The Main Hall in Elysium - 29th August

[Viktor]

"I see. Thank you Miss Weatherby. That will be all." he gives her a polite smile and then picks up the book again.

[Mary Anne Weatherby]

She hesitates momentarily and then decides better of her foolish notion. He's one of the Gentlemen and clearly busy she chides herself. Like as not he wouldn't answer so don't risk asking and the trouble that might ensue.

"Yes Sir."

She bobs a curtsey, turns and departs the hall by way of the basement stairs again.

[Viktor]

The figure nods slightly in return to the curtsey and then opens the book once more and begins to continue to read again.

[Caiaphas Redfern]

For a long while the faint rustle of pages turning was the only common sound in Elysium's hall, and then the sound of footsteps approached. They were by no means subtle, the familiar clack, clack, CLACK of the Caiaphas' hard black shoes: twin heralds that announced him to Viktor even before he had entered.

The Primogen of Ventrue glanced imperiously about the room, as if to chase away the shadows with the cold fire of his gaze, and then settled on the unassuming figure with the book. For an instant, he frowned in intense concentration, then his manner gentled.

"Sir?" he said by way of laconic inquiry.

[Viktor]

By the time Caiaphas has reached the hall, the figure has placed the book back on their lap and is silently waiting for them arrive. It's hard to tell if it is the result of his own intense stare or just a relaxation by the other but the outline shifts in the shadows where the other figure sits and the familiar form of Viktor appears.

"Good Eve Primogen." he replies as he stands, the book now held in one hand as he steps toward the newcomer, stopping a suitably polite distance away.

[Caiaphas Redfern]

Reassured that the kindred before him was whom he had expected, Caiaphas relaxed inwardly, though little of his emotional state reached the surface to be read.

"Good eve to thee, Master Harpy.", came the answer with a subtle nod. "Tis not the madding crowd I'd have wagered would besiege thee by thy invitation."

He examined the statuesque horror before him, and there was - strangely - something like sadness in the Ventrue's eyes. "In troth, hast no other company? Wouldst fain have mine, at least until harder labours press thee?"

[Viktor]

"Thy presence is welcome." Viktor replies gesturing to a pair of chairs for them to sit upon. "Others hath not seen fit to grace these hallowed halls with thier presence this eve."

He moves over and sits upon one of the chairs, waiting for the Ventrue to join him.

[Caiaphas Redfern]

"More is the pity", Caiaphas mused as he regarded the proffered chair, then approached slowly to rest himself on it, upright and prim as he always appeared when circumstances forced him to sit, for the discipline of his blood forbad discomfort, and he always found such a pose constraining.

Nevertheless, it was a display of comfort in the other's presence, much as a cat might indulge in when faced with another predator with whom it wished no strife and wished to show it. And much like the animal, he avoided the challenge of excessive eye contact.

Having rested in admiration of Elysium's beauty a while, he addressed the older vampire in soft tones. "If I may seek the root of it...Rumour reacheth me that - and in thy kindness thou'lt surely forgive me if I have hear wrongly, dear elder of elders - that thou welcomst no more the Rose's petitions, nor news of boons given or received."

He said this in as neutral and off-hand a fashion as he could, with no note of judgment, only curiosity.

[Viktor]

"Should one of the Line of the Rose wish to record boons then trivial Prestation is currently required of them to the Master Harpy for such to be done." Viktor replies in a calm and neutral tone of his own.

"As with many things Primogen rumour does not quite equate to the reality of the matter."

[Caiaphas Redfern]

Caiaphas nodded slowly as he took it in, evincing no surprise. "Not quite, yet close enough to be without distinction in practice, Master Harpy. I am told that they now question thy impartiality in the name of the Ivory Tower, and they will not come to thee no matter how small a boon thou askst." he commented with a certain fatalism.

He let more time pass in silence, apparently lost in a gentle reverie. When he finally spoke, his timbre was wistful. "Knowst thou...I was very aggrieved by the loss of Lady Dionysia. She had served long and well, and such needless upheaval is an atrocity.

"My only comfort was that thou, her successor, wert a respected elder of wisdom and probity. I hoped that wouldst hold that position in our court for many, many long nights thence."

His gaze passed over the Nosferatu's handsomely monstrous form. "Yet I also given to understand that the post was thrust upon thee without consent or even consultation. Will it please thee to forgive me if I then ask another question: dost thou happily bear the powers and the duties of Harpy, or wouldst prefer thy freedom?" he inquired with a certain caution.

"I do beg thee kindly to tell me if it be so; Malota put forward a motion to have thee removed from thy post at the last Elysial gathering and, should the question arise again, I wish to know whether I'd be doing thee a disservice...an unkindness...by once again voting 'no'...It is not at all right that a kindred of respect should bear a yoke he would not choose."