If Joseph wasn't aware of the Roses tendency to ignore everything they didn't want to deal with, he'd be inclined to agree a distraction was needed. Distraction was all the Toreador seemed capable of under Marceline's guidance. As much as he personally liked the primogen and counted her among his allies at court, her half-assed acknowledgement of the loss of one of her own was appalling. He totally understood why Ash was upset and rightfully so.
Then there was the matter of All Hallows without an Elysium. With the Malkavians all going even more insane than usual because of astrological events Joseph barely understood, hunters lurked between the frolicking Kindred taking advantage of the easy hunting. While it was clear from Amadeus' posts on the Shrecknet that the sheriff and his hounds would be out in force, but one or two of them would be stuck at the party would be one or two less in the streets. And everyone not at the bloody party would be in the streets.
Then there was the business of the rumors of ghouls going missing. It was part of the reason Joseph had insisted his retinue go on with their usual Halloween festivities. It kept them at the theater and if trouble did find them, they would outnumber the threat and likely have less trouble dealing with it. Not to mention his ghouls were well fed and stronger than a lot of Kindred.
It made him want to leave Bruno home for both his own safety and to watch over the others. But if any ghoul in the city could handle most threats, it was the Frenchman. And with the danger, he'd have to bloody well order the man to stay home. Joseph hated abusing the blood bond that way, even for Bruno's own best interest. It was a path and argument he didn't have the energy to have with his oldest, most trusted ghoul. So Bruno would be there and waiting, as he always was. It was probably for the best.
Speaking of distractions...
The way Rhys was biting his lip to suppress his laughter at Joseph's teasing was a very good one. "Responsibility?" he chuckled. "Oh no, love, it's a pleasure I plan to pursue frequently." Like right now if he was being honest.
Rhys was such a delightful mix of nervous innocence and barely expressed desires. When he broke the kiss and stuttered adorably, Joseph had to resist pinning him to the settee and devouring him. "Flattery will get you everywhere, love," he purred suggestively.