He chuckled as Rhys hid his face when Joseph pointed out how he'd manage to settled the younger Kindred's nerves. He planned to make another go at relaxing Rhys later. But first they needed to talk.
They were all childer once. All had listened to their elders stories of living in decades or centuries past. While it was still a bit laughable for Joseph to consider himself an elder, since the Beckoning had begun, it was the Kindred who'd only had a few centuries of life or less who had to lead.
Joseph had only participated in one Blood Hunt in his unlife and that had been one too many. He'd never completely banished the Toreador's screams from his mind as he'd drained her of vitae. But he'd been young and not as in control of his Beast as he was now and killed her in a frenzy.
The question surprised him. One because no one had ever asked him how he felt about his court position. Joseph had never thought about it, really. He supposed some really old or twisted Kindred enjoyed it. Some likely viewed it as some grand game of strategy. But it wasn't something anyone pursued for the pure joy of it. He was fairly certain some of the older Kindred weren't even capable of that depth of emotion anymore.
"It's a means to an end," Joseph admitted softly. "But the best way to protect those I care for and further the causes I champion is to be in a position of power. Do I enjoy it? Sometimes, I don't dislike it. I have found likeminded souls to bring into my own inner circle. But it also has made me enemies. I don't play the courtly games as politely as anybody would like and I'm a rebel deep down. This doesn't sit well with many in power."