Lambeth Territory Claim: May 2nd [OPEN]

[baisant]

The news of the announcement of Nora's stepping down to pass on her position to Samantha hits Jean-Claude like the crack of the lash of his youth. He needs no witch's skill of divination to see where this is headed. Samantha has lost the support of the Night Council, so now she has found herself a seat upon it instead. She is already the Mother of Witches, and it is only a matter of time before her corruption seeps through. Those who are not strong enough to stand against it will either be turned in her favor or crushed under her heel. He may have only spoken to her the once, but he understands ambition when he sees it, and he knows her type. She will not let anything get in her way, no matter what the cost, or who suffers it. All in the name of her 'cause'.

Jean-Claude is not a particularly reactionary vampire, but in this instance he feels he can make an exception. The word goes out for those in the Nest who wish to participate to gather together, one hour after nightfall, at the Imperial War Museum, before they fan out across the territory from there. Jean-Claude's orders are clear. There will be no merciful duel of representatives this time. He has given Daybreak more than enough leniency and look what it has wrought -- now they must be cut down to size. Stand your ground and win this fight tonight. For your honor. For the dignity of vampirekind. And for the Nest.

He knows he must make a statement with this territory claim, and so a statement he makes. His hair tied back low on his head, his usual vest and jacket discarded for the evening, his white shirt making him seem even paler than usual in the dark of the night, the collar undone to his breastbone so that every now and again there comes a flash of the nasty scar of an old wound on his chest as he moves. The first witch they encounter recognizes the force of vampires approaching and begins to cast against their approach, sparks arcing from her hands like lightning. Jean-Claude whips ahead of the crowd, moving quick as a flash to catch the woman up against his chest and cradle her to him. Extending his fangs before he sinks them in to the side of her neck and drinking deep of her blood. She struggles against him and it has been a long time since he has fed like this, it excites the animal part of his brain that wants nothing more than to hunt and chase and eat and eat and eat. Forcing himself to tear his head back, he gazes back at the crowd, blood trailing down his chin and spotting onto the white of his shirt, the woman limp in his arms.

Steadying his gaze he reminds them, "Only if they fight, mes amis. But if they fight -- tonight, there is no holding back."

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OTA

[freelife]

Before
Evie is there, standing near Jean-Claude. She liked to keep close to him, when she could. She would consider them as close as she got to most people, and she had it in her best interests to look out for his well-being. She liked him, okay? She's an unofficial body guard.

She's dressed in her usual battle gear, armed to the teeth. She didn't want to harm anyone unnecessarily, and Jean-Claude had given the okay. Good- let them eat. It had been a while since she'd had something fresh.


During
Is it wrong to say that she lives for this? Because she does. The witches have magic, but Evie has weapons, and she has training, and she was far older than even the oldest amongst them, tonight. All the same, she's on her toes. It doesn't take long for some of the witches to find ways to create stakes, and she's quite sure she saw someone using a silver athame to try to stab someone, at one point.

If anyone were to notice, she manages to scale buildings like it's nothing at all, not even opting to use her usual zip-line to try to keep her Nest out of as much trouble as she could.


After
Evie's lipstick is the same color as the blood dripping down her chin. There's a bit more, over her cheek, where a witch had gotten a lucky hit, but the skin had long since healed. That was not the only place the witches had drawn blood. But she'd drawn far more, in the end.

All of the Nest had. It was a terrible price to pay, but they couldn't stand by and abide by slavery. They were, collectively, far too old to see that becoming any sort of good thing. Dawn is coming, the sky lightening, and most vampires are heading to the cover of darkness. It's over, she knows, looking over their new territory. They've won.

Before!

[baisant]

Jean-Claude is not usually one to resort to such measures as this, but he has been pressed, and he needs to set an example to Samantha that her ideals will not be tolerated. Not by himself nor by anyone within Islington Nest. He is hoping that it will set an example within the entire supernatural community for that matter, although one never knows.

He appreciates Evie's support of his decisions. It seems that she has always been there for him in one way or another, from when he had called for help rescuing Candy until now. He would like to think it was more than just the thrill of the hunt that has her standing at his side, and he turns to her for a moment, deep blue eyes regarding her carefully as they amass on the green one by one.

He does not ask her if he is making the right decision, because that would make him seem weak. But when he does speak it is quietly to say, "I have done my best to do right by our people." Which is much the same thing, in the end, really.

[freelife]

Sure, there was some thrill in there. Human and animal senses and impulses combined to hone in on her prey. But she wouldn't be here, if she didn't believe in the cause.

Samantha was wrong. Slavery was slavery was slavery, any way you slice it. It was wrong to imprison someone without their consent. If a fae wanted to be a familiar, sure. Let them. But if they were forced into it? No.

She doesn't look at Jean-Claude. Instead, she watches her allies assemble. "You've done admirably, ushered in a new dawn for our Nest."

[baisant]

Jean-Claude cannot help but quirk his lips at the phrasing. A new dawn, she says. It makes him sound more important than he has felt, in this last while. This is definitely a decisive move to be making, however. There is no taking the Nest backwards from this stance. He can only hope it is a step for the better, the direction they are headed.

"You flatter me," he replies. He glances out across the vampires gathered, before lowering his voice even further. "I should have said so sooner mon amie, but I suppose there is no time like the present. I am grateful to have you here at my support and by my side. No matter how the night should pass you should know that."

[freelife]

The moves are mechanical, as she reaches down to gently take Jean-Claude's hand. She gives it a friendly squeeze, her hands encased in leather gloves, the knuckles packed with metal. Just as soon as the moment arrives, it passes, and she lets go.

"You do me a great honor, Jean-Claude. I'm proud to stand by your side tonight, and all nights past." There's a twinkle in her eye, but she's otherwise got her lips set in a firm line.

After

[threadspun]

When the news reaches Lillian, and it does on the night the claim happens because the whispers are swift and full of excitement, she can't help but head over to Lambeth. This was all but a declaration made against the witches and the way it was done too… She can almost see the gears of fate churn in these actions, the ripples this will cause for the rest of the factions in the city. She has to see the aftermath of this event.

But only after she's taken a swing of Vampire Toxin. To be on the safe side.

She's polite when meeting the vampires who still remain at the territory, demure and non-threatening. She comes across Evie at some point and bows her head in respect. "… Congratulations on your victory tonight. It's a momentous occassion for all here, I can tell."

[freelife]

Evie's hardly about to harm a fae, but she knows that's not something everyone assumes of a vampire. As such, she raises her hand to Lillian. She's here in peace, too.

"Thank you, ma'am." It's a sign of respect, she's not calling her old. "We had to take a stand, and I'm pleased with the results, more or less." She would have preferred it to be less-bloody, truthfully.

[threadspun]

She's surprised by the politeness but is grateful for it, her warm smile making that very clear. "As am I."

The Daybreak witches would have fought tooth and nail at first to keep what they thought was theirs, she's sure of that. The Nest must have pulled no punches to claim Lambeth as their own and to have the witches fleeing for their lives.

"I'm glad you were successful in your endeavour. If you'd accept it- I made something for the occassion." Some things. Not a lot, really, since this was on such short notice but there was enough small trinkets here for a few vampires. If anyone was so inclined to take them. "Think of it as a housewarming gift from a nearish by neighbour."

[freelife]

Evie's dark eyebrows shoot up at the offer.

"A gift," she says carefully. "Yes, thank you. I'd be honored to take one. Really, Ms--?" she leaves a space for Lillian to give a name. "--it's too kind of you."

It would be rude not to accept. Besides, Evie wasn't here to make enemies, contrary to previous carnage.

During

[dredefulchilde]

Joscelin looks a right little terror tonight, because he's allowed to be. Hunting and killing are two of his very favorite things, and getting to do it to support Jean-Claude and the Nest? Why, it's like Christmas come early.

Very little of the child he pretends to be is visible tonight. Any witch who discounts him because of his small size does so at their peril. He's fast and hard to pin down with magic--until someone gets in a lucky shot. A bolt of some sort of magic shoots right through him, leaving a gaping hole in his back. It is not a fatal blow; he's had worse and it will heal quickly. But until it does, he's helpless to fight back as a witch holds him down with an improvised stake, ready to end his long life.

Joss could do with a bit of saving right now.

[freelife]

Evie spots it almost too late. There's a flurry of movement- a boy falling and a much older witch moves to strike.

No way. Not on her watch.

She crosses the distance in an instant, silent amongst the noise. The only noise is the small 'hurgh' the witch makes as a small blade exits their stomach. Evie retracts her hidden blade and pushes the witch to the side, before offering a hand to Joss.

[dredefulchilde]

"Thank you," Joscelin tries to say, but it comes out as a faint gurgle. Fuck. There's a hole in his belly, too; the blood coming out of his mouth is probably from his lungs. How terribly inconvenient.

He groans as Evie tries to haul him to his feet. He's already starting to heal externally, but the internal injuries will take a little longer. The boy spits blood at the witch's corpse.

[freelife]

Whatever he's trying to say, it doesn't matter.

"Drink," she tells him. "You need to heal, or find a safe spot." She's happy to play escort for now.

Before

[vampire_barbie_girl]

Despite the months of training with Evie for just this sort of situation, Caroline is a bit nervous. She's tangled with witches before and it's often gone rather poorly. But she knows the reasons she's here and isn't about to back down.

She does, however, plan to try her best and stay near Evie. And so she finds her way to the older vampire's side as soon as possible.

"Time to put your lessons to use," she says, trying to keep her tone light.

[freelife]

She can guess how Caroline feels. to a degree, Evie still feels it too. That dark feeling in your stomach that's half excitement and mostly nervous energy. Idly, she recognizes if that feeling ever goes away, then it's time to retire.

"You'll do wonderfully," she tells her, trying to sugar coat it. "you've been making incredible progress. "Just keep calm, breathe, and focus." easier said than done, of course.

"and I'll be right here."

[vampire_barbie_girl]

It was really only the last part of that which makes Caroline feel any relief and she manages a small smile. "I'm definitely thankful for that."

She looked around at the gathering crowd, all full of uneasy energy. "I don't suppose it's likely that they'll just back down without a fight?"

[freelife]

Evie knows better than to laugh. So she holds it. "With the way things are going, I highly doubt it." but she likes the optimism.

[bellbound]

There are few things worse than a gang of vicious vampires swarming the place. The scent of blood is strong in the air. With it is the scent of death, that musty odour that vampires bring with them wherever they go. They are foul things dressed in human shapes and it is on nights like this that their true faces are revealed.

Mogget finds Jean-Claude and his sycophants from atop a nearby roof. "You!" he calls down. "Duke! The witches of Circle Daybreak ask that you cease this brutal attack on innocent residents. Will you come to talk?"

Defeat is by this point inevitable, and even Samantha knows that there is no point in prolonging it. That's why she has commanded him to negotiate the terms of their surrender.

[baisant]

Jean-Claude glances up at the voice addressing him, though he is not surprised to find that it is Samantha's pet. Of course she would send him to do her dirty work rather than come to confront him herself. It is no matter. If he has come to discuss terms, then Jean-Claude will speak with the cat. He is not without reason, despite what appearances might suggest.

He holds up a hand to signal a cease to Evie, who he knows will relay it to those down the line. She has been a loyal right-hand in this fight. He will have to think of a way to thank her for this later. Then he turns back to the cat on the roof, raising one delicate eyebrow at him and acting for the world as if he is not covered in blood as he gestures vaguely in his direction and asks, "Come where? Up there?"

[bellbound]

"Somewhere civilised," the cat replies. "Without the stench of blood. And without your cronies. You choose the location, lest you think I am leading you into a trap."

It doesn't matter where, he'd just rather not be surrounded by vampires with blood dripping from their mouths. One is bad enough.

[baisant]

Jean-Claude tilts his head to the side for the moment, contemplating the cat's request, before he nods once, and gestures for him to follow. His pace is quick but sure and steady. Mogget will follow if he wants to talk this through. And he will want to talk this through.

Eventually, it is clear that they are heading for Westminster Bridge. Though Jean-Claude pauses by the steps leading down the walking path next to it. The steps by the lion statue. He had thought it was fitting. Moving halfway down the stairs, he moves to sit and then gestures for Mogget to join him. At this time of night -- morning? -- there is no one in this area. Especially not with the level of excitement that taken place before.

If this will not do, Mogget is far too particular for his own good.

After - for JC

[dredefulchilde]

"Fuck," Joss gasps as his body tries to knit itself back together. Despite all the blood he'd consumed, all the deaths he'd caused, it's taking longer for him to heal than it should be. Something about the magic that had hit him is slowing down the process.

This time, it might even leave a scar.

He winces as one of his ribs pops back into place. "I hope you're quite pleased with yourself," he says sulkily to Jean-Claude, entirely unused to being in pain for more than a passing moment. "Is the day ours?"

[baisant]

Jean-Claude nods in response to the other vampire's question, wincing slightly at the sound of his body as it heals himself. "We have won, mon ami," he replies. "They have surrendered."

He frowns, before he cannot help but ask, "Will you be alright, mon ami?" The sight and sound of the way the little vampire's body is healing is really... Most unpleasant.

[dredefulchilde]

Joscelin can't help but watch in sick fascination as his caved-in chest reinflates. It's been decades since the last time he'd been hurt this badly and he'd almost forgotten what it's like to have to repair this much damage. "Good," he replies, a little distractedly, testing his renewed lung capacity. "I'd hate to have ruined a perfectly good shirt for nothing."

He looks up at Jean-Claude. "Of course I will be. Just need a little more blood, is all."

Fucking magic.

[baisant]

Jean-Claude cannot help but be concerned for the other vampire nevertheless. Regardless as to how well a vampire will heal, it does not mean that it is any easier to see someone he cares about with such a grievous wound. He hovers quietly by the little vampire's side, watching as his body slowly begins to knit itself back together.

"Is there anything I might do in your aide?" he asks, his frown deepening.