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After parking and grabbing her laptop bag, Alex made her way inside, presumably in Lethia's company, the two of them talking as they enter. "Who says I don't want to turn heads?" she asks, smiling at the Daeva. "I don't like it when I'm turning people's heads out of fear so much, but otherwise? I have no problem with that."
Lethia does indeed stay with Alex as she enters, and looks the other woman up and down. "Well, you are a head-turner, that's for sure." She winks.
Alex looks briefly surprised, then smiles. "Thank you," she says, and then she laughs softly. "It's kind of interesting that some of the older Kindred give me the impression that they're totally disinterested in things like that, and others definitely do not."
At the sensation of approaching Beasts, Eyrgjafa glances up from her laptop, smiling as she recognises the other two, beckoning them over.
"Well, some tend to lose interest. I mean, if you have sex for a century or two you tend to do just about everything." Lethia smiles and waves to Eyr, making a small course adjustment to land near the Dragon. "And others, like me, keep their libido for a variety of reasons, like to maintain a connection to being human. Personally, I'm still interested because it's fun."
Alex waves to Eyrgjafa when she spots the waiting/working Daeva and flashes a smile at her. "I've got a long way to go for a couple of centuries," she admits. "So it definitely hasn't gotten boring for me, yet. Just harder. At least if I don't really turn on the charm, which just ends up making me feel skeezey, like I'm not any better than the creeps that hit on me."
"...interesting choice of topic. Mind if I ask what brought it on?" Eyrgjafa glances between the other two women, seeming amused slightly. "Things getting boring can be a challenge, yeah, though at least at that point the years start to fly by."
"Oh you know, I said she was gorgeous, and then she deflected with the topic." Lethia shrugs. "Alex, you're not a creep for hitting on people or turn on the charm, you're a creep if you dont take no for an answer."
Alex motions at Lethia to answer the question from Eyr, like she's saying that what Lethia just said sums it up accurately. "Ah, not the kind of charm I mean," she says. "I mean the kind of charm where they start not really having a choice in whether they say no to me or not. I understand that's not a gift that my clan's typically known for, but I seem to have a knack for it." Of Eyr she asks, "mind if we join you?"
"No, go ahead," Eyrgjafa answers, closing her laptop. "And there's nothing wrong with having that charm. What you do with it, maybe, depending on what that is, but not having it." Eyrgjafa shrugs. "If you don't want to use it, don't. There are plenty of other skills you can master."
Lethia sits opposite of Eyr. "Oh, Majesty? That's like hunting rabbits with artillery. I can see why that'd make you feel like a creep. Can you really not pick up who you like without that?" Lethia asks doubtfully.
The sense of another Beast, languid in repose, touches on those with the wherewithal to detect it as Cory steps into the Elysium, pausing to rake her gaze across those present. Enough familiar faces to justify an approach, so she tips an upnod towards any at the table looking her way and heads towards.
Alex sits down next to Eyr and gives Lethia a rueful smile. "They're scared of me, Addie. There are some few guys who are turned on by that, but they tend to bad news, for one thing, and also I'm not really into men in the first place. I've only run into a couple of women that were both interested in women and instantly put off by me, and nobody who wasn't a binary-gendered person. Do you see why I've been complaining?" She smiles at Eyr. "I'm definitely not using Majesty to pick up dates, but I'm with you on using it for acceptable ends being a possibility." With Cory approaching she gives a little wave.
Eyrgjafa nods back to Cory, before glancing at Alex. "That does sound unfortunate." She admits, frowning slightly. "Does your aura affect supernaturals outside our community, do you know?"
Lethia also nods to Cory before refocusing on important matters. "Mmm, no, can't say that I do, but then I've never really bothered caring about gender either, so."
Cory lifts a hand to wave at the others, moving to sit nearby and settling with the practiced delicacy that belies her otherwise gruff nature. "Evening." A moment spent examining the others. "Are we discussing hunting or dating?"
"It doesn't," Alex answers to Eyrgjafa's question. "The problem there, at least to the extent I've tried, is that my body reacts to their blood like anything else that it doesn't think is blood. It just comes right back up, violently. I can't actually get any sustenance from it." She smiles at Cory and answers, "a little of both? I'm Alex."
"Alex, Cory. Cory, Alex." Eyrgjafa says, completing the introduction, nodding at Alex's answer to her question. "According to what I've read, it's possible to get your body to accept their blood as sustenance. Eventually. Does take a lot of throwing it straight back up again to accomplish, though, so I wouldn't recommend it." Beat. "Even setting aside the other potential difficulties associated with feeding on other supernaturals."
"Definitely possible, I knew a Gangrel way back when that could feed on Werewolves. Crazy bastard." Lethia grins. "And I thought we were talking about fucking?"
Cory offers her hand at the introduction. "Hey. Nice to meet you. I'm the Carthian Myrmidon, so if one of my buddies fucks with you in ways you don't appreciate, come talk to me. It's a pleasure." She sits back after she shakes hands (or gets rejected). "Well, if we're talking fucking, we ARE talking a little of column A, little of B. Lots of folx snack on their fuckbuddies. Not my thing, personally, but. It works for who it works for." She stares at Lethia at the mention of someone chewing on werewolves.
Blink.
Slow nod. She agrees. Crazy bastard, indeed.
"Okay, technically speaking, we were actually talking about fucking," Alex confirms with a soft laugh. "Especially in context of how fucking hard it is to get laid as a Nosferatu when you don't want to deal with the sorts of people who are attracted to someone who terrifies them." She turns to regard Eyr with fascination. "Really?" she asks. "That... has interesting implications for me, actually. Very good to know." She files things away in her head, clearly, but doesn't explain before turning to tell Cory, "finally, a Carthian! I'm trying to make decisions on where I want to end up, covenant wise, and I've yet to be able to actually find a Carthian to talk to, until now."
Eyrgjafa also blinks at Lethia. "Yes, well, even if there were any of those around here, which I don't think is the case, I definitely wouldn't recommend trying to feed on them. On account of them being vicious predators, even by our standards." She glances at Alex, then. "If you're looking for the pitch on the Movement from an insider, Cory's probably one of the better choices to get it from."
"They're not that vicious. They have laws and rules, like us." Lethia counters without enthusiasm. "Besides, we're the most vicious predator, not even they encourage eating their own kind."
"We very strongly encourage not doing that," Cory points out. Her intonation is flat, but that seems to just be how she talks. "And yeah?" This to Alex, a flicker of pleasant surprise coming from Cory. "What do you know so far? I can help fill in the blanks, answer questions, punch whoever gave you bad info- you know. General stuff."
"Honestly, so far I don't know much of anything, other than that you tend to be political, and you're not the Invictus," Alex starts explaining, and she takes out her phone while she's talking to check it. "I would really love to get the details, too, but I'm going to have to go. One of the people I set up a new system for managed to completely hose it, and they need my help." She starts sliding out of the booth. "Rain check?" she asks Cory. Lethia she asks, "are you good if I leave, given I drove you here?" She seems to kind of assume the answer is yes, but she's asking anyway.
"Political but not the Inwictoos isn't a bad high-level summary, but that's all it is, really," Eyrgjafa admits. "A high-level summary." She glances up as Alex slides out of the booth. "I hope the fixing it goes well."
"I'll be fine." Lethia nods. "And I meant blood drinking, not full on Diablerie Cory."
"Oh. Well, that's a good start at least. Yeah, rain check. I can chat any time sun's down, pretty much," she offers Alex. Her expressions and tone all seem a bit 2D, but sincere. "Fix the things. Have some fun. Keep moving. I'll see you again."
"Well, that's not cannibalism, that's more like bad D/s. Quick way to fuck the power dynamic. Still fucked, but. You catch my drift."
"Well, we'll talk later," Alex tells Cory. She pulls a business card out of her bag and offers it to Cory. "Want to send me a text so I have your number? I'll get in touch to talk soon." She waves goodbye and heads off.
Eyrgjafa shrugs slightly. "D/s can be fun, but it takes even more negotiation for us than for mortals," she admits. "What've you been up to, Cory? It's been a while since we ran into each other."
"I dunno, drinking blood sounds like ca-" Lethia's phone buzzes in an odd pattern which prompts a string of cursing in a Germanic language. "Excuse me, I have to go take care of something." And she stands and leaves, reading her phone.
As one Crone leaves another enters. Nodding to Lethia on the way in, Atalo is dressed in leather armour, axe and shield on his back and Cerberus trotting along behind him.
"Eh. Some time to myself, and some time trying to get information on the Nereids. Ultimately fruitless. You?" She glances up and nods at Atalo as he approaches.
"Pursuing my personal studies. Socialising. Attending to my Ordo duties. Researching the Nereids." Eyrgjafa shrugs slightly. "Did you hear about the Rihat thing?" Glancing up at Atalo, she arches an eyebrow at him. "What's with the armour?"
"After the one claiming to be Rihat made themself known at Elysium, I find it prudent." He nods at them. "Good evening, and I've also found my efforts frustrated so far."
"Mm? Rihat? No. Why?" She looks between the other Kindred. "Who is this guy and why's he got people craving armor?"
"Some asshole who Dominated a mortal into crashing their car into the front of the Bala Cynwyd Elysium," Eyrgjafa grimaces. "I can give you the full rundown of what we know if you want, but it's rather infodumpy."
Atalo nods. "Phaedra gave me the details. In short he claimed to be Rihat of Ninevah, and I think it was a message for the Sakima. He also seems to be connected to the nereids, and might be in possession of the item they're hunting."
"Seems to be connected to the Nereids? How so? Because of the relic? Or is that a guess?" Cory glances at Eyr and shakes her head. "Nah. If that's the important stuff, that's good enough. I'm not the clever sort, I won't be solving any mysteries." She muses a moment. "I will take a rundown on what a Rihat of Ninevah IS, though."
"If this is the historical one, and not an impersonator: Prince of Nineveh, before it was destroyed. Some three thousand years back, so." Eyrgjafa grimaces. "By all accounts, he was a monster, even by the standards of Princes. Didn't merely banish, let alone kill, anyone who crossed him, but outright diablerised them."
"Not a guess, no." He confirms to Cory. "Phaedra Saw it. He killed a sea creature and found the relic within it. Intentionally or not, he's bought them here." Looking over to Eyrgjafa he frowns. "It was said to be a city of great wickedness. I believe he's only claimed the name, but it's a possibility he's who he claims to be. However, he's taken care to conceal himself."
"Hnh." Cory grumbles under her breath. "Well. We've an answer, we just don't like it. And what's he come here for? We have any idea?"
"Adelgrief's library, or so he says." Eyrgjafa sighs. "Not that any of us have any idea where Saagochque put it when she took over. I wasn't even in the city then."
"Ah." He nods quietly to Eyrgjafa. "That was one thing I didn't know, mm. And I wasn't in the city either. Do you know how the Sakima feels about this? The whole library, or a particular text?"
"I was gonna say. Has anyone just asked her where the library is?"
"Not that I'm aware of, and he didn't say. Presumably the whole library, though." Eyrgjafa grimaces. "I've been trying to arrange a meeting with Shiri to see if they know more of the details relating to Nineveh's fall, but no luck so far."
"Chances are." Atalo muses. "He wants a single book, or a small group, but given how he's gone to efforts to stay hidden, an arrogant display notwithstanding, he'll likely want access to the library as a whole, to hide where his interest lies."
"And I've not spoken to her myself, I've been more tangent to happenings so far."
"Hm. I'll see if she's up to a meeting, then. Worth asking." She rolls her head back and groans faintly. "I really don't like having outside heavyweights wandering around town, swinging their weight at whatever's inconvenient. Maybe we can get him what he wants and get him and the Nereids gone."
"Possible." Eyrgjafa shrugs slightly. "I don't know how likely Saagochque is to go for that, though, considering his dick-wavy approach to letting us know he's in town."
"Or it's possible he'll agree to trade this relic for the access he wants." Atalo nods at Cory, looking over to Eyrgjafa. "Mm. Children preen and show off. And what has it achieved him? The Sakima might very well have agreed to a trade if he'd simply approached openly. Hgn, a repeat of Anna-Marie?"
"This isn't anything like Cordray. This city can handle stiff shirts all day long. If she steps over enough lines, the Sakima's not going to save her from herself." Cory shrugs. "This is different. If he is who he says he is, it isn't unreasonable to wonder if he'll destabilize or damage the city during his time here. And yeah. Children show off. Adults demonstrate, when needed."
"Oh, you haven't heard?" Eyrgjafa blinks. "Our dear Ms Conquered stepped over one line too many, a few nights back. Some of our Seasonal friends introduced her to the sun as recompense."
Atalo doesn't comment on that, but his lips do stretch briefly in a sign of self satisfaction. He simply nods to confirm Eyrgjafa's words. "As for Rihat, hgn. I've my doubts he is who he claims to be. I may be wrong though, and if I am, then yes, he's a far greater danger."
"Oh." That's a pleasant surprise. "No, I hadn't heard. Not surprised. Surprised the fairies lost patience with her faster than we did."
She nods to Atalo. He's on the same page.
"Well, you know the rules as well as I do, Cory. We can't kill another of the Kindred, even if they're a bitch, without expecting to get in trouble for it." Eyrgjafa smiles darkly. "We're not obliged to protect them from themselves, though. Or even ask for their ashes back."
"So Shiri explained to me when I discussed Anna-Marie earlier. Harming her was one thing, but killing her.. no. However, it seems they resolved that issue for us, in terms of the Final Death element. And yes, her own mistakes led to that outcome." (You can feel free to roll empathy if you like, he is not good at hiding stuff ^^ )
"Without permission."
Cory states that on the tail of Eyr's words. "Can't kill another Kindred without permission. There's plenty of reasons and situations to put one of our own down. They're just all mandated. This is easier, though. Any word from the other Invictus if they plan to make a stink?"
"Not that I'm aware of, but I haven't run into any of them since it happened." Eyrgjafa shrugs slightly. "Henry is the only one I know at all well, and I doubt he's likely to be interested in avenging her death."
"I've heard nothing of that nature either." Atalo nods. "But I have very little contact with them, so I don't know how they might respond, if they do."
"Moynihan? Yeah, no. He won't care. But what about the knight? Renault or Remy or whatever his name is? Any word from him on that front?"
"Not that I'm aware of, but." Eyrgjafa shrugs again. "I don't know if he's even aware of her being ashed yet."
"Word spreads, he'll find out." Atalo notes, rubbing his mouth. "A Knight? Would he believe himself to be required to avenge her?"
"Dunno. Not psychic. Maybe. Might feel obliged. Should be convinced otherwise. Really don't want an entire other club deciding we're bad news. I'll try to rip the bandaid off. Dissuade him from being a cunt about it."
"I mean, I've met at least one of the people involved, and they don't seem to hold her bitchiness against me, or any of the rest of us, so. Apparently Saagochque knows about and gave implicit sanction for them killing her, too, so any retribution Phillips or the other Inwictoos might try won't have official backing."
Atalo is silent a moment, thinking. "I suspect if Renault responds it'll be out of a sense of duty as a knight, which I can respect. I think, hgn, I wish to join you Cory, if you agree. From how Anna-Marie acted, the concept of duels is important to the Invictus. So if he believes he's facing one of the parties responsible for her death, he may challenge them. Which would let me set the terms and choose a duel until incapatiaton. Whoever wins, that'd hopefully settle the matter."
A nod at Eyrgjafa. "Of course, he simply might just let the matter rest, given the Sakima's response."
"Just because it lacks official backing doesn't mean it doesn't happen. It just means they get sneakier." Cory points out. Atalo's offer to provoke a duel leaves her blinking, but she shrugs. "If that's how you want to do it. Why would he think you were involved, though? I'm a shit liar, I can't sell that."
Eyrgjafa blinks at Cory. "I think he was involved, from what my Seasonal friend told me. Just not directly responsible. Didn't ask about the details, though."
Atalo nods at Eyrgjafa. "She threatened a Seasonal friend while in my store, in front of me. I warned her to not continue and she escalated it with her rapier. It wasn't a very interesting conflict, but it ended with her having a stake in her heart and my patience being at its end."
"Oh." Cory blinks. "That's easier then. She drew a weapon in your shop? That's foolish. I'd have done the same, but probably by way of breaking her jaw and a few vertebrae. You were nicer than I'da been." She nods. "Alright, then. If I can get a hold of you then I'll bring you in before I speak to him."
"You've got a phone, right, Atalo? Why don't you give Cory your number, so she can contact you?"
Eyrgjafa actually gets a glimmer of amusement. "That thought did occur, yes." He smiles wryly, nodding at the Deava in agreement and producing a somewhat clunky phone to read a number out. "Alex and Mearcstapa have dragged me into the 20th century, as I enjoy saying. And yes Cory, she was foolish."
"I don't understand some people," Cory mutters, taking the number down and texting Atalo so he has her own number. "Why draw a weapon to start a fight you're not sure you'll win?"
"...I hate to break it to you, Atalo, but the 20th century ended almost two decades ago." Eyrgjafa seems amused more than anything else, as she glances at Cory. "Because the you in this hypothetical is an egotistical bitch who can't comprehend the idea of your actually losing at anything, even though it happens so very often?"
"Yes. I was trying to make a joke about still lagging." He tells Eyrgjafa with a deadpan expression, before nodding. "She came back to me again, expressing, again, a desire to either recruit me or to entrap me in her service. I had a realisation, that she couldn't understand why her efforts on me weren't working, and when I shared that realisation with her, she lost control, threatened my guest and took my warning as a reason to challenge me to physical combat."
"Mm. That does sound about right." Cory nods. "Still. Doesn't help me understand it. Just- be aware of why it happened."
She listens to the explanation of the events as experienced. "I see. All I'm really gathering is that she couldn't handle the appearance of failure on her part, no matter the reason. Seems a poor flaw to bear."
Eyrgjafa shrugs. "Unless you know anyone who can communicate with the spirits of the truly dead, I'm afraid that's the best we can answer as to her reasoning. You're right that it's a poor flaw, though, and one I'm glad not to possess." Beat. "As far as I know."
"If my opinion matters to you, I don't believe you do." He nods at Eyrgjafa. "And yes, it's a poor flaw. I know several tried to offer her chances, but she refused each time. Still, it's done.
How was Lethia? I saw her leaving but didn't have chance to talk."
"Let's hope we all stay that way," Cory comments, relative to Eyr's comment about not possessing that flaw. Then she stands. "I'm about outta free time. I got work to do. I'll catch you two another time. Atalo, I'll call if I run into Remy. Meanwhile, stay safe, mm?" She nods to both, and heads on out. (It's so laaaaaaaaate I didn't know)
"Will do. See you around, Cory." Eyrgjafa nods to the Mekhet as she leaves, before glancing at Atalo. "Decent. Much the same as she ever is. Frustrated at her inability to locate useful info on the Nereids, I think, but we're all in that boat, to varying degrees."
"Be well." She nods to Cory as she leaves, looking back to Eyrgjafa. "Hgn, indeed. I think finding Rihat is key, but that'll prove a challenge. Still, he'll act to draw attention again, sooner or later."
"Indeed. The question is when, I suppose. He's been quiet for a week or so, but on our timescale that's nothing, of course." Eyrgjafa sighs. "Hopefully wherever Adelgrief's library is, Saagochque has it well enough secured that he can't just walk in without anyone realising."
"I trust her ability, especially given he announced his goal." He stops, frowning. "Hgn.." For a moment he seems to sink into his thoughts.
"Hm?" Eyrgjafa squints at Atalo, curious as to what he's thinking about.
"I may be overthinking his actions." He concludes. "And it might simply be a sign of his arrogance. But he has gone to pains to stay hidden, aside from the display of ramming a car into Elysium and declaring his intent to find the library. Why do that and reveal his goal, when the most likely outcome is for the Sakima to pay more attention to it." He frowns. "I think he does want to cause greater damage. He's challenged her, and if he succeeds despite announcing his goal, he'd view it as a successful strike. The library is likely not his only reason for being here."
"That's... possible." Eyrgjafa frowns in turn. "We know, or at least we're fairly sure, that his presence is connected to the Nereids somehow. What we don't know is the exact details of that connection. Yet."
"They're hunting the item he possesses, some sort of relic. It's entirely possible he knew how they'd react and he's using it to manipulate them." The Gangrel growls quietly. "Too many false trails, it's frustrating."
"Indeed," Eyrgjafa sighs, glancing down as her phone beeps at her. "It was nice talking to you, Atalo, but I should be going. Errands to run before the dawn, and whatnot." She packs her laptop away, standing.
"Be well Eyrgjafa." He nods, patting Cerberus. "It was good to talk, thank you."
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