Proper Introductions (Iota)

[sletzo]

Scott stepped into the elevator, hitting the button to make it go up to the floor necessary and then waiting patiently. It had taken little effort for him to find out where the Prince was located. All that remained now was to actually meet with him and find out how long his stay in New York would be. He didn’t -want- to leave soon, but if for some reason the Prince wouldn’t allow him to stay…well, he wasn’t planning on waging any one-man wars just to be able to stay.

Unfortunately, being so new to the city, he didn’t have any gifts that he could give to the Prince upon this first meeting. So he would have to rely on his own personal charisma and charm to not offend the, no doubt Ventrue, he was about to meet.

He was dressed in a fairly typical way for him. A nice but simple black suit. Unusual though, was his lack of concealed weapons. It just wouldn’t do to find out this Prince was paranoid for whatever reason and searching all new strangers, only to have a concealed weapon be found. No, he was unarmed now. But he wasn’t expecting any kind of need for a weapon, after all…this was Elysium he was going to be entering, you shouldn’t need a weapon there, of all places.

When the elevator finally came to a stop and the door’s opened, Scott stepped out. After a brief glance around, he went to the woman seated behind the desk to his right. She was mildly attractive, but he didn’t have -those- interests anymore. He approached her very professionally, figuring she was a Ghoul…but not being sure, he wasn’t about to ask to see the prince. After a brief pause, he recalled the actual name of the man he was here to see, his voice fairly quiet…there was no reason to shout after-all. “Excuse me, Miss. I’m here to speak with a Mr. Hartford. Can you see if he is available, please? You can tell him that a Mr. Sterling is here.”

[Iota]

The Prince had time to spare, it was not often but he relished ever opertunity to play his favourite piece of music, from Ludwig Van Beethoven. He had only started playing as the new comer had entered his pent house apartment, his piano was a grand piano, polished almost daily, you wouldn't of known that the piano is almost the same age as the empire state building itself. Julian swayed back and forth as he started to play, looking towards the new comer as he hit every key stroke with perfection.

"Please, have a seat..." Julian said as he closed his eyes for a moment to listen to the bueaty of the music being produced. "Have a Glass of the finest Bloodwine in New York" Julian continued to play, he was in a fairly good mood for a change and thought he would 'spoil' the new comer as he looked refined and well educated, always a good starting point when dealing with a ventrue.

[sletzo]

When the doors opened, Scott’s ear was greeted with the first few key strokes of a well known Sonata. He had heard it many times before and it’s notes always made him recall the very first time. It was a performance of Macbeth that he was in, the orchestra decided to play Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata as the curtains opened for the first time. It fit the mood well enough, delivering an overall creepy feeling to the beginning of the production. This was when he was still human, of course, and every time since then that he heard it, he always remembered that scene of that performance.

Scott entered quietly, giving a grateful nod to the Prince who’s music he wouldn’t dare disturb by speaking. Each key stroke held Scott’s rapt attention. He might not be a musician, but he could certainly appreciate a great work of art performed by someone who knew what they were doing. As offered, he had a small glass of wine, his gaze watching each key being hit even as he poured the blood wine into the glass. He recognized the talent and skill…the art, that was being performed. It was safe to say that he very well could be killed at this moment and he wouldn’t even notice until the music stopped. Such was the curse for all of the clan of the Rose though.

Without so much as making a sound, he wouldn’t dare interrupt the performance, Scott took a seat in one of the two seats in front of the desk. His own eyes closed as he was taken away into the music. The blood wine in the glass that he held was all but forgotten about as he listened. This was truly something he was never expecting, to be greeted with a performance such as this, but it was not something he was about to take for granted. So he listened in awe to the Ventrue Prince. That was something all on it’s own, he realized, it wasn’t all Ventrue who could play the Piano and do so with such talent and skill…such beauty.

After the music finally stopped, did his eyes open again slowly. The music that was so eerie and hypnotizing all at once, let go of his senses when the last note finally stopped sounding. It wasn’t until after it had stopped that he took a small sip from the blood wine, it was truly good. He didn’t usually get to drink such wine. Scott would give a polite round of applause to the Prince after-wards, not judging this a time for a standing ovation or something so loud, but rather the time for a quiet round of applause. “You are truly a talented soul. Thank you for allowing me to hear such beauty.” He wouldn’t dare suggest that it was performed -for- him, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t think it…such beauty performed when a Toreador entered, of course his ego demanded that he thought it was done intentionally -for- him, but he would never suggest such. It made for a much more pleasant way to remember his returning nights to the city he considered his home. Far better than thinking that the mugging attempt was his only welcome home, at least.

[Iota]

Julian came to the end of the musical piece and bow his head towards the piano for a few moments before raising his head and lifting himself off of the chair. He made his way to his desk to sit in his chair behind his desk whilst he poured himself a glass of bloodwine, he took a sip before gently placing the glass on a coaster on his desk.

"Thank you.." He smiled softly before folding his hands together and sitting up straight "my original family were in high standing in the social circuit during the time of the British Empire.." Julian looked almost smug for a moment "I had the best education and upbringning that money could buy....naturally" He smiled softly and took a sip from his glass. the Prince looked to his computer screen and took a few moments to reply to a rather important seeming e-mail before diverting his attention back to the new comer.

"But where are my manners?" Julian laughed softly "I am Prince Hartford, This is my city, my kingdom and aslong as you abide by the laws set in stone by the Camarilla you are welcome to stay" Julian raised his glass for a second towards Scott before taking a lenghty sip and returning the glass to its coaster. "Now, how may i be of assistance?"

[sletzo]

This was the primary reason that Scott disliked the Ventrue. When he was done playing, his words, spoken in a polite tone as they were…seemed to Scott’s ear to be sewage. Speaking about his upbringing in such a way, perhaps it was just jealousy, but he couldn’t stand the rich…even if he might be that way now, he wasn’t in life and some things carried over, even over a century later.

Of course he was a good enough actor that there was no sign that his thoughts were such. But such a statement demanded a response. Scott took on the persona of someone who had always been rich as a result, he was never poor, never knew what it was like to want for food and not be able to have it in life. His blood was just as royal as the Ventrue’s who sat across from him. “Naturally.” Such a small response that had a smile that said so much more accompanying it. The smile that accompanied it, said he knew exactly what the Prince was talking about, for he himself had the best education and upbringing that money could buy as well. That wasn’t true. But the persona he invented in that moment, did have that fact true for it.

Scott Sterling…emphasis on Sterling, at the moment. Gave a small bow towards the Prince when he introduced himself. He didn’t get up to do so, but all formalities must be kept within reason. The glass raising was returned, taking a smaller sip from the glass as the Prince did. “Thank you for the welcome to your city. I only sought to introduce myself and announce my presence in your domain. In the spirit of introductions, my name is Scott Sterling. I am of the clan of the Rose, a native to your fair city, it has been some time since I was last here though, sadly. I knew your predecessor, not long after he took the position you now possess, saddened as I was to hear of the loss, I am sure the city is in far more capable hands now.”

He took another small sip from the glass, “Delightful Bloodwine, I must say.” After a small pause, he continued on, “The only thing I would ask is permission to reside within your domain and offer my abilities at your disposal, should they ever be necessary.” Of course he didn’t particularly want to work for the Prince, but it would have been rude to not offer, considering that he was asking to take up residence in the man’s domain after-all. He could only hope that there would not be anything that he would be asked to do. Or rather, if he was asked to do anything, it would not be something overly difficult.

[Iota]

Julian had noted Scott's request for a play to call his own, but it wasn't the first nor the last time The Prince would have to deal with such a request. He took pride in his work but often would go off on a tangent verbally, or physically. In this intance, it was physically. He leant forward and took another sip from his bloodwine and looked back to his computer and dealt with another email that had arrived to him whilst he was conversing. He took his eyes away from his monitor for a moment and looked directly to Scott.

"Mr. Sterling, from the clan of the Rose.... what to do with you..hmm?" the last part he was actually asking himself in a sense. Of course Julian actually knew what needed to be done, he was just being himself in a way, obviously. "how about a bit of reconnaissance? to earn the tribute required for my assistance in your request" he said in his suprisingly strong English accent. Julian drank the rest of the bloodwine and placed the glass back on the coaster as he sighed softly. After taking a moment to look atScott again, Julian pulled out a portable hard-drive from one of the drawers of his desk and placed it in front of Scott on his desk.

"You will go to the New York Times Editorial building and head to the office of one Dr. Richard Anderson and copy his entire hard drive onto this hard drive" Julian placed his hand softly on the portabler hard drive as he explained the reasoning "he is a para-normal psychologist and knows more than he should about the occult.. I wish to know what information he has on that PC of his." Julian paused for a moment as he raised his right eyebrow "I am sure he has enough information that could potentially be linked to one another and if published, endager us all." The Prince shook his head for a moment "It may sound like paranoia.. but it is best that i know, with concrete assurance.."

Julian stood up and fiddled with his cuff links on the sleeve of his expensive suit "Most of the employees should be at home at this hour and there should only be a light security staff.. i would prefer you not to kill anyone and are you under no circumstance to kill Dr. Anderson.. if he dies.. your stay in this city will be brief, so will your existance..understood?" The Prince looked at the Toreador in a stern manner, awaiting his response.

[sletzo]

Scott waited patiently for the inevitable. He knew it was coming, it always did when you requested something of a Ventrue and had nothing to physically give in advance…especially a Prince. And why shouldn’t it? They had something you wanted, if you were willing to do what was necessary to get it, you didn’t have a choice. Scott knew if he had anything that another Kindred wanted, he would demand either something for it of value or a task that he couldn’t be bothered to do, being done. Such was the state of the society that they lived in, nothing was done for free, and if it was, that was time to be suspicious.

He listened quietly to the Prince’s words, waiting until he had said what was going to request of Scott until he would speak. Evidently the Prince was in no great hurry and neither was Scott at this exact moment, so it wasn’t difficult for him to wait patiently. When the request finally came, it was surprising to say the least. And that much -did- come through in his expression. Reconnaissance, that seemed so much more suited to a Nosferatu at first thought….those ugly, accursed Kindred were well suited to tasks that couldn’t be noticed. Of course, at first blush, Toreador were only good for making distractions. Evidently the Prince either thought he knew better about that, was hoping Scott would be competent enough to complete the task…regardless of his clan, or wanted him to fail. Whatever the case was, as Scott -did- want to stay in New York City, he would have to accept and complete the task.

His computer skills might not be the greatest, but he could work one well enough to copy the entire hard drive over. That much Scott knew for certain. Just ho to actually get into this Newspaper office, was another matter entirely. He was sure he could do it, but the difficultly came into doing it without being caught. Already his mind went to work, trying to figure out the best way in. Breaking in would be the most obvious route, but also one of the most likely to get him caught and as a result, require he kill some humans or completely destroy the office building before leaving to make the police believe it was just vandals and not something more.

“Very well, in two nights I should be back with the copied hard drive for you. For future reference though, threats are unnecessary. We are both men who understand the importance of getting things done, Threats and promises like that are so…” Scott gestured vaguely as he stood, setting the still mostly full glass of Bloodwine down as he did. “…Uncivilized.” His jacket was smoothed out before he took the portable hard drive from the Prince. A polite smile came to his face as he bowed his head in respect towards the Prince, “Unless there is more you would ask of me, I’ll let you get back to your many duties.” He would wait for permission to leave before going…it was only proper after-all.

[Iota]

Julian found it quite 'humourus' that Scott thought he was being threatening, he laughed softly before straightening his suit jacket "Dear comrade, i do not threaten people.. i just noted what would happen if you were to fail.. nothing more, nothing less." The prince took his time to rise from his chair and move over to his bookcase, he took out a random book, not really bothering with anything inparticular. He turned each page as he read through the book at quite a pace, he eventually looked towards Scott "It is my decision to decide what is necessary or not.." he simply said in a non-chalant casual manner.

The Prince walked over to the fire place area and sat in one of the expensive chairs, he crossed his legs and sat in quite a 'posh' manner as he continued to read his book "Do not come back here until the task is complete.." he stated as he kept his attention to his book.

[sletzo]

The hazards of following proper etiquette were numerous. It was risky to try and follow them, so many slights that could be taken the wrong way and cause what would have been a pleasant meeting to turn into a truly ruinous experience for one’s reputation. Unfortunately, proper etiquette required Scott to wait until he was given permission to leave before doing so. This meant he had to remain in the Ventrue Prince’s presence even longer, one thing that he wasn’t particularly thrilled to be doing. Already he disliked the Prince and he was confident that the feeling was probably returned just by virtue of his not being a Ventrue.

Regardless of how much he might dislike the Prince, most notably his dislike for the words he spoke. He knew it was just the way things were done, all the same he didn’t much like being told that the Prince would have him killed for failing a task. He had no intention of failing the task, all the same the pomposity involved was annoying to say the least. It still had to be dealt with though and more than that, he had to show no sign that it bothered him. Another Toreador might have had a harder time at hiding his thoughts and feelings, one who wasn’t a trained actor. Scott however was a trained actor, as a result, it was a simple matter to conceal his thoughts as he had done for such a large portion of his life.

Scott stayed quiet as he waited for permission to leave, watching as the Prince drew out the moment as long as he could. He might not be in a rush, but he didn’t much like the Prince and as a result didn’t much want to stay around him more than he had to be. Still, he wasn’t about to say anything about his desire to leave again, he had already made that clear with what he said earlier, to repeat himself would only serve to drill it into the Prince’s mind how much Scott disliked him…which would be a problem in the long term. He waited patiently, at least outwardly.

When he was finally given permission to leave, he didn’t run out quickly. That would have been an entirely wrong thing to do. "I will return once I have." It was stated very matter of factly.

Scott walked calmly out to the elevator after-wards and rode down in it. His mind focusing on the task ahead and the best way to complete it. He was an actor after all, surely he could find a way in without setting off alarms or breaking in by force. He just had to find the best way to do so. Ideas ran through his mind quickly…he could impersonate a writer there and just waltz in, but that would probably gain attention and a writer was no-doubt known by any security staff or at least likely to raise alarms if not recognized as having been seen around before. No, a writer wouldn’t work, but something would…impersonation was the way to go.