Exit Brittney Stage Left

Madeline rises from her seat and smiles gently "Bon Soir Brittney, please do come in"

Brittney doesn't take long to arrive as she wasn't far away. "Good evening."

Madeline invites you to sit "How are you doing Mademoiselle? We haven’t spoken just the two of us in, I really don't remember when"

Brittney moves to take a seat and sits back, "I can't say I am doing particularly well, seeing as the Imperator is dead set on continuing his crusade of aggression against clan Tremere."

Madeline sits also "I hope you know I had nothing to do with this nor was I even aware of his plans until he announced it in open court" she sighs "Very unexpected"

Brittney shrugs slightly at that, "I do not hold it against you, after all he has always had issues with our clan and this is far from the first time he has attacked us politically based off random whim."

Madeline nods "My duty now, is to care for Carlsbad and I wished to know if you desire to retain your position as Keeper, and work with me. If it is too difficult, I will understand."

Brittney considers that, "Well I do have a question for you before we get to that. What is your priority here? Do you plan to put the people of Carlsbad first, or is your first priority doing whatever Vegard orders you to do, regardless of how much it may hurt the people here?"

Madeline’s brow arches "did he issue orders to that end prior to the change?"

Brittney shrugs slightly, "He has long made it clear that he considers people of Carlsbad second class citizens. I suppose that makes Tremere third class citizens? Anyway, he has many times made questionable orders, and even this change seems to be an attempt to sabotage Carlsbad. He has also made many promises to the people of Carlsbad which he has broken time and time again."

Madeline brushes a hand along her crimson skirt "I am not concerned about the Imperator issuing orders to undermine my care of this Praxis, Madame Keeper. I do not blame you for your bitterness about what has transpired in the past. WHat concerns me, is can you step forward with a clear eye and support me in my vision for this city?" she asks, watching you quietly

Brittney shakes her head, "You act as if I am upset about the ancient past, rather than stuff that only happened last week. Well the most recent anyway, stuff like this has been happening since we first came to Carlsbad. I do insist on a straight answer however. If he orders you to do something you feel goes against the people of Carlsbad, what do you plan on doing?"

Madeline tips her head "What sort of order do you think he might make that would harm the people here? I suppose I don’t understand the question as you are offering it"

Brittney sits back slightly, "Going back to when we were both primogen, Vegard would have his sheriff submit false reports to the primogen council. A good example would be when he fabricated evidence against independent clans to try and declare war on them or banish them from the city. Another case is when he fabricated eivdence against me in order to try to get me removed as primogen and to harass me for over a year with a fake investigation into me. Even this case against Caerus, he has admitted to me that he lied openly in court to make Caerus look bad. He has reneged on boons in the past, and he has broken many promises. If we are talking about Carlsbad specifically, he has made many attempts to sabotage Cedric, such as not allowing Cedric to give out domain within Carlsbad, not allowing him to appoint the people he wishes to positions within his own domain, and in fact there was at one point where Vegard practically threaten to declare war and attack Carlsbad because he thought we were disloyal. Of course we weren't, he was just using that as a threat to hassle people and advance his political agenda. He has shown time and time again that his political ambitions trump the well being of any vampire within the city."

Madeline listens carefully, clearly open to hearing you then she nods "In each of those examples Brittney, it involved Tremere. The Tremere Duke, Primogen, clan members. I have no idea how to bring peace between your clan and His Grace. I do know that is not something I should put my nose into at least not immediately. As the issues you mention from the past were more than likely, centered upon Monsieur Wade, and he is no longer in this seat, it is illogical to presume they will continue"

Brittney shakes her head, "Well his attacks against the independent clans had nothing to do with the Tremere. Also I could point out his unfair treatment of Arianna as well who is a citizen of Carlsbad and it's sheriff. She is a Toreador, so I am sure you are aware of how violently Vegard attacked her because she tried to do her duty as harpy, which he appointed her to do by the way. Any way, I am not trying to turn you against Vegard he is still the imperator. I simply wish to know if you are going to think for yourself and do what you believe is right, or if you plan on following orders no matter what they are."

Madeline nods "Again, that happened some time ago, and as far as I know Arianna has done well here with her club and as Sheriff. The harpy issue is behind us and she has moved forward, quite well I believe. I will be speaking to her also as soon as she is available" the Duchess says and brushes a lock of golden hair behind one ear. "My relationship with the Imperator is lengthy and complex. I am honored to have earned his trust over the years and, should he issue an order I had concerns about, he and I would discuss the matter privately as we do /every/ sensitive topic that I may question. You do not see me question him in open court, nor does any member of this Praxis, even should I disagree with him, and that does happen from time to time" she says, considering you quietly before continuing "So, as to your question if I am an automaton automatically following orders given, or if I have the ability to think for myself, my answer would be - I am Duchess here. This Praxis is mine to hold and care for. If I feel it is threatened, I will act. If I feel the Imperator has given an order that would jeopardize it, we will discuss the matter until both he and I are satisfied. Will that do Mademoiselle?"

Brittney tilts her head slightly, "Well you do realize that Vegard views Dukes as little more than glorified seneschals correct? You say the praxis is yours but I doubt the imperator would agree with that statement. I am certain he would say no, it isn't your domain but his. In fact, that is another one of my concerns. Vegard constantly made decisions about Carlsbad without talking to Cedric. Vegard wouldn't even inform Cedric of the changes he was making, until after he had made them and announced them in court. In fact, did you not say you weren't aware he was going to give you the position? Why did he remove Cedric and put you into the position, without discussing it with either of you?"

Madeline laughs softly "I know precisely what a Duke or Duchess is, and the definition of that position. Everything within the Tri-Praxis belongs to the Imperator and a Duke serves at his will, caring for the Praxis they have been given. Please do not seek to make it seem that I feel the title is anything else Brittney. Once again Mademoiselle, you give me examples of what occurred when Cedric was here. Have any of those things taken place in Idlyllwild? Do you have any examples to share of similar actions being taken for or against Duchess Katharina. Do you perhaps see that the issues you are quoting here, have more to do with Cedric than with Carlsbad?"

Brittney shrugs slightly, "Idlyllwild was forced to remove several of their court positions as well. Both Cedric and Katharina were promised they could keep the different positions within their courts but were not. They were also both originally promised to be princes which they both were in their own right at the time and not Dukes, but that was later changed to restrict their powers. I do not live in Idyllwild so I couldn't go into the details of things happening there, but I do know that much."

Madeline nods "But you do live in Carlsbad" she says then sighs softly "Brittney, you and I will discuss all of this more than once I'm sure, and I am open to that. But my question to you is, can you step forward in your position with a clear eye, a fresh start? From your bitterness and anger, however valid it may be, I do not think so. WHat is your opinion"

Brittney leans forward slightly, "Well I mention this, because we both need to know what my position was and what it is exactly that you are asking of me now. I put in my blood and sweat to help build Carlsbad to what it is now. Originally I was senschal and with that it was promised by Vegard that should anything happen to Cedric I would take over. Vegard broke his promise and stripped that position away, though in exchange he made me keeper as an apology of sorts. That way I would retain the status of senschal and would have some kind of title, even if it was for a lesser position. It is a lesser position however, though you could say I still acted as senschal within Carlsbad and did far more than my duty required." She sits back once more, "Though I would assume what you have in mind of what my duties should be, are likely another downgrade from my original position."

Madeline brushes a hand along her crimson skirt, "Do you know I was Keeper of Elysium in Prospect for over 5 years. I understand the position /exceedingly/ well and hold it in the highest regard. A Keeper is not a Seneschal, they are Keeper. The Keeper assures the laws and customs of Elysium are observed, they are a caretaker of any sites declared Elysium in their area. The keeper may schedule or cancel events, may step in should the law be defied and are responsible for the overall peace in Elysium. The position involves great prestige." she says "In my time as Keeper I had to step between hissing opponents and at times, enforce the law or cause it to be enforced. I had to remind angry kindred that words are permitted but actions are not, and also that while they may say anything they wish in Elysium, it is not without consequence. WHat was true under Cedric is now null and void. There will be a Duchess, a Keeper a sheriff and deputies. Should that change I will announce it. Now.. /this/ is the position you are being offered. If you see it as a downgrade or disappointment, I ask that you say so, and allow me to begin to interview replacements."

Brittney nods her head slightly, "As you likely suspected, I was leaning towards resigning from the start. You admit there is problems between the Tremere and the Imperator, though you say you don't want to get involved. So when he randomly tells you to fire me at some point, you certainly will and any work I had put into til that point will just be wasted efforted." She shrugs slightly, "Anyway I am more than capable of doing the job, though seeing how poorly high status Tremere are treated in the city, I can't say the status and prestige is worth all that much to us. So if you wish me to be keeper, I must ask for compensation in another form."

Madelines brow arches for a moment before the Elder's face composes itself once more "No" she says gently "The office and prestige of Keeper is reward in and of itself. I will announce soon that you left with my thanks and the respect of the Duchy, for holding Elysium in safety and honor during your time here, and I shall tell the harpies as much. I will not contribute to any ill words spoken of your clan, any member of your clan. At this moment, only Tremere can effect the Imperator's view of and actions towards Tremere. Given time and some hard work, I do think that can change. I hope as much. The Imperium should know peace within, to best hold off aggression from without. I am sorry this change has affected you and your clan thus, it was certainly nothing I could have anticipated. I welcome you to attend court within Carlsbad however you might wish, as any honorable member of this Praxis is allowed. I will however, be listening and watching. I am treating you with honor and respect and I expect nothing less in return. Walk safely in the night mademoiselle"

Brittney nods then slowly stands up, "I can't say I expected anything different. Know that of all the primogen in the city, I always held you in the most respect. I do not consider any of this your fault. I wish you luck with finding a new keeper." She pauses briefly to add. "Though there is one thing. Since Vegard removed the domain of the Tremere due to Caerus being removed as primogen and at the same time removed Cedric as Duke and all his domain, it means that Tremere has no domain within Prospect or Carlsbad. I would ask you assign some land to our clan, at least as far as feeding rights go. Or would you see the Tremere starve in the streets?"

Madeline rises with you and nods "you have my respect also Brittney, thank you for mentioning that. I will take a look at things and make certain Tremere is cared for as best I am able. I have no personal grudge against your clan, naught has been done to me." she steps to the door "I'm sure your clan will be electing a new Primogen soon, a busy time for all of us. Please do take care"

Brittney nods and heads out, "Have a good evening.