An Architect calls

[Lady Grace]

Grace moves her glare from June to Hermina and then looks up to Jean Jacques attempting wordless urgency.

In one face she is attempting to relay 'Dear God if you value my continued assistance hapless neonate go and help that damp wet cloud of a Elder and whatever creature he has brought with him so people can stop watching the twisted Harpy advancing on poor sweet foolish June,'

[Anton]

His enthusiasm only doubling at Keane’s sneer, Anton nods avidly - helpfully - and follows Keane into the main room, mistaking his step and almost tripping as a horse’s head comes out of a hatch in the wall. The creature is droopey-eyed and sedate, looking to be chewing a piece of curtain. At the sight of such a wonder in a vampiric townhouse, Anton’s face spasms, and finally settles into a contained ecstasy of joy, his laughter struggling to remain bottled.

For all the world like this was the best night of his life, the scruffy boy approaches the gathering and turns to address them.

“Honoured of the Ivory Tower, might I please have permission to introduce myself to mine Elders?” He asks the room. Anton is softly spoken, for all the eagerness in his step, in the way he rocks on the balls of his feet once, before settling. His gaze he keeps on the floor out of seeming respect, but beneath the glasses his eyes are fixed in considerable focus, and are of a deep forest-green.

[alanwrotethis]

Niketas looks to the new visitor, sipping his drink.

Well, that's grand, he thinks to himself, another sweet bumbling scholar. I wonder if he's playing nice? I wonder if he's sharper than he looks? I wonder if he's less distracted than he looks? Oh shit, he just made eye contact. I wonder if he needs those glasses? Yea gads he's even wearing a drenched woolen jacket, it's like looking in mirror. Shit, he's nodding at me, hello to you to too. Oh for fuck's sake Niketas he can't hear you. Wait, what if he can hear you-?

"Hello," Niketas says, after a brief pause. "Nathan Dukes, elder of clan Tremere and Sheriff of the city. Have we met?"

[Madam Zaragoza]

Hermina is studying June and her discomfort. Hmmm ..how can I make her feel more relaxed. Then she hears and sees another young kindred come bouncing into the room. He looks ready and keen to please. She stands up.

“Please allow me to introduce myself, Elder Hermina Zaragoza, Whip of Clan Tremere. Who might you be?”

[Anton]

“I do not believe so, Elder Dukes, and thank you for the permission sir. I was introduced only to the predecessor of your predecessor’s predecessor. But it is good indeed to see such an important position refilled so fast.”

“And a warm hello to you too, Elder Zaragoza. It’s good to see more of the Warlocks around, I rest better in my bed at night knowing the city has good magical protections.”

“My name is Anton Kilner, but I’ve noticed that people seem to prefer neonate. If it is optional, I would enjoy my actual name being used, and I will extend the same courtesy to those who wish the same. But of course, I bow to my Elders’ will.”

“A pleasure to meet you all. I am here to assist Elder Keane. I wonder if I might excuse myself - after introductions of course - to attend to his wetness - oh - ah, his state, rather. It is now raining outside, and he forgot Raife’s umbrella. I also forgot it.”

He ignored his own sodden state; a comical raindrop trembled from the boy’s drenched hair and dropped onto the floor.

[alanwrotethis]

Niketas smiles in welcome, his eyes narrow for a split second.

Wetness? That was a hidden sex-pun you little shi- no, you don't have to play that part anymore... breathe Niketas. Wait, you don't need to breathe. How many predecessors? Do the math... shit, I'm not good at math.

"You were present before Arcadius then? Before the Night of Fire? I'm always eager to learn more about that time. A simple trade of gossip might be beneficial for both of us. Some other time."

[Manacledairman]

Aldrich dressed in a suit, covered in a long rain coat and wearing a top hat, he isn't expecting much and has therefore foregone the tie for the evening decides to leave his haven for the relatively short walk to the house that Marcheux mentioned. He picks up a simple wooden cane as his favourite cane is still at Dukes haven... Must get Amanda to pick that up, he makes a mental note.

Trapsing through the streets, he limps onward toward the property that he hopes isn't actually owned by Marcheux, hopefully there is some benevolent Ventrue who has taken pity on him and has put him up whilst his own home is being renovated, south of the river.

The rain dulls his sense of smell but there is an undeniable smell of horse manure coming from inside the house. A bad sign he thinks, despite that, he produces 3 hard knocks from the end of his cane onto the door and stands in the rain, seemingly unperturbed by it.

[L .]

Aurelia spikes an eyebrow up in amusement, but the warm expression faltered slightly when she slid her attention to Dukes. Back again at the boy, and she had a more pensive look now.

“I tend to prefer names too. Elder Aurelia, of Clan Ventrue, of Mithras’ line. Were we in Elysium I might do this more formally, but the last week has been... unusual, let’s put it. So sort your Elder, and join us when you’re done. Have you met anyone else here before?” Her gaze goes to Valentina, one of the only Kindred she’s now aware predated most of the old crop.

“The dear sheriff here might well have some questions for curiosity when you’re back, I admit I’d like to know a little more about the pre-Augustus reign, too. Or the Augustus reign. He’s only just buggered off to Calcutta. Took him a while to appease Mithras of his failings here.”

“And -“ but the door goes.

[Jean-Jacques]

Jean-Jacques hears the first of the knocks, and is moving by the third towards the door, seeming willing it to have happened to leave the inevitable desiccation of Elders and their attire to others.

He opens the door...

He bows deeply and stands aside immediately holding the door

"Elder Aldrich Beafort, of Meethras' leen, Architect of ze Evoree Two'er, Paragon of ze clan Vontrew, ...and ze guest of ze honour, ee welcome ze to his mine 'umbell 'ouse."

[Manacledairman]