Off and Away~! (Haven)

[Lady Dyonisia]

"What will survive of us is nothing - nothing! This is an outrage... an outrage."

The ex-Harpy threw another dress into the packing case with more enthusiasm than was necessary.

"For the duties as for the social life I have found diminishing surprise for how much of this wretched city I could find room for. But I have said to Mr. Redfern not one month prior: There are the exceptions, the unique unpleasantnesses, the inoperable tumours... Can you imagine, Miss Valentina? It is as if the very world conspires to make fact of my paranoia!"

"The fabric of this world is laughing, conspiring against our good attempts to right the wrongs of this court. What will befall us now? What will you do? I can hardly dare to hope that he will sit idly by now that I am out of the picture."

Immediately following this, as she cast another decorated shawl into the basket: "Oh! My guts are a mass grave. It could so easily not have happened." A pause. The woman scrunched the silk up into a ball. "Alas, that is... untrue. This would not have happened to another, but, I cannot regret enforcing such a sacred position and the duties of its office. Be this the consequence of a Harpy fulfilling the task obliged of them, then fool on the Primogen Council for their decision. They will reap what they sow. If you plant rot into a field, so too will the crops yield poor!"

The basket was slammed shut, the poor wicker contraption rattling.

"And Viktor? Despite his presence in the court he is a Nosferatu!"

[Valentina Audley]

Valentina quirks an eyebrow. "Then we need not fear he shall be long in the position darling."

She lifts a folded pile of garments out of a drawer and carefully carries them to the bed that they're using as a packing station, before starting to sort through them neatly and methodically.

"As for me... I'm not sure darling." She smiles at Dyonisia wistfully.

"I shall miss you!"

She folds and sorts until the pile is organised to her satisfaction then starts to put them into a suitcase.

"I think I would be unwise to stand alone right now. I shall be perceived as vulnerable without your protection I imagine." She grins suddenly. "Never a bad thing, to be underestimated. Though, it does mean I shall have to find myself a new protector of sorts..."

[Lady Dyonisia]

Dyonisia, fine-tuned for certain frequency shifts in the body, slanted a look at her companion.

"Do recall what we spoke of on the good Mr. Dubois. He might well satisfy that void."

As if remembering her emotion, however: "This is an outrage!"

Dyonisia shoved the last of her efforts into the case and collapsed on the chaise lounge in the corner, leaving Valentina to finish. A tired hand was draped delicately across her forehead.

"What am I to do? Miss Valentina, this city has been my home for the longest time. I dare say I had almost forgotten how displeased I had been to migrate to it in the first place. The Abbey, the fascinating little grotesques, the quality of tourism, the architecture, the carollers at Yuletime, even the God-forsaken limestone and its pallor. I should think I will miss it."

"No I don't want that one there-" she injected to the packing arrangements. "With the lilac, please."

[Valentina Audley]

Valentina obediently shifts the offending garment into the correct pile. "What of Taunton darling? You would be well received there, or Oxford perhaps?"

She finishes filling the case and shuts it, attending to the locks before she turns to look at Dyonisia. Seeing her reclining so, Valentina leaves the cases and moves to sit at the end of the chaise lounge, taking the other's hand in sympathy.

"Do not think of this as a permanent leave taking darling, please! Time will tell. We both know that can proof but be found... The balance will change."

She pauses for a moment.

"Tell me of how to send word to you and I can... continue our arrangement." She smiles fondly at Dyonisia.

"As for Mr Dubois... I am inclined to think well of him currently. He's shown sense so far. Also... Before you invited me Miss Delaney's evening, he was in the middle of offering me his own invitation so I do not think him entirely uninterested. He spoke of dancing lessons. Do you think that would be the best way to approach him?"

[Caiaphas Redfern]

A gentle rap came at at the chamber door, followed by the muffled voice of the maid, Ms. Magdalene Richards.

"I'm sorry to disturb you, Ma'am, but it's Mr. Redfern at the door. Shall I tell him you have guests?" she said, the intonation which which she spoke the visitor's name hinting ever so slightly at disapproval.

[Lady Dyonisia]

Dyonisia sunk more fully, falling into the plush textures of the recliner as she nudged her hand obligingly into Valentina's.

"Taunton? I don't suppose I should be very welcome, but then, no Toreador ever is. My sister will be quite pleased, if not aghast that we should share space for a time. Eleanor and I are a little too alike. I threw a few stones. Petulance really. Regardless, it's ancient history."

The hand squeezed delicately, the sigh one for the ages.

"We'll need to visit my private abode after this. I cannot think to leave without my beloved mink stole. You remember the one? Oh and my cuff buttons... Did you pack the green bonnet? The dress is useless without it."

The Toreador stared for a few moments, unblinking, into the room.

"It calms me somewhat to be back under my own roof, but now the cottage feels subtly altered. Here are the sweet walnut floors and the low ceilings, the amber lamp and red drapes, the Persian runner and even the kitchen's copper splash-backs and black slate tops in the neighbouring room - but all possessed of a taut sentience, as if they don't know whether to let me in on what they know, whatever the hell it is they do know. I feel removed from it all, a stranger. Oh, Miss Valentina, I do not like this one bit. There is nothing to do but wait. Wait and see how it all plays out. I feel positively queasy with- oh goodness, what is it Magdalene?"

Dark eyebrows pinch together. Her eyes shone with a naked look of surprise before the expression relaxed.

"No, that's quite well, do let him in," Dyonisia hummed. "We'll receive the man in the parlour. Thank you darling." And then, to Valentina. "I can't imagine what the poor dears are even thinking, to have lost their Master Harpy so abruptly. Imagine it: should they drop pride and await invitation from a Sewer Rat of all things so as to maintain their office? Heavens! It is no wonder one of my own wishes to visit," she gave a delicate sniff, raised a hand to glide it superiorly through the air.

"Yes, we should meet with Mr. Redfern. This is an opportunity for you to make connections in the court. Now that I am reluctantly... indisposed for the duties I am clearly crafted for, it is time to allow you space to move. Come, Miss Valentina."

[Valentina Audley]

Valentina looks surprised. "Now darling, you know that's not my way!" She protests even as she rises and rearranges her skirt, smoothing out an imaginary wrinkle.

"Let me stick to the shadows as ever I have." She pauses, considering.

"Hrm. Perhaps you are right. It would be as well to make alliances directly I suppose. In case..." She smirks a little, "incase Mr Dubois is not as accommodating as I hope to find him. One should always have a back up plan, no?"

Apparently satisfied with her own appearance she regards Dyonisia critically.

"Darling, let me fix your gown a little before we go down. That ruffle would sit better is adjusted a little."

Suiting action to words Valentina fusses with the gown for a moment before pursing her lips and nodding in approval. "You may no longer have the role but you still look the part. Will you lead the way?"

[Lady Dyonisia]

Were it not so impolite, Dyonisia might have rolled her eyes. The suppression gave the thin skin about her eyes an interesting tick.

"From an inconvenient thing," but there was no heat to the words. "Your talents I would not alter. So be it - and please - let injury be absent this night. I would not have our farewells corrupted thus."

The woman listened in return, the sharp line of her chin angled in an inquisitive pause. The smile was more a baring of teeth.

"Oh, I'm sure you'll find Mr. Dubois most accommodating. All in the hips, as they say. A dancer and a duellist, well... If that is your backup plan I cannot fathom what the main course looks like."

A wink, scandalous smile, and Dyonisia smoothed her expression. "Yes of course. Please do. I should burn this dress, the amount of social horror it has seen as of late. Given the Seneschal's words, however, we might be privy to enough burning for the both of us."

A glance at the gilt mirror, curve of eyebrow, and Dyonisia shared a look with Valentina.

"Naturally; I was born the part." But the grin seemed less enthusiastic than usual.

*

"Oh darling, how ever are you?"

In the reception, with its deep reds and plush upholstery, Dyonisia and Valentina met Caiaphas while her Ghoul fussed with the cushions and made herself scarce, shooting a veiled look of displeasure at their guest.

[Caiaphas Redfern]

Caiaphas was damp and a little disheveled from the persistent drizzle that had been a night-long cloak on the streets, but the Ventrue bore it well. He slowly pushed his hair back and greeted Dyonisia with faint smile that did not reach his eyes and failed to dispel the air of stoic melancholy that hung about him.

After a pause of appraisal, he ventured "Better than but a moment earlier, m'Lady...But I suppose looking on you is a privilege I'll soon have to relinquish."

He turned his gaze but not his face to Valentina, and an eyebrow rose in silently courteous inquiry.

[Lady Dyonisia]

"Perhaps. If this is indeed the hand we've been dealt then I hope that you'll soon feel it completely normal," was the half-aborted reassurance. Even Dyonisia didn't seem to believe it.

"Have you two been formally introduced? This is the good Miss Valentina Audley, an Ancilla and Master Seamstress among those of The Rose; Miss Audley is quite good at what she does. Miss Audley, Mr. Caiaphas Redfern, Elder of Clan Ventrue. I'm sure you've been introduced at one point. Miss Audley was just helping me pack my belongings."