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Rhea:
Rhea has stationed herself in the domed lounge at the top of the hotel, the designated area for Kindred to do such things. In a pale gray dress against pale pearl skin, her hair is in a pair of long dark braids woven with silk ribbons. She's taken up a padded chair and dragged it to a table, currently deliberating over...a game of solitaire? Humming to herself, she eyes thoughtfully over her cards - which are certainly not playing cards. The deck is a beautifully painted set of cards with detailed watercolor images.
Daniel Hawthorne:
Daniel quietly made his way into the lounge, a leather messenger bag slung over one shoulder. The young Haunt was dressed neatly as was his wont, a dark grey scarf wrapped snugly around his neck. Spotting Rhea he gave a polite nod, eyeing the cards curiously. "Evening." The greeting was just above a whisper, hints of a Boston Brahmin accent coming through.
Rhea:
Rhea glances up; a beaming smile suffuses her features, and she claps her hands together. "Ah, company at last! Oh, and we match!" She laughs gaily, touching the misty-gray fabric of her dress and gesturing to his scarf. "As long as you would like company, of course. I am perfectly pleased to leave you to your machinations while I consider the complexity of the divine."
Daniel Hawthorne:
"So we do." He replied with a small smirk, giving the dress a once-over before nodding. "It suits you, if I may say so."
"Don't mind if you don't." He claimed a seat at the table, setting his bag down beside him. "Did you do the art for those yourself?"
Rhea:
Rhea claps her hands together in delight, then gestures to a chair. "Oh thank you, it's one of my favorites. Reminds me of early morning fog. Oh, no," she waves a hand, casting a loving glance over the cards; they're clearly precious. "A dear friend painted these for me long ago. It is one of my many tarot decks." She rests her hands beneath her chin, studying Daniel with a smile. "My name is Rhea."
Phaedra Lamb:
In floats the smol Mekhet, wearing a pair of yoga pants and a hoodie with a pattern that's meant to look like embroidery, but is really printed. At first, her approach is cautious, but after a moment, there's a squeak of delight and she rushes over to see Rhea's tarot deck.
Guy Dagenham:
Soft rumbling from outside announces Guy’s arrival before he makes his way into the Elysium. He’s wearing his normal look of a black tank top, Hellhound emblazoned black leather jacket, black BDUs and combat boots. He looks over the room, studying the unfamiliar faces.
Daniel Hawthorne:
"I see...they're very well done." He smiled politely in kind. "Daniel Hawthorne, a pleasure."
Rhea:
Rhea seems equally pleased that someone - two someones! - are interested in the cards; she runs a hand over the stacks to spread them out, gesturing to the cards. "Please - feel free to explore them. There's no energies I cannot remove later, and they are presently touched only with my own positivity. Oh, oui! Thank you, Daniel Hawthorne. They were made by a very dear friend in Paris so very long ago. I have them restored every so often; I could not bear to see them decay."
Phaedra Lamb:
Phaedra peers over the deck carefully, her touch on the surface of the card feather-light, a look of pure and utter delight on her face. "They're amazing. I've never had handmade cards, only printed sets, from bookstores. Which are fine, and a lot are really cool, but look at these!"
Guy Dagenham:
He peers over the cards, then moves to sit in a nearby chair. “I hope you all are having a good night.”
Daniel Hawthorne:
"Well enough thus far." Daniel gave Guy a nod as he claimed his seat, looking back to Rhea and Phaedra as the latter perused the cards. "I can imagine...quite the keepsake indeed."
Rhea:
"Every seer should, at least once in their life, make their own cards," Rhea shares, her features lighting with real, genuine excitement; her hands wave as she speaks with energy and passion, truly lit up with earnest enthusiasm on a topic she loves. "Including making the paper, the ink, all of it. The power inherent in such a devotion is unparalleled." She cocks her head, clasping her hands together on the tabletop. "My name is Rhea," she offers Phaedra, and turns the same warm, affable smile on Guy in greeting.
Phaedra Lamb:
"Phaedra. Phaedra Lamb." She glances over her shoulder at Rhea. "Nice to meet you."
And then her attention flickers to Guy. "By the way, I want to touch your bike."
Guy Dagenham:
“Guy Dagenham,” he says with a nod. He looks to Phaedra, raising an eyebrow at her question. “I...don’t see why not? Is there a particular reason?”
Daniel Hawthorne:
The passion in Rhea's words brought a smile to the young Haunt's face, knowing the feeling all too well. "Putting your all into a work of art like that is a good feeling. Working from scratch when it comes to fabric isn't completely tenable for me, at least at the moment, although I have made accent pieces in the past."
Rhea:
Rhea tilts her head, attention swiveling to Daniel. "Oh! Are you a craftsman as well? You must show me."
Phaedra Lamb:
She grins at Guy. "Well, I want to touch it with Auspex, because I saw Sledge's motorcycle and it's a true masterwork and I want to see how much yours if different, because they're really-really-really great."
She resembles nothing so much as an eagerly chirping songbird right now. Erm, not quite like Petra, though.
Guy Dagenham:
He smiles. “Ok. Mine isn’t magic or anything, but you’ll be able to feel all the care Sledge put into it.”
He seems to genuinely brighten up that she’s so interested in his bike, an uncommon look for him.
Daniel Hawthorne:
"Certainly." He reached into his nearby messenger bag and removed a tablet and stylus, taking a moment or two to pull up some photos of outfits - both men's and women's styles - for Rhea to look over before handing her the tablet. "I'm working out of a studio near Rittenhouse Square at the moment."
Rhea:
Fashion. Rhea very nearly makes grabby-hands at the tablet, but then Daniel hands it over. She looks through his work slowly and carefully, making small noises of approval here and there. "Your work is luscious," she murmurs, tracing the line of one piece. "Are you available for commission?"
Phaedra Lamb:
She glances over at the tablet as Rhea looks at it, before her attention turns back to Guy. "The care's important, though. It probably kinda makes the thing. Sledge let me ride on hers. It was one of the most amazing things I've ever experienced. Can I ride yours, too, someday?"
Guy Dagenham:
“Sure,” he says with a nod. “Sledge told me about that, sounds like you both had a lot of fun. We can ride sometime, my bike is quite different from Sledge’s.”
Daniel Hawthorne:
Daniel watched as Rhea looked over his work, a note of pride coming to the fore at the compliment. "Thank you, and I am, yes."
Rhea:
Rhea nods once, decisive, and sets down the tablet. "Perfect. I'd like to engage you to provide me with a wardrobe. From there, I would like to engage you to outfit my business."
Phaedra Lamb:
She peeks back at Rhea. "What sort of business is that?"
Guy Dagenham:
He tilts his head, curious as to the nature of Rhea’s business as well.
Daniel Hawthorne:
"I'd be honored." After reclaiming his tablet Daniel took a moment to procure a business card from the case in his pocket and give it to Rhea. "The number written on the back is for my personal cell; text works better there, for obvious reasons." The last said with a wry smirk.
Rhea:
"Oh good. I enjoy the texting," she replies brightly; plucking up the card. She takes the moment to enter the number and text Daniel, right there on the spot. "Ah, my business - I own and operate Penny Dreadful; it is..." She cocks her head, mouth pursed thoughtfully. "I don't know how to describe it, really. A throwback to the Victorian obsession with the occult. But with more tits."
Phaedra Lamb:
"Oh!" She blinks at Rhea, then glances down at her own chest. "...are you hiring? For the occult, not for the tits."
Guy Dagenham:
He raises an eyebrow. “Is it a bar, a theater? Both? Sounds like an...interesting place, regardless.” He pauses, thinking for a moment.
Daniel Hawthorne:
Daniel checked his phone when the text buzzed through, sending off a quick test text of his own before saving the number as a new contact before putting it and the card case back from whence they came. "More of a burlesque sort of thing, then?"
Rhea:
"Oui, a bit of both," she clarifies. "A burlesque of sorts, a dinner theater, a bar; we hold seance, we have all manner of occult engagements, as that is my passion - secondary only to dancing." She tilts her head, studying Phaedra. "What can you bring to Penny Dreadful, mon ami?" The question isn't a challenge, or dismissive; it's genuine curiosity, the most simple of job interviews.
Phaedra Lamb:
"I read tarot cards as well. And occasionally other portents. Divination and dream interpretation are my duty, as Haruspex of the Circle of the Crone." She smiles. "So, if you hold a seance, I'd be delighted to assist. I like that sort of thing a lot, really."
Guy Dagenham:
He nods. “Definitely an interesting place, then.” He sends off a couple texts of his own, then listens to the conversation.
Daniel Hawthorne:
"Indeed." Daniel nodded in agreement with Guy. "Will have to come by at some point."
Rhea:
Whatever Phaedra said, it must have been the right thing. "Ah - so you are the Haruspex," she murmurs, tapping one finger idly against a tarot card. "Oui - as do I. I am a faithful devotee of the Crone as well. You are more than welcome to join us - Mr. Hawthorne, perhaps you can begin the collection with Miss Lamb, no? The occult performers would be a different style from the dancers, of course."
Phaedra Lamb:
She grins, glancing down to see which card it is that Rhea's tapping. "Yes, I'm the Haruspex. I'm also one of the people who's been trying to pass word about the Nereids. That's...what I can do to help. To see, to know, to share."
Guy Dagenham:
“It good to have something to do, isn’t it? Feel like you’re contributing? I’ve been having to do...research.” He says it like it’s the most boring thing in the world.
Daniel Hawthorne:
That 'new project' buzz had the young Haunt's spirits high, a smile on his face. "Certainly. Once you let me know what you're looking for I'll get some designs worked up for your approval."
Rhea:
"Ah, yes! My sister told me of the Nereids," Rhea exclaims; she's idly tapping the High Priestess. "I am in the process of searching my private collection for any information on such creatures. I am well informed on the mythological creatures, but..." Rhea trails off, lifting one shoulder. "I doubt there is any overlap, but I am happy to look." She nods to Daniel, a smile blooming across her features. "How exciting. I can put together a collection for the aesthetic I'd like, oui. Money is no object."
Phaedra Lamb:
She looks at Guy. "Research isn't so bad. I'd rather try to do that anytime than come up with something on the fly. I'm really-really-really bad at that. And I don't have a lot of the book-learning most people do, so."
Guy Dagenham:
He nods. “I’m not saying it isn’t useful, that’s why I’m doing it. But I vastly prefer action,” he says with a little sigh. “And the city is peaceful, in many ways.”
Daniel Hawthorne:
"Look forward to it." Daniel nodded, the smile still firmly in place, then looked to Guy. "Anything I can give a hand with, on the research front?"
Rhea:
"Pfah - book learning is what you make of it, mon ami," Rhea assures Phaedra, with a flip of a dismissive wrist. "I never went to any sort of schooling."
Phaedra Lamb:
"I mean, I know a lot of people didn't, but I also don't have the experience of most of them. I'm still...um, very young, you see." She shrugs. "But I know it's possible to be successful without it."
Guy Dagenham:
He makes a little gesture to Daniel. “Thank you for the offer, I’ll talk to you about it later, it’s Covenant business.”
Daniel Hawthorne:
"Sounds good." He nodded quietly to Guy before looking back to the others. "Doing what one can with the tools given to them is the important thing, really."
Rhea:
"We were all young once, no? I was a very foolish girl, if I can recall." She clasps her hands in her lap, giving Phaedra a warm smile. "Now, we merely have the pleasure of saying 'oh yes, I knew Miss Phaedra Lamb back when she was just a young lady.'"
Phaedra Lamb:
"If I last that long." But there's almost a cheery humor to that, an agreeable note that comes with no real fear.
Guy Dagenham:
“I think you will. You’re plenty smart, Phaedra, and you’re good with people. That’s important.”
Daniel Hawthorne:
"Agreed. I'm relatively new to the night myself, I'll admit, but I think with the people here we'll have a good shot at it." He smiled quietly, sitting back in his seat.
Rhea:
Rhea makes a noise of dismay, tossing one thick braid over her shoulder. "Mon Ami! Do not say such things. Your name may be Phaedra, but I would rather you gain the immortality of Ariadne." Rhea, still smiling, lifts her nose in an imperious gesture. "I command that anyone I delight in must survive unto the ages. Or at least longer than I." She seems about to pose a question of some sort to Phaedra - but falters, plasters on a smile, and merely pats the arm of the other's chair. "What drew you into the fashion world, Mr. Hawthorne? Tell me everything."
Phaedra Lamb:
She quietly touches Rhea's hand when it pats her chair, just barely letting her fingertips rest against the Daeva's skin.
Guy Dagenham:
He glances over Rhea and Phaedra, then leans back in his chair to stare at the ceiling. He grunts softly to himself, and closes his eyes.
Daniel Hawthorne:
" I got into it early thanks to my great-grandmother. She was a seamstress herself and was glad to have someone to teach, as my brother had no interest and my sister was too young at the time. Went from making my own clothes to working on pieces for others and decided to make a career out of it." He smiled a touch, fond memories rising to the surface. "I enjoy helping others express themselves, and clothing is one way to do that."
Rhea:
Rhea's response is near-instant; she beams at Phaedra with all her being, leaning to one side and turning her hand over to let it hang there, palm up. "Lovely girl you are," she decides, as if that settles it; Phaedra is now beloved. "Oh, oui," she agrees with Daniel. "I dance for the same reason, to make others feel."
Phaedra Lamb:
Guy's grunt seems to make Phaedra wilt a little. "Sorry, didn't mean to...bug you or anything. Sorry." The hand is withdrawn.
Guy Dagenham:
He looks to Phaedra. “Hmm? Me? Why would you have bugged me?” He pauses, thinking about what just happened. “Oh. No, I grunted because I wanted something I can’t have. Please, don’t mind me.”
Daniel Hawthorne:
That earned Guy a curious look from Daniel, but he deigned from pressing further for the moment.
Rhea:
Rhea is not nearly as polite. "Oh, my new friend," she murmurs; her sympathy seems earnest and sincere. "Whatever it is you want, go out and grab it with both hands! Unless it is a tanning bed, or a sunroom. But I suspect it is not one of those things, no? Perhaps a matter of the heart," she sighs, cupping her chin in her hand.
Eyrgjafa Freyjasdottir:
Eyrgjafa walks in as the four talk, glancing around for any Kindred she recognises before approaching the grouping. "Mind if I join you?"
Phaedra Lamb:
"Don't mind at all." She glances up at Eyrgjafa to offer a warm smile, big blue eyes bright. "How's the night treated you so far?"
Guy Dagenham:
He nods to Eyrg, then smiles to Rhena. “I suppose. I wish I could have my girlfriend here in my lap while all chatted, is all.”
Daniel Hawthorne:
Daniel gave Eyr a polite nod when she arrived, then looked back to Guy at his response. "Ah...understandable."
Rhea:
Rhea frowns in abject empathy, drawing a resigned breath - only to sigh. "Oui, oui," she murmurs, nodding. "As someone who very much enjoys curling up in someone's lap, I understand." She averts her gaze, dropping dark eyes to focus on her lap. "The feeling of closeness is intoxicating."
Eyrgjafa Freyjasdottir:
"Indeed," Eyrgjafa nods, moving to perch on the arm of Rhea's chair. "I've been good, thank you, Phaedra. Yourself?"
Phaedra Lamb:
“I’m good. Rhea was talking about her new business. I might get myself involved with it? If she’ll let me, of course, with the occult things.” She blinks between the Daeva. “You two know one another?”
Guy Dagenham:
“It is,” he says softly to Rhea. “My apologies if I am making you miss it. If there’s something I can do to make it up to you, let me know. I’d hate to think I’d ruined your night.”
Daniel Hawthorne:
The talk of such closeness made the Haunt go quiet for a long moment before he nodded, a wry smirk on his face. "True indeed."
Rhea:
"Oh! No, mon ami," she assures Guy warmly, waving a hand. "My beloved sister is here now, and you haven't ruined anything, truly. I can always find a lap to perch in." She offers a rueful smile, canting her head. "I've recently realized others don't particularly care for that....behavior of mine, so I am keeping my thighs to myself." Her expression dances with amusement; she amends: "...At the moment, anyway."
Eyrgjafa Freyjasdottir:
"I love you too, systir mín," Eyrgjafa assures, dropping a kiss on Rhea's forehead, before glancing around. "What brought up this topic, may I ask?"
Phaedra Lamb:
“Which topic, laps or Rhea’s business or Guy’s girlfriend?” She seems legitimately a little lost.
Guy Dagenham:
“Well, Rhea, my ‘gf’ has first dibs, of course, but if she’s not around I won’t be upset if you use mine as a lap to sit in, provided that’s all it is. Sound fair enough?”
Rhea:
"Oh no, I would not impose," she waves a hand. "Not if you are spoken for; that is a lovely thing, no matter what some of our ilk may think about such affections. I shall never give up such hobbies. I honestly do not remember, Eyrgjafa, but yes, Phaedra - Eyrgjafa is my sister."
Eyrgjafa Freyjasdottir:
"By blood and by choice, even," Eyrgjafa affirms, smiling. "How is your business going, systir mín? I've been meaning to have someone read the cards for me about something."
Phaedra Lamb:
“It’s good that you two have such a good connection.” She nods slightly, looking between them.
Guy Dagenham:
He shrugs. “If that’s how you wish it, of course.” He tilts his head slightly, watching the Daeva. “It would have been nice to have a Blood sibling, though I don’t think it would have worked with my Sire and all that.”
Daniel Hawthorne:
Daniel looked between Eyr and Rhea at that little tidbit, a brief flash of something visible in those pale eyes before he nodded. "A lucky thing to have indeed."
Rhea:
"Someone!" Rhea pulls a face up at Eyrgjafa, a pout worthy of toppling empires. "I get to read your cards! Or Phaedra may do so, as her audition."
Eyrgjafa Freyjasdottir:
"She is good with them, I'll admit. Even if runes are still the superior tool." This has the air of an old argument that Eyrgjafa's indulging for nostalgia. "But very well, when I'm ready for it I shall come to you."
Phaedra Lamb:
Phaedra giggles, then stand. “I ought to be off. Rhea, you can get my number from Eyrgjafa, to text.” (I’m gonna crash nap, sorrry)
Guy Dagenham:
“Good night, Phaedra, let me know when you want that ride, alright? Is it alright if I get your number from Eyrgjafa as well?”
Daniel Hawthorne:
"Have a good night." Daniel replied, giving the Mekhet a polite smile.
Rhea:
"Oh yes, Phaedra, it was a pleasure to meet you. I'll be sure to get you set up soon."
Eyrgjafa Freyjasdottir:
"See you around, Phaedra. Be well." Eyrgjafa nods at the younger woman as she rises, before glancing at Daniel. "What have you been up to? It's been a little while since we ran into each other last."
Guy Dagenham:
He settles in his chair, pondering a moment before asking, “How did things go last night with Rena after I left? Sorry to have slipped away like that, thought you’re more qualified to talk to her about your family, of course.”
Daniel Hawthorne:
"Rhea has commissioned some design work for her staff at Penny Dreadful, which I'm looking forward to." He looked to the Daeva with a small smile at that. "Barring that, not much different from the last we saw each other."
Rhea:
"Oui!" Rhea claps, clasping her hands together beneath her chin and against her breastbone. "Daniel is going to outfit the entire place. After he builds my own wardrobe, of course. His work is stunning."
Eyrgjafa Freyjasdottir:
Eyrgjafa wobbles a hand side to side at Guy's question. "Could have been better, could have been worse. She mentioned wanting to learn more of some disciplines, I thought you and Daniel could help her with those." She glances at Rhea, then. "Truly? I shall have to hire him myself, then, at some point."
Guy Dagenham:
“Oh? Does she want to learn Protean, then? I’d be happy to teach her, of course.” He offers a little smile. “Does she want to fight?”
Daniel Hawthorne:
"I'd be honored." Daniel looked to Eyr with a smile. "Let me know when you want to talk design ideas."
The name mentioned took a moment to click, but once it did he nodded quietly. "Not opposed to offering a hand."
Rhea:
"Even little kittens have claws; perhaps it would be good for her to defend herself. I don't pretend to know what is best for her, though," Rhea clarifies. "I barely know her. I do celebrate anyone being able to defend themselves, at least."
Eyrgjafa Freyjasdottir:
"I'll have to introduce you at some point, systir mín. Just go easy on her, okay? She didn't have a great time before she was Embraced, much less joining the family."
Guy Dagenham:
He ponders for several moments. “She’s in an unfortunate situation, yes, and she needs help, even if she doesn’t know it.”
Daniel Hawthorne:
"Indeed...it's a rough place to start from, to say the least." Said like a man who knew all too well what that was like...
Rhea:
Rhea offers a blank look. "Go...easy on her? I offered her a job," Rhea points out. "I'm not hard on anyone!" Rhea hops up, grinning, and touches her lips briefly to Eyrgjafa's temple. "I have a few things to attend to. Thank you so much for the company, mes amis."
Eyrgjafa Freyjasdottir:
Rhea's blank look gets returned for a moment before understanding dawns on Eyrgjafa's face. "Oh, no. I meant go easy on Rena. Not Phaedra." The Siren sighs. "Her situation was unfortunate, but she's out of it, thank the gods."
Guy Dagenham:
Guy chuckles, pulling out his phone to send a few text messages. “Phaedra just needs support and some time, really. Rena...needs some guidance, I think.”
Eyrgjafa Freyjasdottir:
"Agreed. I help both of them as best I can, of course, but..." Eyrgjafa sighs again. "I've been a vampire so long, sometimes I worry I forget what it's like to be new to all this."
Guy Dagenham:
“Right? I can remember the sensations, but how I felt? Seems too long ago.” He sighs softly.
Eyrgjafa Freyjasdottir:
"Still. You're dating now, that's a big change." She glances at him. "How're things with Petra?"
Guy Dagenham:
“Excellent,” he says with a smile. “Things have been going great, and we’ve been making each other happy, so.” He leans on the arm of his chair. “I’m lucky.”
Eyrgjafa Freyjasdottir:
"I've only met her the once, but she does seem nice," Eyrgjafa admits. "...do you have any interesting stories you'd like to share about her?"
Guy Dagenham:
He taps his chin. “She can turn into a giant flying dinosaur. She challenged me to catch her within an hour, as a contest of sorts, and me both used our powers. It was quite fun.”
Eyrgjafa Freyjasdottir:
"That does sound fun. Not that I've ever flown." Eyrgjafa shrugs slightly. "Shapeshifting's never been an interest of mine, and the other way of doing it is too hazardous for our kind. Not that the technology for it was available before my Embrace."
Guy Dagenham:
“Why isn’t shapeshifting an interest of yours, if I may ask? That’s a...very particular way of putting it.”
Eyrgjafa Freyjasdottir:
Eyrgjafa blinks at him. "Isn't that the main reason people learn Protean?"
Guy Dagenham:
“Yes? Now I’m confused, do you not have interest in shapeshifting, or do you not wish to learn Protean?”
“Because yes, one learns Protean to shapeshift, but what you said was you have no interest in shapeshifting. And I asked why.”
Eyrgjafa Freyjasdottir:
"Oh, I think I misunderstood you, then. Put it down to neither of us using our native language, I suppose." Eyrgjafa shrugs. "I'm not interested in shapeshifting because... I've never seen the point of it, really. I have plenty of other ways to occupy my time, and advance my goals."
Guy Dagenham:
It’s his turn to blink and tilt his head. “But you learn Protean to free yourself, not to pass the time...”
Eyrgjafa Freyjasdottir:
"See, I think that's the disconnect, right there. I can't think of anything I need to free myself from, not that Protean could help me with."
Guy Dagenham:
“Really? You don’t find the limitations of the human form a burden? You don’t want to free yourself from the lie that is the vessel you inhabit?”
Eyrgjafa Freyjasdottir:
She stares at Guy. "I'm a Dragon. Of course I do. I just don't think transcending, for me, involves the things Protean has to offer."
Guy Dagenham:
“But the Dragon only transcend vampiric limitations...” He looks at her a moment, then shrugs. “We’ll have to disagree, I suppose. It’s a shame, because I think there’s a barrier of experience, but. You’d have to learn Protean to understand what I’d say to convince you, which doesn’t really work.”
Eyrgjafa Freyjasdottir:Today at 10:06 PM
"Fair enough, then." Eyrgjafa shrugs in turn. "I should be going, though. I have errands to run. I'll see you around, Guy."
Guy Dagenham:
“Have a good night, Eyrgjafa,” he says with a small smile. “Be safe. Let me know if I can help you with anything, as always.”
Eyrgjafa Freyjasdottir:
"Of course. Same to you, Guy."
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