Both Therese and Cameron looked at her sideways for what seemed like an eternity before either of them spoke; it might have been they believed she spoke out of turn, or it may have been that she didn't say something about this earlier. Knowing the way the Camarilla ran things, Fenris guessed it may have been a little bit of both issues. Even as the report was coming out of her mouth, she was starting to regret it, but she found she couldn't let Damsel get in shit for something she could do nothing about. Fenris would just have to take the heat that she was going to get instead.
"When exactly did this apprehension occur?" Therese demanded.
"The night Tyler's Club got attacked."
"Do you mean to tell us that we have been without a Sheriff since then and you only bother to tell us now?" Cameron challenged. Therese quickly raised a hand to silence the Seneschal; it was clear the Prince wanted to address this.
"You better have a good explanation, Gangrel." The Prince warned.
Fenris had to think quickly. "I thought I had advised you on the situation, highness." She said. "If you say that I have not, then the error is mine. I can only suppose that between my efforts monitor the Brujah, and help the Nosferatu obtain that Ravnos for questioning, and keeping track of Jeanette's activities per your orders I may have been unable to contact you and inform you. Again, if this isn't the case, the error is mine, but I was sure that you instructed me to remind you to be sure to ask the Brujah Primogen for an update on the status of Damsel's extraction."
The Prince regarded her with intense scrutiny, but said nothing in response. Fenris couldn't be sure if that was a good thing or a bad thing. Part of her claim was true; Therese did order her to be an extra memory bank for her, and she really wasn't sure if she advised her about Damsel or not. The part that wasn't exactly true was that she was almost certain she had not. That wasn't such a good thing.
Cameron regarded her a moment longer after the Prince turned away, and then spoke quietly to Therese.
"Highness, my concern now is whether or not Damsel may be compromised even if the Brujah extraction plan is successful." He said. "Suppose these hunters are counting on her being rescued so they have a mole within our courts? I realize that sounds unlikely from humans, but this group are highly funded and have already proven to be very resourceful. Perhaps we should consider looking for a replacement? Better to err on the side of caution, don't you think?"
"Thank you, Seneschal, for voicing your concern." Therese said. "The point you bring up is a valid one, and shall be taken under advisement. Off the record, if it came to that, do you have any recommendations?"
"I realize this may be an unorthodox option to consider, Highness," Cameron replied, "but I understand the newest addition to Clan Nosferatu has a background in law enforcement and investigation. While it's true that he is new to your city and still very young, from what I have been able to discern he is by no means out of his element or lacking in experience in such an occupation. Perhaps he should be put on a short list of possible candidates?"
Behind them and not in their immediate line of sight, Fenris grimaced. She just hoped neither of them asked for her insight. Damsel was her friend- maybe her best friend, as hard as that would have been to fathom less than a year ago- but Walker was good; really, really good. He was so good it was kind of scary, actually. If they asked her, that would put her in a mad bad place; should she lie and hopefully protect her friend, or tell the truth and possibly screw her over? She could play the young card up to evade the question, but how long would that last? I hate this politics crap.
"Actually, that's not a bad idea." Therese agreed. "I had made a suggestion to him that he consult the Sheriff about being deputized; it might be wise to watch Damsel should she be successfully extracted to determine if a replacement is in order."
"If his performance just in his first few nights in your city is any indication, then Mr. Walker of Clan Nosferatu is certainly worth consideration." Cameron insisted gently. "In fact, he was an important part of the capture and interrogation of that Ravnos on Long Beach that I told you about." He turned to Fenris. "Do I recall that correctly, Fenris?"
Damn it, there's no way to evade that question!
"Yes, Seneschal, you do." She admitted.
"Very well," Therese said. "I'll keep your recommendation under advisement, Seneschal." The Prince nodded towards the Gathering before them. "Shall we begin, then?"
"We absolutely should, Highness." Cameron bowed. Fenris couldn't help but see him as a pandering ass- kisser in that moment just before he turned his attention back to her. "Would you care to do the honors, Scourge? I realize it is not precisely within your typical duties to do so, but I imagine both her Highness and I can agree you have earned the privilege."
The Prince nodded her consent.
He's pandering to everybody tonight! Because that doesn't make it look like he's setting to make some kind of move... She thought. I think I like him better as a corporate predator, actually...
Putting on a thin smile to show gratitude and hating herself for getting drawn into the politics game even a little bit, she stepped forward to face the crowd. She took a quick moment to scan the scene before speaking.
Curiously, the Brujah were in formal dress wear that had a distinctly Navy look and were all standing at attention already; all except Tyler, who was speaking quietly with Xavier. As what always seemed to be the case, the Tabetha and the Tremere kept to themselves, looking as shady as ever. It struck Fenris as odd that the Nosferatu had actually pretty much clustered together- they usually try to spread out in order to listen to and watch the other Clans and dig up what they can. Tonight they seemed to be gathered around Bertram. The only ones set apart were Ajax and Walker; they were watching the stage very closely. Her Clan were all towards the back of the large room, clearly only barely interested enough to be here. The Toreador, with the exception of Xavier, seemed intent on assisting VV play Keeper of Elysium. The only Clan managing to outdo the Brujah for immediate attentiveness was the Ventrue Clan; the big difference was they seemed to be sincere about their care. The Malkavians ran the spectrum of behaviors, though most seemed to be on the best behavior they could manage.
"Kindred of the City Angels!" she called out. "On behalf of her Highness Therese Vooreman, Prince of Los Angeles, I call this Gathering to order!"
She stepped back to her position just this side of the wings of the stage as the Prince stepped forward to take center stage. The crowd fell silent.
