Town Hall Meeting July 14th, 2017

[Storyteller]

Zena Steele
sits at one of the corners in the cafe, brushing her hair out of her face and groaning gently, some dirt still on her from recently being stuck in a grave for a whole day. *

Mortll
entered the Voodoo it was time for her weekly invetory taking There had been too many light fingers as of late not that she minded some these people had families to take care of but when it came to whole boxes of things coming up missing that is where she drew the line if they wanted a raise all they needed to do was ask. She looked around not a very busy night She took note of the rather dusty individual sitting alone at one of the corner tables. Then walked behind the bar. Nodding in their direction

Zena Steele
waves a bit at the new woman, giving a shy smile. She was glad her thoughts remained to herself, but still. She did think she was cute.

Mortll
eyes narrowed a bit then smiled back she should know better than to prowl around strangers heads but she was just confirming her suspicion that The dusty woman was a vampire. She grabbed up a bottle of Arbor Vitae (blood in a wine bottle ) and a dark wine glass from the bar and took it over to the table . Compliments of the house.

Zena Steele
blinks a bit, looking up at her. "Oh, uh...hi there." She says, gently. She seemed slightly distracted, retreating a bit into herself, obviously not a people-person. This was actually probably the first time she was here, though she liked it so far.

Mortll
"New in town ?" Mortll smiled she could be charming when she wanted to be

Zena Steele
nervously takes a small phone out of her pocket, opening up one (of the many) games on it. "Not really...maybe...I'm usually inside my house, though I promised my parents I'd get a house of my own soon enough..." She says, gently.

Mortll
Mortll hadnt ever had parents she had been free to go wherever she wanted her grandmother figured she could take care of herself "Well it might be best considering your condition " She eyed her poitedly "Humans get nerveous around someone that drinks blood "

Zena Steele
squirms again, biting her lip as she looks at her. "What...?" She looks slightly nervous now when she said that, pausing the game on her phone for a moment, to turn down the volume. *

Mortll
"You are a vampire no?" Mortll looked at her pointedly then grined a very toothy grin showing her fangs so what few other human patrons couldnt see .

Zena Steele
nods a bit after a moment. "Y-ya...I'm still new to being one, but...ya..."

Azraeth
dropped in, which seemed almost literal in a way. One moment he was not there, and then he just kind of was, mid-walk. He paused. Glanced around. Okay. This was totally not his apartment. But there was Mortll, so he offered her a little wave. Hopefully nobody noticed that he was covered in dirt from having dug up several plants, in hopes of re-planting them in his apartment.

Mortll
"Ive been one a few years now it gets better " Mortll smiled "You may not even have to rely on that in awhile "she pointed at the bottle of blood

Zena Steele
nods a bit. "That sounds nice..." She says, smiling as she did. *

Mortll
waved at Azaraeth and beconed him to come over the more people this young one knew the better

Azraeth
stuffed his hands into his pockets and slid over to Mortll. "Evenin', ladies. Who is this?" He asked of the new face.

Zena Steele
waves a bit, now slightly more nervous about another person. "Zena..." She mutters, gently.

Mortll
'I uhhh i ... What is your name ? " she smiled

Mortll
"Nice to meet you Zina Im Mortll and this handsome fellow here is Azraeth "

Azraeth
glanced between Zena and Mortll for a moment. Knowing the head of the Voodoo Dragons, she'd already offered Zena some blood, so he skipped that, in favor of offering a dirty hand. "Nice to meet you. Yes, that's a real name. Parents were sort of sadists."

Zena Steele
nods a bit, reaching up to shake his hand. "N-nice to meet you..." She says, quietly. *

Azraeth
gave the woman's hand a firm shake before letting it go, only to realize his fingers were covered in filth. He began to pick under his nails at that point. "So what brings you to Harper Rock? Or have you been here the whole time?"

Blake
had heard whispers of new blood in the city and after such a long slumber she was quite in need to some updating on current events. Hiding behind the new body she looked around and smiled when she saw a pair of familiar faces sitting with one that was completely unknown. Interesting. Moving off to sit at one of the computers nearby she wouldn't intrude on the three of them talking unless it became needed, or warranted.

Zena Steele
"Parents brought me here...new scenery..." She says, her voice quiet as possible while still being loud enough to be heard by the two.

Mortll
Mortll wasnt used to seeing Azraeth with dirty hands Bloody as hell but not dirt "Az what have you been up to ?"

Azraeth
tilted his head to one side, as he watched the woman. She seemed shy. Well. Harper Rock would certainly cure her of that in time. That or crush her. One of the two. "Oh, there is plenty to see around these parts. Trust. Me. And I was out in the forest doing a bit of digging is all. I managed to use up all of one of my plants so it was time to retrieve a little more."

Zena Steele
nods a bit, smiling slightly nervously as she did, looking around curiously at everything to distract herself. *

Zena Steele
>

Azraeth
kk []

Mortll
nodded "Well if you ever need any growing tips or fertalizer you know where to find it " she turned her attention back to the young woman "Do you know who is responsible for making you this way ?"

Azraeth
lifted a hand to scratch lightly at the back of his neck. He probably could have gotten the flowers a little more easily, but leave it to Azraeth to find the hardest way to do something...and then go with that stubbornly until it was accomplished. "Thanks. Fertilizer. Wait. What?"

Mortll
"For your plants arent you going to grow them ?'

Azraeth
"Well yes, that was just a curious suggestion is all. I half expected it to be a euphemism for like. Dead, stabbed things."

Azraeth
"I may be spending too much time around Nikolae."

Azraeth
brb []

Mortll
"Fertalizer is dead rotting things and from it comes new life So yes it sort of was " Mortll shrugged" if they die on you i have a few tricks up my sleves never give up hope on a plant bring it to me first i can save anything "

Azraeth
"I will have to do just that. My green thumb tends to be a little more like a brown and black thumb. You excited for tonight's...thing?"

Mortll
Mortll's eyes brightend "Yes very much so My... Ummm Yeah i got things ready "

Mortll
Mortll eyed the young woman she didnt know how she would react to the fact They were getting ready to go into battle and probably kill people but if she got to know Alex well enough she would understand being kind to humans and then the ones you just had to exterminate for the betterment of the city "

Doc
((Ooc note: I want to make sure everyone has a chance to be heard. So when replying give other players time to type out their reply before replying again, please. ))

Alexandrea
Alex had arrived early so that she could arrange for the tea and biscuits before finding herself a quiet corner to take notes from thoughout the meeting. She was wearing a scarf tired around her throat and carry the box of tissues somehow she managed to catch some sort of cold and I completely lost her voice. ((I am on phone so Alex will not be speaking at all)) Harry said it was all in her head but the coughs that had left the vampire's throat feeling like raw meat had felt pretty bloody real to her.

Doc
Doc entered the Private area of the Voodoo. It was the evening of the Town Hall meeting, in a few minutes he would have to bring the event to a start. He subconsciously adjusted his tie and cuffs. He dressed in a navy business suit., as was his custom, but though he wanted to be properly attired, the event was not about him, in particular. It was about all of vampire kind. This was not a play for power, but rather a beginning of a dialogue for all vampires. As the room began to fill in, he looked around to see whom he recognized and whom he did not. There were some in both categories. The room had been arranged so that no one seat held any distinction over another. He had been adamant that there not be a head table. Any who wished to speak up, should have ability to be heard equally and fairly.

Doc
At 8:00pm, Doc cleared his throat and spoke, “Thank you for coming. The purpose of tonight’s meeting, is to get an idea of your,” He gestured toward the group, “the communities thoughts, since now we are no longer simply myths to be dismissed as fanciful thoughts. But we are actual fact. Humans know about our existence now. “What do we do? Do keep on as is.. Not reacting. Keeping a low profile? Or Do we go on the offensive? Do we leverage the knowledge of existence into a type of protection? We are only as strong as the weakest and and least bright of those among us. I am of the mindset, that we need need protection under the human's law. If there are laws to protect us.. If there was to be an uprising against us.. It would be much harder to do if there are protections in place. However,.. That is my .. and only one point of view. (cont)

Doc
“Someone who wished to be here, could not, but did give me their point of view and I will read it now..” He pulled the piece of paper from his inside jacket pocket. He cleared his voice and read: “Now is NOT the time for direct action. Right now we are currently locked inside a logical Schrodinger’s box with the humans that has one of two possible outcomes: either a positive or negative reaction. Anything that we should plan on doing must take place AFTER the humans have been given time to make their own move in response to our unveiling; lest any schemes might take away from a conservatively estimated 50% chance of public acceptance. I'd like to see what natural offer they would suggest before deciding the way to push them. (Remember there is a progression here: 1. Vampires unveiled 2. Humans affirm their position (one way or another) 3. Vampires suggest ___ - What if they were willing to offer us that even *without* a further push? Otherwise it is a wasted push that could be nudged in another direction.”

Ripper
stands up.

Ripper
That's actually my own argument which I submitted

Ripper
if anyone has any questions on it I am here available for comment

Ripper
sits back down.

Doc
Doc folded the paper up and replaced it inside his jacket. "With this said.. " He looked at Ripper, "Floor is open."

Wendigo
Digo enters quietly, shedding the illusion of the well-dressed mortal he was wearing. He leans against the wall and looks attentively to the others.

Oakley
perched herself quietly at her mentor's side as she sifted her fingers through her hair, peeling the webs from the russet strands. With a purse of her lips, she studied the man speaking, before her attention became attached to the one standing. Having no desire to actually speak - even if she could, literally, speak - she remained silent, and instead studied the expressions and body language of the gathered.

Elizabeth
glanced to Alaric who was beside her, then to Ripper and nodded her head in agreement. "How many months has it been, again, since huamns have been openly made aware of vampire existance?" She looks at Doc curiously.

Alaric von der
Elizabeth had convinced Alaric that he should come to the meeting -- it hadn't taken much. The way things were going in Alaric's own life, he knew that if he didn't do something he would stagnate. He would retreat into a back room, into a dungeon and never come out, he would remain the nameless, faceless being he had been before his death. Despite his own misgivings about the technology (buzzing incessantly in the background, something he knew would eventually give him a migraine) and the crowds, here he was, seated next to Elizabeth, listening. The first argument confused Alaric. They should sit and wait to see how the humans reacted? What if they were gathering forces to come slaughter them all, like they had last time? Why wait for that? What 'push' was he talking about? Alaric remained silent, and allowed Elizabeth her turn to speak, to question.

Doc
Doc looked at Elizabeth, "September 2016.. the world changed as Humans knew it."

Azraeth
/me was quiet for the moment. The lounge under the Voodoo cybercafe was familiar territory to him, a home away from home. He had a few opinions on the matter. In fact, the Dragomir had spoken about the very same topic when the humans had first become aware of vampire existence on the whole. However, he wanted to get a feel for the room. You never knew when someone was going to go out of their way to be crazy. However things were super quiet. Okay. So he was going to be 'that guy'. "I think the idea of protections for our kind is a good one. However, historically, civil rights are far from an over-night affair, and by all rights - most humans are going to see us as dead things. Even if they like us. How would we go about seeking those protections?"

Azraeth
v.v Naturally. Just. Shoot me now LOL []

Doc
Doc directed his attention to Azreath, "I agree it isn't going to be an overnight thing. This is something that could take months or as I suspect.. years to have happen. Years that we, as a community will be vulnerable should the least of us, do something rash or stupid. And depending on how stupid or deadly the incident is.. it could cause an uprising against us. There would be only so long we could hold out. They have numbers on their side. In a perfect world, we would not need protections. But we do not exist in a perfect world."

Azraeth
"Agreed on all accounts there. I'm honestly shocked we haven't gotten bombed by some sort of extremist yet. Only a matter of time, but when it does happen, having the rest of the world see it as a travesty rather than a blessing would be ideal."

Ripper
shifts in his chair, staying uncomfortably quiet.

Doc
"As much as I would like to push my agenda forward.. that is not the purpose of this meeting. We need to have all voices heard. Are there any other thoughts? By your presence here.. it means you are concerned, or at the very least interested.. " he looked at the group, "Thoughts?"

Alaric von der
"What sort of 'protections' do you suggest?" Alaric asked, his own voice feeling foreign as he lifted it for the whole room to hear.

Azraeth
had said his bit in the whole thing, so he was happy to remain quiet and let others share their viewpoints on the subject.

Elizabeth
"Thank you." She replied with a curt nod of her head, eyes wandering over to Alaric as she crossed her legs at her ankles, allowing the right one to rest upon the left. "And so some of us are of the belief we need to start the idea of protections as a community, from any potential human altercations?" Again, her eyes drift to Alaric, curious on his thoughts. She would ask later.

Oakley
tapped her fingers against her thigh as her attention shifted to her mentor, strange eyes narrowing as she pieced together the tidbits of information they were doling out. Though the group was large, very few had bothered to speak. Did they truly not care of their situation? Perhaps it was simply a game to most of them, or they found they had better things to invest their time in. It was... strange. Shifting in her seat, she warily chewed on her lip. There was so much to say - yet no way for her to speak her mind. She was caged.

Azraeth
could almost feel a storm brewing in Oakley's head, so he leaned and curled an arm around the woman's shoulders to give her a familial hug against his side. At some point he would tell her the story of how every time vampires got together, people seemed to die a lot.

Quaid McCain
Quaid McCain quit

Alaric von der
glanced at Elizabeth -- he was doing okay. This meeting wasn't as noisy or chaotic as he had presumed it would be. He offered her a small smile, before turning his attention back to the quiet room.

Doc
Doc directed his gaze toward the male he did not know, but who had a valid question, "Protections under the human's law. What those law would be specifically would be what would take a matter of years to sort out. But if we are able to be recognized as a race of our own, then to have violence done against us, as a whole could be viewed as a hate crime. Something that would give us a modicum of protect, lest a human or group of humans decided a holocaust was more appropriate."

Ripper
this is ridiculous...

Ripper
do we really all feel the need to legislate ourselves in the mortal's back pocket?

Ripper
surely if they do advance a threat our best 'protections' are to seize power

Ripper
but I, for one, hope that this will be unnecessary

Amalea
twitched her nose as she considered her thoughts for a moment wanting to get them in some sort of order before speaking up. "It is better to be proactive than reactive. History shows us that once the majority decides something about a specific group of people that it can be a very long, upward battle to change their minds. However, protections would have to work both ways. It cannot be one-sided with vampires allowed to do whatever they please without consequence while human's hands are tied." She glanced at Ripper a moment, "There are far more of them than there are vampires. In an uprising, there may not be a chance to seize power."

Doc
Doc looked at Ripper, "If we play the game their way.. we stay under the radar. If we were to seize power, you are inviting a holocaust. They would still have numbers. Other countries would fear us.. and aid in killing us."

Azraeth
tapped the side of his nose at Doc's comment.

Ripper
Ameala makes a good point also.

Oakley
melted into his hold, though the act of doing such caused her foot to slip, sending her practically sprawling into his lap. Unashamed by her lack of grace, the small telepath gave a faint twitch of her nose and laughed silently. In every group, there was always one who thought to control, one who thought to co-exist, and those that didn't find need to do a thing at all. Unknowingly to her, she gave a nod in the direction of the woman that spoke.

Ripper
so instead of protections, what is it that the vampires can offer humans which makes them indispensable?

Azraeth
"I don't fancy our chances picking a fight with all of humanity. Knife to a gun fight and all that. Just my opinion on the matter."

Ripper
a fight is not the only way how power can be seized

Ripper
power is a matter of perspective

Ripper
I've waited and post-poned because of the reasons I've already stated that a proper turn-order should be allowed to play out...

Ripper
A. vampires revealed to humans

Ripper
B. humans react (favorable or negative)

Ripper
c. we then can decide when and how to respond from there

Elizabeth
looks at Ripper and smiles just a little bit at his thoughts. "How would one go about implimenting laws on our behalf? I know not such a thing, but does anyone know how such a thing works?" Her eyes travel to Doc, hopeful that he had the answer.

Doc
Doc decided he would stay silent for the time being. He wanted to push his idea. But only if there was buuy-in from the community. He wanted to point out how fickle mankind was. How forgiving they can be depending on who is Prime Minister.. or President. The protections once made law, would be hard to undo. Look at the American's Obama Care.. As Elizabeth asked her question, he inclined his head toward her. "Finding a political majority leader willing to take on our cause, would be the first step. And that in itself could be time consuming."

Azraeth
caught Oakley as she very nearly fell on him, and carefully righted her. It seemed the woman was the most accident prone creature he'd ever met. He was going to have to invest in duct tape for this one. "I think the fact that humans aren't trying to kill us in the streets is their reaction. I'd personally rather not wait until they get to the point where they want to take our heads before acting."

Alaric von der
"I would think that it would be a matter of political power," he said, also sparing a glance for Ripper. The young, always so passionate. "Of claiming the attention and approval of those who have the ability to change the legislation." he said, though the man in charge had already beat him to it. Alaric shrugged. "There are those that are able to enthrall, are there not? It cannot be that hard to persuade..."

Oakley
pinched the bridge of her nose in exasperation as she was righted, though the feeling of being watched had her attention turning towards the door. Catching sight of her childe lingering in the shadows, she smiled in greeting, before biting down on her lip. Giving her mentor a nudge, she nodded towards the stranger speaking of enthrallment and gave a minute shake of her head. She couldn't voice her thoughts - but perhaps her adopted could piece them together.

Ripper
leans back in his chair resigned.

Elizabeth
Her fingers played with the lighter blue flower that was mixed within an array of other colorful flowers, upon her navy blue pencil dress. Her thoughts were leading her to an alarming place, which would explain the repetitive tracing of the flower shape upon her right outer thigh. The idea was a valid one, but upon further thought..what would be the price? Any time a crime was reported, would someone have to implicate themselves as vampire or human? What of those who wished to keep their identity a secret, even if the larger set of the group were unable to? For now, the woman just simply sat in silence as she absorbed her inner, private thoughts, fears and concerns.

Azraeth
"I personally do not advocate the use of our powers. It just takes one allurist being exposed with power over human officials for us to become hated. People are very attached to their illusion of free will, and we do not want to approach the acquisition of social or political currency that way."

Amalea
"Don't get me wrong, I think protections are needed. But you can't ask for protections and continue to feed upon unwilling humans. That is the type of thing I mean." She shook her head lightly, "Enthralling a politician isn't really a viable solution. It's dangerous and could lead to humans finding that vampires are more powerful than they suspect. Aside from that, the moment they discover the power exists, any protections or progress to protections will be revoked and war would be very likely." She smiled at Az, "Honestly, it is best if they do no know the true power vampires are capable of. It is also important that vampires speak for themselves before paladins and other vampire hunters get to the government first."

Azraeth
caught the smile thrown his way and tipped his head to Lea. Always a good voice of reason for these matters, as far as he'd seen.

Oakley
relaxed the moment she realized that he -had- been able to discern her random movements. He, of course, had voiced it with more calm than she would have, had she had control of her voice. The entire idea of using their powers to gain the upper hand was entirely ludicrous, and it had her memorizing the man for future reference. There were other options. Had no one thought to simply approach a person of power? It didn't seem that far-fetched that approaching a human with high ranking would be the best route to go - without magic, weapons, or threats.

Doc
Doc was about to voice his thoughts, when Amalea's comment forestalled him. Her last comment is what he feared most. The right hunter get backing by the right person.. it would be full scale culling of Vampires."

Ripper
hmph

Ripper
by all means let's be ruled by fear

Ripper
despite all our advantages in survival

Every
It's strategy, not fear.

Ripper
hadn't intended on speaking up overly much in this meeting, but now that he'd started it was harder to stop.

Habren Ashe
enters silently and moves to stand beside Mircea

Alaric von der
Alaric glanced down at Elizabeth's finger, watching the way she fidgeted. He did not know if she was in any way like him -- able to sit still as a statue for hours without need to move. He reached out to fold his fingers around her hand, squeezed it momentarily before pulling it away. His eyes narrowed on the upstart. "Fear is a logical emotion. If you have lived through a holocaust, you will understand," he said. He did not argue his point on enthrallment -- the others had a point, and he was gracefully corrected.

Azraeth
"Fear is a pragmatic emotion. Fear is what drives people to build walls, better armor, better weapons. Fear is something that should be respected, because only people who are afraid have something to lose. And I like knowing my proverbial bed-fellows have a dog in the race."

Every
was late and had caught the tail end of Lea's statement as she further inside. She pulled her hair over her shoulder as she went to take a seat not too far from Doc.

Ripper
we also have an advantage the elders did not

Oakley
fought to not roll her eyes as she curled her fingers about her childe's bicep, her other hand resting on her thigh. Her tongue was heavy with the words she wanted to speak - or perhaps scream - but every time she worked her jaw, the memory assaulted her. Instead, she found herself pressing her fingers to her temple as the static began to pick up, the buzzing an incessant roar in her mind. For the moment, she was content with Amalea speaking what seemed to be stalled on her tongue, and simply listened.

Ripper
the shadowrealm provides us a protection they can not access

Ripper
and even Erienne's will can control the violence in this plane

Elizabeth
Her hand stilled when Alaric's reached for her hand briefly. She glanced in his direction, offering him a small smile of appreciation. "Which is?" Elizabeth asked, interested in what Ripper knew that she did not. "Have you performed Erienne's before? Not all ingredients are easy to come by. And as for the shadow realm, yes, they cannot reach us there, yet...we must rememnber that that too is problematic. What if someone discovered things about Cobb and what he was able to do? That is hardly an advantage."

Alaric von der
"The shadow realm was once not something that could be escaped from. It may once again become a purgatory from which we cannot escape. Our protections should also extend to maintaining the link between this world and the next," he said, turning to the one who seemed to be running the meeting. "We would not want our enemies to find out how to close the rift before we even know how it was opened..."

Doc
Doc nodded briefly at Every, a welcoming nod, before he turned back toward Ripper. He had a point. They could hide in the Shadow Realm. They could force peace by use of rituals. But how long would that be a viable recourse? And how did the rift happen? Whatever opened it could easily close it again. Then what? Again, he did not need to speak, as others had the same thought and voiced it. For now he listened.

Amalea
"No one understands what caused the rip to the fade to open and allow passage between planes. There's no guarantee that it will remain as it is currently and not close or somehow alter itself to produce an undesirable result." The red-head nodded at Elizabeth's points, "Eirene's Will only prevents violence within a particular place. For it to be effective, everyone would have to gather where it was cast. That is problematic since it wouldn't bar the human military from dropping a bomb on such structures."

Azraeth
"Or forcing military quarantine around our little slice of hell."

Habren Ashe
's eyes went to the other two elder across the way as her fingers stole around her male's. She gave a silent nod - though she was late, she had to agree with what was being said. "What the others say is true. There is no way to know how it happened, only that it did. And likewise no way of knowing if it will close back up again. We used to believe the Crow had something to do with it... now, I am not so sure. And so, even more mystery."

Every
inclined her head, "Eirene's would be a waste of resources if used non-chalantly." She frowned, "There's also the one on CrowNet calling himself the Administrator. We still don't know their angle."

Azraeth
tapped the side of his nose to Every's comment as well. Another piece of the puzzle that needed to be sorted.

Doc
Doc slide a look at Every. Another valid point. Who was teh administrator and what was their agenda?

Ripper
all that we know about the Admin is that they are a vampire

Ripper
not even which race controls them

Azraeth
"I think we can all agree that there are any number of variables and factors that could influence the future of our kind on the whole. My personal preference would be for us to try our damnedest to try and keep things smooth with humans so we don't end up dead while trying to dodge wendigos, duck under fae, and avoid other beasties. The how, I'm less picky about."

Alaric von der
Alaric knew nothing about the CrowNet -- he did not use it. Could not, for fear it would send him insane. He could feel it even now, tugging at the back of his mind. His attention wandered over those gathered, many saying that the rift and its opening was a mystery. He recalled the questions Elizabeth had asked him not too long ago -- and he wished he had not been a recluse, then. He wished that he had more answers. He stayed silent -- if all the resurrected elders and the new vampires had not yet figured out the magic behind the rift, perhaps he would not suggest that they should continue to do the research. Perhaps they were right, and the answers were nowhere to be found.

Every
lifted an eyebrow, "Which still leaves that individual as a wildcard that could both either hinder or help our community."

Ripper
*nods*

Habren Ashe
"I have been fairly absent these nights... just how much influence does this 'administrator' wield?" The witch leaned back against the wall, curious. She didn't pay much attention to the Crownet any longer.

Ariadne
Not much...

Ripper
just Bancroft, so far as we know directly

Doc
Doc now looked at Ripper, the Administrator was a vampire? How did he know that? Or was he just surmising? Doc wasn't sure he believed the Administrator was a vampire. He glanced at Habren, "He or She attempts to direct us into .. certain forays. I am not sure you could say she or he has been successful."

Every
lifted a shoulder, "He brought back CrowNet's security, from what I can tell. Knocked the hunters out." She then tilted her head towards Az, "I've got to agree with you. As much as I dislike the concept of the masquerade having fallen, it wouldn't hurt for the relations to be improved."

Alaric von der
Alaric's head canted sideways as he turned his attention to the woman whom had slipped in late. "How do we suggest that relations be improved? To try to sway those in power is a given, but in order to do so there ought also to be public backing, ja? So there will be things that vampires can do to improve relations with public..."

Habren Ashe
"So the majority ignores this entity and... what? I agree with being wary, but it sounds as if someone is attempting a jest... or is an excellent hacker." She shrugged. "As for human relations... I can get behind improving them. What we thought to be the worst has already happened... and they haven't come for us. Yet."

Doc
If the hunters were knocked out.. why the **** was he sporting some wounds from them? Having those thoughts, however, he didnt voice them. Hunters were still around. Just not as well organized at the moment. That did not mean they could not reorganize.

Ripper
might I point out, it's still capable of staying hopefully optimistic

Ripper
so far there has not been a public backlash or outcry

Ripper
even my martial suggestions are only for in the worst-case scenerios

Ripper
things may well progress naturally, so long as no one particular seeks to sabotage

Azraeth
"Personally I think a multi-pronged strategy would work best. Public relations to gain social currency, and then something in the political spheres. I have no doubt that there are people out there right now who want us dead as much as we want to be left alone. We can be faster and stronger than them, but our limitation is our geography and how little we really know about what we are. That means we need to be smarter, and that means outplaying any enemy before they have a chance to really have a go at us."

Elizabeth
The administrator was not someone she paid much mind to. It had been clear to Elizabeth that he or she had an agenda from the get go-and Elizabeth believed it to be nefarious. "Yes, I agree. Improving relations with humans should be our first public step." Though, she may very well not be that source, she could support those who wanted to be visible and do things for the betterment of the community and not just themselves.

Every
glanced to the man whom she didn't recognize, lifting a shoulder. "I don't know, truthfully," She frowned. Her cousin seemed to be fond of throwing everything into the wind, but she was more reluctant. "I would suggest starting where things are worse. Help rebuild where we can. Hunters, I feel are a lost cause." It didn't help she aided in Valentin's death. "But hospitals, even keeping fledges in check where we can will help."

Habren Ashe
"My worry is, if that worst-case scenario occurs, the humans are far more able to organize and work together than they used to be. If they were able to blight us out two hundred years ago without the internet or social media and the like, consider how easy it would be for them now. Might we work out a contingency plan in addition to working on strengthening human/immortal bonds?"

Amalea
"You're putting a lot of faith in paladins or hunters not blowing the whistle. A wrong word to the wrong person could be a disaster." She paused a moment,"One major thing vampires as a whole could do to improve relations with humans is to cease feeding from humans without their consent. The other is already in progress - businesses run by vampires that provide services to the community as a whole, particularly if they're valuable to the city."

Doc
Doc nodded. Points had been brought to the fore that needed to be considered. it had taken a while for the group to interact, but now they began to discuss things, valid points were being made. He relaxed back and listened. It was a positive meeting

Ripper
the whistle is already blown

Elizabeth
Contingency plan. Elizabeth cast a look in Alaric's direction. She had invited him to the meeting in hope of things to go positively, but had not thought about the negative when inviting him. In fairness, she should speak with him about his contingency plan, and that of his family's, if things were to go negatively. Staying in or near the city, in her mind, was not a viable option. Something she woul express to the fellow elder later.

Ripper
Ripper quit

Alaric von der
His question was answered not by one, but by two. The first to answer was a male Alaric did not know -- and he did not answer the question. Alaric had no intention -- and no faith in himself -- that he would be able to socialise with and influence those in power. He was but a vampire with a human family to care for, and he wanted to know what those who did not want spotlight could do to help, what word they should spread. Others, however, stepped forward to answer the question he had asked, and he nodded slowly, in thought.

Amalea
"Of the existence, yes, but not of the race's true power."

Ripper
a contingency like a bloodless coup

Ripper
we could announce that we are in power over HR, but not enforces any changes

Ripper
the buses would still run, schools, etc

Ripper
but the mortal police would have 'assistance' against the supernatural threats humans could not face alone

Ripper
this would allow us to act in as of nature

Habren Ashe
"No. I do not believe we would be able to pull that off," she said. "Contingency such as protecting as many of us as possible and finding ways out to safety. Which is a relative thing because my presumption is we still cannot die outside of the City limits without risk of being unable to return. Unless I am mistaken? Have we learned otherwise?"

Azraeth
"Nope."

Ripper
none so far have been willing to submit for a test subject

Every
snorted lightly. "You might be alright with dying countless times, Ripper, but saying we're in power isn't going to do anything unless you back it up. I'd rather not be knocked out and find myself on a slab. As for the death outside city limits, it hasn't changed. Lost someone that way."

Habren Ashe
"But," she continued, eyeing Ripper, "you may be on to something there. The illusion of authority and power can be a strong force, so long as we can keep up the facade. The key would be to gaining the belief of influential individuals"

Doc
"I know.. how I feel. And there is an opposing point of view. However, does anyone else have something to put forward? Another solution that hasn't been voiced? We aren't here to make a decision now.. but to discuss and share.."

Ripper
and always having a greater threat to band together against is helpful

Ripper
revealing the machinations of the fae could make us appear human by comparison

Ripper
since it was not so long ago that most of us were

Every
"I think the wendigo are a little more dangerous than the fae."

Habren Ashe
nodded to the woman across the way. "I am sorry to hear that. I have, as well."

Ripper
Every, they are one and the same race, my dear

Every
gave him a flat look at the added endearment. Afterwards, she gave a soft nod to Habren in return.

Doc
Looking at Ripper, "And how do we reveal these machinations... ?"

Ripper
*shrugs* I can not say, although I could suggest where answers could be found in the Hebigumo

Amalea
"Done improperly or without solid proof, it could backfire."

Ripper
as with any plan

Elizabeth
"What is the Hebigumo?" Elizabeth looked at Ripper, interested in the piece of information.

Alaric von der
Alaric sat back to listen, now quiet. More people were speaking up, now , the discussion more heated (though it was not an argument). His own voice was lost as he sought to keep control of his own senses, so that they would not be overwhelmed.

Habren Ashe
"Those of us versed in rituals... it is not easy, but we have brief and limited control of them in those circumstances. What of some sort of show for the humans?

Habren Ashe
"

Azraeth
"I'd stay away from exposing machinations we neither know nor understand. I like the idea itself, it's just not something that I think is feasible with our current knowledge."

Doc
nodded toward Azraeth, "Precisely.. how do we reveal ..what we do not know..."

Ripper
well what do we know already?

Ripper
A. they are building infastructure

Ripper
b. they are collecting humans

Ripper
more details would be helpful *admits*

Every
"All of which could be easily flipped to appear as if vampires are doing it."

Every
"It would only take one slip up, one sighting of a rogue ripping into a human to invalidate the argument."

Ripper
there will always be rogues and outcasts

Elizabeth
looked at Every and nodded her head. The latter point Ripper made was certainly true, vampires needed human blood, so it could be spun in such a way against their species.

Ripper
they are better planned for than hoped against

Azraeth
"I like the idea of us having plans inside of plans. I think coming together as a community to make those plans is an important step, and I for one, would like to thank Doc for calling this town hall meeting. It might be a good idea for us to meet several times in the future though, because there are many many details that need ironed out."

Doc
Doc looks at Ripper, "Precisely.. Planned for.. than hoped against. I want to plan for the future, with legal protections.. rather than hoping.. the humans never turn on us." He looked at him.

Every
lifted a shoulder. "It's certainly better to have plans in place."

Ripper
plans and ideas are never frowned upon

Ripper
may I call a vote though on immediate actions?

Doc
Doc nodded toward Az, "I am in agreement. As I said.. the community needs to be free to voice themselves.

Ripper
watch and wait will be my bywords

Habren Ashe
looked at Doc. "Legal? How would we effect some change in that manner? Do we have the ear of a politician or two?"

Doc
Doc looked at Ripper, "I am in no hurry inact anything at this point. As I said,.. my approach would take years." He looked at Habren, "At teh moment no. But through legislation is my hoped for goal."

Alaric von der
Alaric was not so sure that vampires strictly required the blood of humans. Perhaps it tasted better, though he would not know. He had turned himself against it, and instead hunted the animals in the forest around the estate. If more were to look to animals instead of humans for sustenance, perhaps less humans would be required to willingly offer themselves as food. Somehow, he did not think that this suggestion would be well liked. He remained silent.

Habren Ashe
"As in... a friendly mortal to run for office, or one of our kind?"

Ripper
glances at Ameala is silent thought.

Ripper
*in

Elizabeth
Alaric's silence was noted, and the telepath shifted her attention to the elder at her side. She wondered if it was time to go, and so, her blue eyes shifted to his pair, silently inquiring his well-being.

Ripper
(brb)

Azraeth
"I think we need to think bigger than local politics personally. Though I do think having some sway over those wouldn't hurt."

Doc
Doc smirked crookedly and ruefully, "No.. not a thrall .. not a vampire. Rather my hope is to have a legitimate legislator put it forth."

Every
ran her tongue over her teeth. "Having someone in the government's ear may as well be an idea, whether or not its a thrall or someone there. Would be nice to know what they're doing with the maus and if the quarantine extends."

Habren Ashe
"But knowing what we do, we would likely have to begin at the local level..."

Alaric von der
Alaric caught Elizabeth's movement, turning to catch her eye. He held her gaze a few moments before he gave a silent nod and a small smile.

Amalea
"Starting locally makes the most sense given it is the locals that are affected the most."

Doc
Noticing that some were getting restless, Doc decided it was time to close the meeting. "I want to thank everyone for coming. Being proactive. Being civil.." He grinned slightly. "I would like to do this again.. in say two months? Give us time to think on tonights discussion.. agreed?"

Habren Ashe
nodded. "Agreed, and thank you kindly for hosting. It is much appreciated to have a positive meeting of the minds with one another..."

Doc
Doc nodded politely to Habren.

Azraeth
gave a nod to Doc, and then some of the others who had gathered. "I'd be keen on meeting whenever. Just post it on the CrowNet and I'll be there."

Wendigo
Wendigo breaks his long period of motionlessness to nod briefly to Doc. He turns toward the door, resuming the form of the well-dressed male before leaving unceremoniously.

Doc
"I will do that Az.. and thank you.. Meeting adjourned.."

Habren Ashe
took Mircea's hand and nodded as they made their way to the door. "Good evening to you all."




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This thread was submitted via a live roleplay chat in the Voodoo Cybercafe area. Participants and rewards were: Zena Steele earned 421 RPP. Mortll earned 755 RPP. Azraeth earned 1831 RPP. Blake earned 115 RPP. Doc earned 2198 RPP. Alexandrea earned 145 RPP. Ripper earned 758 RPP. Wendigo earned 76 RPP. Oakley earned 791 RPP. Elizabeth earned 903 RPP. Alaric von der earned 1344 RPP. Quaid McCain earned 4 RPP. Amalea earned 657 RPP. Every earned 576 RPP. Habren Ashe earned 758 RPP. Ariadne earned 3 RPP.