Elise wakes just after dusk at about 6:30, comes out of her hideaway, and heads to work. She fluffs up the cast for "Don't forget your toothbrush", resisting the urge to do the world a favour by eating Tim. Once work has quietened back down, she finishes up and heads home to get dressed for Annabelle's little do.
Joshua wakes about 7pm and applies himself to some work for the Clan before remembering he promised to go with Garwood to a Toreador thing this evening. He finds his 'going out' clothes and gets ready for the evening. He gets to the Sucubus club at the same time as Travis, and they are escorted up to the fourth floor, where Annabelle greets Travis effusively, and Joshua politely. The party is a mixed human and Kindred affair, so the topics of conversation tend to be fairly mundane. Elise arrives and is also greeted fairly effusively by Annabelle.
Annabelle appears to be riding a wave of popularity, as there is a significant number of Kindred here at the party, beyond the Toreador who are forced to come along - Neally, Joshua and Garwood are just some of the Kindred here.
The major topic of conversation is the sudden splurge of train enthusiasm that has swamped Melbourne over the last week or so. Most of the elite that are attending the party are somewhat contemptuous of the fad, seeing little artistic merit in it. The surge of interest apparently peaked last Saturday with an evening exhibition of railway art. Annabelle apparently managed to maintain some poise when she dismissed it, and a few people are repeating some of her more witty comments. Annabelle is all but preening. When small groups of only Kindred get together, a number of them say "Drummond will be furious.".
Elise is nearby when Annabelle sweeps onto Neally and all but demands that Lodin come along to her next party on Saturday - she seems somewhat interested in milking her current popularity for all its worth. Elise is distracted from hearing the rest of the conversation as a waiter comes and gives her a note. It is from a Rodney Abbot, who is over in the corner, inviting her over. Elise moves over to the table and sits down. Mr Abbot (Rodney) and her have a discussion about social orders - Rodney is a caitiff, and is trying to overcome the prejeudice that some of the other elder Kindred have. He asks her some questions about herself and she responds in kind. After a short while, Rodney says he must go, although he has enjoyed their talk. He heads off.
More mingling around. Annabelle is moving around, ensuring that all the Kindred know about her party on Saturday and will be coming along. All present receive an invitation, where she will be presenting some of her new proteges' work. Joshua is beginning to establish a reputation for elegance when a waitress bangs into him, soaking his shirt in red wine. She is apologising profusely, but he is insisting it is his fault. Joshua is shuffled off to a bathroom where he manages to get the shirt a uniform pink instead of dribbled red.
Kindred start to drift away by about 1am, as do the Kine. Travis speaks to his Sire, Derrick, briefly, about evaluating a painting for him. Derrick agrees to come over a little later in the evening. The party is starting to clump as people leave and Travis, Joshua and Elise are in a clump with Roderick and Garwood when Elise notices a slight fuss by the front door. It is a young man, probably human. He is looking around the room, and his eyes alight on Elise and looks more concerned. Elise heads over and speaks to her "Guy told me to give this to you... er, you and those two" He points at Joshua and Travis. The somewhat grotty, long haired young man hands over a brown paper package. Elise thanks him and heads back over to the two of them, drawing them aside. She briefly explains what happened, and the decision is made to go over to the Alexandra Gardens and check it out.
Near a fountain (to try and foil Auspex a bit), they open the package. It is a blank diary, covered in leather and sheafed with vellum. The three of them express some confusion. As they are flicking through the pages, a note drops out.
|
Dear Friends,
I will soon have an item in my possession that, considering your "shall we say" interesting background, you may well find of great value. The item is in fact, a manuscript of great antiquity. I am as yet unable to confirm its provenance, but its creation would seem to date back to the fourteenth Century. Its actual contents would seem to date back to the pre-Biblical period. (I apologise for being so circumspect, but you will understand my need for caution.) This manuscript is described as the Apocrypha to a work with which I understand you are familiar: The Book of Nod. It has been expressed to me that this manuscript will be of inestimable value in your search for Golconda. The Apocrypha will soon be available for purchase. When this transpires, I will once again make contact with you to inform you of the details. In the meantime, please accept as a gift that which carried this note. Although a mere bagatelle, I hope you will accept it as a token of the respect in which I hold you.
Yours etc. |
A whole lot of staring goes on. Mostly the three of them are convinced that it must have been misdelivered. They discuss what to do about it all. Eventually it is agreed to get back together on the next night and see what they can find out in the meantime.
Joshua heads back the Tremere chantry and speaks with his Sire about the offer. Elise heads off home, as does Travis