How many goodly creatures are there here! :: GAME OPENER

[synergismus]

Welcome to Baedal.

These are the first words newcomers hear when the door opens and they are invited into their new world. Some fuss, some fight, some need time before they have the courage to step outside. Others, shell-shocked or jaded, go quietly along with the proceedings.

They are given brief instructions; a repeat of what's described in the pamphlet and a door key.

Please stay in your room. There will be dinner soon.

It's been almost a day for some. For others, only an hour's wait. The latest newcomer is lead straight from the arrival room to the dining hall where candles and lanterns have been set out to compensate for failing electricity. (Those who have been here longer explain about rolling blackouts.) The food, however, is warm, varied and plentiful. Seating is open, and less conventional chair are available to those who need them.

There are many strange faces around the table, the majority of these recent arrivals. The proprietor of the Valhalla Inn is here, as is some of her staff. The Sheriff of Mog Hill is introduced, his function detailed. The reason for the dinner is explained:

It's a celebration. A new cohort has finally been officiated; CeidaryBlue523. Your cohort. Please. Introduce yourself. Mingle. Get to know your fellows, they will be your brothers and sisters for as long as you live in this city.


((OOC post for discussion and coordination.))

Comments

[primogen_vampirate]

It was difficult to hurt Mina. She protected her skin with Cruac rituals and her heart with a lock and key. She would, in time, forget Doyle's name. At least she had that. Still, she knew that in protecting herself, she sacrificed the possibilities for other things; romance and sex and intimacy (which were, in fact, three very separate institutions). Often, Mina told herself that her life was worth sacrificing those three things, but thinking about it now, she could question her own judgment.

Turning her attention to his horrible, horrible pick-up line, Mina smiled smugly. "That won't be happening my friend."

She was actually a bit surprised. She certainly wasn't trying to flirt. There was really no time for that. She could only chalk it up to the fact that Apollo was remarkably handsome and he wore it with confidence. Confidence was very, very attractive.

"I remember my Greek enough to know that you've had a very, very active sex life," she said. "Bacchic orgies were never to my taste. I much prefer flowers." As long as they weren't roses. Mina hated roses.

[truthsandlyres]

"Just as well," Apollo commented lightly. Mina, he had already gathered, was not entirely his type. He didn't feel inclined to make further efforts than casual flirting. Besides, sexual dalliances could wait until after he figured out what was going on in this world.

Still, he had to admit to himself, there had been a time in Apollo's past when the fact that a woman had rejected him would have been enough cause for him to viciously pursue her. Perhaps that was a sign of growth. Perhaps it was because of Cassandra.

Or, most likely, it could be due to the fact that since the time he'd been snatched into Willaknepp, he had been tired. Frequently. And taming women into submission could just be plain exhausting.

[primogen_vampirate]

Mina sensed a certain measure of resignation in his voice. Is that what it was? It was difficult for her to read men, sometimes, especially since the Kindred were so good at covering up their emotions and their...well...covering up their everything, when you got right down to it. To be among other creatures was still...unsettling. She would have to rely on ancient knowledge of the way people, real people, communicated.

Of course, she wasn't entirely sure if a Greek god counted as a real person.

A minor detail.

"You and I must go out one of these nights," she said. "I can help you find something more to your tastes. Nothing makes a man more attractive to women than when he's accompanied by a woman." Mina, ever one of the lads, prided herself on her ability to find companionship for her male friends. She was good. Very good. And only rarely had to rely on her Dominating abilities.

[truthsandlyres]

A brief look of annoyance flickered across Apollo's face at that. Did he look as though he needed help with women? He had half a mind to charm this women until she was weak in the knees, just to prove a point.

But no, not today. Right now, his concentrations needed to be dedicated to figuring out this situation and renewing his efforts to go home. He had become too comfortable, too at ease with their situation on the caravan. He wouldn't let that happen again.

"I prefer to work alone," he stated as politely--and pointedly--as possible. This woman clearly knew nothing about male pride.

[primogen_vampirate]

Mina shrugged. Really, it was no skin off of her nose. Which was a funny figure of speech. She'd have to look into its origins sometime. Sunny would know, of course. But Sunny wasn't here. "Suit yourself," she replied. She paused. "I wonder if they even have suits here," she murmured, looking down at her dirty clothes. "I could use a new one myself."

She tilted her fedora down, over her eyes a bit. "Well, it was a pleasure meeting you. Doubtlessly, our paths will cross again. Preferably at some of the same parties."

[truthsandlyres]

Women and their trousers. He did not care for it one little bit.

"I have no doubt we'll meet again," Apollo said cordially, reaching out to take her hand and press his lips against her knuckles. If nothing else, the women had certainly been interesting.

"Pencil me in for a dance someday," he suggested. A phrase he had learned at that ball on the caravan.