Scotsman and Irishman: The Right Way -- Jamie/Alex Rourke

He sat rather comfortably in the chair as he held the book open in his lap.

Peace. And quiet. Finally.

Alex had arrived at the location, just as the prince had requested, at the time. He looked over the home, taking note of the architecture, the state of the grounds, and the condition of the property as he approached and made himself known with a knock.

The young woman who answered the door was affixed with a polite smile.

"Oh, Mister Rourke. Come right in, he's waiting for you in the study."

She turned to lead him through what was a modest home, though it didn't look very lived-in. It somehow still managed to seem open and friendly.

Alex followed the woman to the study, noting the simplicity and humble construction of the home, and as he moved closer to the study, images, sounds and scents combined in his mind to form memories. After a moment, he shook his head, freeing himself from the past as they came upon the study.

The Scot looked up as they entered the room. It was comfortably furnished, but for once, he didn't rise.

"Och, Alex. Thank ye for comin'."

Alex approached the Prince and was more than content to let him stay seated as Alex offered his hand, "No trouble at all, Jamie. What can I do for you?"

He looked at the hand for a moment, then took it with a firm grip. It wasn't a show of strength really, just a firm handshake.

"Have a seat."

He smiled and closed the book in his lap.

"I've got a bit of business I wish t' discuss wi' ye, but it needs t' be kept quiet."

Alex returned the handshake and took a seat across from Jamie, as he spoke, Jamie's accent once again began to coax the Irishman's from within the sea that was the American amalgamation, "Alright, I'm all ears. What can I do for ya?"

He looked around and waved a hand.

"As ye can likely guess, my Domain is growin'. How th' bloody hell tha' keeps happening, I'll never guess. But, it keeps growing."

He shook his head.

"An' as it grows, it comes t' my attention tha' there are certain positions I'll need t' fill, since this is becomin' a right proper Camarilla city. Th' problem is, ye see, there's verra few people here I can trust. Nay tha' I worry about my position - nobody seems disposed t' argue tha' one - but in other matters."

Alex nodded, "Alright, what can I do to help out you and your city?"

He leaned back in his chair.

"Well, I'll admit, I dinna ken which I need t' fill more. Keeper of Elysium or Spymaster, at this point. Both ha' their merits, but hardly anyone comes t' Elysium other than t' see me anyway, an' I practically live there. Th' last Spymaster I had was less than useless, an' in truth, was put in th' position more for me t' keep an eye on him so he'd stop using his powers of th' blood on my people."

He tilted his head.

"Would ye be interested in either of those?"

Alex was quiet for a long moment, his mind clearly working out the question, "The issue I see with a Keeper is that it's an impotent position as best most folks can tell. A Keepers hands are bound as far as doling out consequences, by the very laws he's to uphold. A Keeper can remove status, but he can't strike or otherwise punish those who break the law of Elysium and let's face it, some people, myself included, don't really give a damn about status."

He paused for a moment before continuing.

"As for the position of spymaster, I'm curious as to what all of that might entail. I know what it's entailed in other cities and for other Princes. Some spymasters exist only to monitor the society and report directly to a prince while others are the very hand of justice, a kind of secret internal affairs officer that moves amongst a city's population, staking or, in some cases, destroying vampires who are deemed too dangerous to the domain. My question for you is, how do you interpret the position of Spymaster?"

He smiled.

"Aye, th' Keeper is an impotent position, an' I've nay needed one thus far. Which is why I mention it mostly in passing. However, th' Spymaster would be a bit more important, to me. I've a Sheriff, I hope t' have a Scourge again soon, an' th' Primogen, o' course. But th' job description would be t' see an' report t' me, an' should I need something done, get it done. Destruction or punishment, as I would see fit. Though it's rare for me t' order one destroyed. It's a waste when ye do tha."

Alex nodded, "The issue with that sort of spymaster and myself Jamie is that I know myself all too well. Irish blood runs through my veins and I know that I won't always be able to stay my hand. It's what got me into this mess in the first place, nigh three centuries ago. Capable as I may be, I don't think I'd be the best choice for the job."

He grinned.

"Aye, I ken an Irish temper. I'm a Scot, lad. It's also no about bein' th' best for th' job, but bein' capable."

He grinned again.

"Surely ye are no goin' t' tell me ye are incapable?"

"Aye, I'm capable, I just worry about what happens when I make the mistake o' actin' before I come and speak to ya because I know it's gonna happen eventually."

He grinned again.

"Aye. Tha' be why God created cellular phones, lad."

Alex grinned, "Fair enough. Just know that there may be time when I can'no call ya, for what ever reason and I may be forace to make a snap call then and there."

He continued to just smile.

"Aye. Ye get five free 'whoops' moments per year, then. Aye?"

Alex smiled, "Fair enough. I'll tell ya now though that if someone's swinging at me, I'm gonna put 'em down and depending on how they're swinging at me, I may have to do it in a permanent fashion."

His answer was simple.

"Oops."

Alex just laughed. "Alright, I'll take the job. Is there anyone is specific yer worried about or that ya feel bears lookin' into?"

He just gave Alex a blank look.

"D' ye think there's anyone who should be excepted from this, lad?"

Alex laughed softly, it was a good natured laugh, "No, I was wondering if there was anyone that you were more worried about than any others."

He shook his head.

"Not really. It's more tha' I dinna have th' time t' keep an eye on anyone personally. Wha', wi' three ghouls, a wife, a protective Granny an' bein' Prince, I'm a wee bit swamped."