(1101) Eternal Court XI
10354
THREADID
396
POSTS
361 - 370
DISPLAYED
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Note: Please try to start wrapping conversations up. All conversations will 'end' on the 6th, which is when the February 13 Court will 'begin', so there aren't two Courts running in parallel.
Asa Clarke
Mask of Tranquility
Seeing Twist free, Asa moved over to the diminutive Daeva, letting out a long sigh.
"Please tell me that wasn't a request for a later rendezvous. I find myself in dreadful need of comforting," he said plaintively, but grinning playfully.
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Ciara
*Ciara turns to Thomas, smiling politely enough.* Good evening... *She notices the more formal tone of the other Kindred, cocking an eyebrow up at the man.* Of course. Somewhere private I take it?
Max
*Max makes his way back to Court proper after his time talking with Martha.*
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Tyler sees Max leave Martha's office - he gets up and walks over to knock on the door.
Knock!...Knock!...Knock!
Martha, dressed in her usual school uniform, was just closing the door after scouting out the current occupants of the Court...slightly weary, she was about to close the door fully when Tyler made his move...smiling, she opens the door. Another smile, bright eyed.
"Good Evening Keeper Villiers, I do hope you have a moment?"
Nodding, Martha smiles, steps back to let Tyler in more fully. "But of course, sir! How do you do?" she asks, all eager.
The Keeper has arranged her small office in a Spartan style. A desk..a filing cabinet..a print of John Waterhouse's 'The Lady of Shalot' upon a wall. A telephone and cheap laptop. There is a bookshelf against one wall, standing from floor to half the height of the wall. Only a dozen of so books are arranged on its shelves and look, to judge by the spines at first glance, to be works of non fiction. A hat stand is close by the door and is put to use by holding two raincoats with space for more. The desk is piled high with notepads, typical of the sort used by college students for taking lecture notes. they all seem well used and many strips of paper are marking pages on interest. There is a sofa against another wall and several sturdy, if equally Spartan, chairs near the desk.
Tyler enters, he smiles as he looks around her office and it reminded him of being back at school. "Oh, I am just fine ma'am. I was hoping I could have just a moment of your time was all."
Tyler waited for the Keeper to shut the door and taker her seat before sitting down himself. Tyler also noticed the same pleasant and quaint aromas of lavender and minty toothpaste that emanated from the Keeper as the last time they had met.
Smiling, she stays standing, but gestures for Tyler to take a seat, she leans on her cane...a gentle look of interest in her eyes. "Of course, sir! How can I help?"
Tyler takes a seat in front of the desk, he straightens his posture and speaks. "I was hoping you might be of some assistance, I was looking for a few books and thought you might be able to help. Plus I was wondering if you spoke to Mr. Hartman yet, I was kind of curious and interested in visiting our Chapter house again."
Tyler smiled at Martha, he liked her and hoped he was not imposing upon her. He looked at the cane and wondered if she was in pain, Tyler pushed that thought to the back of his mind and just smiled at her respectfully.
Martha stood next to the desk, she hoped it was a less intimidating position than behind it. This was a friendly chat, not some official errand. Noticing his glance to her cane, she tries a meek smile, nodding at his words. "Books, eh? Hmm...well..first things first...I haven't had much contact with the Ordo, sir...I attend the Chapter House often, but have rare contact with anyone. Though, I should welcome meeting others...it is stimulating! Besides which, I had hoped we could encourage each others Requiem and quests!" another bright smile, she shifts position slightly to hide her cane behind her while leaning upon it, carefully. "I...I should welcome your insights into your own Ordo studies, sir! But...please tell me...these books...which ones do you seek?"
Tyler looked away from her cane, as to not be rude and saw Martha as an equal, not a lessor for her use of a cane. Smiling, Tyler spoke.
"Oh! Well the books I was interested in have an occult flare. But I feel they may be of some use too me. The first one is 'The Wicca Handbook' by Eileen Holland and the second book is called 'The Way of Wizards' by Tom Cross. I have searched for these but have yet to find the local library or even know if they have them. I know Barne's and Noble said they were out of print."
Tyler looked down, it was not often he went in search of things and come up against a wall. Looking at Martha he spoke. "If you can assist me, I'd be happy to compensate you in return."
Tiny Martha smiled and listened carefully, her bright eyes fully upon Tyler. All gentility and she seems to be very enthusiastic.
"Ah, I see! Goodness! Well, sir...I should urge extreme caution with the veracity or otherwise of the Wicca texts...so much of those books...shall I say, lacks authenticity. However, my disquiet of the veracity of much of the Wicca literature aside, I should be glad to help! I often make forays to public libraries and I shall be vigilant for them! I know of the handbook...it is a commonplace text. The Way of Wizards, however...well, I should be interested to read that myself!" she giggles merrily and hobbles over to behind her desk to grab a student style notebook, only adding to her appearance of college scholarship. Another happy smile as she writes down the details. "I should be very glad to work with you on this project, sir! I wonder though, sir, to what end...do you intend to perform some sorcery?" she asks, wide eyed, cane hooked under one arms as she makes notes with a cheap ballpoint pen.
Tyler giggles, he figured explaining or telling the books he'd get some reaction but not enthusiasm. "Oh, I am not a sorcerer, nor do I intend to try and do any. I am only doing some simple research, plus they list flowers, plants and some cool things that might be of use to me in my perfume, incense and soap making."
Tyler felt calm, he found it somewhat easy to be himself and speak in front of Martha. This should have been a good thing, but he was a tad troubled by the feeling as well. Shrugging it off, Tyler spoke again;
"I been doing my research into Wiccan and Wizardry, trying to find some commonality between those who believe in a Wiccan way and those who believe in Merlin and Morgana. I also welcome any assistance into this research, especially from those who seem as smart as you." Tyler smiled, he wondered if Martha was truly interested in his study topic or just a knowledge junkie.
Martha seemed quite baffled by the sudden praise. Smiling, she tucks the ballpoint behind an ear and primps playfully with her hat, cane still tucked under an arm. "Goodness!" another shy giggle, "Well, sir, I should encourage you to read anything and everything by Professor Hutton...his analysis of pagan traditions and folklore is careful, precise and often controversial...but his scholarship is beyond reproach! I fully intend to hunt down all his work! I would argue that you should also read Robert Graves' White Goddess too...if only to see what Prof Hutton is arguing for and against! The lists of ingredients you seek are common enough too! I shall gladly photocopy them for you as I encounter them in the public libraries!" a happy smile and she limps back round to rest against the desk closer to Tyler. "I must say, sir, I am intrigued by the mystical too!"
Tyler nodded as she spoke, he removed a small notepad and ink pen from his inside his front shirt pocket. As he wrote down the books Martha suggested, Tyler could not help but giggle. "Oh, I myself am intrigued by the mystical possibilities some of the books write about. I do not know though, if any of it is possible though. That was why I was wanting to visit the Chapter House and the library there, to see if anyone has done research on this subject as well." Tyler finished writing down what books she suggested and the authors of each, he smiled and looked back to Martha, finally seeing their interests in the matter was possibly familiar.
Martha listened and rubbed at her stiff thigh as she watched Tyler, leaning against the edge of her desk her enthusiasm hadn't dropped. Bright eyed, more nodding. "I have every reason to believe acts of magic are possible, sir...I'm simply unsure of the mechanism by which they are accomplished! I should be wary of the Charlatan, however...and the synthetic gobbledegook of much of the Wiccan world...as with Scientology, sir, the tradition is very modern. Whilst it may pretend to a deeper heritage, such claims can be false and conceal sinister motives by cult leaders...or just misguided hope of wide eyed followers. All this does, sir, is remind me that we must approach our studies with care and attention, sir! With a critical, though not cynical, eye and heart." she smiled, clearly liking that he too took notes. A happy giggle and she rubs harder at her leg. "I am certain this is ground trodden by Ordo scholars. I'd happily wander those by-ways with you too, sir!"
Tyler nods appreciatively, not staring as Martha rubbed her stiff leg and spoke.
"I sort of agree, I believe Wiccan and Druidry beliefs stem further back into history than some would agree upon and I am attacking my studies from a neutral perspective. Giving both sides of the coin perspective, I see Scientology sort of like a confused child. Kabbalah and Druidry, I have added to my research as well as Native American Shamanism. What are your thoughts on those?"
Tyler smiled, he began to warm up in his talk with Martha on his studies and easily forgot about the fact she rubbed her leg and used a can, he saw her as an equal. It was not everyday he spoke about his research, but it was what drew him to the Ordo Dracul.
Martha listened carefully, nodding often. She fell quiet as he mentioned the Native Shamanism and her view upon it. After several minutes of quiet reflection she rested her cane against the desk and made a sort of exasperated gesture, her hands in the air in a pantomime gesture of playful frustration. "Goodness, sir!" she begins as she hobbles about near Tyler, "I truly wish I knew more about it all! I have...I am...studying the works upon the Zuni religions...if there is any true mystery in the Native Traditions, I suspect the truth rests in those myths and legends and shamanic work...rather than the more nomadic tribes. The Zuni...ah...well...I wish I knew more, sir. I persist in my study and hope, one day, to offer a better assessment!" a shy smile as she comes to a standing rest near Tyler, hands playing with the edge of her long gymslip as she watches Tyler.
Tyler smiled as she spoke, he giggled when she made the air gesture and spoke. He listened intently and then spoke. "I been studying the Cherokee and Navajo peoples views on Shamanism, I also have researched druids connection to Stonehenge and Voudoun in New Orleans - where I am from. I have to believe some of that stuff exists for a reason, if not just to make people believe in half truths. I see why some many people are attractive to these religions or ways of life, what interests me besides the history and hoodoo-that-they-do is why so many people flock to them with wide eyes and open arms. I wonder what pushes then or draws them to those forms of religion or practices." Tyler was silent after he spoke, he jotted some things down and instinctively exhaled even though there was no use. He had hoped he was not being a bore, but he also knew this topic was something he could talk all day about. Tyler forced a pleasant smile, he watched Martha fiddle with her gymslip and saw her beauty - which rushed over him softly. He knew why she was the keeper and eased him a bit.
She listened with great interest and fiddled a bit more with the edge of her long gymslip, long to almost her ankles. Modestly, she smiles, she seems sincerely at ease and happy to talk, no indication at all of any boredom. Though she had seemed weary as she opened the door, this talk seemed to have revitalised her in some way. Tiny Martha limps heavily over to the bookcase, taking down a novel sized textbook, one of several of similar publishers format, one of a set it seems, she shows it to Tyler with a smile.
"I should urge you to read these, sir..." it is the World Spirituality series, the Modern Esoteric Spirituality issue. "They are as comprehensive as they can be for the size of the work...and ample bibliography enables closer study for further reading!" she smiles happily, she really seemed to enjoy this! "I should be interested to hear of your studies into the Cherokee and Navajo...and the Voudoun! Goodness! The voodoo tradition does inspire me with some trepidation!" a nervous giggle, "Perhaps we could invite other students...establish a seminar group to hear speakers deliver papers and monographs upon a theme of ancient traditions?" a smile and hobble back to rejoin Tyler at her desk, she leans against it once more.
Tyler's smile widened as she spoke, when she went to the bookcase and pulled down a book and showed it to him Tyler was intrigued. "May I borrow this to read Madam Keeper? I will return it in the same condition as I received it?" As he watched her smile and move back to the desk, Tyler listened as she continued to speak. "I do have a few works of literature by some authors on these religions and mystical practices. I can share some books with you that might be of interest to you. I actually like the seminar idea, it would be a great idea to get lists of books for research as well as the perspectives of others on these subjects." Tyler was really enjoying this conversation, it was not everyday he found someone who was interested in what intrigued him.
Tiny Martha, without hesitation, offers Tyler the book she had shown. A happy smile too, nodding eagerly as he expressed support for her seminar idea. "That sounds splendid, thank you, sir! I can see we shall have much to occupy our studies with!" a happy giggle, she rubs hard at her thigh. "We should try to arrange a seminar then, sir! I shall give the matter thought...invite local scholars...there may be value in co-operating with the local university too! Goodness, sir..." she smooths out her long gymslip now she's sitting at the edge of the desk, looking happily at Tyler, "I should be interested to hear of your studies into Stonehenge too." she seemed about to say something else, but rather lets Tyler talk again, occupying herself by watching Tyler, smiling and sitting on her hands now, to prevent additional fidgeting.
Tyler smiled as she allowed him to borrow the book she showed him. "Why thank you, ma'am. I agree, plus the University could allow us to possibly use a room for the lecture and you never know they might offer us some research grants if they feel our studies warrant it."
Tyler giggled, though you could never tell some University staff did like to offer up resources and such on matters that might be beneficial to their students and staff. "I have been finding my research into Stonehenge quite fascinating, some do not know how it came to be and others think it has roots in the extraterrestrial. I myself so far have no forethought. I feel it's just a mystery that is left to interpretation."
Tyler fell silent and jotted a few note, he looked up at Martha as he held the book and his notepad. he had forgotten she limped and used a cane, he was seeing her beauty as she smiled and looked her way. This eased Tyler and made him smile more.
Martha smiled happily, she perhaps appeared serene now, wide eyed and pale. She also seemed to be enjoying the pause and silence. Watching Tyler make his notes she made no move of any kind, simply sat perched at the edge of her desk, thinking...watching.
Finally she said; "I confess, sir, I am bewildered by the immense implications of the extraterrestrial origins of Stonehenge! Imagine! Though why a civilisation capable of travel to and from distant stars would build an enduring monument of stone from so far away in the Welsh hills...rather than some other local material...why not some metal more suitable? Why not a more sensible, local, stone? Why at that location too? Well...after all, sir: it is a mystery!" she laughs and giggles happily, still sitting on her hands. "Might I ask, please: do you have any contact with any of the staff and lecturers at the university, sir?"
Tyler watched Martha as she spoke, he also noticed she was sitting on her hands and this made him curious. "Maybe it was meant to be a gift of some kind? Or a marker of sorts to show that they visited? Or it could simply be a gateway? That is why it's a mystery after all and makes people assume or be consumed by its significance." Tyler paused, he was enjoying their conversation and hoped he was not taking it over. "I do not have any contacts at the local University, but it is something I can look into ma'am." Tyler was calm and beamed bright, as best he could for being what he was but Martha had that effect on him and he was happy to be in her presence.
Tiny Martha listened carefully, nodding...she seemed to be giving careful thought to everything Tyler said. Smiling she nods. "I think we would both do well to explore contact with the university, sir! We can, perhaps, combine our efforts! I had wished to pursue and continue my studies at the university, so perhaps I may be able to entice contact through that motivation, sir!" another happy smile. If Tyler was dominating the conversation, she gave no impression of feeling subdued.
Tyler nodded as she spoke, he was interested to learn what she had just said. "It is nice to hear that you were planning to continue your studies, that was something I was wanting to do as well. Of course I wanted to takes course in Mythology and Occult history but that may differ from what you were planning on learning. Though we might run into each other." Tyler did have the application and some SAT scores from him taking the test at the night School he had previously attended, so he felt since they were fairly recent by about 7 months he could still use them for entrance. "I have always been interested in higher learning, ma'am, I take education quite seriously though I may not appear to."
Martha nods, greatly encouraged and impressed by Tyler to hear of this. "Ohhh..." she begins, releases a hand from under her thigh to rub at her stiff and straight knee, "I say! How splendid! It appears you and I have the same interest in further education too! I had hoped to continue my studies in history and archaeology...Your experience of further education in this country is more immediate than my own, so I should be very glad of your help in navigating it and seeing about entry to courses!" she chuckles nervously, wide eyed and seems, slightly, subdued now.
Tyler chuckled, he smiled at Martha and spoke. "That would be a pleasure Madam Keeper that I would love to do. Usually with the College application there is a fee, we would have to send some school records and SAT scores. If you feel troubled with some of those items they would need, I am sure my business contacts and friends could assist you in that matter."
Tyler smiled as he paused, he looked at the Keeper and spoke as he stood reaching into his shirt pocket and retrieving a business card with just his name and number. "Sadly, ma'am, I seem to have allowed the time to pass, I must leave as I have an important business matter that needs handling before sun rise. Here is my number, if you need anything please, do not hesitate to call. I also hope we do meet again to do this College entrance thing, the seminar and I do have to return this book."
Tyler stood looking at Martha as he handed her the card, he waited patiently before leaving.
Martha listened, alternating between dismay (her own college records would raise more questions than was sensible!) and then hope as Tyler offered his contacts to help.
Smiling, she nodded at everything that was said...taking the card with a curtsy as she stood from her perch at the desk. "Thank you! Thank you, kindly, sir! I look forward to working with you in all these matters!" she enthused, curtsied again and seemed very sincere in her hope to see Tyler again soon!
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*Ciara leads the other Kindred to her office, opening the door and letting him step inside before following and closing the door.* So, what can I help you with tonight, Mr O'Connor? I hope everything is alright?
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Thomas' face was composed and proper but there was something in his eyes, a trace of an emotion that might be close to sadness. "Harpy Maskelyne I need to inform you that I owe a Major Boon to Archon Twist." As much as he tried to focus on her role in the Domain, the Mekhet couldn't help but think of her as the name he'd been either too shy or reserved to call her: Ciara. In the end he the sadness wasn't for leaving the Movement, for upsetting the Prefect or anything as silly as that. It was the because sharing a few simple laughs with the Irish woman in Court was one of the few times he could remember having a genuine smile on his face. He didn't regret his decision, it had been the right one for him and he just hoped that she wouldn't hate him for it. Or at least Ciara wouldn't hate him for it.
She was smart enough to understand what was meant in that sentence and his absence from the last Carthian meeting.
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*Ciara is silent for a long while, her usual soft smile fading away as she studies the man before her. The boon, the use of Twist's title, and his absence from the last meeting made it clear why he had asked to talk to her. She finally manages a soft "I see..", moving behind her desk and setting down. She motions for Thomas to take a seat as well, waiting for him to sit before continuing.*
Tom... *She stops, having to remind herself she was no longer dealing with a fellow Carthian, but a man who was now a member of an opposing faction. She starts again, her voice cool and even; a clear shift from the familiar tone she had used just a few moments before in Court.* Mr O'Connor, I'm sure I don't have to remind you that one of the core tenets of the Movement is self-determination. Everyone is free to decide how best to live their lives so long as it does not affect the well being of the group. So I will not set here and lecture you on the difference in philosophy between the Movement and the Invictus. I will not try and cajole or threaten you into staying with us. If you truly feel they are a better match for you, for whatever reason, I will do nothing more than wish you luck.
But, I will ask why. Why you feel such a radical change is necessary, or at the least advisable. I will ask what the Invictus can offer you that the Movement cannot. *The Ventrue's lips turn down into a slight frown, trying to fathom why someone that had been an upstanding member of the Movement in the eyes of the city would so quickly switch sides. She tries to lighten the mood a little, to keep herself objective in light of the news.*
Of course, you have the right to tell me it's none of my business and to go to Hell, but I'm sure you'll phrase it a little more politely then that...
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Thomas took the offered seat and braced himself for the anger, the frustration and the rage, anything but the calm and rational voice she used. It made the self inflicted wounds dig a little bit deeper. He wants to smile when she changes her tone, wants to tell her that he'd never tell to go to hell but he can't. It's all he can do to ask a simple question. "You deserve to know the reason. I'm going to tell you why but I want, I want to say it to Ciara, not the Harpy, not the Prefect. To you and to be kept between us. I want you to understand."
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*Ciara blinks, not expecting the man's request to speak on a personal level. She can only nod.* Very well Thomas. I promise I won't tell the others what you tell me. *She waits silently for his reply, trying to puzzle out the man's unusual request.*
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Thomas thought for a second about where to begin and rubs the stump at the end of his right forearm. He finally decides to begin at the beginning, every story needed to be framed properly. "A lot of crazy things happen in the aftermath of a World War, I like to include my embrace in that." He leans forward slightly. "I fought in the war, an Officer in the US Army. After it ended I stayed in Europe to help prepare evidence for Nuremberg and track down any war criminals still hiding in Western Europe. I did the job a little too well. My Sire thought I had the proper qualities worthy of the Embrace. My Grand Sire thought I had the proper qualities to be a pawn in his designs." His mind flashes back to those times, to how Rachel had seemed so perfect and how he'd loved and hated her in equal parts. Jacob, well the world was a better place with that son of a bitch as ash.
"I never chose the Movement. My Grand Sire told me I would be a part of it and I was too new to this world to question him. I was taught not to think on politics, to never care about other Kindred, to be able to leave any Domain in less than fifteen minutes." He stops and composes himself again, a look of shame and remorse on his face. There were so many things he wished he could change from those nights but still all those decisions had led him here and he knew that he'd finally made a choice he could justify to himself.
"A few years ago my Sire wrote me, my Grand Sire was ash and she had joined the First Estate in Belgium. She asked me to forgive for what happened in the first years of my Requiem and asked me to honestly think about what I wished to do with my existence. I didn't really think on that advice until very recently." He rubbed the stump again. "The Bloodhunt and the Bypass stirred thoughts in me I had thought died along side my body, notions of Duty and Honor and being willing to put myself on the line to protect something. Those thoughts have caused me to make the first real decision I've made in my unlife."
He sits up in the chair and wonders why he'd been willing to tell her so much. This was information about himself he was only willing to share with three Kindred, the Prince by virtue of his position, the Archon Twist who he'd asked to stand for him and the woman sitting across from him. In the back of his head he comes to the realization that both Ciara and Twist remind him of Rachel. Freud would have a field day with him and it's a thought that almost makes him smile. Almost.
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