Le Grand Théâtre

Perhaps with a Ventrue Primogen. A Toreador primogen would have left you all of your will. But by the time he would be through with you, all of your will would be working for him. After all, why break someone down when you can convince them that you're right? Jerome quietly points out. Our clan shares a certain amount of disdain for brute force, physical or mental.

Don't be ridiculous, Miri adds, abruptly. Her face is uncharacteristically cold.

Toreador adore brute force. She looks away seriously, inspecting or sizing up a thought.

When she looks back to Jerome, she's already grinning, adding lightly and clarifying, The tempt to steer pure, unfiltered passion is an attractive and inspiring thing. She winks knowingly.

She settles back into her standard, amused disposition. The sudden cold look earlier was purely satirical.

Auspex 2, Perception 3, Empathy 3:

Auspex 4:

Hmm, Jerome pauses thoughtfully, I never thought of it like that. Though I would argue that we prefer to ignite such passions through the use of panache and skill....though Presence never hurt.

Miri laughs audibly at Jerome's referencing discipline 'cheating' while invoking passionate emotions. She sighs when the laughter dissipates, smiling, No, it certainly hasn't.

She pauses for a second, smiling eyes still locked on Jerome. She blinks calmly. You know, through the breakneck succession of all of the "exciting" developments this evening, I failed to ask you about your own specialties, as it were, of your artistic expression with craftsmanship. She chuckles, adding, I hope you haven't mistaken my absentmindedness for egocentrism.

In between two tricks, Griffin wears an amused look.
Regent Kersten can have the malevolent Tremere laugh. But do not wear your hopes too high, while other Elders play chess, he usually plays draughts. And miss Vonigner plays Four in a row, even if she does not realize it.

Since our city leader is not a Toreador Marquis appointed by Paris, competence is the most important feature we expect from Kindred. Gosuin rules by the respect he commands and gives, and with diplomacy and consensus he has managed to be acknowledged as Prince of Bordeaux.

Our game has almost no tricks left, Mr. Oliver. You have played well.



Catherina Giovanni approaches the Tremere from behind, she doesn't hide her steps. She observes Griffin's hand, then she offers a sexy smile to Duncan. Griffin turns the head to the other side and widens his cards as to allow her to see more clearly.

Of course not. It has been a rather busy night, Jerome says with a small wave, waving away any would-be insult. As for my specialties, they are not much to speak of. If you need something repaired of the non-electronic variety, I'm the one who is usually sought out. Unlike many other Toreador, I was not brought into the clan because of my artistic talents.

Miri smirks pleasantly with a nod, Hm. A specialty for non-electronic somethings, good to know.

She leans forward nonchalantly, elbows on the table, resting her chin in an open palm as she continues to watch Jerome. She's curious again.

So, since you insist it was not for certain artistic talents, what were you "brought in" for, M. Lehin?

My embrace, Jerome begins with a faraway expres​sion(which is thankfully more of the old storyteller kind). Was, in a sense, an accident. I was already good friends with Gregory by the time it happened, but I can't remember if he had any intention of changing me into a kindred. I certainly had no idea of the other world my latest friend occupied. I only knew that he had a few odd habits that were supposedly aspects of rich eccentricity. Though he was certainly rich, by no means was he eccentric.

Claudia wrote:

In between two tricks, Griffin wears an amused look.
Regent Kersten can have the malevolent Tremere laugh. But do not wear your hopes too high, while other Elders play chess, he usually plays draughts. And miss Vonigner plays Four in a raw, even if she does not realize it.

Duncan smiles, and nods at the information.

Auspex 2:

(Not sure sure if Duncan knows what that means, but the player sure doesn't. "Four in a raw?" Do you mean four in a row?)

It's good that the Prince has earned the respect of Bordeaux's Kindred.

I'm glad that you have enjoyed the game. This is very new to me. I had thought, when I first saw you showing a few cards to the Sheriff, that you used the cards merely for fortunetelling, as many do. I couldn't see which ones you showed him, but he certainly didn't like them.

As Catherine Giovanni draws close to Griffin, Duncan gives him a small yet significant look, then Duncan throws a quick gaze her way and back, in a silent warning to the Tremere. He then looks up at the Giovanni and returns her smile. He gives a nod of his head, and then speaks.

Good evening, Signora Giovanni. Forgive me for not standing. How are you this evening?

Though the answer sates her curiosity, Miri can't help but think out loud.

Hunh, she says quietly, I was supposing it had something to do with your considerable attention to detail.

She's still looking directly at Jerome, though truly analytically for the first time. She nods and smiles as her thoughts return back to his story. With her chin still propped up by her hands, she has the look of a child in thrall of a good tale.

Was he known as an eccentric? Or was it just something people said?

(stupid auto correct ! Yes I meant four in a row, but my iPhone said no :-) )


Fortunetelling is nothing more than cold reading. I usually do not read the cards, and who knows what Lambert understood for himself. I will not go down that hill of madness..

Griffin does not even try to fight the Giovanni as she stays behind the Tremere and plays the last tricks for him. As she is still standing up, but leaning on Griffin's back, this offers an incredible view on her generous cleavage. Griffin looks away and once all cards are played, he addresses the Giovanni with his cold voice.
"Your perfume is too strong..
-Oh, poor dear !"

She stands up straight, and with her very strong accent and flirty smile she observes the Brujah while she puts her hands on Griffin's shoulders to massage them.
"Ah my reputation precedes me !
-Miss Giovanni ?
-Signorina, please I am not married,
-Catherina ?
-And you are all forgiven, please do not apologize. What ?
-What exactly are you doing ?
-Oh dear ! You do not like it, Ian ?
-I am not a customer of yours..
-It's free for you my dearest Warlock !
-For the love of..
-I am doing very well tonight, grazie, and how are you ? "

Griffin gives up to the pushy Giovanni, letting her have her way and do whatever she pleases. He counts the cards by pairs.

When the Giovanni bends over Griffin's shoulder, Duncan's eyes remain focused on the game, although he will respond to her conversation.

Quote :

Ah my reputation precedes me !

You were pointed out to me. I wondered if I would meet you this evening.

Quote :

Signorina, please I am not married

Ah, Signorina Giovanni then.

As Catherina continues to embarrass Griffin, and he counts cards and tries to ignore her, Duncan will look her in the eye with a very neutral expression.

Has the evening been treating you well, Signorina? Not too bored, I trust?

Disappointed, Victor sighs.
Everything and nothing. The wise governor, a fool. The free citizen, a slave...
He looks away from Jean-Pierre Griffin and Catherina to stare straight into the air before him. He bites his lower lip, dabs his finger on the blood and writes upon the table, “Eros.” He repeats the process and writes, “Agape.” next to the first word. He bites his lip again for the last time, “Philia.” He takes out his handkerchief and haphazardly wipes away his words with one stroke.
...What a life this isn't.
Victor sighs again, closes his eyes and places his hands in his lap hoping to slip away into his own minuscule torpor.

"An excellent evening it is ! Even if the Camaril-"

Catherina could not finish her sentence, as Griffin finished counting the points, he takes firmly her hand off his shoulder. He turns her wrist around as he stands up, forcing the Giovanni into facing him. Both his cold and direct stare and voice could probably intimidate anyone insecure about themselves, even if the Tremere does not raise his voice, nor steps out of polite words.
Enough. First warning, before I burn that corpse of yours to ashes three times around. Finish whatever business you came in to begin with, taking advantage of this night of presentations, and go back to your courtisane and procurer work.. Ghoul.

Catherina keeps her composure quite well, until Griffin uses the ghoul word to describe her. She tries to step back, but the Tremere doesn't let go of her just yet.
"Have I made myself clear ? I cannot hear you.
-Cristal clear.."

The Giovanni glups out of reflex. She talks quite low, but still audible, her voice shakes. Griffin lets go her hand and takes back his seat, to pile up all cards into the original deck and put them in their case. Catherina doesn't ask for more, and once free, she turns around to leave both Kindred, silent. Griffin gives a quick cold look to Duncan, while he puts the card case back in his pocket.
Independant Clans are tolerated by the Prince, but they sometimes need to be reminded of their place.

Duncan nods at Jean-Pierre's statement. From his reaction, what just happened was nothing out of the ordinary.

You only mentioned the value of the regular cards, but since you had more of those, as well as several more court cards, I believe that means you won. Congratulations. An interesting game.

I believe she was about to make some disparaging remark about the Camarilla. It's probably a good thing you interrupted her, before she said something she might regret later. Of course, I doubt she views it quite that way. Still, she brought it upon herself. Elysium does not mean one can say or do whatever they like, and expect no consequences.

If you will excuse me, M'sieur Griffin, I believe I will mingle a bit more, and meet a few more people. Thank you for the game, and your time, and for the insights that you gave.

Oh, there were a few accusations thrown at him from time to time. Most of them being insults. Our clan shares a similar view of the world in more areas than art, Jerome explains, being rather vague about the other "areas". Your mentor, whoever that may be, will explain the rest at a more appropriate time.

Seeing that Jerome is not exactly the type for telling intricate tales, Miri takes what he says at face value, nods and sits back upright in her chair.

To be continued, she says with a smile, referencing things said on television shows that end in a cliff-hanger. She doesn't mind whether or not Jerome is from a generation before television, or if he has ever heard the expression, she simply says it. She breaks off her sustained eye contact with Jerome and returns her attention to the rest of the room.

Hm. The newest Brujah, M. Oliver, seems to be making quite some distance around the room, Miri mentions in passing. She seems momentarily impressed by his ability to get up and "get known to people." She resumes watching the rest of the room.

Auspex 2, Perception 3:

Auspex 4:

Indeed, Jerome agrees glancing at the fledgling Brujah. He looks back at Miri with a small, tired smile. You know, you don't have to keep me company for this entire night. If you do intend to reside here, it would be in your best interest to establish connections with as many kindred as you can.

The crackling of carpals and the shrill, gut-wrenching gasp of woman distressed snap Victor out of his little torpor. He watches Jean-Pierre and Catherina, his eyes burning hotter and jaw clenching tighter by the moment. Catherina moves with purpose on her way out the Déambulatoire. Victor stands and chases after her, nearly running.
MADAME GIOVANNI!...
Victor calls after Catherina with as much command as sympathy.

Miri nods, watching other things in the distance. This is true. It is a terrible habit of mine, in a new setting, to seek a single conversational partner and exclude most else from bother. It's some strange defensive mechanism I've developed. She smiles, Pardon my trepidation.

I didn't expect to stay with you long. I was under the impression earlier, that the process with meeting the Prince would be a short, almost immediate one. But hey, I'm in no genuine hurry.

She was going to add something else, but as she is saying "hurry," the laughing man flies out of the room after someone urgently. Besides Miri's distracted silence, the most the action elicits is her usual raised eyebrow. She accepts a glass from a passing servant and sips from it.

The Malkavian primogen's antics are only strong enough to convince Jerome to watch as the man runs. The expression on Jerome's face doesn't change at all and after a few seconds, the Toreador's attention is centered on Miri again. Quite, I wonder if tonight's...surprises have affected the Prince's schedule in any manner. Still, you will need to present yourself before the night is over.

Griffin takes his glass to finish it, and he denies slowly.
You had fewer court cards, but of higher value. It was quite close.

As for the Giovanni.. The Tremere looks around, and lets out a sigh. For some reason she seems to like me, however her games tend to get on my nerves. She is merely a ghoul that was Embraced and left behind by her Clan to save appareances and hold on to the prostitution sector and its benefits. May she and the Sethites kill each other on the Stone Bridge.

He stands up, taking his cane with his left hand, and after a look, he offers Duncan his right one to shake.
Do not thank me for such trivial things, and have a pleasant night, Mr. Oliver.



Catherina turns around when she is called out. She offers her sexy smile when she notices it is the Malkavian Primogen addressing her, while regaining some of her habitual demeanor.
Signore de Santa Croce ! Please, how can I help you ?


Alicia says her farewells to Franz as they both finished their rants. She joins her companion in the balcony, and holds on to his arm. Franz stays alone, giving a look sometimes to Suzanne who seems having fun watching some discussions.

Duncan will stand up too, and shake Jean-Pierre's hand.

I will. A pleasant night to you also, M. Griffin.

After he and the Tremere part ways, Duncan will wander off to the side of the room, nodding at people who look his way. He will take up station once more along the wall, where he can watch the conversations and Prince Gosuin's audience chamber. Duncan will look toward the latter room and lift an eyebrow, giving a brief glance at the watch on his wrist. With a small shrug, he goes back to his people watching.

Hm, perhaps sooner than we think. Miri smiles, rising from her seat. She extends a handshake to Jerome.

It was a pleasure spending time with you this evening, M. Lehin. She smiles graciously. I hope the rest of your night goes smoothly, compared its start.

Now, if you'll excuse me, she looks away, to a rather specific direction, before turning her head back to Jerome again, I will go to pester the Brujah in the business suit. She says this with a wink, and a nod in a direction making reference to M. Oliver. Ciao, Bello.

She slinks over to the wall where Duncan has installed himself, and stands beside him as he is looking towards the Prince's room. She leans against the wall with her arms crossed, and waits for him to notice his visitor, already smirking.