Called to a meeting (Raz0r) - Alterations While U Wait

Porter paced a little in the workroom of the shop, waiting.  Wondering what she wanted.

Weal or woe?

No way to know until Raz0r arrived.

She knocked on the door in the back.

The sound of several deadbolts and chains being undone - wheezing, rusty.

The door opened - first a crack, framing Porter's grin, then opened wide.

"Please, come in and make yourself at home." Porter gestures inside.

She slipped inside as soon as there was room. Then she looked around with a snort.

"Like what you've done with the place."

"How droll." he said, shutting the door. "It is, quite obviously, a work in progress. The important parts are settled."

"But let me not keep you from your appointed rounds, dear Primogen." Porter hooked a foot around a barstool and dragged it across the room toward Raz0r.

"You're here for a reason." he smirked.

She took the stool and perched on it.

"Yeah. About that. I've been asked some serious questions, and prefer the answers to come from your own mouth. Questions about your relationship with one Toreador by the name of Jennica."

"Known her for years. Worked both for her and with her in the past. Probably still bound to her to some degree, although it's been a long time since I tasted her."

Porter sits on a table.

"Is there an issue? I presume this regards Miss Vella."

She nods.

"It does. She's pretty freaked about you being here. Guess you've dragged her back to Jennica a few times?"

"Quite so. On more than one occasion, I have been tasked to bring her to her sire's presence, yes. And I've no shame in adding that on several of those occasions, Miss Vella resisted the requests of her elder and was, as a result, brought by force. She is young, and fiercely independent of spirit, as you perhaps know from any dealings you've had with her."

Porter stood back up. "However, two additional facts are worth bearing in mind regarding this situation. First, I am not here to remove Miss Vella or harm her in any way - as I told her myself, though I understand why she might not believe my words. You understand, of course, that Jennica's circle of contacts and influence includes kindred far more brutal than myself -- if she, in her heart, wanted Miss Vella destroyed, I cannot help but posit that the event would have occurred years ago. As a footnote, I myself find the two of them to be much alike in certain ways, although I dare not suggest such a thing to either of them for fear of upsetting their humors."

"And secondly, as a student of my surroundings by virtue of our family lineage, I am keenly aware of the oscillation of kindred emotion; ergo, I am forced to presume that at some point in the future my friend and erstwhile business partner Jennica may actually come to her senses and wish to reconcile with Miss Vella. So long as that possibility exists - however remote - my friendship with Jennica actually protects Miss Vella. I will not harm her, Raz0r - nor would I allow others to do so, were it in my power to legally prevent it."

Porter looks into the distance for a moment, thinking, then returns his gaze to his Primogen. "A codicil, if I may advance our progress by it: I am a loyal citizen. If my Prince were to order me to disregard any potential request from Jennica regarding, shall we say, proposed relocation of Miss Vella, I shall be bound to honor that order. Perhaps such formalities would make us all more comfortable with one another; I would manifest no objection to such an arrangement, although objection to a Prince's will is of course not my right."

She smiled.

"Splendid! Thank you for that. Now, onto other business. What would you say to being Primogen?"

"The response is dependent upon the circumstance, of course. I do not mean to be evasive or rude, you understand. Perhaps you could offer some context, for a poor newcomer?" A half-smile.

She laughed.

"It's simple, really. I'm too damned busy to do a good job of it. And you seem like you'd be great at it."

"I am flattered, Raz0r. May I inquire, is this the sort of domain where each clan puts forward its own representative, or is this the kind of place where His Grace selects his advisors?"

She laughed.

"Bit of both. But mostly each clan picks their's. However with our clan's track record, I did run you past him. I don't know if you heard about what the King in Yellow did?"

"My knowledge of the gentleman is limited to advice not to tread on his land, I'm afraid."

She smirked.

"He insulted the Court in a meeting, then disapperated out of there. This was an important meeting about the Circus and Demons. I was watching at the time. The Prince cannot have someone like that on his council. And that's how I became Primogen."

"Agreed, that sort of behavior is unacceptable. Cheek without demonstrable results is wasteful. His Grace deserves better."

Porter strokes his chin and paces a bit.

"If His Grace wishes it, I would be honored to serve the domain in this fashion."

She grinned.

"Excellent! I knew I was right to keep you."

A wry smile. "I confess I don't feel 'kept' just yet."

She grinned.

"And what would make you feel kept?"

"It's deucedly difficult to say. After all, the phrase has so many potential meanings. I've no idea if I am to be a pet, an ally, or a lover."

Porter smiles. "Managing expectations is key in building relationships."

She chuckled.

"Which would you prefer?"

"Raz0r, dear, I'm disappointed in you." he mock-chided, slowly moving closer.

"After all, we are immortal, cursed beings. We exist behind the shadows and beyond the ken of mortal society and morality, even beyond simplistic categories of language. In other words, my sister - " he leaned forward, bending slightly so his eyes are level with hers.

" - why should we have to choose just one?"

She grinned and wrapped her arms around his shoulders.

"Not afraid I'd break you?"

"Counting on it, actually."