Voice of the People, Sinclair Leblanc | Know Local or Know Noble
“That’s why I look this way? Wish I received that advice forty years back. If I heard that as a boy, I’d been quicker to throw away my emotions than you have.” Sinclair smiles slyly. Darius cracks for a second, wincing, recoiling. His teeth clench, and his brow comes down in a moment’s fury.
“Careful boy, you’ll get wrinkles if you keep making faces like that.” Darius returns a smile now, while Emile makes a feeble attempt to cover his. Some nerve was hit, a fist of Darius' still clenched. “Better. Emile, I must get to going. Can’t stay up as long as I used to, told Catherine to stop by at 11:30, and she’d be in my ear for an hour if I was late. Wish I could say it was a great party. Lucia, a pleasure if I had you longer.” He smiles, bows, and walks south. The Guardsman intercepts him, and they begin to talk.
Voice of the People, Sinclair Leblanc | Know Local or Know Noble
Sinclair is perhaps the oldest at the party, though between Ellen as a half-elf and Ernest as a dwarf, that may be contested. He at least appears the oldest, perhaps in his fifties. Nonetheless, he moves with as much spirit as Darius. His wrinkles accentuate his expressive, animated facial movements. At times, he looks like a caricature. When he speaks, his lips curl, his eyebrows pop. His words flow quickly, but are clear.
“Ah! Youth, even amidst a tragedy you all glow here with life. I’ll tell you, if I could have all the old bones that work with me replaced with folks like you, I’d feel at least fifteen years younger.” He turns to Lucia after exchanging a glance with Emile. “Sinclair Leblanc, old bones, young heart.” He catches the lagging end of the party as they head north. “Look at our fine investigators: not one of them looks half as old as I, and the boy in charge looks like he is fifteen. Hope for Roland yet.”
It genuinely seems he cares for the ratfolk, nothing in his mannerisms or speech patterns strike you as off. It appears that he has sincere and honest intentions.
Sinclair laughs. “My secretary Catherine knows better than me how the ol' thing runs. I’ll give her your name for when maintenance is needed.” He smiles, making eye contact with Valentina. “Though let us talk later about what you can make besides these servants.” He gives the metallic servant a few light knocks, smiling.
As Emile takes the attention of Valentina, Sinclair returns to listening to Raphael and Estelle. It seems he isn’t one for dancing either.
Sinclair smiles, giving his attention to Valentina. “Haven’t you heard of a Political Party before? This is where they get the name.” He laughs to himself, taking another drink of his water. “You know, I was going to say your name was familiar, but you seemed to have jogged it for me.” He extends his hand for a shake. “Not one for nuts and bolts, but I have a Silverstone construct. Things lasted fifteen years, talk about durable. A pleasure to meet you, Valentina.”
Sinclair watches Ellen introduce herself to Valentina. He takes a sidestep to Marcus. “You know, he starts, “there are many of us who wish to improve life for our ratfolk brethren. If you speak to my secretary Katherine, I can get you in touch with the right people."
Emile leaves the group, heading towards Abigal and Aron.
Voice of the People, Sinclair Leblanc | Know Local or Know Noble
Group 1, All but Halcyon:
Sinclair grins at Marcus’ monologue. He seems to have an interest in Marcus. “To be a strong nation or to be a great one. Seldom do people see the difference, even rarer do they care.” Sinclair finishes his water, his eyes following Agatha briefly as she passes by. “Sans reform across the decades, I wonder what could unite our country.”
Sinclair listens to Raphael, nodding in agreement with him. “The greatness of our nation should be shared with whoever seeks to join us.” He looks to Ellen. “So long as they stand beside us in unity.” She smiles, giving him a single nod.
Ellen seems to be lying, a smile and a nod as an appeasement almost. You believe that she might not completely agree with Sinclair in this regard. Sinclair however, seems to be in agreement that all should be able to join the country.
He Seems to be telling the truth. It comes off as his actual intentions, with nothing more.
Group 1, All but Halcyon:
Raphael’s speech gives a smile to Sinclair and Ellen. “Dream big. Aspirations are what will lead us to greatness.” He refills his glass with more water. “You know, I have friends who are big into Abadar. The belief that ‘cash is king’ is common, but I know some who see it closer to a god. A stronger coin leads to a stronger country." He sips, turning to Ellen. “And with an economy like that, the Durendal businessman won’t need to worry about a little Galatian competition.”
Voice of the People, Sinclair Leblanc | Know Local or Know Noble
Group 1, All:
Sinclair offers a little chuckle. “I don’t have quite that much sway.” He drinks from his glass, “Not yet anyways.” Sinclair smiles, though he returns back to the question at hand. “A bit of a dream I suppose, but I wish to abolish Council.” Ellen smiles, almost rolling her eyes, Estelle gives him an interested glance, but returns her attention to Marcus.
“Too much power with too few people. Too much power in Roland, to be honest. People in the border cities need a voice. People in Flamberge need a voice. If our country is going to celebrate liberty and fraternity, then our brothers and sisters must be heard.” He lowers his voice now, and is no longer with a flair of theatrics. He takes a few sips, it must be water by the speed he is drinking. “A parliament, Galatine without the King and the blood ranking. A representative for every 100,000 Durendale men and women, from their region, for their people. A voice for everyone.”
Sinclair finishes his drink, clearing his throat, putting the glass on the table. Smiling, he analyses Raphael. “You’ve heard my aspirations, only fair to return your own.”
Voice of the People, Sinclair Leblanc | Know Local or Know Noble
Group 1, All:
Sinclair walks towards one of the tables, reaching across it to grab a particular bottle. It is a rather extravagant bottle, its label handpainted directly on it. After he pries the cork out of it, it pours a clear liquid into his glass.
“You know I have my own law firms, right Ellen? Several I think, Katherine manages them.”
Sinclair watches Raphael as he interacts with Ellen, a small smile curls at something Raphael says. His eyes follow Asfal when he enters the group, later darting to Halcyon as she hovers on the fray. Sinclair lunges back into conversation at the mention of his name. “No business yet,” he tells Raphael.
Voice of the People, Sinclair Leblanc | Know Local or Know Noble
“An aptitude?” Sinclair begins, releasing his hold of Raphael. “You got a small following of mages who worship you now. Loyal followers is the first thing a man in office needs. Get yourself an in with Voidwalker, maybe enter the college of the Divine, and the wizards of Durendal have a new defender.” He takes a step back, turns towards Ellen behind him and introduces her.
“This is Ellen Merlot, member of the Durendal Liberator sect. Her people have been strengthening our country for over 10 years now." Estelle audibly scoffs at the statement, though neither Sinclair nor Ellen pay her any mind.
Sinclair LeBlanc a politican who is set to make Council. Clear philanthropist, with an abundance of wealth and connections. Seems wishy-washy on many issues, as it seems to reflect what will get him favor with the voters at any given time. While he has been called out on his indecision, he insists that he merely follows the changing opinions of the people of Roland and Durendal.
DC25 for Sinclair:
He is hardly ever seen without one of his secretaries, identical twins Catherine and Katherine Beaumont. Frequently they serve as liaisons to his businesses, either negotiating contracts, speaking on his behalf, or managing his assets. While he is charismatic and powerful by himself, his secretaries are often seen as a force of their own. It is rumored that between the two of them, they speak every known language.
DC30 for Sinclair:
While it is difficult to find dirt on Sinclair, looking at his enemies shows that something strange does go on with him. Those that have wronged him, usually those who go back on promises, frequently end up losing their power. Sudden shifts in the economy, rapid buyout of company shares, demotions and job losses. All things that can in no way be tied back to Sinclair, their falls are usually attributed to circumstance or chance. The fallen empires that he leaves in his wake is evidence to the power that Sinclair has within Roland.
Sinclair, the older gentleman, approaches Raphael and Estelle at the dinner tables. His hair fades in places, perhaps once a rich black, it is now a light charcoal, touched with lines of silver. His lips curl to a smile, and his face bends to his laugh lines, forming to his wrinkles. The man is strangely energetic. He appears to be in his early fifties.
“Raphael Montefiore, my boy!” The man skips the handshake, instead embracing Raphael. He ceases his hug, but grabs Raphael’s hand, shaking it. “A new champion of Roland, no, of Durendal, that is what you are. The mages of Durendal needed a voice, and by Gods kid you gave them one.”
Estelle's brow rises, and a smile comes to her. She begins to talk, possibly to ask about this voice of Raphael's, before Sinclair continues. “But where are my manners? Sinclair LeBlanc. Council member-soon-to-be. You have aspirations, kid, remind me of a young me. Politics ever strike your fancy?”
10:32 PM. 1 hour and 28 minutes until the New Year.
