undergrounds | HOUNSLOW TERRITORY CLAIM

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?"

He probably should have introduced Annie first off, but Faolan is still slightly new to this whole 'faction leader' business, and as such he's still learning the do's and don'ts of the whole thing.

"Busy," he responds, as politely as he can. She poured her tea from the same source, and unless she's laced his cup he supposes it's safe enough, so he hazards a sip as well. "We are hunters, after all, and what with the present situation..."

He lowers his cup back down to his lap. "It is what I would like to discuss with you, today." He glances aside at Annie, realizing his first mistake and correcting it as smoothly as he can. "This is Annie. Anything that is discussed here may be done so in front of her. I have brought her here with me today to bear witness to our negotiations. Given the recent unease after the reveal of my other position, I thought it only fair to them. I hope you do not mind." He has not exactly given her a choice in the matter after all.

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.

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?"

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.

Faolan flicks his eyes at the other man as Lancelot nods at him. He doesn't know whether to believe his encouragement, but he will take what he can get and so he pushes himself to continue and make his point.

"It is," he agrees. "And we are. That is to say, I am here to negotiate terms with you. Regarding our two factions, and our mutual enemy in what Raymond has turned the Islington nest into, of late." He glances at Sylvia, his gaze floating behind her to Lancelot before back again. He dare not look over at Annie. He is supposed to be in charge here. He is the one making the deal.

"Frankly put, there are vampires killing all of our people. Hillingdon is a faction of hunters, Ms Redbright. We have much to offer in the way of protection against them. But we are quickly outgrowing our little corner of the city, and we cannot hope to stand against them if we are to continue to limit ourselves thus." He pauses for a moment, not quite having stated yet what sort of an agreement he is seeking. But having given enough that Sylvia might be able to deduce it for herself, if she reads between the lines.

"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.

Faolan nods slightly in response to her words. "I imagine that our teams would work well together, if we were to share in our resources. But there are certain precautions that must be taken with such an agreement. Namely, the people of Hillingdon would be wary that we are selling ourselves out in support of a faction that might not support their own in return. It is why I have come to you with a specific proposal. For the negotiation of the Hounslow territory, currently in possession of the Institute."

He inclines his head at her slightly. "We would like to make a deal with you, Ms Redbright. In exchange for claim over control of Hounslow. An exchange of territory for manpower. You have the territory, we have the manpower. And many students that may not be able to defend themselves in a way that my people are more than willing to step in and do. I'm certain that we can come to something of an arrangement, can we not?"

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.

Faolan does his best not to look down at his hands or into his tea or anywhere else, not to fidget or hesitate as he responds to her question.

"Hillingdon called a faction meeting to vote on the matter and Hounslow was the territory that was chosen," he replies. He could elaborate and say that it was because it's the only territory not surrounded by Redbright on all sides, but he doesn't think that really needs saying. He's fairly certain Sylvia will understand that regardless.

HOUNSLOW TERRITORY CLAIM

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my apologies, i had lost this notif :x

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