Grand Theatre - Déambulatoire Idle

A grin tugs at Miriel's lips as Rufus speaks, in detail, about the plight of William having been a passenger on the airborne Gargoyle, and subsequent problems. She shakes her head, waving nonchalantly when he goes on about the hazards airplanes produce, and that it cannot be guaranteed he can maneuver away while carrying a passenger without incident, Oh, I'm sure Mr. Wolvenheart completely understands.

The harpy seems a little more tense an instant.
(Jean-Pierre) I would have the confidence, if I were any other kindred. I do not need anyone's favors, apart from the occasional courier... The others are certainly as confident if not more so, some with really good reasons to have such trust in their own persona. 

He does offer the Nosferatu a slight, barely visible but actually honest smile.
(Jean-Pierre) I value the important traits. Demureness, mainly. Education. Even sincerity, which is scarce in this room.

He briefly looks at William, Miriel and Rufus who joined them, losing the smile.
(Jean-Pierre) Maybe it is time to train your social skills. Neonates are not so frightening.

Bemused and observant, Lyle makes a fake "who me ?" expression when accused by his apprentice of not making things easy. He waves good bye at them. He then addresses Rufus without even moving.
(Lyle) Oh come on, let the poor youngsters adapt to their new state..  

He signs him he can come and talk to him, obviously in a good mood. Claudia drops her conversation with her friends to approach Rufus with a big joyful smile.

Seeing that his presence is requested by more prominent members of the clan, Rufus immediately turns his back on William and approaches both Claudia and Lyle.

"Greetings, Masters. Lord Tarcisus suggested that I should 'poke my head in here' - his words - and attempt to 'get out more'. I'm not entirely certain what he meant by that, but one does not simply ignore a suggestion from Lord Tarcisus. Mistress Claudia, My Master Regent, is there anything you need of me?"

He is absolutely the eager and obedient Slave that is expected of by anyone who knows anything of the relationship between Gargoyle and Tremere, even if they know not the details of how that relationship came about.

William shrugs.
"As long you don't want me to sing 'I can show you the world', I doubt I can't heal any injuries the fall might cause. I'm game. For Science of course."

He gives a laugh and then spots Claudia approach.
"Oh look, it's your favorite Tremere."

As Rufus turns towards his superiors, William turns towards Sio, he realizes he's holding something, looks at the glasses and puts it back in his coat with a shake of his head.
"Worth every cent. Where were we? Ohh right, shall we?"

The doors to the Elysium open, allowing Chris to step in before they close behind him once more, seeming on their own accord. He stands just before them for a few moments, eyes gazing through the room and taking the scene in. His pose is relaxed, one hand tugged in the pocket of his suit's jacket, the other holding onto the strap of the bag slung over his shoulder. Certainly a laptop bag. His attention soon falls on the towering gargoyle speaking calmly to Lyle and Claudia. An eyebrow raises in subtle surprise, and he begins to make his way toward them. Along the way he passes one of the serving ghouls, and, without pausing or looking at the ghoul, takes one of the glasses with blood from his plate.

Idly sipping from it, he comes to a stop between Lyle and the Gargoyle. He nods at the Tremere in greeting, then turns his attention to the stone creature. “I'm guessing you're a gargoyle.” It's not a question, and Chris certainly doesn't seem to be expecting an answer to it. He observes the creature attentively from head to toe. The vampire seems to be appreciative of the raw strength its body must be capable of producing. “Not many of you still around I've heard. Didn't know you'd be capable of uttering complete sentences.” Chris takes another sip from his glass, before adding, almost as an afterthought, “No offense, of course.”
He turns to Lyle. “You still on for next week?”

Carrion smiles slightly at the mention of couriers.

Hmm, yes, on that note, here.

She passes across a folded slip of paper containing her contact details.

If you ever require my assistance I am at your disposal, circumstances allowing.

She smiles back at him when she sees the smile, it touches her eyes more than the others did. She listens carefully to the traits he holds dear but doesn't comment further, deep down feeling that she probably meets none of them.

Her smile also fades when she notes the closeness of the others, instinctively she shifts herself further from them putting her closer to Griffin. The action is obviously not thought out but an instinctual knee-jerk reaction. She mutters to him:

Griffin:

She observes the new comer silently, deciding to remain as far from the conversation as she can.

Miriel stifles a laugh at the thought of William serenading the Gargoyle on their magical (intimate?) tour of the city's skies, but it has no comment. She watches Rufus go, turning in time to see William pocket his sporting glasses, Ah, yes. They do look like they have a certain quality to them, good for not falling off of the wearer. Surprisingly, there was no sarcasm from Miriel this time around, she was complementing the craftsmanship earnestly.

She nods at his suggestion, leading William closer to where Carrion and Griffin stand. Noting that Carrion steps closer to her conversational partner at their approach, she takes a step back to help the Nosferatu from feeling claustrophobic.

She nods in greeting to each before addressing them, Mr. Griffin, I presume? I'm Miriel De Boucher, Toreador. And Carrion! She gives a gentle smile, I do hope you remember me from the other night, or this introduction is going to be much more awkward than I had intended. This, she gives a look to William, then the others, is Mr. William Wolvenheart, Tremere. He wasn't present at our little round up in the old Chantry, so meeting now may benefit everyone, for having been done ahead of time. Miriel glances between each, smiling pleasantly.

Seeing Lyle called Rufus to him, Claudia makes a movement as if giving up on going to see the Gargoyle (and giving a stare of hell to William as he mentions her being Rufus' favourite), but Lyle interrupts her.
(Lyle) You come here too Claudia.

Claudia obeys, looking down, and seats as the Regent signs her to. Satisfied, Kersten gives a look at Rufus and offers him a smile.
(Lyle) Obviously. You do know that my orders are above my sire's now, right ? Anyway he has not had a bad idea. No, I don't have anything in particular I need from you. But since we're at it and not too busy.. Ah.

He notices Chris approaching and gives him a smile, signing him to come over and take a sit. He makes a hand movement towards Chris when he presents him to the other two, and to Claudia and Rufus when he presents them to Chris, in what could be considered a certain lack of etiquette as he should present the youngest to the oldest only. He also stays oblivious of Chris' last name.
(Lyle) Good evening to you too, Chris. Rufus, Claudia, this is Christopher. Chris, this is Claudia Vonigner, my childe, and Rufus is the only Gargoyle our chantry ever had. And yes, I should be on for next week, but we'll talk about that some other time.

When presented, Claudia gives a look full of suspicion and doubt, before nodding politely.
(Claudia) Pleased..


The Harpy takes the paper and puts it into the inside pocket of his jacket without even looking at it. He makes a slight nod to what the Nosferatu tells him, letting her know he has heard him. He doesn't let the Toreador and the Tremere out of sight as he does so. He observes Miriel when she speaks to him and to the Nosferatu ; his stare is deep and unblinking, which makes most people unconfortable. He does wait for her to finish.
(Jean-Pierre) Am I so recognizable ? I know of Mr. Wolvenheart already, but we have not met officially yet. Welcome to Bordeaux.

It is hard to know if he is sarcastic about it or not. He doesn't mention Carrion as it seems Miriel knows her already. He seems to assume William knows her already. Staring right at the other Tremere, Griffin ponders an instant, before resigning, and handing out his hands, palm down, to William, for a greet.

William puts his hands palm up.
"Well everyone seems to like to remind me how dangerous it is for me to disturb you, something about eternal torment to my reputation. Which would be bad if I actually cared for all the social stuff. But while I'm at it, Greetings Sodalis Griffin."

He turned towards Carrion with a smile.
"And greetings towards you as well, Carrion of clan Nosferatu."

Chris takes the seat offered to him, carefully placing the bag against the chair's legs. He makes himself comfortable for a moment, an arm resting casually on the back of the chair. During the introduction, he eyes both individuals as their names are mentioned, inclining his head lightly. His eyebrow raises only a little at the mention of Claudia's name and her connection to Lyle, but Chris keeps most of his surprise to himself. Though he does observe the younger Tremere a little closer after the introduction than before. “Hmmm. So you're Claudia then? Lyle's mentioned you. A pleasure.” This last is said to both the female Tremere and the Gargoyle, though once again the vampire doesn't seem to pay to much mind to the block of animated stone.

perception+awareness>5:

He turns his attention back to Lyle, shrugging in an uncaring manner. “I meant their numbers in general. Then again, any information about you warlocks is sketchy at best.”

Carrion nods her head at Miri in agreement

Yes, I remember...you liked my name.


She turns William when he speaks to her taking another small shuffle away, she nods her head in acknowledgment but says nothing to him.

Miriel nods after William says what he does about Griffin, Whether rumors be heeded, you do fit a description. Also, Regent Kersten confirmed who you were before we migrated over to... she glances to Carrion, who is gradually pulling further away from William, and smirks, "invade."

She smiles slyly to what Carrion remembers, diverting her attention aside to leave Griffin and William to their own conversation, Ah, yes. And you liked my "handiwork." She chuckles self-consciously, reflecting, Yeah, not something I often resort to, I assure you. Couldn't stand the reputation. She winces, raising her brows, Fred the Malkavian now refers to me as "the Embalmer," apparently. She momentarily scrunches her face in some mixture of distaste and amusement at the extreme nickname before smiling to Carrion anew.

Mmmn...

Carrion shifts slightly keeping herself next to Griffin but also still facing Miri, managing also to keep William in her line of sight; if only peripherally

I admire people who can get a job done...

She shrugs awkwardly before continuing. She avoids the reputation discussion knowing she would say something wrong.

Want to swap? I'm Miss Carrion.

Miri smiles warmly at what sounds like a compliment from "Miss Carrion" before the subject of nicknames is revisited.

She grins at the suggestion that they trade, sensing the humor in it, Oh, I'd love to, but the vigor of her smile starts to fade as she thinks, though you may have to take it up with him. I'd prefer being called something sweet like that, but I fear I've made a bad impression and will have to live with it until I can change his mind. She shrugs, her smile returning, But unofficially, I could call you that, if you like.

She replaces the lit cigarette she had been neglecting back into her mouth; there is a noticeable proportion of the cigarette that has been rendered completely to ash, having burned idly for so long. Still, where it rests hanging on her lip, she seems able to smoke without disturbing the ever growing tail of ash.

Its unnerving, Carrion is fine.

She plucks a tin out of her pocket and hand rolls two cigarettes, after she's finished ferreting the tin away with ease and retrieving a lighter. She offers the other to Griffin as she continues to converse with Miri.

I'm sure you'll get a chance to make a better impression.

Miri draws smoke and nods to Carrion as she comments, deciding her name preference. She watches with interest as the Nosferatu removes something from her pocket.

When she sees what it is, and then what Carrion does with it, she utters a soft exclamation, Ah! The cigarette's ash tail finally sloughs off in one sudden, awkward loss against the powers of gravity. Miriel pauses mindfully about what just happened, then takes the cigarette from her mouth and taps to ash it after the fact, smiling despite it, I also roll my own cigarettes. Interesting.

She chuckles about second chances, rubbing at the back of her neck with the hand that does not hold a cigarette, Yeah, I hope. We shall have to see. He's a nice guy, doesn't deserve to be so afraid.

"Yes, I remember him freaking out, the Embalmer? What did you have to do to deserve such a ghastly little nickname."
William inserted after looking left and right like a tennis match between the 2 women's.

Miriel diverts her attention to answer William, Literally? There was no embalming involved. Figuratively? She shrugs, Who knows. Thursday night's interrogation had to get a bit physical, and Fred was locked in the same room the whole time. Eventually, Regent Kersten had to attend to something and led him out. Until then, he was nothing short of traumatized from merely being in the vicinity.

She draws smoke with a thoughtful expression on, Kersten did pass on some solid advice to him, though, which seemed to help take his mind off it for the time, but... She exhales, sighing softly, He won't really forget it all soon.

The Tremere harpy can't help an amused smirk as William states his reputation of bringing everyone that bothers him down. He takes the hands, not too firmly, not too loosely, and stares, in silent, before letting go. He speaks to the three neonates first. He accepts the cigarette offered to him with a slight smile. He doesn't light it yet but keeps it in between his fingers.
(Jean-Pierre) Thank you. I am afraid I am not the one everyone thinks I am. Well not exactly. As long as one does not get on their high horses, I will leave them alone. My associates are far more subjective and passionate about what they consider being worth of earning their wrath. If you never hear from me, consider it good news.

He gives his attention to Miriel a moment, deeply.
(Jean-Pierre) "That unfriendly taciturn guy who always gives 'the look' to everyone", uh ?

He turns to William once more.
(Jean-Pierre) Was there something you needed from me ?

Griffin is being polite with his question, but he knows he wasn't the one William was after. He uses it as an excuse to be told "nothing" and be able to leave, conscience clear.


Lyle can't help a chuckle seeing very well what Chris is going.
(Lyle) Oh you can stop it, you don't want to die the very moment you step out of this room uh ?

Claudia observes Chris, frowning a brief instant, stressed under his own observation of her. She puts her hands on her lap, playing with her dress, showing the stress, she gives a little look to Lyle, then shrugs.
(Claudia) I know I don't really look like my sire... Regent, was there something in particular you wanted ?
(Lyle) Yes. Stay a moment.

She nods, accepting the order.

Rufus remains standing, but moves near where Claudia sits. He nods in acknowledgement to Chris, but says nothing and addresses Lyle.

"Yes, of course Regent."

"I seem to have missed quite the fight. Of course, it's not like I'd like to have joined, all the physical stuff is beyond my capabilities. Why exactly was he, you know... locked inside the proceedings?"
William responded to Sio after she explained what could have caused the nickname.

Once Jean-Piere Griffin asked if he could assist him, William gave a short shake of his head.
"Ohh not really no, I'm simply... socializing I guess."
He gave a brief glance at Carrion.
"Curiosity drives me, mostly. Which reminds me, anybody know whom that courius fellow over there is?"
The neonate pointed over his shoulder at Chris.

Miriel nods to Griffin, offering his standard description, That'd be the one.

William has another question about the interrogation, and Fred's involuntary involvement, Well, I was told anyone wandering around the ex-Chantry, unaccompanied by Regent Kersten, would get eaten after becoming sufficiently lost in the winding, vacuous darkness. She shrugs, Can't argue with the gentle suggestion to stay, knowing that.

Miriel smiles as William points out yet a newer face in the crowd. She offers a suggestion, I have no earthly idea. Care to go find out for us?

"I'll get right on that once they're done."
The Tremere said looking at Lyle and Chris.