undergrounds | Two Vampires Get into A Political Debate... (Closed to Joss)

Cooper had been staying mostly in his apartment since he'd returned from the Other Realm. It had been a sobering experience for the vampire. Sure, the fae who had kidnapped him had been a bunch of delusional zealots, but they did have a point. His actions had caused a lot of misery for the supernatural community. It had given him something to think about while he healed up from the worst of the wood-based injuries he had received. And then there was the ousting of Sylvia to consider. He had been plenty mad to see that the Council had voted without him being present. What a fine state of affairs he'd gotten himself into.

But he couldn't stay holed up inside with only Nancy for emotional support. He needed to get back out there and get back on his feet. As a first step, he actually got out of bed, and went down to the shops to pick up some much-needed supplies. While he was there, he saw a kid standing in the candy aisle. It was Joss, and the fact he looked that intent over deciding which chocolate bar to buy was rather amusing, not that Cooper was going to bring it up. He was trying to learn to curb his tongue better.

He walked up to the older vampire. "I assume you've been following everythin' that's been going on lately." He needed someone to talk to about what was going on and Joss was older, if not exactly wiser in Cooper's opinion.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Joscelin just nods; he's known Cesare for more than two hundred years now, give or take a little, and he knows very well how frustratingly vague the man can be if he doesn't want to let on to something. "One thing I know about him is that he will always act in his own self-interest. Currently those interests seem to mesh rather well with the Daylight woman--" Joss really can't be bothered to learn her name; she's mortal and this situation, however unfortunate, is as temporary as she is "--and her interests. I cannot fault him for that." No vampire got even close to living as long as they had by being unselfish.

When Cooper brushes aside his assassination suggestion, he shrugs. "True. Luckily, whatever happens is only temporary, provided the Nest is well looked-after. The witches and the fae can go after each other to their hearts' content if that's what they want to do. We simply need to continue breathing and everything will resolve. Eventually."

Cesare was one thing. Cooper felt like he could handle whatever the older vampire was going to do, especially since the Borgia had made it clear he viewed Cooper as little more than an idiot. He could use that to his advantage.

"I've met this Samantha a time or two. Pleasant enough when things are going her way, but the minute I went against what she wanted, she dropped me like a hot potato." And had then proceeded to pull this little stunt. Cooper was less than thrilled with her behavior at the moment. "Plus she got the vote of the Council while the fae kidnapped me. Very convenient that."

There was the long view to consider. Joss was right, of course. The advantage of the vampires was the ability to sit back and let things take the course they would. "Things are only just heatin' up. Heard rumblings even Hillingdon is takin' a stand I thought there was nothing that could get those hunters to take part in what goes on."

"And what are you going to do about it?" Joscelin sips his brandy. "You're the one who won the blasted election. Govern." He knows it's not as easy as all that, but while Cooper sits around feeling sorry for himself the rest of the Council is riding roughshod over the way things have been for decades. And Joscelin was quite fond of the old status quo, thank you very much.

"That could bode well for us. She doesn't look like she's out to make many friends; just let her continue to accrue enemies and we don't have to be the ones coming for her head."

Though he wouldn't mind another excuse to fight witches. He's still sore about his little amnesia episode earlier in the year.

"You make it sound so easy. When was the last time you were involved on this level? 1902?" But he knows Joscelin is right to some level. He's got the power to make changes. And while Samantha may think she's got the whole Council in her back pocket, Cooper knows that it's not entirely true. There are always those who would resent her or want power of their own. "I know at least a few of the Council members aren't too happy with how things are goin. 'N the others could be bribed t'see things a different way if we have the means to do so."

He downs the rest of his drink, moving a comic book off a side table so that he can set his glass down. "The way things are goin', we won't have t'wait long for that. It's just a matter of figuring out who has the will to take her down."

Joscelin lets the jibe about his own brush with political experience slide, though it takes great effort. "Bribery is always useful," he agrees. It's not like he's worried about anyone being seen as corrupt; that's how these things just happen.

"I would dearly love to see the fae and the witches rip each other to spreads," he says wistfully. "It would be rather poetic, wouldn't it?"

"I'll start putting fleas in the right ears, see who can be persuaded t'vote for the good of the community." He'd heard that line toted out so many times that he was going to throw something at someone the next time they used it. Or not, since he was now a responsible and respectable vampire. But he'd still be thinking it.

Cooper grins companionably at Joss. "That's what vampires do best. Let everyone else eat each other and then go in to pick up the pieces." He turns his attention towards the TV. "But the real question here is are you gonna let me just sit here all day or let me have a crack at one of those games?"

"It really is the least you can do." Okay, okay. Joss will stop being a brat about Cooper's vote.

Maybe. Eventually.

He grabs the remote and turns on the massive television. "Shall we race or shoot things?" Either way, Joscelin is about to kick Cooper's ass.

The day Joss stops being a little bratty shitheel about things, Cooper will eat his left shoe. Not that Cooper has room to talk. Being an immortal teen means he's had an attitude and a half now for well going on two centuries.

"Shoot things. Let's see who comes out on top." It's definitely going to be Cooper. He's not losing to a twelve year old, immortal or not.

It's incredible how quickly technology keeps advancing. A mere fifty years ago, Joscelin would have had to content himself by beating Cooper in a board game or at cards. Now, as he takes a headshot with the rocket launcher and watches Cooper's avatar explode into a mess of beautifully-rendered 4K ultra-high def gore, he can't help but smile. Humanity isn't all bad. Look what the mortals can do with a few circuits and some lines of code.

"Best two out of three?" He asks cheerfully.

Cooper would have to agree. He's thoroughly enjoyed this century more than the previous one by a landslide. After all, this was the one that had invented the motorcycle.

He frowns as Joss decimates his character. Oh, it is on now. There's no way he's losing to a twelve year old, seven hundred years old or not. "You're on, tá tú brat beag." You little brat. But the Gaelic words are said in something approaching affection.

Joscelin has logged over seventy hours on this game since it came out two weeks ago, and he's memorized all the spawn points on this particular level.

Not that he's told Cooper any of this, mind.

He gathers his land mines and starts dropping them on top of each one.

That will teach Cooper to call him a brat, he thinks brattishly.

Two Vampires Get into A Political Debate... (Closed to Joss)

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject