Down to the river to pray - Open

[Jean-Jacques]

Walking alongside the river, Jean-Jacques was dressed as any gentleman taking the night air, as he moved seemingly with purpose toward the bridge that overlooked the weir.

Just weeks ago the waters were different...the sound, the reflected moonlight..... the, what was that...was that...singing...

He watched Lucius and Christine talk, some brief exchanges and then seemingly they begin to move away, as he continued, deciding not to conceal his approach

He ensured he would be seen and heard at a fair distance, his feet meeting gravel with an almost pleasing friction

Quite some detail in the facade eh?

He waved a polite greeting and nodded as he approached, and hailed the two familiar vampires as he approached

“Elder Lucius Servius...”

How bows , then a brief pause

“ and Christine, I do believe the waters carried your voice open their surface down beyond the weir, such a marvel it was to hear it entwined amidst the waters”

He smiles at both in turn

[Christine Daye]

She notes the hesitation, the momentary hitch in the rhythm of his words and movement. It's jarring, discordant, makes her wonder. But he has met her halfway, so her smile softens to something more genuine.

Christine is about to answer Lucius, but the sound of footsteps interrupts her. Her facade of proper Victorian womanhood back in place, she returns Jean-Jacques greeting with a smile.

"What a pleasant surprise! Well met by moonlight, as Oberon would say... are you well? Elder Lucius and I were conversing about mythology... I was going to offer him first question... but it is a harder game to play with three... though not insurmountable... given a bit of thought... or should we swap stories instead? That might be easier... what do you think Elder?"

[Lucius Servius]

“Indeed, perhaps discussing mythology is something we can save for a later date.”

Visibly annoyed at the possibility Jean-Jacques may have been eavesdropping.

“It is presumptuous of you to insert yourself into this conversation, sir, presumptuous too for one of lesser social station to address a lady by her first name in public. As it seems this court has decided you are unreleased, please rest assured your lack of social awareness will be discussed with your sire.”

Noticing off the corner of his vision Christine’s smile at Jean-Jacques arrival Lucius backtracks a bit.

“But that is for the future. Tell me, how much about what Christine and I were talking about did you overhear? Answer truthfully if you please. I am well aware you possess auspex, boundless curiosity and the impulse control of a monkey."

[Jean-Jacques]

Jean-Jacques greets Christine’s warm greeting with a smile

Then turns to Lucius his smile polite

“Elder, quite correct it would be rude and arrogant, indeed disrespectful of both your confidences to do such a thing”

in a past life such dishonour would ne’er be suggested amongst companions....every step is on gravel...now again I have returned once more to the start of the journey, yet ....the path is ....

“I neither did so, nor intended such a stain upon your honour Elder, my honour is as you suggest of the lowest kind, I had heard the song over the sound of the water and as I approach noticed you were making to walk, I judged, that it was more acceptable to hail your persons rather than sneak by”

He glances at Christine

“Besides the melody can be quite entrancing...”

“Have i interceded, then by your grace I shall leave and return and coop myself away for the remainder of the night”

[Rhona]

Another quiet night - or so it had seemed. Quiet was not always how Rhona enjoyed her evenings, but for once she had just about started to enjoy an evening where nothing monumental had to happen. The night air was sweet, but tinged with that musky city smoke that reminded her constantly that she wasn't truly beyond the city limits.

She was dressed in her usual fashion; off white loose shirt, golden brown pantaloons and severely scuffed brogue style shoes, a long and slightly moth-eaten coat worn on the shoulders. A little less unassuming than she might have dressed only a few months ago. All in all she struck the figure of a bewilderingly pretty gentleman, hands in pockets as she gazed down into the murky water of the river by her side.

Until...wait...was that a raised voice? Maybe two? One of them seemed familiar at least.

Her pace quickened as she grinned. Another kindred might have kept to the shadows, but she wasn't much for sneaking. Her dedication to having a quiet evening evaporated as she drew closer - yes, she had been correct. Figures swam into view through the night, two very familiar, the third less so...but still she remembered that form. She lingered a little, waiting to see what was going on ahead before interrupting.

[Christine Daye]

Christine hides a sigh of annoyance behind a pleasant countenance. Danu have mercy.... just as I was starting to get somewhere... Still, the look of approval she gives to Lucius is unfeigned. He's pleased her by jumping to her defense.

She's about to address the other two when she sees and hears Rhona. Christine looks directly at the Gangrel and smiles politely.

"Ah, wonderful! Here is our fourth! Shall we play bridge? Or do we carry the elements in our souls? But which is which? Do you carry the wilds, the green and growing things?" she asks Rhona. This she addresses Jean-Jacques: "Are you rippling in the waters?"

She hums quietly a moment.

.... I had word of your coming... this is no surprise....

She then frowns at the two newcomers, the addresses Lucius.

"My apologies, Elder, but perhaps our discussions of libretto and opera plot should continue another time." She looks to the other two arrivals. "I mean no offense, but I'm sure you understand. The beginning of any act of creation is a delicate and private time... especially when one is composing!"

"But come!" she continues. "We are here by the Lady's blessing. Let us honour her."

[Lucius Servius]

Lucius painfully noticed Jean-Jacques didn’t answer his question about how much he overheard. He considered attacking him then, taking the petulant childes throat in his hands and squeezing some propriety into the whelp. Christine’s announcement that the neonate Gangrel was also present somewhat put a dampener in that, he considered doing it anyway, consequences be damned. However, yet whilst one could be excused using dominate to force answers out of an unreleased childe, a released neonate whose patrons were unknown was another matter entirely. Frankly not worth the effort, it was unlikely she could even make sense of what Christine and he were discussing anyway.

“Indeed Christine, let us put our conversation on hold for the moment.”

Making a deliberate action of ignoring Jean-Jacques, Lucius instead addressees the space where he assumes Rhona is waiting.

“Neonate forgive me, but I do not know your last name. Are you simply Rhona? Either way please do join us. Tell me, what do you know of the Goddess?”

[Jean-Jacques]

it consumes all senses ... oh Lucius if only you closed those eyes and you see what I can see......souls manacled, shackled to the capstan, eyes burned out by the bleaching intensity of the Lie...

He waits for the inevitable aggression, it has become second nature to receive from those of this court and wider afield, yet something seems to take the attention of first Christine and then Lucius

Jean-Jacques follows their gaze and peers into the gloom, senses searching the shadows for the unseen gangrel.

Ah there you are

[Rhona]

There was a slight pause as Rhona stepped forward, approaching the three kindred openly now. She honestly hadn't expected to remain unseen, she knew very little about any of the individuals that new addressed her, and possibly even less about Jean-Jacques than she had done a scant few months ago. She liked to entertain the thought sometimes that Christine could probably see far more than just through the blanket of darkness - perhaps sometime she would enquire.

"Good evening!" She greeted the three warmly, an amiable smile twisting her lips as she gave a polite little bow. "Elder, Christine, Jean-Jacques. 'Tis a fine coincidence to find the three of you be the Riverside tonight.'

Her grin was faltered a little at the question directed by the Elder. Really - we're launching straight into mythologies now?Shit...which ones do Ventrue like...

She pondered the question briefly as she gazed at each kindred in turn, her smile broadening a bit at Jean-Jacques. That one was always entertaining.

"I fear my knowledge of such things is lamentable - I would not know of which one you speak. My recent nights have been rather filled with conversations of the three-who-is-one, but I fear that might not be to whom you are referring? Oh! And in answer to your other question, just Rhona or Rue are both perfectly fine names to call me."

[Christine Daye]

"Oh? How curious! There are many trinities... I myself am one... but that is neither here nor there... the most common now... in nomine Patris et Filii et Spiritus Sancti... but there are older..."

She flicks a worried glance to the river.

"... perhaps we should steer clear of such discussions... at least until you have given honour to the Lady of the Waters..."

She tilts her head to look intently at Rhona and sings softly:

"...for woman is a branching tree... and man's a clinging vine... and from the branches carelessly... he'll take what he can find... for when your time is past and gone... he'll care no more for you... and in the place your time was raised... he'll spread all o'er with rue..."