The New Dragon Court

[demikara]

Catherine Dumitrescu had requested an appointment with the new Ra. Bartholomew, more amused than not, had accepted it. And now it was time for the appointment. Dressed in a modest suit, unlike his court's usual dress of leathers and lace, Balto was working on some of the inevitable paperwork that came with running the court. His long hair was braided from the top of his head down to  his calves and he had a glass of blood next to him he sipped at periodically as he read through the latest reports and waited on Catherine to arrive. There was a pile of paperwork on the opposite side of the desk facing her, and he rather thought she would actually be pleased with it, given the contents. He might as well take this meeting and turn it into something truly productive.

Of course, he wasn't actually sure why she was coming, but overall, he was pleased with his agenda for the meeting. 

The office did not look like it had when she was last here, if his parent ever even dealt with her in the office. The small shrine to Ra was still in an alcove yes, well lit as with a few small offerings: a roll of bread, a cupcake, a shot glass of beer and a shot glass of orange juice, myrrh, frankincense, sandalwood incense were there, though only the sandlewood was lit. The rest of the office resembled nearly every office in the world, minus a window, of course. There were bookshelves along the back wall, his desk, which was a reasonable size and not some sort of monstrosity and a modern computer on top of it. there were even a few houseplants and small pieces of decor; though given the lack of sunlight, the plants were not real ones. It was markedly different than it had been when his father had led the court.

The entire court was a bit brighter, a bit more up to date. Some of the older vampires had complained, but there was a reason his family ruled this court, and he knew first hand having the blood boil in your veins was painful enough to keep even the oldest in line.  For now though, he waited patiently for Catherine to arrive, going over some smaller bits of paperwork and his e-mails as he did so.

[Circe]

If Catherine was honest, she hadn't expected her request to be honored, given the last time. But, she hid her shock and surprised well, if only because she feared that it would be used against her. The Court in her opinion had known no bounds to it's treachery, especially when their greed had become the downfall of the Ra and Isis she had known. She wasn't entirely sure how well this meeting would work, but for the moment she would put aside her anger for the vampires who had been so intent on forcing her hand. Taking a moment to carefully gather her thoughts, she then knocked on the door of the office, still unsure of what she would be greeted with.

[demikara]

Balto looked up at the knock and smiled, standing and moving around the desk to great his guest. "Come in, Warden." He invited clearly. She would find her experience here much different than any experience with his father had been. He checked the pile of papers on her side of the desk and hoped she'd be agreeable to the contents of them. She ought to be, given what they promised her.

His father had done many wrongs, especially to the Warden. Balto hoped to correct at least some of those today. He wasn't sure if he could, but he felt honorbound to try. He pressed his ankh for luck.

[Circe]

"Lord Ra." She replied carefully as she enter the office. She noticed that she had been addressed by her rank within MCU instead of her court titles, and wondered when the Dragon Court had decided to acknowledge Council and its Wardens. "Thank you for granting my request for this meeting. I feel that there is a great deal to discuss and a limited time to do so." Catherine said calmly. But first, she turned her attention to the papers facing her. "May I ask what all this is? I do not recall papers being mentioned."

The appointment had been requested through and intermediary, and she had been extremely careful to follow all court protocol, minus the clothes. Catherine instead had paid the Dragons a visit dressed in her best black suit that was worn for Council tribunals and hearings at which she was expected to be in attendance.

[demikara]

"A formal apology along with reparations and releasing you from whatever mad position my father decided you'd have." He stated simply. "I've already signed and you'll be able to take them with you and fax them back. I've included my business card for that reason." He shook her hand and took his seat. "I am not my father, Warden. Please take a seat and we can go over why you called this meeting."

He was curious himself. He hadn't expected to ever hear from her again. What ever this was likely was so. All he knew was he intended to see at the council's disposal to show this was not his father's court.

[Circe]

Catherine raised an eyebrow as she took a seat and moved the packet of papers off the desk, moving cautiously, already having been burned more than once by the insanity of the Dragon Court. "I realize that the court is not the same as once was, however... allow an old woman her fears." She replied with some amount of hesitation. The remark was deprecatory, but at the same time seemed to make sense. The woman sitting in front of Balto was dressed in a nice suit, but by far didn't seem to be eternally young like much of the rest of the vampires did. There were fine lines on her face, largely hidden by a pair of tortishell glasses, that spoke of long nights and even longer stress filled days. This didn't seem to be the same woman who had so captivated the Dragon Court years earlier. In fact, she seemed very much so human and fragile.


"Your father had wanted something of an alliance with the fae, and saw an opportunity where there wasn't one." Catherine explained after a moment as she tucked the car away into a pocket. "All of that aside, the reason I requested this meeting is an old one is once more awake. One of my officers was briefly possessed or overtaken by him through means of infiltration of my facilities by an object earlier this week. He is very much intent on starting a war between the vampires and the werewolves."

[demikara]

"My father has been growing steadily more unstable for the past 100 years. As much as I loved him, and as much as I treasure Milo and Tyrus who I would not have if father had been stable, it was past his time." There was just surprisingly little one could do against a man who could boil the blood in your veins, surreptitiously or otherwise. Still, by his very stillness he acknowledged the danger of one of the old ones awakening. It was better they sleep, because awake...awake they were too dangerous. Those born so long ago often were.

"You are certain it was an old one?" He had to be sure. There could be no war between the vampires and werewolves, not again. The last one had devastated both sides. The peace was fragile as it was, and the idea of someone, anyone pushing it was more than he wanted to think of. The only true advantage they would have would be Tyrus, and even then, there was no doubt the werewolves likely had a battle mage somewhere in the country, hidden in their ranks. Tyrus was dangerous enough. Balthazar didn't want to see the near apocalypse two strong battle mages could cause.

[Circe]

Catherine considered her next words carefully, still unsure as to what the relationship with the court would be going forward. Her best thought was that they at least be prepared for what was looking like the inevitable. The causalities on all sides would be immense, and that didn't even begin to take into account the humans and MCU who would likely be fielded as a defense measure. This wouldn't be the tidy lines charging on a field, this would be a more modern war with the last 1,000 years of knowledge to back it. While the magic was weak, there was still likely to be attempts to flush out and conscript stronger users against one or the other's cause.

"Yes." She finally said flatly. What she was doing could have been considered traitorous, but that was if she even decided to lay claim to Griogre as her father and Scottlyn as a sibling. As far as Catherine was concerned, Griogre was a problem to be solved in the most judicious way and Scottlyn was to be ignored for as long as possible. "Few vampires that I am aware of these days are able to possess ward breakers."

[demikara]

Balto choked. "Ward- he possessed Ms. Bronson. She's the only real ward breaker you have in Dallas, right now." He possessed Bronson, who was a power house in her own right. Oh hell, this was dangerous. "You'll have the Dragon Court's full support, including what wards we do have to protect Ms. Bronson's mind. Once possessed, she may be weak to him again." This was not good. An old one. There was an old one awake, on the loose, and apparently fucking with MCU. "I'll call Tyrus back to Dallas. He'll have to stay in his apartment. I can send an acolyte to look after the temples." This was not good.

He downed a rather large amount of the glass of blood on his deck, not happy. "Tell me there is some sort of plan to deal with the old one. And please tell me we have some information on his motives or on him, at all." Balto was no old one. He wasn't even the oldest member of the court right now. He held the throne only because of his bloodline's abilities and he knew if someone else in their line wanted to take it, they could. The vampire lord was not panicking, but he was already in defense mode. They'd have to act fast to handle this. That was their one advantage. Old ones rarely moved quickly.

[Circe]

"Yes, he possessed Sergeant Bronson." Catherine confirmed, politely correcting Balto's mistake. Catherine didn't always get along well with Molly, and suspected that it would be even worse after she spoke with the Fae. "I've provided her with some temporary wards, but you are right in assuming that she will be weak against further incursion." She added in agreement.

Sighing, she watched as Balto downed the rest of the contents of his glass. Catherine suspected that it was likely going to sit in his stomach as a cold, uncomfortable lump after what she had to tell him next. "The plan is to speak with each... faction that he is attempting to manipulate. To make them aware of the threat, and hopefully put an end to this foolishness." She explained, hoping that it would buy them enough time. Catherine didn't know much about Griogre outside of what little she'd interacted with, the letter and the possession.

[demikara]

"Apologies. Sergeant Bronson. I'll have our best ward crafters make some for her. Hopefully the old one doesn't have ward breaking as a skill set." Keeping Bronson out of something she wanted it was a losing proposition, but hopefully keeping other minds out of hers would not be. For now though, making the others all aware was the best choice. "I'm glad you came to speak to me over this. I will keep my court in control, as best as I am able. It may have to come to some things I don't wish to do, but. I am young." He shrugged uncertain. "They do not all respect me yet." Fear yes, but not respect.

He forced himself to remain calm, mind racing over possibilities. "I assume the werewolves are one of the other functions. The majority of the packs around here are peaceful, minus one particular band of trouble makers. Are there any other factions I should be aware of?" He hoped not. Dealing with the werewolves was going to be tricky enough.

[Circe]

"Respect is difficult to gain, I understand that much." Catherine replied patiently. It had taken some time with her own team at MCU, especially after all of the nonsense with the Council and Broadmoore. The damage that had done had been far more reaching than she feared some days, and the end of repairs wasn't yet in sight. "However, I am grateful that you have decided to meet with and assist me on this account. I fear that unless something is said to all parties involved, that we will be plunged into war within the next few short weeks." She explained.

"The werewolves are one of the others, yes, as are the Fae. I fear also that he will seek a way to manipulate the veil, and exploit it's very nature against us. He is an old one, and he is dangerous.. but weak against the old magics."

[demikara]

"Of course. I will do what I can to stave off war here." He considered what else he could do. "And I will see Tyrus has all the resources he needs to find some old magic and help deal with this. He is the best we have to offer on that." It was easy enough to admit. Balto was proud of his baby brother, even if the other was a pain in the ass. "Thank you for coming to me with this. If you need other aid on this, please, call me directly on the cell phone listed on the business card in that packet." It would go straight to him, instead of through the rigmarole of dealing with court summons and requests and the like.

He was certain she would not abuse it, given the trust Tyrus had in her, and her own experiences with the court. "I admit, I cannot think of anyway to manipulate the veil, but I know little on the subject." It was likely possible.

[Circe]

"Thank you, I will be sure to keep that in mind." She said to him. It seemed that he had largely been handed a court in shambles and was making every effort to repair it. "We will be glad to have Tyrus and I will try to assist him with the old magic." Catherine added again. She didn't know how to use the magic well, but she knew what it was capable through much of the things the fae taught.

"Manipulation of the veil.. is done through someone who is attached to it."

[demikara]

"Someone..." He swallowed, knowing just such a person. "I see." Tyrus was definitely coming back to the court. Forget his apartment, he was coming to stay in his rooms in the court, for his own safety. This was going to be a nightmare or epic proportions. "Those people are rare. I know of one and will do what I can to protect them." Though Tyrus would not make it remotely easy and was going to be furious at being summoned back to the court. Why did Balto suspect he was about to have luridly colored hair again, among other issues.

His baby brother was going to make this as difficult as possible on all of them. Perhaps witht he bribery of enough older books on magic things wouldn't be too bad. Perhaps.