(1610) Alice and Asa

[Asa]

"Well, if it's any consolation, I've been a Clan of one at times."

It had never bothered him. Partially because it was pot luck whether any newly arrived Lord would be... a Lord, and partially because he identified with his House more than his Clan.

"It sounds like Mr. Gilroy was a deft mediator," he added. Asa withheld commentary on the nonsense that usually surrounded any given meeting of Carthians and Invictus. Mostly because it would seem biased to point out that most Carthians simply picked fights to justify their existence. "And I suspect you'll do fine as your Clan grows. Having the Reeve's support will go far."

Asa gave the doll another twirl.

"Speaking of, shall I return you to him? I've enjoyed our conversation, but I don't want to monopolize you."

That, and the subtle uneasiness hadn't lessened.

Was it worse with their proximity or actually touching the cold white porcelain with an arresting (lack of) visage and too-perfect features?

[Alice Hart]

Alice nods, certain she didn't need to tell the Prince she'd noticed.

"He was." memory turning to the man in question. No one would have thought the Fanged Worm would have been a great...anything, but he was. It gave a Broken Doll hope. "Thank you for thinking so," she says even as she nods, already knowing that Robert status as Reeve would be a boon once their Clan inevitably grew once more.

The strange surreal feeling of dancing with the Prince hadn't lessened, even as she's twirled about once more.

"I have enjoyed our conversation as well." the surprise coloring the Doll's voice seemed disingenuous, but so did most things the Doll spoke of. "Far be it from me to say you're monopolizing my time," it was just what was supposed to be said right now wasn't it? "But if you attention is needed elsewhere, I wouldn't assume to keep you from it."

[Asa]

"Well, if we dance any longer, then people will know you enjoyed the conversation."

It was a stage whisper with a touch of laughter in it. It also looked as if the other person he meant to talk to was already occupied; strangely enough, by Robert Cross. Interrupting the man a second time would just be... rude.

"And my attention is not. So I will reciprocate. Ask, Priscus Hart, whatever curiosities you might have of me."

[Alice Hart]

"We wouldn't want that now would we?" slips from her lips before she can think to stop it.

"Nothing else on the docket tonight then?" Alice asks, less so to ask, and more to scramble for time. Yes, she has questions for the Prince, but to actual ask them...no. But staying silent in the face the Prince's words...also no. She needed a safe question. "I'm in a Covenant of One and a Clan of Two...but that will change. I'm very tempted to ask after management tips and tricks."

There, asking the Prince advice might be a tad too safe, but any advice given would prove useful eventually.

[Asa]

"I'm trying to pace myself. After this, I have standing around being serious and inscrutable penciled in."

If she could see, he might adopt a stern expression to match the words. The thought served to make him curious if she were simply matching memories to his voice and hands and how she would handle newcomers.

"I cannot speak with surety on Clans. The Ventrue have historically been few in number, and most gravitate towards the Invictus or Spear -- both of which have rigid social structures. Every now and then a Ventrue Carthian or Dragon will wander through, but typically my Clan has mirrored each members relative position within said Invictus or Spear. Then again, we've never achieved anything like your Necropolis, so that might be a mistake." Asa didn't mind being frank, and she could probably deduce that a Clan with the Domain's Prince as a member would be skewed in it's social dynamics. "Covenants are a little more difficult, especially if a new arrival has significant placement within it's hierarchy. If you find yourself at odds with that, then I can only advise you either further your own esteem within the Covenant or cultivate relationships with other Prisci."

Attacking sideways? It would be difficult to get much done with one's Covenant while scrambling to stay Fed and put down roots. Headstrong had found that out the hard way when dealing with Slave Clarke.

"But generally most Kindred are receptive to an open mind and sound ideas. And if all else fails, you can ask them for a dance."

[Alice Hart]

"Ah." Alice breathed. "So very important events, I wouldn't want to keep you from that."

She's joking with the Prince, Alice is chalking this whole thing up to the surrealness of her dancing in a bathingsuit, while the Prince is in an unknown costume in front of the whole Domain.

The Prince speaks with a frankness that Alice wouldn't have thought he use, but then again, this was the very first time she'd ever really spoken to the Prince.

"Thank you." Alice says, meaning it. Though her hollow voice, and natural mockery would always make it seem like it wasn't so. "I'll keep your words in mind, and hope that newcomers to my Clan and Covenant will agreeable to an open form with sound ideas. Because, unlike you, I don't think many would enjoy dancing with me." there's a thoroughly fixed, and entirely plastic looking deprecating twist to the Doll's lips.

[Asa]

Had they known each other better, he might have quipped that he'd only said he enjoyed the conversation; but they did not, so he did not.

"Well, I think you are off to a good beginning. Although our Clans and Covenants will provide... street signs... though the night, it is your coterie who will 'ride shotgun'."

And certainly, that might include members of each -- or might not.

"I see that the Reeve has finished his business. Shall I return you to him...?"

[Alice Hart]

"I'm very glad you think so," Alice nods, a false smile upon her lips, "And hopefully I'll not being going to fast to miss those signs." the word 'coterie' rings within her mind.

Maybe...

"That might be best, your grace, as you have all of inscrutable brooding to attend too."

And just maybe joking with the Prince wont stay a surreal experience, anything can happen in the nights to come.

[Asa]

Alice and Asa return to the main thread here .