A meeting between Prisci

[Albert Baker]

The address given turned out to be in Land Park and further looking lead to a detached plain gablefront house in yellow brick, red roof tiles and the windows and doors as well as the fence and porch painted in white. Passing through the fence and over the white cobblestones leading through the small lawn some steps could be taken on the porch and upon ringing the door bell the door would open.

Inside the path lead through a small room with an iron wardrobe and wallpaper with white roses on blue to the living room where an oval wooden table stood and two places at it being prepared with notebooks and various writing implements. On the wall were the same 70s-wallpaper and some photographs, framed, under glass and black and white. Finally the door to another room opened and the host appeared, sitting down and gesturing for the guest to do the same.

[Jennifer Hazelton]

A Performance SUV, Mercedes AMG ML 55 to be precise, was driven to the address. Liam, dressed in a tailored reinforced suit in black with a kelly green dress shirt, parked and opened the door for Jennifer. Jennifer stepped out, having pulled on the Blush of life. Not having guidance on the dress code, she was dressed in a green dress suit. A patterned green silk scarf was secured around her neck. She wore two pieces of jewelry - the emerald spider pin that she often wore. The second was a chocolate and white diamond ring that she started to wear at the end of last year. Jennifer and Liam walked up to the house. Jennifer paused at the door to look around the neighborhood. Speculative. Liam softly knocked on the door and when it opened, escorted Jennifer through. The two walk trhough to the wooden table. Jennifer stepped over to some of the photographs, taking a moment to look over the photos.

As the Priscus arrived, Jennifer gave a small nod. "Priscus Baker." As he took his seat, she moved to one sitting opposite of his seat. Liam remained standing by the doorway, his eyes watching the entry ways.

[Albert Baker]

The dress code was made apparent by the host, as he was wearing dress trousers, a white shirt and a purple tie, though had relaxed it a bit by exchanging the dress shoes for red slippers with floral embroidery in silverwork and the jacket and waistcoat had been replaced with a red cardigan on which the words for the four Purusartha (goals for the human life in Hinduism) were repeatedly embroidered in white. He seemed a tiny bit more relaxed than he usually appeared to be in public.

Al smiled faintly but friendly.

"Welcome, Priscus Hazelton, it is a pleasure to have you here. I have planned to speak with you about some topics that were and still are, I imagine, of interest to both of us."

He paused a bit for effect before continuing.

"Which, as you might have guessed, are in particular the plans of Mrs. Durant and our alliance. If you brought some other topics we might talk about those as well."

Photographs

The photographs seem to depict some of the early stages of Als life. The first shows a picture of a couple and eighteen children in various ages from five to eleven years old. A small piece of paper underneath tells the observer it was taken at a place named Fairworth House in the year 1881. The second one shows the same people though older, dressed formally and with a different background, the piece of paper saying 'Hansi, 1896'. The third photo depicts a larger group of people in military uniform, phptographed according to the paper in Johannesburg in 1899.The fourth one once again depict the family and the background from the first two photos, a bit older and with one of the young men missing, the paper giving the year 1911. The fifth picture (and the final on this wall) once again shows a group in uniform, many the same as in the third, but also some new ones. The piece of paper underneath states 'Belton Park, 1914'

[Jennifer Hazelton]

Jennifer took a moment to look over the photographs. Were these misdirections? Or were ties to his mortal life truly on display? Was it a gesture of trust or manipulation, Jennifer wonders.

"Thank you for having me." Jennifer's Cursed voice slithers forth, a serpent slithering over dying leaves."Do you mind if I ask after a photograph?" A glance towards the wall. Brown eyes return to focus on Priscus Baker. "Were those eighteen children including cousins, perhaps? Such a prodigious family."

"Yes, I would like to converse with you now that you have had time to settle in. I am sure Whip Wells appraised you of matters. Has Whip Wells told you of the meeting where the Nosferatu hosted the Mekhet Family?

I am under the belief that Whip Wells did not appraise you of the investigation that I texted you about?" Jennifer inquired.

"I do wish to hear if you are pledged to continue the alliance that former Priscus Durant," Emphasis on the proper title. "- and I proposed to our families. Currently, we have been supporting one another's standing about the Domain. If you are ready to commit to the alliance between our two Families, what do you think is a priority?"

There were topics that Jennifer could bring into conversation. Yet she was not committing to any close to her heart at the moment.

What was Albert Baker interested in? What is with these Mrs used as a title for unmarried women?

[Albert Baker]

Al nodded when Jennifer voiced her gratitude for being his guest and returned the sentiment with a smile.

"Thank you for being here..."

Asked about the picture he glanced at it for a moment before speaking.

"Just the immediate family. The picture would be much more crowded with all of my cousins in it..."

When asked if he was willing to continue the arrangement between the two clans he smiled faintly.

"I certainly do wish to continue the proposed alliance between our families, though, no disrespect intended, I'm not as familiar with the initial arrangement and would ask for the courtesy of the terms..."

Al shrugged on the topic of Mr. Wells not speaking of the meeting or certain investigations.

"Indeed he hardly has, as he appears to be busy with covenant affairs... I'm aware that the meeting took place though I'm afraid not of any specifics. He also didn't see the need to tell me about the investigation. I think I need to talk to him about that..."

On the topic of a new focus of the alliance and priorities he thought about the topic for just a moment before replying.

"The gathering of knowledge, within certain limits, of course..."

[Jennifer Hazelton]

Jennifer nods as the Mekhet Priscus politely thanked her for attending their meeting.
"What a wonderful family." Jennifer replied, already wondering about what it would have been like to have been surrounded by so many siblings.

"I understand, Priscus Baker. We find ourselves a kin of sorts, as our Families are so similiar. I am keen to share knowledge of the Domain with one another. Keeping ourselves abreast of all the goings on in the Domain shall be within our grasp with sharp minded Kindred in our Families. The terms are able to be adjusted, if you wish. I can take any suggestions to my Family."

Jennifer smiles to the Mekhet, hoping to alleviate the Cursed voice and signal that she is pleased with how the meeting is progressing. She is pleased that Priscus Baker is open to the discussion. He has taken her inquiries as they are. Jennifer does not think he took offense to her gentle prodding.

[Albert Baker]

Al nodded though he expressed a hint of a frown. While elaborating on the point he finished with a small gesture as if to say 'but what can you do ?'.

"There were times when having a lot of family became a bit exhausting, so it wasn't all fun and games. It was better at times and mostly for the period between moving out of Fathers house and getting invited to the marriages and meeting some of the in-laws... But I'm sure you are familiar with that..."

After a short reminescent glance to the wall with the pictures he tented his hands and changed the topic.

"At this moment the point is not to adjust the terms but to know them. I know it might seem odd to you but it is important for me."

After a bit of thought he continued again changing the topic but slightly.

"We might also discuss your expectations on the alliance, your priorities in that matter, if it pleases you, or other things that you might wish to."

[Jennifer Hazelton]

Jennifer resisted the urge to smile at the suggestion that she was familiar with the extended family events. She had been Embraced rather young. She had cut herself away from mortal affairs quickly. Even now, she was curious about the photos on display. Was it a display of trust, or misdirection? Her mind wanted to churn over the information.
"I can imagine that such interpersonal affairs could become complicated. Yet Family can be such a boon in trying times. To be removed from their influence must be painful."

"Understanding the terms is important. I can agree with that thought. Gathering of knowledge with certain limitations. Which limitations should be spelled out?"

A slight pause at the change of subject. She thought for a moment.
“I believe that our Family should support the other members status in public. Shoring up public opinion at parties to those outside of the alliance, for example. Do you think this wise?
"I have a hard and fast rule for my Family: No one teaches the Family Gift to those not of the Blood. " A small, meaningful look. She would expect that no one would ask a Mekhet for the Sight.
"I should mention that I have a professional knowledge of the Mekhet Family Gift."

"Outside of that rule, I would be amenable to sharing knowledge. I offer myself as teacher for the subject of the occult, politics, brawling and the skill of moving silently. I have a professional knowledge of these skills.
I would also be able to teach computer skills – such as researching or using them as tools. I am an expert in computers, as I attended University to become a White Hat. "

[Albert Baker]

Al nodded with a small wistful smile on the topic of family being difficult at times.

"It is at times, especially when in-laws get involved and the family splits and scatters... Family can be a boon and it can be a pain, but as our vicar Mr. Pennyfather used to say, everything has a purpose and few things are purely bad or good..."

He gave the exact limitations of the sharing of knowledge a quick thought, though the answer seemed pre-determined as it still came pretty fast.

"Oh, they should be obvious. No covenant matters, for example. Or family secrets."

On the topic of 'shoring up' public opinion he nodded though it seemed to take a bit of time for him to understand the phrase.

"It is wise, yes."

When the matter of family Gifts was brought up he nodded, as he assumed his viewpoint was known, though when Jennifer mentioned knowing his family's one, he frowned disapprovingly. There were alyways people who saw things that should be rules as mere guidelines...

"Indeed, that should be a universal rule, if you ask me... but apparently there are people who don't see it like that... Unfortunately..."

The frown disappeared when it came to sharing skills and knowledge though he seemed a bit despondent dues to redundency and lack of 'field talents' on his part.

"That would be good. Sadly I can only offer some languages, a different kind of occult knowledge and general academic knowledge."

[Jennifer Hazelton]

Jennifer was quiet for a moment, musing over the new information.
"Everything has a purpose, yes. I was raised on a bit of 'If we send out thoughts of love and health, they return to us like bread cast onto the water.' "

Jennifer was quick to nod as he mentioned what should be obvious. She could agree to that.
A small smile at the frown that arrived. "Peace, Priscus Baker. It was former Priscus Durant who taught me herself."

Although would the revelation give him any peace?

"Languages are quite interesting to me. I recently learned a bit of Italian. I am curious, what language do you think lends best to researching academic texts of the occult?"