#willbroforjustice

[inconspicuouslamp]

“Sister, I see you have made a new conquest. I hope she isn’t too… disobedient. You know how unruly some females can be. Myself, I appreciate a bit of spirit. But then, I have the…uh, strength to handle it.” I give her my coldest smirk and wait for her response.

While Isabella takes no notice of Simon's words, Talia and Veronica both glance at him coldly, and tension fills the air. Veronica in particular sits up straighter, and, at a tiny motion from her hand, a man dressed in a suit that is clearly concealing body armor steps out of the shadows. 

Theresa's eyes stab up at Simon's. Gone is her obsequious manner, as she stares straight into Simon's eyes, an uncomfortable reminder of what Ventrue can do with their gaze.

There is steel in her voice.

"Strength." She says, quietly, her voice pitched for Simon alone. "Yes. Strength of will. The strength of another's resolve should never be discounted. The other Clans too often forget that strength of will can be a powerful tool to extract information from others." Theresa's thumb gently caresses the leather of Morgan's leash, her eyes never leaving Simon's. "Information regarding the Traditions, Adjudicator," she hisses, "And violations thereof."

"If you would like to make this a public matter, then by all means, let us continue our discussion of strength. And shame. The prospect tempts, to be sure."

[inconspicuouslamp]

"Out loud, I reply coldly. “I believe your prejudices are clouding your judgment, sir. Do not pretend to know me or my kind. We may possess more humanity than you imagine. I see you here, alone. You scorn companionship, compassion, the very qualities you mortals flaunt so proudly every time you try to prove how despicable, how inhuman we are. I can feel your hatred, you viscousness and I know all about your licentiousness. What makes you different from us? What makes you worth saving? I may not be a good being, but I know one when I see one. I know the value of such a person. And you, my dear Archbishop, are not good."

Archbishop Mondragon’s hands rise from the top of his desk and slowly, deliberately, form a steeple before his mouth. His eyes glitter in the candlelight.  

*

“You are very right about one thing, Blackwell.” He says, his voice barely above a whisper. “I am not a good person.” Suddenly he begins to smile, his teeth are very white and straight, and it occurs to you that you have never seen the Archbishop so much as smirk before. This… is creepy.

“Perhaps you are right about something else as well. Perhaps I have let my ‘prejudices’ cloud my judgement. Your kind needs shelter during the daylight. You fancy the Cathedral, I presume? Take what rooms you would in the basement… I will provide you with the key. I know you can come and go silently, and unseen. Continue to do so and you will remain unmolested in this House…”

He snaps open the lock on one of the drawers and pulls out a single key on a silver ring. His weathered hand extends and the key falls through his fingers, onto the desk, with a ringing clink, loud in the utter silence. “In return, you will do something for me.”

“There is a statue. A metal statue of St. Francis once held within this very Cathedral. It is currently in the possession of Thomas Saavedra. Given to him as a gift, long ago. It is time it was returned to the Church. To me.”

“Your kind are suited to skulking, I know. Retrieve the statue, bring it here…” His hand comes down suddenly onto the silver key on his desk. The thump of his hand shivers the candle, setting the shadows to dancing. “And you will have your key.”

“We need not even discuss the business of this blackmail ‘Sister’ Theresa has spoken to you about…”

1 point of my budget is expended. If you wish to refuse Mondragon’s offer, describe how Simon does so and I will deduct 2 points from your Willpower. If you accept his offer to retrieve the statue of St. Francis in return for his blessing to dwell within the Cathedral, describe the conversation.

The standings are:

Brandon:6

Grandma: 6

Simon: 6

Lamp: 15

*= Alfred Molina looks nothing at all like Mondragon, but goddamn is that picture perfect for the Archbishop otherwise!

[inconspicuouslamp]

“No.” I let my personality weigh on her, like something tangible. It wasn’t domination, but it was close. “I’m willing to make a lot of exceptions for you, Anna. But I’m not willing to put your life at risk. Not for something as stupid as this party.” I knew it probably wasn’t enough. Anna didn’t get to where she was by rolling over every time someone disagreed with her. All I could do was wait to see how far she would try to push back.

Anna, dressed in a beautiful evening gown and jewels for the night out, stares at Brandon for a long moment, rocking backward ever so slightly before clenching her jaw. "I thought you brought me into your world because you wanted to be with me... I thought you gave me your blood because you needed me." She says, plaintively at first, but with growing anger. "But all you seem to need me to do is be quiet and hide inside your mansion. I may still be learning about your world, but I know exactly what that makes me in my world, and if all I am to you is arm candy or... or some sort of status symbol, then I'm done with this, and done with you."

Anna's fists are balled tightly as she shakes with emotion kept in check by the power of the blood bond, she musters her resolve and continues. "You Kindred have influence, power, and if you want me around, then I want a part of it. You held me back once already when I had the opportunity to make a bid for Canoness*. But I won't be quiet anymore, and I won't hide cooped up inside here like one of your birds." She gestures to the nearby peacock, which stares beadily at her. "If I can't go to this party, then I want something else. I've seen what Talia can do, and I want that. I want power, and I want to know how I fit into the Kindred world. I want to know exactly what's going on, and how I can benefit from it."

She stares at Brandon, challenging, and whispers, "So, then, just how much do you really need me?" 

1 point of my budget is expended. If you wish to force Anna to back down, describe how Brandon does so and I will deduct 2 points from your Willpower. If you give in to her demands to teach her Majesty (at least) and to divulge everything about Kindred politics in Santa Fe, also describe what happens.The standings are:

Brandon: 6

Grandma: 6

Simon: 6

Lamp: 17

*The post of Canoness is a Union** office. They are the highest ranking madams who control large swaths of Union establishments and report directly to the Mother Superior. Also, for those watching at home, the Union loves to piss off the Church.

**Prostitution was legalized in World of Darkness Santa Fe in the late 1800s, and "the Union," an organized and wealthy ring of brothel madams, was swiftly founded. They are extremely wealthy and influential in Santa Fe. Anna is a madam of the Penthouse, the swankiest brothel in the city, but that's all she controls. A Canoness would control more.