"Learn to mind your manners. Then your pain will end."
Ghoul
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Post by Malcolm Bennett-Grey on Jan 23, 2015 23:10:25 GMT
Malcolm considers that: his hunger. While not as fair of face as his libidinous cousins, the Daeva is nonetheless driven by his desires, his passions. He hungered for obedience, compliance, stability, and he would politely pin them through the heart with his sword if necessary. The most enduring empires, after all, are built with bones, not stones.
"In the bleak midwinter, there is little more to do than consider the coming spring," the knight agrees. "When the ice thaws, the predators emerge from their sleep. The days will lengthen, but the rewards for prudent action will grow, as well. Should we both take our leave of the city, It would be pleasant to converse again from time to time."
He pauses, considering whether to mention a small detail. "I wonder, sir, are you a scholar of more than history? Perhaps matters of a more shadowed nature?" Of course, he assumes the answer, but one should never be so bold as to say what one thinks. Not in polite conversation.
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Post by Alejandro Moreno on Jan 23, 2015 23:47:49 GMT
Alejandro raises an eyebrow slightly at the Daeva's latest line of questioning.
"I've studied a wide variety of topics over the years... Perhaps even knowledge that holds some parallels to this city's current state of affairs... but why do you ask?"
Moreno's gaze is intense as he tries to decipher the man that sits across from him. Malcolm had his attention now as they danced carefully with their words.
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"Learn to mind your manners. Then your pain will end."
Ghoul
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Post by Malcolm Bennett-Grey on Jan 24, 2015 4:49:00 GMT
"I seem to recall," the old man muses, "that during the strike upon the Asylum some nights ago, there were certain artifacts which our Prince recovered. A book, perhaps. I wonder if he has sought your considerable expertise, as a Shadow such as yourself would surely know much of shadows."
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Post by Alejandro Moreno on Jan 24, 2015 23:07:52 GMT
(Going to write this from the perspective that this scene took place before 'Lofty Towers')
Moreno straightens his posture.
"He's failed to mention anything about it to me... As much as I would enjoy lending what you call my considerable expertise I am not sure our Prince's pride will allow such a request."
He leans forward slightly.
"Have you happened to have examined it yourself?"
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"Learn to mind your manners. Then your pain will end."
Ghoul
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Post by Malcolm Bennett-Grey on Jan 26, 2015 1:07:43 GMT
(Oh jeepers, sorry about nearly creating a time paradox! Just read that scene. Ha!)
The knight always relished the opportunity to set two wolves at each other's throats. The Prince was a mad dog, and his barking had become quite an irritation. So regrettable that the bonds of duty and Covenant would prevent Bennett-Grey from 'sending him to a lovely farm.'
"I have not," Malcolm replies. "I have found that the occult is every bit as dangerous as a loaded gun, and should be handled only by those with proper training. Thus, my library's shelves are filled with volumes bound in conventional leathers, rather than that of childrens' skin. I wonder, is our Prince a - hobbyist?"
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Post by Alejandro Moreno on Jan 26, 2015 2:25:25 GMT
Alejandro responds matter-of-factly.
"He is not, quite frankly he is more than likely beyond his depth in this regard..." he pauses a moment to consider the other kindred. "Should the opportunity arise, or the prince suddenly no longer has use of it... I would be willing to take a look at the volume for you... it is the least I can do for you considering my debt."
Moreno would likely give much for a glimpse at the book but was loathe to tip his hand any further.
"...I understand the asylum was quite the trying ordeal..."
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"Learn to mind your manners. Then your pain will end."
Ghoul
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Post by Malcolm Bennett-Grey on Jan 26, 2015 3:28:04 GMT
"Indeed." Into those two syllables, the Daeva compresses a rapier's razor sharpness. "The creature had attacked us by day in our very havens, yet only two responded to our Prince's call to arms." Malcolm had no regard for cowards. "It made the strike rather a bit more challenging, but our victory all the sweeter." Fresh scars along his neck shine like scarlet cobwebs in the smoldering light.
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Post by Alejandro Moreno on Jan 26, 2015 20:34:18 GMT
"You were bitten by one of these creatures?" Alejandro asks examining the scars on the other man's neck from a distance.
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"Learn to mind your manners. Then your pain will end."
Ghoul
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Post by Malcolm Bennett-Grey on Jan 28, 2015 0:12:12 GMT
"By their mistress, in fact," he clarifies. "Whether or not she was corporeal is an existential matter for philosophers, but regardless, her teeth were every bit as sharp as mine. She then conjured up a shadow, a dark mirror of myself, and set it loose on the others." Pride flickers in his eyes, pride at the bloodshed the monstrous shade had achieved.
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Post by Alejandro Moreno on Jan 28, 2015 22:31:03 GMT
"And these... shadows... they had substance?" Moreno probes the scenario as he sifts through his mind. The possibility that they physically interacted with such things proved to be quickening to his old heart.
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"Learn to mind your manners. Then your pain will end."
Ghoul
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Post by Malcolm Bennett-Grey on Jan 29, 2015 19:21:15 GMT
"As substantial as you or me," Malcolm nods. "They were darkness, tangible. At the very least, one must admire the skill to conjure such shades." He does not give voice to the implication: perhaps the secret lies within that diary. Could the Mekhet refuse such a tempting treasure?
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Post by Alejandro Moreno on Jan 29, 2015 22:34:19 GMT
"If your account is accurate this is no small feat... Even among our kind. Tell me Keeper Bennett-Grey in the interest of this city could you arrange a private audience for myself and this tome? I will not promise a cure for this plague but I can assure you that there is no one else in this city more qualified to attempt to make sense of this mess." Moreno folds his hand delicately in front of him on the table's surface.
In asking Malcolm, Moreno hoped to make an end run around Sebastian's inevitable protests. If only he could find a way to bypass the Prince's emotions...
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"Learn to mind your manners. Then your pain will end."
Ghoul
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Post by Malcolm Bennett-Grey on Feb 1, 2015 17:09:58 GMT
Malcolm imagines various scenarios, many of them of them ending gruesomely in carnage. As long as someone put down a precautionary sheet of linen for expedient clean-up, it should be quite a diverting occasion. Graciously, he inclines his head. "I am confident such an opportunity could be arranged. Have you a sense of how long you might need?"
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Post by Alejandro Moreno on Feb 1, 2015 22:12:05 GMT
The Shadow's hunger for knowledge crawled just under the facade of his face. Malcolm was right the occult was no small thing to scoff at and often a double edged sword in Moreno's experience, still the possibilities were great
"It is difficult to know without first examining the book, weeks would be best... but in your interest I would make it as expeditious as possible... An hour perhaps? Even if it may help the city I fear Sebastian would not appreciate such an intrusion. While the tome itself would be preferable even a photocopy may be of use to me... this all depends on what you would be most comfortable with."
He pauses before adding a cautionary note.
"There is also the matter of whether the book's original owner may have parties at large that would have interest in seeing it returned... What would you propose?"
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"Learn to mind your manners. Then your pain will end."
Ghoul
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Post by Malcolm Bennett-Grey on Feb 2, 2015 0:07:55 GMT
"I would propose haste," the man says. "The immediate threat has been eliminated, but as you say, we can hardly expect this to be the end of the matter. Kindred are legendarily resilient - how much more so a creature of such savage, bestial power? I would furthermore suggest the book's destruction once it has been examined."
As a polite afterthought, he notes, "Though of course, such a decision would rest ultimately with the city's Prince."
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