Meeting People

[Matthias]

"Waberley is my current lion, the king of my beasts. I don't know what I would do without him. Marvellous chap, exquisite baker, the salt of his tears add a certain something to his scones that I simply cannot put into words. They are the closest thing to heaven one can find. Well. Apart from the others things obviously. He is for want of a better phrase in charge of the rest of the menagerie that I keep. "

Matthias takes sip of his wine, his gaze looking over the filling up theatre briefly before turning back to Marie with a cheerful smile.

"Now. Are you the sort of Harpy who likes to know the sorts of things that would likely soil a Cainite's reputation or would you like to find them out yourself from other people in time?"

[Marie Darrieux]

"He sounds an excellent man to have around. I assume you've been told that Seneschal Campion likes be informed of the more important servants we keep?"

"I am always interested in what mischief kindred have made in their long lives and when it is freely shared, it both saves me the trouble of digging for it and means that if they require assistance in... managing the impact on their reputation, I am that much more able to help."

[Matthias]

Matthias rolls his eyes. "Yes, I have been made aware of the Courtesy of the Domain in regards to the registering of minions. I'm sure I will get round to it in due course should I remember to. If something were to happen to one of them they are easily replaced." he smiles wryly in amusement and sighs softly. "I've lost count of the ones various Cainites over the years have stolen or tried to use against me. It certainly helps keep me on my toes."

There is pause as he has another sip of wine, lost in some thought that evidently amuses him till his attention snaps back to the present.

"Forgive me my dear, I fear we do not have time enough to this eve to go through all of the awful and terrible things that I have done over the years that in some individuals eyes would lay a stain upon my reputation."

Matthias grins wickedly for a moment before having another sip of his wine and waving a hand dismissively.

"So I shall only bore you with the best...worst...parts. As a small piece of advice I would suggest being most careful with what you talk about around the sectarian and more fanatical members of our wonderful little Society of right minded and thinking individuals. Personally I keep forgetting about my own advice I must admit, mostly because I tend to get carried away, history is something that I simply adore, not quite as much as the arts though, but it still holds a veritably solid place within my heart.

Where was I going with this? Oh yes! Of course. About a century ago, well, it was seventeen something at least, I might have said something about the Antediluvians that someone took umbrage with and decided that one should probably be made an example of because such things shouldn't be talked about in Society by right minded individuals and that the young shouldn't be corrupted with such things. So to make a long story short within the glory of the Ivory Tower and despite my veritable age and closeness to they who were cursed by the Lord above, both of which mean that I am actually an Elder within it's eyes I hold but the standing as if I am but an Ancilla."

Matthias takes a moment to refill his glass with wine.

"And then there is the matter of commiting Amaranth. But that was a long time ago and it was forgiven anyway."

He offers the bottle in Marie's direction with a friendly smile.

"Would you care for some more?"

[Marie Darrieux]

"You almost make me think people have been gossiping about me! I'd love to hear the tales if they have." She laughs a little at the thought.

As Matthias speaks of his comments on the Antedeluvians, Marie arches one delicate eyebrow, though the smile has not completely vanished. "That is unfortunate, many people make mistakes, you seem to have been punished harshly for it. I gather you have been more cautious since?"

At his casual mention of the Amaranth, Marie becomes a little more still, then pushes herself to relax again. She toys a little with the stem of the wine glass, then holds it out to him as she speaks. "I assume there must have been extreme circumstances involved? Who was the err... victim?"

[Matthias]

"Cautious?" Matthias chuckles as he refills her glass. "Vaguely. And it is the just and right punishment for those who are accused of heresy against our delightful Society. It is no more harsh than many of the punishments that are doled out with regular abandon. We must maintain the sanctity of our little world my dear lest it be brought down around ears by reprehensible actions."

There is a deep sigh and vague wave of his glass toward the air.

"You know, it's not like the good old days any more. But that said having things like Harpies do make life significantly easier than they once were. Now for instance I don't even have to really worry about remembering what Boons I owe and who owes me as they do all the hard work on that front. It free's up so much of my time not having to worry about where I left my crow with all the details written on."

His attention seems to come back to the conversation and a very solemn expression graces his features for a time.

"Extreme? Hrm. Well. Some would say so. Others might say that it was a prime example of why using Blood Bonds upon others, especially if they could be said to be your enemies, is a rather foolish thing to do as a means of punishment. What did the idiot expect was going to happen? It was awful. Truely awful. I don't recommend doing it for a moment my dear. I was actually quite fortunate given the circumstances and the timing. It was shortly after the Ivory Tower had been formed, a long standing feud and that the horrible creature was working for some enemies of the Camarilla or some such nonsense. It was a long time ago and I quite forget the details as it's something I'd rather not remember too closely. It brings back far too many painful and unpleasant memories."

His brow creases in an irritated frown.

"I mean, not only do I now have the blasted harridan's soul bound to mine until the end of time but the petty trollop wasn't even closer to Caine than I. To this very night that is something I can not bring myself to forgive her for."

The frown vanishes as a slight smile graces his lips again.

"Although, she did have excellent taste in the arts. Couldn't fault her that. It is entirely possible that she is the sole cause of my obsession with them. Something about the soul that's eaten influencing the eater. Or something. So it could be argued, not very strongly though, that it does have it's benefits."