An Evening Stroll (Open to all)

[Valentina Audley]

Valentina is strolling slowly along the streets heading in the general direction of the Thimble, noting the fashions of the various Kine who pass her, almost absentmindedly. Her own walking dress is a concoction of rose and cream stripes and delicate ruffles and her lace shawl is the very latest Parisian fashion.

Nearby Hamlyn is also walking. Close enough to step in should it look like trouble is brewing but far enough to at least give Valentina an excuse to pretend she's dawdling alone and think for which she is profoundly grateful. Pleasant though his company is, he's not exactly a friend.

Thinking on friends Valentina scans the road ahead for any sign of anyone she knows. Ostensibly she's off to inspect the Thimble and see what Jacob has done with it in her absence, but she'd not mind the chance for conversation on her way.

[annabelle]

A tall man is walking slowly and thoughtfully. His attire and demeanour revealing a gentleman of higher class if not noble. Some will say he looks lost, searching for something with confusion. One can notice, his symmetrical features, height and intelligent eyes from afar.


Damn this city, I have no idea how to navigate in this place. It’s so much easier when there is a sea somewhere. You know where is north, south, east and west because you can see the god damn sea! Now with the river as a guide, well that’s not helpful, isn’t?

His search is suddenly interrupted at the sight of Valentina. He couldn’t help but admire her lovely dress. Helen loved fashion, she didn’t had much time to indulge in this but she couldn’t help admiring the ones who were able to create all these beautiful dresses like Miss Audley. And god, she loved pink, she secretly loved pink and cream and white but she couldn’t reveal this to her acquaintances. She was supposed to be a fierce warrior or something, pink wasn’t suitable! To that she snorts internally, mocking herself along the way while observing Valentina.

But I love pink!

With a playful smile she walks fast towards a flower boutique whist keeping an eye on Valentina. She never bought flowers before and now it was spring so it was the right time for flowers, wasn’t it? Quickly, she dominates the seller to bring her a bunch of pink and cream roses but when she notices the torn door, the state of his clothes and the tiredness in his eyes she takes the flowers and leaves a bunch of coins on the table. She preferred stealing from the rich, not the misfortunate, there was no fun there.

With a fast pace she manages to reach Valentina and stop in front of her. She was a Toreador, of course she was going to notice that there was something wrong with this human.

With a polite bow she extends the bouquet and says theatrically “My Lady, even if it’s spring and the world is full of roses, you stand out amongst all. Please accept these, a great addition to that magnificent dress.” And then she can’t help but release a girlish giggle, not suited to the gentleman.

[Valentina Audley]

Valentina had indeed noticed the man and the fact that something was subtly 'off' about him. Ordinary people do not have perfectly symmetrical features. Anyone who has spent as much time as Valentina has measuring people knows that. So she watches curiously under the guise of admiring the street as a whole and careful darting glances from under lowered lashes as she stops to readjust her shawl.

She sees Hamlyn has noticed as well, what with him suddenly being fractionally nearer, seemingly by accident. When the man buys flowers that match her dress her eyebrow does go up in surprise, but she doesn't change course or slow until the man ends up in front of her.

As he presents the bouquet to her, she mentally she reviews the list of Kindred she knows can change their face. It's not a long list. Viktor, Erika and Matthias. Of that list, Erika is most likely to buy flowers (Valentina smirks briefly, remembering a certain little chat they'd had this past Elysium), but it doesn't seem an expected gesture from any of them, especially given the giggle... Still, best not be rude, lest it bite her later.

So instead she curtseys prettily and sets her blood flowing, so it warms her cheeks with a pink flush, lest any Kine are taking notice of this interaction. "Why Sir you are too kind! Roses, are my favourite flowers, I love them so. Alas, I fear you have the advantage over me Mr...?"

She leaves the question hanging, keenly conscious of Hamlyn's keen interest in the interaction, If she didn't give the all is well signal in a moment things were about to get complicated...

[annabelle]

William chuckles a little bit more upon seeing Valentina’s bodyguard of some sort. She didn’t take the flowers so he kept standing there awkwardly with them.

“Oh my name…Well the body’s name is William Smith.”

Then she sighs and smiles, she had no intention to alert her further her reply barely a whisper only for someone with Auspex can hear “Miss Audley, I am Helen. I was going to visit some friends but got lost, maybe on purpose. It’s a lovely warm night tonight, reminds me of the nights back home. Are you enjoying this lovely weather?”

She then extends the flowers “Please accept these, will be a vision with your dress.”

And with that she just stays there with a huge grin waiting for a wave of Valentina's usual scepticism to appear.

[Valentina Audley]

Valentina blinks once, in slight confusion. The body's name? Surely she meant persona? Mind you, the man in front of her did appear mortal... Shrugging internally (but taking care not to let it show outwardly) she puts the problem to one side to ponder later.

Tucking her hair behind her ear in a seemingly innocent gesture she gracefully accepts the bouquet. Hamlyn falls back a step, retreating to his previous distance and apparently suddenly interested in a shop window display. Helen so far as she knew didn't change faces, but she was intrigued because either Helen actually did (and all knowledge is worth knowing), or someone was impersonating Helen and that was also worth being aware of. Either way, a little conversation on a busy street was an acceptable risk.

"You are truly kind Mr Smith." She smiles sweetly at the young man. "Perhaps you would care to walk with me a while?"

[annabelle]

Helen couldn’t help but be entertained by Valentina’s fair maiden behaviour in front of the mortals. Such a blushing virgin. Helen felt like a predator trying to seduce the pure lass. Oh, the irony.

“I will be delighted to have a walk with you Miss Audley. I love beautiful things and your dress is stunning. Too bad I cannot wear the gloves you gifted me with this kind of weather. I was intending to wear them at the last gathering but unfortunately I was in a rush apparently.”

She sighs happily “So Miss Audley, how are you these days?”

And with that, the man starts walking besides Valentina, keeping a polite and proper distance.

[Valentina Audley]

Hamlyn falls in behind them as they wander, keeping pace with them.

Valentina smiles at the mention of the gloves, not many knew of them so the chances were rising higher that it really was Helen. Well, well, well. She looks down briefly at her own hands, properly attired in light cotton gloves dyed pink to match her frock, naturally and smiles cheerfully.

"I'm not sure the gloves would match that suit darling" She murmurs grinning wickedly for a moment.

"I am well thank you. Busy than perhaps I should like to be but I consider this to be better than the alternatives." Valentina laughs merrily as she speaks, clearly not bothered in the slightest.

"How fare you?"

[annabelle]

Helen takes a moment to admire William’s elegant suit and then she extends her arms whist inspecting them.

“I believe the real issue is the size, his hands are too big. That’s unfortunate.” She replies casually and chuckles some more “Busy is good, it means you have an aim and a purpose Miss Audley, not all can claim that.”

She walks thoughtfully for a minute “Judging from the last Elysium, things can always get worse, so alternatives are a dangerous path I suppose. Hopefully, things are only getting better with other areas of your life. I am pretty well these days. Mostly trying to investigate who tried to ruin my reputation by spreading all these awful rumours.” She sighs sadly.

“But then as you said this might be better than alternatives…” she then gets back to her cheerful demeanour.

“I heard you have a boutique somewhere. I would like to order a dress perhaps but not sure if you accept orders and what is the process. Do you get paid by boons or money?”

[Valentina Audley]

Valentina tilts her head thoughtfully. "Are you sure it was just the one person ruining your reputation darling? Only, there were so many rumours about you and they seemed to almost contradict themselves in places. I should look for multiple culprits were I you."

"That last Elysium was certainly something! I'm not sure I approve of this April Fool's nonsense, if that is what it results in!" She's remembering the wretched Wraith and his ridiculous stories and her face darkens in disapproval for a moment before returning to it's customary placidity.

"As for frocks darling, my boutique can be found both here or in Bristol as I have two premises. Promises for those such as yourself, money is for others not of our family." She wonders idly at Helen speaking so openly on a public street. Still, Valentina is not going to be caught that way twice and so she keeps her meaning veiled from the Kine, at least, so she hopes.

"The how is simple - merely visit me in my establishment and we shall take tea and discuss your needs. The prices vary in accordance with the level of detail you require and I can accommodate almost all tastes." She winks as she says this last, making sure it can only be seen by Helen.

[annabelle]

“Huh…” The human rubs his chin thoughtfully “Indeed, there might be more than one, I am not the brightest out there Miss Audley, but your judgement is correct indeed. This seems like an organised crime with many involved. If you have any other ideas around this, please do let me know. I don’t know you much but I trust your judgement. You managed to…” she lowers her voice so much that only one with Auspex could hear her “…seduce a Methusaleh after all…”

And she nods with approval and a big grin.

“Erm…I was busy last time with the shenanigans and couldn’t enjoy or notice the April’s fool pranks. Such a shame! May I ask what happened that you disapproved Miss Audley?” she raises her voice slightly and with a manly tone she continues “Who could possibly distress a fair maiden like yourself my Lady? Tell me a name and I will bring them to justice.” And then she supresses another chuckle.

“…I can accommodate almost all tastes.”

“Oh I would love to visit your boutique! Back in my days the boutique was coming to my chambers and…”

I was scaring them away…

“…It was lovely I remember, having a dress made for me and me alone is a luxury I forgot really…”

Because all my dresses are stolen now…

“I need to think of my taste as well, so many things changed since…”

I got torpored

“…Since my time in Constantinople…Hmm taste….”

Something that looks cute but I can remove easily and with dignity to run for my life from time to time….

“I will think about what kind of attire I wish to order and will visit you. It will be an honour to wear a creation of yours Miss Audley!” and she claps her hands with enthusiasm.