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Praxis

Maya's back, and taking her place.

maya - Monday, December 21, 1998, 11:18 AM
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Fransisco wanders in, ducking ladders and other construction gear. "what a 
mess."

Maya looks up and chuckles. She's got papers all over the table. "Yeah, it 
is."

Fransisco looks at the papers, "what on earth are those?"

Maya grins. "Would you believe, paperwork on the remodelling? I have to 
look these over too." She shakes her head.

Fransisco chuckles, looks them over, "reminds me of learning latin."

You say, "It's about as obscure. Have a seat?"

Fransisco nods, invited, he finally sits down.

Maya smiles a little. "How's the farm life?"

Fransisco chuckles, "quiet, very quiet. Makes for a fairly peaceful 
existence." He smiles, "I can do my bladework without being bothered. Soon 
I plan to start work on a training facility."

Maya looks interested. "Training?"

Fransisco smiles, "tradition dictates that a brujah should have a facility, 
built with their own hands, preferably of stone, for them to train in. To 
hone their mind and body. A place to spar, to train, a library to read 
from, chessboards to master. "

Maya slowly smiles. "I think you should talk to my Childe."

Fransisco chuckles, "He seems.. a spirited lad."

Maya grins. "He's been a lot of fun to raise," she admits.

Fransisco chuckles. "another warrior, to be sure, how much of the scholar 
is he.." He smiles, "And how much the warrior are you?"

Maya makes a face. "Not. What I am, is the one who speaks to the masses. 
The one who tries to bring them a little closer to the Ideal."

Fransisco says, "and what is your ideal? I've found the younger generation 
to be somewhat differed in their opinion of that."

Maya leans on the table. "How much do you know about the 1960s?"

Fransisco says, "not really much of anything."

Maya nods. "Do you mind a much younger one attempting to teach you 
something?" Maybe she's had a run-in with a clanmate who got touchy.

Fransisco chuckles, "there is never a reason to not want to learn"

Maya nods, reassured. "I'll try to make it brief. This century has seen a 
lot of war, as you know." She doesn't seem to know about your long sleep 
yet. "After the rampant genocide of the World Wars, a lot of people were 
incredibly patriotic about their nations..except the Germans, who were 
totally beaten down and are only now really recovering."

Fransisco just nods.

You say, "Then, in the 1950s, there was a slowly growing anti-war movement. 
It was very quiet at the time, through the Korean war. But after Kennedy's 
assassination, it began to really grow, mostly because of the bomb."
You say, "Children who grew up being told to hide under their desks during 
bomb drills began to question whether all this was really a good thing...
especially when they got old enough to realize that hiding was no 
protection, that a bomb that big would simply turn the school to rubble."

Fransisco nods.
Fransisco says, "but what do you do when others insist on fighting?"

You say, "I'm sure this seems offensive to you. Let me interject that this 
was a reaction to what I'm sure you can see is war that never should be 
fought...maybe an overreaction."
Maya sighs. "I try to talk them out of it.

Fransisco says, "so what makes a war one that shouldn't be fought?"
Fransisco says, "Aren't all wars for causes, aren't all causes worthy?"
Fransisco smiles.

You say, "You're testing me. ANd I don't think all causes are created 
equal, no. We have a responsibility to the Kine, and to ourselves, to very 
carefully pick and choose our causes."
Maya grins at you.

Fransisco says, "and who decides what is worthy?"

You say, "That requires meditation and deep thought."

Fransisco nods.

You say, "No decision should be made in haste. Our passion is to be saved 
for the causes we committ to, fully and deeply. That is another reason we 
must think carefully."

Fransisco nods.
Fransisco says, "What is the single greatest cause of conflict?"

Maya thinks for a long moment. "Passions and emotions unresolved through 
debate and left to fester, I think."

Fransisco says, "which can be distilled down to miscommunication."

Maya nods. "Sorry."

Fransisco says, "you were correct, just you have fallen into your 
centuries habit of overstating the obvious."

Maya doesn't seem to mind the cross-examination. She grins. "Bad habit, 
huh?"

Fransisco says, "there is a time for debate and flowery language, there is 
a time for reflection and consideration. There is also a time for action 
and movement. True wisdom is knowing the difference."
Fransisco smiles.
Fransisco says, "this... this is why we train in both mind and body"

You say, "I welcome your instruction, Elder."

Fransisco says, "Teaching and learning are one in the same, you cannot do 
one without in some way, doing the other."

Maya smiles. "Anyway..I pursue the Ideal through convincing jaded mortals 
that it is even possible."

Fransisco says, "and.. .as I asked earlier, what is your version of the 
Ideal?"
Fransisco smiles.

You say, "I believe that Kine and Kindred share one greater spirit. I 
think that we owe it to ourselves to become the most spiritually evolved we 
can, and transcend the limitations placed upon us. I think there are many 
ways to do this, none better than another, and that judging another's path 
to perfection is imperfect in and of itself."

Fransisco says, "you speak many words but say little."

Maya smiles. "I'm used to dealing with those hunting for a greater 
mystery." There's more than a hint of wariness in her eyes now, though.

Fransisco says, "start with the small one's first, perhaps."

Maya's eyes go distant for just a second.
You say, "I think..maybe I want to just ask for instruction for now."

Fransisco says, "depends on what instruction you want, really."

You say, "What the Ideal USED to mean, if it doesn't now."

Fransisco chuckles, nods. "That changes through time."
Fransisco says, "It meant something different in Hellas than in Carthage. 
Something different here than perhaps in Chicago. The only thing the ideal 
truly is.. is just that.. Ideal, to the situation. It is simply that is 
what is best for all concerned in the time and place you are is achieved. 
Though that may change from person to person, from place to place.. The 
goal is that a better way can be found. A better place can be made. And 
that both kindred and kine can seek to achieve a perfection of body, mind, 
and existence. The ideal is no one thing. And to understand that first is 
but one step along that path. Any other steps taken are tainted if the 
first one is skipped or forgotten."

Maya leans her chin in her hand and looks at you thoughtfully. "Well. 
Looks like I'VE been BSed for a while." She grins.

Fransisco says, "you were taught .an. ideal, one of many, I would gather. 
My ideal existence may not be yours. But that doesn't mean they cannot 
exist in tandem. It is when people seek power they aren't meant for, or 
don't need, that ideals fall, that worlds crumble, and dreams shattered. 
One of your presidents of your sixties said 'we need men who can dream of 
things that never were' he.. he was quite the idealist."

Maya says softly "There are places where Idealist is a bad word, now."

Fransisco nods.
Fransisco says, "again, a miscommunication."

You say, "I was lucky. My Sire and the one who adopted me into the Clan 
when I thought I was Clanless were still devoted to the Ideal as they saw 
it."

Fransisco says, "and how was that?"

You say, "My Sire believed the way was to improve the life of the Kine, and 
see where their spirits led them. Charlotte was a good place..until the 
Tremere came." She sighs. "Ben was a political science professor. He 
thought the way was to go back to Hellas and see what could still be 
learned from there and applied to this day and age. He's still working on 
it."

Fransisco nods. "Hellas was.. impressive. The biggest mistake was 
abandoning her. Though in this day and age... I do not know if such a 
thing can again be done. The world has grown so much together in the 
passing centuries."

Maya nods. "That's what he's trying to figure out. Sometimes he sits and 
just thinking about it for days. I LIKE Ben."

Fransisco nods.

You say, "My Sire...failed."

Fransisco says, "in what way?"

You say, "He drew the attention of the Tremere, and they determined to 
unseat him. And got him killed."

Fransisco nods, just once.

Maya takes a deep breath. "He is avenged now. That's all that matters." 
She sounds like she's trying to convince herself.

Fransisco says, "The only final vengeance will be that which sets right 
our failure in letting the tremere walk the earth at all."

Maya says softly "You have Passion against them."

Fransisco says, "that.. is an understatement."
Fransisco says, "they stole their gift for power, it was not given to them. 
They stole the lives of men of peace and nobility so they might wage war 
and practice their dark magics. There is no place on the earth for them, 
who I hold as low as the Baali."

Maya winces slightly. "That's pretty low."

Fransisco says, "the only kindness I show them is a quick death."

Maya sits back in her chair and adjusts her baseball cap slightly. 
"Merrill is scared of them, Richard and I pity them, Tam'a is displeased 
with them, and you hate them. May the..may Caine's mercy fall on one who 
finds herself here."

Fransisco says, "they deserve no mercy."
Fransisco says, "or shall I say, they will be granted all the mercy that 
Tremere showed Saulot as he committed the gravest Amaranth."

You say, "But didn't Troile do the same to Brujah? I'm not arguing with 
you, I just want to know the difference as you see it."

Fransisco says, "Tremere was not created kindred, he stole the power 
through dark rites and rituals, the Amaranth of the Salubri was his
 greatest sin. In doing so, he removed the most noble of our clans, he 
killed the conscience of the kindred and in it's place, we were given a 
clan of thieves and mages who work dark arts with blood. Those of Salubri 
were noble warriors, those of Tremere are ignoble bastards that do not 
deserve the immortality they have been given. And Troile..." He sighs. 
"Some days I wonder if it is not just legend.""

You say, "Tell me about the Childer of Saulot? No one I've ever talked to 
knew much."

Fransisco sighs, shaking his head. "I know not much, myself, not nearly as 
much as I would like to."
Fransisco says, "The great amaranth was about 1135 and the hunt for the 
rest of his childer began shortly after that. We tried to protect those we 
could. We fought along side those that insisted."

Maya listens, tilting her head to one side. "Wait a sec. If his childer 
were warriors, why was Saulot chosen?"

Fransisco says, "they were..." he looks far away, "They were the opposite 
side of our coin... We of Brujah were perfection of body and mind that 
didn't know when to wait before action. They.. they were the side of the 
coin that waited too long sometimes. Had they acted with haste and 
direction from the outset and acted upon the signs that were there, 
perhaps together the Salubri and Brujah would together have brough a 
better way to all people. Without their guidance, we are a clan sometimes 
set adrift. That day, our conscience died." He sighs, "Their inaction, 
their patience, was their downfall and perhaps ours as well. Though never 
let it be said that they were not noble warriors. The one I knew.. 
Salvador.. We .. fought on opposite sides of a war that should not have 
been. Though when the Tremere walked the land, we stood side by side, and 
never with such a man at my back have I fought with such confidence. And I 
have heard when Saulot fought the Baali himself... it was such a battle 
that ensued that it was as if Michael and Lucifer had themselves come to 
the earth and fought."

Maya listens enraptured. "I've never heard almost any of this."

Fransisco nods. "some say.. they were the best weaponsmiths among the 
kindred. Their patience and spirit infused into the blades they wielded as 
they fought demons and devils alike. Perhaps that was the art that the 
tremere sought to steal. Perhaps that infusion of power is now what is the 
tremere, without the morality of Saulot to guide them.

Maya shudders and makes some kind of hand sign. "Forfend!"

Fransisco raises an eyebrow.

You say, "No one needs that kind of power."

Murphy comes in from the Private Lounge.

Fransisco says, "As I said, it is not what they need, it is their desire 
that drives them. Some of us of brujah may indeed be of Troile, but we 
still remember Carthage and Hellas. We know our histories, and we know our 
place. Those of Tremere.. they do not understand what history means. Even 
the most elder of them are younger than I," He noticed Murphy, "or him.""

Maya looks up, and then simply stands and opens out her arms.

Murphy steps out of the shadows....pauses...then sweeps in to lift Maya in 
his arms.
Murphy mindsends to (Maya): <>

Fransisco hmphs, kodak moment, indeed.

Maya hugs the old Nosferatu as tightly as if he was saving her from deep 
water. This, from one who claimed Praxis within five minutes of walking 
back in the door?
You mindsend to (Murphy) with: <>

Murphy mindsends to (Maya): <<*images of many faces hidden behind one* 
*concern*>>

You mindsend to (Murphy) with: <>
Maya closes her eyes for a moment, then looks up. "What HAVE you gotten 
yourself into, old friend?"

Murphy murmurs gently, "As long as you're sure, love. Shall we talk in the 
lounge?"

Fransisco drums his fingers on the table.

Maya looks around at the few security guards, who are busy playing cards. 
"There's no one here who listens. And I think even if there were, you can 
take care of it?" She sits back down, clearly intending to include 
Fransisco in this discussion.

Murphy nods. "Yes." He slips into a chair with the two of you. "I'm glad 
you're here, Fransisco. You have been like a rock to me, and I would like 
very much for you to be just as solid for Maya."

Fransisco chuckles, "I thought that was Richard's job" He grins.

You say, "Richard is my champion and has been, but I think he has his own 
destiny."

Murphy murmurs, "I have only one thing I would like to claim before 
turning the reins back over to you, Maya."

You say, "You're going to do that, then?"

Murphy nods. "Absolutely...unless you want it less than I do."

You say, "You know it's not a matter of want for me."

Murphy nods. "I know. As for me, as well. The one thing I intend to claim 
is the life of him who I trusted as my Sheriff."

Maya nods slowly. "Are you sure? You know the cost to you."

Murphy nods. "I do. I also know that he has slaughtered at least one 
innocent, desecrated a symbol of hope and love, attempted to foment a war 
between us and the garou, and capped his activities by the events of New 
Year's Eve. Any one of those would justify his death, but the fact that he 
slaughtered an innocent and attempted to lay the blame at my feet makes 
him my business."

Maya nods slowly. "Be it so, then. Do you claim him as only yours, or may 
any join the hunt?"

Murphy says, "Any who feel capable may join...but if I manage to capture 
him alive, I intend to deliver him to the garou for their judgement...to 
demonstrate to them that we repudiate his actions and do not desire the 
war he attempted to start."

Fransisco considers quietly, listening.

Maya glances up at Fransisco. "Your thoughts?"

Fransisco says, "I don't think you'd enjoy it much."

Murphy cocks his head and chuckles softly. "Your thoughts, or facing the 
garou?"

Fransisco chuckles, "the Nemesine Hunt."

You say, "I don't know much about that either."

Fransisco says, "it's something we came up with to punish the Ventrue after 
Carthage."
Fransisco says, "Imagine a pack of Brujah hell bent on the singular goal of 
exacting vengeance upon one. singular. kindred. for all the crimes of his 
clan."

You say, "Uhoh. Um. Yeah. That could be intense."

Murphy hmmms and nods in agreement with Maya.

Fransisco says, "it's like a blood hunt, with attitude."

You say, "Doesn't everything we do have atitude?"

Murphy chuckles. "I think this is a slightly different type of attitude, 
love."

Fransisco smirks. "Indeed.." He considers, "The hunt is called. The Prince 
has declared James Patrick Roosevelt of Gangrel an outlaw who will be 
hunted. Thus said, it is so, and noted." He looks to Maya, "Do you wish, 
at this time to reassert your claim of Praxis?"

Maya nods steadily. "I do."

Murphy smiles warmly at Maya and slips to a knee before her. "My Prince, I 
offer you my talents and loyalty."

Fransisco turns to Murphy, "The title Prince of Asheville has been claimed 
by another, The Praxis is..." He looks at Murphy, "Was.. in contention. 
Murphy has evidently capitulated." He scowls, robbed of a speech.

Maya smiles and takes Murphy's hands. "Accepted. Rise." She looks at 
Fransisco, waiting.

Murphy chuckles and winks at Fransisco. "Friend, you speak much more 
eloquently with steel. And I would not dream of requiring you to find 
words to match that eloquence."

Fransisco chuckles at Murphy.

Maya is watching Fransisco, waiting.

Fransisco turns to Maya and kneels on a knee, head raised to look her in 
the eyes. "My lord and noble Prince, I swear upon my blood to uphold your 
laws and decrees to the best of my ability. To serve and offer such wisdom 
as best I can. My steel is yours to command as is your right, and my 
privledge to offer. May your rule be noble and fair, and may those that 
seek to trangress upon your rights and sovreignty do so knowing the price 
they shall bear for their decisisions." He raises a hand, bloody fingernail 
marks (no weapons in the elysium) upon his hand which drips to the ground, 
but a few drops, before he closes it and drops his head.

Maya places her hands upon your head. "And in return I swear to make no 
command against your honor, to listen to your counsel in time, and to call 
upon your sword only in the cause of right. May your blade be as unsullied 
now as when it was forged, and may your wisdom grow as befits one of the 
Learned Clan. Your service is accepted. Rise."

Fransisco does so slowly, a certain swelling of pride in his features.

Maya grins at you both. "There. Mostly painless."

Fransisco chuckles, "If only all were so peaceful."

Murphy chuckles. "Mostly?"

Fransisco smiles, "mostly."

You say, "Richard felt a little pain."

Murphy says, "Ah...."

Maya winks at Fransisco.

Fransisco says, "Honor demanded that as I swore to, I had to defend your 
praxis against all comers. Had you been here, it would have gone much like 
this. However, without you here, I refuted her claim and agreed that two 
champions would duel to first blood to determine who would hold the 
Praxis."

Murphy nods. "I see." He sighs. "Would that I had been there...you are, 
without question, the most honorable man I know."

You say, "Richard took the blow fairly well, all things considered."
Maya's eyes unfocus slightly, then she shakes her head a bit. "It was what 
I expected of Fransisco de Leon. I was glad not to be disappointed, and it 
really sucked that I could not give any news that I was on my way so we 
could have avoided it."

Fransisco says, "it was fortunate that he rolled with it, else my fist 
might have come out the other side of his chest."
Fransisco smiles.

You say, "I really would have hated to see that. I didn't look as it was."
Maya sighs. "And now I have to restate the Laws of the Domain. Which will 
take a while to get them all delinated."

Fransisco nods.

Maya looks at Murphy. "I hear Trish is still around."

Murphy nods. "She is. And still as unresponsive as ever."

Fransisco shrugs, "she seems talkative enough around me, occasionally sane, 
even."

You say, "Wooooonderful. I'm so looking forward to dealing with her, 
really." She looks over at Fransisco. "She did to me at first, too."

Fransisco nods.

You say, "She's the only one I ever saw get a real facial expression out 
of the Archon."

Murphy murmurs, "That would have been interesting to see."

You say, "I almost hid under the table, let me tell you that."

Fransisco chuckles quietly.

Murphy chuckles and nods. "I'm sure."

Fransisco says, "I would rather trust the insane one than the one that 
claims like blood who lives on the reservation."

Maya places her palms flat on the table. "So. How are the relations with 
the mages and Restless, Murphy?"

Murphy murmurs softly, without the amusement, "By the way...I have 
confirmed what happened to William. He was at the Smiling Turtle."

Maya nods. "I'll get to that in a moment."

Fransisco nods at Murphy. "final death?"

Murphy nods. "Final death. One of my mage friends gave me the news."

Fransisco says, "Danielle?"

Murphy says, "As for the Restless, I know a certain ghost who is going to 
be very happy you're back."

Murphy chuckles. "Fransisco, you know it would be as impolite for me to 
confirm the name of a mage as it would be for me to confirm the name of 
one of us to the mages."

Fransisco smiels, "I can try."
Fransisco says, "however, anyone who walks into the elysium and names me 
for what I am without due process or formality is always suspect in my 
book."

Maya nods slowly. "I'd hoped he'd find rest by now.." she murmurs sadly, 
then brightens and flashes a grin at Fransisco. "You keep trying. You 
might win some day."

Murphy nods. "A good point. And lucky she is that you have such a control 
on your temper."

You say, "I had that happen to me once, too. I know how it feels."

Fransisco says, "no, she had a very very large companion with her. Loahl I 
believe is his name."

Murphy murmurs warmly to Maya, "I think he enjoys our company too much."

You say, "One of the Lupines?"

Murphy nods to Fransisco. "Yes, that would be Loahl. No, he's not garou. 
He's much bigger than that."

Maya blinks. "BIGGER? Name of the Grandsire."

Fransisco chuckles.
Fransisco says, "I see I shall have use for my training facility."

Murphy smiles. "He's a doctor, Maya. Does that tell you what he is?"

You say, "Not a clue, dear. Shifters make me almost as nervous as mages."

Murphy says, "Ah...he's a bear. Grizzly, I think. But he'd be much happier 
to keep that quiet."

You say, "A....bear." She closes her eyes. "Just what I always wanted, 
really. A...ursine? in the domain."

Fransisco says, "He came here to negotiate a peace between us and the 
lupines after william's untimely demise."

Maya opens her eyes again. "Now, that's a shock. But a welcome one."

Murphy nods. "Loahl and I have been working together for a while, as 
healers. And he's been acting as a gobetween for me with them whenever 
possible."

Fransisco nods.

Maya nods. "I'll meet with him, but not yet. Later. What about those who 
watch the sun? I thought at least one...that redhead we know..would have 
pegged me being back by now."

Murphy hmmms, cocking his head in thought.

Murphy murmurs, "She's been busy trying to reorganize her own after the 
Order of Reason began making their presence more visible." There is some 
definite venom at the name of the Order....

Fransisco nods.

Maya nods. "All right. I won't ask. Who are all the Kindred in town who 
Presented to you?"

Murphy smiles. "Other than we here...."

You say, "Right."

Fransisco says, "William is dead. The young Nosferatu child is missing. 
Trisha is still insane, Kyla is probably depressed or gone with Roosevelt 
who is hunted. There is you and richard and Tam'a, and Merrill of course. 
Then myself, Marianne of Ventrue who runs the Grove Park now, and Celina.. 
supposedly of Brujah, who seeks to build a casino.. haven.. whatever... 
out on the reservation."
Fransisco smiles, "and of course.. Murphy."

Maya nods. "I have spoken to Merrill, and Celina, and Marianne. Kyla and 
the Nosferatu child...?"

Murphy opens his mouth to speak, after due consideration...and closes his 
mouth when Fransisco begins reciting the list.

Fransisco says, "Kyla is gangrel, Roosevelt's... love interest."

Murphy says, "George vanished about the time Roosevelt killed the 
reservation girl."

Fransisco nods, "Celina was going to turn you in to Tam'a for housing the 
kid. I think Trish took a liking to him when we ran into him during the 
search by Celina.. I think Trish may have him."

Murphy chuckles, shaking his head. "As if Tam'a didn't already know he was 
here."

Fransisco says, "yes, well, Celina is.. how is it said.. A bimbo?"

Maya frowns. "All right." She blinks at Fransisco and bursts out laughing.

Fransisco smiles.

Maya wipes a little red from her eyes. "Oh, I needed that."

Murphy chuckles softly. "Words I'd never have thought to hear from you...
still, the woman was warned she'd be in the heart of garou territory...but 
insisted on continuing. And when she violated the Elysium, I gave her over 
to her casino, and let her live or die by her own acts."

You say, "She's still on those merits, though she said she is willing to 
swear me fealty as well."

Fransisco says, "her bullheaded nature speaks of Ventrue or tremere, though 
honestly, I think she has not the intelligence and sense required to be a 
warlock. though be assured, she has the lack of morality. She seems willing 
to use the situation at the reservation to her financial and feeding 
advantage. personally, I'd make her stand on her own, she has already said 
she receives support from, who was it.. the triange I belive.. whichever 
one that william was not from."

Maya leans forward. "Yes...anything you know about those groups may be 
useful."

Murphy nods. "The Triad, if I remember right. William came from Raleigh."

Maya smacks a hand to her forehead, then winces. "Oh, Lord, Proctor. I 
have to call him."
Maya adds "Or Longinus, and I'm not sure which'll be worse."

Fransisco shrugs, "they both seek to add Asheville to their domain. I 
belive Celina sought to replace murphy through discrediting him. And 
presented herself as a new Elder Brujah here.

You say, "What of the Charlotte folks?"

Fransisco smiles, chuckles.

You say, "Umm..what's so funny?"

Murphy hmmms... "Charlotte is, as usual, an enigma. I wonder sometimes if 
Roosevelt may have been from Charlotte."

Fransisco smiles at Murphy, "the Giovanni of Charlotte found out .. that I 
was seking a new place to live and suggested that I might find this city to 
my liking. They helped arrange my move to the area in return for keeping 
the neutrality of Asheville intact. Since that time, I have heard nothing 
from them and assume that they have cut me loose."

Maya sits up straight. "The Giovanni? They never cut ANYONE loose."

Fransisco shrugs, "they may realize that perhaps I was a poor choice."

Murphy says, "Hmmm....You can be certain that they will attempt to claim a 
leash on you when it suits them. I would...be alert."

You say, "I mean, not like I care because I don't want to be anyone's 
lapdog, but that scares me."
Maya sighs. "Whether they like it or not, I'll be neutral. But...Giovanni. 
NECROMANCERS."

Fransisco nods to Murphy. "So I've heard. It seems all the new clans have 
this.. inferiority complex."

Fransisco nods to Maya, scowls. "Cappadocian family?"

You say, "There are no more of the Cappadocians. They are lost as Saulot's 
childer."

Fransisco says, "good riddance."

Maya gnaws her lip, fangs showing just a bit. "They are so desperate to 
keep the anarchs in check.."

Fransisco speaks calmly and simply, "well, if they seek to put a leash to 
me, their emmisary will taste steel older than their bloodline."

Murphy nods.

You say, "It's not that I'm worried about, Fransisco. They command the 
dead. You could be watched at any time."

Fransisco nods. "if they seek to learn the art of bladesmithing or 
shovelling horse manure they can watch all they like."

Murphy chuckles.

Fransisco smiles at Murphy, "Perhaps some day you can show me the art of 
seeing beyond these too solid eyes, so that I might see those they would 
send to watch me."

Murphy nods. "It's a simple thing, once you are open to your heart."

Fransisco nods.

Maya's lips twitch. "I'm worried about the ones who can reach beyond death 
to hurt you. Some can."

Fransisco nods.
Fransisco says, "I beleive they have more pressing matters than me at the 
moment."

Murphy murmurs, "I find that if we worry about possible threats, we have 
less energy to deal with actual situations."

Fransisco nods, "indeed."

Maya nods. "So. Charlotte sent you." She grins.
You say, "I wonder what Knoxville is up o."

Fransisco chuckles, shrugs. "can't say I've gotten that far west yet."

You say, "They're the fourth who'd like to eat us whole."

Fransisco says, "ah"

You say, "Where is Marianne from, again? I know Germany, but.."

Fransisco says, "I don't remember specifics."
Fransisco says, "she and I have had some words, but I think she's getting 
straightened out."
Fransisco grins, "of course, for all I know, she's been telling any 
kindred visitors to the grove park that she's prince."

Murphy chuckles.

Maya shakes her head. "That won't last, if it's happening. But from my 
conference with her, I don't think it is."
Maya stretches. "So. I have a liaison to the Lupines, if nothing else. I 
don't know who Knoxville has spying on us. I have to call Samuel Proctor, 
God help me.

Murphy nods...

Fransisco says, "Proctor may be supporting Marianne as well, I thought I 
heard he bought the Grove Park?"

You say, "I don't know, but I intend to find out."
Maya makes a wry face. "Situation as normal in the Domain of Asheville."

Murphy nods. "That's right."

You say, "First thing is to get this place rebuilt so we have a place to 
run."
Maya adds "Or at least make a favorable stand."

Murphy nods. "It's a good central location, and once repaired makes a good 
secure place. Although I'd recommend changing the security system to reduce 
Roosevelt's ability to access it."

You say, "They all know not to let him in."

Murphy nods. "I was thinking of the alarms, since I noticed the wires had 
been cut."

You say, "That's been taken care of. The wires no go under the floor."

Murphy nods. "Good idea."

You say, "We're trying to look at this as a learning experience."

Murphy nods...."I've learned....never to be so foolish as to try to manage 
a domain again..."

Maya chuckles. "I prefer you as my..spiritual advisor."

Murphy chuckles. "I prefer me in a role such as that, too. Managing a 
household is the extent of my capabilities..."

Maya nods, taking off her cap and rubbing her scalp. "I didn't mean to 
dump you for so long."

Murphy murmurs gently, "Love, I thought you were dead. When I couldn't 
reach you anymore....even then, I didn't take Praxis until it appeared the 
only way to prevent open warfare here in the city."

You say, "I was almost dead. I had half the Warlocks in Europe chasing 
me."

Murphy nods...."As expected."

You say, "They didn't care for my testimony."

Murphy nods. "That doesn't surprise me. Anything that threatens their 
power..."

You say, "They have no Justicar for five more years."

Murphy nods.

You say, "It was just easier to let everyone think I was dead."

Fransisco listens.

Maya reaches for Murphy's hand. "I'm sorry I hid. BUt I wasn't going to 
bring them down on you, here, with no warning."

Murphy smiles and squeezes Maya's hand. "I understand."

You say, "Now, with the pair of you advising me, I may just live to see the 
end of the decade."

Fransisco says, "I'm just hoping to make it to 2025, myself."

Murphy chuckles. "Looking for that first thousand, eh?"

Fransisco smiles, "indeed"

Maya shakes her head. "You all make me feel like such a baby."

Murphy chuckles gently. "Just step outside and see the majesty of life 
itself, and you realize we are all as infants."

You say, "I was wondering when you were gonna get philosophical."

Murphy chuckles and murmurs, "When am I not?"

Fransisco says, "we shall play chess sometime, murphy, and perhaps discuss 
ancient wisdom, no?"

You say, "I wanna watch."

Murphy chuckles. "That would be interesting."

Fransisco smiles then at Maya, "And we of course, will play as well."

Maya nods. "I'd love to."

Fransisco says, "I'll look forward to it."
Fransisco muses, "perhaps I shall have to teach the horse how to play."

Maya blinks. "Huh?"

Murphy chuckles. "That would be very interesting to see."

You say, "You mean that big ass stallion you have?"

Fransisco chuckles, "yeah, him."
Fransisco grins.

You say, "He's a great horse, but I think he'd never be able to sacrifice a 
knight."

Fransisco laughs.

Maya smiles as Murphy fades slowly back into the shadows. "Well. HE 
certainly feels better."

Maya shakes herself and regards you.

Fransisco nods, "I think we all do."

Maya holds out her hand again, palm up. "I'm glad to have such a man as you 
at my back."

Fransisco looks at your hand, nods, "thank you... why do you put your hand 
up so?"

You say, "Habit. It's something I do."

Fransisco says, "what does it mean?"
Fransisco smiles.

You say, "I am being open to you, and offering the hand of riendship."

Fransisco nods, putting his hand over it.

You say, "I need to go eat. And I think my Childe will want to talk to 
you."

Fransisco nods, smiles.
Fransisco says, "I will be at the lodge, the doors are always open."

Maya squeezes your hand and releases it. "Walk safely, Fransisco de Leon."

Fransisco nods. "Until we meet again."
Fransisco stands and makes his way out through the construction.

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