The Culture Tour

[L .]

"A pleasure, Elder," Aurelia says to Keane, pretending not to have met him yet and wondering how far she's meant to feign ignorance on any of this.

"Well, if there is a way for latecomers to catch up, let's be on with it. I'd like to see that tramway, still. Andross has a point; after-parties are cosier, and we can't talk freely out here. Let's culture ourselves up, and then retire."

She murmurs a query to Valentina, to those with auspex it simply sounds a polite check-in as to whether they should stay linked at the arm, and then she's looking up again expectantly.

"Oh, you have a Childe, Elder Keane? I must admit I have never Embraced, couldn't really see the value to it. What made you take on a new mouth to feed? Is it some sort of druid protege?"

[Posh-Tim]

Keane is clearly trying to appear like he's paying rapt attention to the nearby architecture until he is addressed directly. This time he is a lot better at covering up his irritation over his errant childe and addresses Aurelius politely.
"I found myself at a loss in these modern nights and felt the need for someone... More familiar with the times. Of course there is more to understand with such things but as you said, there will be time for that later. For now, let's 'Culture ourselves up' "
The last part is clearly odd but Keane seems to be trying to stay apace with the cool kids.

[L .]

"Oh? Where did you find him? How fascinating."

[Posh-Tim]

Keane seems to have his awkwardness under control for a moment.
"A fascinating story, Elder Aurelia, and one that would not well suffer the abbreviation. Once the tour is completed I very much look forward to sharing more about one another."
One of Keanes eyes opens slightly and the other closes a little. He smiles again. It's not aggressive but a little disturbing.
"But, Umm, 'Culture awaits us'?"
This last again sounds a bit strangled but he's trying his best.

[alanwrotethis]

"Well, here's an oldie but goodie..." Dukes chimes in, trilling at Keane.
"As you all no doubt know, this city is named for Sulis Minerva, older iterations of her name being pronounced SEE-LIS. Sulis was a good of healing, of the sun, and... because most Celtic deities are... battle.
"She becomes interesting on an etymological level. Modern iterations of Cornish and Welsh, stemming from Old Brythonic, denote days of the week in the Latin form by celestial bodies instead of the Saxon deities used in Angle-ish. Some overlap exists. Monday, or 'moonday' is dydd llun... Day of lunar, in Welsh. Tiw's-day is dydd mawrth... Day of mars... And so it goes.
"Sunday is dydd Sul, the solar day. We see here a potential root for Sulis as Solaris, implying that she was first and foremost a sun goddess who became patron of the hot springs in the city because they were regarded as sun-baths... A rare treat of hot water. In effect, when we use the baths here, we are bathing in sunlight."
Dukes points at the ground.
"Now isn't that so very, very... cultural?"
He looks around.
"Am I doing this right? My lessons are normally on safely talking with spirits... Hmm..."

[Valentina Audley]

Valentina for her part is quite content to stay linked with Aurelia, especially as the Elder is getting the questions leaving her free to listen with interest. Though of course if Aurelia's looking to remove herself Valentina will move away to give her space.

The afterparty is shaping up to be very promising indeed! Having only met Keane once before when she was discomforted and panicked, it's reassuring to see him flounder in his attempts at modernity.

She smiles at Dukes. "Indeed, it's very interesting! I haven't heard that before. Bathing in sunlight is a very pretty idea."

Part of her wants to ask more about how Welsh and Cornish have changed from Brythonic, but she feels that might detract from the more general theme of the evening. She really must make time to actually get to know Dukes.

[Jean-Jacques]

Jean_jacques takes the brief interlude of moving from the abbey to the ruins of the temple baths to pose a brief question to Lady Grace, he will maintain his voice loud enough for those nearby to hear, those with suspects clearly.

“Ancilla Grace, vood you be avere whezer Raife, ze childe of Elder Keane is released and accepted in zis domain? I should perhaps offere to locate ze childe for ze elder on behaff of ze court, lest he become lost and I vood consider your counsel on ze matter most graciouslee.”

[Jerome Price]

“Indeed Dukes, thank you for getting us back on track. This is our starting point because of the very aspect Dukes has kindly picked up upon, the archaic name we use to refer to this domain, Aquae Sulis meaning the waters of Sulis, which has been as ever simplified to a modern form, the City of Bath. The baths remain, uncovered and about a century or so ago thy have been revitalised for their original purpose as a private spa. This was likely one of the contributing factors which helped this city become a hub of activity for the mortal elite.” He gestures across the cobbled Abbey Church Yard to the building where the Roman baths sit, still large but comparatively squat below the towering abbey.

“So we know the origins of this place. Culture though is not one thing, it is dynamic, it changes and shifts. It is the culmination of the intellectual, artistic and social achievements and how these blend together. Here we stand, between two great cultures which have left their indellible mark upon this country and others. The Medieval Abbey was the home to Benedictine monks, constructed over a thousand years ago it has needed a little work over the years. Here we stand between these two giants, silent pillars of the past watching over the new arrivals. These pillars which form the architectural and cultural foundations upon which this city has evolved. Evolution, a new scientific term which again shows how the kine and us with them have continued to develop alongside one another.”

Jerome pauses for a moment, placing a hand upon the cold stone of the Abbey. “Tonight, the Abbey’s choir are singing the traditional service of Compline. Gregorian chant, interspersed with Tallis’s relatively more modern The Lamentations of Jeremiah. Again, A demonstration of the mingling of old and new. Please, those who wish to go inside to enjoy the music for a time please do the vergers will show you a seat at the back of the Abbey and the music will float your way as easily as though you were in the service itself. Any who would rather remain outside, we can continue to discuss out here for a time until we are rejoined and ready to move on.” Now closer to the doors of the Abbey, the sounds of voices can be heard from inside.

((Here is the music for those who may wish to listen.
Lamentations if Jeremiah:
Compline:

[Lady Grace]

Grace smiles to Jean Jacques and dropped her voice to whisper;
"It is my understanding that Raife is unreleased although I did not have the pleasure of a introduction to him at the beginning of last Court.
It would be highly unusual for, as you know, they are unreleased as their steps and words are still to be guided and moulded at a vulnerable stage in their development towards the image a Sire intends.
You make a very generous offer and I can see the merits of such a arrangement but I think it unlikely to be accepted as it would *possibly* be not viewed in such a positive light as you intend.
You have a generous spirit my dear. It was a good thought"

[Tatiana Ivanov]

Tatianna continues to watch and listen quietly to all of the conversations going on around her.

She quietly acknowledges any introductions but is content to be towed along by Lady Grace, their arms still companionably linked.

As Price continues his explanations into the origins of the Roman bath, she wonders briefly if it would be possible to arrange an outing to bathe in the waters.

Asking the question to no one in particular and everyone at the same time Tatianna enquired "Does anyone know how to arrange a private swim at the baths?" remembering the company she was in she added, "I'd be very happy to pay for the information!"