09-30-2013, 06:02 PM
When the throes of Rotschreck rise it is those who get in the way of a Cainite who have the most to lose. Bertram joins the shadowy arms that come to hold the giant in place. Stands alongside a similarly implacable and potent Lasombra and even the sire who comes to embrace the childe until its fear has passed. And in that and the words said to the fledgling fiend to help conquer its fear he may have made steps toward redeeming himself in the eyes of some.
Not all, but some.
Redemption does not seem to be Bertram's goal. He does not like anyone. That is not what is surprising.
It is the look on Bertram's face. A barely-abiding loathing for all of this. A contempt peppered with the air of confidence that to some might be malodorous superiority. One might understand what plays out thanks to this expression. He casts a critical eye on aspects of this rite, this Cardinal, even this Sect.
The fact that Ioana de Moieciu was so easily able to pluck thoughts and memories from the mind of William may indicates he should try to control such wondering and expansive internal diatribes on her Sect's ideology. Of course that may come down to an exercise in futility on par with not thinking about purple and pink polka-dotted elephants - but in either case he seems able to ignore the crustaceon-like fiend in the room.
This Noddist den mother to the Sabbat may be using them as playthings to ease the boredom of centuries, or even valuable (if expendable) tools in her own gambit. But if there is any evidence as to that it is all in Bertram's head. It seems to be the place where the Brujah dwells most comfortably. He sees this all for what it is. Or at least what he believes it to be and that is enough. If the elder Tzimisce who holds out that bone cup is some sadistic puppet master searching for entertainment in all this, though, it does not show in the solemnity and devotion she brings to her recitation of the words and passions of their vampiric forebearer. Nor the general pleasure she seems to take in their presence in her mountainous abode.
The Brujah looks to the Vaulderie as a necessary evil, something he loathes to subject himself to, but is willing to partake in for his own benefit. It is a sentiment easily surmised from the blankness of his face.
Sadly there is no hint in their Cardinal's demeanor that she might try to exclude Bertram from this most sacred rite. In face she probably wouldn't, to look at her, consider doing such a thing. Perhaps she wonders if he has had some change of heart. Maybe she thinks he will cast aside the differences raised by Vee and himself to assert his place as a member - it is true that a pack need not always agree and many vanguards were formed with less common ground. Either way it is not the Cardinal who refuses or invites any of them to step forward to add their vitae to the cup.
They do or they don't and when Bertram does?
He loafs about it. Seems as ready to back off as step forward. And for some seeing this ambivalence might make all the difference. Especially in a Sect, as Bertram sees it, so known for its fanaticism and the zealots that defend it. Vee's fanged words are what comes to keep him from it.
Flood, having already made his offering, leaves the androgynous fiend's threat as the only spoken indicator that the Brujah is not welcome. His form says otherwise though, rising up to his full and straightened height, the corner of his lip curling in a similar vitae-caked snarl that shows his contempt for the idea of commingling vitae with the Brujah.
Truth be told.
Well, let's talk about the truth.
It has many faces. One is Ioana's. One is Flood's. One is Vee's. One is William's, now honored with the allowance of an opinion when it comes to this, no matter how informed or uninformed it is. And yes, one is even Bertram's and if so many others can be blind to its true face? Well, one can guess how close his certainties on the way things are might be. They don't seem to waver, though, and if this is an act they seem to play their part very well.
As for Ioana's truth?
It is a display of the fiend's respect for the freedom of her fellow Sabbat even the Brujah might appreciate. Just as he does not have to find the pleasure (twisted or not is a matter of perspective) his peers do, they do not need to tolerate the intrusion they have so clearly characterized as such. She says nothing and leaves it to the Cainites of the budding pack to bar him from the rite that will solidify it.
Or at least it is a display the Brujah might have appreciated if he hadn't just been threatened for a second time by Vee in an affront joined by the Lasombra. It provokes the Beast within him and it is a matter of instinct how he will guide the roused and insulted predator within that screams for blood and satisfaction.
[ As Bertram is on Instinct instead of Self-Control and his rating in the stat is lower than the difficulty to resist frenzy he is going to go into a frenzy. He may spend a WP per round to control himself, but for at least one turn he's going to be frenzied. Rolls to guide or ride the frenzy through Instinct during this and subsequent turns are at a difficulty of 6. If this goes to initiative rolls we're going to have to handle that in a room. ]
Not all, but some.
Redemption does not seem to be Bertram's goal. He does not like anyone. That is not what is surprising.
It is the look on Bertram's face. A barely-abiding loathing for all of this. A contempt peppered with the air of confidence that to some might be malodorous superiority. One might understand what plays out thanks to this expression. He casts a critical eye on aspects of this rite, this Cardinal, even this Sect.
The fact that Ioana de Moieciu was so easily able to pluck thoughts and memories from the mind of William may indicates he should try to control such wondering and expansive internal diatribes on her Sect's ideology. Of course that may come down to an exercise in futility on par with not thinking about purple and pink polka-dotted elephants - but in either case he seems able to ignore the crustaceon-like fiend in the room.
This Noddist den mother to the Sabbat may be using them as playthings to ease the boredom of centuries, or even valuable (if expendable) tools in her own gambit. But if there is any evidence as to that it is all in Bertram's head. It seems to be the place where the Brujah dwells most comfortably. He sees this all for what it is. Or at least what he believes it to be and that is enough. If the elder Tzimisce who holds out that bone cup is some sadistic puppet master searching for entertainment in all this, though, it does not show in the solemnity and devotion she brings to her recitation of the words and passions of their vampiric forebearer. Nor the general pleasure she seems to take in their presence in her mountainous abode.
The Brujah looks to the Vaulderie as a necessary evil, something he loathes to subject himself to, but is willing to partake in for his own benefit. It is a sentiment easily surmised from the blankness of his face.
Sadly there is no hint in their Cardinal's demeanor that she might try to exclude Bertram from this most sacred rite. In face she probably wouldn't, to look at her, consider doing such a thing. Perhaps she wonders if he has had some change of heart. Maybe she thinks he will cast aside the differences raised by Vee and himself to assert his place as a member - it is true that a pack need not always agree and many vanguards were formed with less common ground. Either way it is not the Cardinal who refuses or invites any of them to step forward to add their vitae to the cup.
They do or they don't and when Bertram does?
He loafs about it. Seems as ready to back off as step forward. And for some seeing this ambivalence might make all the difference. Especially in a Sect, as Bertram sees it, so known for its fanaticism and the zealots that defend it. Vee's fanged words are what comes to keep him from it.
Flood, having already made his offering, leaves the androgynous fiend's threat as the only spoken indicator that the Brujah is not welcome. His form says otherwise though, rising up to his full and straightened height, the corner of his lip curling in a similar vitae-caked snarl that shows his contempt for the idea of commingling vitae with the Brujah.
Truth be told.
Well, let's talk about the truth.
It has many faces. One is Ioana's. One is Flood's. One is Vee's. One is William's, now honored with the allowance of an opinion when it comes to this, no matter how informed or uninformed it is. And yes, one is even Bertram's and if so many others can be blind to its true face? Well, one can guess how close his certainties on the way things are might be. They don't seem to waver, though, and if this is an act they seem to play their part very well.
As for Ioana's truth?
It is a display of the fiend's respect for the freedom of her fellow Sabbat even the Brujah might appreciate. Just as he does not have to find the pleasure (twisted or not is a matter of perspective) his peers do, they do not need to tolerate the intrusion they have so clearly characterized as such. She says nothing and leaves it to the Cainites of the budding pack to bar him from the rite that will solidify it.
Or at least it is a display the Brujah might have appreciated if he hadn't just been threatened for a second time by Vee in an affront joined by the Lasombra. It provokes the Beast within him and it is a matter of instinct how he will guide the roused and insulted predator within that screams for blood and satisfaction.
[ As Bertram is on Instinct instead of Self-Control and his rating in the stat is lower than the difficulty to resist frenzy he is going to go into a frenzy. He may spend a WP per round to control himself, but for at least one turn he's going to be frenzied. Rolls to guide or ride the frenzy through Instinct during this and subsequent turns are at a difficulty of 6. If this goes to initiative rolls we're going to have to handle that in a room. ]