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Atalo Ceres:
The thrift store is open to late, as normal. And as normal, Atalo and Cerberus are both there, the latter lazing and the former in the process of hanging up clothes or stocking them on shelves, working with a sort of quiet efficiency.
Daniel Hawthorne:
The sound of the door opening accompanied by the intrusion of another Beast most likely caught Atalo's attention, the source of both revealed in the well-dressed young gentleman with a dark red scarf around his next, skin flush with the Blush of borrowed life. Pale eyes scanned the room, pausing on the proprietor and giving a polite nod.
Atalo Ceres:
He stops in mid action of hanging a coat up, going from slightly slow paced shopkeeper to alert, stance shifting to a defensive one. It takes him a second to adjust and then that mask goes back up as he turns to finish the action of hanging the coat up and nods at Daniel. "Good evening." He offers politely. "How are you tonight?"
Daniel Hawthorne:
"Well enough." The words were just above a whisper, rounded by the hints of an almost-British accent. "Yourself?"
Atalo Ceres:
"Quite well, yes." He responds, a little formally. There's a moment pause where he almost seems to sigh inwardly and his voice becomes friendlier. "Thank you for asking. Can I help you find anything?"
Daniel Hawthorne:
"Just looking at the moment. Thank you, though." He made his way towards the clothes, both as they were his intended target for the evening and to be in better conversation range, offering a hand once he was close enough to do so. "Daniel Hawthorne. Don't recall if we've met properly yet."
Atalo Ceres:
Cerberus looks up cautiously as Daniel gets nearer, but settles at a light gesture from Atalo, the Gangrel moving forward to shake the offered hand. "Not as yet. So that's a good chance. Atalo Ceres for myself." He smiles. "Welcome to my store, such as it is."
Daniel Hawthorne:
He kept the handshake quick, firm but not overly so in a well-practiced manner. "A rather solid one, as I see it. Have a studio of my own a few blocks off of Rittenhouse Square."
Atalo Ceres:
"Ah? What do you deal in?" He asks curiously. "Clothing as well? But, thank you. I do what I can, and second hand clothing has far more use and value then most realize."
Daniel Hawthorne:
"Clothing design, yes." He nodded, a note of pride slipping into his tone. "It does, yes. I like coming through places like this for inspiration and occasionally accent pieces."
Atalo Ceres:
"Well, I might have some more unique items buried in here." He considers the shelves thoughtfully. "Feel free to delve in, yes." He glances back. "A net benefit. Anything you buy also supports local charities."
Daniel Hawthorne:
"Good to know. Any particular focus on that front?"
Atalo Ceres:
"Ah, yes." He checks on the counter, producing a leaflet that he offers to Daniel, detailing the charities supported. One that will be more detailed when his player does more Philly research.
Daniel Hawthorne:
Daniel took the offered pamphlet, nodding as he looked over the list. "Have to applaud the effort. Then again, considering how long we can be in one community it only makes sense to want to build it up." He allowed himself a small smirk at that, pocketing the leaflet before looking back to Atalo. "How long have you been in town, if I may ask?"
Atalo Ceres:
"This new age does rather like to track people." Atalo murmurs. "But no one pays too much attention to an owner of a small shop, as long as I pay taxes on time. But it makes staying in one place too long a challenge."
He nods. "Both here and awake, nearly ten years. So I've had time to adjust, mostly."
Daniel Hawthorne:
"Taking the Aziraphale approach does work, from what I've heard." He nodded quietly. "My sister has been taking point on the day to day business at the studio for similar reasons."
"Going on about six years here myself. Definite shift from Boston, but it's been pleasant enough."
Atalo Ceres:
He blinks. "The Guardian of Eden's Eastern Gate? I'm.. no, I do not see this connection. Though I appreciate what I feel is a compliment?" He nods to that next statement. That at least makes more sense to him. And yes, it's very much different from other Courts I've been in in the past. Often in positive ways."
Daniel Hawthorne:
He paused a moment, chuckling quietly. "It's a reference to a book called Good Omens they made a series from recently. The angel in question runs a bookstore for decades under the wire because no one looks particularly closely at him."
"So I've noticed. More..." The word trailed off as he thought of a proper description. "Familial than Boston, although not in a bad way."
Atalo Ceres:
"Oh." He nods, making a face. "I'm still not completely happy with how easily casual blasphemy happens. Did you know there is a.. comic book, about the Norse Gods? Thor in particular. But, yes. That tends to be the basis of my approach." He nods, taking a seat and inviting Daniel to do the same with a light gesture. "I'm a Gangrel of the Circle of the Crone, to introduce myself a little more. How about yourself and your sister, if you're happy with the asking?"
Daniel Hawthorne:
"I am. Watched a few of the movies as well, but can take them or leave them for the most part." He moved to take the offered seat, his posture rather telling in that 'went through finishing school' sort of way. "Nosferatu, most recently with the local Academy. Both of us were reared under the First Estate, however.”
Atalo Ceres:T
He nods. "Movies and books have proved quite useful in catching up with a lot of modern culture. I'm sometimes seen as overly formal, but hopefully not too strange." A slightly amused grin forms. "And I've been frequenting bars, which helps a degree. Regardless. I'm glad you've settled into the city too. I don't think I'm the only one who's needed to adjust."
Daniel Hawthorne:
"Formal I'm used to, so no issues on my end." He smirked a touch at that, giving a little nod. "Most likely not, no. I take it by the 'awake' comment before that you came up from an eclipse?"
Atalo Ceres:
"I did." He confirms. "I prefer to be somewhat private on the details, but suffice to say it lasted for at least several decades."
Daniel Hawthorne:
"Understandable; not my business to ask anyway."
Atalo Ceres:
He nods. "I don't mind being asked questions. If I prefer to keep the answers private, I will say. Regardless, you can likely see why I had to deal with a fair deal of culture shock when I first woke up?"
Daniel Hawthorne:
"I can indeed. Not something I've had to deal with yet, but I imagine it may come in time."
Atalo Ceres:
"Entirely possible, yes." He acknowledges. "I'll take this life as it comes though." A wry smile. "And ideally I'll gain some good memories from it before it ends."
Daniel Hawthorne:
"Best one can do, really." He paused to briefly clear his throat, the extended conversation beginning to take a bit of a toll. "More than happy to help if you need further assistance adjusting, for what that's worth."
Atalo Ceres:
"Thank you." He smiles ruefully. "I plan to spend time at a bar again, and, maybe at the horse riding lessons one customer suggested. So if I feel I could use advice, I'll certainly approach you. And I'll note that if I can provide support in turn, I'll do so."
Daniel Hawthorne:
"Quite welcome, and I'll keep it in mind. Will definitely be coming by now and again to check on your new arrivals, if anything." He smiled a touch, taking a moment to pull a slim metal case out of his pocket and offer Atalo one of the business cards within. "The number on the back is my cell phone; easiest way to get a hold of me."
Atalo Ceres:
Atalo takes it, glancing it over before slipping it into a pocket. "Thank you. I'll send you a text message so you have my own number recorded. And, t was good to have the conversation. I'm hoping to see again another time."
Daniel Hawthorne:
"Sounds good. Tend to talk more through text when it comes to phones, for obvious reasons." Oh, what a wry little smirk formed at that statement, a hint of bitterness wound around the words. "That it was; glad I decided to stop by again."
Atalo Ceres:
A slight nod. "I will bear that in mind." A slightly uncertain pause. "Thank you for coming Daniel. Be well."
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