Guessing Games, part 2 ((attn: Ambrose, Amberelle))

Chewing her lip for a moment, Dawn pondered. She hadn't seen much of the other branches in action...but that wasn't as much what they were for, it seemed. Hunters were the active branch, Nightsmen were the sneaky ones and Roses were the face put forward. How much more complex could it be?

"Well, a fuck of a lot more complex. They've been doing this longer than most countries. Maybe I'm wrong."

Nodding, with a bit of a frown, Dawn stated

That makes sense. I don't feel that it will alter where I end up, but ya can't be sure 'til ya look! So's there sumthin' else I sho do straightaway, or are we squared?

There was something just the slightest bit unnerving about the slightly built elder in front of them. He liked to think of himself as observant but still couldn't put his finger on what. As he was carefully weighing his answer Ambrose realized it was; she didn't seem to blink, at least not often enough to be normal.

"My creator hoped I'd join the Hunt, but we had a slight disagreement about it."Â?

Or massive row, it all depended on how you looked at it. Verbal sparing, shouting matches, and snide comments over decades was really just a petty tiff; it all depended on how you looked at it.

"I've considered the Order of the Night since then."Â?

That had only added fuel to the fire where Damaris was concerned. She had not approved of that idea at all but the Order of the Rose had never appealed to him and Ambrose didn't appreciate sitting idle.

Mai's brows creased a moment as she tried to understand the response Dawn gave her. Are they square? The position of the group was more of a semi circle with her in an odd placement. Was there some social reason for a square? She moved slightly so that they better formed the correct shape.

"You may accompany me on a hunt soon, if you believe you are capable... And now we are 'square'."Â?

She tilted her head to the side at Ambrose's response.

"You were not drawn to the Hunt then? If the Night calls you then you should seek them but do not walk that path simply because you can."Â?

Mai wondered if the cane he carried was decoration or necessity. He did not hold it as though it were an accessory to his wardrobe but it was difficult to be completely certain. Did he believe then that injury should keep him from the Hunt? She smiled faintly to herself, disability only impeded those that wished to be hindered, perhaps Ambrose could use that lesson.

Smiling broadly, Dawn arched bonelessly from her kneeling bow up into a handstand and then back onto her feet beside Ambrose. Whatever strange and mystical tests the Elder had in store for her introduction, she'd managed to pass. But now she wanted to eat someone with her? Wondering if it was some sort of tradition, she mentally shrugged. Seeing someone else eat was always a trip, and sometimes you learned more about them than they'd provide in a week's worth of conversation on whatever topics they wanted to spout about.

Righteous! Lemme know when!

Listening to the rest of the conversation, bouncing lightly on the balls of her feet unconsciously, she cocked her head. A potential Nightsman? The only Nightsman she'd met had seemed like a spook to her. Ambrose didn't, but he did have some of that aspect to him. He didn't like too much nonsense, he was pretty staid unless you worked him at it, a sense of propriety...hm. Maybe it was the ego in her, but she thought he'd make a better Hunter. She wondered if Mai was right and it was just because he was bummed about being a gimp. Dawn couldn't see how that'd affect someone's shooting, but then she was mostly a boxer, not a gunner.

Stepping up until she was just slightly behind and beside the (literally) bouncing bundle of energy called Dawn, Amberelle turned her head and spoke quietly into her ear. The blonde did not want to interrupt Mai and Ambrose's discussion and also made certain to remain facing the elder in case she was addressed again.

If you like, I can introduce you to some of the Nightsmen who are in residence here. You may be suprised at all of the duties that Order can involve. She chuckled softly. I'd be happy to help too... I'm taking my time to find where I belong, as well.

It was a welcome relief to turn his attention to the more sedate elder. If he had been forced to consider both the bouncing vampire next to him and Mai’s question he would not have been happy.

He wished his own path could have been as clear as Dawn’s apparently was. Of course, the argument had been that it was and could be and he was being a stubborn ass and making his own life difficult.

‘Walk’ was an ironic choice of word and he smiled faintly, although it didn’t reach his eyes.

“No, you’re right. The Night has never really called to me, which is probably why I’ve put off speaking to them for so long.”

He did want to join the Hunt, but every time he thought about it, his thoughts inevitably drifted back to his leg, or lack there off. It held him back, there wasn’t anything else for it.

Looking with surprise at Amberelle, Dawn blurted

You're disorderly, too? Nice! All the note comparin' I can git's'a good thing. Still fresh! We can go nails an'ogle s'ame time, what! Oh, an where's the best bars an' clubs 'round here? Since I'm loose I wanna see th'meatmarkets. Uh...shiiii...um...darn. I bet that doesn't get asked much in church, huh?

Grinning, Dawn twirled lazily in a circle, looking at the ceiling.

Sorry!

Mai tilted her head at Ambrose but refrained from further comment. He would go were he should in time; it was up to him how long that took.

She turned to the others and smiled when Amberelle volunteered to help Dawn and Ambrose by showing them around and introducing them to other clan mates.

Frowning somewhat at Dawn's answer, Mai found that she could not fully understand the girl.

"Â?Dawn"Â?

go nails an'ogle s'ame time, what!

What... what language was this?

She blinked at the question but at least she understood it.

"Do you wish to hunt there?"Â?

Amberelle managed to maintain her smile as Dawn replied in what was apparently a foreign language or some sort of slang code. A few moments passed and all she could do was blink at the young girl, completely bewildered. Her mouth opened to reply but she faltered and closed it.

"Come on you're not THAT old! Let's think this through. Nails.. maybe she meant go get our nails done and hang out. That could be, umm, interesting.. Meatmarket obviously means go look for men.." That thought made the blonde cringe. Going out to pick up a quick meal or a one nighter was one thing but doing it WITH someone was *not* her style.

Mai managed to respond before she could make sense of enough to reply. Turning to look at the Elder she was relieved to know she wasn't the only one baffled by the Californian's speech.

Nodding, Dawn replied

True dat! Good t'know th'quick fix spots when y'can't git sumtin...heartier. 'Sides, eatin' too often in th'same spot's bad for a rep. Goodta mixit sum t'keep from bein' labeled. Learnt that one hard, wha, but jis once!

Realizing that Amberelle, and now Mai were both having trouble with her slide back into her lingo, Dawn tried to correct her course. Remembering that folks out here used different slang and had different rules of conversation would come naturally eventually, but for now she had to remember that she was the outsider and should try to speak their language to make this home and not seem the tourist.

Yeah, she read that somewhere. Fucking pain in the ass to remember all the time, though. Shaking her head a bit, she straightened and smiled.

Uh...sorry. I meant...it is good to try to find a variety of locales to feed from so as to not become a regular anywhere, masking my true intentions. Perhaps I'll shop around myself so as to not be so much of a burden to anyone's supply.

Restraining a swelling desire to giggle, she tried to picture Amberelle and Mai in a hip hop club or a biker bar. Yeah...probably not going to be feeding from the same places...though both Ambies might be able to pull off the biker look.

Ambrose had completely lost the thread of the conversation, part of it his thoughts had wandered and part of it was Dawn.

He finally decided to call a spade a spade.

"So how many people do understand you the first go round and how often do you have to translate?"

He actually found the whole situation rather funny, in an irritating sort of way. But he was trying to take this with a sort of humor but it was hard, he much preferred to understand a conversation from beginning to end. But wanting to make some sort of a good impression he also tried to 'grumble' with a sense of humor.

Wether Dawn or the others would hear it that way he wasn't sure.

Frowning confusedly, Dawn looked at him, maintaining the effort at clarity.

Back home most knew what I was talkin' about fine. Jus a diff'rent...um..."regional dialect" here, s'all. Since I got here...just my cabbie got the dealie, but he used to drive the East LA routes a few years back.

Shrugging, she smiled.

Som'a it'll be age diff'rence, som'a it'll be locational, what.

The blonde nodded, agreeing with Dawn's explanation. Growing up around so many different cultures in New Orleans, she knew you just got used to and learned to understand the strange mix of French, English and Cajun that was the regional slang. It held true that other heavily diverse areas would evolve their own dialect. But Amberelle hoped Dawn would come to understand, as she had, to adapt your speech. It had taken time but she'd begun to remember not to speak in a mix of French and English and she even thought her accent had faded some.

Giving Dawn a smile that spoke understanding and empathy she tried to convey her feelings. You know, I can completely relate to that.. When I came here from N'awlins a year ago well, I had to learn not to use a lot of the words and slang from home. Not everyone speaks French.. or "coonass". She chuckled.

A draft blew through the Cathedral and Amberelle shivered. Rubbing her hands over her upper arms, she realized a few things. It was cold, it was getting on in the evening, and that gnawing feeling in her gut meant she needed to feed. A moment of indecision passed while she debated simply having some more of the bottled supply that was kept at the Manor so she could stay here and chat longer. However, it had been days since she'd last had anything fresh from the source, and she needed it, she knew that.

Rational thought won and she sighed faintly. Giving the others a warm and apologetic smile she took a step back.

Please don't think me rude, but it is getting later and I still need to change and run into town for.. dinner. I'm sure you understand. I will leave you two in Elder Asahi's capable hands. And I hope to see you both again soon.. Dawn, come by my room sometime and we can go spar at the Dojo if you like. 'Don't be rude and exclude Ambrose,' she reminded herself. Same to you Ambrose. Oh, and I know a great range in town if you'd like to go for some target practice some time.

Nodding to Mai respectfully, she bowed slightly. If you will excuse me, Elder. With a parting smile and wave to the newcomers, she headed back towards her rooms.

((OOC : Amby out ))

Ambrose just shook his head. He’d done the LA scene for years and had yet to have that much trouble understanding someone. It wasn’t regional, maybe they just moved in completely different circles, that or he was finally getting old. Not that that was likely, he wasn’t two hundred yet. Maybe she just needed to grow some.

“I guess we all have our quirks.”

That was as close to diplomatic as he was likely to get.

As Amberelle left he smiled. While the offer to drop by the dojo stung to some extend, she recovered nicely but offering an alternative. Maybe he would ask her about that range, god knew he liked to stay in practice. It was one of the few things losing his leg hadn’t affected.

“I appreciate the tour ma’am. Thank you.”

He nodded politely to her. Ambrose also took that opportunity to excuse himself. He still needed to find this Rupert character if he was going to have a place here. He was sort of hoping for something on the ground floor as well.

Following Amberelle’s example he bowed to the Elder of the Hunt as he excused himself.

“It was an honor to meet you.”

Dawn was favored with a more rakish grin.

“Watch who you go carrying up the stairs little lady, but I’m sure I’ll see you again.”

Formalities followed and niceties kept he returned to the manor in search of the mythical butler.

((OOC… Ambrose out.))

Mai watched the trio as Dawn gave her answer in more lengthy speaking that was difficult for her to understand. However the clarification showed promise. It was always wise to be able to hunt in a variety of places because you never knew when such a talent would be needed or when a favorite hunting spot would no longer be available. Picky eaters and those with specific hunting styles made Mai sometimes wonder how they managed to survive over the ages.

She looked away as a draft blew through the Cathedral. Her incense could stay where she left it and Mai knew that it would safely be there for her use the next evening as well.

For now though there were things to be done. Her life was not all about chasing rabbits in the forest or eluding would be students. The Order needed her direction and since none of the three were yet ready t o commit to the Hunt then she would go alone.

Dawn thought she was ready. Mai knew that she was not. It was not that the girl belonged elsewhere, she certainly seemed designed for her Order, it was simply a matter of thought. Watching Dawn but a short time was all that was necessary to let her know that the girl rushed headlong into every decision she made.

“Ittekimasu”

With a small bow, she turned and left the building.

((OOC: Mai out ))

Smiling the goodbyes, Dawn took a final peek around the cathedral before her exit. "Fuckin' cool." Twirling her way down the main exit, she headed from the cool building into the cold night air, smiling to herself. Things had gone better than she'd expected.

Some town time would help her with the language, the on-site facilities would keep her form good, and now she just had some of Ko's lists to go through before formalizing her Huntressing...or...whatever it'd be called.

Hopping up onto the rail to the patio, she headed back into the manor.

((ooc: Dawn out, lock up))