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 Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2026 4:49 pm
 The clan roster lay across Aurelius's knees as he curled up in the oversized easy chair in the library, a toasty fire burning in the hearth. He frowned as he leaned over its contents, tapping a quill against his lower lip. The fact that he was getting ink on his person escaped him, lost in thought as he was. Absently, he struck a name from the roster and filled in another line in a blank space below. The rolls were dismally thin, he noted, tapping the quill once more.
Aure was not pleased by what he'd discovered, but as he reviewed the roster he saw room for improvement. Especially with the Maeghar active once more. That was entirely irksome, as far as the Antediluvian was concerned, though there were ways to deal with such a situation. Not that they were sanctioned by Grendel. Unfortunate, that. He'd have to come up with new strategies, as diablerie was frowned upon by their deity. It would have been such a neat way of dealing with the problem, however. No matter. He'd find some creative new approach in due course. Now, as for the issue of their own numbers... that had but one true answer: they would merely have to embrace more into their fold.
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Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2026 5:55 pm
Marconius knew the clan was limited in members, very limited, and while he may not want to socalize with them he knew there numbers were terribly small - too small. It was enough that should someone get the idea into their head to attack them, to remove them from existence, that it would be frighteningly easy to do. They had strength, each individual did, he did not doubt his children but he also knew how scattered they were. It made them easy to take on, to outnumber and slaughter, it was a good thing that his clan didn't make it a habit of upsetting other clans and staring anything with other clans. They kept to themselves mostly, a good habit for them especially now, but he had someone looking over matters.
That was what brought him to the room in which his antediluvian resided, going over things, he knew they would assist in the matter and that was one reason he allowed them into his domain. Private as he was Marconius knew when he needed to allow someone else into his domain - into his presence. This was certainly one of those times, these times were special indeed.
"Tell me Aurelius, what do you make of the situation?" He questioned. He would, if the other mentioned the Maeghar, mention how he had so bothered the other at the last gathering he'd been to. Perhaps at the next one he would bring Aurelius with him, let others see another ancient of his clan, it would be good to have the other at his side.
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Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2026 6:37 pm
Aure turned quickly, the quill falling from his lips. He caught it before it managed to get ink on the chair, glancing up at Marconius. "Marc," he said, leaning back into the chair. "We lost another one. The situation is becoming dire." Of course Marconius knew how bad it was. Truthfully, Aurelius wondered whether the dynamic with the Maeghar Clan would worsen things. He settled into place, staring up at his Disciple. "We'll need to bolster our numbers, naturally."
With Marconius so close at hand, his mind wandered down pathways he'd long since dismissed as impractical, if not completely nonsensical. Yet it was not the first time he'd shared the Disciple's space. One did tend to wonder what the significance of such a thing was. "We do have an elder... but I'm happy to do embracings personally." He frowned slightly. Lydia was by no means an active elder, at that.
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Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2026 6:59 pm
"Indeed, it is dire." It did not help matters that they were a rather small, and selective, clan that so few amongst their own knew about. It did help, in some manner, it would perhaps even allow them to grow with few noticing such a thing. It would benefit them, of course, but how best to go about such a thing? Hearing the name of the elder, the one he had taken from the Lasombra, he felt his lips tugging down into a frown. Yes, she had vanished, so many others had, likely holed up in a library somewhere. One of her own making no doubt.
"If she is unable, which I assume to be the case, than you shall do so until we gain a new elder. I would prefer two elders, at least, and allow them the task than. We should also consider filling out our ranks in other areas." He needed, or rather he wanted, a methusala. It wasn't that they would suffer from not having one, because they wouldn't, but it would be preferable for their own protection and another would could teach a younger childer. A methusala would help Aurelius as well, take on some of the burden, the fact his antediluvian was so burdened not long after waking from torpor was not something the disciple liked.
"You have the library rather warm, do you need more wood?" He would be burning a lot of wood to keep it so warm, and he did not see where it was stacked, more could be brought in if it was needed. Though he was seating himself next to the other, as he spoke, Marconius would get up and gather some wood if it was needed. He was larger, stronger, and could bring more inside if it was needed.
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Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2026 7:15 pm
Unfortunately, Aurelius was all too familiar with the situation they found themselves in. Prior to falling into torpor, Aure had noticed a decline in their numbers, one probably associated with both the ongoing inter-clan dynamics with several of the other clans. Particularly Lasombra and Maeghar, of course. It had not been his intention to fall into such a deep slumber, but rather the work of an artful betrayal on the part of one of their allies, sending Aurelius into what had seemed to be an eternal sleep at the time.
However, at his Disciple's call he had awakened at last. "We can certainly promote from within our numbers, but in the meantime I will take these matters in hand." There were more than elders at need, too... but Aure didn't mention the other gap in their ranks. Surely Marconius had already thought of it.
He'd evidently failed to replace the wood in the fire, as it was cooling all too quickly, and Aure rubbed his arms to avoid shivering. "I seem to have used up all the remaining wood," he confessed, glancing up at Marconius. His Disciple had seated himself, but as Aurelius was far more slight and proportionally petite when compared to Marc, they were not at one another's eye levels, even sitting down.
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Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2026 8:04 pm
"Yes, an elder or two from within our ranks. You know what to look for, pick one or two who will work best, I trust your judgement in this matter." While he could do it himself, he was the head of the clan after all, it would look terribly on Aurelius if he were to do the others job for him. Some, especially outsides if they were to find out, would likely think less of the other. Having someone else do your job for you was a terrible thing for others to find out, especially outsiders, it wouldn't do.
"Look into those of lower rank when you are able, interview them spy on them, find out what you can." Because an interview would not always provide the best, and most honest, information.
Standing, ever so slowly, the taller vampire nodded his head. "Of course. You got caught up in your work. You were managing things which needed it, a reasonable reason to forget wood to keep the room sufficiently warm." Moving slowly to leave the room, to head outside and get more wood, it would be best to stock pile more in here...messy as it may be. They needed a warm room to talk, it simply wouldn't do for them to converse at length in an ice box of a room.
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Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2026 8:12 pm
Aurelius waved his hand, dismissing the objective as already complete. "It shall be done," he said, that little handwave a trifle imperious. But not directed at Marconius, of course. "I have no doubt that I can find what we need within short order." It wouldn't be difficult, after all. He had the experience and knew what to look for. Marconius trusted his judgement rightfully. After all, he had earned his position those many years ago by executing his Disciple's commands in a most efficient and effective manner.
"Thank you, Marconius," he said, and if perhaps his gaze lingered on the other as he left, well, it was surely of no note. Returning his attention back to the roster, he pondered over a couple of names, noting the experience and prestige of each. Yes, there were those he could pull in for an interview. Spying on them would be seamless. If it was what Marc wanted, it was what Marc would get.
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Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2026 4:51 pm
Spying was not a normal thing for them, it was not how they operated, that was something left to other clans. It was a rather unseemly practice but in this case he was willing to support it, and even suggest it, that way they would see what each childe offered when not being interviewed. A look into others without the chance for them to put on a false pretense, though he did of course trust his cla nand know they all minded themselves. It just allowed for a...deeper knowing of them each. These needs, which must be filled, were simply too important to risk slipping up on. At least Aurelius understood, as Marconius knew he would.
While he made his way outside with ease, his pace at ease and unhurried, the dark eyed vampire found the stock pile of wood and grabbed as much as he could into his arms before heading back inside. The door closed, and locked tight, behind the ancient being as he took his time in returning to the room he'd just vacated. "Put the wood in." He spoke calmly, dark eyes taking in his fellow vampire. "Much time has passed since you were last awake. Time has passed since you woke. I can catch you up, answer what you wish."
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Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2026 4:59 pm
What Aurelius intended to do was far closer to observation than spying, but perhaps one might consider the two one and the same. Still, he needed to collect data on those he interviewed, beyond what they themselves divulged. There was no way around it. He tapped at the sheet for a moment before circling a couple names for future consideration. Truth be told, he only knew them in the most cursory way, but given the reports he'd received, they seemed to be likely candidates.
He blinked when Marconius returned, a faint flicker of amusement crossing his lips when the Disciple ordered him to replenish the wood with what he'd brought. Of course he would go so far as to bring more wood, but no further. Well, that was fine. Aure was not offended. He selected a couple of logs and set them on the fire, feeding the flickering flame until it was a healthy blaze. "The truth is that I know very little of this modern world. When I was last awake it was... quite different. Perhaps you might tell me your observations? What changes I should be aware of?"
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Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2026 6:35 pm
Fidning a seat for himself, once all the woof had found itself a home, some of the wood was burning and some rested by the fireplace waiting to be next. Calm as he could the dark eyes which settled on the other blinked, his head even tilted the slightest bit, and a faint twitch upward of his lips. "Ah, yes it has been a long time. Much has changed including the most rescent, and major, change in our world. Caine is not in charge right now - his son Grendal is." That was, in his mind, the biggest shake up in their world.
"The Toreador have held gatherings for all of us. All clans, clanless, bloodlines." The Toreador liked to host parties, were far more social than Marconius saw a point in being, but to host such parties. Slowly the larger vampire filled the other in on what he knew had been going on, and he did know a lot, he heard thigns....whispers. Even if he wasn't involved in things he knew enough of the going ons of their world. Of course he didn't know everything there was, sadly, no way for that to be possible. But he knew enough for the other.
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Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2026 6:49 pm
Aurelius's eyes widened slightly at the mention of the divine switch-up. "So... that's why you feel different. More powerful, perhaps, than when Caine was in charge." Perhaps Grendel favored his followers more directly than had Caine. That was all to the good, then. Although... it did beg the question of what benefits their enemies might be reaping now. Perhaps the balance of power was not quite so far in their favor as he might wish.
"Toreador has ever been a clan to host parties," he agreed. As Marconius went on, describing the dynamics and intel regarding each clan, he nodded. There were indeed great changes in the world. "And... Ravnos has ascended to the status of Angelique? How surprising." Perhaps not surprising as it might be were Caine still in power. Grendel was younger and had the prerogative to make anyone he desired his angelique. It was a great honor, of course... a feather in the caps of Clan Ravnos, no doubt.
He frowned slightly as Marconius recounted all that had changed. Some of it for the better... some, less so. He was not sure that he liked the new activity from certain quarters. "How unfortunate that Clan Maeghar has come out of hiding." Unfortunate for them, perhaps. Aure chewed on the tip of his quill absently, an old habit from before Marconius had embraced him centuries before. One that Marc might recognize in his student as a nervous tic.
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Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2026 7:58 pm
"Yes, that is likely why." He spoke honestly, he had heard Grendal gave blessings to clans and to vampires. Letting things sink in he nodded his head, of course it was something clan Ravnos would brag over, it was something many clans would do - his was not like that. That was something for him to be proud of, that his clan would never brag over such things.
"Indeed, though it is terribly easy to work there disciple up. It is even entertaining, if one finds entertainment in such things." He spoke, a bit more of a smile twitsting his lips upwards, Aurelius might enjoy that bit of knowledge. Marconius had even enjoyed bothering, and unsettling, the other disciple. "I do believe we may find friends in the True Brujah however. Others who appreciate knowledge. If we take care and consideration, as we always should when dealing with other clans, we may find those who would help us in finding readings we may seek. They may even posess books we would want - things to borrow not to take." As taking from them would, without a doubt, cause a fight between the clans and Marconius was not in favor of that...such uncouth behavior to go out fighting people like barbarians.
"While it may be in our nature to take that which we wish to read, to claim for our own, in this case it may work in our favor to speak to their disciple and arrange some mutual arangment that benefits us both." Leaning forward, his voice lowered, dark eyes were focused on that quill even as long slender digits reached out and lowered it.
"You will get ink on your fur." It was also best to cover such habits, so others could not read you so well.
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Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2026 10:59 pm
A small smile curved Aurelius's lips. He was frankly amused, and not at all surprised, that Marconius had found the Maeghar Disciple to be easy to rile. After all... there was such a past between the two clans. "How droll," he said, pausing when Marconius's hand reached out and pulled the quill down. Aure blushed, having been totally unaware that he was giving himself away in such an obvious fashion. Marc was, of course, familiar with his foibles, but how embarrassing to be caught out.
He focused, rather than on his own little issue, on the remarks that his Disciple had made about the True Brujah. "I have no intention of starting a clan war by taking anyone's books. But it would be interesting to see what they have that could be lent. We could learn a lot by diversifying our library, if even only temporarily." One did tend to get caught up in one's own studies, to the exclusion of all else.
It was, perhaps, too late to avoid the ink blots. Aurelius's amaranthine lips were stained black in places, owing to that habit. But the stain would surely wash away in due course. Provided that Aure course corrected now and ceased his little nervous tic. "Sorry. I wasn't paying attention." Such would be remedied in the future, to be sure.
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