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Phaedra Lamb: A lone Mekhet sits in the lounge in the chocolate factory.
...for values of sitting that involve a casual sprawl across a chair as Phaedra tucks her nose into a textbook. You know how it is--she's got that look like she's sort of skimming the pages and not really taking in the words. Who knows how long she's been at it tonight?
Daniel Hawthorne: A handy distraction from said textbook arrived in the shape of a well-dressed Haunt, pale eyes scanning the room as he made his way into the lounge. Spotting Phaedra Daniel smiled, meandering over to get into conversation range. "Evening. What are you working on, if I can ask?"
Phaedra Lamb: "Math. Parabolas. But I'm done with that now, you might be more interesting than conic sections, maybe." The textbook is snapped shut and laid on the floor as Phaedra moves toward a sitting position that has a wee tiny hint of a bit more dignity.
Daniel Hawthorne: "I hope so, at least." He smirked a touch, moving to claim a seat nearby as Phaedra got settled. "How are things going on your end?"
Phaedra Lamb: She leans in closer, to look into Daniel's eyes, her gaze piercing and actually a little menacing. "Good. Joining a Gangrel biker gang. Annoying all the best people. Has any of that tarot reading I did for you come closer to true?"
Daniel Hawthorne: There was a brief moment of tension at the direct eye contact but Daniel maintained it after it passed, nodding quietly. "Really...something with Guy, I'm guessing?"
"Getting there. Trying to get that Knight turned back around."
Phaedra Lamb: "Something with Guy, exactly yes. Not a coterie, he calls it a 'pack'. I call it just about perfect." She allows herself a small, warm smile as she talks about the pack. "So, how're you approaching the Knight of Wands, trying to get your energy focused all in one direction, hm?"
Daniel Hawthorne: "Best of luck." He nodded, giving a small smile in return. "Focusing on my own personal studies, for one. There's one project I'm waiting to hear back from another party on, but the rest I can handle through the Academy. Also been trying to foster some connections outside of the court, as difficult as that can be at times."
Phaedra Lamb: "Mmmm. That still sounds pretty scattershot, Daniel." She wiggles a finger at him.
Daniel Hawthorne: "Two leads is better than what I had going before, admittedly." He smirked a touch, taking the finger-wag in stride. "I'm working on it, though."
Phaedra Lamb: She seems thoughtful for a moment, before scooting closer. "You work really hard not to react with strong passion to anything. You're unfailingly polite. It bugs the crap out of me, sometimes. I kinda wanna push and push and push, to see how far I'd have to go before you'd actually show you're annoyed."
Daniel Hawthorne: "Growing up among the First Estate can do that to you. Some of the Unconquered look for the smallest fault to exploit at a moment's notice, so keeping an even keel gives less for them to work with."
Phaedra Lamb: She purses her lips. "It gives the rest of us less of you to see, Daniel."
Daniel Hawthorne: "I know. Old habits die hard, though, even for one of the Dragons." He allowed himself a smirk, wry little thing that it was. "Is there anything in particular you want to know?"
Phaedra Lamb: "Everything. But not to exploit it, exactly. Just to have it to hold onto who you are really, underneath it all. You're worse at showing yourself than Cian is, and like...that's saying a fucking lot, as you know." She sounds frustrated.
Daniel Hawthorne: "That I do." Daniel nodded, his features softening a touch at that visible frustration. "For a start, I'm the middle child of three; my brother was five years older than me and my sister is fifteen years younger. I'm a bit of a closet nerd as well, particularly with fighting games and card games, although I haven't been as active in it since my Embrace."
Phaedra Lamb: "I knew you have a sister. You've mentioned her--but not your brother. Why do you hide your nerdery in a closet?" She rests her elbows on her knee and cups her chin in her hands, still leaned forward like she's studying him.
Daniel Hawthorne: "We got along well enough growing up, but when I was chosen by my regnant to be his next childer he became incredibly jealous. Lord Gardner knew that he didn't have the proper temperament to accept what would come with the Embrace, however, which is why he chose me instead." Daniel made a brief motion to his neck, covered in a dark blue scarf on this particular evening, a hint of unease creeping into his features as he continued. "He was the one who did this and left me for dead, after hissing in my ear that it should have been him. Once what happened to me and his involvement in it was discovered he was killed for his transgressions."
The serious tone of his voice dimmed to something more conversational at the question that followed. "I always did, in some respect. I didn't broadcast it much while I was in school outside of those who were also into that kind of thing, and once I started serving my regnant more officially I didn't have the free time to pursue it as much as I did before. Nowadays it's more about doing it online than in person, what with time restraints and all."
Phaedra Lamb: Her gaze lingers on his scarf, and she seems to consider her words before speaking. "I've told Rena and Calamity I'd be interested in learning to play Magic: the Gathering. I'm not sure I'd be good at actually playing? But it might be interesting to learn."
Daniel Hawthorne: The fact that she didn't press harder on his brother's part in his Embrace was appreciated, something she would likely noticed in the way he relaxed as he answered. "Not sure I know Calamity off-hand. Watching Rena teach Mister Wright how to play was what got me thinking about getting back into the physical cards, though. I've been playing online for the most part."
Phaedra Lamb: "Well, if you wanted to play with someone...something, I dunno. Maybe." She shrugs, pulling back slightly. "Probably wouldn't play with Rena. We don't get along much anymore."
Daniel Hawthorne: "I'd like to, and you're not a 'something' to me." He watched for a moment as she moved back, giving a small nod. "You mentioned that you had an argument with her before. Anything I can do to help?"
Phaedra Lamb: "Probably not. She hates me because I dig at her, like I keep digging at everyone." Phaedra shrugs, pulling back into herself.
Daniel Hawthorne: Daniel looked ready to say something but paused, thinking a moment before offering her a hand to take if she so wished, the whisper-quiet words that followed sympathetic without showing pity. "If I had an issue with you asking questions, Phaedra, I would tell you. Seeing myself through your eyes helps me as much as it helps you, along with voicing things that I may not think about at this point because they've been in place for so long."
Phaedra Lamb: She reaches out and lays her hand on his sleeve, rather than making skin-to-skin contact or taking a hold on him. "That's really sweet of you to say."
Daniel Hawthorne: That Daniel would take, knowing her issues on that front. He nodded, watching her for a moment. "I'm not just saying it...I mean it."
Phaedra Lamb: "Sometimes it seems like you're layers and layers of blankets over a speaker, Daniel. Everything is always really muffled. And I know it's part of your history and your trauma, but it really makes it hard to get you, and what's important to you. What matters, in your mind?"
Daniel Hawthorne: That actually made Daniel pause, having to think for a long moment on the answer. "Acceptance, ultimately. I'm a perfectionist by nature, and learning to accept the imperfect is important...particularly when it comes to myself."
Phaedra Lamb: She eyes him thoughtfully. "Oh, so it's a chorus of 'not good enough, not living up to where you should be'? That sort of thing?"
Daniel Hawthorne: "Some of it. The rest is more on the physical front, although that's gotten better over the years." Another brief motion to his neck. "The mark of our clan 'naturally' puts a gap between us and those around us, and that takes some getting used to."
Phaedra Lamb: "I can see how that'd be, yeah." She nods a little, watching him quietly. "I mean I've gotten along pretty okay with most Nosferatu I know, but that's different than, like...people-people, I suppose."
Daniel Hawthorne: "Mmhmm. We have a habit of clearing a room after enough time passes just from sheer unease. It doesn't impact other Kindred or others in the night, as it were, though. Which, admittedly, is why I've been visiting Maddy's more often lately."
Phaedra Lamb: "Do you eat, when you're there? I always feel weird, going and not eating." There's a bit of sheepishness there.
Daniel Hawthorne: "Just had the coffee there so far, but I keep the Blush up more often than not so it doesn't cause as much issues."
Phaedra Lamb: "Mh. I just...really don't like throwing up. Like, not even chocolate cake is worth that." She wrinkles her nose.
Daniel Hawthorne: "If you keep it up long enough things will...process normally, but that can be blood-intensive. I usually save actually eating to spending time with my sister or work events."
Phaedra Lamb: "Yeah, I don't...yeah." She shakes her head. "It's usually not worth the blood for me, blushing that long. Uh, what kind of work events?"
Daniel Hawthorne: "Fashion shows and charity events, mostly. Some have full dinners beforehand, and not eating would be unusual."
Phaedra Lamb: "It all sounds really glamorous." She glances off to one side thoughtfully. "You're pretty fancy, huh?"
Daniel Hawthorne: "I can be when the need arises." Daniel replied with a small smirk. "I'm also good with more casual stuff, though, like the bowling night. Wouldn't mind doing that again at some point."
Phaedra Lamb: "I'd really like that. Or maybe we visit an arcade? You said you were good at fighting games, right? Or other stuff, too." She perks up, looking like a puppy that just heard the word 'walk'.
Daniel Hawthorne: "I'd be up for that, yeah." Daniel nodded with a smile to go with it. "Just let me know when you want to go."
Phaedra Lamb: "Soon." She grins. "Now that I've got my own ride, coming into the city isn't even a hassle anymore."
Daniel Hawthorne: "I bet. I've ridden a bike a few times but never owned one; how's it treating you so far?"
Phaedra Lamb: "It's pretty amazing. Mine isn't as fast as Sledge's, but it still makes me feel really...free."
Daniel Hawthorne: "Good to hear..." The smile on his face affirmed his sincerity, followed by a little nod. "Glad you're enjoying it."
Phaedra Lamb: She grins. "Let me know if you want me to take you for a ride at some point."
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