Thread: Under the stars... (Attn: Calhoun 03/04/10)

"Mr. Winters, good to see you." Calhoun appears as he normally does, non-descript and really rather forgettable, and comes to stand beside Ash.

"You wanted to talk?"

Ash pushes off the building and extends his hand to Calhoun.

"Thank you for agreeing to meet with me. I wanted the chance to thank you for returning Tripp to my family. I also wanted to apologize to you for some disparaging remarks I made about your family to Mr. Miller. In truth they were more about him than your whole family, but I felt the need to apologize anyways as we try and start off on the right footing."

Calhoun looks a bit uneasy at the mention of Otto being a problem. "Otto is my childer, a good man if given the chance and under the right circumstances... if he has offended you please accept my appologizes. We are trying to build unity in this domain not rip it apart. Tell me, what has he done to offend you? Perhaps if I know some of your problems I can begin to alieve the rift."

Ash starts to walk along the streets of Old Town with Calhoun.

"As you know my sister has been the target of certain plots in this city and it has not been easy on her. She has not been her usual self lately. Mr. Miller accused me of being the cause of her agitation and of mistreating her. I offered him the advice that before he goes throwing accusations and insulting the new speaker for the Rose he may want to actually have checked into the matter and have some knowledge of what he spoke of. It was at this point that I mentioned the reputation of your family for knowing the goings on of the city and my lack of confidence in said abilities. Again for that I am truly sorry to have sullied your family's name."

Ash continues walking and every once in a while looks into an alley peering at the walls of the surrounding buildings as they walk.

Calhoun smiles. "You don't have to worry about offending me. If you and Otto have problems I'm sure you will work them out in time. He's a released childer and his choices are his own... I just hope as speaker for our clan that he hasn't left you with a sullied opinion of us. His passions can, like those of a Toreador I suppose, run hot."

Calhoun looks up to the sky and sighs. "How is your sister doing? I hope she's better after our little chat?"

"She is doing alright. Now that the leadership of the family has passed to me, she is more free to figure out her own agendas rather than defending against everyone elses. The spotlight is no longer directly on her and hopefully she can start to rebuild a power base once again."

Ash walks along looking at those few brave enough to be out so late in the cold March air. "Otto and I will settle our differences eventually. I gave him something to think about when I left. Though I don't ever expect to see an apology from him. He did return Mr. Valentine in the end and for that I am thankful."

A small grimace crosses Ash's face at the mention of Tripp, "That is something that I wanted to speak to you about. I got the impression from Otto that he believed Tripp to be something other than what he says he is. I know that Droz knows the truth and if he does then I imagine your family does. I am speaking on Mr. Valentine's behalf to discuss the cost to keep that little secret quiet from others."

Calhoun nods sagely. "There's been quite the pogram against independants in the past year, hasn't there? Damn shame. I remember when Cici first came to this city... I suppose you never met him. Constantino's uncle, as I understand it. Anyway, I digress, the point is we welcomed him because of the benefits his presence brought to the domain. It's a shame that upstanding citizens must risk everything on the hope that independants will prove more useful alive than dead to the Praxis. I believe that Prince Lazarus may not be considering all angles of this particular topic just yet... but, alas, it is not my place to say such things. Though I would say them to his face as easily as I do to you now." He shrugs.

"As for our silence, I would almost feel amiss charging you for something of that nature. It seems to me that everyone who matters already knows. Do you hope that so much will change in the near future, with regard to the residants of the domain, that all those who know will soon be gone?" He arches an eyebrow.

"Stranger things have happened..."

Ash nods, "Those in power do know already, but I don't think everyone needs to know that one of the his kind reside within our family. Not only that, but I was to understand that their family was to remain in some mountain and not come out, or something of that nature. If that was the case and he was openly known wouldn't that reflect badly upon this city for housing one such as he?" Ash walks along and sighs, "Besides my sister's reputation is on the line for having admitted him into our family. All the others that did so as well have been found and it is a stain on her reputation for having invited them in. I would like to preserve what reputation she has left. As for a those that know disappearing, you are correct, stranger things have happened and keep happening in this city. I do not wish them gone for any reason. I just wish to keep those that do know to the current group already in possession of that information."

Ash stops for a second, "But at the rate he has let himself be discovered to this point, I guess its more a matter of time before everyone knows. I just hope to extend that time as long as possible."

Calhoun nods. "I could give you my word and go to my clan with an offer of generosity from you for us to keep our silence... but, perhaps there is some other option. I've heard rumors that a group of his clanmates have been hoping to recieve acceptance to the sect with all rights and responsibilities as a clan rather than just as individuals. If he were willing to take up their cause, Prince Lazarus might be viewed as being progressive for allowing him to remain in the domain. Having one in his service surely would be a feather in any Prince's cap, yes? After all... for however fearsome they are... how much more so is the man who commands their loyalty?"

Calhoun smirks. "Ventrue seldom turn away from power and prestige when it is offered to them on a platter... and those who do have not yet learned the importance of accepting what is freely given and taking that which is not. Having Tripp willingly in his service is definately more favorable than allowing him to hide and then being forced to execute him later for his short sighted declaration."

He looks to Ash, "Have you considered this option?"