Grand Theatre - Déambulatoire Idle

Ah, archetypes, Miriel begins to say in comprehension to Gregory's summary of literature; she stops. Something in his expression while he speaks about how the novelty of creativity leaves a person and scarcely comes back after a lifetime has passed, followed by his saddened smile in admitting his lack of interest in the undead's brand of life causes Miriel to pout softly, but he snaps himself out of his train of thought and begins to make a long list of equally interesting stories relating to blunders and gossip within the community. Miriel raises an eyebrow with interest even as the list goes on, looking to William to gauge his own interests. Gregory asks her again to specify what she would like to know more about.

She glances around while she decides before asking innocently, How did Victor de Sainte-Croix become Primogen of clan Malkavian?

Igor passes by and stops at Carrion's table with an open smile.
(Igor) Ssup ?

The Toreador smiles at the question asked, he nods.
(Gregory) An interesting one, miss de Boucher. See, Victor is one of the most intelligible and nice to be around of the Primogen. With him and Henri Bowens (the Gangrel Primogen), we can truly hold a nice and enjoyable discussion. Victor isn't as strange as the precedent Primogen and Sheriff, Xavier. When he got bored of both responsibilities, he delegated the Sheriff title to Lambert, with Gosuin's and the Council's approval, and the Primogen title was given to Victor, as he could fulfill the duties much better than any other Malkavian at the clan.

He leans a little closer to both of his partners.
(Gregory) Many doubt he is indeed of Malkavian blood. Either way the clan as a whole do not have common interests, so Victor's voice is just an echo to Gosuin.

He leans back and smiles frankly.
(Gregory) He is indeed a nice colleague to work with, that I will not deny. Much nicer than his predecessor or the Tremere and Brujah Primogens.

Carrion catches William's gesture and returns the favour but it's hard to tell if she's smiling back because of the cover of her hood.

When Igor stops at her table she slides the pad and pencil on to the table and turns off the MP3 player and stuffs the headphone into her pocket. When she speaks she sounds happy to see him.

Igor! I'm good thought I'd drop in and say hello. Who's the newbie?

She gestures to William using her head

William almost spilled his drink as he all but slammed the glass on the table. "Woah wait... you mean they don't actually check what you are before they give you, what I recon still is quite an important position?"

At the mention of the Tremere Primogen, he shrugged. "Well, if it helps, I don't think there are many people who he has fun conversations with. Those skills aren't exactly high on the list of- " He stopped, "Well... you know, things Tremere like you to have. We can't all be social butterflies, eh?" He winked at Miriel as he took his glass again and finished it in one gulp, and placed the glass on the plate of a passing waiter.

Miriel shares a look of surprise with William as her Primogen outlines the very distinct possibility that Victor may not at all be Malkavian—William's reaction, though, distracts from her own seriousness, and she chuckles at his sudden shock and following understatement.

She bites her lip takes a sip from her glass as William offers Gregory an excuse for the Tremere Primogen's type of company, before casting an unsubtle compliment Miriel's way. Playfully, she returns his wink from behind her glass as she sips, setting down the glass delicately back onto the table when she has finished.

She has a question for Gregory, in relation to what he has mentioned, What is his predecessor, Xavier, like? She sits up a little straighter, interested and smiling, Is the Sheriff usually Malkavian, in these parts? Seems a little like overkill, to stand a chance to be hunted down by someone dedicated to the job, but also by a madman?

The Nosferatu laughs and shrugs when Carrion mentions William. Joyful, teasing, playful, the Nosferatu is in a good mood (as he ever been in a bad mood, nobody ever seemed to have heard about it).
(Igor) Mr. Darvault called him "Lyle's new victim", so I'd guess.. a new apprentice ? I mean, no apprentice ever came here, even just for the holidays in the last sixty years and now, three pop out of nowhere. One was just passing by but I still wonder... And you, how's life ?


Gregory merely shrugs about Victor's case.
(Gregory) We ran out of options and he was truly the best choice. That and the Malkavian members weren't bothered by it. Actually it was Xavier's idea, somehow. Sure, legacy is important, but don't get me wrong, basing our existence on the mere fact that we are of one lineage or another is a mistake. I have known quite social Tremere, and quite anti-social Toreador. Your Regent could certainly be social and enjoyable to be around, he chose not to.

The Toreador adds a few other sentences with a certain inner thoughtfulness, and even a certain seriousness. He leans closer, as to allow a false sentiment of secrecy, putting both forearms on the table, and giving a look to one then the other.
(Gregory) It's all about appearance games, yet sometimes, when the emperor looks naked, he is indeed naked. Do not underestimate my peer's capacities of playing the court intrigues games.

He moves back with an open friendly smile.
(Gregory) Yes, about Xavier. He's.. well, a ruthless Camarilla enforcer ? I cannot think of other words to describe him. He was Sheriff for quite some time. Helene was the first one to give him the title, a few decades before she was killed. The Council kept him, and when Madeleine took the seat she couldn't really impose her views. Tarcisus didn't revoke him but he was too busy to worry abotu titles yet, and Gosuin, being part of the Council which kept him, had to change because Xavier quit. I do not think Prince Gosuin wanted to change. Before him it was a Nosferatu. I don't.. recall the nickname he used.

He seems to try and make a memory effort for a moment, before he gives up and signs towards Theodore Jacob who's speaking with the Giovanni on the balconies while they're both smoking.
(Gregory) It'll come back, eventually. Either way, the Brujah know a whole lot more about him than I do. After all, my clan isn't found of Masquerade breaches, and the Brujah were at war with him and Helene for quite some time.

William leans back in his chair, noting the Nosferatu with the newcomer as the elder Toreador explained the situation. "Well, I don't know how things work around here, but where I came from, when wasn't there a time the Brujah didn't have their panties all in a bunch with something or someone. I mean, there even was a full on fistfight right in front of the chantry once. The regent was not happy about that."

Carrion's shoulders move up and down in silent laughter for a moment before she composes herself to respond.

Victim certainly is an apt description. Penny for the end of that thought.

When Igor moves the subject on to her there is a long pause, her gaze seems fixed on Gregory for a moment before shifting back to Igor again.

Oh, you know, the usual.

She gestures to the sketch pad with her hand.

Old habits die hard.

Igor:

Miriel sits back in her chair, crossing her arms lightly, one over the other, while Gregory recounts what he knows. Her shoulders arch and angle upward and slightly forward from the tension, so she leans back a bit further into the chair to get comfortable. The change of her body language makes her look smaller, more delicate as she looks out from her seat, glancing between the two men. She tilts her head to better listen. An amused smile plays on her lips when Gregory references Lyle, and expectantly, she glances to William, who says nothing in particular about the Tremere Regent as of yet. She purses her lips instead.

Gregory bears down upon the table, getting closer as he shares a bit in seriousness about the political climate and the different manner of sharks there are present, all perfectly capable of going seen or unseen as they go about their business. Though it may be she smiled nervously (the grasp she has on herself tightens under the look he gives,) his sudden inclination to dip into the personal space of the neonates invites a seemingly involuntary look, a spark, of intensely mounting intrigue from Miriel. It subsides just as quickly as he pulls back from the two, smiling. She smiles less awkwardly, reflexively as he explains a bit about Xavier. She seems best at ease when Gregory is speaking, somehow.

He says about all he has to, though, about the ex-Sheriff, and indicates Theo and Catherina on the balcony, to which Miriel pays a long glance. William does at last mention a Regent, though probably not Primogen Kersten. Still, the subject matter interests her, Fist fights outside the chantry? How did that one play out? She doesn't sound entirely confident that the Brujah resolved their issue quickly or cleanly, considering the setting.

"Not quite sure, I believe they had a scuffle among each other about something, I don't even think they realised that they were near our chantry. However some kine called the police, and we've had a few doorbell rings from the cops in search for witnesses. Of course we had taken care of the kine in the area. Can't have rumours spreading after all."
William seemed to smile at a memory.

History Spoiler for Storyteller:

"I heard Lyle had a rather good scuffle when the old chantry was attacked however. I wonder what the Sabbat were thinking. Assaulting a Tremere regent head on IN his own domain."
He grinned Cheshire cat at the notion.

Igor can't help a chuckle and a shrug, he nods to the habbits and pulls out of nowhere in his cowl his own sketchbook.
(Igor) I can understand that. It's true you don't know much about when Lyle Kersten wasn't Regent, do you? Wanna hear a story about that ? I mean, it's a little the "he-who-must-not-be-named" kind of story but whatever, I can see his good sides. He does have some. Hell, WE all have some.. Kind of.

The Toreador Primogen listens and hears about the Brujah and their fights in town, half shocked, hald "wtf is wrong with these people". He shakes slightly his head and denies.
(Gregory) Tssk tssk... Children. Here they kind of always kept civil... At least the locals. The foreigners, be them of any clan, is another subject. And I don't think anyone ignores where the Tremere Chantry is.. or are, if we take into account the one that was used for centuries until Primogen Kersten decided to move out to that Hotel right in front of the Theatre. "The Regent", really. I do wonder what his superiors thought of it.

He ponders the fight Lyle had in his old Chantry, thinking about it without showing any empathy towards it. The Toreador analyses the situation with a slight smile.
(Gregory) And as far as I could gather, no one in their right mind ever attacks a place of Tremere interests in such a frontal assault when a Regent, especially one as brutal as Kersten, is inside. My guess is that they didn't know he was there, and they were out of their mind anyway.
(Lyle) The Sabbat is stupid, but not totally mindless.

The Regent approached and smiled at Miri and William as he was behind Gregory, which turned to see him and nodded. Lyle takes a seat as well and crosses his fingers in the table.
(Lyle) Primogen, Wiliam, Miriel... What is it with so many people discussing my persona without even inviting me ?
(Gregory) Do not deny you're delecting yourself with such actions of the youngers, Primogen.
(Lyle) Nah I won't deny, I'm an attention whore.

Miriel gives a comprehending nod as William tells how the aftermath of the brawl was handled; they covered their bases well, admirably, considering how silly the near-breach was for having happened at all. Gregory shakes his head at the matter. It is then that William changes the subject; Gregory gets his word in just as the Tremere Primogen and Regent, Lyle Kersten, shows and makes his own comment before greeting each present. She nods to him, in salutation.

She cannot suppress a smile, knowing better, while he expresses disappointment, or even modesty at being a regular topic of discussion. He seats himself comfortably amongst them, even so. She offers a similarly superficial consolation, If it makes you feel even a little less... "compromised," your arrival and your mention were almost in exact occurrence. She gives a more genuine, reassuring look as she smiles, You haven't missed much said. William was just wondering about particulars or cause of the other day's event. She says "event," with a sort of displeasure, as if recalling all that happened that night and trying to make connections only ever brings about a slight headache to whoever tries to truly comprehend it.

"Ly- ike how nice of you to join us Regent Kersten. It's like speaking of the devil. And yes, I was merely wondering of the state of mind of the sabbat for assaulting the old chantry. From what I've gathered so far, I missed quite the show."
William scratched his chin as he considered the facts.
"Such a shame the prisoner needs to be executed so soon, I'd love to study this Lasombra lack of mirror image first hand. Alas, there are security reasons to keep in mind."
He dropped his train of thoughts with a reluctant sigh.

"So..."
William was playing with his new glass of blood he took but a few moments earlier from a passing waiter. He regarded Lyle.
"What brings you do this lovely corner of Bordeaux? Besides making sure you're on everyone's lips?"

Carrion cocks her head to the side in a silent gesture of curiosity both to the contents of the sketch pad and his invitation to tell her a story, subconsciously she leans in resting her elbows on the table.

Can't say I do to be honest but you know me well enough to know I can't turn down a story.

She catches Lyle's presence out of the corner of her eye, when he speaks it confirms who she thought it to be. She tenses slightly, her eyes drifting to him for maybe a moment before returning back to Igor again.

The Regent can't help a smile to Miriel's comment on his arrival.
(Lyle) Then I guess I'm a little early. Oh, please, Devil ? That's my Sire, you're sixty years late, William.

The Tremere shares a look with Gregory as he named Tarcisus, and shrugs about it. He openly ignores the comment about the Lasombra, but still shows he took into account his apprentice's curiosity.
(Gregory) A show, uh ? To be honest I didn't know you were a fighter.
(Lyle) I'm not. I'm a murderer. There's no art to see, Primogen Darvault.

As he says so, he gives Miri a knowing smile, as if he expected her to tell the story, eventually, or letting the subject die like that. He responds to William's question at once.
(Lyle) Gaming partner got sick.

Perfect reason to be here. Igor caught it and couldn't help a smile as he's speaking to Carrion.
(Igor) You recall this thingy about the Anarch coterie in the Tremere, right ? Well, I heard that while he-who-must-not-be-named ordered their execution, it was Kersten who executed the sentence. I'm not that surprised, considering he's always been 'his' right arm, since, like forever. Before he took office, and before he got his dirty hands on to that girl, Kersten was kind of like.. Well, like Griffin, but less sociable and as absent as he could. He says he's high, and the more I observe him, the more I believe him.

Carrion nods her head when Igor asks her a question but otherwise remains silent for his story. She also keeps her head turned so the majority of the room remains in her eye line; it isn't uncommon for her when in a public place and conversing but she is paying attention to what he says.

...Like Griffin?

She's now blatantly observing Lyle as he interacts with the others and is not doing anything to hide it. Her head cocking to the side again in curiosity.

I don't know if I can imagine that to be honest.

William rolled his eyes at the while devil line.
"Gaming partner, ey? What kind of kine or ghoul can keep up with your gaming escapades?"

William notices something from the corner of his eyes and glances at Carrion.

Miriel exchanges a look and a smirk with Lyle as he explains himself to Gregory. Her eyebrows raise as her shoulders do, slightly, in a shrug. It would seem conversation has taken a turn away from the Sabbat, anyway.

With that, she lifts her glass from the table and sips the last of its sanguine content; she doesn't seem surprised to hear about Lyle's gaming partner, or that he may only be visiting having been driven out of his hermitage (the place described as "somewhere safe" that he brought she and Duncan to the other night comes to mind,) from boredom. She speaks an audible, but non-invasive whisper from a corner of her mouth as she pretends to sip from the now emptied glass, in response to William's supposing, Leeeeeroy Jeeeenkins!

Perhaps naturally bashful after telling a bad joke, or perhaps from not wanting to hint at her true age, she places the empty glass back onto the table for collection, smiling, but not looking up at anyone. She glances in the direction William had instead, and offers Carrion a friendly, but glib smile.

Igor shrugs and smiles to Carrion, amused.
(Igor) Really, then again the Tremere didn't have much fun before so all of them were kind of.. He signs a long serious face, which turns out everything but believable from the Nosferatu. But go and have fun with them, you'll tell me all about it then uh ?

He doesn't let her a chance to answer him, he taps her shoulder to incite her to join the others, and leaves hastly to talk to the Giovanni, almost with a giggle.


The Toreador Primogen can't help a smile to the reason why Kersten is there ; he's willing to believe it, but he certainly doesn't want to dig it nor to know about it. Both neonates seem to want to do so, even if it's not open from Miriel, and accepts it. He offers the Regent a proper nod, then a smile to the other two, before standing up. He salutes them in order with a certain informality beside using Lyle's title.
(Gregory) Primogen, Miriel, William..
(Lyle) Primogen. Don't worry, I won't manipulate or abuse them too much, the clan changed policies.
(Gregory) Oh you will, like all of us, but let us just enjoy the night and forget a little about our struggles.
(Lyle) I couldn't agree more...

Lyle seems almost honest as he shares the peace thought with Gregory, and nods with a smile as the Primogen leaves. He then gives another look to the other two and offer them a wide smile, before addressing William with a certain joy and amusement.
(Lyle) "Keep up" ? Really ? My reflexes aren't much faster than yours, or yours, he indicates Miriel with a smirk, I can play with about anyone regardless of their mortality or their status... As long as the masquerade is kept, of course. On the internet, no one knows you're a backstabbing Tremere Regent !

Carrion doesn't seem deterred by William noticing her but doesn't respond to his attention either. When Miriel smiles at her she acknowledges it with a slight nod but her attention is dragged back to Igor quickly by him speaking again she almost missed the sign face he makes but she catches his drift easily enough but she doesn't get time to respond to him as he decides to leave. She doesn't shy away from the physical contact Igor gives her but it was so quick she didn't really get a chance to respond either.

Igor's departure was quite sudden, it takes a moment for her to process but when she does she mutters.

...Yeah, fun. I don't know if it would be...

Silently she picks up the glass and drinks deeply until the half the contents are gone, she places it back slowly watching the light reflect for a long moment before turning her attention back to the room again, closing her sketch pad with a half hearted sigh.

William's gaze returned to the table as the Toreador got up, he gave a short farewell with the required motions and looked at Lyle as he commented about his gaming behavior.
"And at which games might you be terrorizing the internet on? I used to be quite the gamer myself before my embrace, and even after, I sometimes found the time to enjoy a good old player versus player game. I especially enjoy League of legends at the moment. It's a fine upstarting game."

Carrion's hands slip the sketchpad back into her bag along with the mechanical pencil. Slinging the strap over her shoulder she finishes off the drink and leaves it on the table to be collected before placing the chair back neatly where she found it.

Another sigh passes her lips as she scans the room once more, she obviously spots who she was looking for quickly enough and makes her way over to Griffin and Prince Gosuin's ghoul. Walking over she waits a respectable distance so as not to seem intrusive but also close enough to gain their attention to either invite her closer or ask her to leave.

Her hands are playing with the toggles on her trousers nervously as she waits.

Miri smiles to her Primogen, almost sad to see him go. Surely regular boy's talk will now rule the table. Still, she returns his nod politely.

Gregory is gone, and Lyle wears a grin that speaks volumes of the fun he must have when immersed in cyberspace. William is excited to comment, questioning and then listing his own relative interests, but Miriel has her own questions.

She leans forward, resting her chin on her palm as she wonders aloud, I don't suppose this absentee gaming partner would be Mr. Leopold, Lord of Granting Unwanted or Impromptu Exotic Destination Trips? I do wonder how many frequent flyers there must be... She smiles playfully to Lyle at that comment.

Celine takes her leave from Griffin after he had accepted from her a glass of blood, but she did not seem to notice Carrion (that or she didn't notice she may have wanted to talk to her). The Harpy did catch Carrion's intentions, and if he sees she's not after the Seneschal but himself, he signs that she may come closer to him, without a hint of a smile or any kindness in the eyes. He does nod politely as a form of salutation, letting her speak first.

Lyle hears both neonate's comments with a sly smile, but he seems quite interested about Miriel's comment.
(Lyle) I am certain this kind of title would please him. I just go with "Leopold". Or "Brat". I much prefer playing against well made AI, they don't have bathroom breaks or parents to bother their game sessions. As for playing with allies... I'm picky. How are you both adapting to your new surroundings ? I can't help but find Bordeaux exceptionally open to neonates.

He makes a vague gesture towards the Prince's room, probably meaning the political ruling of the city and the fact that the Prince isn't that old.