(2106) Catching Shadows

[Jacque]

Out of the corner of his eye, he thought he saw something... something strange with her shadow. Seeing nothing upon inspection, he glanced towards light sources and then Quinn for the briefest of moments to consider any rational explanation. Smiling at the Haunt's affirmation he added, "It is always pleasant to see someone still after a few months. So many just pass through, but I suspect you've started to establish your roots a bit?"

"How has Sacramento been treating you?"

[Helen Kingsley]

"Just a little bit, Sir."

Helen underlines the statement with the related hand gesture, the few milimeters between thumb and index finger showing just how little of a bit.

"I'm still trying to get a good idea of the place and the people before making some of the important decisions. In my experiencve it pays off to do that to not step on any toes. Although I have to admit, Sacramento looks like it is less of an issue than in other places with more tensions between covenants. Or maybe the place just wants us new kids to think that. I don't have that figured out just yet."

She shrugs.

"I can't complain, really. So far everything and everyone has been pretty accomodating, which is nice. To be fair, I haven't taken the time to give the city a chance to sweep me off my feet, but it hasn't tried to sucker-punch me for the time being either. Which is a good start, I'm jut curious if it'll stay that way once I get a little more weighed down and integrated."

[Jacque]

"Prudence is always important," the Lord mused with her desire to not step on toes. Nodding, "For what it is worth, I found the same when I arrived many years ago. Each covenant but one had some structure here, and I had the opportunity to talk with each." He smiled, enjoying his own reminiscing, "Very insightful discussions."

"However, I can't say it was always free of tension between Covenants, but the few times they surfaced were often the result of some kind of individual frictions that were left too long to fester." Nothing unusual for Kindred nightlife. "If you're careful not to jump to conclusions, it isn't hard to spot the difference."

"Do you have any hobbies that have followed you here?", he inquired with personal interest.

[Helen Kingsley]

"True, the more perspectives, the better and looking out for things that might come in from left field doesn't hurt either. I have also thought about getting a few opinions on place and people, but I'm still busy sorting people into their baskets and see who's best to talk to. Especially with those covenants that look small or secretive here. Or just seriously underrepresented compared to what I'm used to, I guess."

Hobbies, eh ? She frowns at the question. One of those left-field things.

"Hobbies... I read. Comics, all sorts of books I come across really, I like romance novels. The sappy, yet addictive bad ones. At least I admit it." She shrugs again. "I knit, I'm sort of okay at card games that aren't Poker and I've taken to exercise again." She ponders that mass of stuff. Sounds like the most important bases are covered. There are other things, but she doesn't consider those hobbies, really.

"What do you do when you're not busy with domain functions, so to speak, Sir ?

[Jacque]

"All ebbs and flows within the population. If you ever would like some suggestions on who to talk to, I'm always happy to provide." A quiet offer, respecting the common desire for Kindred to draw their own conclusions.

He grins at her admission, "We all have guilty pleasures. Mine happen to be trivia nights." Keeps the mind sharp... or at least lets you know what the dull parts are. "I like to read and drink, though card games aren't something I've thought about in a very long time. Do you play for fun or are you the betting sort?"

Thinking back to motives, he realized where he'd seen here in Sacramento he wasn't actually sure he knew why she was here, "So, what brought you to Sacramento all those months ago?"

[Helen Kingsley]

"Thanks, I'll make sure to get back to you with that."

She chuckles to herself a bit.

"Just for fun, I don't play for money anymore. Money's a jealous fellow. Whenever it comes to the table, it drives my luck off to have me all for itself. Even if its just playing for tenths or hundredths, we play for money, bottom line is, I lose a lot more than I win. It's not worth it in the long run. Trivia nights in general or do you have a specialty ?"

What brought her to Sacramento... Helen thinks a bit how to best phrase it.

"A friend pointed me to Sacramento when I decided Vegas wasn't the place for me. I trusted him enough to give it a shot. Chance, I guess. Not the most logical or satisfying answer, I'll give you that.
What do you read, if I may ask ?"

[Jacque]

"No specialty," he shrugged as he divulged, "I found myself on more than one occasion getting tunnel visioned on the way things were..." he trailed off in thought before bringing his gaze back to the haunt, "I enjoy finding questions outside of my wheelhouse."

He grinned before delivering the obvious question, "So you were in Vegas but you play for fun. Was it Vegas that ruined it for you or..?"

Another shrug, "A good enough reason as any. I can certainly think of worse answers." He considered her question, "I'm afraid my answer may not be all that exciting. I mainly read through research publications. Biology, primarily, but in the absence of anything new on that front I glance over most any subject."

"Are you looking for anything in particular in a place?" It seemed like a next logical question. What she hoped Sacramento might be... or at least what part of Vegas it isn't.

[Helen Kingsley]

Helen laughs.

"I've learned that lesson way earlier, although the place wasn't too different from vegas in some things. Staying away from those casino business saves a lot of headaches. Plus, competition for bragging rights or small things is a lot different when people actually have skin in the game. Other people say thats the fun of it, I think it can help people find out things about themselves they aren't really looking for in the first place."

Research ? Well, she hasn't seen that one coming, that's for sure.

"That sounds dry. I used to be happy when I thought I could leave those things behind. Now, I'm sorta struggling to get back in. You're a scientist then ?"

She ponders the question for a bit.

"Not particularly, no. I like to think I'm pretty adaptive. People are more important."

[Jacque]

He grins as Helen laughs, "Many view the risks of gambling to be part of the thrill. You can't truly live until you've risked it all..." he chuckled quietly, "But that isn't exactly a problem for us these nights, is it?"

"It is," he concedes. "You could say that. I'm primarily a lawyer in the Kine world, but have a scientific and academic background as I stated in biology. I've branched from that skillset, but only in various readings and research." He shrugged, "I strive to know a little bit about a lot of things, ergo the Trivia."

"Good quality to have," he responded, "I'm certain you'll find the habitants of Sacramento to be of your liking." He wondered if she was the type to be a watcher in unfamiliar territory, and if he had interrupted that ritual. He only knew of the sort because, well... he was one. At one time at least.

"Well, I've probably taken up enough of your time Miss Kingsley. It was a pleasure to meet you." He offered a nod of his head as he lingered for any last thoughts.

[Helen Kingsley]

"Not really, no. But then, a löot depends on what 'all' is and who else gets drawn into the mess when things go south."

The lawyer joke basically wrote itself ! Too bad she was pretty sure she wouldn't be able to come up with one Jack didn't already know.

"Can't argue with that, knowing more is always better than knowing less. Depending on what one's comfort zone looks like." She shrugs, but nods in thanks for the compliment.

"We'll see about that soon enough, I guess, but I'm optimistic." She bows a little in response to his nod. "A pleasure indeed, hope I didn't keep you from your duties for too long. Have a great night, Sir."