The Culture Tour

[Lady Grace]

Grace waits not wanting to become prominent in any way that would rerail the Sheriff in his explainations or interupt her betters.

She nods to Laurence and has a broad smile for Jean Jacques, she only just noticed Tatiana's slight recoil from the arm that she was going to take. Yes, well, elegance is costly and now there is safety in numbers blending into the background is not as essential but those few dresses that are left are to be preserved for high days of needing to make a impression at Court. There are so few things left but the cause has always been worth it. Always.

And yet it was such a feeling to be treated in high regard, to have time for polite conversations, almost like the old days again.

She resolves the situation by a quick flick of fabric getting the cloak out if the way and removing a arm from underneath in a strong navy colour jacket. She takes Tatiana's arm.
'I am better for the present company and looking forward to learning about how this place has changed. We should have a interesting night'

[Jean-Jacques]

Jean-Jacques returns Lady Grace’s wide smile, then slightly raises an eyebrow, just a small notch and looks between the sheriff and Aurelia.

He, carefully, makes eye contact with both, gauging for himself whether the Sheriff is indeed escaped some Bedlam or simply lost in the etiquette as the neonate views the world through a narrow lens of experience at court.

Notwithstanding his heightened sense of peril from being named amongst the verbal fray he decides upon speaking as his sense dictates, one day he will be older and wiser, that is not today.

“Aurelia, I ham hat your serveece to ‘elp us commonce ze toor.”

Against all his will and desire not to he glances at the Sheriff as he finishes his short sentence.

[Jerome Price]

Jerome greets those who arrive, each in turn while keeping an eye on the escalating elders -watching to see if it will resolve itself. Sadly it would seem not, and now he notes some piqued interest in the intensity of the charged exchange by some of the passers by. Time to lend his clan mate what aid he can.

“Elder Aurelia, since we first met you are something of a mystery I have to confess that you are not always what you seem to be. Like Dukes, English is not my first language and I have to admit that in my native tongue we ascribe gender to all kinds of things with no sense to it and over time that gender could change as the language evolves and blends with others. For instance in my tongue a house is female while a castle is male, which seems strange because both are buildings and a home to those who reside there. Perhaps it is because in my native country we ascribe the homely virtues of motherhood to a house, while the castle stands as a guard and protector. But that is the view of a single culture, their preconceptions, and if I am not mistaken,” he gestures to Aurelia’s garb, “you seem well travelled and over the years I surmise you may have been shaped by those cultures you encountered. A form more feminine as Dukes suggested, but statuesque like the castle. Authoritative like the dominant gender of many cultures, but with a biting wit and fury more commonly emergent within the female gender. As I say, quite the mystery... so perhaps we might put this down to a conflict of cultures and a perfect introduction to this evening’s tour?”

Jerome stands between the two elders, hoping they will accept the olive branch offered.

[L .]

"You're good," Aurelia says, trying not to smile. "Perhaps you would have made a fair Toreador. Had I interests in the male sphere, I might have been taken up and made aflutter. A clever save." She inclines her head with no small amount of mirth; it's clear the olive branch is accepted.

"Let us adopt neither Mister nor Miss, but Aurelia and nothing else. That is easier, neh? I do not like the modern epithets. They sound strange to me. They make me think of small boys and girls, and tame things, like pigtails and chalk games."

[alanwrotethis]

"Yes... well said Jerome... and thank you."
Dukes keeps his eyes low, seemingly terrified of the teasing elder in his presence.
"... I don't like tame things," he says "except for books. Books are fantastic."
He clears his throat and regards the host of the event.
"So... what are your plans for tonight? I might follow for a while... if I haven't made an ass of myself already."

[Laurence]

Laurence turns to Grace, giving a small smile.

“Primogen, would you do me the favour of introducing me to those whom I have not had the pleasure of meeting yet?”

Giving a slight indication towards Valentina and Aurelia. Running one hand down to the bottom of his waistcoat, Laurence adjusts the few small rumples that have appeared on his clothing. His other hand moving up to rub lightly at the smooth skin of his chin.

[Andross Blint]

Andross, seeing that he is not late enough yet to have misded the tour, moves over to join the crowd. He notices an unusual but not unknown face amongst them and heads towards Aurelia, giving a bow as he greets them.

"Good evening Raven, it has been some time since i last saw you in this city. May i still call you that name? Or is there one that would be more proper now that we are among others?"

He gives a court nod towards the others around in greeting, not wanting to appear rude.

[Lady Grace]

"Of course it looks as though Andross may be better placed than I to make a introduction to Aurelia", Grace says with a slightly raised tone and she pauses with a hand to indicate Laurence should join Andross' s side.
She for introductions to conclude and the chance to steer Laurence to Valentina.

[L .]

Aurelia turns her shuttered stare from Dukes, to the newcomers, letting the smile spasming at the corner of her mouth relax.

"Raven remains, if it suits you. I always liked that one. Prefer it to Aurelia, in fact. What did I call you again? I think I named you."

"As for introductions, I would be better off introducing myself, if only because I've met most here under unusual context, so they might not know my name." She appraises Grace. "Elder Aurelia, of Clan Ventrue, of Mithras' line." She cants her chin in an off movement, perhaps a greeting. "The Duchess of Amber's specifically, but this does not seem the place for long recitals of lineage. Good evening to you, and to you -" She glances at Laurence.

[Andross Blint]

"Then Raven it shall be as long as no offence is taken from it lacking Elder. I believe you called me Andross, since i had been happy to share it with you, if there is something else you wish to refer to me by then please do, i shall not object."

He glances to Laurence, to see if he wished to introduce himself in proper fashion.