An Architect calls

[Lady Grace]

Grace was intensely glad that she didn't stand for that toast.
Raising a glass whilst sitting had allowed her to slowly retract her arm until just causally holding whilst she tried not to sit mouth open during the Aurelia Hermina face off. Must remember never to get between angry Spanish Elders.

It was all she could do at each new development in that exchange just to keep holding the glass but at Dukes dragging the room back to reality she straightens on her seat, arm raised again and inclines her head to Dukes at his words.

[Madam Zaragoza]

Hermina, barely registering what is going on around her, manages to hear Dukes repeat the toast. Almost automatically she raises her glass, “To the Ivory Tower!” and clears her glass again. She stares at the bottom of her again empty glass and notes that her hand is shaking. She wonders how drunk she will have to become this time to stop the call of the poppy becoming too much. With slight desperation in her eyes she looks at Jean-Jaques hoping he understands at least her need for another drink.

[Jean-Jacques]

Jean-Jacques, having toasted in response to Grace, turns to face Valentina and nods,

"Ancilla Audley, ee ees not signeefecant to know zose zat weesh to arreeve, ee ees makeeng ze appropriate gesture of reciprocation of ze Elder Dukes hosting ze ozeer nights."

He nods toward Elder Dukes

"Eet ees ze case ee 'as inveeted zose zat attended ze gracious manor of ze Sheriif, and also ze Brujah clan president in ze city"

"ee 'op onlee zat you weel make amusement and enjoy what beetle ee can offer in comparison to ze previous soiree"

As he responds to Valentina he also moves around the room, charging all the empty glasses after the toast...

At the sound at the door, He nods toward Valentina and moves to answer

"excuse moi Ancilkla Audley, ze door"

He opens the door to an empty pathway

"Strange, here ees no one ere , "

He chuckles and moves to close the door....

"'ow odd..."

[L .]

“Most welcome.” Aurelia slips the hip flask back into her pocket, not caring to be out of it tonight. She had a feeling that she’d need her wits.

As everyone toasts she has to get it out again though, taking a final swig for show of effort. “To the tower. Long may it do exactly as it’s been doing, this whole time.”

[Posh-Tim]

When Jean-Jacques opens the door it is to a pathetically drowned looking Keane. His hood is soaked and plastered down to his head. As he moves to close the door Keanes hand flies out to stop it. Dropping his obfuscate in the process.
"Thankyou Neonate, but I think I will step out of the rain for now." He steps past Jean-Jacques heedless of the water pouring off him. He steps to the door of the room filled with company.
"Good Evening Elders, Sheriff. Primogen? It is pleasant to see you again Ancilla Granville. Oh, and the rest of you too." He waves around in a sort of encompassing fashion. "Now, would someone kindly get me something to dry myself and tell me why there is a horse in the room behind me?"
His aura is grumpy and - somehow - also sopping wet.

[JuneTolpuddle]

June, who had now reclined so far into the chair with the help of the wonderful brandy was asleep. peacful and content, till the mention of a horse was brought up. With a swift jerking motion she sat right up with a panicked look and a single question "Can you embrase a horse?"

This however was not the worst of it, as she had not noticed the brandy that was left in her cup, launching across the room.

[Madam Zaragoza]

Hermina sat there trying to work out whether leaving might be the best thing. There might be late night visitor to Opium Den amongst her herd, then she could just forget this sorry evening.

Suddenly out of nowhere a splatter of brandy laced blood lands across her arm and face. Joder! What had she done now to upset Aurelia. She initially looks up in fear, but as she follows the trail of the blood across the room, she realises the source is from elsewhere and dramatically relaxes.

“Who has done this!” She says angrily.

She spots a neonate that she had not noticed before in the corner. A moments assessment and suddenly all thoughts of leaving were gone and she was fully awake. My, my, who was this? She just oozes innocence. I *must* know more.

She gestures for the neonate to come over to her.

“You childe, come and explain yourself!”

[JuneTolpuddle]

June still in a trance from her having to rethink what she knows about kindred society, looks towards Hermina with a blank stare for a few seconds, before barraling towards her, slipping up on some of the brandy she has just spilt, landing on all fours at her feat and begging profusly

"I'm so sorry! I am so so Sorry, It was an accident! I am sorry, please forgive my ruseness! I am so sorry!"

Her face filled full with embarisment and fear she dares not move

[Madam Zaragoza]

Hermina watches as the neonate slides across the floor to end up at on all fours at her feet. Hermina leans down and lifts her up and sits her down on a chair next to her.
“Oh my darling, poor thing. I can see now that it was an accident. Of course I will need a trivial boon in payment but then all will be forgotten. What is your name childe? I presume that you are a Brujah and that is why you are here? Showing due respect to your Primogen, how wonderful.”
Hermina pulls a hankerchief out of her bag and cleans herself down.
“Tell me about yourself, are you very young?”

[JuneTolpuddle]

June goes instantly silent at the moment her chin is lifted, her mind flashes, a strong feeling . she could not discribe the feeling, was it fear, anxiety, relief? she could not place it. She tryies not to make eye contact, but occationally her eyes flick up to meet Hermina's. June sits down on the chair as instructed, and fondles a peice of her dress

Her voice is quiet "June Tolpuddle, and ofcourse" a slight stutter in her words starts to form "A trivial boon"

June tries to pick her words cearfully att his point "I am new to navigating vampire society on my own" She stands up, her eyes and face towards the ground "I am so very sorry"