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Finley Adams:
Finley is sitting at a table, a very thick book in front of them--the sort you'd get while taking some biology or medical college class. It looks well worn, with little note tabs sticking out from between the pages to mark places of importance. Finley flips through it, eyes skimming back and forth and occasionally making a note on a notepad.
Dressed simply, androgynous, as usual: oversized, long gray coat, with a gray and purple sweater underneath that has seen better days, along with black cargo pants. Covering the lower half of their face is a mask with cute toucans on it.
Alex Shaw:
It's storming outside, which means Alex has tamed her hair artfully arranged braids and is carrying an umbrella to keep as much of the wet off of it as she can. There's plenty of space between the chocolate factory's doors and the lounge, so the umbrella is folded and tucked into the crook of an arm when she enters, and her laptop bag is slung over her shoulder.
Vampires never have trouble finding other vampires in a crowd unless someone is hiding, so she spots Finley immediately, smiles, and heads toward them with the loose skirt of her dress billowing around her legs. Under it she's wearing loosely laced combat boots. When she gets there she puts a hand on the back of a chair across the table and asks quietly, "do you mind if I join you? If you're busy, I'll just get my laptop out and work on my own things in companionable silence."
Finley Adams:
Finley looks up as Alex approaches, blinking a few times, seeming surprised that Alex would want to join them. But they nod quickly in reply, gesturing to the table. "Mm, please?"
Alex Shaw:
"Great," Alex says as she slides into the seat across from them and pulls her bag's strap over her head so she can set it at her feet. She smiles across the table at Finley, then leans forward to extend a hand. "I'm Alex," she says. "What're you studying?"
Finley Adams:
Finley hesitates a second, but then reaches across the table to shake Alex's hand with a light tentative grip. "F-finley," they reply. Their voice has a notable lisp, causing them to speak slowly to try to counteract it. "Just... brushing up on blood cell mutations."
Alex Shaw:
"A topic that I know absolutely nothing about," Alex says as she gives their hand a light shake and then sits back. She doesn't really seem to react or respond to the lisp. "Is this a personal interest, or a scholastic one?" She leans back in her chair and pulls a booted foot up onto the seat in front of her, making the seat her own space to casually relax. "If you'd rather be left alone and not bombarded with questions feel free to let me know."
Finley Adams:
"N-no, it's... fine," Finley assures, clearly nervous to talk to a stranger, but sincere about not wanting her to leave. "Um. Both. I work in a... a hospital. But also... personal. Um. I'm one of the Ordo Dracul."
Alex Shaw:
Aside from the vague unease she brings and the creepy otherworldly perfection of her features, Alex seems totally at ease and is definitely non-threatening, but with vampires that can certainly be deceptive. "What kind of work?" she asks curiously, but she also winces a bit. "It seems like most of the scientifically minded vampires I meet are Ordo Dracul," she says, not quite grumbling, but close. More regretful than grumbling, maybe?
Finley Adams:
Finley is likewise non-threatening, but there certainly is something that just feels off about them--though perhaps the mask hides the worse of their Haunt's curse. "Lab technician. Um... Mostly run... blood tests and stuff. Study abnormal samples, sometimes..." A beat pause. "Is... that... bad?" Finley asks softly, watching her.
Alex Shaw:
Alex only answers after thinking about it for a few moments. "It's complicated," she answers softly. "I don't know. I guess it's a long story," she continues. It doesn't answer any questions at all, but she shrugs. "Personal history, that's all. My history when it comes to being a vampire is very short. I don't have a covenant yet, or anything."
Finley Adams:
"I'm... um, pretty new too," Finley says. "Just a few months. It's okay to not know yet. Do... you... like science?"
Alex Shaw:
"I like data," Alex answers with a renewal of her smile. "I do information security, software development, and other general computer nerdery. Science is an interesting hobby to me, something I'm interested in but don't really make a living at. Right now I'm just trying to get my life together, though." She tilts her head back a moment, then lowers it and shrugs. "Did you choose to be a vampire?"
Finley Adams:
"Data is... interesting," Finley agrees, seeming relieved--and excited--to have a topic to discuss that they don't fumble over so much. "Mm... finding... patterns. And trying to... discover the source of the patterns." Alex's question knocks the tiny burst of wind from their sails though. "Oh, um. ...No."
Alex Shaw:
"Yeah, me neither," Alex says with a nod. "I wouldn't have chosen it if I'd been asked." She huffs out a soft sigh. "I hope the circumstances were a little more pleasant for you, but I get the feeling they weren't. Should we change the subject?"
Finley Adams:
Finley grimaces and looks down, fidgeting with the edges of the book cover. "Mmm... Not... pleasant, no. Maybe?" Zhe shifts a bit, then dares to glance up again. "A-are you from... Philly? Or moved here?"
Alex Shaw:
Alex smiles at the new topic and says, "yep, I've lived here my whole life. I've done a fair bit of travel, but this has always been home, and I've never really given too much serious consideration to moving. I had job offers in the bay area before, but I told them I would either work remotely or turn down the offer. I never ended up taking any of the jobs. What about you?"
Finley Adams:
Finley bobs zher head. "Mm, stayed here all my life, too. Well... um... out in the suburbs, anyway. Not too far. And I went to school here, too. Penn State."
Alex Shaw:
"Nice, another local!" Alex says like she's pleasantly surprised by this, and it just adds to the things that the two of them have in common. "I never got a chance to do the school thing. I was already getting invited to speak at conferences as an expert in the field I would have been trying to study, so it didn't really seem like a worthwhile use of my time? But infosec can be weird that way."
Finley Adams:
"Ooh... Wow..." Zher eyes widen, clearly impressed. "When did... you start, mm, doing those things? Computers?"
Alex Shaw:
Alex shrugs like it's not that big a deal, and she's a little embarrassed by the praise. "I don't remember, exactly? As long as I can remember, I've been interested in technology. I had to fight for time on the family computer with my older brother, and..." she trails off and shrugs. "Eventually I got my own, and then started reading everything I could find, and trying to break everything I came across."
Guy Dagenham:
Guy makes his way into the Elysium in his usual clothes, walking at a relaxed pace. “Hello, Alex, Finley. How are you both tonight?” He’s not trying to be stealthy, he’s just quiet and composed, so his entrance may have been easy to miss.
Finley Adams:
Finley continues to stare, nodding faintly. "Mm, I started learning young, too. Mostly just... reading a lot. All the time." The Haunt brightens when Guy steps in, eyes creasing warmly. "H-hi. Mm, good! Just... talking."
Alex Shaw:
"I do a lot of reading," Alex agrees with a wide smile. She looks over when Guy comes in, then lifts a hand and waves to him from where she's sitting across from Finley at a table. "Hi Guy," she says. "Good to see you again. How's everything going? Having a good night?"
Guy Dagenham:
“Yes, thank you. Just was looking to have a quiet place to be a while. Talking to you two sounds nice. If that’s alright?” He takes one of the other seats, looking at them both. “It’s good to hear you both are well. What are you talking about, if I might ask?”
Finley Adams:
Finley nods in confirmation and gestures for him to sit. "Just, um, getting to know each other... Alex was talking about her work. Um. With computers."
Alex Shaw:
"Sure, have a seat," Alex invites with a gesture toward another chair, near Guy. She'd been sitting with one foot pulled up and resting on the chair, but she lowers it back to the floor . "We were also talking about where we're from," she adds. "Both of us are Philly natives. What about you, Guy?"
Guy Dagenham:
“The County of Fürstenberg, in the Holy Roman Empire,” he says with a nod. “Lived in Ravensburg for many decades, joined the Ordo in Vienna...had just come to America when I was forced into torpor.”
Finley Adams:
"Guy is old," Finley 'whispers' towards Alex, as if that wasn't completely obvious...
Alex Shaw:
"Wasn't Fürstenberg divided up over and over?" Alex asks, like the name just made random information pop into her head, and then come out of her mouth. "But yeah, the Holy Roman Empire would mean a couple of hundred years at least. I can't even fathom that, since I was born in 1996." She smiles, which she turns on Finley before giving them a shrug.
Guy Dagenham:
“It was, yes,” he says with a nod. “And I guess I am. Approaching 500, though plenty of it was in torpor.” He shrugs. “It’s good to meet young kindred, who still believe in life. Makes you...feel closer to the world.”
Finley Adams:
"You... don't believe in life?" Finley gives him a concerned look.
Alex Shaw:
"I certainly feel a lot further from the world than I did before all of this," Alex says with a wince. "The people who populate the world were always the most important part of it for me, and they don't tend to want to have much to do with me for long, any more. And having to prey on them is definitely not how I'd like to be surviving."
Guy Dagenham:
He makes a little gesture with his hand. “I mean...I cling to it, try my best to live it, to hold onto myself, but young vampires still believe that they are people, not just that they should try to be.”
He looks to Alex, quiet a moment. “I’m sorry that was taken from you.”
Finley Adams:
Finley stares at Guy for a long moment, but it's Alex's words that make them truly grimace. They look down at the book resting before them, starting to fidget with the pages again. "Mm... Yeah... I guess so."
Alex Shaw:
"You didn't do it, but I appreciate the sympathy," Alex says with a slight shrug. "You weren't the one who decided that just because you had an idea for some experiments, you were entitled to rip someone away from their life, keep them imprisoned for years to do tests on them, and turn them into a monster to see if that changed the data you were getting."
Guy Dagenham:
“Members of my covenant aren’t widely known for their morality, but that was a despicable thing, even for us. I do not apologize because I take blame, but because I’m now one of the ones who should be making that right for you.”
Finley Adams:
Finley's fingers curl around the corner of some pages hard enough to crumple and tear them, their whole body going rigid. They swallow, forcing themselves to let go, but not looking up. "Th-that's... that's horrible..." they say softly.
Alex Shaw:
"How do you even make something like that right?" Alex asks with some heat in her tone, as her owns hands clench. None of the frustration and anger she's demonstrating, but clearly also trying to keep reigned in, seems to be personal. It's things that have been building up, kept inside, for a long time finally escaping.
"I appreciate that you want to, though. Even while there's a part of me that that really wants to be able to hate you all for what was done to me. It's not your faults, because you didn't do it, but it feels like you..." she pauses and gives Finley a glance, an apologetic smile, and then turns her gaze back on Guy, "some of you anyway, bear some of that fault for being part of a culture that accepts that kind of shit and not fucking changing it." She slams a fist down on the table, but she's a young vampire without Vigor, and the table is unimpressed. She slumps a bit. "That man, that monster, was executed for embracing me. Not for any of the rest of what he did. Apparently that was just fine."
Guy Dagenham:
He looks at Alex for several long moments. “Firstly, the Beast impedes abstract logic and empathy, the farther you slip. Secondly, vampires are solitary by their natures, enforcing such laws beyond ‘don’t let me see it’ would be a nightmare. Thirdly, if I went around killing every inexcusably evil Kindred, I’d be hunted down myself by those with their own dirt to hide. That’s the iron law that makes Kindred society as cold and apathetic as it is: Immortality means nothing if you’re dead.” He has a sad look in his eyes.
Finley Adams:
The fist slamming makes them jolt and flinch, dragging the book to hold against their chest. Their eyes close tightly, taking a deep breath before forcing them to open, looking at Alex with concern and sympathy. "I-it's... it's not fine..." they murmur in a tiny voice.
Daniel Hawthorne:
Coming in on the end of that rant Daniel's pace slowed, the young Haunt giving those present a nod, well-dressed as he tended to be with a dark red scarf around his neck.. "For what it's worth," he said just above a whisper, "mine did it because he thought my regnant would reward him for 'saving' me. He was sorely mistaken, as you can imagine, but the deed was done."
Alex Shaw:
Alex sighs and rubs her hand, where she had slammed it on the table. "Sorry," she says, and with a glance over at Finley that suggests that a good portion of that apology is for them. "I can't imagine that went over any well than other excuses do," she tells Daniel, having had no trouble hearing him despite volume and distance. "I feel like some of that is artifacts of long gone eras holding onto outdated ways of thinking, with the added problem of that very fact giving them so much power that it's all but impossible to tear them down. Are things really worse in other cities?"
Guy Dagenham:
He turns to look at the new arrival, his gaze like the barrel of a loaded gun. “Oh. Hello, Daniel,” he says with a nod. “It’s....different, other places. But nowhere are humans prioritized. It’s the state of things, however unfortunate. Changing it requires someone willing to take control of a city, and still care about protecting humanity after.”
Finley Adams:
Finley gives a nervous, shy glance towards Daniel, shrinking back a bit into their chair, still holding the book against their stomach. They manage a small nod in greeting before their gaze lingers back on Alex, staring.
Daniel Hawthorne:
"He met with a very sharp punishment when he made himself known, and only my regnant's pull in the court kept me from the same fate." He moved to be in closer conversation range, taking a seat if one was available. "I came here to get out from under that particular cloud and found my own way."
Eyrgjafa Freyjasdottir:
Eyrgjafa enters a few moments, nodding to the assembled Kindred, with Finley getting a warm smile in addition. She's dressed fairly casually, but still a touch more formal than when the other Ashtifar present last saw her - blouse and a skirt, with a pair of low heels. "Mind if I join you?"
Alex Shaw:
"I have no intention of leaving Philadelphia," Alex says to Daniel with a frown. "This is home, for me. I've left a few times, but never thought once about making it permanent, and I'm certainly not planning to start now. But I think this is one case where Philly does better than other cities, I suppose. There was never any question that I heard about whether my own life was at risk." She gestures to a seat for Eyrgjafa, but answers Guy's words. "I imagine most kindred with enough power to take control have been preying on people long enough to stop thinking of them as worth anything?"
Guy Dagenham:
“Or the position does it to them,” he says with a nod to Alex. Turning to Eyrgjafa, he offers a little wave. “How are you tonight? I hope you have been well.”
Finley Adams:
"Please do. Hi Eyrgjaja." Finley offers Eyr a brief warm look, but it's clear that they're... distressed. Lots of nervous fidgeting and frequent glances towards Alex as zhe listens to the conversation.
Daniel Hawthorne:
"Nor should you." He replied to Alex, giving Eyr a nod as she joined them before continuing. "You have people here that support you, which is a godsend."
Eyrgjafa Freyjasdottir:
"Good, thank you. Yourself?" Taking the seat next to Finley, she leans in to murmur in their ear. "Are you okay?" Daniel gets a nod. "There is rather a lot more of that here than in most cities I've been in, though it has been some time since I made Philadelphia my home."
Alex Shaw:
"I'm sorry, Finley," Alex says, finally managing to address the discomfort her outburst caused. "None of that was directed at you, and I don't think I'd have come here tonight if I realized it was simmering under the surface with that much pressure."
Finley Adams:
Finley nods to Eyrgjafa, then shakes their head to Alex. "N-no... it's... it's okay. I just... I understand. It hurts. I'm sorry you went through that."
Guy Dagenham:
He looks around the room, thinking to himself. “So many of the Order here tonight...it’s nice.”
Daniel Hawthorne:
"As am I. Coming in aware is one thing, but when it's not expected it's...difficult."
Guy Dagenham:
“Depends on circumstances, too. I was glad to not be dead, myself, despite the suddenness of it all.”
Eyrgjafa Freyjasdottir:
Eyrgjafa nods. "And that's without what you went through, either, Alex." Her tone is gentle. "Taking the time to mourn what was done to you is valuable."
Alex Shaw:
Alex glances around her and realizes, "you are all Ordo Dracul, aren't you? You all are everywhere, it seems like." She lets out a sigh and says, "I guess I may never have a time that's either better or worse than this to ask: what is it that drew you all to your covenant?"
Finley Adams:
"Tahmina," Finley answers without hesitation. But then adds after, "Mm... I like studying vitae."
Guy Dagenham:
“The chance to fight for something again, and...the philosophy that stagnation is death struck me deeply.”
Daniel Hawthorne:
"The thought of being able to take control of what I am, even in some small way. I was raised under the First Estate's banners and most likely would have stayed under them when I came here, but learning about the work that the Academy does on that front drew my interest."
Eyrgjafa Freyjasdottir:
"Tahmina." Eyrgjafa seconds Finley. "And the chance to be something more than what my Sire made me."
Alex Shaw:
Alex listens to the answers, and then looks at Finley and Eyrgjava. "Tahmina, for both of you?" she asks with curiosity. "She's had that much of an impact on you?" Of Guy she asks, "can you tell me more about that philosophy?" And of Daniel, "take control of what you are in what way?"
Finley Adams:
"Tahmina adopted me," Finley says softly. "Helped me... work through... things. I don't know... that I would have made it, without her."
Eyrgjafa Freyjasdottir:
"She was the first Siren I met who was interested in knowledge, in more than the petty little games of power and privilege that so many of our clan fall into." Eyrgjafa shrugs. "It helps that she is a rather close relative of mine, as we reckon such things."
Guy Dagenham:
“One of the...ideals of the Ordo is that change is life, to Transcend ourselves is our highest calling as Kindred. I’ve...been able to start changing my relationship with my Beast, because of it. Become something else...more...”
Daniel Hawthorne:
Daniel motioned briefly towards Guy at his answer. "Continuing the transformation that came from the Embrace but on our own terms."
Alex Shaw:
Alex gives the answers consideration, like she's asking because she wants to actually know, and not just to be polite. Despite her earlier outburst, or perhaps because of it, she seems to take some interest in the mentions of trying to take things under one's own terms. She also takes an interest in what Finley and Eygjafa are saying, though. "I talked to her once, really briefly," she admits. "She seems like a kind person, but I wasn't in a place where I was ready to listen to that. Not from someone in the same covenant as the person who did all of this to me." She looks around at them and then asks Daniel, "do they have any way of overcoming our clan's curse?"
Finley Adams:
Finley gives Alex another sympathetic look at that. "Not... that I know of. But I don't know much..." They pull out their phone to check the time, eyes disappointed. They hurriedly scribble a phone number on a corner of paper and tear it off to set down in front of Alex. Then stands, slipping books into their bag and shouldering it. Their hand lifts to wave and signal their departure before they slip off towards the door.
Guy Dagenham:
“Good bye, Finley, be safe,” he calls to the departing Kindred.
He looks to the others, seeing if they have any answers. “My knowledge of the Coils is limited...”
Daniel Hawthorne:
Daniel gave Finley a brief salute as the other Haunt headed off before turning back to Alex. "Not that I've found...yet, at least. Even so, the other fields of study are still quite useful."
Eyrgjafa Freyjasdottir:
"It could be worth looking into, though." Eyrgjafa shrugs slightly. "There are many fields that lie untapped, and others where any research that has been carried out has been lost to time. Or other, less passive, forces."
Guy Dagenham:
He nods. “Preventing that is why our branch of the Order exists.”
Alex Shaw:
"I feel like people would know, if our clan's weaknesses could be overcome with relative easy," Alex says. She takes the phone number Finley scribbled down, waves goodbye to them with a smile, and says, "good night, Finley. It was nice to meet you." Then she asks Guy, "coils?"
Eyrgjafa Freyjasdottir:
"A term for the various fields of knowledge the Order studies, and the effects knowing them can grant." Eyrgjafa summarizes. "There are different specialties, of course."
Guy Dagenham:
“It’s knowledge, but also...a refinement of self, sometimes on a physical level. Hence the experimentation. Normally not to the unacceptable extend that happened to you, but...I do things to myself, to push my limits.”
Daniel Hawthorne:
"I've kept my own experimentation personal as well, for various reasons. It's proven rather fruitful, though."
Alex Shaw:
"That... explains some things, I suppose," Alex says with a grimace, because the things it explains are unpleasant. "I don't know if I even want to know what things he was trying to achieve with his experiments. I can't imagine anything good."
Eyrgjafa Freyjasdottir:
"Ethics in your experimentation is something the Order here tends to value, for what little that's worth. I don't know how your sire thought he was going to get away with what he was doing, in the long run." Eyrgjafa pats Alex on the shoulder, attempting to reassure the other woman.
Guy Dagenham:
He’s quiet, listening to the others talk. He seems to me about to say something, but holds back, looking to Alex again with sad eyes. “I’m...I’m sorry I can’t offer you anything other than a path I don’t think you want to walk. But I...wish I could have stopped it.”
Daniel Hawthorne:
"Agreed." He gave a solemn nod at Guy's words. "What he did was unconscionable."
Alex Shaw:
Alex is accepting of Eyrgjafa's touch, and responds to it with an uneasy smile. On the unnatural symmetry of her features it delves into the uncanny valley, but it's genuine none the less. "I genuinely don't think he intended for me to survive for long enough to people to find out what he was doing," she says softly.
Eyrgjafa Freyjasdottir:
"Well, you're here now, and that asshole isn't, so don't let him dominate your Requiem. You are a person in your own right, not just what he made you."
Guy Dagenham:
“I’m fond of a saying...’Your chains are broken, but are you free?’ It may take time, but yes, you should make of yourself what you will. Cast off his shadow.”
Daniel Hawthorne:
"And now you see why I joined." Daniel smiled a touch. "It's as good a way as any to reforge yourself in your own image, not as what he made you."
Alex Shaw:
"Thanks, everyone. This has been educational and... helpful, I think? I need some time to process," Alex reaches down to grab the bag that's sitting next to her chair, with her laptop in it. "I should probably get going, but I'll definitely be thinking about what you've all said tonight." She pushes her chair back and stands up.
Eyrgjafa Freyjasdottir:
"Before you go, Alex, mind if I grab your phone number? I could use some advice on setting my Haven up with modern technology."
Daniel Hawthorne:
"Good seeing you again, and happy to help." Daniel nodded quietly. "Have a good night."
Guy Dagenham:
“Be well, Alex, until we meet again.” He stands, and looks to the others. “I should probably go too. A few things to do tonight.”
Alex Shaw:
"Sure," Alex says as she opens her bag to rummage for a moment, then pulls out a little notebook and a pen. She writes her number down, tears the page out, and offers it to Eyrgjafa. "I ordered business cards, but they haven't arrived yet," she says with a shrug. "Give me a call and we can talk about your needs, though." She gives Daniel a nod. "Night, you too. Have a nice evening, Guy." Then she goes!
Eyrgjafa Freyjasdottir:
"Sounds good." She smiles up at Alex and Guy. "See you around."
Daniel Hawthorne:
"Good night, Guy. Pleasure as always."
Eyrgjafa Freyjasdottir:
After waving to the departing Kindred, Eyrgjafa turns to Daniel. "So, how have things been going for you? I hope the fashion show falling apart at the last minute hasn't impacted you too badly?"
Guy Dagenham:
He nods to the others before he departs.
Daniel Hawthorne:
"Well enough, all told. I wasn't able to arrange a collection for that particular show so there was no harm done on that front. Looking into a few other projects at the moment, though, and keeping busy as usual. Yourself?"
Eyrgjafa Freyjasdottir:
"Decent." She shrugs. "Keeping busy, mostly. Tahmina has asked me to try and dissuade that new Inwictoos, Anna-Marie, from throwing herself towards greeting the sun, so I have a project, at least. Only time will tell if I can succeed in that, though."
Daniel Hawthorne:
"Ah...I see. We met recently and it was...interesting to be on the opposite side of the usual 'pleasantries' of the First Estate for a change." He shook his head with a small smirk. "Best of luck."
Eyrgjafa Freyjasdottir:
"Yes, she does seem rather good at alienating people, doesn't she?" Eyrgjafa shakes her own head in turn. "I do wonder why she came here, it can't be a secret that our culture is rather different to those of most Kindred cities."
Daniel Hawthorne:
"One must wonder. I'll admit it took some adjusting on my end compared to Boston, but it's been pleasant enough here."
Eyrgjafa Freyjasdottir:
"How is Boston? I haven't been there in more than a century, and even then my stay was only brief."
Daniel Hawthorne:
"Well enough, from what I've heard. Haven't been back since I came here, although my sister keeps in touch with our family there."
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