Grand Theatre - Déambulatoire Idle

William stares at the objects for a moment, but slowly slides them back to Carrion, being extra careful with the lighter.
"No thank you, I--- Well lets just say me and fire don't agree much. I had a reputation of causing explosions at my previous chantry. Never do fire related rituals on a wednesday either, unless really needed. The sharing though is appreciated however."
He looked over to Miriel.
"Kine usually get nervous because they don't realize what is wrong with us. Their gut will most likely tell them we're wrong, but they won't be able to put their finger on it unless they are very perceptive. Not that I've trained to do this, my 'tick' is nothing more then an old habit which just like you, came with me from my mortal days. I wonder, if I may ask, did your proficiency in your masquerade come from older skills as well? I mean, if I would not know you and see you from across the room, I could very possibly confuse you with an actual kine."

After a moment of silence, William looked as if he remembered something.
"Monsieur Griffin, I've heard from a certain Primogen that you're quite the fiction reader. What kind of genres if I may ask?"

Miriel looks to William as he addresses her and the changing topic, smoking and smiling softly, attentively.

Her smile cracks wider to hear he's curious, A preexisting skill? Well, I have had quite a bit of experience before my death, regarding being curiously attractive to life-sucking, predatory monsters, you could say that. It's just always been that way. She's not talking vampires, As for having gained skills or talents, all I gather it taught me was how to really sing the blues. She gives a wry smirk, leaning to ash the cigarette into the ashtray.

She looks to Griffin after returning to her space, when William asks about books, smiling with a subtle cheeriness.

Carrion retrieves the items when she goes to use the ashtray again with a small shrug. She looks over to the balcony for a moment before returning to her previous location next to Griffin, she doesn't comment on his fire "thing" instead she just observes the conversation as passively as possible.

Chris follows Claudia casually, his hands tugged in his pant's pockets. He smirks at her pleading, appearing to be most amused by it. His voice has an almost cheerful ring to it. “If I need advice on how to behave around that cheating leech, you'll be the first to hear missy. I'm a big boy, I can look after myself.” He mules over the question for just a moment, his eyes flicking over to observe the two Gangrel. He raises an eyebrow at the Ventrue-ish appearance of one. “Hm. Never thought I'd see one of them beasties all dressed up. How'd you manage that?” The vampire makes no effort to hush his voice. “As for my relationship with Lyle...I suppose you can say we're friends. Of sorts. You wanna know more, you should ask your dear Regent.” Chris smirks a little, shrugging dismissively. “Or listen to the rumors that are no doubt already quite abundant. I don't care.”

Griffin seems observant and calm around the other three, he listens to the discussion, and eventually throws a word in it. At the mention of attracting monsters, the Tremere smiles and states the obvious.
(Jean-Pierre) Men.

At the mention of his liking books, he raises an eyebrow.
(Jean-Pierre) "A certain Primogen" ? All types of fiction, to answer your question. As long as it is entertaining and interesting.. Reading is a very valuable hobby, when you have years to lose. Why ?

He gives a clear look out at Gregory Darvault who seems to be enjoying a discussion with Neve Rosetti, the ventrue Harpy. He then eyes out to Jerome Lehin, in discussion with Laure Nolveaux.
(Jean-Pierre) You are lucky to have come at this time, he says so putting his eyes on Miri, had you come earlier you would have had a strong rival in the musical interests.


Claudia can't hide her visible shock at the words the man uses to name her sire, but she forces to get around them and ignore them. She shakes her head in denial.
(Claudia) As you wish. Friends ? She obviously thinks she's being played with, but she doesn't ask more, not feeding the troll. I think he was embraced because he was not the typical bestial one.. And he was trained to be the Primogen politicial he is to defend his clan's interests.

She indicates Darvault and Rosetti.
(Claudia) The man over there is the Toreador Primogen, Mr. Darvault and.. She bites her tongue to be sure she uses correct wording. Neve Rosetti, a Ventrue Harpy. He's a great writter, he has published several novels, under false names of course.

Miriel chuckles when she catches Griffin's modest contribution to the conversation, smiling with obvious amusement at having heard the topic so expertly summed up, Your words, not mine. She plays at being modest and incapable of making accusations, but it's just not true, as evidenced by her laughter at being found out.

Griffin shares a word with William about his book interests, and Miriel exchanges a glance with Carrion, still smirking. Probably to keep her feeling involved, Do you like a good book too, Carrion?

She stays gently concentrated on getting Carrion's answer, but Griffin opens up a new avenue of conversation, this time about the arts, and available niches, So I have heard... She turns away to look where he has, lingering on Jerome, A shame.

"Primogen Darvault, and because I often enjoy talking about books, it keeps the boredom away during slower times."
As Griffin changed the subject he added.
"Any songs we might be familiar with?"

Rufus snaps out of his reverie and turns his attention to Lyle.

"Changing things? What did you have in mind, Master?"

Auspex 4:

The Harpy nods when William mentions it was Darvault who sold him, obviously it's a common hobby of several old kindred. He doesn't look back at the Toreador again, but answers the question asked by William about Annabelle.
(Jean-Pierre) Opera. Miss Vicomte was a classical singer and played several orchestral instruments. She was classical by all means, be it in her taste, her behavior and her choices over the years. Her sire embraced change a little easier than she did.


Kersten crosses his fingers on the table, observing Rufus with interest and amusement.
(Lyle) Not me, you. I'm in a mood to listen to your grievance if you have any. What would you like to change ?

Chris raises his eyebrow slightly at Claudia's reaction, then shrugs, not caring enough to try and force a reaction from the Tremere. Then again... “Must be one patient Gangrel then. Well trained indeed to be able to deal with Camarilla bullshit.” A light grin plays along his lips as he says this, carefully observing Claudia as best he can from the corner of his eyes. “Apologies.” It's clear as day that he doesn't mean that.
He turns his attention to two other Kindred as they are pointed out by Claudia. “Of course, of course.” Chris says calmly, wholeheartedly agreeing with the Tremere's statement of publishing under false names, though his light tone betrays what his real opinion on the matter. “Don't want Kine finding out the monsters in the dark are really there after all.” The vampire lets out a soft chuckle, then abruptly makes a gesture with his head to a small group conversing with one another. “What about them?”

Miriel smiles warmly to Carrion as she nods, confirming an interest in books. She asks softly aside to the Nosferatu, as William and Griffin talk, Which kinds?

She glances between the other two present as they discuss Annabelle; her gaze lingers on the new arrival accompanying Claudia, but she returns her attention to Carrion soon enough, smiling anew.

Carrion shrugged at Miriel's follow up question, shifting away slightly; not liking the fact that she had caught someone's attention once again.

She listened to the other conversation as well but didn't seem interested in the Toreador they were speaking of.

All kinds of books I guess.

It was obviously a non-commited answer but at least she was talking.

Rufus seems genuinely perplexed at this turn.

"Change? Grievance? I have no grievance with you, Master."

Claudia visibly frowns about the Camarilla bullshit, but she doesn't comment on it. It's clear she's heard it before. She glares when he apologizes, not believing a word of is.
(Claudia) Primogen Darvault is a very skilled novelist and while he doesn't care for fame for himself, he wishes his creations to be read. Sadly.. She indicates discretely the fierce red-headed woman with a very expensive gray cocktail dress. It tricked another Toreador into embracing the Masquerade cover he had used.

She gives a look at the others the man mentions and nods.
(Claudia) With the exception of the man with blue scary eyes, Sodalis Griffin, Tremere like me, they are all new in our world, our existence and even our city. The woman with the hood on her head is a Nosferatu who goes by the name of Carrion, the woman with black hair is Miriel de Boucher or the Toreador clan, and the last person is William, a Tremere as well. It seems to me that they are all foreigners.

The woman with the hood she mentions doesn't seem to have a hood on her head, and she doesn't seem like a Nosferatu. Maybe she's seeing through Obfuscate.


Lyle smiles a little more seeing the reaction of the Gargoyle. He doesn't seem fully pleased, but there is a certain understanding, and even some kind of pity.
(Lyle) So there is nothing you want ?

He leans in closer and lowers the voice to speak a few Latin words to the Gargoyle.

Latin:

Rufus seems perplexed, shaken even. His red eyes flit about in confusion, but never stray too far from Lyle's face. His entire body is tense, as if anticipating great pain or trauma to occur at any moment. An uncomfortably long moment passes before he speaks, and were he mortal, his breath would be very heavy.

"A great many things have changed in the world outside the chantry, and I am always confused whenever I must leave it's confines, yet no one has ever taken the time to... explain these things to me. Claudia has, I think, in her own small way, but I still do not know this world. It is young and loud and full of things I cannot comprehend. I wish to know more. Would that be possible?"

He shifts a bit, and almost seems to gain a bit of confidence as he sees that will not be punished for speaking his innermost thoughts, so he dares to speak again.

"There is one thing that weighs even more in my mind, though. Since you have moved the chantry from the tower, I have felt... useless. True, in the recent nights I served the clan as well as other kindred of the city by defending against the Sabbat, but otherwise I have been... well, almost meaningless. It seems I have become more of a strange and grotesque curiosity for neonates to gossip about than to actually serve a purpose for the clan, or even the city. I suppose would I would ask is the freedom" - here, he stutters and pauses, as though the word is strange to him, a foreign term new to him, or even an old term long forgotten but recently remembered - "the freedom to serve again. I long for a purpose to fill my nights, Regent Kersten."

He takes a step back, and to any observers almost seems to let out a sigh of relief once he returns to his normal silence, his grey stony wings even fluttering a bit - perhaps out of nervousness. His dull red eyes, though, are intensely fixated on Lyle, awaiting the response which he dreads.

"Ahh Opera, never quite my taste, although I do enjoy a classical piece of music every now and then. They contain a sense of vastness, something of epic proportions that modern electrical music but rarely match, never mind exceed. Save a few exceptions. Not that I'm a big bearer of musical knowledge, since I'm neither good with instruments nor am I a very good singer."
He looks over towards Miriel, skipping Carrion entirely, seemingly resorted to just ignoring her.
"How about you Miss De Boucher, any singers hidden in that Toreador blood of yours?"
He felt watched and gave a short glance at Chris and Claudia, curiosity once again spiking his interests, but he suppressed the urge and once again directed his focus towards his conversation group.

Griffin shrugs, uncaring about William's musical taste, or rather, uncaring about his demeanor towards it. He does give a slight comment on singing and playing musical instruments.
(Jean-Pierre) If there is something to save from the old educational system of the Tremere chantries, it is probably the universality and the broadness of the subjects taught. Opera could give you far more valuable knowledge than any ritual.

He spares a look to Carrion and gives her a slight smile.
(Jean-Pierre) Childer can be a little too self confident, once they've become what they became, isn't it right ?

The Harpy gives a quick look at Miriel.
(Jean-Pierre) It seems they also must clean their ears. Was it Blues, miss De Boucher ?

Carrion glanced at Griffin, turning her full attention to him, her lip quirks up in amusement at his words and a mute chuckle makes her shoulders shudder for a moment.

Over confidence will be death of a careless Kindred.

She nodded her head in agreement but not wanting to put it on any specific person.

Miriel doesn't seem especially discouraged by Carrion's reserved responses, in fact she seems ready to have something of her own to say, despite the fact that the topic is beginning to come to a trickling stop—William asks something, though, and she's vaguely aware of it, but Griffin draws the Nosferatu's attention away completely with a comment, followed by one more directed at the young Toreador.

She looks to Griffin attentively, and turns an ear to him after he addresses her, cupping a hand to hear better.

She waits a second before asking a little too loudly, What??


She smiles, satisfied with her joke, and answers him seriously, Yes, blues. And jazz. And a little folk music. Her smile widens pleasantly, Music made independently of classical training. I can play classical, and I also sing a bit, but from what I hear about her, I wouldn't say I could rival Annabelle's specific mode of musical expertise,using my own. Her smile becomes a reserved smirk.

Auspex 4:

The smile returns as she explains herself, It would be like comparing chocolate to vanilla, too subjective. She shrugs lightheartedly over the subject.

The Tremere Regent listens idly to the Gargoyle's words, with a satisfied smirk on his lips. He observes Rufus' behavior with a certain curiosity, crossing his fingers, letting his elbows on the table, and leaning slightly on it so to show he's more attentive than he actually is. He nods when the subject of technology and the wishing for understanding it comes, and lets the Gargoyle speak other matters. He seems far more interested than he just was, and raised an eyebrow at the mention of freedom, followed by a glare meaning "I thought so". He seems to accept the idea, after all he is the one who told him to speak up.
(Lyle) I'm no teacher, Rufus. Never been, never will be. I don't have neither the patience nor the time for it. Ansons, Vonigner or Griffin could show you if you ask them, they'll be clear and patient enough. It'll force them to learn as well. As for us moving out, I guess I owe you an explanation. Your role in the tower is still as important, but less visible than it was before ; it's the reason of your mere existence to begin with. As for the rumors and the gossip, do you really care?

Lyle pauses a moment, seemingly thinking about a proper answer to give the Gargoyle. He shrugs, nonchalant.
(Lyle) Keep the place spotless and safe. Aside from that one role, I don't have a purpose to give you, be it for the clan or for myself. Do what you wish to do as long as it doesn't keep you from doing your job and as long as it doesn't endanger the clan in any way. You're allowed to take initiative and can consult with me if you have doubts. Was it helpful enough ?

He's not really comprehensive but he makes an effort to try and get what the Gargoyle expresses.


Griffin wasn't particularly discrete when speaking about Childer to Carrion, and gives Miri a frank smile when she "what?", amused by her act, and plays along.
(Jean-Pierre) Childer grow too full of themselves and too confident for their own benefit. You never know what rivalries go between Toreador arts, even if they can't be compared, they will try and compare themselves. It grows amusing enough to observe. I used to play the viola some time ago, but there is no comparaison to what Miss Vicomte did.

When Griffin jokingly reiterates what he said about childer after her little prank, Miriel smiles sweetly and waves it off nonchalantly, Ah, yes. Heard you the first time.

She returns to seriousness as he discusses her clan's "healthy sense of rivalry," visibly trying not to cringe. Still, a concerned brow raises itself, betraying her thoughts about being in constant contest, as a Toreador, Sucks the fun right out of everything, doesn't it? Rhetorical. I certainly hope the competitive air hadn't deprived you of your enjoying your art, whatever your level of expertise.

She's genuinely interested, What made you stop playing?

Rufus listens intently to Lyle, and seems almost disappointed by the Regent's responses. He nods after a while, then speaks very quietly.

"As you wish, Master Kersten. I shall do as you say."

Chris pretty much seems to be ignoring the sad sad story of Darvault and how his mortal cover got pulled into Kindred society. All that really misses to display his opinion on the short introduction given by Claudia, is a large, toothy yawn. He becomes attentive again when the Tremere tells him about the small group he had inquired about. Though he briefly raises an eyebrow when a hooded individual is brought up, he makes no comment on it.
“Hmmm.” The vampire slowly runs a finger along his mustache in thought. “Colorful bunch there then. Tremere, Toreador, Nosferatu, and all from their own little corners of the modern world.” A small smirk crosses his features as he observes them. Chris then begins to walk towards the group, hands casually tugged into the pockets of his pants, and his expression one of mild curiosity. He stops a few steps away from them. His attention appears to drift to the one called Carrion on occasion, but mostly he seems to wait calmly until his presence is noted by them, in the mean time making no secret of his observations of every single one of them.

auspex 2:

perception+conscience>6: