earthenware vessel.

"And to be frank, sir, that reluctance is one of the main reasons you are hunted. You decline to be a part of society, and so you exist apart from it; that makes you a threat, because you refuse to be bound by laws that are in place to ensure the safety and security of its citizens." Pale brows raise to confirm that the vampire follows this line of reasoning.

"If you wish to be part of society, you must agree to society's rules. Otherwise your kind will remain on the outside, feared and despised and unable to walk the streets in peace. That is the middle ground, sir. For society to accept you, you must make an effort to render yourselves acceptable. And it will not only be you and yours who are required to change - those among the populace who have made a life's work of hunting and slaying your kind will have to learn to adjust to the new situation also." A glance to Alexis at this, making sure that she has heard and understood.

"If you wish to gain something from someone, you must offer something in return."

[Undertaker]

"I am not unwilling m'lord.. For as long as I have been here I have followed the human law and upheld ours.. I will agree that some will feel differently than I." A sidelong glance would be given towards Dabria before attentions shifted back to Cinnabar. "It has been done before, A long time ago.. Coexistence between our kinds. It can be done again if both of our people work towards it."

And then on with the Constables first series of questions. "I have seen your jail, your bars will bend to his will alone..But there are ways to make those materials stronger, with blood.. My blood.." he is offered something here that he doesn't normally offer anybody.. the very thing that gives him his emotionless visage and unlife with indescribable amount of strength. "Only a drop to each bar, each wall will reinforce your hold against most any kindred." Of course there where exceptions as there always is. "If we do capture him, and we throw him in there.. even with the magics of my blood I could not keep him there for more than a nights length.. I'm sure you're aware of our condition when touched by Apollos kiss." Crispy critters.

"I agree with you, I just do not hold faith for many in both of our species.. "Lead by example we must, the four of us." The Prince looked from person to person after he said this.. it wasn't going to be a one sided effort, it couldn't be it had to be mutual and equal on both sides for anything to work. "What I seek is not beyond us, it is right there in front of us all.. we just have to reach out and take it."

"The main reason why we are hunted is not because of our reluctant natures, it is because all beings fear what they do not understand, fear what is so close to them yet so far out of their understanding. Of course this is not true for all things, there are always exceptions to everything.. but for those of us who have been persecuted for the inexcusable actions of others within our species.. this must stop.. there is no reason for such ignorance in any species."

[Dabria]

When the Prince spoke...she nodded. Time and place indeed, and she would allow the hunter peace for a time. One of those delicate smiles peeks out upon her lips. Demure, and pleasant. Even as the Constable spouts how they shun Society, when truly society has always shunned them, feared, hated them....But she says nothing only smiles.

When her Prince speaks of them..those at this clandetine meeting her smile brooden lightly. this is a smile of pride, for when he speaks it flows through her. He had a way with word, a way that would make one believe the unbelievable. She is proud to be within his inner circle, his most trusted confidaunt. She is honored to be by his side as he speaks such profectict words...And that also holds her tongue. Save this..

"I serve at the honor of my Prince.."

There was no tension in those words, she was not saying this for the breathers...These were words said with conviction. They held more truth then anything she has ever said..

She watches the two men, woundering if these small appeases, would be enough to start, enough to enter into more fuller conversations of not so much which law will or will not be followed. For they were truly to different to fully return to human society. But perhaps a treaty could be found. somesort of arrangement between the two peoples.
It was she knew her Princes hope..

Yes she watched them, as her hands lift to rest upon the table, one rested close to her Prince, if his rested close...the tips may find eachother...

[Sherazade]

The hunter was indeed more than she lead people to believe, more than even she knew, but she was going to find out of course, what had begun could not be halted.

Silent now the prince had delivered his words to Dabria, only the slightest curl to her lips showing she was finding it vaguely amusing.

Gold flecks, danced like sunlight upon water within her chocolate depths, arms folded against her waist a hand resting in each opposing elbow. She would listen now, would not allow the other stirring within her blood, her mind to taunt her into goading the countess.

A moment longer she would have that slightly amused curl to her lips and then the constable was speaking, and she felt him glance at her. Gold flecks would still be in the gaze she turned to him. A slight inclination of her head would show him she had indeed understood his words, still she would only be out of business in myrken and then only if all abided by the law, few were as well equipped as she was to deal with vampires, unless one counted others of their kind.

It was the prince however who soon had her full attention, his words were most intriguing. Rimmon had only ever hinted that such a thing was possible to hear it stated for a certainity, as if it were fact was not something she could ignore. There would come a discussion sooner or later and how honest he was would dictate how honest the hunter was with him.

[Cinnabar]

The Constable smiles slightly, and shakes his head.

"With all respect, sir, I must disagree. It is not misunderstanding that causes the citizenry to fear you and hunt you. It is not that you are secretive and mysterious, though that contributes to their fear." His tone is calm and level, a polite correction of an honest misapprehension.

"They fear being accosted in the dead of night and robbed of their blood. They fear their children being found drained and lifeless some morning. They fear creatures who thirst for their lifeblood, and can bend iron bars with ease. It is not merely misunderstanding and ignorance that causes these fears, sir. You are not the innocent, elderly recluse about whom the street's children whisper fanciful tales of horror to chill the blood. You are a genuine threat to them, and they understand that well enough." A glance to the Countess as if to dare her to contradict this.

"Unless you can offer some assurance that they need not fear you, then they shall continue to do so. And because they fear you, they will hunt you. Perhaps you are correct, and efforts to promote a more accurate understanding of your kind might go some way towards allaying any unfounded fears which feed the populace's antipathy towards your kind. The well-founded fears, however, are another matter." Thumbs brush lightly over the rim of his mug as he considers the situation for a moment.

"There must be some assurance that they need fear these things no longer. Some promise or covenant which ensures that they will no longer be preyed upon by your kind. I do not believe that anything else will assuage their fear, and thus their hatred."