The Culture Tour

[alanwrotethis]

"Hmm..."
He tenses.
"Forgive the euphemism... The Sword is... you know, the enemy sect..."
He clutches his satchel tightly.
"And as for all the rest, that's delving into strange territory, and arcane matters, and things a good kindred doesn't talk about frivolously. My tongue has been rather loose already tonight. Maybe away from kine ears, later."
He eyes the gathering, grumbling quietly.

[L .]

Aurelia nods, seemingly satisfied at Keane’s explanation. She slides a covert look to Dukes but otherwise sits delightedly enough in the tram, taking her attention out to the city.

As Grace makes to leave however, Aurelia casts her attention over the excrement filled streets. “Really? Whyever so?” She’s actually surprised enough to outright ask. “It’s a tour isn’t it? You’ll miss a big chunk of it.” Aurelia looks more baffled than anything, unsure why someone would take to walking beyond the immediate center, given how laden with muck and grime English cities were. She travelled herself a lot, but countryside was a different matter.

She sits back so that Valentina can see Dukes better, looking for all the world amiable with comfort even while being wedged between two kindred. She’s clearly used to close company, or doesn’t mind the shoulder-brushing with these two.

“I find that those Kindred close to me do not need to be a... Ventrue, to understand Ventrue matters,” Aurelia offers to Dukes. “You never know, Envoy Audley might be more prone to discerning matters of the arcane, when they are put forward clearly, than you expect. My err... travelling companion, often looks at me boggled, initially, when I try to explain some - ah - Ventrue matters, but he actually understands quite a lot of it, after I explain it with an analogy or two. Perhaps later though, you’re right. And everyone can hear you mutter, bird man.”

[alanwrotethis]

He lifts his head, trying to smile, a slight spark of mania in his eyes. He takes off his glasses and blinks at Aurelia and Valentina.
"You want one of those stories? I could tell you things that would curl your toes. Log a boon or offer me a book, a good book, and I'll sing your song."
He coughs, pausing to eye the carriage. He reapplies his lenses and turns, with great fervour, to staring at the window.

[Lady Grace]

"Go if you wish to Laurence just trying to assist Keeper Price and lighten the load"

[Laurence]

Laurence inclines his head, smiling at Grace.

"Of course Lady Grace. I should be pleased to assist you in lightening the load on the horses, and of course if we walk briskly we should not be too far behind the rest of the tour."

Stepping back from the Tram, Laurence offers one arm to Grace.

"If there is one thing I learnt in the new world, it is that clan should stick together and support one another."

[L .]

Aurelia looks as though she is trying very hard not to smile, astonishingly hard - her eyes slanting, to become catlike slits, half closed in pleasure. She murmurs her own sound of agreement, to the idea of his story. And the elder’s aura, previously relaxed but a little exasperated, even tired, floods now with something close to arousal. Her shuttered gaze tracks the path of the glasses, as they come off Dukes’ nose, and if anything Aurelia sinks happily into her seat, luxuriating in the tram and the crisp night air.

“I have a book you can have. It’s only half-formed currently, but in my opinion of these sort of things, I would say it’s one of the most valuable books to our kind.”

[Valentina Audley]

Valentina, who, truth be told, had been hoping for some kind of Arthurian legend/fairy tale hybrid shrank in on herself a little as Dukes admonishes them about what good Kindred should talk on.

She's therefore content to let Aurelia carry on the conversation whilst she regains her composure.

When he admits to being amenable to persusaion she perks up again. After all, it might not be the tale she wanted orginally, but Valentina is always in favour of new knowledge.

"I would gladly offer a minor boon in return for such a tale Sheriff." She speaks hopefully, but softly, mindful of the fact that they are still in a public place.

[Manacledairman]

Aldrich seems surprised when the brujah decide not to joing them on the tram but his attention quickly shifts to the stories being told.

"Do you know what. Double it, I'll also offer you a minor boon sheriff. In return for the tale."

[alanwrotethis]

"Well said Valentina, Aldrich, more than kind," Dukes says, face pressed firmly against the glass. His voice is a register higher than normal, his aura nervous and... happy. "
"I can spare a few good stories at the after-party, it would be rude not to. And Aurelia-"
He halts, sucking air through his teeth.
"It had better be a bloody good book."

[L .]

Aurelia smiles, all teeth and glittering eyes. They’re still half-mast, and fixed on him.

“Rather: It better be a breathtaking story.”

She settles in for the rest of the tram ride.