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[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.

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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.

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."

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.

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."

"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.

Jean-Claude does not speak up to say that those 'long in the tooth' as Raymond says have gotten to such a point because they are intelligent enough not to have gotten themselves killed making stupid choices. Indeed, he keeps his face politely schooled into a relatively blank expression in general, inclining his head in response to the other vampire's speech in time with the applause as well. But the idea of it concerns him. He does not like the thought of purposely turning themselves against the rest of the city. The vampires are a strong lot, but they cannot handle their own on their own. Not if they have made enemies of the rest.

But he knows better than to voice such opinions to a vampire who might have him killed just for thinking them. So he makes to politely step around them instead. "We are grateful for your passion in such matters, as ever, monsieur," he replies. "You are right, of course. We vampires should make our own choices, not allow the witches to make them for us."

"Precisely." Whether or not Jean-Claude genuinely agrees with him, he's wise to pretend to. Raymond won't tolerate dissent. "Let the old hag do what she wants. We are the top of the food chain and it is your job to make sure that everyone knows that. Don't worry about the witches or the Night Council. They will fall into line."

And if they don't, they will die. It's a simple proposal in Raymond's mind. Frankly, he hopes they resist. Raymond does love a bit of carnage.

Jean-Claude inclines his head at Raymond, a formal movement but it is not alien for him, considering he has lived in a time when such things as bowing were expected by the general population.

"Of course, monsieur," he replies. "We are Vampires. Only a fool would be ashamed of such a thing." Jean-Claude has never been ashamed of what he has become. He enjoys who and what he is immensely. But he is wary, because while he is a vampire, and while that makes him harty, it does not make him immortal. No matter what most vampires would believe.

He's getting nothing but polite agreement from Jean-Claude, but Raymond is no fool. He knows the other vampire came here with a dissenting opinion.

"So tell me," he says, taking a sip of blood from his goblet, "what does the Marquess of Islington plan to do to help make our nest great again?"

Time for Jean-Claude to show some commitment. Nods of agreement aren't enough.

Jean-Claude had not lived as long as he had in the French vampire courts by playing mute and acting a fool. He inclines his head at the other vampire, recognizing he must play Raymond's game, and so he does. He has ever had a way with words. He has had to.

"To make our nest great again," Jean-Claude repeats. It is true, he does have a plan. A plan that involves the eventuality that Raymond himself is removed from the equation. "I plan to do as monsieur bids me," Jean-Claude continues, offering the other vampire a small bow in turn. "I am your Marquess. I am yours to command and I will obey. Such has ever been my role in this nest. Perhaps now so more than ever." Given his current position seated just under Raymond himself, and all.

"Oh, come on!" Raymond shakes his head. "Where is your creativity? Where is your pride? I know you are more than a pretty face, monsieur, despite past history." He waves a hand, indicating the vampire guards around them. "These vampires are here to obey me without a thought in their sweet little heads. From you, I expect more. Come back when you have something to offer beyond trembling at the old hag's feet."

Raymond recognises empty platitudes when he sees them. There is no commitment from Jean-Claude, no ideas or enthusiasm for increasing the nest's power. Frankly, he's disappointed. There's no immediate cause for concern as long as Jean-Claude stays in line, but Raymond is sure there are plenty of younger more energetic vampires just waiting for the chance to seize power for themselves. He'd rather see some fire and passion. Something to consider, perhaps, when his Marquess has left the building.

Jean-Claude recognizes he is being too careful with his words. But he would rather be too careful than close himself into a hole that he will not be able to dig himself out of. He is of course a man of fire, and passion. But he will never have the passion that Raymond is seeking. Certainly not for the same cause.

He bows his head further and moves to take his leave. He has made his attempt at changing the other vampire's mind, but he would have an easier time talking a wall out of line than their leader. "As you wish, monsieur," he replies.

And steps off to make himself an appointment with the old hag herself.

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