(2105) The Mehket Corner

[Quinn Durant]

Quinn was about to join Edward in a chat that had been waiting awhile to come around again for the two of them, when she glanced at the latest arrival and did a quick double take. She watched as the familiar countenance of Conner Wells graced the court with his presence. She knew he was her blood. Because of fucking course he was. She remembered how his grief had etched his face. The tears that fell in futile anger and desperation. Oh yes. She remembered Conner Wells. She turned back to Edward and smiled apologetically. "I am afraid clan business awaits me Mr. Heinrich. Please excuse me..." She said gently and nodded her her head respectfully to excuse herself nodding Conner to follow her so she may attend to Mehket business. "Good evening, Mr. Wells." Yes, Quinn knew his name without him giving it. "Please tell me more about how I may be of assistance."

[Conner Wells]

The reunion was bittersweet, to say the least. When Conner had first come to Quinn it was out of panic, fear for what he'd lost. She'd been so calming, so assured in her abilities as if communing with the supernatural was as easy as sharing coffee with a friend (which, turns out, was truer than he thought). But now, she was his boss; his alluring Dragon Queen; but was she a friend? If nothing else, she was dressed to the nines, and his Beast rumbled in spite of himself.
"Good evening..."
Dammit! Not now! She's your boss, stop looking at her like that.
A reflexive cough
"I understand tonight involves an Acknowledgement. I guess my question is to whom, and am I required to give a speech? Because I failed to prepare a speech and this doesn't seem like the best time for impromptu".
Wit was a rare coping mechanism for Conner, it typically meant that he was on edge. But then again, Quinn would know that. Especially with those soul-searching eyes framed in wiry, raven locks. Bidding the Beast go into timeout for just a bit longer, Conner's eyes darted between the myriad faces hoping to distinguish predator from casual observer.

[Quinn Durant]

When kine are alone with a Kindred the aura of difference is greater. Somewhere in that lizard brain they know something isn't quite right. Conner had been one of those exceptionally alert individuals. The sensitive kind. Conner was also was deeply concerned in his ability to pay. Of course being Kindred and a vaunted 'psychic' in the kine community there were several alternatives to pay for a psychic wasn't there? Gifts that were accepted by Quinn other than cold hard cash were sex, blood, death, knowledge, lore, favors, contacts and introductions. Quinn smiled privately at the thought.

"You are in luck. In this domain under the wise council of Prince Alessandra Antinori, Priscus of the Gangrel, of the First Estate;" Quinn nodded her head in the direction of the Prince, and placed one of her dainty hands on the middle of his spine and pressed as she bowed once more to the Prince, urging him to follow her lead and do so as well. "has charged her Prisci with the power to acknowledge those of their blood, as well as revocation of acknowledgement,
and banishing members of their clan to the Barrens. Also quick FYI you are not allowed to approach her Grace without direct permission."

Quinn nodded her head to Seneschal Jack next, "Seneschal Jack, Priscus of clan Ventrue, former Herald of Sacramento of the First Estate." Quinn bowed again and this time she didn't bother with the hand on his back. He knew the drill. Conner was quick on the uptake. Quinn packed as much public info as possible about every individual of note.

She then moved on to Twist after that, "Archon Twist, Priscus of the Daeva, and Leader of the First Estate in Sacramento." Once again Quinn bowed expecting the same of Conner.

She then moved on to Lady Notary Hazelton, "Priscus Hazelton, of Line Nosferatu, and Lady Notary of the First Estate of Sacramento, Kindred of Quality." Quinn gave a deep nod of acknowledgement, watching for Conner to do the same.

She nodded to Mr. Kowalsic, "Mr. Kowalsic, of line Nosferatu of the First Estate, and Kindred of Quality." Quinn gave a deep nod of acknowledgement, watching for Conner to do the Same.

She nodded to Simone Perez, "Her name is Simone Perez, and she is one of our cousins, when Maeve get's here I will introduce you to her."

She let Conner absorb all this as she slowly turned towards him, ready to move into the Acknowledgement phase of this little Introduction.

[Maeve]

Maeve slowly slithers up to the group after having given introductions. She looks only a little paranoid, but more for the fact of her want to make sure no one actually talks with her too much. Makes for a bunch of weird and she has crap to prove before people need to be talking to her one on one.

"Sup?" She looks at the new dude and then back to Quinn. She looks over Quinn and makes an impressed face, "Dang, girl. Who you trying to pick up tonight? Tens across the board." She teases and giggles a little bit. Though, her voice is a little hushed. She knows everyone can hear everything at court, because everyone at court is nosey as all heck, but still.

[Conner Wells]

Conner follows Quinn's lead; a trend that had so far been equally bountiful and peril-stricken.
The hand that presses into his back is almost too familiar. But Conner quells the Beast's shudders, if only for a moment, to focus on the task at hand as Quinn guides him through the list of movers and shakers.
Prince Alessandra is immediately breathtaking, like a mythical beast ready to obliterate anything in her path, and Conner notes the length and depth of the bow and follows suit.
Jacque strikes Conner as the typical image of a vampire lord: impeccably dressed with a softly predatory gaze. He bows, this time of his own accord. Though the hand leaving the small of his back leaves an aching numbness.
It's only another ritual, just like those books you read. Measured, deliberate steps towards an end goal.
Next was Twist, then Hazelton; two other Priscii. Conner noted the subtle differences in the severity of Quinn's bows to them and followed suit. Kowalsic seemed almost as important as Alessandra and twice as bestial, and Conner made a mental note to avoid at all cost if it could be helped. Simone seemed much more like Quinn; a mixture of finery and practicality.
Okay, it's not so bad. At least now you know names if they're asked. Just keep your cool and...
The voice behind him startles Conner, barely suppressing the urge to jump and yelp like a frightened pup. The woman who just inserted herself into the twosome summarily shattered any illusion of medieval grandeur the other Kindred had laid on, with her bright blue hair, punk style makeup, and...damn that was a fine corset!
"Maeve I presume? A pleasure; I certainly hope you're the only jump scare for tonight."

[Quinn Durant]

Quinn turned to look at Maeve with a slight grin, and shook her head slightly. She raised her hand an made a quick snap gesture. "Girl bye!" Finally chuckling a bit. "Maeve O'Ryan, an Unconquered Kindred this is Conner Wells of the Second Estate, Conner Wells this is Maeve O'Ryan. The one thing you both have in common right now is you both need acknowledgement. So let's get this show on the road. Shall we?" She rubbed her hands together slightly, before sobering and lowering her hands, to gently clasping each other. Oh so lady like.

"I would normally ask what brought a Kindred to this Domain, but in your case Mr. Wells, we may skip that formality. We shall skip it with Maeve too." If Quinn was anything it was protective of her clan. She would keep Mr. Well's work between herself and Mr. Wells unless he felt the need to speak on it. It wasn't Quinn's secret to reveal. Conner could find out about Maeve's recent faux pas in the Clan meeting she would hold. "However, have you committed or do you intend to commit the sin of amaranth Mr. Wells? Ms. O'Ryan?"

[Conner Wells]

Conner had read a little about amaranth, or "diablerie" as it was more commonly known, in the few books he had on Kindred society. The idea of it actually scared Conner more than the idea of drinking blood to survive; killing someone to the point where their soul was assimilated.
"No, and definitely not."
Conner was equally thankful that the definition of amaranth DIDN'T include actual hemomancy, such as the abilities he'd learned thanks to the tomes of Theban Sorcery. Apparently vampires loved precision, even if it only made it easier for powerful people to take offense and rip your head off.

[Maeve]

Maeve sticks out her tongue a little at Quinn and then grins before looking over at Conner, getting a good look at him. "Good sir, so lovely to meet you," she does a ridiculous bow, before standing up straighter and leaning against a nearby pillar. "Okay, but actually. What ever you do, don't forget your manners,"


Wow, we are a total biotch today. Welp, better own it. #feminism, right?


"I have not committed diablerie and I do not intend to, like, ever," No forbidden slurps. Y'all probably don't taste too great anyway.

[Quinn Durant]

Quinn always listens to the court. No matter what she is doing, and the sudden outburst between Kowalsic and Mr. Heinrich with her name in both of their mouths' made her step to the side to view them both. Trying to take quick stock of the situation and not liking the way this was going down in Formal Court.

She was trying to make sense of what she just caught and heard. Oh shit. Did Kowalsic physically threaten the Daeva in open Formal Court? Did that just really happen? Mr. Heinrich certainly thinks so.

And what exactly did Mr. Kowalsic mean by that little spiel, bringing her up over and over. Seryna

2 successes

Date	Action	Roll	Result
2021-05-10 17:37:39	Quinn Durant rolls 5 to Read Kowalsic's meaning: Wits 3 + Empathy 2/Subterfuge 2 (10 Again)	3, 10, 3, 10, 2, 5, 4	2 successes

[Seryna]

The Mekhet studying the Nosferatu and Daeva notices that Mr. Kowalsic speaks of his issue- He didn't appreciate Edward behaving 'cute'. It likely ties into Mr. Kowalsic having higher status than Edward.
Mr. Kowalsic ststes his issues openly, giving Edward a chance to apologize or redirect. The cute comments that Mr. Kowalsic comments on are likely why Edward is in a difficult spot.

There is no threat to Edward. It seems to be a reminder and then a word of tense advice. From the way Edward's comment seems to exasperate.Mr. Kowalsic, there's likely history between the two. It's exacerbated by Mr. Kowalsic mentioning that " he's found a better investigator". Mr. Kowalsic likely means Quinn herself- yet he had been watching Mr. Smith and the Prince before saying this.