Elysium

[Archon Hamilton]

Archon looked at her hand on his shoulder. The look on his face showing clearly that he was not use to affections, no matter how sympathetic. He stared at her hand for what seemed like an eternity to him but in actuality it was only a few short seconds. He smiled and held her hand in his on his shoulder and gave it a tender squeeze.

"Thank you Miss Kelly, your...sympathy is appreciated. Don't worry I have recovered. And yes the loss of a loved one is a terrible thing indeed. I have none left and I have no childer. Once more I would like to thank you for your kind words, but a man, a Kindred in my position can not be afforded the luxury of displaying emotion like that, my enemies which seem like legion, would tear me apart. I hope that I can trust you that what you saw shall stay between you and I?" Archon asked casually, careful to not let any venom or malice or threat into his voice.

Archon listened to her carefully laid out words and she delicately danced the line of saying she would not mind a new Prince with out actually saying it. Archon could not help but have a devious smile creep across the otherwise dead pan face he normally wore as to not belay any emotion. He knew that he was putting her in a precarious position, but it was moments like these that often defined Kindred and made them into the Kindred they would become. He was truly helping her out to the fast track to power.

Keira was incredibly skilled in both diplomacy and subterfuge, and she even had guile. He would definitely want her as his right hand. To not utilize the potential of such a Kindred would be a farce. She is an asset to the Camirilla and would have made a fine Ventrue. She is young yet, maybe he could still take her under his long stretching wing. The night was young, and Jyhad was only just beginning.

"Very well Miss Kelly, I shall speak plainly so as there shall be no confusion. Prince Winters has been measured, he has been weighed, and he has been found wanting in the eyes of the Camirilla, and within Clan Ventrue. I have come her to take his Domain and claim it as mine as the new Prince of Toronto. You are young, you are bright, and you are very clever. Support me in this Praxis seizure and I shall mentor you, make a financial investment into your club and other endeavors, and as Prince, I shall make you my Seneschal. All that I would ask in turn, is your support, and the support of your Clan. Keira Kelly of Clan Toreador, will you join me?" Archon said as he clasped his hands together looking quite regal. Not a forced charisma that comes with the use of Presence, but a natural regal bearing that comes from confidence and certainty, and age.

"Yes, well I have a passion for law and order, not to be confused with the Kine's television show. I believe in Justice, and thus is why my family have all been men of the law going as far back 1122. My knowledge of Kindred and Kine law is...on par with that of many Elders. Its why I am an asset to my Clan and to the Camirilla. I once got a neonate off the hook of Final Death by making a an appeal to the Prince. Ha, I am very good. But years of study will make you so.Archon actually managed to say with out boasting. He hated sounding like he was, what to they call it, yes tooting his own horn.

Archon raised his brow in a jesting manner when Keira mentioned assuming and they fall out it can cause. "Why my dear I do indeed think that you are right about that. Very disastrous indeed. Yet sure enough, every last man and woman on this planet is guilty of doing it at some point or another in their time. I have, once I was correct, and the other not so much. Ergo I tend to get more facts before I assume. Or simply let things speak for themselves." Said Archon gesticulating with his finger for emphasis.

"My dear Kelly, the Camirilla is in my Blood, as one of the Founding Clans, I would rather meet the Final Death than to see this organisation that has withstood for six hundred years be torn apart by the heathens of the Sabbat, the Lupines of the wilds, the Anarchs, or even domestic threats. The Camirilla, and the six Traditions are there for a reason, we have survived this long because of the those Traditions. So rest assured, I am a Cam Man all the way." Archon declared with pride, but not loudly as he did not want the Kine to hear.

Archon smiled as she said she thought a teaming of the two of them would be a brilliant idea. "I could not agree with you more Miss Kelly. You and I can usher in a new beginning to Toronto as a Camirilla city. With our ambition the limit is only the Sun. So then, does this mean that you're in...Senschal Kelly?" Archon emphasized her potential new Station in hopes that it would draw her in further, and with any luck, cement it.

Archon listened as she spoke of how she would never have mortal descendants, he felt sad for her but did not let it show on his face. This time it was his turn to place a comforting and sympathetic hand on her shoulder "You should be grateful that you do not. For watching them age and die, one by one, you lose part of your humanity, a piece of your soul that makes you human dies with each member of your family that passes. You would think that after burying so many, I would be used to such a thing, saying that it heals, is rubbish. The pain is always their, but it becomes less. And that is the truth of it." Archon said, sounding like a father comforting a child.

Archon only nodded in response as Keira said that you have to cherish what you have, she must really care for someone, if he did not know any better he would say it was almost as if she was thinking of someone, perhaps the previously mentioned Cyrus he thought. Oh well it was not matter, what ever paramour she may have with the Sheriff it was between them, unless of course it endangered the well fare of his soon to be Domain. From the deepest recesses of his mind a deep, sinister cackle arose in his head, begging to let loose. Archon kept it to himself, his usual calm, confident self ever present; on the outside at least.

[Keira Kelly]

Keira understood well the perils of more refined layer of Kindred society. The Toreador scene was particularly brutal; although one often did not walk away with physical wounds, the social ones could be all the more devastating. Many Kindred thought of her clan as shallow socialites but what went on beneath the surface was nothing so much as battles of wits where all was at stake. Though she was young, Keira was learning well the lessons of what to say, when to say it, and what face to show.

She assumed the Ventrue could be just as dangerous as her own clan when it came to this. "True, emotion can be used to barter against you. There are venues in which it is dire to hide your true feelings. I assure you Mr. Hamilton, this is not one of those. What happens here stays in confidence."

Though she had no desire to, she could very much gather from the conversation the power this Ventrue before her must have. She knew it would likely take but a word from him and everything she had and all those close to her could be forfeit if she crossed him.

As Keira spoke between the lines about the Prince, she noticed the smile cross Archon's face. He understood. She had figured he must be an intelligent and observant man by his apparent age and the power he seemingly wielded and was pleased to find she had judged correctly.

She sat silently when Archon suddenly announced his desires to claim the title of Prince of the city though. She had expected he make a move but not so bodly nor quickly. It had stunned her. She glanced around to check if there were ears listening. If there were, she didn't spot any interest. Not that that meant there weren't any though.

If these words of a coup got back the Prince Winters, Keira knew it could set off a bloodbath. The Prince would not give up his power easily. There was always the danger of getting caught in the crossfire, especially if she openly chose sides.

She weighed her options carefully before speaking. "As you might have gathered... I have no love for the Prince but he is powerful." She held out a hand for Archon to hear her out in case he thought she was preparing to back out. "I do believe it is time for a change though. Of course I would gladly accept a position of Seneschal so I would better serve what the Camarilla stands for and would offer you my support and whatever I can muster from my own clan; both my Sire and his Sire are highly respected among the Toreador and there is no love lost between my Sire and Mikail either."

She also had the brief thought of how jealous Nathaniel might be to have his childe surpass him in power among their Sect, which made her smile. He might become jealous but it would afford him even higher status among the Toreador and he would know it and thus support this play. With all the mess recently, if he could see the coup being successful, he would jump at the chance.

"As well, if I can contact Cyrus, you will have the support of the Sheriff as well. You can be well assured of that.." she told him, not wanting to go into the details of why though.

"Justice.. yes. That is something that is needed." she said in a lowered voice. "Mikhail's ideals of justice recently have become more and more erratic. Your skills and knowledge of law and justice would certainly be a boon to the Camarilla of Toronto."

She smiled as Archon addressed her by the title she had yet to earn. It sounded good though.

"Yes, I will join you in your goal." she ended simply and to the point leaving no room for doubt.

She listened as he talked of family, of burying them all. She had only been Kindred for two decades; her parents were still alive. She dreaded the day when she had to bury her last two links to her mortal life and regretted that they didn't even know if she still lived.

Time to think about that later though, she thought as she was interrupted by a tap on her shoulder. Looking up she saw it was Anna, her Ventrue bartender and business partner.

"Keira, I need to speak to you for a moment." Anna said with an apologetic look to Archon.

"Mr. Hamilton, if you would excuse me a moment?" Keira added as she got up. She didn't like abandoning Archon at such a crucial stage in their conversation but the look on Anna's face was something she couldn't ignore.

Anna led her into Keira's office and closed the door.

"I just got a call.." she started. "Prince Winters has called Blood Hunt on the Tremere Primogen..."

"What?!" Keira exclaimed. "Why? What reason did he give?"

"He didn't." Anna replied simply with a helpless shrug. "Last week at the Ventrue gathering.. he said some things. I wouldn't normally repeat clan matters but.." she said, shrugging again.

"Tell me.." Keira prodded.

"The Prince made certain statements about ridding the city of the chaff, hinting that the chaff might be the other clans. I.. don't know... He was trying to place Ventrue in key positions which isn't all that out of the ordinary but.. I don't know.. Something just doesn't seem right.." she said, looking extremely conflicted.

Keira shook her head, putting a hand over her mouth as she took this all in. She knew he had been erratic but this seemed to be getting worse. She knew she had to tell Archon. She thanked Anna for the information and headed back to Archon's table.

She sat down across from him again with a grim expression. "The 'good' Prince has called blood hunt on the Tremere Primogen for no apparent reason." she told him. "I understand he does not have to supply the reason but.. this could be an opportunity. Apparently he has also been hinting at attempting to remove all but the Ventrue from the city."

She still couldn't believe what she had heard, shaking her head as she repeated Anna's words. "From what I gather, these statements have shocked at least some of the Ventrue.. I doubt there would be many who would support such an undertaking."

[Archon Hamilton]

Archon gave her his ears as she spoke and even agreed that in most cases the display of true emotions are a bad thing that can be used against someone. Then he nodded as she said what was...displayed here, remained here. It was good to know that he had that level of confidence with her, that she would not go leak that to wane of the local Nosferatu. They had a knack for knowing everything they shouldn't. Which is why they were indispensable.

"I am happy to hear Miss Kelly that I could do such here if need be, with out political fall out, or exploitation. That is a merit to your character. Make sure that you do not lose that quality. Kindred tend to lose themselves the older they get, to where all that remains are just jaded monsters. I was once told that all Kindred are monsters, the Camirilla, the Sabbat, the Independents. All of us evil, and that the only reason why he was in the Camirilla was because they were the lesser of three evils.

I however do not agree with that. I believe that we are good, and we do good. Yes, we influence mortals lives at a whim, but in doing this, do we not more often make their lives better for it? A lowly street urchin becomes a ghoul of a wealthy Kindred, do they not have a better life, and perhaps, even a chance at immortality? No, Kindred have souls Miss Kelly, it is the choices and actions that make Kindred and Kine whom and what they are." Archon added with a very subtle smile that you one would have to look twice to see if they saw it correctly. A smile that just as quick as it had come was gone once more.

Archo watched the obvious shock hit her mind at his words of his intentions. Must have hit her hard to, as it took her a moment to recover and she, Archon noticed, once more chose her words carefully. He could not help but think how much of an excellent Ventrue she would have made. Shame the Clan of Kings did not get to her first. Either way, it seemed as if her support was all his, and was he hearing this correctly, that of her Sires? Interesting indeed.

"Yes indeed Seneschal Kelly, time for a new Prince. He has clearly lost the faith of the Kindred in his Domain, my mistake I misspoke, his former Domain. The more high profile Kindred that supports my Praxis, the more cemented my victory shall be. If entire Clans support me, well then no matter whom he may know, which by they way I am sure that I know all the Elders he knows, and I am sure they like me more." Archon said half jesting, half serious.

"Yes Winters is powerful, but so am I my dear. I have built that power for many years. I have eyes and ears literally everywhere. When I told you that I have a far stretching arm, I was not kidding. I have had well over a century to do everything just right, serve as a Whip here, a Primogen there, a Sheriff in another city, Harpy in another, and even your soon to be station in yet another city. I have bid my time, sharpened my fangs, and consolidated my power base for just such a moment as this; so that when this time would come my claim to Prince would be without contestation." Archon said firmly, not a single lie, or hint of nerves in his voice. In fact just the opposite, he was calm and incredibly confident.

When Keira spoke of the Sheriff and of him having his support his brow raised, but he knew better than to question such a thing, especially if it could have been a matter of the Blood Bond. Such things were often a sensitive subject with those Kindred he were, or knew someone that was. Archon on the other hand besides having a few Ghouls, liked to use it as an implement of punishment or should the case arise, fealty. He wondered what his Sire would say seeing what he was about to achieve. Stopping his reflection of the past before it was noticed he focused on the now.

"The Sheriff you say? Excellent news indeed, with him, yourself, your Sire, and hopefully your Clan, this is already looking to be over before it has begun as the saying goes. Do what you must to achieve Cyrus' support of me in this Praxis seizure. The more of his former hierarchy that joins me is the more that we can ground him into miserable defeat. You know Seneschal, with our cunning, we shall have a very long reign indeed." Archon said with just a hint of deviousness in his voice

She then spoke of justice and how of late the Prince's justice has been warped and abused, and over all ugly and blunt. He has fallen far from what it means to be Ventrue, at this point he is no better than the Brujah rabble that call themselves Anarchs. What a pity. He supposed that when he himself was Prince he could always name former Prince Winters Sabbat and have him Blood Hunted. Actually....that may not be to bad of an idea Archon thought to himself.

"Its a shame when a Prince, a Ventrue to boot, loses track of what is justice and what is tyranny. I would love to do nothing more than to give this city and her Kindred the justice they want, the justice the need, the justice that they demand and deserve. It is becoming more and more clear that 'Prince' Winters has become a liability to this city and to the Camirilla. His carelessness can and will probably lead us to a massive breach in the Masquerade, something that is, as I hope you know, punishable by Final Death." Archon said matter of factly

Finally they came, they undisputed words of alliance. Yes I will join you in you goal. More beautiful words have not been said, or at least in a very long time. Archon was just getting ready to respond when a young woman came up to her shoulder and tapped it. Bloody hell another interruption? He supposed it could not be helped after all she was the club owner and all

"Oh no love, your fine, please, do what you must." Archon said with out any irritation in his voice that he was obviously feeling at a second disturbance with their meeting. He hoped that what ever the other woman was disturbing Keira with it was important at least. What ever they were discussing it seemed quite serious. Archon took a look around the club again just to make sure that everything looked safe. Not finding a danger indicators he turned his attention back to the two woman to find that Keira was just settling into her seat once more.

Archon looked at the grim expression on his soon to be right hands face and then listened silent shock at the audacity of Winters. Being on already rocky ground as he was, you would think he would see the wisdom of declaring why he was issuing this Blood Hunt. It did not matter, this would be the last Blood Hunt he would ever issue again. Archon was going to enjoy taking Toronto out from underneath Mikhail. Saver this Praxis like a fine wine.

"The Prince is a fool. He is but a boy, trying to be a man on a god's playground. Let him have his Blood Hunt, it will soon be over ruled anyway." Archon handed her a card that read Hamilton Corporation. Room 1504 "We must act swiftly and be as shadows. Gather the cities hierarchy, excluding the Prince of course for now, your Sire, the Sheriff, your clan Primogen and all I shall gather the Ventrue who are mart enough to see reason, fret not I already know whom they are. Meet me there in exactly two hours, that should be enough time for an emergency meeting. Oh and Seneschal? Make me proud." Archon then swiftly got up and made his way out of the club with purpose.

[Keira Kelly]

"There is no evil in simple survival." Keira agreed. "Even those I choose to feed from enjoy the experience. I make sure of that. I've heard us called parasites... but the Camarilla at least, as a whole, gives back much to the Kine. As you said, we benefit those we draw in. That is a truly symbiotic relationship. How can there be evil in that, yes?" she asked though it was more of a statement than an actual question.

She smiled again as Archon used the title when saying her name. She had never had as much ambition as some to rise in the ranks. She had realized her youth compared to other Kindred around and had figured she had plenty of time to get into the real politics later but hearing that title... she wanted it.

"I am sure the Elders do like you better." she said with a teasing smile. "You are definitely more charming than Mikhail. I do not doubt your power, it was only a friendly warning that Mikhail will not give up his position willingly or easily."

As she listened to Archon's recitation of his resume, she was impressed. She had certainly decided to back the right candidate it seemed. Charming, polite, seemingly fair and had occupied just about every station in the Camarilla it seemed. The right candidate indeed.

She nodded. "Cyrus only serves Mikhail for certain.. reasons. Reasons that are not mine to say." she said, not wanting to talk about Sindri's past behind his back. It was not her place nor her story to tell. "The only problem is.. I have not seen Cy in just over a week now. I'm not sure.. no I'm sure he must be on some kind of job for Mikhail. In any case, he will be on our side and I will attempt to contact him. He would jump at the opportunity to remove the shackles as it were... He will support you."

She smiled again, thinking of how it would be with Winters out of the picture.. and what it would be like to have more power in the city as well.

"Long live the new Prince." she said in a conspiratorial tone with a playful expression.

Keira nodded again as Archon talked of Mikhail's failure as a leader. "That is something I do worry about. There have been more encroachments by the Sabbat as of late in the city and I do not believe Mikhail has taken an active role in ridding the city of them either..."

After she left and came back to the table, she listened as Archon spoke. "This Blood Hunt will undoubtedly bring the support of the whole Tremere clan to your lap." she said with a raised eyebrow, knowing he had probably already considered that fact. She had just wanted to say it out loud.

She took his card as he gave her her first orders. She nodded seriously. "I'll not fail you or the Camarilla." she said and then Archon was gone.

She got up quickly and headed back to the quiet of her own office. She would have a lot of phone calls to make.

continued in http://elysium.raptorred.com/forum/view ... 3372#p3372

[Keira Kelly]

continued from http://elysium.raptorred.com/forum/view ... 3949#p3949

The next night when all three had awoken, they had headed downstairs to Keira's booth. How good it felt to have some semblance of the old routine, she thought. As crowds started to arrive and music began to play the three Kindred talked, Keira and Cy explaining about the recent events to a curious Marie.

[AedanTravius[old]]

Continued from http://elysium.raptorred.com/forum/view ... 3979#p3979

The two walked to Keira's table, "This place never changes," Aedan said with a smile.

[Aynn Marks]

Aynn walked in, behind Aedan, quietly listening as he talked about what it was this club was about. She had passed by here plenty of times on her way to and from work, but didn't think too much of it, since she wasn't much into the night club scene. I guess that's out of the cabinet and into the frying pan......, she couldn't help but sigh at the thought, and listened as the next track the DJ put on began to spin. It took her a little while to get used to the heavy bass and ear-splitting music, but it was a way different experience then what she had tried oh so many years ago.

She let Aedan lead her to the table where everyone else had been sitting. As before, everyone was very recognizable, and almost instantly, she smiled and got right back into the conversation. "So....what's next, everyone?"

[Archon Hamilton]

Archon came walking into Keira's club, he was no longer limping but he was still nursing his ribs. Aesthetically he looked much better. Whether je was or not however still remained to be seen. He saw that there was already a number of Kindred sitting with his Seneschal. Slowly making his way through the throng of people, smiling and shaking hands to people he knew rather they worked at one of his companies or he had represented them in Night Court he did not know, his memory was good not photographic.

"Sorry to intrude, but would you be willing to sit with your Prince?"Archon asked genuine smile and charm pouring out him as easy and naturally as it was for Kine to breath. He wore a charming smile and waited until at the very least Keira responded to him. At his side on his arm was Mirella, whom he had dined with just prior to coming here.

He had no idea what was playing now, something about Secrets being given away. (OOC: One Republic's Hit: Secrets) What strange music kids listened to these days. He much preferred something on Piano or Organ. Then again his Sire had listened to such when ever it was he listened to music, which was not often but there you have it. Archon noticed that his foot was tapping to the music playing and immediately frowned and looked at his foot. "Judas" Was all he said and forced his foot to stop tapping and enjoying the sound of such modern music. He then looked back up to the people at the table.

[rivaan]

It took him about an hour to leave the bed. Vincent didn’t felt like leaving the bed, but eventually he decided to go out for the night. He took a shower and put on a brand new pair of jeans and while shirt. Afterwards he went to a hairdresser to make his hair. Not to shorten it, but to give it form.

Now he felt as his old self again, but there was still something that was missing. He looked at his arm and saw the ring. Yes his sire was gone, and now he was left in this world without purpose. Ohh well he would just have to live without the thirst for revenge from now on. He decided to go to Keira’s club, as it was the closest one. While he was walking down the road, he could see the two shining dots that were watching him from the roof of the nearby building.

When he entered the club he immediately saw Keira and the rest of the group in one of the booths. He actually didn’t want to see any of them or talk with them right now and he doubted that they would recognize him without actually looking at his face. So he headed straight to the bar.

“One glass please… double if it’s possible…” Vincent said to the bartender and took out Elisabeth’s ring from his pocket.

[Keira Kelly]

Keira gestured to Aedan to join them. It had been a long time since he had been here. "It's the way I like it." she replied with a smile. She gave a nod in greeting to Aynn who had accompanied Aedan. "Welcome to my club, my dear." she said to the woman.

Keira chuckled as she saw her own grandsire approaching with their new Prince. So there had been something there after all. Well Mirella.. and Archon as well deserved whatever made them happy. "Please, my Prince, Mirella, you are both more than welcome to join us of course." she said, half standing up. One had to respect the etiquette of receiving the Prince and his Sheriff to some degree after all.

She waved to Anna, who soon brought a tray laden with glasses filled with a dark liquid for everyone there. Keira picked up hers, taking a long drink and savouring the taste. They acquired their stock from some local blood banks, it was stored blood so of course it wasn't as good as feeding on a living person... but it was plentiful and didn't hurt anyone or risk revealing anything to the Kine.

She thought she saw Vincent pass by heading to the bar but he did not appear to be in a very good mood so she didn't mention it or call to him.

She turned back to the group at hand, standing up and raising her glass. "To the new Prince. Let his reign be long and just!" she toasted.