The Night After the March Elysium

[Valentina Audley]

Moth to a flame indeed! Ah youth. He'd learn. Or die, which is a valuable if final lesson. Valentina suppressed a smirk and then just as rapidly suppressed a sigh of annoyance. It wasn't that he asked after Dyonisia, no, that was right and proper. But oh, how irksome that the only people enquiring after Dyonisia where the wretched Nosferatu!


Long experience as a shop keeper allowed Valentina to keep her thoughts hidden behind a polite mask, allowing a polite smile to settle on her features she replied, "very well, thank-you for asking. I understand the Court in Bristol are glad of her skills and experience."

Not entirely true, contact between herself and Dyonisia was necessarily limited at the moment, so she wasn't entirely sure on the details but Valentina had no intention of appearing ignorant and the answer vague enough to pass muster even if checked up on, because she was confident that Dyonisia was busy making the Bristol Court glad.

[George Williamson]

A young nosferatu's life is a constant effort to learn faster than you are expected to, which is a never ending sturggle. As for death, the sewers were a long way from here...

George was actually pleased that the elder had made her home in Bristol so effortlessly. Though of course it was for his future well being that it was so. "Of that I am unsurprised. It was pure malice and reckless chaos against both her Ladyship and this Domain from departing Kindred. The same emotions that caused that anarchic night on the streets."

The disruption had been unplesent to the Nosferatu. Yes they could escpae it all very easily, but it made so much noise that hearing anything reasonable had been hard to come by in the Kine of late.

[Valentina Audley]

Valentina nodded. Of course it was malice, malice coupled with a desire to come out best and cause another's downfall in the process. The game of survival as a creature of the night. People who are nice do not survive. Malice is essential. Chaos less so, but... A little chaos could be an excellent cover for a different scheme to further one's own ends.

As these thoughts sprang into her head Helen reappeared, with a tea tray. She sets it down, moves a little table between the two vampires and sets out two delicate pretty, floral tea cups and a matching tea pot. A small plate with slices of lemon, a milk jug and a sugar bowl and a delicate strainer complete the set. Once she's set everything out she picks up the now empty tray, bobs a curtsey and leaves the room again.

Valentina smiles sweetly at George and picks up the strainer, puts it in the first cup and lifting the teapot pours the tea.

"Do you take sugar? And would you rather milk, lemon or black?"

Speaking of malice, this should be entertaining...

[George Williamson]

Tea. The great boon to Britain, and bane to Kindred everywhere. Everyone expected each other to drink tea no matter the time or place.

"Black with one suger if you'd be so kind," this wasn't the first time George had tea in the last twenty years, nor would it be the last. Better get practicing.

"As you may remember, the Lady Dyonasia wished to speak with my brother that evening. I can only assume that it was because there was something that she wish to know and find out. If you could, please do let her know that we hold no bars against her if she still wishes our aid."

[Valentina Audley]

The good thing about being a hostess pouring tea is that it excuses immediate replies. Move the strainer to the second cup, add a sugar lump to the first cup, stir and only then do you have to look up and acknowledge the person waiting patiently for a reply.

She holds the cup out and allows confusion to colour her face. Whilst Valentina loathes appearing ignorant there are times when bluffing can be more dangerous. This could well be such a time so honest puzzlement seemed to be the best way of trying to find out what on earth George was on about.

'I'm afraid I wasn't aware that Dyonisia wished to speak with anyone she had not managed to see that evening. Perhaps if you could give me a few more details, so that I can pass the message on?'

She lifts the teapot again and pours herself a cup, adding a slice of lemon then lifting the cup, to her lips and taking a delicate sip.

[George Williamson]

The cerimony was quite relaxing. Slow, crafted actions brimming with pleasant purpose. This gave George plenty of time to process the conversation so far and where to lead it, which let him concentrate on Valentina when she spoke. It must have been a private matter then.

He gave some confusion too, "I am not too sure. Her Ladyship was rather vague with who she wished to see and it was quite the time ago. I would expect Viktor or Lady De Aquitaine, however considering recent event I cold understand if her wish was not to speak to them. There are however, as they say, many ways to skin a cat. The information my brothers and sisters hold can be found through myself, also."

George took his cup of tea and brought it to his lips. The smell of burnt ash was not plesant but, having gotten used to it, was able to give a smile of appreciation for the tea. He brought it to his lips and took to sip his tea. The gap between tea and rim had widened.

[Valentina Audley]

Valentina smiles happily back and sips her own tea, savouring the aroma. He's either very unusual or a good actor, but either way she's amused. A Nosferatu playing at civilised behaviour is as entertaining as a Nosferatu having to drink something he'd find revolting. A thought occurs, there was one nosferatu Dyonisia had wanted to talk to... But surely not?

'I should hardly call the Lady De Aquitaine your brother Mr Williamson.' She lets her amused surprise colour her voice.

'Dear Dyonisia did speak to her regarding a meeting but her regretable departure meant it never came to pass.' Valentina sighs.

If that's the meeting he's referring to then she does know what it's about. It might have been useful, but really required Dyonisia's delicate touch and authority.

[George Williamson]

He tips his head slightly, still smiling, "It was a turn of phrase. If I was being literal none of them would be my brother."

The warm tea sat in hands, giving a pleasent sensation. "But I do understand. I am sure to return here before the next to deliver the details to you, by then hopefully you would have had a chance to correspong." He swirls the tea, "Though I may venture to Bristol soon; would you have an address that I could write a letter to should I decide to go?"

[Valentina Audley]

Good grief. The arrogance and impetuosity of youth! What on earth made this wretched creature think Dyonisia would be willing to countenance a letter arriving, unsolicited from someone she cared not a jot for? Not to mention what on earth would she think of Valentina for having willingly given up such information and to such a one at that!

"I'm sure if you pay a visit to the Bristol Court on Elysium night that you would find her there."

She smiles angelically and takes another sip of her tea.

"I shall be sure to pass your message on though and please thank Lady De Aquitaine for her making this known, it is most kind of her."

[George Williamson]

George gives a little node, still giving off a plesant smile.

"That is a much better idea. I'm sure I can find out when the Bristol Elysium is held quite easily. Thank you very much for your help on the matter."

The tea swirls. After the easiest route being deflected he didn't feel like having his nose any closer to the tea. Though now his points of business had been address, what else to speak of. He paused for a moment.

"I will have to congratulate those dancers from last night if I see them again. Do you know if their master is staying long in town?"