Thread: A Seneschal Appointment (Attn: Ash only 6/21/10)

Ginelle quickly turns all business, "Please follow me, Mr. Mogul. Mr. Winters is expecting you. He is this way." She turns and walks to the back of the store to a small study.

Ash is sitting sitting in his chair reading a small book with a pentagram on the front of it. Looking up, "Ah, Ginelle, I assume that Mr. Mogul is here. Please show him in and then you are dismissed for the evening. There is some money in the till up front. Please take it with you and go out and have a fun evening."

When JTM enters Ash rises, "Good evening, JTM. Please have a seat. What is it that I can do for you this evening?"

JTM follows her to the study. JTM checks the surroundings out noticing the pentagram on the book.

Demonic reading? What the fuck is up with that?

JTM watches how he’s so smooth and cool with Ginelle.

Why can’t more people behave like that? Get the game face on..you’re gonna need it with him.

He nods to him sitting down as instructed. He places his case next to his feet. He gives Ash a very stern look leaning forward. He pulls out one beer to help him calm down a bit to gather his thoughts before speaking to Ash.

“Sign me up for the Sheriff spot again, and this time ASH, weigh my bid for it a little more FAVORABLE this time. I’m not playing games here. I fucking want that position.”

(sip)

“If you, Walker, Cahill or whoever voted Eric in have a problem with that or me…so be it. You’re failing to see the big picture here. Look at what I’ve done for this city. I….GET…SHIT…DONE and FAST. I want Malcolm dead period for what he did to Eric. I OWE him that. I FUCKING PROMISED him that before he KICKED. I aint letting him or the CREW down either. This time nothing is gonna stop me from it. I’ll give up my primy spot just to be sheriff, if I get it that is. So I aint got your two positions red tape hang up now. People would just love that. I’m not fucking around here, Ash. You better be paying attention.”

(another sip)

“Whoever picked Eric last time chose right from what I saw overall. No complaintrs about him either, but someone or SOME THING fucked it up big time. You already made one mistake with Eric. Cost him his life due to lack of info you all had and didn’t pass it on to him. So who’s the chump now!!! Hope you like that egg on your face. The voting committee deserves it. You guys look so fucking pathetic in the eyes of the city now. Eric desereved better than that and you lll know it."

(another sip)

"What better way to deal with a crazy man, than send a tougher one in.(chuckling somewhat) One that can endure the mental malk strain. But I aint going down that quick any time soon. How many applicants you got so far? I’m just curious and want to know. Don’t make me laugh by saying Maharet signed up again either. We both know that bitch is just plain bad news for the city period. You need someone tough and firm for this job.”

(takes a longer sip)

“Deal with the dumbasses and threats. I think.. NO!!! ..SCRATCH THAT!!!.. I KNOW I can. I am VERY QUALIFIED TO DO THAT. What’s the worst that could happen? You give me the sheriff spot. I get whacked or ashed and then I’m fucking gone. It probably will happen...eventually. Everyone in this city will have to celebrate doing the whole fucking “ding dong JTM’s dead!!!” dance."

(another sip)

"So what have you got to LOSE…besides me. You afraid to take my bid when you know what I'm saying to you is dead on right. I dare you too along with the risk this time. FEAR is something I CAN DO. Snapping people in line as well. You’ve witnessed it firsthand and it will CONTINUE from ME. I've paid my dues to this cityseveral times over. This is all I want back in return. Nothing more.”

He sits back in his chair calming down at the mentions he makes of Eric as he’s talking.

“Don’t give me the “you’re just the messenger” speech. Save that for someone who really gives a shit. Take your time to think about it. I hope whoever does the voting this time comes up with that right answer, (pause) ME!!! Now I've stated my case to you. I meant every word of it., Ash.”

He takes a long soothing beer swig tapping his foot up against that case waiting for Ash to speak hopefully not spewing shit back at him. He meant what he said. JTM's conviction, determinaton and control of his anger is very prominet now. He doesn't move from that spot either.

Ash politely and patiently listens to JTM's rant about wanting the Sheriff position. When JTM finishes Ash sits back in his chair and composes himself with a minor tic of irritation in the corner of his left eye.

"Mr. Mogul, first off I must commend you on your passion for wanting the position of Sheriff. But while I commend your on your passion, your manner of asking to be considered quite frankly is flawed. Let me point out the flaws to you:

1. Mr. Cahill makes the decisions about the Sheriff. I take my recommendations to him from those that approach me. Archon Walker's advice is valued as he has held the post the longest in recent memory. So lets see, this affects you in the fact that A. you pissed Walker off recently and B. you just insulted me and Prince Cahill several times in your little speech. . Not to mention that it was YOU and YOUR Primogen council that created the no two position rule within the city at the prompting of the Malkavian WHIP. So I can see that the politics of our society are beyond your capability to understand, which is something that the Sheriff must understand to be efficient. It isn't just a bash 'em over the head position.

2. You are a man of contradictions, Mr. Mogul. First you tell me that we made the right decision about making Eric the Sheriff and then in the same breath you tell me how we FUCKED up in our decision. It's the same as when Otto was banished, you stood before Cocteau and listed off the reasons why he should have been banished and in the same breath said that he should be let back into the city for those same reasons. Three strikes your in? Can we trust that you won't do the same when we send you out? To tell Malcolm why he is bloodhunted and then turn around and tell him that's why you are going to let him go instead?

After telling me this you then blame Eric's death on us and decide that it would be a good idea to rub it in our face that our *Feared* Brujah Sheriff decided to rush blindly into a situation he didn't know enough about instead of calling for backup. Maybe his death was his own damned fault for rushing in to bash the problem on the head.

3. You want to know why you were skipped over the last time? Why Eric was chosen over someone with more experience and combat skill? It's because you are unstable. I watch you at gatherings, you constantly are fighting your beast at the words of others that don't actually have anything to do with you personally. The Malkavians think that you are crazier than they are. That is saying something with the personalities we have within their family in the city. Finally, you play with and talk to and about DOLLS as if they were real people. That isn't sane in any sense of the word. This is why you were passed over the previous time. We honestly could not trust you to carry out the duties of the office with any certainty of the Prince's will being carried out competently.

So in light of this reasoning , again tell me why it is that I should recommend you to the Prince for consideration as Sheriff?

JTM tilts his head rotating his neck, balling up his knuckles putting his fingers interlocked out in front of him before continuing.

“Thanks for the commendation Ash, but damn you’re predictable. That damn “you’re just the messenger” speech just popped right out there right out the gate. I just knew you were gonna say that. Walker? (chuckling) I pissed off Walker!!!(chuckling) Rock on! Cool, he deserved it.”

He takes a sip of his beer.

“You got that ALL wrong Ash. Ever since he got the Archon promotion, he went from cool to asshole in one round trip from Brazil. You wanna talk about pissing people off. He’s been pissing of the entire city lately. Check your facts. Know your role. Someone turns on me and says and I quote “He aint my fucking buddy “after we’ve been cool all this time and telling me his new position and attitude would have been great one on one but the fucker broadcast it to everyone. You think I like him disrespecting me like that after I busted my ass for the shipment. Hell no. I’m no coward in the eyes of the city. People are gonna see that NOW!!! Disrespecting you and Cahill (chuckling) please. Don’t make me laugh.

Another sip empties the bottle. He sets it down by his case pulling out another one opening it to curb the heated tension here.

“Again, you got that totally wrong, Ash. You do that already on your own. You don’t need my help in that department. Neither does Cahill. Well if we did the primy thing, so be it, but Cahill backed it, supported it, announced it and everything that came with it. I’m may be new on the political block, but if you wanted Kalie there to muck it up worse than me or agree with you more on issues that you wanted steered one way or another, like she HAS been, being your fucking puppet and all. Maybe I should nix that shit right in the fucking bud, and tell her as a primy to NOT have anymore contact with you period. You aint playing me this time Ash with this political dance you’re doing right now. I’m on to your little behind the scenes games. Have been for quite some time now. I know the sheriff spot isn’t just a bash over the head deal. It’s just a perk. (chuckling)”

He takes another sip.

“Ok. Do you need some QTips to clean that shit that you only want to hear out of there. I said Eric was a great choice. I meant it. I totally understood that and backed it 100%. The flaw with him lies in his demise so fast. The lack of info he had on Malcolm. Didn’t somebody catch him up to speed on who Malcolm was? Where the fuck was the scourge or the backup for him? I couldn't have made it where I was sent to, but i would ahve busted my ass trying. A folder or some shit like that? I think not. He did what he did with everything he had at his disposal and Malcolm overpowered him, simple as that. Gotta give him credit though. Eric had HUGE balls. I do respect that from the CREW and they all know it. I know I won’t make that same mistake or underestimate Malcolm either. I’m used to his tricks and traps too.”

JTM snaps to back in the chair clenching his beer tightly. (willpower)

“Now you had to go and bring up Otto. You know that really pisses me off that you’d even think of hitting me below the belt. Let’s go through this then step by motherfucking step. First off Otto pissed me off by disrespecting me. I sought out Lydia the harpy at the time, heard she got fucked up, and figured she needed some cheering up too. A good guess what game only wanting Otto demoted in status, nothing more. But some of you and your stupid word play on things sucks major donkey dick. It went from Lydia to deal with it, seeking out Kendov. I do remember you were there too, Ash. Sticking your nose in where it didn’t belong. So you’re not totally innocent on this one either. Next thing I know seditious from Lydia to Kendov became treasonous to Kendov. You all said you were reaching out to Otto. You didn’t even pick up your cells, but I think I have a good knowing of how you did that now too. Otto showed and was staked shortly after that by Kendov in Elysium. Where was that reprimand? Just wanted people to focus on Otto perhaps? Using Kendov amd me to do some dirty work? What part in that was my fault..you tell me where did I want Otto banished? I never fucking did."

He takes another sip calming down more.

"Other incompetent people gummed up the works cause they didn’t care for Otto. So what better way than to use those damn political strings I have seen firsthand and get rid of him permanently, but the facts were totally lost there. They only wanted to hear part of the story, not the whole thing. If Laz hadn’t been polluted by some others who shouldn’t have dumped one sided anti-Otto half truths to him like Calhoun, Lydia, and even you, Ash, did. He would have been demoted instead like I wanted. Yes, I do correct my mistakes, Ash. Have been all this time. Why would I change who I am? You tell me. Tell ya what Ash. Why not invite Lydia in here? I know she lives here now, so you could have Ginelle bring her here, that cool? ”

He takes another sip of his beer.

“Once again the passing off blame game doesn’t suit you by trying to black ball me Ash. Cocteau had an agenda to rip some of the CREW apart. My job now is the voice of the Brujah and I stand behind it. Cocteau should have talked to me first and not try to go around me. I corrected this little mistake with him. Made him see I’m the doorway, guardian bat man so to say guarding that. You have to cross me to attack the CREW. You gotta get past me first, and if the CREW fucked up, they knew not only would I let them have it, but they’d have to face the music of say Cocteau in court or whatever they screwed up on. I run a tight fucking ship. Aint nobody rocking or tipping it either. Not even you, Ash. You may have some CREW spies in our midst, but what did you promise them that you will probably word play your ass out of the second you can? They know the perks they get with me upfront, and from what I hear from them. I gave them a better deal than you ever could. So why don’t you just back off them then.”

He takes another sip of his beer now tapping his case slightly with his foot.

“When I do fight, things get dropped and finished period. Unstable you say? Look, Ash. When you’ve been fighting all your unlife to get a little taste of the good shit, sometimes you take the war scars with you that fuck your head up. I found a good way to deal with it. Barbie never has steered me wrong. I know I can trust her completely. She has my back. Do you have mine, Ash? just wondring. You haven’t in the past, but I thought we fixed and patched that screw up too, but you keep wanting to unravel everything. Nice try too. I’m more centered and focused than I’ve ever been. The Malks say I’m crazier than they are, (chuckling) Rock on! I might have to get them an appreciation gift then. Little JTM thank you for the compliment. You don’t trust me? Your loss then. City’s too. Now does that mean you want me out of the loop for say shipments like that body armor you ordered or the training sessions I’ve done for many in this city, including you Ash. How can I not be trusted to get what you need in a pinch. Explain that one to me.”


He takes another sip trying not to get that pissed at him.


“Me betray the city? No fucking way!!! You’re fucking nuts to even think let alone suggest I would. The city was doing fine by itself. Till other people got power hungry and screwed it up. Prince of the month and shit like that. The protection and safety of kindred has gone down immensely. You got shovelheads. I think we can agree we both hate them. Then you got the anarchs. We’re split on that. I just have a better understanding of them then you do that’s all. You want a one on one with my sire, Seline? You know I can arrange that for you and just you unless your (chuckling) too scared to do that and just work here in the safety of Idle Hands and the Ivory Tower. It’s just crumbling down like a broken statue and you don’t even see that happening. You’re blinded man. Sorry, but I had to say it."

He takes another sip.

“Hell a lot the problems in this city are in-house on the Cammie side of the fence. We don’t need outside forces kicking us in the butt. We’re doing just fine falling apart all by ourselves. Talk about major Cammie beat down. Besides who says that there isn’t someone here pulling Malcolm’s strings on the Cammie side of the fence. He was one of us after all. The thing you might be thinking about Ash is this. What made Malcolm turn on us? Was he given a better NOTHINGS FREE deal? And if so, who managed to do that? Trust me I have my suspicions, just not all the pieces yet to get the right answer at the moment. Even if I did ask you what you knew, which bread crumbs would you give me? Ones I already had or false ones to lead me to an ambush and my final death? Silence me cause I got too close to your secretive truth? I’ve always been upfront with you, Ash but some in this city hide behind that damn VIP rope and clique keeping their secrets when it would be better if they just opened up a little. That way the young ones aren’t scared or flying blind to their dooms like Eric DID. That’s all I’m saying. You might have select membership, but you still aren’t getting all the facts. Word on the streets tells me that all the time so I definitely know you are NOT fully informed. Something might end up biting this city in the ass soon too. Now you gonna twist this speech I gave you to make you come out of it. (chuckling) No pun intended, smelling like a rose. Feel free. Go ahead with that or are you gonna boot me out? Your call. Balls in your court now. You can recommend me to Cahill and Walker again, Ash. I know I’m qualified even if they give me the thumbs down on it like they did with Maharet last time and not value my worth to this city. Manipulated it again out of my hands, just the way you want it Ash. Save the "it' wasn't me” speech
this time too. You're only lying to me and yourself. (chuckling) Funny part is, you know I'm speaking the truth."


He chuckles and sits back wondering if this Ash third degree is worth the sheriff spot or not. He thinks about Eric still determined to hold his ground ready for any shit that comes back his way.

Ash waits for JTM to finally run down, his head bobbing as if he is doing his best to stay awake. When he finishes, "Shit and you claim I play with words."

"I need to thank you JTM. From your very own mouth you have just made me the most powerful Kindred in the city. Your right, I am not the messenger, I make all the decisions for this city. I determine who lives and dies. I have spies in every clan who work tirelessly to bring this city to its knees. Now excuse me while I get on my extremely high horse and ignore you. What the fuck ever!"

Ash takes a breath and lets out a chuckle then goes right back to seriousness.

"I don't have spies in your family, JTM. I could give two shits less what goes on with them. When have I EVER stuck my nose into the Brujah family? I am waiting? As for Kalie, my puppet, maybe you would like to explain how me, a NEONATE, gets an ELDER to be my puppet? And then maybe you can give me some examples of how I used my puppet strings to manipulate her."

"As for Eric yeah its a shame that he didn't have backup. Its also a shame that neither Cahill or I even knew about the situation before he was dead so we could have gotten him backup. As for not knowing about Malcolm, how the fuck did he not know? He was with us in Brazil, JTM. He fought beside Walker and saw what happened to him in the fight. He saw Jano's torpored body after Malcolm finished with him. So don't give me that bullshit story someone should have warned him. If he didn't already know what he was up against then he was a god damned moron. But since I know that wasn't the case, he knew what he was up against and he decided to go in anyways and yeah that took HUGE balls.”

“Otto, yeah that WAS a clusterfuck. Lydia and I both only wished for the negative status that was to be placed upon him. Unfortunately Lazarus and Cocteau took the opportunity to get rid of someone they both hated. As for Kendov’s attack and Lazarus and Cocteau’s order to attack him, what the hell do you think prompted the removal of Lazarus as Prince? Like I said you don’t have the head for politics. And you can piss and moan about Walker dissing you all you want, just realize that his voice speaks MUCH louder than yours. His words carry much weight in this city. Yeah he can be an asshole, but he isn’t someone that you want to keep poking at with a stick. If he desired he could make the rest of your unlife miserable very easily. As I said, politics. The sooner you learn that this is what the Ivory Tower is all about the better things will go for you.”

Ash shakes his head, realizing this conversation is pointless as JTM lives in a black and white world, while the world around him is various shades of grey.

“You keep bringing up what you have done for the city like no one notices. If I remember right you have received status for what you have done. You have gotten huge thank yous from the people that you got it for. Not to mention that you walked away with probably close to 20 grand in cash from me personally for Brazil. But that’s not good enough huh? We OWE you this position? Or what? You will just turn your back on the city? We can write you off as someone to come to when the city needs help? After all the Tower is crumbling, why stay with a sinking ship right? And sure I would love to meet your sire, the one that was supposed to be dead, and I can determine find out if she is just as much of a bitch as you were constantly saying she is. See if she wants you in her little club either.”

“I asked you in light of the reasons I gave against you, why should I recommend you? You never answered that question, just gave me a bunch of justifications for why those reasons exist. So once again, very simply, give me three reasons as to why you would be the best choice as sheriff.”

“Hopefully I won’t have to wait as long for those as I have had to wait for the information on the Brujah pull in the city I asked for more than a month ago.”

JTM looks back at him listening to the points he makes back wondering how fast he backpedals.

“Fine. Ash. Cliff notes version then, plain and simple. You are the second in command, Ash. We both know Cahill can’t lead his horse to water either. Let’s just say POWER positions draw Kalie like a moth to a flame. It’s her hang up you know. That’s how, Ash."

He takes another sip.

“How was I supposed to know what Eric did and who he met. It’s not like I got all the confirming facts from there. I heard about Ungol, a dragon, and a crater. Malcolm….let’s see nope...…no mention of him, just Morgan. Remember Ash. I wasn’t there in Brazil. I was busy gathering up a fast shipment for the city again.That to me was more important so the total mission was unclear to me. Besides those that won their tasks bragged all about it. What can I say…from what I do know, best way to sum it up is….2 out 5 aint bad. Poor planning…that wasn’t my fault either. If Eric knew who Malcolm was, he sure as fuck didn’t say shit about it. If memory serves me right. Malcolm left BEFORE Eric ever arrived her….correct me on that k.I could be wrong. I’m trying to forget the whole Brazil fiasco that started once they boarded the plane with that damn shipment. Nothing good came from it AFTER they all got back. Hell came back with them.”

He takes another sip chuckling.

“Politics. Those damn strings. Jockeying for POWER positions and other shit like that. They can fucking have em. I got put here cause Maxwell wanted to make a statement of some of the stupid in-fighting that happens here and guess what. Cause he knew you never consulted him, he put me in here so everyone would notice the change. And it fucking worked. The crew got their perks. Everything was fine, till someone had their cheerios pissed in. I mean come on slap on the wrist. What’s next we say just one wrong fucking word, we die.somebody needs to make a firm statement on punishment. It's a little lax you know.Yes, I can take that heat too."

He takes another chuckling sip.

"That’s what politics is steering the city too. So maybe you need to rethink that one cause you are doing it too. We all are. I’m just trying to save the sinking ship before another seal pops, another demon arises, another Prince falls, an archon pushes his limit, and yes I do stand by what I do. My actions speak better volumes than your words and shit gets done instead of all the talking and bickering over it like fucking babies. Put em in a fucking time out. See how they like that. So I get in trouble or dirty, shit the city needs someone willing to risk it all you know. I'm your man there.”

He takes another sip.

“I’ve done my part in this political stringy thing. Why do you think I gave people machetes for Brazil? Cut right through what was in people’s way, but I never went for something I couldn’t handle. I can do the sheriff spot, but the more you keep cock blocking me, I may just have to pull back my app and leave you with who ever can do it out of who is left that is. Since eric's death, I bet you won't have very many to choose from either and get someone less qualified than you know I truly am. Your call on submitting that. Then you might get it through your thick headif your next non-JTM selection backfires. Sometimes you have to go with the bad with the good. I can accept the consequences of the job, but you’ve judged me like most have in the city….so why should I fucking bother with continuing this pointless convo and waste both our times? Look at me, Ash. What would I really be doing here if it wasn’t important or I wasn’t qualified to do it?”

He takes another sip.

“3 reasons hmmmm…1. The city needs a sheriff not a political gaping hole. 2. I can fight better that most and the job gets done and over with. Fastest gear if it's needed. And 3 Most of the city rally with me when we need it. No petty clan squabbles when shit hits the fan. They pull together. Thats the sheriff's leadership pull like Walker did when he ws sheriff. I admired him then too. That’s my final answers to you, Ash. I’ll even throw in a 4.This city needs JTM more than they know. Unstable or not I’ve gone through worse than anyone has in this city and come out with my lumps and bounced back everytime no matter how far I got the shit piling up around me dragging me down.”

He starts to stand up grabbing his case, nodding to him.

“Tell you what Ash. You’ll get the CREW stuff you wanted AFTER the death of Eric's memory subsides, not before got it. We got enough tension already. Just give me that downtime to fix the CREW, and you’ll have it fast k. Anything else you need to say before I jet? I didn't leave anything out did I?"

Ash smiles at JTM, "It took you that fucking long to give me three damned good reasons? Had you done that to start with instead of just insisting I give you the job and going on and on about this other bullshit we could have had this meeting over half an hour ago. Instead you felt the need to insult me, Archon Walker, and Cahill. Then justify every damned thing this city has ever done with or without you. I wanted to know why I should recommend you for sheriff, that was it, not a damn thing more. And now that I have the why we can procede. You can go now JTM. I will recommend you to Cahill for Sheriff and as a favor for the things that you have done in the past I will forget the rest of this conversation ever happened. Ginelle can show you out."

Ash will pick up the book and start to read again.

JTM nods to him ignoring his banter and belittlement, cause it “never happened”. He waits for Ginelle to escort him out saying his usual good byes to Ash as the book quickly goes back up in his face. He looks over at her speaking to her as they walk out.

“Hey Ginelle. Just between you and me. I wouldn’t bother Ash any more tonight. He’s being a lil cranky and pissy that’s all. Something’s really bugging him tonight. (chuckling) Peace out Catch ya on the flip Ginelle. Thanks for the escort.”

He walks back out to his bike putting his case away, undoing the kickstand and peeling out from Idle Hands.