Acknowledgement

May 2nd, 2016 10:24 AM

Henri received his reply and prepared for his meeting with his Priscus. A new town, a new Priscus, new laws, and a new Chapter to get to know. It was a familiar dance and kept him adaptable to change, however he had neglected his studies for too long with the Ordo and hopefully Sacramento would see him spend more time in one place than he had in decades. He gave a satisfied grin at himself in the mirror as he pulled the charcoal suit top over his silver vest and tie.

He had called an "Uber" for his ride for the evening, something that was new to him. He had been out of the United States for nearly ten years, and heard about the trend. Having a sense of adventure and a taste for change he decided to give it a try instead of calling a car service. However, he had found a driver that drove a Lincoln Town Car, so maybe it wasn't as adventurous as he could have been. The driver pulled up and Henri slid into the back seat giving him an address a few blocks from Ballo Della Notte.

The back seat smelled of leather, cleaner, and a hint of something herbal came from the front seat. Henri had heard of advancements in medicinal herb usage in the US, but had no clue what the laws of Sacramento were, so he just let it go. The ride was pleasant and Henri kept a smile on his face as he looked over the sights of his new town. The car pulled to a stop and Henri stepped out and reached inside his jacket for cash. He nearly tipped the man in darahim, but the man explained that payment was all electronic now.

"The times they are a changing", Henri quotes Dylan to himself by the way of his former mentor in the Ordo. He walks the last few blocks to the performance venue with a smile on his face, wishing he knew how to whistle. With a last adjustment of his suit he walked to the front door and caught the attention of the first worker he could. "My name is Henri LeClaire, I was told to ask for Myah." Henri then thanks the worker for their time and looks for a place to sit and wait, expecting whomever was going to greet him to be busy.

Twist

1 vitae spent for blush of life: Henri is carrying his phone, wallet, and a pocket watch, but nothing mechanics wise.

**Twist** · May 3rd, 2016 09:43 AM

It isn't a short wait, though it could be worse, before finally a man approaches Henri. Tall, well built with dark skin and dressed in a well cut and clearly expensive suit he walks with the confidence of someone who is in charge.

"Mr. LeClaire? My name is Kalos, if you would follow me please. And without waiting more than a heartbeat to allow the man to gather any items and stand, he is stepping off again. Leading him through a small side door in the front chamber, the two make their way deeper into the backrooms of the theater. Rich carpet replaced by concrete, chandeliers by efficient but plain lights, wood paneling by more concrete and so on. Eventually, after a number of turns and sidesteps around equipment and props, they arrive at what is clearly an office. Moving past a secretarial area to the far door, Kalos knocks once and ushers Henri inside before retreating.

The office is simple but comfortable and far from cheap. A heavy wood desk faced by two leather chairs rests on an area rug takes up most of the space, a matching buffet table along one wall, and photographs of what presumably are the theater's acts decorate the walls. Behind the desk, is a small petite woman who exudes as much Beast as Kalos had.

She is dressed in a white jumpsuit, her face hidden not only by her apparent focus on a paper in hand but a simple white mask.

"Please- have a seat" she says, motioning absently at one of the seats.

May 3rd, 2016 12:37 PM

When Kalos arrived Henri tried to stand and introduce himself and shake the man's hand, but he was off before Henri hand the chance. So Henri was left with a slightly open mouth and upticked surprised eyebrows as he followed Kalos. As they moved Henri went from admiring the glitz, glamour, and wide open theater to making sure he would be able to find his own way out through the pragmatically decorated maze of hallways.

Henri is escorted into the office and as before is unable to formally thank his usher before he is gone with sub-preternatural speed, but with the speed of someone with things to do. The whole effect gave Henri a feeling of less than welcome. This wasn't a warm get to know you meeting, but a business introduction.

As Henri looked upon the woman he expected to need his concentration to quell his inner predator. His discipline and control over that side of him was something he prided himself on, it was something he wished others would focus more on, but here the lack of reaction put Henri on his defensive once again, and the focus on his own beast and on himself left him unprepared for a different primal reaction.

In Henri's mind the first thought was how this woman would probably make a devout Catholic priest doubt his vows, if only for a moment. The thought brought a sly smile to Henri's face that he had to wipe off as he bowed to the woman.

"Madame, I am Henri Leclaire, Daeva by Clan and Blood. I carry the title of Dedicated Supplicant of Terror from Ordo Dracul" Henri then took his seat and crossed his legs and kept himself patient, unsure if this entire hurry up and wait endeavor was meant as a test, a display of importance, or had no thought behind it at all.

**Twist** · May 4th, 2016 09:13 AM

Twist was quiet for a moment, her gaze still focused on the paper in front of her, his introduction falling on deaf ears for all the reaction it got from her it seemed. Finally though, she shifted, and setting the paper down she finally looked up to the man across from her. She did not bother to hide the visual evaluation she gave him.

Male. Refined. Succinct. Male.

It wasn't that she was ... dissapointed. More so that she was suddenly warier of for him. Male succubus did not have quite the success rate in Sacramento that the females did. Perhaps he would help shift those statistics.

What she did hide on the other hand, was the surging demands of her beast to shred and rend and bathe in his blood. She had little desire to replace the office rug and so with an inward snarl she sent her beast sulking to the back of its cage.

"Mr. Leclaire- it is a pleasure to meet you. I am Twist. Succubi Priscus, Duchess of the Invictus and Hound to Prince Asa Clarke"

"What brings you to Sacramento?" For all her coolness earlier, her demeanor is pleasant enough now as she watches Henri with small friendly smile.

May 4th, 2016 10:02 AM

Henri watched his greeter watch him. She was checking him out, evaluating him, but that could be for multiple reasons. The best insight, however brief, into her character that Henri had was that of a busy businesswoman. So he could only base his evaluation of her evaluation on that. Then again, there could be a lot he was missing, he once heard his Sire discuss the different levels of strategy and politicking. There was what I know, what I know that you know, what I know that you know I know and it went on forever. Determining what level you were on was supposedly the first step, but it only ever made Henri's head metaphorically hurt. So he could only make his assessment based on the observation at hand....that and lose miserably at chess if she ever challenged him to a match.

So busy businesswoman, that probably meant how useful he was to her endeavors and she at least appeared to be a patron of the arts, so box tentatively checked. She confirms herself as his Priscus, among other roles, something he had assumed but it could have been incorrect and then came the question, which Henri mostly heard as 'Are you friend, foe, tool, or useless'.

Madame Priscus, if it is not an affront to your sensibilities Henri is fine. I have come here hoping to begin a new stage in my journey. I have found my recent travels to preserve art to have left some pieces without a home and I aim to rectify that. I also wish to continue my studies in the Ordo Dracul.

I will not promise I have some great set of skills that make me invaluable to our Clan or this Domain, but I hope I will find some way to give back to both if they provide me a safe place to pursue my goals." Henri says returning her pleasant smile with his own friendly smile.

**Twist** · May 6th, 2016 08:45 AM

Twist chuckles "It is a nice name, but I think for the time being we will stick with Mr. Leclaire. Save Henri for if we get to know each other better." And judging by the sparkle in her eye is is clear exactly what kind of 'know each other better' she means.

Leaning back, she crosses her legs as he speaks, listening politely. "Sacramento is definitely receptive to the Arts," she waves a hand vaguely around her in indication of her theater with a faintly wry smile. "So I am sure you will have no trouble on that front.

Growing a bit more serious, "Of course- there are a few things to cover with you before we get you truly settled in. History and such on your end. Any demons in your closet that I should be aware of?

May 6th, 2016 09:11 AM

Henri LeCLaire

Toreador of the Ordo

The smile she gave may have meant pleasure, but she was still a predator and Henri was almost certain that she would get more out of any intimacy than he would. There is also the whole sleeping with the higher ups when you were new in town isn't exactly smart Rational reason to consider. Rational thoughts could be a pesky thing at times, plus what was he going to do, offer to paint her portrait some night? What were the younger generation saying these days, #lame ?

"Well it is good the arts are so well received here. This country has been on the decline in public funding of the arts for a while now. As if they don't realize the impact art had on their fore fathers and their war of independence. , Henri stops himself from entering into a soliloquy on the importance of the arts, sure it was his passion, but preaching to his Priscus who owned her own artistic venue was probably on the silly side of unlife.

As for my history and Demons. I am sure there are those I've upset both Kindred and Kine in my dealings. Legal and not entirely legal. However, I expect no more than them wanting me dead anymore than my Beast wants me to ravage a fledgling. It wasn't an intended pivot, but with the opportunity, Henri the Supplicant had to try and press for knowledge.

"Speaking of Beasts, mine didn't react to you, I've heard of this before and encountered it in passing. However, the reason for it is not something I understand, but would like to. I know we all like our secrets so I will not press you for yours, but if you could tell me just one thing. Do you keep our Beasts from seeing each other as threats, quiet only my beast, or something else entirely?

**Twist** · May 6th, 2016 02:58 PM

Twist imagined Henri had either been embraced by a Dragon or had joined that particular covenant within a year of his embrace. And she doubted he had ever looked back. A soft smile, briefly given, the only acknowledgment of his questioning her hidden beast as she instead returned to the more important matters of the meeting.

"Our Beasts demand much of us, control is paramount. The Prince of Sacramento is Asa Clarke. He is of the Ventrue clan and Judex of the Invictus. If you are unfamiliar with proper protocol, please let me know. I would not have you making a fool of our clan at Court should you have the honor of speaking with him." Though the words were harsh, their was just enough dry amusement underneath to cut the implied threat into something manageable. It was mostly protocol after all at this point. Confirming that he was up to date as it were on Kindred policies.

"Aside from the Traditions, there are a number of rules of the Domain to abide by."

Leaning over, she pulled open a desk drawer and pulled out a sheaf of paper to slide it over the desk toward him. "Here."

May 7th, 2016 06:38 AM

Henri LeClaire

Toreador of the Ordo

The smile to dismiss his question should have been expected. No one liked to give up their secrets, and his kind loved their secrets. It was a small disappointment, but those too were expected when it came to their society. Knowledge and secrets were the weapons and commodities the Kindred traded in. He gave his Priscus a slight nod and smile in return acknowledging her desire to not share such information with an outsider. It didn't seem he over stepped his bounds with his curiosity. Not to mention it was doubtful she would have made it to her position by giving up that kind of information for free. and she didn't get where she was by giving up information for free.

As he read the paper he nodded as he committed the information to memory. "Everything here seems to be understandable, but as far as protocol and the Prince. How does he prefer to be addressed and approached, both in public and in court? As you say, I would hate to embarrass myself, my order, our clan, or you by misunderstanding protocol. Especially being from a different Covenant than his majesty.

**Twist** · May 9th, 2016 09:31 AM

Twist nods, clearly approving of the question.

"Manners and respect will prevent most mishaps when dealing with the Invictus. If you should speak to the Prince address him as 'Your Grace'. If you feel the need to actually use a name, 'Prince Clarke' will suffice. If there are Kine about, 'Mr. Clarke'."

"Never use his first name. Amongst the First Estate use of a first name implies an intimate and highly personal relationship." She smiles slightly, as though this should explain her earlier comments regarding his name and her use of it.

"All of this is of course superseded by his decrees. If he should ask something else be used by you when addressing him, by all means do so.

Acknowledgement

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