A most unusual meeting

[Sherazade]

* Cinnabar makes his way into the tavern, this evening in full Constabulary uniform - grey tunic, leather pauldrons and vambraces, polished steel helm with ornate brass detail carried under one arm. Here on business it would seem, an impression reinforced as he makes his way to the bar and quietly orders a mug of tea. Normally he tends to stronger stuff at the weekends, but tonight is... different. A meeting arranged, a rather *unusual* meeting, and the tavern chosen as neutral ground of sorts. As neutral as any, he supposes, slipping coins across the bar in payment.

* Dabria Was waiting it seemed, in the quiet evening of the dagger, Prepared for the encounter....A table was selected, a fine drapping of navy linen lay over it, four chairs set at four points of origin. compass markings perhaps, upon the table, four cups...One bottle....and the Countess, is dressed accordingly for the affair, Elegant hues of hunter green, she a regality that is unmistaken... "Constable you have been expected...." she speaks, standing before the table..."Will you sit?.."

<Alexis`DeMarshay> being mortal left one so few options when making a show of power... when underscoring a lack of fear... that is if one didnt want it to seem like a threat. Still Alexis had found a way, one she believed would be most effective. Up the daggers steps she moved mere moments after cinnabar had entered. she had pinned the note to the cemetary's gates the prince would either show or he would not... she was not his keeper. Over the threshold she came just as dabria spoke to the constable and her steps came immedately towards them a hand signalling the tender.

* Cinnabar blinks, glancing up from the bar, then smiles and nods amiably to the Countess. "Aha. Yes, certainly. Thank you." He brings his tea over to the table, somewhat inelegant compared to the wine and tablecloth, but that's no great concern. The steel helm is set upon the table as he picks a place more-or-less at random, and offers a grin and a nod to Alexis. "Good evening." His attention returns to the other lady for a moment, noting her fine dress and dignified bearing, and he offers his hand in greeting. "Cinnabar Calomel. I must confess you have me at a disadvantage, ma'am."

<Alexis`DeMarshay> Normally of a pale fawn hue her skin seemed to be almost white this evening. dark loam waves where pulled back from her face caught in a tidy braid .. ever present gloves most conspcious by their absence. Sleves of her dark red shirt were rolled back past her elbows baring the scarred left forearm, that appendage that should be useless and yet was not. having no collar at all this shirt also bared a scar she had until now kept hidden. resting in the curve of neck and shoulder was the second bite mark this one overlaid by a curious burnmark.. that was in the shape of a cross. so yes she'd been bitten and had it treated in a most painful manner... I've survived you before I am not afraid of you, vampire .. that was the message she was sending dabria . "evening" her voice held nothing of her thoughts was naught but polite as she greeted them both.

* Dabria smiles at the manners of the young Constable as she watches which seat he takes, It may say alot to her, or very little... "I am the Countess Dabria...Me and my sisters are in the court of my Liege..The Prince of Myrken...." her speech matches her garb toperfection, yes she des belong in court....this is no savage blood sucking beast...no matter the myths of her kind...Yes her kind, she skin tone as pale and ash as snow....a look to Alexis is given now....to everything she shows.... "Good eve again Huntress...". No need for inuendo...if she wishes blunt she shall recieve... "My Liege, shall arrive soon...Till then, perhaps we could discuss whatever matters have gathered us together?..." hand offers the woman a seat before she takes on herself....

* Cinnabar nods, a polite shake of the hand to the lady - businesslike and formal, rather than any more flamboyant gesture - and takes a seat at the table. "Pardon my asking, but is Countess a title used in a similar manner to Prince among your kind, or do you hold the title in, ah, public society also?" Curious, but not invasively so - the impression he gives is of wishing to clarify matters, to avoid confusion or misunderstanding. He sips at his tea and glances to the empty seat at the table for a moment. Hm.

<Alexis`DeMarshay> Head would incline to both, a flicker of a smirk alighting briefly upon her lips. Gracefully she settled into the indicated seat , silver dagger shifted so it did not dig in uncomfortably. Tender would bring her tea and take payment before moving away ... would not be wise to get in the middle of this.


* Dabria a light touch of laughter flickers of rosde hued lips..."No it is not a standing in the Hyriarchy of our rule, I was a time ago, in another land...Companion to a Count...they Called me Countess...and So it is...." It is an odd explanation....But he shall find, she is an odd woman, for all her elegant grace....Her mind is a wild thing.... "He Is Prince....Leader, ruler....Akin I suppose to your Govenor....or the Duke..."


<Undertaker> He got the note that Alexis has left him and made his way directly towards the tavern without haste. Taking him little time to trek the short distance between the cemetery and the tavern. It was straight up the steps of the porch and across it to the door where a hand would come up to pull it open and move within. There was a small pause to take a glance around before spoting those whom where already here, there is no real expression on the Prince's face, slow steps carried him to the table where he would simply nodded to Cinnabar then Alexis and finaly Dabria.. "Good evening". Then seats himself at the table.

<Cinnabar> "I see." He nods, understanding, offering a polite smile in thanks for her explanation. "He is such among your own kind, perhaps." A terribly genteel way of noting that this "Prince" has little standing in the eyes of the law, certainly. He glances up as a new face approaches the table, grey eyes watching the fellow thoughtfully and drawing the obvious conclusion. "Good evening, sir, and thank you for agreeing to this meeting. Cinnabar Calomel." A hand offered to the Prince as it had been to the Countess, well-mannered and formal.

<Alexis`DeMarshay> Ahh yes the note.. the one that gave him time and place and informed him how little she trusted dabria and if the other stepped out of line that she would act without hesistation... in other words he would have a fraction of a second to step in before there was alot of trouble. However for the moment Alexis simply sipped her tea offered a murmured greeting and nothing more... she was here primarily to offer insight when it was asked for and to make sure the constable did not fnd himself an unwitting Victim, this meeting after all had been her idea and her conscious would not allow her to sit it out.


* Dabria a small nod, and delicate smile was offered when he comes into view...Then in equal manner she nods to the Constables words, leaning closer to whisper to him.. "Muchin the same way we view your Past and present Political heads..." a nod to smile, while she waits for the Prince to be seated

<Undertaker> Pale hand extended towards the constable as the hand reached out the flesh turned warmer and more alive even the touch of his skin was warm and human like. "I've been looking forwards to it" There was no smile to be offered but his words are genuine and polite. When the hand withdrew the paleness returned and the Brujah sat straight in his chair. He is not much on words, a pause was given as eyes where looking over the two of them, just observing as he often does. The only question now is where to start first.

* Cinnabar raises a brow at Dabria's words, but passes no comment for the moment. His attention instead remains upon the Prince, perhaps hoping that the man will offer, well, a *name*. It's only polite, after all. In the meantime: "Mm. To get down to business, my Detectives have been investigating a spate of recent murders, and Miss DeMarshay advised me that you would be a useful person to speak with, and that we perhaps share certain views on the subject. I must say, from what she has explained of your... people, I find myself quite intrigued." He sets the teacup down, warming slender fingers about the glazed earthenware for a moment. "Perhaps you might indulge me in a few questions?"

* Dabria Indeed Alexis should be warry of the Princes female companion, for she is near obsessivly protective of her Leige, her loyalty has frightened in the past....But she is also, well trained for situations such as these, an excellent representive int he past...Unlike her sisters, she has the ability to hide the curse of her blood line....the Psychois that befalls all childern of Malkov, yes....She is well refined....a hand lifts to fill two goblets from the contents of the bottle. One is set before her Prince, the other before herself, as she listens to the Constable as he begins....The childern....the poor innocents..."My Leige is a man of few words...But if I may speak...Never under his rule, has he condoned such slaughter...but as in all things, some insist on going against the rule of Law"....She looks from Constable to huntress

[Sherazade]

<Alexis`DeMarshay> Where to start Indeed.. This was something that was puzzling Alexis herself.. for although she had decided bringing the prince and constable together was a good idea, she had never really expected it to happen, had not planned anything beyond this point. So she was rather glad when the constable spoke took the matter into his own hands. Fingers flexed made scar tissue move, to keep it from getting stiff, gaze drifting away from the men towards Dabria... in fact even when she seemed to be looking elsewhere a fraction of her gaze would be resting on this one. Let them worry about what this hunter has said... about exactly what she knows of them. dabria's words of course caused a surprised flicker within those watchful chocolate depths but she would not show rudeness.. see she believed the prince condoned no such thing it was that dabria was stating such so politely that was surprising.

(ok since there were problems lets continue here. Suggested order.. UT Cinnabar, Dabria, Me. Since it would now be micheals post)

[Undertaker]

Listening to the words that the constable offered his ears the Prince would nod once the words where gone. "It would be my pleasure" The offered goblet by Dabria would be accepted with the effortless motion of plucking the drink from the table and lifting it to his lips and taking a sip of a taste before setting it back to the table. Hand withdrew only a few inches from the base of the goblet. "What is it you wish to know?" He is willing to answer most anything the constable has to ask, though the correct question must be asked first.

[Cinnabar]

Nodding politely to Dabria's words, the Constable nevertheless keeps the better part of his attention upon the Prince. He sips his tea before speaking, wetting his throat and buying a small amount of time to consider his words.

"On what grounds are you able to speak for your fellows? I ask because I have been advised that you are a man of your word and will honour any agreement we might reach, but I must admit to... some concern about how you can guarantee that those you lead will also abide by such agreements. Without such a guarantee, any accord we make here will not be worth the breath used to speak it." Another sip of tea before the mug is set down again, fingers laced around the warm pottery.

"There is also the matter of recognition of the rule of law. You apparently have rules kind governing acceptable behaviour among your own kind, which is quite interesting and also sensible considering the, ah, unusual nature of your condition. But the fact that you appear to have rules of your own raises an interesting question." He watches the Prince carefully at this point, calm grey eyes upon the man. "How do you and your kind view yourselves in relation to the laws of Myrken Wood? The laws that enforce a standard of acceptable behaviour among the citizenry of Myrken, that is."

[Khalika]

What a lark.... It took all she had not to errupt in fits of laughter... To hold the needle point stitching of her mind together.... Abide by Mortal law?!.... The same law that allows them to slaughter her kind, without cause or reason. It was disgraceful, an abomination of thought!..
Yet those lips.... those lips of rose petal warmth, they only fold in a gentle curve, the most delicate of practices manners. A light dip of the head would follow with equal diligence. A nod to acknowledge the words spoken, though perhaps not a nod of agreement....

A hand, guant and pale moves to grip the goblet, a swallow, the liquid is just as she arranged... The temperature, and blend to her specific instruction. She is a bit obsessive when it comes to detail.

She listens now, as the constable has spoken, looking upon her Prince. It all seemed a foolish encounters, this whole event of meetings, and deals. Though the constable intrieges her, his manner of speech, his look.. So for the moment she will give this gather its chance.... Though she does offer him something...This Constable of many question..

"His word is law.... None who are loyal, go against his rule... And those who live within his court. Hold it as a great honor.....Those who don't
A pause, as that smile deepens, and those lips darken....

Those who don't....Are held to account for such.....
It seems not much. Not grave at all..Save for the chill her voice gathers in that final statement...

[Sherazade]

Well it was getting off to a reasonable start now wasnt it, everyone was being polite and yet Alexis was still wary. Her lips twitched as the constable spoke, she knew exactly who had given him such information it had been her.

Dabria however soon gained the full attention of Alexis's gaze this one she did not trust... so much was hidden about the princes companion. Still the hunter would offer no words, for the moment she had nothing to add.

[Cinnabar]

The Constable nods slightly at the Countess' answer, turning his attention to the woman as she speaks. He considers this for a moment, sipping his tea.

"Perhaps I did not phrase my question very well. I was curious as to what keeps his subjects loyal. To say that none who are loyal go against his law is, well, stating the obvious somewhat. What causes them to be loyal in the first place? You say that those who remain within his court abide by his rules. What of those who choose to remain outside his court?" He leans forwards, regarding Dabria intently.

"If the Prince passes a decree or makes a decision that his subjects do not care for, what allows him to remain Prince? What prevents those supposedly under his rule from leaving his court, or ignoring his rules, or otherwise acting in a way which benefits themselves rather than following his directives?"

[Sherazade]

As the constable was speaking a thought suddenly occured to Alexis. would they expect the law to step in in their defense if they were under attack, by a hunter. The longer she sat on that thought, that thing that could cause so much trouble if not dealt with the more the question burned her throat and finally she just had to speak.

"And while your answering those questions do think on this one. If you were being unlawfully perscuted, would you expect the constabulary to step in"

It was asked in such an inane,, careless tone of voice it probably dropped into the temporary silence like a lead balloon. Once it was asked her mug was raised to her lips and she took a long swallow watching both vampires over the mugs rim.

[Dabria]

The elegant one Studied these two breathers, she always found it so fanscinating how they seemed to time and time again come to the same conclusions. That because she and those like her have a few drastic difference, that they are not still very much the same....

The goblet was in her hand again, those breathless sips taken in, in slow glacial motions. When satisfied the goblet was placed once more upon the table, a small napkin is pulled from within its resting place under the tight cuffs of her gown. Corner of the mouth dabbed before it too is place upon the table. She is a polished sofisticate, perhaps proving a point in on itself....Not all of them were the savaged beast of tales....finally after contemplation of his querry she speaks..

"Tell me constable, What keeps any subject loyal to his or her ruler....What keeps you loyal to the govenorship of this land?...Even when they are so often forced from power?"

A sly indication, that she knew of the political troubles that so recently arised in the township.. Those grey upon grey eyes seeped with intrige..Long elegant fingers fold to perfection upon her lap. She does not look for support from her Prince. His presence is enough to hold credeance to her words, if and when he wishes to speak...He will add what is necessary..

"In your world...In the laws of this land, there are sides...The citizens have choices as to who holds their lives....In ours, it is not so demacratic...The Prince is Lord, leader..ruler... There is no other side, those who are wise abide by his laws....Those who are not...."

A pause of small tenses as a smile paints across her lips..

"Suffer the consequences of their actions.....Tell me Constable, have you ever heard of a jailed Vampire?..... We have but one punishment for going against the Law of the Prince....And that is death...Final Death....At times it is not delivered as swiftly as could be. But in the end, the punishment matches the crimes."

Harsh are her words, but there is no waiver. she is a firm believer of what she is saying, it is a very black and white opinion...

"Of course Each Territory's Prince has different Ideals....But like a King sufferes no traitors under his rule...Nor does a Prince under his. Some I have seen, In areas with larger populations are aided by a council, usually seated are elder members of loyal bloodlines. But that aswell changes from hold to hold."

She did not think she could make herself any clearer, of course her version of clear and the rest of the worlds are sometimes...well worlds apart... Another sip taken, another delicate dab of mouth corners before she is looking now upon Alexis..

"Unlawfully Persecuted?...You mean hunted of course...but it is an interesting querry....Tell me constable, If I was in peril...would you...Would your laws protect me?...."[I

[Undertaker]

There was no need for the prince to speak the words that Dabria had set infront of the constable. So silence would be his company for just a couple seconds longer. Eyes slide from person to person, watching each in their own turn as they spoke. He didn't disagree with Dabria's words, he couldn't she spoke the truth but he would have liked it to be a little less rough but regardless the truth is always the best thing to tell. Alexis's words caught his the majority of his attention for a moment. "The answers to your questions are the same as it would be for your kind" Whispers finally passed from his lip in the sweetest of monotones. Now his eyes lifted from the table and looked across it towards Cinnabar "Nothing prevents them from not following mine word, just like those who wish not to follow yours.. It is the same m'lord, those who do not follow are made an example of so that others will learn from their mistakes.." Goblet that was set before him was taken up and another little sip would be swallowed from it before having it set down in front of him. And then he'd tell the constable why his subject where so loyal to him. "They asked me" It was such a short sentence, only three words but within those three words so much truth has been told. The kindred stood behind him, asked him to take his seat upon the title of Myrken Wood. "I have the backing of the Kindred community, I have their trust constable.. They are not only just loyal to me, I am loyal to them." He's a very honest kindred, the only one you'll probably ever meet. His words would fall silent for now, questions for the constable soon floating to his head.. A hand came up to stroke a group of rouge hairs back to catch them behind his ear. "We are not as different as most would like to think Constable, even opposites like you and I share more in commen than most would be willing to admit." many of the questions he was asking could be answered by looking at his own governing council. The Brujah looked then towards Alexis. "As it is right now, I doubt it.. That is why we are here though, to find common ground so that we may benefit from each other.." Words truthful though he knows that humans would always doubt him, at least untill trust entered the picture.. As he had stated before.. time would reveal all the anwsers..to everything.

[Sherazade]

It was difficult, nay impossible to completely surpress the urge to smile, to keep the glitter of triumph from tainting her gaze. Somehow she had been certain that particular question would pull, silences grip from his tongue. Lips curled upward, head canting the barest of amounts, as takers gaze returned to her. A bubble of laughter rattled constrained with her chest, causing the faintest of tremors within her shoulders. It was a strange day indeed when a hunter found themselves in agreement with their possible prey.

"Indeed that is why we are here. Why I believed such a meeting was necessary." Restrained mirth, somehow did not taint the tones of her voice, revealing one capable of uncanny control of their own reactions. "To keep things from turning to a war, that would punish the innocent most unfairly"
And yes to her mind innocence did still exist in myrken, for she meant the children, those whose hearts would break when mummy or daddy fell victim to something beyond their control.

Slender fingers rose now, tips of those digits capable of dealing swift finality to those already dead kneading the scar tissue at her neck, memories of her slain family dancing behind her gaze, of the twins angelic faces twisted in terror. Right hand rose now carried her mug towards her lips, gaze dropping to the almost empty innards, the effort made to redirect her thoughts

[Cinnabar]

The Constable nods quietly, sipping his tea as he listens to the vampires' words. This is... a curious discussion, but one in which he seems willing to engage freely. After a time he sets down his cup, glancing between Alexis, Dabria and the Prince.

"This is... an interesting matter." Slender fingers wrap around the mug, basking in the vessel's remaining warmth. "The core question seems to be whether or not your kind should be treated as any other citizens of Myrken Wood, as far as the law is concerned." He looks into his tea for a moment, gathering his thoughts before speaking again.

"The legal standing of vampires is... not something I am familiar with, unfortunately. I am not a lawyer, and former-Governor Helstone would almost certainly be able to give you a more definitive view on the matter. Unfortunately he has departed Myrken." A light shrug at that, then he draws a breath and continues.

"Going on what seems sensible and reasonable, I would be inclined to view the situation thus: your kind might be classed either as dead or as alive. If classed as dead - since you draw no breath and your heart does not beat - the law offers you no protection save that which might prevent the desecration of corpses." A wry grin, fully understanding how unappealling such a description might be. "Anyone so capable would be entirely free to end you, with little or no legal penalty. Obviously this is not in your interests.

"If you are classed as alive, on the other hand, then the law would offer you the same protections enjoyed by any other citizen of Myrken Wood. If you were attacked, the Constabulary would intervene. If you were wronged, the judicial system would work to see matters properly addressed. However, you would also be required to abide by those laws yourselves, again as is the duty of every citizen of Myrken Wood. If you broke those laws, you would face the consequences." Grey eyes look to Dabria, then to the Prince.

"If I am to be frank, I find the concept of one set of laws for vampires and one set for the people to be distasteful in the extreme. I find the concept of your kind's laws being enforced independent of the rest of Myrken Wood's legal structure to be especially so. It raises serious questions of due process, impartiality and accountability. As such, I am not happy for the situation to continue in its current state. Things must change."

[Dabria]

"The law offers you no protection save that which might prevent the desecration of corpses."

The desecration of corpses?!....those words send molten hot blades ripping through her thoughts.. She was moments from showing this upstart ferret how very much alive she was... She wouldn't even have to move, Oh the things she could make him do... How fitting it would be if the Lawful young Constable, was to suddenly break all laws moral and otherwise... The devastion of flesh he would inflict under her guidance, would render tales for centuries to come.... Those intense eyes seemed to deepen in hue, overcome with a heavy storm.... But her Prince was present, and she would not have him suffer any consequences her action might befall, and the Hunter?.. No, this was not the time......

Fingers clinched tightly her gown, peircing the fabric as she calms herself...The softest whispers repeating..

"One is three..three is one...One is three...Three is one..

Then silence....as she looks to her Prince and back to the Constable....Calm restored, prefection refined...

" If we are dead in the tradional manner, then I suppose your laws have no room for us, for if other can not be charge with offences against us... then how can we be charged with offences against them?..."

"tell me constable, is there a law written where one can charge a corpse for a crime?..."

Again the goblet raise to lips....A brief smile coils before statisfaction resides...

[Cinnabar]

If the Constable notes that flash of outrage and tension from the Countess he makes no sign. Instead he listens politely to her question, then shakes his head slightly.

"There is no such law that I am aware of. However, that does not mean that no action can be taken against the corpse, merely that the legal process need not be consulted before doing so. For example, a normal person who assaulted another would be arrested, tried, and sentenced to a punishment appropriate to their crime. There would be accountability, and certain measures in place to ensure that justice is properly carried out. Meanwhile a corpse which feeds upon the blood of the living - which could quite reasonably be viewed as assault, especially if the victim does not willingly consent to such - might be considered to pose a serious threat to the citizenry. Thus it is not so much a matter of justice as of public safety, and the sensible and entirely legal course of action would be simply to destroy it - and all similar blood-drinking corpses one might discover - as one would any dangerous creature, without any need to involve the authorities or the legal system." He shrugs, fingertips lightly tapping on his mug.

"I should state now that I mean no offence by this, nor do I mean to deny that you are thinking, rational beings; this is simply an explanation of how the law might currently view your kind, and the reasoning behind it."

[Dabria]

Dabris considered his words, he was an elliquant speaker, this yong Constable, not over bearing or extreme in harshness. Though his strict view of the law she feels will not do him well, in future decision. One must be able to live in a state of flexibility if one is to found a peaceful society of vast and different races.

" I understand the difficulty in trying to define what we are, and how the law may or may not pertain to us as a society. But you too must understand the difficulty in our want to be followers of laws that see fit to punish us without due process. Yet leaves us no protection..."

A pause as she takes up the goblet, a fuller sip taken in. One might think she was wetting a parched throat, if such things bothered her...Set down again her thoughts once more collected..

"What reason do those of us who do for the most part live in peaceful relations with the kine, have to abide by rules that afford us no rights?"

Another pause, as one of the bar maids enters from the kitchen with a plate of cold cuts and cheese for a patron at the bar..

"Tell me constable, what does your diet consist of?..."