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As usual when Eyrgjafa's looking to meet with specific vampires, and doesn't want to use either their Haven or hers, she's making use of the office she rents downtown. Right now, she's making use of the time spent waiting for Henry to arrive by typing up a translation she'd been working on for a client.
Henry arrives at the office in his usual sort of attire, down to the dancing shoes, stepping into the office and looking around the space uncertainly. "Eyrgjafa?"
"Henry. Thanks for coming by." Eyrgjafa closes her laptop as she rises, walking over to the Gangrel and offering her hand. "How've you been?"
He takes the hand uncertainly, his grip non-confrontational. "Better since I heard the Cordray broad ate it, but, uh. I probably shouldn't be saying that, huh?"
Eyrgjafa shrugs. "I doubt many of us are mourning her introduction to the sun." After shaking his hand cordially, she gestures towards the seating area, where a few chairs surround a small coffee table. "Not that I invited you here to talk about Ms Conquered, per se."
He takes a seat, hands in his lap. Tense. "Yeah? What can I do for you, then?"
Eyrgjafa pauses before answering, considering him carefully. "I was wondering whether your acting useless was merely protective colouration, or because you don't feel like you deserve recognition for your talents."
"What talents?" The joke comes with a smile that dims very quickly, and he glances off to one side. "I, uh. Yeah, I'm trying to cover my ass. Make sure I'm not the twit that gets it in the heart for being loud and dangerous out in public."
"Well, you don't lack any understanding of subtlety, so I don't think you need to worry about that too much." Eyrgjafa jokes, before hesitating. "Are you sure you don't want to be taken seriously, not thought of as the joke who can't even recognise he's in the wrong Covenant?"
"It's always been safer not to be taken seriously. And I do recognize that the Invictus does as little for me as I do for them. Honestly, I'm waiting for Harold Wright to tell me to walk, so they can feel better about the whole thing, instead of worrying about me dashing off with secrets. If they think it's they're idea, I get out cleaner."
"Fair enough," Eyrgjafa admits. "I'm not about to push for you to become a Dragon if you want to be kicked out, instead of defecting, but. A mind like yours could do well amongst the Defiant, if you wanted to."
"A mind like mine?" He laughs. "Eyrgjafa, you hardly know who I actually am, so what makes you think I'd fit in with you all?"
"I know you're clever, if you've managed to play the fool without letting on for so many decades." Eyrgjafa shrugs. "But I'm not here to make the recruitment pitch."
"Then what are you here for, doll? What do you want with me, really?" He folds his arms over his chest, sitting back in the chair.
"To make sure you're in a role that suits your goals, not merely other people's." Eyrgjafa arches an eyebrow at him. "I might not be a Confessor, or whatever the equivalent role is in the Inwictoos, but people being happy and healthy is still important to me."
"Happy? In moments, perhaps. Happy overall, fuck no." He laughs. "I...love people. I'm happiest out in the Herd--dancing, talking, schmoozing. Kindred society's kinda fucking rotten, when you hold it up to a room full of people. That's what gets me out of bed in the evening."
"Fair enough," Eyrgjafa admits. "This city is better than so many others, but. That's more damning of how bad they are than praising of us, when you get down to it."
"Mm, I know. I'm originally from New York. I was embraced because my Sire believed Prohibition was good for the Herd and my older brother was a bootlegger. I saw that city...at it's best and its worst, before coming out here."
"After my time there, then. I was only there for a few months, and that was the best part of a couple decades before Prohibition was a thing." Eyrgjafa shrugs slightly. "Oslo and Boston weren't much better."
He nods, watching her. "I don't have very many goals, so whatever role I'm in will suit. I like working for Okorafor and Kan, because it lets me interact with people, instead of just manipulating them. You know?"
"Yeah," Eyrgjafa nods in turn. "It's part of why I spend as much time as I do staying connected to humanity, not just treating them as a food source."
"Makes sense." He nods. "You know, I'm a member of a bloodline that even goes so far as to call ourselves 'Shepherds'."
"Oh, like Floretta?" Eyrgjafa asks, leaning in. "She mentioned being part of the bloodline."
"Yeah. I keep meaning to talk to her about working together. But last time I did, I showed more of my hand in front of Sir Knight than I meant to. I keep wondering what he thinks of me. I'm pretty sure the Cordray broad had him in her pocket, so...now what?"
"That is a good question," Eyrgjafa admits. "I'm not sure if he's even aware of her being ashed yet, I doubt the individual who let me know would tell him."
"When he finds out, he might feel obligated to duel whoever's involved. Even if the bitch earned it."
"Mm." Eyrgjafa nods. "Atalo and Cory were going to handle that side of things, but I don't know where they're at in it."
"Alright." He hesitates. "In a fight, I'm not completely useless. Except when I am. I often can't let loose completely. I'm best with my claws, honestly. But yeah, if you ever need that, uh. That's a thing."
"I'll keep that in mind, if I'm ever in a situation where fighting skill might be useful. I know a bit, but it's far from my strong point."
He nods. "Anyway. When I get kicked out--who knows how long that'll actually take--I'll let you try and give me the sales pitch for the Ordo. Alright?"
"Deal," Eyrgjafa smiles. "It might not be the best fit for you, but I can't imagine it being a worse one than the Inwictoos."
"I like the people better, for whatever that's worth." He cracks a sincere smile. "On another note--how seriously should I take your sister when she flirts?"
"Reasonably? Rhea'll flirt with anyone, but if you actually reciprocate she'll take that a bit more seriously." Eyrgjafa squints at him. "If you're not interested, just say so, I'll pass it on to her."
He shakes his head slightly. "I'm...curious. Maybe fascinated. But, uh. Wasn't sure if it was all just part of the game for her. So...you know. Wasn't trying to...you know. Get my hopes up or anything."
"That's reasonable. I do love my sister, but she can be hard to read, at times."
"Thanks for the advice. Anything else you wanted to talk about?" He tilts his head to one side.
"Not right now, but if you have any questions, feel free to ask."
He thinks for a moment. "Do you have any plans for the city, or are you just trying to keep it the peaceful pond it's been for you?"
"For the city? Keep it peaceful. Do you mind if I ask why?"
"Mm, just...you could be a player, at some point. You see things, and that makes me want to know more about where you're aiming."
"To further my studies. Recruit for the Ordo, as and when I can. Take care of my family." She shrugs. "I'm not especially interested in any particular position within the Domain as a whole, if that's what you're asking about?"
"Mm. Not quite, but that's a useful answer to what I was asking. Thanks." He smiles. "And thanks for taking the time to talk with me."
"You're welcome." Eyrgjafa returns the smile. "Oh, before you go, how up to date are you on the Nereid thing?"
After the lowdown, he lets out a soft whistle. "That's a real kettle of fish."
"No kidding," Eyrgjafa nods. "Was there anything else you wanted to ask me?"
"Naw, I think I'm good, doll." He stands, tipping his hat at her.
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