2016.01.25:GardenMeeting

Garden Meeting
A meeting with Faqirah and Vera in the Rose Garden of Maple park, about the outcomes of past events.
IC Date	January 25th, 2016
IC Time	Evening, after sun down.
Players	Gwydion, Faqirah, Vera
Location	Rose Garden at Maple Park
Prp/Tp	No structured prp but the previous log is here this was the last one I found related. Sort of the epilogue.
Spheres	mage, Vampire
Theme Song	None

Faqirah is sitting in the garden in the earlier hours of night. It is close to ten pm. She waits beside a beautiful woman on an ironwork bench. From far away Faqirah is easy to spot with her long white coat and golden hijab. As you draw closer the other resolved itself into the form of Vera. The two speak in low tones which cease as your approach is noticed. The Archbishop stands to wait for you to come near.

Vera slowly stands, her hands go to a cardboard drink tray that held coffee, she held it out slightly in front of her so that any might partake in the caffeine if needed, it was from Starbucks. "Mr. McBryde, there is coffee if wanted", she said proffering the tray and only speaking after introductions had been done. Vera is wearing a black v-neck cotton t-shirt and pair of blue jeans. Black flips flops on her feet, the ones from the airport with the cute but annoying yellow ducks on the heels.

Gwydion got a call for a meeting and strolled down to Maple Park from his office. Its only a block after all, part of what makes the park so useful. Spotting who he's there to see he strolls on over. "Evening ladies."

Faqirah nods and lowers her eyes sightly as she does so in respect. "Gwydion, a pleasure to see you again. It would seem events have conspired to provoke your master to anger against you, your presence shows me it was not as.....serious...as I imagined. I did assure him after he revealed his knowing that he should not be angry with you for doing the right thing. If I have complicated your life I do apologize. He seemed to know what you had told me so I can only conclude that the two of you had already discussed it...or my mind is weak to his power."

Vera takes one of the coffee cups and brings it to her lips, bowing her head slightly, but not speaking yet. It wasn't her turn as she knocked back a bit of the piping hot fluid, her green feral eyes watching as she opened her purse and retrieved a small packet of Big Red gum, opening the little foil and placing the strip on her tongue.

Gwydion frowns and shakes his head "He and I haven't talked in months, last I knew he was still out of the country or even this reality layer. When the choice came down to telling you the truth or letting you start a collateral damage laden war with the Technocracy? It was called making the best of a bad situation."

Faqirah nods. "Avoiding needless war does seem to be a good." She gestures to the opposite bench before sitting back down to regard him. "Well I am glad that I have not caused you any harm. Your intentions were honorable and you know that we hold you in high esteem. She sighs. "Everything was coming together. I was on the brink of a legitimate cease fire agreement with the Camarilla. Unfortunately, Madeline, in her fear of me...has involved Father Cross. Not as a weapon but it has become the same thing. The peace between our people is solid. When he told me he had erased the traitor from existence. I took him at his word. Then pleased with the outcome, I went back to speak with my magisters. They have some other ideas that...I would discuss with you."

Nodding at the small cue, "While we believe that you and Father Cross are quite legitimate in power as a will worker. It was told to us that to erase someone from time, while possible, is quite taxing. To even do such things for a few minutes or even longer, could kill the mage in question. I doubt Father Cross is keen in permanently erasing Miss Zuri, from the streams of time, if such a backlash of paradox would in deed destroy him as well", she states. "Also if Zuri was erased, we shouldn't be having this conversation now, no? I understand that, certain friendships might have developed between our kind. Perhaps Zuri, is not the woman she once was. And there is value in her life. But, that value, her existence, fosters war. Would you allow a friend who became a Nephandi, to live?", Vera says. "We understand your position, and how you feel about mortals and the neutrality that is held. But it is hard to envision, neutrality when she apparently lives. Do you have other proof of her death, or is the Sabbat to assume no peace can be held, due to Father Cross's, intervention?".

Faqirah nods. "An elder of the Camarilla had agreed to let us destroy our traitor, in exchange I gave up the information on their traitor, Little A who gave me Jax's haven over a silly political dispute. She felt miffed and wanted him dead. Of course I took advantage considering his actions against me. So it seemed our two factions would have a cease fire again. But then Cross became involved...and now this. I cannot tell my people the traitor is dead with such question weighing upon it. I did not tell the sabbat at large that Cross was the one who helped her out of the sabbat in the first place. That would ruin everything and many would die just for foolishness."

Gwydion frowns and considers for a moment "He could erase her going forward but....to reach back into history and remove her from events that have already happened longer ago than mere moments? That'd be the next thing to impossible even for him. What he may have been refering to is that he erased her from destiny and wrote her a new one to go with her new face so she shouldn't have been able to be found. But since she revealed herself? I don't know what he expected to happen. I suppose I have a few calls to make."

Vera nods, "If she was remade, you could see, no?", she asked folding her arms in front of her chest. "You have met with Father Cross before, and the woman known as Zuri. Are you capable of peering into the past and looking at their patterns?", she said. "The truth is, we do not want a fight between you or Father Cross. However, it is obvious that neutrality has not been kept. And we have been lied to. Which it is difficult to look past and trust. If Zuri, had fled originally, her reasoning being she wanted peace. She would of lived a long and happy life. But she decided that her fate should be sealed, she revealed herself and waged war. If history repeats itself, which is often the case...Father Cross will hide her, after each time she attacks or is revealed. I wish there was another way, but we must claim the life of one for the peace of all. Many are on edge and will not rest, until she is destroyed. Both in our sect and the Camarilla".

Faqirah sits back to let Vera discuss her concerns with Gwydion, having said most of what she came to say already.

Gwydion sighs and nods "Vampire internal problems should be vampire internal problems. He might have been trying to keep the peace when he helped her run in the first place but the sin is on her for not keeping to stated intent of her second chance. I stand by my decision that she forfited her new life by turning back to war. I won't kill her for you but I will do my best to make sure none of my kind save her again."

Vera nods, "I do not wish any harm, I am not a fan of fighting. Sadly, this is the world I was born into. Just as mages have their own problems, we hold issues as well. I thank you for your understanding, Mr. McBryde, I myself would love a world of peace. I escape to Prospect for such a thing. My own peace and freedom. My only relationship with Zuri is that she attacked my home, I knew nothing of her. My only relationship with you, is that I understand mages a bit more than others. Miss Sarekh here, has a tracking device...we can make another if this one is broken. But we use it to hunt down the rogue traitor Zuri, it uses spirits to guide the user. It does not work, when used on her. Both before and after her erasure. This leads one to believe, that her patterns have been changed, and she is protected by someone. From your neutrality, I assume it is not you. And from Father Cross's behavior, I can assume it is him, I think this is likely. Even the Camarilla gave permission for her death, by us. I have no intention striking any blows, my heart, is a bit...soft at times. I cry for deaths. But...how should we proceed? If a mage keeps interfering in vampire politics. When they claim they will not do such things?", she pauses for a second. "We would not ask you, to help kill Zuri. We only ask you, to remain neutral, and remove mage interference. Many are not calm in mind or fears, they question if war should be waged on Mages now or even openly against the Camarilla till she is found. This is not a good thing, we ask, help us...undo this mistake that your kind has help make. That is all. The death blows will come from those willing to strike. I just advise on how to remain civil, in a sometimes chaotic turn of events", she sighs sipping her coffee. "I want peace. Maybe, Father Cross or you would change my patterns and make me or her immune to such tracking. That could be fair", her eyes looking to Faqirah. "The Camarilla likely wants her dead as well. A return favor, to remain neutral?"

Faqirah says, "It is likely that they wish her to be dead....or to appear dead at the least. After all, it is we she has betrayed, not them. I cannot know for certain."

Faqirah says, "But yes, they stated that she should die. Im sure harboring a sabbat bishop does not bode well for the sensibility of the Camarilla at large."

Gwydion tilts his head and thinks for a moment "He probably gave her something to ward her from divination. I'll have to see if there's something I can find as far as that goes, forgetting to ward the amulet itself from being divined is a fairly common mistake. I'll look into it."

Faqirah nods a bit lower this time to Gwydion. "Your honor will be remembered Mr. McBryde. If you should ever need of our help...you have but to call upon me. I do not mean only for this matter."

Vera nods, "Thank you. I know this is not a pretty matter. I feel like this is a bad Hollywood movie, where we are some Mafia or something silly. To talk of death and how one should or must die, to break bread. None of this is pretty, and leaves a foul taste in my mouth. And I hope that your troubles with Father Cross, do not increase because of your further aide. I have never met him, this Father Cross, I am sure he has his reasons for his actions. But, I value you being understanding in this matter, and our point of view. Might I ask, if you would. Your viewpoints on what should happen? Should we assume that our neutrality remains? And this is just a slight? Something that can be resolved, or is Father Cross no longer neutral to both sides?", she asks. "I would like to know, if he has sided with the Camarilla and means us harm. I have wronged no one, and would like to flee to safety before the old vampire hunter starts hunting again".

Gwydion gives a dry chuckle "Its not that I'm neutral over all its that I prefer to let people handle their own business. I believe that people like me exist to guide and guard humanity, protect them from entities and situations they aren't equiped to understand or deal with. Sometimes this is handled with diplomacy, sometimes with fire and sword. I like to think that Father Cross is largely the same and he's angry because he feels betrayed so he's lashing out. As long as he understands that its Zuri who he should be angry with we won't have any problem."

Faqirah stands. "You have an accurate assessment of what is going on I think. I know that Father Cross....means well....but perhaps it is that he doesnt understand that we are not so easy to fool. He probably wants everyone to live...unfortunately, while she who caused the massacre of all my neonates, those I was training to a more honorable jihad, we cannot have peace. What do I tell the others. That we must bare it. It is not in a warrior society to bear such things as massacre. I am certain you shall find the truth of the matter sir. And we do look forward to seeing you again."

Vera raises a brow, "Even if its guarding humanity from yourselves? Paradox exists for a reason...", she says sadly. "We guard humanity as well, in our own way. While many might only see us, as those who prey on mortals for food. What happened in India, with Ravnos...will happen again. We just have our own ways of fighting the evils of the world, much like the traditions fight the Nephandi or the Technocratic Union. I thank you for you time, and appreciate you meeting with us", Vera bows, "That coffee is still yours if you want it. It has not been altered, you can check. It is safe to drink", she says pointing to the tray after she stands. "Hopefully, next time we meet. It will be something more pleasant to discuss, if we aren't busy saving the world from itself".

Gwydion does take the coffee and sip at it "Especially from ourselves. I do spend a good chunk of time keeping things running smoothly in my own community, like I explained before, it takes a mage to police a mage. Usually that's me or a handful of others locally." The comment about future conversation gets a small smile "That would be nice."

Faqirah bows once more to Gwydion. "Allah be with you Mr. McBryde." And then she is turning to depart with her sister.