Book Club: Future Shock

**Martha Villiers** · Oct 8th, 2013 01:34 PM

The long hot summer day had turned to a warm late summer evening. The smell of sun baked ground and the sleepy calls of summer birds across the lake drifted in through the open French windows at the rear of the Ordo Chapter House.

Long lace net curtains caught a soft early evening breeze.

Dressed in her usual school uniform, Martha was completing her steady watch and patrol of the perimeter and taking a look across the lake and undergrowth...just in case. Carefully checking, for the third time on her patrol, the ground through the binoculars that hung from a lanyard around her neck.

Seeming content that nothing appeared untoward, she turned her binoculars skyward, taking care to adjust the focus as she tracked the flight path of an ascending plane. She checked the time by the ancient long-case clock in the drawing room and guessed it might be an Airbus 320...certainly the livery was United. She couldn't decide on its likely destination though.

Smiling to herself, she replaced the caps over the lens of her NATO pattern binoculars, returned them to it's carrying case.

Closing the French windows she took another look to the shadows of the grounds towards the lakefront and then locked the doors shut.

Patrol complete she hobbled quietly over to the piano.

The books, carafes of freshly made lemonade and notepads were set out near the semi-circle of sofas and chairs ready for the Dragons whom may join the first Book Club evening.

As she sat down to play something gentle to greet any arriving Dragons.

She felt the opening movements of Phillip Glass' "Metamorphosis" would be suitable...

http://youtu.be/8w6a8pfG0V4

Martha was working hard at the piano and waiting for others whom may join her...

Oct 8th, 2013 02:23 PM

'Future Shock'. It was an interesting turn of phrase to the young Mortician. 'Future Shock', a phrase written by a man who's very occupation was to follow patterns to their logical conclusions. David couldn't help but be amused by the correlation between the Futurist and the Mekhet themselves. But, that wasn't the only reason it was so interesting to David.

It was a phrase that aptly described Kindred coming out of Torpor. This mental connection to Torpor, was where David's interest truly lay.

The opening frames of Metamorphosis found David as he walked down the hallway. His arms laden with an old Moleskine notebook and a copy of Future Shock. It was a copy he got from the local library, who, promptly forgot that they lent it out at all. In a week, the library will label it Lost without a clue as to who last took it out. This now 'lost' dog-eared copy, with its cover fraying around the edges, was now in David's possession.

Alan Toffler, if he knew, might smirk in a sense of grim-satisfaction over that fact.

David paused, and tilted his head to the side recognizing the piece instantly from the film Koyaanisqatsi. Then he simply closed the gap between himself and the doorway, while David's free hand smoothed the front of his sand colored slacks. Not wanting to disturb the Grand Wyrm with his (non)presence, he pressed inwards, finding a chair where David deposited his materials.

In his excitement, David forgot that he would come face to face with most of the Academy.

An oversight that his Hidden Companion couldn't wait to laugh at David for.

**Aileen McFarlane** · Oct 8th, 2013 03:26 PM

It had been a somewhat long time since Aïleen had met an assembly of her fellow Dragons, and she would probably have lengthened it, had it not been about that very book she had been stunned by. As it was, the Mekhet couldn't simply idly stand by, and she really wanted what others might think of it.

As she neared the familiar Chapterhouse, the unobtrusive Shadow started to hear an unknown tune, but she knew the Grand Wyrm was already here, and she smiled. She had been set-off by the Kindred's innocence, once, but she now felt it refreshing, and she relished the prospect of smelling lemonade while talking confidently.

Aïleen walked in smoothly, not wanting to interrupt anything, and quietly stood by at the entrance, waiting for Martha's piece to be finished.

Oct 11th, 2013 03:08 AM

Racula cracked an eye and looked at the clock on the side table when he heard the music. Ah. Time the Grand Wyrm's meeting. he though before closing the eye and finishing the prayer. Once complete, he made the sign of the cross and rose from the floor. Taking a cassock from the closet he put it on quickly and made his way down stairs to the first floor.

He slowed and then stopped at the door of the study, silently standing a polite distance from Aileen as the Grand Wyrm played.

**Martha Villiers** · Oct 12th, 2013 08:29 AM

She finished her improvised recital and smiled as she saw the guests arrive. Taking care to stand from the piano stool, Martha nodded a respectful greeting to her fellow Dragons.

"Good evening! Good evening one and all! A true delight, as always, to see you all! Please...let us be seated!" she invites with a cheery tone and begins to limp over to the arrangement of chairs.

Tiny Martha is careful to make a subtle gesture to David. Inviting him to sit near her. Suspecting he may be nervous, she wanted him to have her close by so she might offer encouragements and be ready lest his anxieties become the plaything of his Beast.

"Ah! A joy to see you all! I do hope we have a most fruitful conversation this evening...one which inspires and instructs and, I hope, leads to many other such meetings!" another smile as she carefully takes a seat and rubs hard, very hard, at her mutilated thigh.

"Perhaps we should wait a few moments lest others are making there way here..." she smiles. Thereby giving @Luke Caldon @Callum McCann @Hildegarde Bingen and Anthony Drake a fair chance to arrive should they wish to.

She picks up one of the six or so copies of 'Future Shock' that are ready and close by and picks it up by way of demonstration.

"This is a book close to my heart. One I have found insightful and instructive and one I look forward to hearing your views upon."

moreau

Oct 12th, 2013 09:55 AM

The final strains of the piece faded into the ether; tumbling into a relative quiet in the space between song and welcome. It was that space between, that gave David just enough time to glance around the slowly filling room. Martha and the Castellan were familiar, if only just. But, the woman wasn't although she hid like David did.

David realized his gaze lingered and he quickly snapped his attention back to Martha. Lifting his hand in greeting and trying a closed smile he offered a quietly said “Good evening, Grand Wyrm.” The smile though, was no more than a wisp of a thing, no more than a tug of the corners of his lips.

The Mekhet realized, quite suddenly, that a Book Club meant more than two or three people.

Teodor gets the same, eminently polite, “Good evening, Castellan.” Then, David folds himself onto his seat, taking up his moleskine between his hands. While his Companion erupted into chattering, mocking laughter. Subtly nodding to Martha's consideration of the rest of the Academy, and after some considerable internal deliberation, he offered Aileen a hand. “Supplicant David Regan,” he offered by way of truncated self-introduction.

Probably more of a Heroic Effort on David's part against the Goliath of Interaction than any might really know.

That done, and a breath taken to center himself, David settled in for the coming discussion.

**Aileen McFarlane** · Oct 12th, 2013 03:23 PM

As the Grand Wyrm finished her recital, Aïleen noticed for the first time she wasn't the only Kindred in attendance. Brother Raluca had been expected, and received the proper nod of deference and thanks her Cousin had come to earn. She warily eyed the other man, who was as easy to overlook as she was said to be.

When he introduced himself, she replied in the same fashion "Supplicant Aïleen McFarlane", before remembering she was probably his senior in the Domain, and should thus be more welcoming. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Supplicant Regan."

She then turned back toward Martha, and replied with a smile. "I have found this book very thought-provoking indeed, Grand Wyrm, and I look forward to discussing its content with our gathered Academy."

Oct 12th, 2013 03:48 PM

"Good evening Grand Wrym." Teo said pleasantly as she finished her piece and walked over assembled chairs. "Supplicant McFarlane, Supplicant Regan." he gives a nods.

"I shall see if any more are joining us." he said quietly before withdrawing and heading for the front door.

Teo will man the door, letting people with his usual friendly manner. Please feel free to contine without him for a bit.

Oct 12th, 2013 04:57 PM

Brother Teo ( Teodor Raluca ) met a familiar face before he had made it more than a few paces out of the room. "Good evening Brother Teo, it's good to see you. Let's catch up soon, maybe after the meeting if you're free?" The apprentice owed his master some time for both conversation and training; it had been far too long since their last such occasion. Still, it was good to be back.

Deftly, without leaving his master out of the conversation he stepped into the doorway, looking through to note those present. Despite the unfamiliar face his little demon didn't seem phased, which made for a pleasant change. "Evening Grand Wyrm, glad I could make it for this. Supplicant McFarlane...nice to see you Aileen." They both received warm smiles, while the new face was assessed and filed away. "I'm Supplicant McCann. Pleasure."

Since Teo is off to man the door I'm guessing he wont mind if I move on with the introductions.

Oct 13th, 2013 11:12 AM

With a quiet thump, the main door closed, announcing Dr Drake's precence as he appears, walking briskly towards the door. He glances at his watch and then up at Brother Raluca waiting at the door. "Hope I'm not too late" He said, passing by Brother Raluca.
He edged past Mr. McCann and took in the rest of the room. "Grand Wyrm, always a pleasure. Suplicant...McFarlane, Suplicant McCann. Oh, and a new face." Dr Drake looked at him, dissecting him with his eyes. "Supplicant Drake."
He sat down on one of the chairs closed his eyes. Since they hadn't started, he assumed they were waiting for some other people. He let his mind drift, feeling the chapterhouse around him like a warm fog.

Book Club: Future Shock

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