[Video]

[smallmediumwelldone]

Good evening.

[There’s a woman speaking, tone clipped. The corporate jumpsuit hangs off her small frame, and her hair is swept up into an old-fashioned bun. Or so it seems - she’s standing a bit away from the screen, and it’s tilted at an odd angle.]

I am given to understand that this is how to contact my new coworkers? My name is Beatrice Brewer, at your service, and I assure you I am quite qualified. I am - was - an apprentice of the fifth circle in, ah, a collection of magi, have experience in a thrilling variety of crises, and am quite keen to get started on - [a heavy sigh, more notable for the fact that someone observant might catch that she doesn’t breathe] - this situation.

[There’s a long pause.]

Drat, is this bloody thing even on? Dreadful place, what sort of dog and pony show are they running, honestly. Stuff? Stuff? Of all the names?

Comments

[smallmediumwelldone]

You're equally well known for your exceeding reticence and humility, according to polled elders everywhere. Who am I to question the wisdom of our elders?

While I agree with your wider point of how they've ended up clinging to feudalistic organization, on the question of their skills...well, so long as they're self-defeatingly reliant on powers as a substitutes for actual competence, the wheels will keep spinning in the mud. That's not a question of turnover, it's simply human habit for the easiest option.

Thus, we are doomed to never have anything new to hear them argue over besides Carthage.

[vampthropologist]

Over-reliance on the gifts of the blood is one of the besetting sins of all Kindred, though, wouldn't you say?

But they do rather remind one of a those fellows down at the pub who can't talk about anything other then the goal they missed in the big game back at school, the one with the club recruiter watching.

[smallmediumwelldone]

[She gives a rather unladylike snort at that description and covers her mouth.]

Vivid imagery, but a rather fair one. Oh, we nearly had it in the bag! Our strategy has simply been misunderstood and unfairly maligned - it was everyone else that couldn't pull it off! And that's why someone else should buy my round.

I don't deny your other point, it's just that their, ah, set of arts that come naturally is particularly suited for being able to replace skillful handling of people with short-term solutions.

[She finds that tidbit about the Ventrue much less amusing.]

[vampthropologist]

Oh, you have no idea how deep that particular rot goes. [He pulls a disgusted face] And no shame about it at all. As if a lie can become a truth just because enough people say so. Fie on that.

[smallmediumwelldone]

That free take on the truth is equally a rot not unique to the Ventrue. [She tries to not sound too bitter. It would be unseemly.] All the same, cheers. I'll drink, spiritually, to the sentiment - if not in the same pub being frequented by the forlorn Ventrue star.

I've no doubt your time delving has turned up a much deeper well of rot than I can imagine. [Beatrice isn't directly asking, but she is openly curious. It'd be impossible to deny that.] Though as you pointed out, there's no one here that can rat us out - thus I am free say that my brush against glorious greatness by encountering Lords Hardestadt and Pieterzoon was..uninspiring. Eurgh.

[vampthropologist]

[Beckett reacts just a little to the bitterness in her voice, subtly enough that perhaps only vampire looking for it would see it]

Hardestadt and Pieterzoon both? What did you do, reveal your nature on a late night television show?

[smallmediumwelldone]

.......

No. Good evening, Mr. Beckett.

[Did she just...hang up on him? Yes. Yes she did. She even managed to find the right buttons.]

[vampthropologist]

...Was it something I said?

[he says aloud at the suddenly dark screen.]