An Urchin So North of the River

[George Williamson]

Great. He's speaking in tongues.

George was quite through Refern's comparison. It was quite a well received as the Elder had hoped for it had not knocked the look of self-depreciation that held onto George's face. It didn't matter if others were 'worse'. He'd seen himself in the water and glass, and he was a horror. No greater horror could lessen his. Maybe he could deal with a different way...

Confusion came to forfront after the Elder's question. A grey gloom held over his words, "I dunno who that Saint is, nor what power a saint held that could be the same as ours."

[Caiaphas Redfern]

The Ventrue checked himself. The thrill of anticipation had gone to his head, and he had spoken to this neonate - this poor, ill-educated childe - in entirely the wrong register. He mused bitterly on how he had fallen prey to the assumption that all kindred were as erudite as the ones to which he had been in the habit of speaking these last years. How foolish thou art, Caiaphas. How blind, how arrogant. The Lord humble thee and bring thee to His light.

"Forgive me." he asked, though he failed to notice that even this request had the subtle tenor of a command. "I speak of St. Francis, who loved the beasts of the field, the birds in the sky...all creatures that walked, swam, crawled and flew in God's creation. And who knew their speech. It is said that the Nosferatu...by the blessing of your blood...have this gift also."

Caiaphas continued with unusual animation, clearly enchanted by the idea. "I wish to make that wondrous gift mine. I wish you to teach it me - perhaps not in the very next few weeks, but soon enough. And if you would be my teacher, then in course I would be willing to offer the minor boon that is usual for such a service. That, or some other favour or praise if you'd prefer.

"What say you, Williamson?" he asked, then added "Do not feel obliged! 'No, Sir' is a quite reasonable answer and, if so, I shall find another master to kneel before. Hahaha."

There was something dry and stilted about the laugh, and he became still and stony again as he waited for the younger vampire's answer.

[George Williamson]

George tensed at the Elders not-quite command. It was obvious his voice was used to easily holding such power over others. George listened attentively, understanding what the Elder wanted by the end of his first sentence. Luckily this gave him plenty of time to think while the Elder was finishing.

Yes he had just asked to be taught how to speak to animals, but exactly what the entailed George knew little. He had taught before, but that wasn't to an Elder. Were things different? What about the blood? What was it even for? George had so many question he decided to boil down to three.

"What would be expected of me if I were t' teach ya? Is it just talkin' ya want to learn to talk to 'em? Have ya learnt how t' be less... scary to animals?"

[Caiaphas Redfern]

A nod of affirmation came in answer. "I am something of a naturalist and understand enough of beasts to act in ways that lessen their fear of our hunter's hearts, yes. Avoidance of too direct a gaze, a soft voice, gentleness of motion, and giving them...ahahaha...giving them sufficient lee-way."

He took a moment to relish having found a excuse to drop a naval term into conversation, then went on: "My desire is to understand and be understood; I have learned kindred arts not native to my blood before and I believe that I understand what's needful, though I am perfectly ready to be surprised."

[George Williamson]

George nods along. More time, perfect. "Well I'm glad t' see you're at close reach." At least some words didn't pass over George's head.

He required a moment to think, as the next topic had some weight to it. "Now, I do wana teach ya. Good business. Though I'm a little worried 'bout what ya have to drink to learn. I know it can 'ave worryin' effects that someone of ya standing shouldn't have to go through with someone like, well, me." George tried a smile, trying to lighten the tone. "Would ha have a way of breakin' that? I wouldn't wana hold somethin' like this over ha after all."

[Caiaphas Redfern]

A tilt of his head this way, a tilt of his head that way, in approximate lieu of a shrug. "Yes, I am quite aware.", he answered with equanimity. "As you may recall my saying, I've trod this path before, and if I think on you...if I dream more often of you than I otherwise might, Williamson, then so be it. It will fade with the passing of years, but in the now may it remind me of your worth, out of sight yet not out of mind."

Then his brows subtly rose, and he asked "Or do you mean that your sanguis vitae is poison? One hears all sorts of things through the years, but surely not all scuttlebutt is true."

[George Williamson]

George scratch his hair, mostly out of impulse rather than any actual itch. "Nah, I ain't infected." He'd been hoping for something more, a shred of hope. Not all paths lead to gold.

George straightens up, "Then yea, I can teach ya. Shouldn't be too 'ard. Probably try 'n see ya once a week at the beginnin' then less as time goes. So I guess, when would ya like to start?"

[Caiaphas Redfern]

"A Primogen's duties busy me for the now, matters of court and warfare and such, but perchance we shall begin the tutelage in the coming months. There is little need to rush such matters." Caiaphas answered with the satisfaction of a deal done. "We shall see how the land lies after the masked ball - rarely do such gatherings fail to turn our world on its head."

His gaze travelled over the childe to take in his true aspect once again, and he continued "In the mean-while, here you stand before a Primogen. Have you any other business you'd lay before him?

"I recall that you wished some months ago to trade for information you had concerning enemies of my blood, and I spoke with Vex as you suggested for a taste of what I'd buy, but instead he spilled much concerning his granddaughter Evelyn. Was that the subject t'which you referred, and if so what had it to do with my alleged enemies? Or did you mean something else?"

[Caiaphas Redfern]

((END OF SCENE. Alex wants to take the RP to email because it's about to get all sexy.))