braioch8201 06-09-2009 04:51 AM<br/>Enoch snarled, "what do you mean?"<br/><br/>The vampire in front of him trembled slightly, "they plan to elect a new Prince tonight m'lord."<br/><br/>Enoch's eyes narrowed but he kept his calm. Closing his eyes he focused himself for a moment. He let the wind blow around him, caressing his skin as he felt the blood of more than half a dozen strong, virile vampires pumping through his system, healing him. He knew he wasn't anywhere near his full strength, strong enough to hunt down his own prey, including that of strong vampires. He knew he still had his weakness at this time, but he also knew he had to be strong enough.<br/><br/>His eyes opened gently, his face impassive, "well then, my course is clear, they cannot elect a second prince, it is against our laws. As Prince, I suppose I need to return to my people, they need me again it seems. No fool outsider from some forsaken land with ideals that will not benefit our kind in this city, will take my place."<br/><br/>He turned and stared up at the moon above them and sighed, "go back, return to the council, and inform those of the council that know of my survival that I will be coming tonight, but to keep it silent for the time being, I don't want a big fuss until I am there."<br/><br/>They didn't speak, only nodded and were gone. Enoch winced as he felt his wounds sear, they still burned, piercing him every now and then with a knife wretching pain. They'd last for any amount of time and then fade gradually. He breathed through it feeling his body pushing away the pain quicker than before. He took in a deep breath, the cool air filling his lungs, yes, he was still in a great amount of pain, even when the searing pain wasn't there, the dull throbbing ache still pulsed in his body.<br/><br/>He shook himself, he knew that the meeting was coming on fast, and he'd been standing here for far longer than he'd realized. Moving quickly he weaved through the expanse of the cities alleyways, avoiding mortals and other beings alike. The lights and sounds of the streets screamed at him as he passed by them, streaking neon lights, pounding bass coupled with wailing music stars all behind him. Slinking away, having spent even more time, time that could be used to be at the meeting he was in the railway station.<br/><br/>He knew the guards, but they didn't even know he was alive. Closing his eyes he focused on his power, melding deeply into the shadows, becoming part of the many still parts of darkness surrounding them. Moving swiftly along the wall, across the floor and up the wall avoiding any light that would reveal him. Slipping into the elevator that two more of his kindred had pushed their way into, he slipped past up into the vent above and waited.<br/><br/>When they'd reached there destination he slipped down and hid to the shadows until he found an alcove that he wanted, one deep in the wall where no one even bothered to glance. He spotted the council easily, surrounding the potentials, those gunning for his position.<br/><br/>Now he would wait, wait to see what the others would do, waiting for just the right moment, his moment.<br/><br/>SeditiousAmbitions 06-09-2009 01:22 PM<br/>Malachi chuckled softly. He folded his hands behind his back and watched Ariel for a moment as she spoke. â€œCuriosity is a trait of all things, mâ€™dear. Even the simplest of beasts have it. To say that it stops along the evolutionary ladder at humans is naÃ¯ve. The more evolved the mind, the greater the questions.â€ He turned slightly as she nimbly landed in front of him. Lord? Hardly. Not yet, at least. Albeit arrogant, Arielâ€™s mannerisms were quite charming; if one was unopposed to sarcasm.<br/><br/>He walked in a leisurely pace across the clearing and stopped short of the cluster. He noted the elderâ€™s presence by the security detail. Malachi studied each member quickly, but effectively. He felt no real threat from any as individuals or as a whole. He eyed the hand that was extended towards him for a moment and then gently replied in kind. â€œThank you, Mâ€™lord. It is a fine evening.â€ Malachi smiled genuinely and listened to the few but powerful words that Loren spoke. Clever. Not clever enough, however. He acted ignorant to the word as if Loren was speaking in tongues. Malachi blinked his eyes slowly and with great links between to create innocence.<br/><br/>â€œI do come to find my niche here in Solace, for I have been a vagabond many long years. I wish to settle somewhere and Solace was a place I was told would suit that purpose.â€ Malachi released Lorenâ€™s hand. â€œIt has come to my attention that the Kindred as well as other supernatural beings are under serious duress from the mortals of this region.â€ Malachi made sure to infiltrate his tones with a condescending air but not so much as to sound spiteful. He wanted just enough so that Loren would feel a small sting in the back of his mind. Malachi followed along with the group. He was excited to see the council. It had been a long, long time since he had been around a culture of vampires.<br/><br/>Through the filth and fun of Solace, Malachi walked with the Dracul. Into the shaft, he went. He paused at the metal box. Malachi carried no weapons at present. It was far more satisfying to rip a man to pieces with oneâ€™s own hands than to cut him or shoot him. He continued on and entered the room with the double circle. Malachi made his way over to a far wall next to a sconce. He rested near it as the flames cast strange patterns of shadows on his face. Most of the Primogen were old but not very powerful as individuals. Shame.<br/><br/>A strange sensation, like dÃ©jÃ  vu, swept over Malachi. The beast inside him was stirring. It had been centuries since he had felt his inner demon rattle in this manner. He scoured the faces again. The inner fire was a result of recognition. There was a being in this chamber that was as old and powerful as Malachi himself, but these sorry excuses for councilmen could not be it. The icy blue eyes ran from deep shadow to deep shadow. Whoever this person was, he or she was very clever about concealing himself. Malachi relaxed and decided to let the meeting follow its course. This being would announce himself soon enough. Trust in the predictability of powerâ€™s influence.<br/><br/>braioch8201 06-09-2009 02:20 PM<br/>The council room was abuzz with conversation, vampires around murmured to one another, whispering hopes and well wishings. The council sat atop, outside the circle, the black marble of the floor met the stark white of the council table. The seven members sat along the table, most of them were talking about amongst themselves their eyes on the potential princes, many of them whispering about the new arrival. It wasn't much that went beneath the radar of council's attention and the new vampire vying for the position was one of those things they'd noticed.<br/><br/>Councilman Ohram sat in the middle, his face still, his mouth silent as he gazed directly at Malachi. His violet eyes locked on Malachi's casually searching face. Ohram was one of the few members in the room that knew of Enoch's imminent return. His eyes swept the room gently, waiting to see if his prince had entered the room or not. He couldn't see him, but knowing his prince that didn't mean he was not there.<br/><br/>He cleared his throat gently, cutting the talk off in the room. He stood slowly, his gaze sweeping to the center of the room.<br/><br/>"Will those who wish to make a claim of the throne please step forward."<br/><br/>With a silent shuffle of immortal feet he waited for the six potentials to line up. His violet eyes swept over the line of them, all of them had great potential, but one of them stood out amongst them, and that was the newcomer to the city, Malachi. He could feel it in the council, they were leaning quickly towards him, and frankly Ohram couldn't blame them, the vampire did carry a certain aura about him, that he was obviously very strong.<br/><br/>"Mazak, step forward," the vampire on the far right did, "now inform this council why we should consider you to even be worthy of the title of Prince."<br/><br/>The silver haired vampire nodded and began speaking, his words influencing, though his body and will seemed weak. After he was done Ohram sent him back to the line and waited as the council spoke amongst themselves. Ohram continued the process down the line until he reached the newcomer. By this time Ohram was beginning to get nervous, if Enoch did not show himself in time for the vote, he would lose his title.<br/><br/>"Newcomer to this city, Malachi, you come here in the hopes of becoming Prince, no? Then step forward, inform this council in anyway you see fit of why you are fit to take this title and lead our kind within this city."<br/><br/>He stood and waited.