An Expected Visitor

Alexander waited patiently as Roger discharged his duty and then left Alexander in the care of Rupert, Head Butler of Heolfor Manor.

It was the air of indifferent politeness that made Alexander think back to his days in India. Rupert would not have been out of place at his father's estate.

The behaviour didn't annoy Alexander in the least, it was rather reassuring and he listened attentively as Rupert introduced himself and the other house staff assembled on the steps to the manor.

Alexander merely nodded in acknowledgement to each person in turn.

"If you would follow me, Sir. Your accommodations have been prepared as per your instructions."Â?

"Thank you, Rupert." Alexander replied, "Let us proceed."Â?

Rupert led the way down the west wing hall to Mr. West’s quarters, a room he had seen to personally. The Anantya’s requests were simple but specific and in Rupert’s mind there was simply no excuse for mistakes. The contents spoke to an interesting mix of priorities and a minimalism that almost bordered on asceticism, or would in some people’s opinions. He had approved of the modern technology, as he felt it spoke of a well adjusted eternal being, and wondered over the weapons.

He wondered if Mr. West would find the accommodations comfortable, but then that wasn’t really his business – he had done as asked.

And so they went up a single flight of stairs, and Rupert set down one suitcase to open the door with his key. As he opened the door to the lightly furnished room, he explained the basics.

“Facilities are just a door down, on your left. If you look out onto the balcony you can see the roof of the training building – there is a staircase on the balcony that will take you to ground level. You’ll also find an indoor stairwell by the minotaur statue we just passed, that will take you to the basement and allow you to pass under ground.”

The important matters being taken care of for the moment, he again led the way inside and set the luggage by the bed, then handed Mr. West the only other key.

“If there is nothing else, Mr. West, I will return for you in one hour to meet with the Elder of the Hunt.”

"Thank you, Rupert." said Alexander as Rupert handed him a set of keys. "That will be all."

Rupert nodded and departed, his footsteps quickly fading into the distance down the hallway.

Alexander closed the door and began to survey the room.

Two windowed doors at the end of the room lead out to the balcony and the staircase Rupert had mentioned that lead to the training building. Alexander didn't spend long outside. The windowed doors closed with a soft click. Above the windowed doors was mounted an electric metal roller shutter, heavy enough to deter the average intruder and thick enough to keep out the sunlight during the day.

Alexander walked over to the work station on his left, wood and metal tubes, already assembled with new laptop and multifunction fax/scanner/copier waiting silently for use. Even the minor details hadn't been overlooked. A blue metal wastebasket and a plastic pen and pencil holder already filled with the exact number of stationary items Alexander had requested.

Closer to the entrance were two sliding doors, revealing a large walk-in wardrobe with expensive menswear and footwear that had obviously been chosen with care. Alexander would have to commend Rupert on his taste. Alexander closed the doors and walked over to the sturdy framed futon on the other side of the room where Rupert had placed Alexander's suitcase.

At the foot of the bed was a familiar steel trunk. There was a welcoming click as Alexander turned the key and opened the latches. Everything was in order. He had no reason to doubt that Rupert would fail in this respect either. Tools of the trades, well cared for over the centuries and just as deadly today in a skilled hand.

Alexander relocked the trunk and moved toward the wall mounted mirror above the bedside cabinet. Pale blue eyes stared back at Alexander, daring him to look away. "Loyalty, honour and obidience beyond death" the thin lips parted and whispered. Alexander shivered in spite of himself.

He would not second guess the will of the Elder of the Hunt. He would simply deliver the message and await the reply. That was all. It was all he could do. The face in the mirror nodded gravely in agreement.

Rupert had made his discreet exit once he saw to Mr. West’s immediate needs and was presently occupied with reading the newspaper, parts of which kept disappearing every time he got up. He didn’t know whether it was someone in the staff or a resident but for some reason he was rarely able to enjoy a full paper without encountering missing pages.

In any case, the hour wiled away fairly quickly and Rupert soon found himself knocking on Mr. West’s door once more. Soon enough he was greeted with the sight Alex West, in a new suit and for all appearances refreshed.

“Please follow me – Mai will see you now.”

He noted the British Anantya’s rather formal carriage – a powerful stride reminiscent of the military – and wondered if the gait was nerves or habit. Either made sense when meeting with the Elder of the Hunt. Whatever the case, Rupert kept the quick pace as they made their way to where Mai would be waiting.



/ooc either party can smack me if I've moved them too much, just bellow and I'll edit

Alexander nodded and fell in step behind Rupert as the pair made their way through the mansion to meet the Elder of the Hunt. Nothing could be heard except the regular sound of shoes hitting the floor simultaneously in a steady, rapid beat.

Alexander smiled grimly. Almost a quick march, he mused as the the pair strode swiftly through corridors lined with expensive tapestries and exotic pieces of art carefully collected over the decades and centuries.

/occ - I'm just following

Rupert had found Mai outside the grounds in the woods. He was very good at finding her; though, in truth, she rarely tried to deliberately hide. The head butler was willing to walk through the woods, trusting that she would find him if she were there. And she had been.

He said that there was an Alex West to see her from the England branch of the Hunt. It was business time then. Mai had nodded and returned to the Manor.

She knelt in the first room of her suite on a large red cushion in front of a low black lacquer table. One of the kitchen maids had brought in hot tea and it sat steaming off to her right with two china tea cups on her left. In front of the table on the tatami mats was another red cushion for her guest.

((OOC: Rupert's portion of the story with permission. ))

Alexander had snapped his heels together and bowed low as Rupert introduced him to the Elder of the Hunt. As Rupert was dismissed, Alexander carefully removed his shoes, and placed them neatly to one side.

He had never set eyes on the Elder of the Hunt, but Alexander had been told that the vampire that sat serenely on the large red cushion was as inscrutable as she was wise in her countless years of unlife. She was small and slight of build, with raven black hair framing a young, delicate face with eyes the colour of freshly fallen snow. At once reassuring and oddly disconcerting at the same time.

The formality and discipline of the tea ceremony reminded Alexander of the nights when his father had hosted the mysterious Mr. Chao. The same sense of measured perfection and dedication in the way they conducted themselves. Of course, Chao and Alexander’s father would devote the evening hours to drinking specially imported rice wine from Mr. Chao’s own stock.

Alexander pushed those thoughts aside and concentrated on the present. With a drawn exhale of breath, he began slowly walking towards the tatami mat and the red cushion that had been laid in place for him.

Alexander stopped just before the cushion and bowed low again. “Honoured Elder of the Hunt.”

He waited for permission to sit.


/occ - I read up on Mai's bio. Hope I got the physical description right.

Mai decided he was interesting. He was British like her Ba-di and had that same formality but he was different. She would have to speak with him and watch him more to decide whether she liked him but for now he was an enigma worth observing.

She nodded to Rupert and the butler made his way quietly from the room.

Turning back to Mr. West she bowed from her seated position and pointed with her hand palm up towards the other cushion.

“Please, West-san, have a seat.”

It was customary to wait until her guest was at least seated to begin discussion. Everything in its own time.

((OOC: Rupert out with permission. Aye, that was a very good description of her. Its fine by me, thank you for asking. ))

Alexander nodded in deference.

Correct sitting, Westmoreland. Correct Posture. Every gesture a meaning. Every movement a saying. Do not get this wrong. Your uncivilized upbringing as a Western Barbarian will only allow you so much leeway in such matters. Displease an Elder and you may lose face - literally.

It was called Seiza and to Alexander it represented a useful method of relaxation and meditation. But in this instance the Seiza was a show of respect for the host and proper etiquette.

Alexander carefully and slowly knelt on the plush red cushion, resting his buttocks on his heels, with the tops of his heels flat on the floor. His back was straight, though not unnaturally stiff. His hands came to rest palm down on his upper thighs, with the fingers close together. Alexander made certain there was no more than two fist widths between his knees as he took his proper place before the Elder of the Hunt.

Mai nodded her head and smiled slightly. He was decently educated in the customs of her people. It did not seem to take him long to become comfortable in the position as it did so many who were not used to it. Would he squirm soon? Would his legs ache? Probably not enough to be noticable, as one of their kind, even if the seiza was not a habit.

This was not a proper tea ceremony but tea should still be respected. The English did seem to agree there also; though their methods of respecting the drink were somewhat different.

Sliding one cup to the center of the table, Mai carefully held her sleeve out of the way as she poured the green tea. Picking the saucer up with both hands, she presented it to West in such a fashion before making her own.

Once they were settled, they could begin the real reason they were here. Mai decided to favor him by taking the decision of timing and etiquette out of his hands. Sometimes it was best to get straight to the point.

"What news do you bring?"Â?

((OOC: She's impressed, you're very polite for a barbarian! ))

Do not read too much into the gestures of an Elder, much like breathing or blinking such minor gestures can be significant, or nothing more than pure artifice.

And at least my face remains attached to it’s skull, Alexander thought as the Elder of the Hunt graced him with a slight smile was more disconcerting than reassuring.

Slender hands offered him a cup of green tea, on a saucer that like the cup was made of fine china. Alexander carefully took the offered cup and saucer with both hands and nodded in deference as he moved the cup and saucer back to his side of the table but did not lay it down.

The soft, yet commanding voice of the Elder of the Hunt stopped him from drinking or putting the cup and saucer aside.

“What news do you bring?” she asked. The same smile still in place as she looked at Alexander.

Alexander closed his eyes for a second and savoured the bitter aroma of green tea that drifted lazily towards his face.

He opened his eyes and spoke plainly, his voice devoid of emotion.

“These are the words from the collective lips of the Order of the Night and the Order of the Hunt. You are henceforth charged to deliver them to the esteemed Elder of the Hunt in the American city of Nachton before the next moon was waxed full.”

“You are to say to her: Your Huntsman following the Priestess is dead. A Huntsman from London will continue this task. The Nightsman from Nachton still lives and believes herself to still be undetected. These are her words for the Elder of the Hunt:”

“The Priestess has left the United Kingdom and has returned home. Her escort appears to be very light, no more than a few of her trusted clansmen. The Priestess is not making the usual stops to the strongholds of the area.”

“You will also tell her that no further information has been returned but the Anantya of London believe that both agents are still alive. Do not fail in your duties, Westmoreland. All honour to the Elder of the Hunt, all honour to Anantya.”

Alexander resisted the urge to shiver as he finished delivering his message. With slow deliberation he raised the cup to his lips and quietly sipped on the tea.


((occ - heh you're making me work at being polite - its fun though))

Mai considered his words carefully. She bowed her head for a moment out of respect for their fallen clan mate and made note of those that she must tell among the order. A service would need to be held.

But for now there was the news itself. The priestess was behaving strangely. It was the suspicion of the Order of the Night that there was something very different about this trip than most others the Priestess tended to take. She was dismayed that she could not have followed the woman herself. She would have one of her people track the Nightswoman on the mission to make certain she was still alive. Afterwards they could try to contact her as subtely as possible. There were most certainly ways of doing so once the tracker located the woman.

It would not have been possible and therefore not worth regretting. Alex had delivered his message faithfully, with descrestion and with a prompt since of duty that was to be admired.

Taking a sip of her tea, she nodded to him

"I thank you for this news. Are you planning on staying in Nachton?"Â?

((OOC: Yes, she's not very open but that's her way. The point of the message will come out eventually...but who knows when. She does have something in mind..if you'll bear with me ))

Alexander lowered the cup and saucer, and nodded. There was no point in trying to guess what the Elder of the Hunt must be thinking. That serene face and polite smile may have as well have been finely sculpted from marble.

“If you so wish it, honoured Elder. I would be humbled to remain here at your discretion. I have no present commitments to tie me to England, and my presence in London for the last ten years amongst the Clan was in an advisory capacity only.”

Alexander raised the cup again and sipped at the tea.

((OCC: I’ll play along - I’m very new to this style of RPing again - ))

Mai considered West for a moment. Should she ask him to stay? Perhaps he could be of help and she knew that he was less likely to be involved in some of the inner problems that the Anantya had at present. What she disliked was a lack of loyalty to a specific order; free agents tended to have their own agendas or else they would have chosen one Order to call home. He had performed the task that had been set for him by London with discretion and respect. She would give him a chance.

" Nachton might need you, West-san. If you would stay, We would be most pleased."Â?

A light test first. She was not certain what would be required in the future but if he proved worthy and loyal then it would be good to have him around.

((OOC: You stated you worked for both Orders elsewhere. She would check up on Alex before meeting with him to get the basics of who he was, which order and such. Mai has the firm belief one should choose one Order for life. ))

Alexander lowered the cup and saucer and nodded in deference. "As you wish it, so shall it be. Loyalty, honour and obedience to Anantya beyond death."Â?

The same credo that Mr. Chao had drilled that into Alexander for almost fifty years. Service to Anantya above all other considerations, anything else paled in comparison.

Alexander smiled. "Thank you for this honour."Â?

((OOC: Yeah, Alexander's creator worked for both Orders. Alexander has never been inducted into either Order, and has worked for both. Oddly enough, he has never been pushed into joining the Order of the Night or the Order of the Hunt. Alexander doesn't know why that is, he just serves the Clan as best he can.))

Mai nodded slightly at his words and acknowledged his compliance with a smile.

"Domo arigato."Â?

She brought the small tea cup towards her and inhaled its strong aroma. Tea was a comforting scent to her; it always had the ability to calm her more active nature. Taking her first sip, Mai closed her eyes and enjoyed its taste while she considered the many tasks that the Hunt needed to accomplish.

There was another that required testing, and after searching her memory, Mai found the perfect task. Pulling the cup away from her lips, She said pleasantly.

"There is someone I would like you to meet."Â?

((OOC: Feel free to end the thread in your post with the ending of the visit and Mai can start a new thread to explain this task. Unless there is something further you wish to accomplish here.))

Alexander returned the smile and nodded. Whatever the Elder of the Hunt requested he would do. Without hesitation, without question. Loyalty, honour and obedience beyond death. This was the way of Anantya. The other Clans could never truly understand the strength of duty and obligation that held Anantya together like a rod of staves bound in an iron hoop.

He watched as the Elder of the Hunt returned to her cup and Alexander did the same, savouring the feeling of relief? Or was it serenity. Perhaps both.

A tea ceremony in the dead of night, a strange city and an unsual new home.

And to bask in the radiance of the Elder of the Hunt.

A simple pleasure, an unexpected honour, and most agreeable to Alexander.

He would savour it while it lasted.

((OOC - I've finished. New Thread at your discretion ))

((OOC: Mai out as well )) Closing