The Conclave

Brian walked down the stairs of Debbie’s home and saw that everyone was there.  Debbie, Vic, Michael, Ted, Emmett, Lindsey, Melanie, Gus and Justin.  Could his life get any more complicated?  Immediately, Justin stood up and offered a seat since there weren’t any left.  Brian took the seat and smiled when Justin sat on his lap.

“We thought we’d bring Gus by,” Lindsey said fighting back the tears.  “Just in case.”

Brian leaned over and kissed his sleeping son.  He sighed and leaned his head on his young lover.  “I thought Isis would be here.”

“She stopped by right before she went to the Conclave,” Justin said.  “They’ve already started, but don’t worry, I’m all tapped in.”

“So, what’d I miss?”

“Well, they did the official gathering of the Kindred, then they announced who the Justicar was.”

“Justicar, that’s the judge right?”  Brian closed his eyes and sighed. 

“Yeah.”

“Can I announce the bad news to him?”  Melanie asked raising her hand like she was in school.  When everyone gave her a dirty look, she shrugged her shoulders and sat back in her seat.  “It can’t be any worse coming from me.”

“Brian,” Justin said moving so that his back was to Melanie.  “The Justicar is Ventrue.”

“Fuck!”

“It’s not that bad,” Justin replied not actually believing himself.  “The Justicar is like the judge, but the decision is made by the Clan Elect.  They’re kinda like a jury.  But, there is some good news…”

“If you die at least you’ll be fashionably attired,” Emmett mentioned pointing to Brian’s Armani suit.  “And I love the shoes…where did you get those?”

“Emmett!”

“’Good news’, Princess…”

“Well, when the Justicar starts the proceedings, he goes through a list which reads the state of the city since the last Conclave met, which was like 10 years ago or something.  It’s called the Opening of the Conclave.  It was unreal.  The list was so long and it had all the major issues, like breaks in Tradition, the balance of the Clans being off and, of course, us.  It was so long, it took like an hour or something…”