Elvesztett

[George Williamson]

Dorian would be fine. Surely. He'd been used to dealing with the upper eshilons. Dorian was the upper echilons. In fact, Valentina was probably below his status. An unmarried woman and shopkeep. Her blood would only go so far.

Even the threat, the idea, that other's came in behind Dorian would be enough to stop her from trying anything. Dorian would no doubt tell Valentina that others knew of this. There are some things, however, that are better seen first hand. While the windows would give some view and the glass thin enough to hear through, George wasn't going to let Dorian go in alone.

Neither did George have much will to speak to Valentina. She'd been so rude since Viktor insulted her and since the Miroslav problem was theorietically resolved he had no need to repair the bridge she burnt as of yet. The cover of Obfuscate would do Goerge well, even if he did not try to avoid her gaze by hiding physically. Standing in the area behind Dorian was a perfect place.

A shophand? Not in the cover of the masquerade. Good to know.

The sense of nostalgia filled George. Though she lacked the fire she held the innocence he remembered. Was it wisdom or sheepish to keep quiet? Had she learnt already how much Dorian liked to talk? It was probably best for her to remain demur until a better point.

Unknown sire. Unknown but horribly suspected.

Even if Dorian didn't know George was there Dorian was sure adamant to act like he was not. While George thought of the best response he could make if he did not wish to maintain his hidden form he did not concentrate on the body. How things could have been different if George had the information he had now, a year ago. Could he have saved Evelyn from her buried fate? Lost possibilities. Reflexively, as the thoughts of lost oppertunities crash past, a sigh fills the room.

[LittleBird]

She stands up straight, raising her head as he talks about manifests in her blood...held tilting trying to follow, perhaps following too well at times, and lost in fantasies of how such knowledge was extracted in others. Those images and flights of fancy make her shiver more then the piercing rain outside.
Staring out at Damian's lips as she is attempting to not only seal her many rampant questions shut, yet also repeat her mental log of this information, Miss Audley snaps her attention right up.
Talking as if she is not truly there, gesturing as if she is to be trained...is this the norm, this blank page?
She does step forward, though diagonally, still wishing to get a view of both parties as she walks on the tips of her toes for the first couple of steps before correcting herself. The bargaining is all tipsy turvy, all double edged and more so, she tries to lose the confusion and latch onto her fascination of their ways. Yet it is hard. To try and be a blank canvas, to let their words, their flickering nuances that confound and astound be completely let in...and not let her own reckless reactions alter their paths.
Yet of course she does, how Damian is suddenly leaping, his words probing...for a reaction from whom? Her? The Seamstress? And what now? From listening to bargaining, to being a part of this bargain? This is not the norm, this feels wrong. A advantage... A obsession and exec-
Her head snaps up from its natural lowered state, her lips are parted to protest such a terrifying jest, yet her right hand shoots to her left wrist as if to restrain herself. She cannot help but reward him with a questioning frown that begs him to cease such twisting barbs, yet dares him to do so and perchance spark the seamstress too.

[Valentina Audley]

Valentina laughs merrily. "There are locks Mr Black, but they avail me naught when I am awaiting clients of a discreet nature and the wretched delivery boy."

She leans back in her chair, thinking as she gazes, seemingly, at Dorian. "If Mr Williamson and Dr Taylor are so enamoured then why are they not here in person to plead her case and beg my favour? Or are you offering favours on their behalf?"

She considers. "Nothing can likely be done til Elysium. Certainly not until we are sure of who holds domain. For that fortnight she will need clothing, feeding and housing. It is true that I can provide all of the above. I can likely persuade Milord Frederics to at least try on her behalf, especially with the" she pauses delicately "the situation around her parentage in such confusion. However, to do so will require me to exert myself considerably on her behalf and the boon of a childe so newly arrived among us counts for very little."

She smiles, looks George squarely in the eye and remarks "Skulking is extremely unbecoming Mr Williamson. Why don't you step forwards and at least attempt to show manners? You may as well introduce your lady love by name if you re going to insist on cluttering my workroom."

[Dorian M. Black]

"No, I offer nothing on either of their behalf, although I wouldn't be surprised if someone," oddly this was cast to the room, "would pay. However, it comes without an offer of Boon because this is a powerful chip and - were it not coupled by the burden of care - quite the political gift. If you do not wish to make use it yourself then I know that my Elder will. Viktor seems to be making something of a collection, what with all these wayward Toreador childer. A brunette too; he may yet complete the set."

"As for basic necessities-" but he paused, noting Valentina's attention. Or rather the direction.

Oh, look. A wild Williamson.

"-money is not a concern. Even Taylor has enough to provide should you need. It's your choice. If you're confused by the situation, I can elaborate on my suspicions as to her parentage and what I would do to further a recent political hole. For a Trivial Boon, of course."

[George Williamson]

"If I were skulkin' 'round north of the river in a bad disguise you'd think I'd hide at least." And with it those not already aware of George's presense suddenly are. At least the remark had snapped George out of whatever he'd been thinking before. To most he looked like the upper-middle class scholarly type, but Valentina could see through the guise to see the tattered coats and trousers classically seen south of the river. George rather hoped she'd be thinking more about his words than his clothes, it had been a rather short time since the incident, in her years.

"This is an oppertunity. A move to restore some sense of business after all that's 'appened before."

George won't force a different conversation than what Dorian intended. Though he also won't do anything to reassure the doe that all will be well. It won't. See if Valentina will accepts her first.

[Valentina Audley]

"Oh but you are skulking Mr Williamson. In my shop no less with the apparent assistance of Mr Black. You are not welcome and I posit you knew as much hence the really rather pitiful attempt at hiding." The words are sharp, whiplike, and with a burst of speed beyond what a mortal could achieve Valentina is suddenly by the girl, one delicately gloved hand resting lightly on the slim, sodden shoulder of the other.

"Foolish whelp of a boy! If you are truly keen for me to make a deal regarding the girl you will leave now without another word. Perhaps time and space and a proper apology for your unspeakable rudeness when next we meet at Elysium will endear you to me, who knows? But do not press your luck even slightly at this moment in time. And you, Mr Black, may make what excuse and apology you will for bringing him in with you. If you have nothing to utter then you may leave now. Without the girl."

She gives them her brightest and sweetest smile. "Unlike the pair of you I do cultivate friends. And they would be deeply unhappy to find I had been inconvenienced in anyway. Likewise they would be personally offended at the thought of a pair of Neonates whisking a Toreador Childe around the city and I'm sure they would take steps to remedy the situation."

[Dorian M. Black]

Dorian snorted - and left.

[LittleBird]

The girl looks up suddenly at Miss Audley, the sting of her speed, her sharp words and delicate gloves unsettling the scales from one extreme to the other. Listening and watching her display, she gently tilts her head...veiled words suited her much better then this. This is certainly not a person to anchor with for safe harbor of this moment. Sharp tools are a desperate resort are they not? Speed only engaged when one is running out of time?...running out of hands to play...?
Dorian's snort almost confirms her thoughts, keeping her eyes on Miss Audley as he leaves, she takes a moment, hands clasped before gently taking Miss Audleys hand off her shoulder.
"I have something to utter," she offers the seamstress a gentle squeeze before letting her hand drop. Her words are quiet yet focused, a candle under a screen, "thank you for your time and your kindly offer," she offers a gentile smile "yet I shall leave you to your work Miss Audley," she heads to the door to follow Dorian, "It was a enlightening pleasure, earning your acquaintance," she grants one look back, trying to copy Audleys extremely bright and overbearing smile, before she too leaves Miss Audley, in her shop, without the girl.

[George Williamson]

George is quite taken back by the new blood's display. Was this fire in all their youngs blood? Though after the barrage of rediculousness George wasnt in playful enough move to laugh. His face remained as neutral as it had been before. Even the insults hadn't phased him; maybe it was expected.

As Valentina had requested, George would not push his luck. He bowed deeply and left, following the Younglings.

[Samuel Taylor]

From inside the shop the sudden raucous cackle of mad laughter is quite chilling.

Outside Taylor's eyes flash with inherent madness and a too wide grin showing off too many teeth spreads across his face. His expression returns to his blank expression after a few moments. Only a slight twist up of the corner of his mouth indicating his mood.