The Night After The Party We Don't Talk About

[alanwrotethis]

"What do I ultimately serve? Ask Nathan Dukes, Sheriff of Aquae Sulis and I tell you truthfully that I serve the Prince, their domain, and the laws of the Tower. Ask Niketas Doukas the wizard-"

He halts, whatever rhetorical rant he was about to slip into brought to a standstill by the reaction of the woman sat beside him. He looks to her, exhales slowly. His tension eases and he turns back to the room.

"I don't want adulation. I am on the side of life," he says. "Some kindred find that a funny thing to hear, but I am not ashamed to say it."

[Manacledairman]

[Posh-Tim]

Keane sits quietly like Aurelia as Dukes vents his spleen. He has heard parts of this argument before. His aura shows a faint air of incredulity but for the now he has little to add.

[alanwrotethis]

Niketas accepts the offered hand.
"Thank you," he says.
He leans back, eyes half shuttered, quietly taking in the room.

[Manacledairman]

[Valentina Audley]

Valentina watches Aurelia's change in aura with slight concern and is relieved when Dukes stops talking. She's pretty sure commenting on other domain's Court is an unwise move so she refrains from telling Dukes ahe at least, has enjoyed his Sheriffing immensely.

She watches the handshake with a smile, then turns to Keane, smilingly. "Have you always been such a wonderful teller of stories Elder?" She asks lightly, hoping to provide a distraction from the heavier tensions present.

[L .]

Aurelia looks astonished (and equally as incredulous as Keane) as Aldrich rises, growing more and more perturbed with every step of movement that he takes towards the Tremere, until he is before him, and Aurelia’s expression can get no more blank as they shake hands.

Her aura has finally closed down as much as her expression.

[Posh-Tim]

Keane was so distracted watching the overt pomposity of Aldritch's performance Valentina's question comes as a surprise.
"Oh, um, er yes. I suppose I have. Not that I have always been wonderful though. It was how I spent my days as a mortal. My vocation if you will. Before my embrace I was something like a holy man to my people. I interpreted the will of the gods through various means."
He sighs to think back so far. Then looks a little embarrassed.
" it is quite sobering to think back on with older eyes. But yes, it was always stories in one form or another, and I have always loved to learn them since, just as much as telling them. It is quite wonderful to share a sense of the fantastical with those around you "
As he speaks his aura swells with pride and passion though he keeps his expression relatively neutral.

[Laurence]

Laurence friends at Duke's question, sitting forward and scratching his jaw with one hand. For a moment he opens his mouth to speak, then stops.

You don't know him, and he doesn't know your sire. Leave it.

His gaze turns with interest to Keane but he still flashes an occasional glance at Dukes, as if measuring his character.

[Valentina Audley]

Valentina smiles again, enjoying his explanation.

"May I ask what is your favourite tale?" Her aura is showing pleasure as she asks. "Do you know the tale of the seven swan princes? I think that's my favourite." She adds, thoughtfully.

"Does anyone else have a favoured tale!" She asks the room at large, mostly so as not to seem ride by ignoring them all.