(no subject)

[baisant]

[OPEN TO ALL]
To say that Jean-Claude is troubled with the current state of the city is to put it mildly. The vampires have been free-reign of slaughter within the city, and for those foolish enough to take their leader up on that offer, they are making a bad name for the rest of them. Raymond himself is in hot water with the Night Council for his lawmaking decisions, and after the slaughter of one of their Guardians at the hands of a vampire, Islington is looking to lose its seat on the council. Which doesn't bode well for the future of vampirekind.

Jean-Claude is doing his best to hold the floodwaters at bay as far as his corner of the underground is concerned. But he can feel the tide coming, and he doesn't like it. Not one little bit.

Even Guilty Pleasures is suffering from the atmosphere of the city somewhat. There haven't been any theme nights for the last while beyond Ladies Nights, and while Jean-Claude is the usual gracious host he always is, the dancers themselves can feel it. The tension in the air. They know that Jean-Claude is not going to just sit this one out this time. As Marquess of Islington, he has bigger ideas than that.

And unlike a certain other vampire leader, Jean-Claude makes certain to make himself available. Approachable. He makes certain to make his opinions known. That he is a gentleman, that he does not condone useless violence. That he is proud to be a vampire in London, but not like this. And, a little less widely broadcast, that he is willing to do something about it. With the right support...


[CLOSED TO RAYMOND]
Jean-Claude can see where this is all headed. He's been through it before, albeit in a time when such things were generally more acceptable. Here in the 21st century however, he can see the trouble starting to arise. He can see, what with Sylvia's latest announcement, how their leader is setting the city against them. And the vampires can barely hold themselves together, never mind find allies on the outside. Whatever they might have gained for themselves, and however they might have gained it, if something isn't done, and quickly, then there is a chance that not only will they be cast out of society but hunted down like dogs. And that the government will turn a blind eye on it as well.

And so he has come now, to plead with their leader, on behalf of their people, to stop this. Before it's too late. Even though he knows that time has passed. And he knows that his words won't do any of them a damned bit of good. But at least he will have made the attempt.


[CLOSED TO SYLVIA]
When all else fails, Jean-Claude can see no way around it except going straight to the source. The head of the governing body that polices the underground supernatural world, Sylvia Redbright herself. In truth, he has no idea how she will receive him. Whether she will receive him, a vampire only recently climbed up the ranks whose only claim to fame within the city happens to be what some might call a night club while others would just come right out and call a strip joint.

But he has to try. Because he has not survived through six hundred years of what he has endured, only for an upstart like Raymond to pull the carpet out from underneath his feet. So he does his best to arrange for a meeting with the woman in charge. In the intention of having a little conversation about the current state of affairs.

Comments

[freelife]

The air in London itself has changed. It's tinged with fear, the likes she hasn't necessarily felt since the fall of 1888. The fear during World War 2 was certainly palpable as well, but that was different than this. This, here and now, was a hidden, sickly, creeping fear. The thought of who was next. It was gang violence, to the muggles, to borrow a word that doesn't actually exist in this world. But to people like Evie, she knew better.

And it had to stop.

They needed the humans. It was part of their DNA- they had to feed off of them. But these senseless attacks, if left unchecked, would minimize the human population. And cause a lot of problems further down the line. She didn't want to live in a vampire-reft city. She wanted her London back. One where people were free.

She's in JC's office during early business hours. "JC." She greets him with a bow of her head. "I'm not sure I like this new... receptionist. The old one had spunk." She was talking about Kenzi. He, likely, knew why she was here. He'd probably heard of her recent adventures, saving those who needed it from those who let their blood lust control their very being. Those who chose to embrace the part of them considered monstrous. Evie was not one of those. Evie would never be one of those.

[baisant]

Jean-Claude inclines his head towards her in turn. Of course she is talking about Kenzi. He cannot help but feel that the bar is missing something in her absence. Of course, she had only been there a short while. But when she had been around she had brought a certain character to the place that is now left lacking.

"She did," he agrees. "Perhaps some day she will return to us. For now we must make do without her." He tilts his head at her, motioning her into the office and towards a chair if she would care to sit. "If you have another candidate in mind in the meanwhile, however, I am open to suggestions."

He knows, of course, that this is not what she came to discuss. But he will wait for her to bring it up first. Ever the gentleman indeed.

[freelife]

In a few strides of her long legs, Evie's at the chair he indicated. She sits, crossing her legs at the knee. "No, I can't say that I do. But I'll certainly keep an ear out." Probably not, truthfully. But hey, who knew what could happen?

"But obviously, I'm not here about that." She had other more important things to discuss. "I've come to speak to you about Raymond Harris." Careful, so as to gauge his reaction before deciding if she wanted to press it further. Her loyalty certainly wasn't with him, but she could never account fully for another person's allegiance.

[baisant]

Jean-Claude tilts his head at her, betraying nothing on his face. The topic doesn't really surprise him at all, of course. Raymond is on most of their minds. It's what she wants to speak to him about Harris for that interests him the most.

"Raymond," Jean-Claude replies, repeating the other vampire's name. "Yes. He has been making rather a mess of things of late, has he not."

[freelife]

"He has." She nods knowingly. "and not only for us." the humans, of course, the shifters, the werewolves. There were more of them than vampires in London, and should they organize... Considering most of the vampires couldn't venture out in daylight, they were at a distinct disadvantage.

"Something should be done."

Raymond

[brightwitch]

Raymond is having a grand old time. Life was so boring with Millicent in charge. So many rules, so many restrictions. In the space of a month he has changed all that. He has set the vampires free, encouraged them to embrace their true nature. It's about time that the Islington Nest established itself as the dominant force that it ought to be.

For the Marquess of Islington, his door is of course always open. It's a privileged position, a strong position. And so Jean-Claude will enter the mansion that was once owned by Millicent and has now been taken over by Raymond to find it has been redecorated (tastefully, with a distinct 1920s vibe) and repopulated. Vampires loyal to the new leader show Jean-Claude inside. Raymond's personal bodyguards are all vampires that he sired himself, and therefore have no choice but to serve him.

As for the great leader himself, he's in the dining room, seated at the head of the table with two human girls draped in his lap. The other seats are occupied by a mixture of humans and vampires, and the golden goblets scattered around the table are continually refilled from human wrists.

"JC!" Raymond waves at his visitor, his tone jovial. "Come in, have a bite. Drinks on me. What do you think, blonde or brunette? Or how about a strapping young man, that's more to your taste, eh?"

He gestures at the various humans on offer as he speaks. Jean-Claude is welcome to try any of them. Raymond is a generous host.

[baisant]

Jean-Claude holds himself as he always does in the presence of a vampire above his rank -- poised. Perhaps somewhat exaggeratedly so. His expression politely blank as he is invited into the dining room and moves to take a seat that is created for him a few spaces down. At the offer of the drink he offers the quirk of a smile in turn, throwing an appreciative glance at the young man beside him, before reaching for the goblet in front of him and pulling it closer.

"You are too generous, monsieur," Jean-Claude replies, "this will do me well enough. I regret, I have come here to talk politics with you. Is there an office you would prefer to retire to instead of this fine hall?" He inclines his head towards the women draped across the other vampire's lap. "I would not like to spoil your dinner."

[brightwitch]

Raymond shakes his head, smiling back at his visitor. "Not at all, not at all. Anything you can say to me, you can say to them. We're all friends here."

He gestures around at the vampires, who nod, though a couple of them regard Jean-Claude with wary suspicion. They know that he's older and therefore stronger than Raymond. As for the humans, they're there to smile and look pretty. None of them will remember today's conversation.

Raymond knows he has the advantage here backed up by his supporters. He is literally surrounded by yes men and women. Whatever Jean-Claude has to say, he will have to say it in front of all of them.

[baisant]

Jean-Claude knows better than to walk into another vampire's house and try to stage a takeover all by himself. Since he is unaccompanied on this particular evening, it is obvious that whatever his purpose for his visit, at least it is civil. With Jean-Claude it is always civil, if at times a bit risque as well.

And so he inclines his head at the other vampire in response to his comment. "As you wish," he replies. It should come as no surprise to them, Jean-Claude's sentiments, after all. They are not traitorous -- not in this instance at least -- they are merely the truth.

"I have come to speak politics with you," he continues, choosing his words carefully, a talent learned long ago, growing up with French nobility and then living amongst French vampire court for centuries more. "Sylvia has threatened to take your seat from the Night Council if something does not change, and soon. I would remind you, monsieur, the importance of your seat, not only for yourself but for the rest of the vampires in your care."

[brightwitch]

"You'd remind me, would you." Raymond chuckles, shaking his head at JC's cheek. "I understand, you're stuck in the old ways. So many of us are, especially those of us a little long in the tooth. The Night Council, we say. The most important political entity on this island, for us. Let me remind you of something, monsieur." He pats the arms of his chair while the two girls in his lap look up at him adoringly. "This is the most important seat for our nest. My seat. The Night Council are a craven lot. They won't make good on their threat. But if they do, what then? Where you see risk, I see opportunity. A chance to break away from bureaucracy! We will be free of the small-minded restrictions the Night Council likes to impose. Whether they are with us or against us, we will be free."

There are nods and murmurs of agreement all around them, and even a muted cheer when Raymond finishes his impromptu speech. He likes to make grand promises.

Sylvia

[brightwitch]

Sylvia didn't know much about Jean-Claude before his ascension to Marquess except that he owns a strip club. The fact that he is now one of the leading Islington vampires does not surprise Sylvia in the current climate. It's trash all the way to the top, apparently. In ordinary circumstances, she would never agree to meet him.

Sadly, these are not ordinary circumstances. For all she knows, he's a henchman sent to kill her. So she takes extra precautions, protecting herself with magic and stationing two Guardians inside her office.

He looks presentable, she thinks, looking him up and down when he arrives. But they always do.

"Good afternoon," she says, standing up to shake his hand because one might as well be polite even to one's enemies. And she's not afraid of him. "I'm Sylvia."

[baisant]

Indeed, Jean-Claude looks presentable enough. He's decided against the leather pants today -- for one it's getting to be rather warm outside for something like that, and for another, it's probably not the impression that he wants to be giving off right now. He's still got one of his usual lace-front shirts and knee-high leather boots on though. Some habits never change.

When she reaches for his hand to shake he takes it, giving it a solid shake before bending to kiss the back of her hand. It might be a camp gesture but he's also old enough and experienced enough in the movement to make it look natural as well. There was a time when such a thing was commonplace, after all, and he had lived in that time.

"I am Jean-Claude," he replies, before adding, in case there was any doubt as to how camp and French he is, "Enchanté, madame." He straightens and releases her hand. "I thank you for agreeing to meet with me."

[brightwitch]

Well, how charming. She manages not to recoil when he kisses her hand, though she's not exactly happy about it either.

"You're welcome," she replies. "I hear that you are now in charge of the Islington borough?"

Stepping back, she gestures for him to take a seat. Sylvia is not at all looking forward to this conversation but she hides it well, crossing her legs when she sits down to regard him rather like a stern headteacher assessing her students. The vampires are so unpredictable these days. She really doesn't know what to expect.

[baisant]

Jean-Claude inclines his head and moves to take a seat opposite her, crossing his own legs in turn while remaining perfectly poised. She does not intimidate him -- he is over six hundred years old, and has survived conversations with creatures who helped write the definition of the word. But he understands the importance of this conversation, and so while he does pull some of his usual airs, he is not here to try and fluster her out of her uniquely British shell. They have business to address, the pair of them.

"I am," he replies. "A recent promotion, but I can assure you that I am not without my experience in such matters."

[brightwitch]

"I don't doubt it."

And she doesn't. He's certainly older than he looks and quite possibly older than this building. Whether that's a reassuring thought or not, she isn't sure. It depends a lot on why he's here.

"So," she adds, "what can I do for you today?"

[outstandingbalance]

Natasha hasn't sought out Jean-Claude much directly, but she's continued to drop in on Guilty Pleasures, keeping an eye on the place, on the dancers—and on him. She finds, as time wears on, that she has a number of reasons to pay attention to him. Some of those reasons are personal—she's not looking for a mentor or a role model, but there is something encouraging about the example of a vampire who co-existed with mortals, who seemed (at least from her observation) to control himself and his bloodlust. Natasha's too cynical not to look for signs that it's a facade, but if it's real... it might give her hope.

That's long game though, something slow moving at the back of her mind.

More importantly is that he's rising through the ranks in London. He's building influence. He's old, and despite his airs, she believes he's canny. With her history, Natasha can't ignore the possibilities there.

So it's not surprising she'd have an interest in being close, maybe joining him at the bar when she picks him out, siding into the space smoothly. "Having a good evening?" she asks, though it's plain that the crowd could be better.

[baisant]

Jean-Claude glances sideways at her and offers her something of a smile as she slides into the empty space beside him. For once, he hadn't been anticipating company, and even more telling is the glass of wine on the bar before him. Jean-Claude very rarely drinks, and certainly even more rarely while he is working. But he's had a lot on his mind, and while wine never hits the spot in the way that it used to, long ago... He could use a drink right about now.

He offers her a shrug which could mean all or nothing, it's hard to tell with him, before turning more to be able to face her. "I will not lie, it is made better with your company, mon amie."

[outstandingbalance]

"Does that mean I'm not intruding?" she says, giving him enough space to get rid of her if he wants. Natasha realizes forcing yourself on someone is hardly a good way to ingratiate yourself to someone.

Her eyes fall on his wine, then back to his face. "In my experience, not many people like to drink alone. No that I'm drinking yet."

[baisant]

He shakes his head, running his fingers along the stem of the wine glass. "No, no, mon amie," he replies, "there is no intrusion here. Perhaps the wine will even taste sweeter now that you have joined me."

Ever the charmer, even when there are obviously other topics on his mind. Though what topics those are one can only guess at. Jean-Claude has never been what one might call an open book. Certainly not anywhere within the last few hundred years at least.

[outstandingbalance]

He is a charmer, and Natasha might be only a fraction of his age, but she's experienced enough to be more or less immune to it. Or perhaps not—there is something vaguely endearing about it. He doesn't set her heart aflutter or win a blush, but he does get a smile.

"You'll have to tell me for sure," she says, waving to the bar tender and ordering a gin and tonic. "Wild guess, but I have the feeling I'd have to pay a lot more than a penny for your thoughts."

[emotioneater]

Cooper was growing more and more dissatisfied with the way things were being run. He felt like a goddamn babysitter with the way half the nest was running around. No rules meant anarchy. After finding one young vampire too many feeding off the populace, he'd had enough. Up until now, he'd kept his opinions to himself. It didn't pay to mouth off where people more powerful could hear him.

The question on his mind was this: which was more important, loyalty to the leader of the nest or the idea of the nest as a whole? He disliked such heavy thoughts. There was one vampire he knew he could go to confide in. But Cooper was no fool. Two higher-up vampires seen together would cause tongues to wag about just what they were discussing. He had to be careful about this.

So he went to Guilty Pleasures during one of its busier nights, spending a few hours as just another patron before he even deigned to approach JC. "Got a moment?"

[baisant]

It is not the first time that Cooper has made an appearance at Guilty Pleasures, although it has been some time, and Jean-Claude has to say he is surprised to find him there. Because it is busy, he has not the time to wander over and schmooze at Cooper's table the way that he normally might, too busy with the rest of his guests and the more demanding regulars of the evening.

And so when the other vampire approaches him instead, Jean-Claude offers him a smile, tilting his head to the side at him in turn. "For you, mon ami? But of course." He can see that there is something on the other vampire's mind however, so he continues to offer, "Would you care for a drink or did you have a more private conversation in mind?" Notably not making the question sound like an innuendo. His office is just down the hall past the employees only door, after all. If Cooper would rather a quieter space to talk.

[emotioneater]

Cooper glances around the club. While it might be easier not to be overheard out here in the main thoroughfare, there's also the chance that someone with superhuman hearing might overhear something that Cooper would rather be kept quiet. "Let's go somewhere we can talk." He follows after Jean-Claude down to his private office, beer still in hand. The drunken stumble and slurring speech he has is just an affectation to throw anyone watching off.

When the door closes, Cooper's demeanor immediately changes as he seems to instantly sober up. "Seems t'me that we've got a problem going on in this city. I've been keepin' my mouth shut regarding opinions of our current leader, but a man can only take so much. There's too many young ones out there runnin' wild. Something needs t'be done."

[baisant]

Jean-Claude motions to a chair opposite of his desk as he moves to sit himself down on the white sofa that he has in there, rather than behind his desk. As he sits he cannot help the ingrained habit to pose, although the troubled expression on his face makes the picture less perfect than he might otherwise have made it.

"It would seem that we do have a problem on our hands, yes. And that problem's name is Raymond Harris," Jean-Claude drawls, glancing at Cooper to gauge how the other vampire handles such an honest response.

[emotioneater]

Cooper sits down, beer still in his hand. Such heavy talk was going to require alcohol. There is a flicker of amusement as he sees Jean-Claude pose. Between him and Thomas, they definitely have the stereotype of vampire vanity down. A look of relief crosses Cooper's face when he mentions Harris. Now it's all out in the open. No going back. "Glad t'see we're on the same page," Cooper says. "He's gonna run this nest right into the ground within six months if not sooner. Something has to be done."

Cooper was hoping the older vampire would have a better solution than just killing him. That would just be messy and leave them right back in the void where they had been after Millicent had bit the dust. Cooper knew how to deal with a hostile takeover without getting blood all over the place. But he wanted to see what JC's thoughts on the matter were first.