Shadows and a Lord

[Quinn Durant]

With the Main officials of the court recognized, Quinn would nods from those who gave them, her gaze drawn off taking the pulse of the court when Mr. Northbridge approached her. She raised one eyebrow in mild surprise.


"Good evening Mr. Northbridge." She said with a small polite smile. She noted the purple tie, and approved. A little splash of color was welcome. "There is no time like the present, Mr. Northbridge. Please, won't you join us?" Her hands lifted to encapsulate the two Shadows standing with their Priscus with a smile. Quinn had a duty to make sure these two had some support tonight. She was curious as to what Milton wanted. She didn't think he'd be approaching her at all after there last meeting, but then again, they both worked quite well on the Domain matter together, didn't they? Nothing warmed Quinn's heart quite like faithful service to the Domain. Especially if that service helped her goals.

Continued from (2107) Formal Court...

[Conner Wells]

Conner remembered Milton from the last Court, cowering in a corner in conversation with the Prince. He looked every inch a Ventrue; oozing upper class decorum and snake oil grin. And the power to dominate minds.

He offers Milton a silent nod as Quinn gently but firmly directs them away from the the main press of Beasts.
He dares a brief look to Maeve, who seems to be holding her composure. Not that he dared to further scrutinize her at this point. Not with everyone watching, hearing, waiting for someone to slip up so blood could stain the floors.

But for the moment he could at least take confidence in the fact that, for the first time in a while, the Shadows were united. And he stands as tall and as proud as he can in the face of this lone snake.

Continued from (2107) Formal Court...

[Milton]

"I appreciate the invitation, Priscus Durant," Milton responds, bloodless and polite as always. "Thank you." The smile he offers both Conner and Maeve is inoffensive, though the inelasticity of his cold, dead flesh renders it oddly tight.

His eyes linger on Maeve. It's clear he's noted her discomfort. Though he has no idea what the source of it could be. The strength of her Beast keeps him from viewing her as prey. And yet, there is something off there, some hint of weakness...

You OK, Maeve? 2 successes

Date	Action	Roll	Result
2021-07-09 15:21:11	Milton rolls 5 to Wits + Subterfuge (10 Again)	5, 8, 9, 7, 3	2 successes

"I am glad to have the chance to meet your family," he says, clearly addressing Quinn. And yet those unassuming, brown eyes remain on Maeve.

"As the Priscus said, I am Mr. Milton Northbridge, of clan Ventrue. Childe of Elias Northbridge and last remaining member of the Boston Northbridges." Whatever that's worth at this late date. "And you are...?" Eyes flick to Conner, back to Maeve.

It's all a show of course. He knows exactly who they are. At least by reputation. And yet, it would be impolite not to ask.

Continued from (2107) Formal Court...

[Quinn Durant]

Quinn looked between Conner and Mr. Northbridge, wondering how this was gunna go. Same with Maeve and Mr. Northbridge. It was good at least that they were getting introduced. Knowing each other at least in passing could be important for them. Hypothetical futures not withstanding, strengthening the bonds of those in court was always a worthwhile endeavor.

Quinn smiled slightly at Mr. Northbridge for making an obvious effort towards Maeve and Conner. She appreciated it more than he would realize.

"You are most welcome Mr. Northbridge." She nodded to him.

[Maeve]

Maeve gives a simple nod to 'Mr. Northbridge'. It feels weird calling people as if they were a bunch of teachers. Then again, they do the same thing in hoity toity society, right? That's what this is. Think about what Jennifer said.

"Lovely to make your acquaintance as well, Mr. Northbridge. I am Maeve O'Ryan." Short, simple, to the point. The less she opened her mouth, she knows the less she will get in trouble. At the same time, everyone knows it is fake. Or perhaps they will think she's had a change of heart. She's working with it.

She chances another glance at Conner as it is his turn to introduce himself, remaining perfectly still in the moment. This weirdness with him makes her uncomfortable, but she's dealing with it. Things will be fine. At least he doesn't scare her beast as well. No. She just wants to eat him. Chase him first, then capture him and eat him slowly. He deserves slow.

She blinks, pushing away the odd, predatory thoughts from her head.

Continued from (2107) Formal Court...

[Conner Wells]

Conner waits as Quinn welcomes Milton into the group; as Milton introduces himself. The first descriptor was obvious, but then he goes into a list of titles. A list that is more mercifully brief than he anticipates. Northbridge? Can't say I've heard of it. Though it certainly seems he thinks they should have. Maeve introduces herself and it seems foreign, like she's picked up a new accent. But it doesn't sound too forced, so maybe she is really trying. Thank God! But congratulations would have to wait.

"Conner Wells, of the Second Estate. A pleasure to finally meet you Mr. Northbridge." ​If they were going to throw around titles, he'd at least use the ones that were relevant here. The fact that Milton hadn't mentioned a Covenant tie was certainly telling. And the fact that, other than Seneschal Jack, there didn't seem to be any other Ventrue around. The strength in numbers was egging his Bestial instincts to assert dominance, but there were bigger things at stake today. So he holds in tongue and offers a neutral smile.

[Milton]

Ah, the necking cousins, Milton thinks. At least they appear to be on their best behavior this evening.

He catches Quinn's smile and wonders at it. Perhaps good company is hard to come by for her little Family after their recent performance. Well, Milton is happy to offer charity. Up to a point.

"Ms. O'Ryan, the pleasure is mine, I trust you are enjoying your evening?" he says with his usual amount of warmth. Which is not much. In any event, given her discomfort from a few moments previous, he's sure he already knows her answer. Whether she would admit it or not.

"And Mr. Wells, I am glad to meet a member of the Second Estate here in Sacramento. Many kept the Faith in Boston, but you are the first I've encountered since arriving in the Domain."

Always a keen observer, Milton notes the doors being closed around the room. There's a tension in the air. And Milton does not like it. He is not a fan of surprises.

Bland eyes find Quinn again, "I will not waste too much of your time this evening, Priscus Durant." He's certain she can tell there's something different about this evening's court as well as he can. "I simply wanted to express my interest in continuing the conversation we started concerning certain business interests." He does not say whose interests, keeping the matter intentionally vague. "Not tonight, of course. But, if you are amendable, I would host you as my guest." Again, he does not say where. Not in present company.

[Quinn Durant]

Quinn's smile stepped up a little bit for a moment, before falling back into more neutral lines. Milton had scored some serious points recently, and the Shadow always rewarded the behavior she wanted from others handsomely and showed others who couldn't hack the standard the coldest of shoulders. That was the Kindred way. His efforts towards the domain, and now his charity to her wayward cousins. Yes, Milton had earned his spot back in her good graces. Judging by the careful look on his face, he was realizing it too. Good.

Of course there was someone else who had a hand in all of this, and she was sure he was smiling on the inside right about now. She didn't look at him though, that would be telling! Yes, she owed a certain Priscus of Lords something something for his efforts. Quinn hated personal debt, implied or otherwise. Yet Quinn's gaze did falter from Milton and her Family, as she watched the Prince's ghoul move to get the doors shut. It was an ominous thing to be locked in together. No one in. No one out. Quinn's lips pursed slightly. There was going to be a show, and judging by the way people were grouping or hiding, showed the tensions and lines drawn quietly in the sand. Quinn gave Milton a small smile encouragement.

Quinn nodded to Mr. Northbridge with an appreciative look for his discretion. It seems he hadn't misrepresented himself on his discretion. That was another point in his favor. "I would be delighted to be your guest Mr. Northbridge. We will set something up as soon as our schedules allow." She vowed this, and meant it. Quinn kept her word to her fellow Kindred.

Her gaze moved over the court and her gaze found Dirt Nap, J.C, and Mr. Heinrich. She marked them in her mind, and looked a little closer at J.C, her hearing picking up Dirt Nap's words. Not a good place to bring that up, but then he must be feeling the pressure to make amends to his family.

[Maeve]

Maeve watches Milton and as he asks his question toward her, she shrugs a little. How was she doing? In truth, things were shit and they felt like shit. She wanted to be here and yet she didn't want to be here.

"My evening is adequate. I'm eager to see what the evening is going to hold."

She hates talking like that, but it's what she has to do. Really, she just wants the prince to hurry the fuck up and do their crucifying announcement already. Isn't that why they're here? The doors are being locked and she feels beyond antsy. Run. She needs to run. She tempers that feeling inside as best she can.

She practically ignores the rest of the conversation between Quinn and Milton. It's just masquerading bullshit, after all. She then uses words like we and our and she's concerned for about two seconds that she means all of us. Eww. No thanks.

Her eyes gaze at Conner then, curious to get a read on him. See if he is hiding any kind of emotion about the evening or about being here. She'll never know for sure, but it's fun to try and guess.

You hiding anything, Pretty Boy? - 1 Success

1 success

Date	Action	Roll	Result
2021-07-14 11:17:56	Maeve rolls 5 to You hiding anything, pretty boy? Wits + Subterfuge (10 Again)	8, 7, 5, 6, 3	1 success

[Conner Wells]

Well, at least he seems more welcoming than Twist. Conner thinks to himself as Milton expresses interest in his Covenant. He nods appreciatively.Perhaps he was too quick to judge the Lord...

And then the doors close; the sound seeming to reverberate with his superhuman hearing. The Kowalsics, the Prince, the Archon, things were all beginning to make sense. This wasn't a declaration of war...it was an execution. So? Let the royals tear each other apart, then when the dust clears WE can rule unopposed.

4 successes

Date	Action	Roll	Result
2021-07-14 13:03:53	Conner Wells rolls 6 to Conceal, Don't Feel (Wits + Subterfuge) (10 Again)	1, 2, 10, 9, 8, 2, 8	4 successes

Maeve looks at Conner and sees the same measured smile he'd kept up since Milton first approached the Shadows. A wall of politeness to hold back the surge of Bestial rage-panic and Human apprehension. There was so much riding on tonight for them both, and he wouldn't let himself slip up again. He WOULD prove them wrong. He DID belong here.