At Invitation Solar Room - 1200

[Jaak Alemayehu, Shango Kholo]

Arriving early, Jaak surveys the room before taking seat across from the door, back towards the small fire in the hearth.

[Mother Isis]

Upon entering the Solar room Mother Isis would eye the fire in the room it first getting her attention. Even if small fire was mighty, looking towards the male seated in front of it she would speak up in a wispy and eerie voice. " Greetings Jaak~...." pausing her pure black eyes shimmered with the light of the fire seeming to pierce his very soul with a dead look. Her pale skin so white it would give the impression as if it could be easily burned being it so fair, walking far away from the fireplace she would take a seat in the darkest corner of the room." We have lots to speak upon but what questions do you have for me..." she would sit silently after that her eyes seeming to not move from him even if he got up to walk around the room. Her black make up seemed to trickle down her face as if her eyes bled black blood, her eerie presence well known now.

[Jaak Alemayehu, Shango Kholo]

Ebony eyes look back at her in coincidental similarity. (Perhaps a result of their lineages' shared origins? He knows The Land alters those who favour Spirit over Humanity, and this Serpent definitely is connected to the Ancestors..?)

His expression remains stoic, his bestial voice snarling past his fanged mouth. "First off, I am relieved that you seem to be much more lucid than at our Tournament. If you are wanting to have an important discussion, it is best if your Ancestors are not distracting you."

Shifting his weight slightly, "Gaul seems severely imbalanced, even from your perspective. Things operate much differently than we are used to back home. How have you coped in the chaos?"

[Mother Isis]

Mother Isis would chuckle softly at his comment from her corner of the room, he seemed to be confused and thought to clear that up. " forgive me for not answering you earlier or correcting you at gather but i like to keep people guessing, i am in fact malkavian my dear take that as you wish". She would smirk her black lips exposing her white fangs slightly reflecting the light of the fire. " As for chaos....chaos comes in many forms some more serious then others so it depends on what you speak of..". She would place a hand on the armrest of the chair she sat in, her long pointed black nails would tap the wood making clicking noises with each tap. The room was rather peaceful something she was not use to, " speak to me on what you are my friend you seem to know more then meets the eye".

[Jaak Alemayehu, Shango Kholo]

"I know not of the Mel-Caves. I am finding your lineages as confusing to me, as mine is to you.

We recognize the Nine Legacies of Kagn, though recently the Nkulu Zao, Father Heale's Legacy, we are becoming more familiar with. Whether your lineages are similarly alien, I do not know.

I am descended of Shango's Legacy. Shango was Judge, Mediator, and Advisor to Guruhi. We bear his skill in that capacity. Shango was also quite fond of the vine in his first life, and that capacity for drunkeness carries over into our second lives. Unlike Ishtarri, we strive to maintain control over ourselves despite this temptation."

[Mother Isis]

Finally blinking her black eyes a look of confusion would come across her face. Nodding slowly with what he was saying she would in turn have no idea what he was talking about but continued to go with it. " well i suppose we should get right down to the point on why you are speaking to me now yes?" tilting her head slightly her stare would continue under her veil. She would continue to tap her nails again the wood, he mind would move to the question she wanted to ask him as she quickly changed her stare to the flames of the fire. " You seem to be one in love with combat am i not wrong in assuming this?".

[Jaak Alemayehu, Shango Kholo]

"I lived through a war-torn regime, survived genocide by the grace of my Sire, and earned my weapon fetish within the first decade of unlife. I also fought in The Crusade on my travels up here, and intend to partake in the next.

Death does not excite me, nor have I devoted my entire focus to it. I study, I plan, I philosophize, I debate. I understand The Land and the role I play. I fight when it is my duty, my honour, to do so. I prefer to succeed in my duties.

Negotiate peace is preferable, but there's too many with Dishonour in their soul. So one must be prepared. Salute with your right hand, while the left rests on your blade."

He leans forward, "I am not a Mercenary, I can not be paid or bribed to kill. If you were hoping for that, I will disappoint you."

[Mother Isis]

Mother Isis was silent as he spoke his words seemed true in itself, there was a passion hidden behind it all that spoke out to her. " I am hoping to become the new Doge permanently...i will be needing votes of the people of Triest hopefully if you reside in this lovely city i will have your vote as well". She would go silent memories of Father being slain before her began to reply in her mind and a heavy sigh would exit her lips. " There is a lot the old Doge wanted and had not completed being he was murdered....also hoping to figure out who did it...i have my assumptions...but i am not ready to point the finger just yet". " What i am hoping is that you might lead the army of Triest if i do become the new Doge....i will be assigning people to do certain things and i was hoping you might be interested".

[Jaak Alemayehu, Shango Kholo]

"I have heard your city has been poorly defended, both of the previous Doges slain. It would be apparent that you are in need of Martial Support and tactics.

Have you considered seeking vassalage with one of the Duchies? Tridentine or Klagenfurt I'm sure would be willing to negotiate protection. The Ard Rhi allows you partial independence, but swearing fealty to him directly would provide benefits that independence can not. I do not fully grasp how your Legacies interact with each other, however, so my ability to advice at this time is limited.

Also, do the Children of Kagn in Triest even have an army to lead? Or is the expectation that I would have to create one?"

*pause*

"I have been offered a Knighthood in Klagenfurt. They do not have need of more Martial Prowess. However, their expectations of me are clear. I will need to know in more detail what your expectations of me would be, and what benefits would accompany this request."

[Mother Isis]

Mother Isis would also pause she knew a few things she wanted done but that was when she was appoint for sure in being the Doge of Triest. Reaching up to her long black hair she would begin to pet it as she continued to think to herself. " At this point in time if i were to remain Doge i would be attempting to get the people of Triest more involved in developing the city itself....there is a lot the city is missing out on in my opinion as well as an army, i think father had a bit of an issue with some of the dukedoms or at least one i know of which makes it difficult on who i should actual trust...i do not wish to go into huge detail without my position as Doge being secure but yes think of this as a blank slate that has yet to be written on.....Triest has some things but not very much...if i can ban together these people who live here we could make this a "great " city also the people you speak i have little idea about....think of me as a person who entered a battle field ".

[Jaak Alemayehu, Shango Kholo]

*clenches his jaw, grinding his fangs slightly*

"So, just so I understand, you are inviting me to take up residence in Triest, take control of the domain's defenses, and support you in your bid to inherit the mantle of leadership from your mentor. Totally out of Altruism, hoping my sense of honour will provide me enough incentive to do so.

You have enemies nearby, which is why you are showing more trust in a fellow outsider than you would anyone local.

You are trusting me with this plea, hoping I do not return to Klagenfurt and bring an army to seize your lands from you.

You are trusting me with this invitation, hoping I do not come to Triest and get selected as Doge in your stead."

*more grinding*

"Why is it you show so much trust? And why is it you negotiate with nothing to offer?"

[Mother Isis]

Mother Isis would notice the grinding, the noise would rattle her brain in a strange beat. As this would happen her hand would move back down to the chairs arm rest her long black pointed nails would again being to click against the wood. " What can an old woman offer someone like you other then a places to live happy...and something you might possibly enjoy doing. The reason i put trust in a total stranger is i feel i can't trust others that live around me thinking of it as a chance to gain instead of lose as this is what it seems to be happening with all these dukedoms fighting with each other. The more people that earn the trust of others gain more, i would suggest to you since you seem to be involved with some of the dukedoms is be careful seems like a lot of backstabbing is going on. Also why not try what do i have to lose even if i don't get the position, i in turn possibly gain an ally if the trust is built enough".

[Jaak Alemayehu, Shango Kholo]

"And that is all you are asking of me? To defend/patrol Triest, protect it from all threats?"

[Mother Isis]

She would pause a moment as well as nails would stop clicking against the armrest, " there is one thing i would have you consider if you said yes to all this as well.... i would be asking for your silence on any matters of Triest and to prove your silence i would ask a blood boon for this as the position i am asking you to hold within the city is of great importance as a lot would be going through you be it information or other things as you would be head of the army. Being that you are a stranger i want to build trust and i figure this is the best way to start".

[Jaak Alemayehu, Shango Kholo]

"Ah. So, in addition to all this work that you are offering me the privilege to do, you are wishing to charge me for the opportunity?"

*grinding*

"I am a man of honour, and obedience to the head of a domain is paramount to my honour. If I resided in Triest, I would serve the Ard Rhi first, the Doge second unless it violated the commands of the Ard Rhi.

Those Who Endure Judge
Belonging Grants Protection
No Secrets From The Magaji. Or in this case, The Ard Rhi.
Travellers Obey

A Blood Boon is a potent debt, one that can even enforce violation of tradition. I do not enter such arrangements except in the most dire of circumstances."

*grinding*

"Your wariness is understandable. I see disorganization and lawlessness in Gaul, and your intended post has been fraught with danger.

Klagenfurt has recently purged their corrupt leader with the Ard Rhi's blessing, so I hope that your concern is not with them. Their intentions seem honourable, the more I get involved with them."

*grinding*

"You need Protection and Advisement, and are seeking both from me. I have commitments to Klagenfurt which I will need to be allowed to complete should I accept your Invitation. As well, to prevent having to add the Duke of Klagenfurt to your list of potential foes, I suggest you send with me a Major Boon on your behalf for the inconvenience of having me not take the Blood Oath to one of his Barons.

I overheard the two honourable Dukes discussing having to coordinate a project on Triest's behalf. If this project has not been decided upon, I would suggest it be a watchtower/keep outside of the city, to assist in the Defense of Triest. Something that a militia can patrol from. As Defender of Triest, should this be constructed, you will grant me Domain over this keep. [ooc: Defender and Laird Statuses]

A general needs troops. As Defender of Triest, I ask that the citizens provide me with more men for my militia. [ooc: pooled xp to increase my Militia background to either 2 or 3 dots]

If these terms are agreed upon, I will agree to your caveat. That would be a fair trade, a Blood Boon for support in getting communal protection. Once boons switch hands, I shall be a citizen of Triest and support your bid as Doge. I shall provide you with advice and strategic support, protecting the Children of Kagn from themselves and their foes. Defending the Traditions."

*grinding*

"What say you then, Serpent of Mel Cave? Are you willing to acknowledge the wisdom in these terms?"