Sheriff's manor - Culture Tour After-Party

[Lady Grace]

Throughout the story Grace gets more used to the effects of the tea and let's the tale drift her away.
She then sees Valentina's reaction and watches her face with increasing concern.

[Laurence]

Laurence sips just tea, being served last not seeming to bother him at all. His eyebrows raise and eyes widen at the strength and quality of the drug infused blood.

“This tea...is quite something Elder Raven.”

Settling back to listen to the story, Laurence appears swept up in the telling. Sitting forward as the tale progresses and continually taking small sips from the teacup. As the story comes to a close, he rises to face Durham.

“Neonate Durham, it’s a pleasure. But I don’t recall meeting you at the last Elysium? Would you care to enlighten me as to what we discussed?”

Laurence grins

“I am Laurence Stoker, Ancilla of Clan Brujah...if that helps jog your memory?”

[Manacledairman]

Aldrich stands and smiles at Dukes, he picks up his still full cup that was poured for him earlier and purposefully strides over to where Dukes is sat.

Placing the cup in Dukes' hand "thank you sheriff. You kept your end, and my word what a story." He chuckles. "One any camarilla member would be proud of. Please remind me to congratulate Knox for his part, deeds such as these should not go untold, and unrewarded."

He claps dukes on the shoulder

"Drink, you've earned it." He says before returning to his seat.

[Bitterglass]

Durham squints at Stoker more closely before turning towards the Centre Elder. "My word Elder Beaufort, you are correct, I am both wasted and in sore need of my spectacles. But if a Kindred is not permitted to be wasted in their own home, where can one indulge."

Taking a long drink of his tea before continuing. "I offer a trivial boon for the timely correction."

He turns his attention back to Stoker. "As for you Ancilla Stoker, my apologies I never have met you before in my existence but I am pleased to make your acquaintance."

[Manacledairman]

[Posh-Tim]

Halfway through his Tea Keane decides he should set it down for now lest the effects overtake him entirely. Now isn't the time for impromptu sight and the usual complications that brings. He listens to the story rapt and impressed. When the Sheriff finishes he gives a small round of applause.
"Most excellent, more entertaining than the play! I must say that tales of real events are always the more enjoyable."
He stands to clear his head a little and moves to the bookshelf next to Valentina.
"Have you found anything of interest? I enjoy ghost stories but those with a morsel of truth are always more enjoyable."
He does this to try and distract a little from the tension of Durham and Aldritch.

[Madam Zaragoza]

“Well done Dukes, you lived up to your promise. A remarkable tale told with the skill of the old bards.”

Sat between Durham and Aldrich she can feel the tension flowing between them. In her high state, getting higher by the second as the second wave kicks in, she actually finds it rather exciting so seeks to do nothing to resolve it.

She picks up the book and begins to leaf through the pages. Her face suddenly drops and she slams the book hard down on Durham’s lap.

“How dare you toy with me so Neonate!!”

[Bitterglass]

"Elder, I thought the book might help relax you. I have begun to find such religious arguments relaxing, that they help firm my commitment to my direction. I gather then that I have erred?" Durham says with a straight face.

"I can recommend the original work instead, if that work is frustrating. I do dislike Duke's copy of one of the English translations of Reimarus original however. It is obviously not as well done and I thought such argument against your faith might upset you. I have found both works relaxing, and somewhat inspring."

"Or perhaps you would prefer something on another topic entirely." He says wandering over to the shelves. "Perhaps a taxonomy of African creatures, be says examining a shelf."

[alanwrotethis]

Dukes uncurls from his chair, heading for the bookcase. On the way he picks up a red candle from the table. He snatches a book of apocrypha and drops it from a height on Hermina's lap.
"Stories banned from the bible in 1598, because the apostles travelled from city to city smiting corrupt Christians with lightning and fire from their hands... And the red candle is an apple, you delightfully Grimm tart."
He falls back into his chair, giggling.
"You did me a favor tonight Hermina, so I wish you well. Durham..."
He turns to the neonate.
"If someone fights you tonight I will make this room chew you up," he says more warmly than he should, "and if it takes all of my wit and cunning to do so I'll find a way to make it an unerotic experience for you."
He coughs.
"And leave the taxonomy book, I'm reading up on panthers."

[Bitterglass]

"I had no aims of starting a fight Dukes. Doing so would be remarkably vulgar. Nethertheless consider your point made." He grabs another book and sits down swiftly though.

"Is anyone interested in more delightful discussion or should I lose myself in more biblical criticism?"