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

[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.

[bloodqueen]

A witness. [ this time she casts a look over at elijah, even as she swerves closer to rose. make a will save, rose... ] Funny you didn't open with that one.

[ofmyword]

[Elijah merely smiles.] And show our entire hand at once? You should know better.

[littledhampir]

[Will Save of 26 as she lets Elijah tackle that one.]

[bloodqueen]

I'm still waiting to hear something about what they saw to make me care.

[littledhampir]

[Rose does her best to mask the fact that she's delving into her own memories here, keeping her expression as neutral as possible as she recalls the details that have apparently been seared into her mind. (WS 26, Wis 21).]

Two Vampires. One who appeared younger, like the ones we interrogated and dismissed as being directly responsible for the deaths of the Knights.

The other? [Looking to Carmilla as she speaks.] He referred to her as a bottom feeder. Some things were said that suggested he was, not newly made.

1/2

[likedillinger]

You wouldn't know of any of yours who were in that part of town around then, would you?

[bloodqueen]

I already told you that we handled the situation. It's over.