[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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[freelife]

When Jean-Claude has finished his brief speech, Evie is there to take his hand, to lead him to the side to speak with him.

"Congratulations on what surely has to be the least amount of blood-shed for a vampire take-over that London has ever seen." She's proud, really, and she wants to make that extremely clear before she points out the next thing that immediately popped into her head.

"The Anglo? Do you think that's so wise, to announce a party at Borgia's?" Her relationship with Cesare was complicated, but most often the two held each other in mutual respect. "Unless this is something I don't know about...?" Do you have an alliance with Cesare Borgia, JC? Tell her immediately, she needs to add more signs and strings up in her flat.

[baisant]

Jean-Claude lets himself be led aside. He trusts Evie enough to know that she is not about to knife him in the back following such a victory. And it is an odd thing, for him to find much trust in anyone. He cocks his head to the side at her as he listens to her speak before sighing slightly as she finishes.

"Cesare and myself, we have... A history," Jean-Claude explains. The sort of history where the other vampire had shared his bed for a time, before he had determined that he could not give him what he wanted, or perhaps that he was not what he wanted. Jean-Claude cannot say for certain. They were not exactly close, and though it hurt to see him go, it was no great heartbreak. Not like Asher...

"I know him well. Well enough to believe that, though I do not think he will ever truly be at our side, I do not think he will turn us over to Raymond Harris." He turns his gaze over the crowd of vampires slowly dispersing, lingering to mingle for as long as they dare before chased out by the light of day. "I will speak with Cesare," he reassures. "I will see what he has to say for himself in this matter." He glances back at Evie, offering her a smile that doesn't quite meet her eyes. "I cannot expect all here gathered to be comfortable with a celebration held at Guilty Pleasures, however, now can I?"

[freelife]

True enough, and if Evie were to kill him, it wouldn't be in quite so public a space.

"A history," she repeats, knowing exactly what he means. He wasn't the first, nor the last to have a history with Cesare Borgia. Evie could count herself amongst them, though she didn't dwell on it. There had been swords involved.

She inclines her head. "No, you're quite right." She'd been spending more time at Guilty Pleasures than she ever previously thought she was capable of. She had gotten to know the dancers well enough to recommend Francois to Caroline for a dance. If she had to guess, she'd consider it some sort of exposure therapy. "And the Anglo is a beautiful venue." Raymond's party had been exquisite. Excessive, yes, but even she had had fun. And she preferred to stay in on her Saturday nights.

[baisant]

Jean-Claude quirks something of a smile at her, following her train of thought as far as Cesare is concerned. He shakes his head slightly. "It's true, it is. Which is in our favor, because I really don't have anything planned for this get-together, other than some socialization amongst ourselves. I fear I do not have the time to plan ahead as much as our dear leader had. Though perhaps that is for the best."

He quirks another smile at her. "No one will expect too much of me, all things considered."

[freelife]

"No, that's the beauty of these post-battle celebrations." They were her favorite- impromptu and fun, simply a good time with adrenaline highs and good friends. "I always find the most fun parties are the impromptu get-togethers. I hope tonight proves to be in the same vein."

[baisant]

Jean-Claude huffs out something of a laugh. "I would like to think, given my experience with the club, I know something or other about arranging such things. It will depend of course on what sort of a budget Cesare requires, however. I hope none of us will be disappointed with the lack of human donors, compared with the last get-together." It is, after all, a joke. Jean-Claude disapproves of such open behavior at a party. Not to say that he disapproves of feeding itself, but it is an intimate exchange, and he believes it should stay behind closed doors.

[freelife]

"Oh, your ability to throw a party was never in doubt." She was simply hoping that she'd have the same amount of fun. They still had a limited amount of time to prepare for such a thing, after all.

"I should hope not." Someone was bound to complain. But Evie would happily see them shown the door.

[baisant]

He tilts his head at her, smirking slightly at her comments. "I am glad that you trust me in such endeavors, mon amie," he says, and whether he is talking about the last-minute get-together or the whole rise against Harris himself it is truly hard to tell. Jean-Claude has never made it easy to read his thoughts, after all.

And then the moment is passed and he straightens, turning to glance over the crowds themselves. "Do you think it will be enough?" he asks, and this time there is no question what he is talking about. "I do not think there is much more I can do to convince them to take sides. They will either be with us, or they will not."

[freelife]

It doesn't matter what he's talking about, because she trusts him in both. When it comes to parties, of course, he puts on a good show at Guilty Pleasures, and she's been meaning to, mostly for her own morbid curiosity, stop by when he's supposed to be performing. And as for this uprising... There's no one else she wants in charge but him.

She lets the moment pass, not wanting to tarnish it with any of her own words.

"I certainly hope so." It was time for them all to decide who they were. "I suppose we'll have to see, now, won't we?"

[baisant]

He flicks something of a smile at her in return. "I suppose that we will, now won't we." He glances out at the crowds again, watching them lingering before he turns to direct his full attention at her once more.

"I would speak with you further on such matters now that the deed is done. But I fear I cannot trust to do so even here and now. Is there a time and place you might be available, that we might speak business together more privately, mon amie?" Now that they have secured Southwark, his plans are well and truly underway. And she should know of them, if she is to take part in the proceedings. "It need not be today. I do not wish to ruin your celebrations. But I fear it must be soon." They do not have much more time to wait...

[freelife]

"Of course." She takes a step further away from the crowds, but just barely, wanting extra distance in case anyone was overlooking.

See, this was why she missed having her train, as she had when she'd first come to London. It had been so easy to travel, and it was certainly a place that no one would really be able to catch them unawares. Not to mention, good to have all her allies in one place. Soon, she promised herself, she'd find a suitable alternative. Maybe on the Circle line.

"There's an old Assassin safe house in Covent Gardens. Meet me there in three days time." She taps her ring. "This symbol is burned into the top right-hand corner of the door." She can also text him the address, but sometimes there was a reason to keep to dramatics.

[baisant]

Jean-Claude is old-fashioned enough to perhaps forget his mobile as well, so verbal directions work just as well as anything. He nods slightly, glancing down at the ring and the symbol she is indicating before back up at Evie herself.

"Three days time," he confirms. "I will find it. And you there, I presume. What time?" he asks. He is a busy man but he can work his schedule around her availability. Their conversation is the whole reason that he is asking to meet with her, after all.

[freelife]

Evie touches her head in a subservient gesture. "You will, yes. Come at eight, and I don't need to tell you to come alone and tell no one." But she was going to remind him.

[baisant]

Jean-Claude lets out the huff of a laugh at her reminder regardless. "This is not the first revolution I have lived through, mon amie," he reminds her in return, but he nods. "As far as my business is concerned, I will be off on an errand for the club. I will come alone. Rest assured of that."


He may be something of a fop on the surface at least but Jean-Claude is also a man of his word. At the appropriate time on the appropriate day, he makes his way casually to the building with the door in Covent Gardens that Evie had suggested. He realizes upon arriving he had neglected to ask whether or not there were some sort of knock that might gain him entrance, but he decides to go with the most obvious and subtle trick of all -- turning the doorknob and simply slipping inside.

[freelife]

Evie's already inside, having been there for some time. Inside the building is old, a bit of dust collecting in the living room. The whole place is dimly lit, but there is a staircase leading up to the study where Evie currently sits. It's an old Assassin safe-house, in the basement she has a rather decent training area.

Upstairs, Evie can hear the sound of Jean-Claude's footsteps on the floor, and she shuts her book.

"Hello," she calls, to let him know she's coming just moments before she appears at the top of the stair-case. "Welcome to one of the old safe-houses. Jacob and I created a few some time ago, but this is the only one that really gets used." As she speaks, she walks down the stairs.

"Come upstairs, I've got a fire going in the study."