Wisdom from the Dragon's mouth (Open)

Descending into Elysium from Avalon, the little monk was dressed in his usually black cassock. Around his next was his woven rosary and a ring of prayer beads dangled from his left wrist. Checking for any new announcements, proclamations or notes, Teodor found none. He paused by the proclamations and wondered what he should do with the remainder of his evening. He had planned for a trip his favorite coffee shop and then return to his haven and evening of prayer, but now that he was out he wondered if it were possible to catch a few hours in the university library before it closed.

He could not really understand it yet. This was not very much unlike the Freemasons or some other society similiar to it, and he, due to his condition, was welcome to take part of it. Who paid for this place? Was it taken from some kind of tax levied from the vampires of the city? How would the paperwork for that turn out? Or was it some kind of favour from someone to the society. Someone with money and influence that feelt like showing a good side to the community, for something in return. Anyhow, here he was. Being led down the stairs. He was not to sure about the wear for the evening, but figured he would not go wrong with a gray suit, a striped tie and black shined shoes. Despite the californian climate, one he always had found to warm for comfort, he wore a light gray overcoat, a felt hat and a silk scarf to bring attention away from his pale dead face. He did not feel like he could exhaust himself by appearing more alive, at least not when he had the intention to meet with other vampires and not peop-... humans. He had shaven for the occation though, making him look clean and presentable.
He left the coat and the hat in the coatroom, and adjusting the cufflinks of his shirt he looked across the room. Both his attentions found the older man by the notes. He felt like turning and running, and he figured he must have looked startled for several seconds before regaining his composure. What was he supposed to do now? He did not really think that he could support the wall and give people glaring looks the entire evening, even though he felt like doing so at least at the moment. Had the man even noticed him? He stopped, and pretended to check his phone for new messages before entering the room. Carefully taking his time to turn it off.

It felt like she was at the wrong place. She knew she was allowed to go down these stairs, but still felt like she did not really belong to the target group. Not too different from high school really. Sure, everyone was allowed to go to the recreation room. But you noticed very quickly if you were welcome or not.

But those days were over. She kept telling herself that anyway. Though it did not succeed. She did not think she would be quite welcome in these vampire circles before she actually made any kind of impression.

But before one made an impression was it necessary to explore the market. And that was why she went down the stairs at Avalon. She hoped that she might be able to meet any vampire there to exchange a few words with. But what to* talk about. The weather?
Oh, do not worry about it.

Dressed in a black sweatshirt, blue jeans and black sneakers, she came down to the large open area.

The first thing she noticed was Stenman. The beast in her darkened immediately and shoulders tightened, and the jaws were compressed while it wanted to tear him to pieces. However, it was not as strong as the last time they met. But the jump between wanting to fight and running away was too big when the beast also noticed the older vampire. She swayed and was grabbing the stair railing to prevent her from completely turn around. A hand went up and touched her forehead while she got control of her best again.

Calm. No one should attack you here. Right? This is a completely ... friendly area.

She took a shaky breath and then let the air out. Looked at her pale hand. She would have liked to make the blood in her living again. But she did not like to hunt, which meant that she willingly avoided to make herself more hungry than necessary.

"Good evening, Mr. Stenman."
She nodded to her fellow countryman, not entirely surprised that he was here. After all, he had said that he was interested in getting to know the social scene in the city. And that was here.

"And good evening, sir."
She turned to look at the older monk. His clothes surprised her, however. Swedish as she was were religion something she often felt uncomfortable facing. Nothing one talked about. Christmas Eve was celebrated for Santa's sake. Easter was the Easter Bunny and midsummer had very pagan roots. During her two years in the United States however, she had become more accustomed to a more tolerant view of religion. Or at least Christianity. But to see a vampire have monk-hood. She ... she was still not prepared for that. But it felt safe. Surprisingly safe.

Motion in his peripheral drew Teo to turn his head and the Serpent hissed and slithered up his legs. Teo jerked the creature to heel even as a shiver of guilty pleasure raced up his spine at the sensation of power and fear he was undoubtedly instilling in them. "Ah, good evening." he said with his customary warm smile. "You are new to the city." it was a statement, not a question. "Brother Teodor Raluca." he said with a nod of his head. The man seemed to be nervious. But it wasn't that, Teo suddenly felt like he himself was ill at ease for just lying eyes on the man and he had to force the himself to relax. Damn, another Haunt. he thought darkly. The woman though, while not particularly striking was clearly not a Haunt and had an accent. Northern Euopean...Baltic? Scandinavian? he pondered.

  1suxx to ID accent

Date		Action		Roll		Result
2013-05-09 16:12:23		Teo rolls 5 to figure out accent Int3+Acad2 (10 Again)		4, 6, 10, 5, 2, 3		1 success

-"Ahh. Good evening." He smiled to the other vampire he already met the night before. Here. The place was almost the same, except for that smell of lemon. Sadly, he thought for himself. He had half suspected the smell to linger.
-"Jag hoppas allt är bra med dig."

I hope everything is well with you.

He jerked his face over to the monk, and added a smile that did not seem to fit at all with the movements he was making. The smile was pleasant and welcoming, while the moments he was making seemed like he was standing on a scene, exaggerated to be clear to the audience.
-"New to the city? Yes, certainly. Certainly. That might be why we are not introduced. Jonas Stenman."
At first he held his hand up, almost as if he was waving it. First to Teodor, and after that to Lovisa. But a second later he caught up with himself, and offered the man a handshake.

So his name was Jonas. She had yesterday wondered if he had presented himself with his first name previously or not. She had at least not remembered it. Jonas Stenman.
At first she had been somewhat happy that he was down here because, even though they only exchanged maybe ten words to each other, were he among most the familiar. But then he started ... to move strangely again. The discomfort crept up in the veins in her. What was WRONG with him?

"As good as I deserve."
She replied in English since she thought it was rude to exclude the older man. Her gaze wandered on to the monk. Brother. What title did one use for him? She had discovered during her meeting with Martha and Albert how important titles were for people here. So were just brother the proper way to address him? Brother Theodore? Or brother Raluca. What said the people to nuns in movies? Sister Mary Claire or something like that. No last name. Though it felt wrong too.

"I'm also new."
Maybe not to the city itself really, but definitely to this ... aspect of the city.
"Lovisa Lind. Pleased to meet you. "
She bowed her head but did not go closer to the men. She was not sure how much personal space the monk needed.
"I was recently acknowledged with mr. Stenman. By miss Villiers and mr. Saywer. "

"Ms. Lind." As good as I deserve? Interesting. A member of the Spears perhaps? This quandary distracted Teo from being more put off by the some what wild gesticulation of the man. "Mr. Stenman. Pleasure to meet you both." Taking the man's hand he gave it a good shake and then released, his fingers twitch as he clasped his hands behind his back. The Serpent wanted to do more than 'shake' the man's hand. "You have already met with Herald Villiers and Bailiff Sawyer? Excellent." Teo gave a gentle correction, it was an Invictus Court even if he was not a member of their covenant. Or he was a stickler for proper titles and deference, especially when it cames to certain, well placed Dragons.

"Please, would you care to join me?" the monk gestures toward the lounge area of court. There was no reason to be standing when there were perfectly well appointed seats to be used for just such a purpose. Assuming they join him he will walk over to the lounge. If they decline he will not. "How are you finding His Grace's Domain? And the city at large?"

Those titles again. He was so glad that "du" translated to "you" which also was the pluralis form. In sweden you "du":ed almost everyone. Cashiers, police officers, medical personel, taxi drivers, friends and your boss. The only exception he really could think of was the royal family. Not only that. You used peoples first names on most occations. Jonas was not comfortable with being called "mr" or "sir", and these titles were alien to him. He understood the importance the others put on them. After all, if you are undead you got to have some things to cling to. But he figured it would take some getting used to. At least he would not ask the monk to call him Jonas, even though he was itching to do so.
-"Good. Good."
He was not to sure what he was answering to, but he said so anyways. Perhaps it was to Lovisas reply, or perhaps to Teodors greeting.
-"Thank you. The pleasure is all mine." He supressed a ironic smile. He was aware of the unsettling effect those of his new kind had to others.
-"Yes, we both met with them yesterday. Both the Bailiff and the Herald was most welcoming."
He nodded, and followed in the footsteps of the older man. He was right of course. Standing around when there was no comfortable seats was not really necessary. The accent of the man puzzled him. He sounded a bit like Bela Lugosi. Romanian? But was not Vlad Tepes hungarian? He had no idea really. He placed him somewhere in eastern europe, and was content with that. Russian? Just stop, Jonas. Just stop.

  

Date		Action		Roll		Result
2013-05-10 02:45:13		Jonas Stenman rolls 4 to Place accent (10 Again)		1, 3, 1, 1		failure

Oh. She had misstepped even though she tried to do right. She cursed herself but smiled gently towards the older monk when he offered them to sit down.
"Of course. Thank you so much. "
She nodded to them both and then followed to the sofas. She sat down with both feet on the floor and folded her hands in her lap.
Titles, Lovisa. Always, always use titles.

"So far, I must say I got a very good impression of the city and his majesty the prince's reign."
She resisted the impulse to remove a blond strand of hair that had fled the ponytail.
"Both the Herald and the Bailiff was very nice and Sacramento seems to have a functioning social system. And many of ... the usual covenants seem to be living here, which I see as a healthy sign. "

Okay, how much empty words was that really? Everything was true, but it was not exactly an exhaustive answer.
"May I ask what the correct title is to adress you, brother ... Raluca? And how long you have been a member of the city? "

Choosing a love seat, Teo perched on the edge of the cushion. He wanted to come across as attentive, lounging back could been seen as overly familiar. "The Prince's Domain is quite pleasant and prosperous. He has the ability to attracts kindred of quality and temperance." Teo nodded in agreement with Lovisa. Why what he said could be considered flattery it was also true. None of the mayhem and infighting he had seen in Eastern Europe was in the city. He then smiled a little more warmly at Lovisa. "You are most kind to ask Miss. I am an ordained Brother in the Orthodox Church. However Brother it is not title recognized formerly in Kindred society. Some refer to me as Brother and other as Mr. Raluca. While I much prefer Brother, you would not be out of line to refer to me as Mr." he explains kindly. "Do either you claim covenant? I would be happy to point you in the direction of your prospective superiors if Herald Villiers did not make you already aware." Teo asked, probing.