marseilles ♔ swallowing the pill til i breathed my last

[likedillinger]

We Carry On - Portishead

WHO || Dean, Rose, Gus, Ashley, Elijah [closed]
WHAT || The Knights head to speak with the Carmilla
WHERE || Marseilles, France
WHEN || Mid April 2016
HOW || Actionspam

Last fall, two Knights were killed in action while investigating a group of rogue vampires in Paris - Sir Dragomir and Sir Rast. While the vampires were brought under control, the mystery of who exactly killed the Knights remains up in the air, and to that end, Wynn has decided to establish contact with an ancient vampire known as Carmilla, leader of a vampiric coven of Elders who dictate the rules by which most nearby covens live in order to maintain their existence without bringing humankind down on their heads.

Also of interest to the assigned Knights is the strange abrupt departure of Sir Helen Magnus, who stayed behind in Paris and sent an unusual letter to her daughter Ashley that refused to explain what she was doing, but left the woman more concerned than ever.

Wynn has made arrangements with the coven, who have reluctantly agreed to meet with the Knights, and so a few days after their briefing, Dean pulls their rented vehicle up to the gates of the creepy manor where the Elders have at least agreed to rendezvous. While the grounds are well kept, there's an air of emptiness to the whole place.

Comments

[littledhampir]

[Rose bristles at the suggestion that they were there to be Elijah's feeders but at least she manages to keep any response to herself. (WS 27)

Interjecting before Dean can respond.]

We wouldn't want to take up too much of your time anyway. [Her head canting as she considers the Vampires present, as if trying to connect what she'd heard with one of them.]

It sounded like you were expecting somebody else?

1/2

[likedillinger]

[ Delphine shrugs a bit dismissively.

"We didn't call court here only to deal with this. After all, hopefully this won't take long." ]

We can hope.

[bloodqueen]

[ the beginning is the end is the beginning - smashing pumpkins

elijah hears the approaching steps from beyond the door well before they reach it, and the two feeders pull it open, their eyes dropped to the floor as if out of respect for the vampire they are escorting. or a certain degree of fear, from the tightness in both their frames. even the other vampires straighten up, gus' new friend even rising to her feet, although the pierced woman remains seated.

the woman who walks in isn't particularly tall, although her heels give her the perfect impression of being so. she sports long dark hair, nearly black eyes, and full red lips, a tight black dress revealing every inch of her many curves (and with his crit failed will save, dean apologizes for how he's likely staring rn, rose). a large ruby glistens at her throat, and she moves with an ethereal grace that surpasses even the others gathered. what's more, she exudes an unsettling presence and anyone who doesn't make a DC 25 will save will be slightly thrown off by it, taking a –2 penalty on attack rolls, saves, and skill checks for the time as she slowly rakes her gaze across the lot of them.

delphine lowers her own head respectfully to announce in a much less glib tone: "The Carmilla."

carmilla steps within and stands in front of the other vampires as she surveys the knights before addressing them, even her voice commanding, dark smoke and glass. ]

It's been some time since the Knights have sought a direct audience with our kind. I admit to being curious, and for that, you've earned as much, but I would advise you to make wise use of the moments I've agreed to spare you.

[littledhampir]

[At least if Rose has any desire to send an elbow between Dean's ribs, she's able to resist, as well as remain unaffected by the presence of the Vampire Queen. (Will Save 27.)

Rose instead tracks her graceful movements as she sweeps into the room, her gaze shifting from Carmila to the the pierced woman, lingering there a moment before refocusing on the newest arrival while she waits for Elijah to get the ball rolling.]

[bagsthem]

[Ashley, meanwhile, is unnerved af (will save 8), and gives the vampire a wide berth as she comes through the door, staying rooted in place as her eyes cautiously watch her move through the room.

Nope.jpg, basically.]

[druidisms]

[ gus seems utterly uninfluenced by the woman's presence (will save 37), though his eyebrow arches slightly, almost like he's impressed by her apparent youth. get it, girl. mellie cowers behind him, nosing at his legs with a faint whine (will save 21) until his hand brushes over her fluffy head. ]

[ofmyword]

[Elijah is just barely able to remain unaffected (will save 26), which will probably have some hella confused later because he's an original wtf. That being said, it's hardly his first rodeo with another powerful vampire sooo.

He meets Carmilla's gaze, a smile on his face and relaxes his posture. No point dancing around the issue so let's jump right in.]

Several members of our order were attacked in Paris last year. Given the code you've all agreed to live by, I don't think I need to explain how this could affect each and every one of you. You have answers, we don't want to waste anybody's time, I'm sure we can come to a mutually beneficial agreement.

[Because expecting answers for free is the worst idea ever. (diplomacy 31)]

[bloodqueen]

Paris was the work of several young vampires who would have bucked our authority. We've already dealt with the situation, and there have been no incidents since then.

I fail to see what more needs to be discussed. [ despite her cool words on the subject, she doesn't sound angry at least, and waits to hear elijah's response, so that seems to be a minor success. ]

[littledhampir]

[Rose at least, is not convinced but she does an adequate job of concealing it (WS 23). Regarding Camilla quietly, she tries to figure out if she truly believes what she's saying or if there's an intent to deceive behind her words. (Sense Motive 33.)]

[ofmyword]

Then why agree to the meeting? [It's a genuine question instead of a flippant remark.] Despite how long it has been since the incident, you had to have known why we were here. If the matter was as beneath you as your attitude implies, you wouldn't have bothered. [He wouldn't have.] I doubt someone of your, [His eyes flick up and down Carmilla's form.] position would waste her own time if there wasn't something else.

[He's taking a huge risk here but a lifetime of dealing with Niklaus has kind of prepared him for things like this. (diplomacy 24)]

[bloodqueen]

[ there's nothing about her words that make it seem like she's trying to trick them, at least. but she does narrow her eyes a bit at elijah's words, fixing him with an almost challenging stare. ]

In my position, I can't afford to leave organizations such as yours with reasons to suspect us of foul play. That's how vendettas pop up - the kind that tend to lead to the attempted slaughter of our kind. If I refused Wynn his audience, no doubt he'd think we had something to hide.

[likedillinger]

[ despite being cowed by her presence, dean can't help but blurt out: ] And you really expect us to believe you don't?

[bagsthem]

[Ashley is just gonna be silent and tense af over here because she's still super unsettled by this vampire and she's pretty sure she's not gonna take that comment kindly.]

[littledhampir]

You can probably imagine that it's... difficult, for us to understand how two experienced Knights were able to be brutally murdered by a couple of young Vampires. [Her expression betraying little as she addresses Carmilla.] Maybe if you could tell us more about the ones you hold responsible?

[Die says Rose is taking this shit super seriously okay. (Diplomacy Nat 20).]

[bloodqueen]

All of them were turned in the last few years, and chafed under the idea of following rules at all. It only took one of them to infect the others with the notion that we were holding them back, rather than teaching them how to survive. That our traditions were outdated. This sort of thing crops up every now and again - the young always think they know best.

[druidisms]

Would it be correct to assume that when you say "dealt with" it's with some finality?

[ yo they dead? ]

[bloodqueen]

Enough to scare the others straight, at least.

[ofmyword]

[While Elijah seems satisfied with that answer, he doesn't back down from her challenging stare while the others say their parts.]

Until it happens again. Likely sooner rather than later if you think you've done more than inspire more resentment for you and your traditions.

[bloodqueen]

[ she takes a few steps closer to elijah, arms folded. ] It's a natural consequence of what we are and how we live. We minimize the damage to innocents, and if Wynnefalshond isn't satisfied with that, I'm afraid I don't care.

He overestimates how much I'm concerned about the death of a few mortals now and again. What matters to me is protecting my own.

[littledhampir]

Exactly how often does this sort of thing happen? [That question sounding more like a theory than an accusation at least.]

[ofmyword]

Then perhaps you should cease turning reckless youths who are far more interested in moving up in the world than staying alive to take advantage of what you've given them.

[:)

He tilts his head towards Rose, waiting for the answer.]

[bloodqueen]

[ she sneers at elijah instead, addressing his point first ] None of them were sired by any of the Elder vampires here. Quite a few of them come from outside my territory and move here, escaping the sort of genocide they've met with in Germany, or Spain. [ gael garcia bernal over there looks up at that, and there's a flash of something in his eyes, but he says nothing. delphine notably glances over at him though. for a moment, it seems like maybe she doesn't intend to answer rose, but after letting that hang there a moment, almost accusatory, she turns to her. ]

Rarely more than a few occurrences every century. Most vampires here rightly fear the power of the Carmilla and think twice before breaking our rules.

[littledhampir]

[Rose weighs something heavily in the brief silence that follows, considering what information to use now and what to keep to herself.]

Have you ever considered the possibility that they're connected? [Briefly looking over the others.] Not young, rogue Vampires that think they know better but ones who are acting under the guidance of another?

[bloodqueen]

[ the look she casts rose is far from friendly, and victor and hollywood vamp exchange looks ] What are you implying?

[littledhampir]

[Picking up on that look (Spot 33) and Carmilla's ever increasing irritation, Rose decides now's as good a time as any...]

We have a witness.