reticence: (modern glare)
Faolan ([personal profile] reticence) wrote in [community profile] undergrounds2016-09-04 10:52 am

HOUNSLOW TERRITORY CLAIM



As per this month's faction reward, the Hillingdon Clan will successfully take the territory of Hounslow from the Redbright Institute.

Here is how that comes to pass and the agreements made to make it possible...

[personal profile] brightwitch 2016-09-04 10:34 pm (UTC)(link)
It's a Saturday. So technically that's her day off from Redbright, but Presidents don't have weekends and her duties as Mother of Witches never end. Suffice to say that Sylvia doesn't really have weekends. She can't ever switch off. And this weekend she has a very important appointment. She knows roughly what it's about – discussing how to tackle the vampire problem with Faolan, who has been at pains to stress that he wants to talk to her in his capacity as Hillingdon Clan leader, not as a Guardian, and in her capacity as Chancellor of the Redbright Institute, not as President of the Night Council.

So now they all know what role they're playing, she invites him to her house.

And she invites Lancelot too. Because Sylvia always needs a bodyguard and who better than the Chief Guardian? Of course it has nothing to do with the fact that she knows he and Faolan are close friends, and that Lancelot could be a useful asset in ensuring that this conversation goes in her favour. That's just a bonus.

She has some of her grandchildren over today, but it's fine, the au pair is looking after them. They won't be disturbed. She ushers Faolan and Lancelot through to her living room, where a white cat looks up at them from a cushion on the couch and then promptly slips away, perhaps reacting to the scent of dog on Lancelot. If they want to take a look around, they might notice the pictures of Sylvia's family and a few of her closest friends from her coven. And the various artefacts on display, almost all of which are magical objects.

There's also tea, of course. The au pair comes in to serve it, adding milk or sugar as required. Sylvia thanks her before she departs, then settles in her seat to regard the two men.

"I hope you'll forgive the informal setting. It isn't often I get to spend time with my grandchildren."

'Spend time' obviously being a relative term. They're in the same house. It counts.
anniesgonemad: (stand)

[personal profile] anniesgonemad 2016-09-04 11:13 pm (UTC)(link)
If Sylvia is allowed a guard, as is Faolan. His choice of guard, however, is notably odd- Annie is skittish and could probably be blown over by a particularly strong gust of wind. But she's deadly if she needs to be, and she's hoping it won't go that way. This was needed. She didn't like the idea of trusting Redbright- she was a witch, and that was more than enough for Annie, but the fact remained: Hillingdon needed more territory if they were going to do anything about the vampires. So if that meant compromise, and hopefully far less blood-shed, Annie could go along with the idea.

She says nothing, when they arrive, keeping to herself, her hands clasped behind her back. If she didn't, they'd wind up in her hair, and that wasn't the sort of impression she wanted to give Redbright. Or the owner of Lily, whom she'd fallen absolutely in love with.

"You have, uhm a lovely home," Annie tries, her Irish accent always seems to get stronger around Faolan. Now sitting on the couch, she tries to take up as little space as possible, spare the cup and saucer on her lap, the tea highly sugared. Wait- was she not supposed to be speaking? Then just pretend she didn't say anything. She'll just sit here. And drink tea.
knightscode: Oh I made that joke already (♠52)

[personal profile] knightscode 2016-09-04 11:30 pm (UTC)(link)
However informal the setting, Lancelot himself is technically on duty here and therefore acts the part. He's opted for a sort of halfway smart-casual approach to his dress sense, at least, white button-down shirt and black jeans, but he's alert -- even if he's also casually admiring the decor.

He doesn't sit, even if he hardly expects any trouble from Annie or Faolan, because sitting wold slow him down if he had to move. Instead he takes up a post within arm's reach of Sylvia, stands at parade rest and twitches Annie a half-encouraging smile at the way she sits and fumbles with her tea. She's nervous, and last he recalls she was nervous too actually -- and half arguing with him about vampires.

Lancelot doesn't say anything, though, because guard duty like this he considers a don't-speak-until-spoke-to situation himself. For better or worse.

[personal profile] brightwitch 2016-09-05 10:59 pm (UTC)(link)
Sylvia has now learned Annie's name but other than that she knows nothing about the girl except that Faolan thought it was a good idea to bring her. The thought occurs that she's Faolan's girlfriend, but he doesn't say as much and she doesn't ask. Regardless, she seems pleasant enough, Sylvia nodding in acknowledgement when Annie compliments her home.

As for the tea, there's nothing wrong with it. It's good tea. Sylvia sips hers while she listens to Faolan, then nods, offering a smile.

"School starts on Monday, so it's all hands on deck. It's frantic, but always exciting to welcome the new students. Some of them have never met others like them, especially of their own age." Her smile becomes reminiscent. She can think of so many wide-eyed students over the years who grew up to become valuable members of the supernatural community. "What about you, Faolan? How are things in Hillingdon?"
anniesgonemad: (down)

[personal profile] anniesgonemad 2016-09-10 06:43 pm (UTC)(link)
Annie practically grimaces as she attempts to return Lance's smile. She remembers him, but that's more than enough for her. She wasn't exactly on her best that night. The way he's looking at her does help, however. Maybe he doesn't hold it against her- she hadn't realized he was the Lancelot she was trying to find until she'd seen photos at his home. That hadn't changed her mind about trying to find him, though. She reminds herself to tell him she thought he had the most well-behaved dog in existence, if they get a moment after the meeting is over.

She feels as if a small weight has been lifted from her shoulders, when Faolan introduces her, explains why she's there. Though, she realizes too late, she should be standing, not drinking tea. But here she is, sinking into the couch. So she's just going to stay quiet from here on out. Let Faolan and Redbright talk.

[personal profile] brightwitch 2016-09-10 07:51 pm (UTC)(link)
She nods at Annie when Faolan introduces her. It's true, the situation has left her with no choice but to not mind, since he didn't tell her that he was inviting another guest. But putting that aside for a moment...

"Negotiations," she repeats, raising an eyebrow. "This must be serious." Her tone is light but her words are not, and she looks between Faolan and Annie with a slight frown creasing her brow. "My understanding was that we are here to talk about Islington. Am I mistaken?"
knightscode: Puppyeyes (♠38)

[personal profile] knightscode 2016-09-13 12:04 pm (UTC)(link)
Of course it's serious, Lancelot thinks silently to himself, if Faolan isn't barging in uninvited and growling at people then he's taking something seriously.

This, however, is already going about how he expected. The other advantage of where he's standing is Sylvia can't see him, but Faolan can. So he gives him a slight nod of encouragement. Go on, it'll be fine. Hopefully.

[personal profile] brightwitch 2016-09-26 09:15 pm (UTC)(link)
"Outgrowing," Sylvia repeats, catching on to the key part of his little speech. It's the only thing he says that she hasn't heard before. Yes, there are hunters in Hillingdon, yes, the vampires are targeting them. They need a common strategy, that is clear. But space for the Hillingdon Clan to grow? That's new. "I see. I must thank you for fighting the good fight, of course. With your hunters and my Outreach team, we've managed to contain the worst of the vampires. I would welcome us working more closely together still, perhaps in sharing facilities or equipment. Redbright's doors will always be open to our trusted allies."

It's an invitation. She could use his hunters, could use the extra manpower, and they could use the extra resource and wider network that Redbright can offer. A closer partnership would benefit them both and could be key to defeating Islington.

[personal profile] brightwitch 2016-10-31 10:59 pm (UTC)(link)
Empire building, is he. How grand. Sylvia is impassive as Faolan speaks, only raising an eyebrow after he has finished.

"Why do you want Hounslow?"

She isn't going to indicate a favourable or unfavourable response until she understands his motivation. Whether it's naked ambition or something else. She sips her tea, patient.