[OPEN] SOUTHWARK TERRITORY CLAIM

[baisant]

[ooc note: this is an open post for jean-claude's move on the territory of southwark. there are many threads within, some closed, some open. even if your character may not have participated in the claim itself, there is still opportunity for them to participate either talking to jean-claude before or after the claim, or just celebrating their victory with them! if you have any questions pleas private message me or private plurk me on lycanthropy101!]

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[CLOSED TO CESARE]

[baisant]

Jean-Claude has at least had the decency to call ahead this time before dropping by, which is hardly as much as he offered Lancelot. Of course, Jean-Claude has a feeling that Lancelot will forgive him more than Cesare might for such a fault, and while the other man just might be cross, Cesare could actually pose a threat should he upset him.

He needs to speak with him though. Firstly about the immediate matter of the club. Secondly, and less immediately, he needs to feel out his stance on Raymond Harris. He knows that the other vampire has supported their leader, but he hardly believes that was done out of loyalty to Harris himself. From their previous acquaintances, Jean-Claude knows full well that Cesare's only loyalties are to himself. And that's what troubles him. He needs to reassure himself that he will not be at threat from the other vampire, should he make a move on Harris, for Cesare is one of the sole powerful vampires in the city who remains a political mystery to him. And he needs to move him out of the way if that is so.

Stepping into the front lobby of the Angelo, Jean-Claude glances around warily. It has been a long night, and it will be an even longer day with another long night to follow, though he does not let his exhaustion show. He cannot afford such a weakness. "Mon ami, are you there?" he calls out.

[longterm]

It takes a few moments of Jean-Claude waiting in the lobby before the staff usher him over. They lead him through long corridors, past a shy looking girl with a bandage on her neck walking in the opposite direction, and eventually to a private lounge. In fact, it's less of a lounge. More of a parlor room than anything. Cesare is there, his back to the door and his hands on the drinks cabinet.

He's well dressed. Mostly anyway. His pressed shirt is unbuttoned down to his collarbones and his sleeves are rolled up. His jacket was discarded long ago.

Normally he would meet someone out in the open, or in his office, but he has a feeling that they won't be talking about things that should be overheard and his office is small. Meeting Jean-Claude in his parlor is half friendship, half power move.

He turns to Jean-Claude only slightly to acknowledge his presence as he pours out two glasses of scotch.

"Jean-Claude. How are you faring?"

He walks over to him and holds out one of the drinks in his hands.

[baisant]

Jean-Claude can appreciate the other man's discretion, and the gesture of the pair of them meeting under less businesslike circumstances than they might. He trails his way into the parlor, glancing at the glass of scotch poured out to him before taking it as it is offered. It's only polite, after all. He is here to test the waters of the other man's loyalties, after all. The least he can do is accept his offering of drink.

"Well enough," he replies. He curls elegant pale fingers around his glass, swirling the liquid slightly though not yet taking a sip, watching it move for a moment before glancing back up to Cesare himself. "We have won back Southwark for Islington. It is actually part of the reason I am here. I was wondering if you might have a room you could let out for a small night of revelry tonight, on such a short notice as this."

[longterm]

The words "part of the reason" are not lost on Cesare. There's more to this discussion that they're having right now. Parts of Jean-Claude's ideas have yet to unfurl and reveal themselves. They both know that.

"Anything is for sale for the right price," he replies in half jest. Of course he can oblige that request. When has he ever been the type the turn down a small night of revelry, particularly when there aren't any pressing issues at hand? Although Cesare suspects that this night is the pressing issue. Winning a territory is a big deal, particularly for Jean-Claude and his position in the nest.

"Though promise me you won't make it too small. Have a proper celebration."

[baisant]

Jean-Claude cannot help but smile wider at the other man's words, despite himself. He inclines his head slightly in acceptance of them. "I shall try, mon ami. It is certainly an event to be celebrated. Although you will forgive me, my budget is not so grand as Harris's before. And, given the nature of the attendees, I rather suspect that the gathering itself must be kept relatively... Comment dit-on? On the down low."

The reason for that of course being the second half of why he is there to speak with the other vampire, of course. But he will get to that in a moment.

[longterm]

Cesare smirks, sitting down on one of the couches and swinging his arms backwards to rest on the back cushions to get comfortable.

"Nothing underhand, I hope?" Although from the way he says it, it's pretty clear that he's not averse to clandestine dealings. Cesare has been around for a while and doesn't have a particularly pure or innocent history. When it comes to factions, houses and alliances, he more than understands that sometimes under the table negotiations are in order.

[baisant]

The look Jean-Claude gives Cesare in return makes it very clear that he knows the other man is not opposed to making less than savory deals with people far less reputable than Jean-Claude himself, thank you very much.

He moves to take a seat himself, his movement far more careful and poised than the other man. He was trained in the old French courts, after all, it is hard to beat some of the old court habits out of himself. Like putting on a pretty face no matter what.

"I would not insult you to suggest that you did not already have some notion as to why I might not want a gathering of my people being public knowledge amongst all of our kind," he says instead, rather pointedly.

[longterm]

Cesare shrugs as if he doesn't understand Jean-Claude's statement, but his words are a different matter.

"The faction is splitting," he says calmly. "Although I must admit, I'm not all that surprised. Certain leaders can be...polarizing." Personally, Cesare is fascinated by it. Raymond Harris is a hoot and Cesare is old enough that he enjoys a good change every so often. The drama that he's causing is great to watch.

[baisant]

Jean-Claude inclines his head at the other vampire in response to his words. "How very tactfully put, mon ami," he replies. "Polarizing is certainly one way of putting it. Raymond Harris has promoted open slaughter in the streets. You and I both know that such a thing will not last. Even if no one within our own faction does anything, it is only a matter of time before the city unites against us."

He tilts his head at Cesare. "I do not know about you, mon ami, but I would rather not let things progress to that level. Again."

[longterm]

Cesare pouts a little, deliberately playing devil's advocate just to tease.

"You are far more diplomatic at your core than I am, Jean-Claude." After all, Cesare is not a man who's spent his life earning his power through the consent of others. Most of his time his power has either been given to him by his contacts or in a deal, or he's snatched it. He doesn't have a strong history in playing fair with other people, but instead in silencing them. This could easily be seen as another opportunity for that.

"We've both been in wars before. If another happens, what makes you think we might not win?"

[baisant]

Jean-Claude inclines his head at the other man. He does not doubt that he is more diplomatic than Cesare is. That is why Jean-Claude is vying for the leadership of the nest, while Cesare is more content to manipulate the people in power into giving him what he wants. He understands and even respects this in the other man, really. They had spent some time together, back when Jean-Claude had first been released from Belle Morte's grasp, after all. But that sort of life, that sort of mentality. It wasn't for him, in the end.

"We, mon ami?" Jean-Claude hazards. Is Cesare alluding to where his allegiances lie then?

[longterm]

Cesare can perhaps see where this conversation is going. Unfortunately he's not going to make it quite that easy. If Jean-Claude wants to form some sort of understanding or allegiance, he's going to need to put more on the table, or at least be open to offers. Cesare doesn't come for free.

"Yes," he answers as if the reply is obvious. "Us, the vampires of Islington Nest. We've outlived a plenitude of witches and wolves. What makes you think we can't do it again?"