Rene Zitas: The black man is tall and muscular, suggesting he's the active sort. His skin is nearly ebony. Tattoos, black on black creep out from under his collar and across his bald head like wayward shadows. Traces of old scars mark the back of large hands and dot a severe face. Midnight eyes that might very well skewer your soul are hard to meet for very long. His voice is deep and heavily accented. French maybe? Nondescript in garb, he's clean and wears clothes that are both concealing and comfortable.

Michelle Morgan: The rock chick steps into Central Park through the Atrist's Gate, heading to the paths as she looks around. She's dressed more formally then usual, in a woman's business suit and skirt, with her blonde hair pulled back in a ponytail. She looks almost like an executive, if only she could keep that free=spirited look out of her face.

Rene Zitas: He's standing under a tree, studying the night sky.

Michelle Morgan: A quick look around, and she finds him. Quick yet unhurried steps take her up to him, and she smiles warmly as she approaches. "Hey."

Rene Zitas: His dark, obsidian eyes slice across her. No smile finds his lips. "Wot can I do for you, Ms. Morgan?"

Michelle Morgan: A bit of a sigh, and she stops about six feet away, not invading his personal space. "I wanted to talk to you about what happened on Sunday. I felt you deserved some clarification as to my request that you leave the discussion."

Rene Zitas: "Do you?" Arching a thick brow.

Michelle Morgan: "Yes, I do." She watches him calmly. "I wouldn't have come down here if I didn't want to explain things to you, and let you understand where I was coming from. I would have explained more clearly at the time, but emotions were already running high, and I didn't want to complicate things further."

Rene Zitas: Gestures with one hand. "By all means."

Michelle Morgan: A sigh. "Would you agree with me that Sunday was an emotional day for all of us in that room? That Terry, Mariam, Tessa, Sam, Evan, and Roxy had been through a seriously intense situation, and were more then a little upset over it?"

Rene Zitas: "I om here to hear your assessment, right now I listen. I do not answer questions. You speak your mind, woman."

Michelle Morgan: "I wasn't trying to demand answers, Rene. I was simply trying to illustrate the conditions that were present, so that I could explain the situation, and why I did what I did." A pursing of the lips. "Yes, it is my assessment that they had all been through an intense situation, involving the death of one who was a friend to some of them...and to me. Not to mention that they had faced a man who had threatened them all in very blatant and bulgar ways. And all of them, as well as myself, were quite upset over the situation that had just occurred. Emotions were running high."

Rene Zitas: "What you seek is consent and validation, which I do not grant. Continue."

Michelle Morgan: She frowns, but continues. He can be an asshole all he wants, she'll remain polite and calm. "We were trying to decide on a course of action that everyone could agree on, in a situation that was fresh in everyone's mind. I agree with you, that we should consider the possibility that we will have to deal with Benny. But the others, who are all very new to this, were having difficulty with this. That exact moment was not the time to debate the morality of the issue. They needed to be united in a plan first, find some common ground with with to agree on, that would put them at ease. After that, we could discuss the possibility of having to deal with the unfortunate possibility that Benny may be corrupted by Robert."

Rene Zitas: "I wish you luck in dis effort, Ms. Morgan."

Michelle Morgan: "Thank you. We've already had some." She nods. "Now, from a personal standpoint. You upset me, very greatly, when you refused to let the issue drop after I had asked you to. I am going to ask a question now, although you don't have to answer...I'd just like to put it out there. If someone was invited into your home, and did not cede to a request you made, after you asked them to comply three separate times AFTER laying the ground rules beforehand, how would you react?"

Michelle Morgan: ((Already had some SUCCESS.))

Rene Zitas: "Let me explain zometing to you. Dis could not occur in my home for many reasons which I believe lie beyond your experience. It iz not my place to tutor you. You are not my student. But you osk dis question, so I answer et, oui?"

Michelle Morgan: A deferring nod, and she stays quiet, letting him answer.

Rene Zitas: "I do not open my doors to discuss mage business ond allow personal feelings to be involved. In a meeting of de mystics, I do not introduce censorship. Dis ez bad leadership. In de situation following eh, powerful events with as you say, high emotions. Dis is not de time for planning session unless dose involved are experienced hunterz. You do not hov dis. You should not hov opened de floor for planning under dis situation. Ond finally, I would not insult a guest because day disagree wit how I run a meeting. Again, dis goes back to mixing personal with business. You do not hov dis skill."

Rene Zitas: "If you cannot master your own emotions, you cannot teach deez children to master ders."

Michelle Morgan: She listens to him quietly, remaining calm and respectful throughout. When he's done, she nods. "Your opinions are noted, Rene. I would agree with some of what you said. However, there are some parts that I don't agree with. Let me explain what I mean."

Rene Zitas: Gestures her to continue.

Michelle Morgan: "First, I do agree with you that when discussing business, we should be as objective as we possibly can. I also agree that censorship should not be allowed in a meeting of our kind. However, I would suggest, respectfully, that you don't understand the people you are dealing with here in New York City. You come from a culture which, while I respect your ways greatly, has a very different psychology then the people here in America. Therefore, I believe that I, having dealt with people for many years in a capacity such as this, have a better grasp on the minds of those involved in that meeting. They needed something to focus on, to take their minds off the pain. And by bringing up the idea of having to kill one of their own, you were bringing them back to thoughts of their dead comrade."

Rene Zitas: "Dis goes back to de bad decision to make planning meeting when you know dos present cannot deal wit de emotions of dare loss. You make my point for me, Ms. Morgan. Dis maybe waz an opportunity for you to teach dem to deal wit dis feelings. You mis dis too, by curtailing talk. You do not make a group den say we plan, but we do it only my way. We do not talk about dis on dat. Maybe wit children. But I om no child."

Michelle Morgan: "I didn't say that we do it only my way, Rene. And you're not hearing me. Giving them a plan was the best way to help them deal with their feelings. We had no problem up to a certain point. The problem came when you agreed to respect the opinions of all who entered my home, and when I validated your opinion, but asked you to set it aside for a moment, you did not. Further, you dismissed any opinion but your own as to whether to kill or not invalid, thus violating what you had agreed to, to respect the opinions of all inside." She's remaining remarkably calm as she says all this. "Also, part of that agreement was not to insult. You began to take a insulting tone with me, when you pointed your finger at me and started calling me woman. Therefore, in order to prevent the entire situation from turning into an argument rather then something constructive, I asked you to leave, since you would not stop pushing an opinion that as I said, I noted as valid, but asked you to table for the time being."

Michelle Morgan: "It was not personal, although to be quite frank, the fact that you dismissed the death of a friend to me, then turned it into a way to further push your viewpoint, did make me quite upset. I was trying to maintain order, and you were not being conducive to that order."

Rene Zitas: "Dat is twice you hov said dis. Let us not play wit words here. You did not request I leave de discussion. Your words were 'get out'. You ordered me to leave. I did not disregard dos opinions dat not agreeing wit mine. You are masked by emotion. You did not see I was trying to show you someting. Dat you cannot make a plan under dos conditions. My error was to tink you could see dis. You hold a title for dis place, but your wisdom is small for dis title, Ms. Morgan."

Rene Zitas: "As for de death of your friend, you mourn when it iz time to mourn. You cannot plan and mourn togedder."

Michelle Morgan: "Yes, Rene. I told you to get out. Because you would not honor that which you had agreed to. You cannot say that you didn't disregard Tessa and Terry's opinions when you specifically told them that they were wrong. And respectfully, Rene, you don't know New York as well as I do, so I don't think that you're qualified to understand what it takes to be a Deacon here. You come from a different culture, where things run differently then here, and you seem to be expecting everyone else to conform to your culture's beliefs on how things are to be done. That's very narrow-minded of you, and narrow-mindededness is not conducive to wisdom, either."

Michelle Morgan: "Not that I'm saying that your culture's value system is incorrect, bacause it's not. It's merely different, and is not a system that many here have. You can't apply Haitian beliefs to Americans who have no exposure to it."

Rene Zitas: "Agreement is not required. It iz...eh, American, I tink, to want everyone to agree. I do not require conformation. Nor do I make any claims to great wisdom. I see wot I see. I tink dis situation was poorly managed. It iz never wize to insult a priest, in any culture, Ms. Morgan. No matter. It iz done. You take your children to war against de marauder. I will wish you luck."

Michelle Morgan: "I was no more insulting to you, Rene, then you have been to me." She quirks an eyebrow, watching him. "Respect is earned in my eyes. You had it, for a while. When you start insulting that which you don't understand, you quickly lose it."

Rene Zitas: "I hov made no insults to you Ms. Morgan. Dis is where you hov de problem wit your emotions. I do not agree wit you. Dis is a fact, not an insult. De burden of leadership iz on de leader, oui?"

Michelle Morgan: "Saying that someone's wisdom is small for the title they have is an insult. Referring to me by my gender rather then my name, that is also an insult. Disrespecting the rules you have agreed to while you are within my home, that is an insult." She gazes at him calmly.

Michelle Morgan: "As much of an insult as the simple statement that you are being narrow-minded, that is."

Rene Zitas: Looks her in the eyes. "I tink dis is true. Look at you. Too young for de wisdom dat goes wit your title. In Haiti, one in your place would be greater dan twice my years. You wish to wear dis as an insult you make it such. I speak my opinion. You do not like it. Yet you osk for it. I refer to you oz woman. You are a woman. Dis is no insult. Unless of course, you have resentment for being female? I hov seen your lover is a woman, maybe you prefer to be male, I don't know. I call you dis in frustration, because you are not seeing what I would show you. Because what you do not agree wit, is an insult. Oz for your rulez," waves a hand dismissively. "De same."

Michelle Morgan: "And again, you are showing yourself to be narrow-minded, and viewing things through your culture only." She sighs a little. "In America, we recognize that age is not automatically indicitave of wisdom. We have entirely different educational systems, and have been through entirely different life experiences. Neither is wrong, they are merely different. The experiences I have had have granted me a wisdom that would be denied in your culture because of these differences. As for calling me a woman, you use it in frustration, as you said. Whenever you change titles because you are frustrated, there has to be a reason. And I think you know enough to know that calling me 'woman' rather then my name is not going to make me understand better. Thus, you are doing it because you can't be polite. That's insulting. And finally, you specifically agreed to follow those rules. Then, you changed your mind. That shows a lack of respect for me, thinking that I would allow you to break your word. That also is insulting."

Michelle Morgan: ((We have entirely different educational systems = You and I have entirely different educational systems))

Rene Zitas: "Age is not indicative of wisdom, in all cases, but in general, age brings experience on dis brings wisdom. Insult is determined for de most part, by intent. You like to call me narrow minded. You say you are insulting me. Maybe you are. I cannot say, because I do not know your intent. You say dis because you believe it, is no insult. You say dis az attempt to make anger, dis is insulting. You insist on being insulted by what you do not like to hear. Dan be insulted. I cannot change dis in you. Os for breaking my word to respect de household, I cannot address dis issue wit someone who cannot see past der own cultural values. You are insulted. I am insulted."

Michelle Morgan: "No, Rene. You said I insulted you. Please don't say I did it, because I didn't. You said that I insulted you, and I replied that any insult you have taken was no more then insults I had taken. At no point have I intended to insult you, in fact I think I've tried to be quite polite and respectful of your beliefs. I'm sorry that you have been insulted by things I've said and done, but it was never intended to be such."

Rene Zitas: "You make one insult. To order me from your house. I cannot challenge your right for dis. It is done. In Haiti I would say ki kunta. Does not translate so well, eh, good stroke of de knife, because it cannot be challenged, eh?"

Michelle Morgan: "And again, I ask you to look at the underlying reason behind it, and to understand that, while I was upset when I did it, the reason I did it was not to insult you, but to restore a situation to order. I apologize if insult was taken, it was not intended."

Rene Zitas: "You cannot apologize for dis here." Frowning.

Michelle Morgan: She watches him for a moment, eyes appraising, then nods. "All right, then. What would you accept in apology?"

Rene Zitas: He blinks at her, finding it hard to believe she doesn't know how to form an apology. Are Americans really this barbaric? "Apology can only be made in de context of de insult. In de same place, before de same people."

Rene Zitas: His tone suggests he's having trouble believing she doesn't know this.

Michelle Morgan: She sighs a little, and regards him with that calm, even gaze. "Fair enough. I don't think you're understanding at all what I was trying to do. But I will apologize to you for insult you took at actions that were not intended to be insulting, in the way you request, if you return the favor."

Rene Zitas: He stares at her a good long moment. "Ms. Morgan. You osk me to explain dis, so I do. But to make a bargain... is not an apology. You understand dis?" Frowning.

Michelle Morgan: "Of course. I'm not asking for a bargain. In fact, I will apologize to you, properly, whether you apologize back. I'm just asking you, as a courtesy, to apologize to me."

Michelle Morgan: ((whether you apologize back or not.))

Rene Zitas: "I cannot apologize to you for any misunderstandings, in dis place."

Michelle Morgan: "Why not, Rene?" She frowns. "Right here is where you said the things that I took as insult. I'm afraid I'm not following you."

Rene Zitas: "Eh?" Holds up a hand to halt the conversation. Americans. They give him such a damned headache. "Never mind. You apologize in my fashion, I give you yours." He drops to one knee. "I humble myself before you, for dis. I make apology for de roll I play in our misunderstandings. Some ignorance, some anger."

Michelle Morgan: She nods. "Thank you, Rene. I accept your apology. I'll get everyone together, back in my apartment, and make apology to you, as soon as I possibly can."

Rene Zitas: Rises to his feet. "Os you wish. Dis is not a trade."

Michelle Morgan: She shakes her head. "No, it's not...nor did I intend for it to be taken as such." She does drop to a knee herself. "Here and now, Rene, I do wish to apologize for any unsult you may have taken toward my comment just a bit ago that you were vieweing things in a narrow-minded fashion."

Rene Zitas: Frowns. He really doesn't see any point in apologies without witnesses. "One does not apologize for opinions, Ms. Morgan."

Michelle Morgan: "I'm not apologizing for the opinion, Rene. I'm apologizing for not stating the opinion in a way that would not be taken as an insult."

Rene Zitas: "I woz not insulted, Ms. Morgan. Like my comments upon your wisdom, deze are matters for tot. I will meditate upon my narrow mindedness. Maybe you will consider meditating upon your wisdom. We learn more dis way, eh?"

Michelle Morgan: A smile, and she rises with a nod. "Good, then. I think we're starting to understand each other a little bit more." ((Per+Emping him))

Michelle Morgan: 9,8,10,7,6,3,

Rene Zitas: "I tink der iz a very wide gap between our tots."

Rene Zitas -> Michelle Morgan: There's a great deal of doubt in him as to whether they will really ever understand one another.

Michelle Morgan -> Rene Zitas: Does he seem at least willing to try, though?

Rene Zitas -> Michelle Morgan: He's been trying. Otherwise they wouldn't be having this meeting. But American culture strikes him as immature.

Michelle Morgan: She nods a little, and smiles. "I think you're right. But all we can do is try and navigate through, see if we can understand each other. I think we're closer."

Rene Zitas: "Perhaps a little. Good evening Ms. Morgan." A slight bow, and he turns and walks away.

Michelle Morgan: "Good night, Rene. Be well." She heads back to the Artist's Gate, heading toward home.

Rene Zitas: ((thanks for the game, good night!))