Paper Zoology 101 (lock please)

Mai ignored the greetings and requests for information. Morrigan would do what she wished at that matter and it hardly concerned Mai. Tugging on Thaddeus's sleeve, she handed her book to him and then turned to begin collecting her tiny zoo.

She carefully folded them in a way that would allow her to store them without crushing them and then stacked them all together and stashed them in the folds of the kimono along with her gift from Talon. Her hand brushed against the cigar as she did so and she looked up and spared him a small smile before straightning her outfit and standing once more.

Curious, Thaddeus tore himself from the proceedings and examined the book placed in his hands. It was a leather bound volume entitled The Evolution of Modern Man, by Bernard Swift. Relief flooded him; the book was not anything irreplaceable at least, and while he cringed at the abuse of any literature, even he had to admit the origami animals were probably more useful than the original contents of the pages.

After all, who needed Mr. Swift when they had the missing link sitting in a pew smoking a cigar right before their eyes? Thaddeus suppressed a chuckle as he slid the book into his jacket to examine in more detail at a later date, and shook his head in amusement at Mai before turning his attentions back to the goings on. He probably shouldn't encourage her, but he knew well enough that Mai would do as she would regardless of his approval.

When Morrigan introduced herself, Amberelle tried hard to mask her suprise, so only a faint widening of her eyes showed. From the description she'd been given of the Triad's female members she had not expected such a strong and composed person. Perhaps then other things she'd been told were lies. That brought the faintest of smiles to her lips. Things might just work out alright after all. She bowed her head and spoke softly but clearly to Morrigan, Good evening, Lady Morrigan. I am honored to be in your presence, I have heard... much, about you. Amby straightened herself ever so slightly, faintly prepared for an assault to be launched as she introduced herself. Meeting Morrigan;s stern gaze, she said clearly I am Amberelle De'Espionne, child of Gustav De'Espionne, of New Orleans Anantya.

Talon continued to recline and enjoy his Cigar when the Dandy walked over and finally spoke to him..
he was considering ignoring him, but then Mai walked over and seemed to finally be paying attention to what was going on, and this one seemed to mean something to her, and It was still a little early to offend EVERYONE here..
"I heard you guys had a decent hole a guy could crawl into for awhile.."
he said, blowing out cigar smoke as he spoke..
"The furniture could be sturdier though.. " he smirked

thats when he heard the click of heels.. 'more for the party..' he thought to himself

when the latest addition, a very uptight looking red head joined the conversation.. he just grinned again.. 'this must be the rose, saved me a trip'
after morrigan introduced herself, he took a long drag off of the Cigar and said "I'm a walking decline in Property Value, but you can call me Talon, of the Order of the Hunt"

He heard the rustle of cloth when another female arrived.. 'I could get to mighty comfortable around all this all this fine female flesh' he smirked..and nodded to Chryseis in greeting..

Mai smiled fondly at Talon. He did not apologize or make an excuse. Yes, she definitely liked him. He was one of her own kind. With that established she squeezed Thaddeus once reassuringly on the arm and wandered out towards the gardens. The place had become crowded and she had little doubt the activity would draw a few more curious souls before it was all done.

((OOC: Mai's out but there is still more fun to be had.))

Amberelle studied Talon out of the corner of her eye. He was Order of the Hunt.. that was a statement of the obvious. If anything was to go down now that they knew who she was, he would be her biggest threat. But.. she wasn't sure from his attitude he'd join the others if they turned on her. Hmm. He could be distracting. She turned her attention to studying the others, noticing the strange interaction between the young girl and the gentleman. But she was most curious about Morrigan.. there was much to learn.

Morrigan politely nodded to the newcomers as they spoke to show her attention.

Mademoiselle De'Espionne, it is a pleasure. I trust your father's teachings will have prepared you for your formal entrance into the clan. We'll discuss that more in private.

Her steely gaze focused on the large man.

And Mr....Talon. Anantya has traditionally accepted all kinds so it would be improper for us to bar you from our fold. You will understand that a certain respect for the property of the clan is expected. Further touring of our grounds will reveal the care with which we have preserved our history. I'm sure all of this will become apparent to you as you begin the clearing of this mess and finding a craftsman to repair the damage. I would suggest consulting with your new brethren - there is a wealth of talent housed betwixt our walls.

Lightening her tone ever so slightly, she addressed the group.

Thaddeus, would you be so kind as to show Amberelle to Heolfor Manor and assist her in locating her new quarters? Talon will meet with one of the butlers at the manor when he has concluded his assignment. Now, if you would all excuse me, I do have business to attend.

Morrigan again gave a respectful nod to Mai and turned on her heel back toward her office. New members meant making preparations.

Sorin had slept late as usual and only just made his way out to the Cathedral. He pushed open one of the large doors and leaned casually in the archway listening to Morrigan. Upon the conclusion of her speech, He rolled his eyes and pushed himself forward as she made her exit.

"Honestly, The woman has no idea how to treat family." Sorin smiled at the group in front of him. "I would not worry about this. " He waved his hand in dismissal at the shattered pew. "I'll have one of my people fetch a new one. No harm done. "

His eyes scanned the people before him. Thaddeus of his Order, Chryseis.. Morrigan's shadow. He sighed inwardly at that and looked to the two new comers. The large man seemed to have no respect for authority. Normally that would upset Sorin but in this case it seemed to have come in handy in annoying Morrigan. So much the better, insufferable woman. The other was most likely the little escapee that Gustav had mentioned. Yes, she fit the description. Sorin nodded his head in her direction by way of greeting.

"I am Sorin Lazarovici. Elder of the Triad and Leader of the Order of the Night. Welcome to Nachton." He'd like to see just what was so special about Gustav's little toy before he decided whether he wanted to give her back.

Her expression remained politely neutral, but Morrigan calling that man her father.. it made her skin crawl. Nothing could be done, she knew, except go along and not let anyone know how she felt. Hopefully she had found a safe harbor so best not to rock the boat. Amberelle turned her attention to the tip lipped man.. Thaddeus she had called him. She gave him a soft smile and tipped her head, glancing about. She clicked her tongue twice softly and saw Louis dart in from the shadowed doorway and ran up to her. She caught him as he jumped into her arms and let him settle down on her forearm as she cradled him against herself, stroking his back. The huge black cat glanced regally around at the gathering, his green eyes glinting protectively.

Amberelle tilted her head down at him and softly chided himDidn't I tell you to stay outside? He just looked up at her blinking and began purring before licking her chin. She tensed as Sorin came in and introduced himself. This man.. she had heard of this man.

Talon sat there and listened intently.. 'she has got to be joking..' his pulse starting to quicken 'i've shed blood for this clan for over a thousand years and now i'm dismissed like some sort of fool..' his grin disappeared and his face took on a darker cast..

he almost didn't sense the other man enter such was his state of mind, but when he did he could tell this too was a man of authority here 'looks like all the bosses are coming to inspect us, they must not get too many visitors'
he listened as the man spoke and introduced himself..
'at least this one has some respect for others'
with a nod, he spoke

"Name's Talon, and I'll remove this pew so your guy can put in a new one"

standing he turned and grabbed ahold of the remainder of the Pew and Tore it free of its moorings, then rolled it up onto his shoulder and turned to the main doors of the cathedral, and walked out with it over his shoulder
'I think she probably likes Art, lets give her some impromptu lawn sculpture'
grabbing the side and with a quick flex he drove the jagged broken end of the Pew deep into the ground beside the drive, leaving it standing up on one end, like some sort of giant overely carved stake..

'looks like i've already made an impression..' and his grin returned, admireing his handy work with the pew.. and he set out twords the Big house

((ooc: Talon's going to the Manor now.. see ya there ))

Thaddeus sighed inwardly at Sorin's declaration. Morrigan had been firm but fair, and while he could appreciate the desire to be welcoming and accommodating to fellow clan members, the brute would never learn how things worked around here if Sorin continued to be so permissive.

Still, he knew the leader of his order had good intentions. It was admirable of him to be so gracious, in fact. Not a weakness. Something Thaddeus could well remember when dealing with strangers. And Sorin's arrival was fortuitous; Thaddeus had need of the man's council.

Sorin, would you care to join the Lady Amberelle and I in walking to the manor? I should wish to speak with you on a small matter.

Thaddeus felt Sorin would appreciate his irony in calling the young woman Lady; it was the least accurate honorific he could imagine, though he felt there might be hope for her to clean up well enough when she wore something more suitable.

A thunderous crash interrupted his musings and all further hope of conversation.

Oh no. The brute is loose!

Thaddeus cursed himself for not paying closer attention. He'd -seen- the savage walk right out the doors with the pew in his arms and thought nothing of it, assuming this man was used to such manual labor. Thaddeus had merely glared a little at Talon's back before turning his attention back to Sorin and Amberelle.

The sight that greeted him as he ran outside to the Cathedral grounds nearly stopped his heart. His mouth dropped open, hanging in a most unbecoming manner as he gaped at the now vertical pew embedded in the ground. His already pale skin went whiter still as Thaddeus felt the blood race from his face.

The brute drives a stake through Anantya...oh what have we gotten ourselves into? He whispered softly to himself.

Whatever will we do?

Thaddeus invited Sorin to accompany them and Amberelle's heart sank. The last person she wanted to be around was him.. What if he'd been in contact with ... Her train of thoughs was broken with the commotion outside. She watched faintly amused as Thaddeus ran outside. Perhaps she could use this distraction to her advantage.

She turned towards Sorin and mustered a faint smile. It seems the two of you will be otherwise occupied, I can find my own way to the house, it is not a problem. Hoping to not give him a chance to respond otherwise, she began a measured but hasty walk out the doors towards her car.

As she walked her mind raced. Perhaps she could meet with Morrigan or.. what was the third one's name, the one Gustav never seemed to called anything but the yellow one or the slant eye slut..

Sorin accompanied Thaddeus and the woman at a more leisurely pace. He didn't quite manage to surpress a frown at the site of the upright pew. With a resigned sigh, he turned towards his companions.

"It is all right, Thaddeus. I'll see that this 'mess' is taken care of." Sorin coached his voice in a tone with the proper disdain to appease the young man's sense of decorum. It was not far from his own feelings on the matter.

He turned in time to see the girl beating a hasty retreat. How very interesting. He'd have thought she'd have more courage than that. Gustav's interest implied she was worth noting, so far he had not seen anything to indicate this was true.

"Come, my good man, lets head back to the manor and you can speak to me over a nice glass of wine to calm your nerves."

((OOC: I am guessing that you have left the thread, Amberelle? Don't forget to leave an ooc saying you're out so that we know we can't get your attention and call you back. ))

((OOC : Nope didn't leave yet, left it open in case he didn't let her ditch him, sorry I should have let you know that =s ))

((OOC:I did wonder but with people being new here i just wasn't sure. I thought about not letting you leave but Sorin is actually behaving today.))

((OOC : Okies well then I shall leave this thread then and head to the manor.. /curtsy Amby out!))

Thaddeus nodded in wordless agreement at Sorin's reassurances and invitation. Tired and confused by today's occurences, he wished only to retreat to the Manor and thus normalicy. He followed his Order Master, lingering only slightly behind and looking over his shoulder occasionally. He tried to let the image of the pew rising up from the ground fade from his thoughts.

He didn't think it would any time soon.


(ooc-Thaddeus out, assuming he is going with Sorin to chat)

Chryseis stood silently as Morrigan gave the large man instructions for cleaning up his wreckage. Hands behind her back she rocked on her heels a bit. A fitting discipline without being overly harsh. It wouldn't do any good to have such careless behavior continuing on and a lesson like this should do the trick in preventing further episodes.

As Morrigan made her exit another door creaked open and Sorin entered. She forced a wide grin and flashed it to him. The man who always seemed to take pleasure in any sort of discomforts he could muster towards Morrigan. She took this new enterance as her cue to leave. Quietly she bowd and excused herself, making her way back to the manor.

(OOC: out!)

Sorin led Thaddeus away from the Cathedral, the further he walked the more his good humor returned. The woman was a mystery that he hoped to solve. She'd be of use to him somehow, of this he was certain, either here or by helping Gustav. The man, Sorin had more doubts about. Order of the Hunt if he were guessing, their kind where loose cannons at the best of times and always dangerous but perhaps he could aim the cannon in the appropriate direction.

Then there was the thought of Morrigan coming out of the office and seeing her lovely pew marring the Cathedral grounds. He'd pay a lot of money for a view of her face in that moment. Perhaps he'll have that good fortune. Sorin smiled just thinking of it.

"Something seems to be troubling you, My friend, and I believe it is more than this night's events. I'd be happy to hear all about it."

((OOC: Sorin out with Thaddeus))

Mai wandered back to the Cathedral after a relaxing walk in the gardens and a run through the forest. The rabbit wasn't much to dine on but the thrill of the hunt was always the best part and taking down prey larger than yourself. She smiled, rabbits held no challenges in a fight but the exercise was enjoyable.

She came upon the sight of the pew standing upright in the lawn. Interesting, Kuma-san? Members of her Order were always misunderstood. She wondered what prompted the action. It was possible that this was done by the girl but not likely any of the others. In the end, it mattered not how it got there. She helped Kuma-san break the pew and it was a small price for such a valuable test, in her mind. He was Anantya and one of her own of this she had no more doubts.

She walked to the gardener's shed and found a wheel burrow and a shovel. Coming back to the pew, Mai contemplated it for a moment and then gave it a solid kick into the center splitting it apart. She collected the pieces, digging the bottom half out of the ground, and then pondered the hole marring the grass lawn. Easily solved.

She was surprised to see Morrigan's driver coming towards her. He indictated that he was to take the pew. With an inward shrug of incomprehension, Mai let him have it.

After disposing of the broken pew, Mai left the Cathedral grounds and came back later in the evening carting a large piece of earth and grass in the wheel burrow. This piece, she carefully packed into the hole in the ground and pushed down the edges. Good enough.

It never entered her mind that the nearby golf course was going to be more than a little annoyed to come out and find a chunk of their nice green lawn missing.

((OOC: Mai out))