Mingle - Emergency Potluck

[pumpkinhollow]

Pumpkin Hollow Community Bulletin

Main Nav | Permanent Bulletin | Calendar |

WELCOME POTLUCK

Greetings, residents! Those more observant sorts among you may have noticed a large influx of very crowded ferries. In order to welcome our new residents en masse, Town Hall is holding a potluck in Town Square. Please bring a dish if you are able and make a new friend!

All of our newest arrivals need only bring themselves. We look forward to welcoming you all into our community, and may your lanterns always be lit.

This event is open to all! In light of our new influx of prospective players following the Great Sail Migration, we've decided to offer a small public event to tide everyone over until the TDM this weekend.

Comments

[lordoftheozarks]

"I hear you."

He almost wants to point out that vampires and werewolves have the same origins in his world but she is already so tender. That discussion can keep.

"No member of this town is going to force you to feed from anyone you do not wish to. Quite the opposite. I won't let that happen. Things are very different here than what either of us seem to be used to."

[umm_shafaqat]

"I couldn't save her, though I tried. She is as lost to me as any mortal in my past." The mourning in Keziah's tone, that she lets it show for Erik to hear, is a vulnerability. To be a vampire, same as a loved one, is a chance for forever... to have it snatched away is a world-shaking pain.

She firms her jaw, lifts her chin... and when she next speaks, her tone is back to that calm, controlled voice. Her 'society' voice. "That is what spurred me to establish my own House, take my own power and have respect for it. So that I could protect those I cared for, and any who crossed me would understand what a grave error that is.

In my discussion with the goddess who brought me here, I said that I would take these people under my protection. I see that my ignorance of this place may hinder me in doing that well." She holds out a hand, but it is angled in an unusual way -- if he pulled her hand closer, her wrist would be on display. Available to bite, actually. This is likely the intention -- to seal an alliance by blood exchange.

(She wonders, though... they are so different, would he even feel her emotions upon the exchange? That is the purpose of the gesture in her world, in her society. If he even understands what he's meant to do. They are so different.)

"Will you forgive my lapse, Lord Erik Osborne, and help me to instead understand how I can best serve our common goals?"

Keziah decides that even if their agreement here isn't sealed in blood, she will honor it as such. Exceptions have to be made for different cultures, don't they?

[lordoftheozarks]

"I am sorry, Keziah. I do understand that pain. I had a twin sister; she and I were turned in the same year. She is no longer with me, either." The circumstances differ, of course, but the fact remains that he thought she would be with him for eternity and she is not.

"I, too, created my own clan so that I would always be in control. No one who comes to my territory looking for refuge is turned away without due cause. I am not Lord of this territory, but these people are still mine to protect. It seems you and I are well-aligned in attitudes even if our words differ."

He tilts his head questioning at the way she offers her hand. He can guess it might be an invitation to bite, but to him that is still something very taboo. To feed on another vampire? It's one of the worst crimes he could commit at home.

"Of course I forgive you. I approached you as cautiously as I did because I did not know how we may differ, but I did not want it to come between us. We will have much to discuss, I believe--for instance, I do not fully understand the gesture you are making to me now--but so long as you mean no harm here, we are united in our goals."

[umm_shafaqat]

At that questioning look, Keziah withdraws her hand.

She listens to his reply, then says, "Another difference. Cultural, I suppose." She smiles. "Among my people, agreements are often sealed in blood. It's an exchange of a few drops, nothing more. In our case, sharing blood also gives us temporary insight into the other vampire's emotional state, as between sire and child."

A small shrug, and then, "How do your people 'seal the deal'? I will follow your lead, sir."

[lordoftheozarks]

"Insight? I have no such ability unless it is purely through observation. Not even with a Childe I've sired." Not that he has sired more than just the one.

"We operate on honor. Our word is binding when we give it, and that is enforced by rigorous punishment for breaking such an oath. When I give you my word, that is binding."

[umm_shafaqat]

"No insult is meant, Lord Osborne. I would not want you to think I doubt the strength and bond of your word." She bows her head for a moment.

"Perhaps it would be best to arrange a meeting time, when we can discuss our similarities and differences in a less crowded venue. There is some information about myself I would like to control the spread of, for my own safety."

[lordoftheozarks]

"I understand. Know that whatever you tell me will be treated with the utmost respect and care. I also have things I do not wish for all to know. Who in this town does not?"

Now that she knows word is law in his culture, he hopes it will help convince her that she truly can rely on his confidence.

"I have a home in town. You are welcome to come for a visit there. If you would like to try one of those fruits I mentioned, I have one I can let you to try."

[umm_shafaqat]

"Thank you," she says. "Perhaps when you are available, you can reach me on my sending stone? Then I will know when to visit. And I will appreciate your hospitality, as well."

good place to wrap?

[lordoftheozarks]

"My schedule does tend to vary, so that's a wise idea. I'll contact you when I have an opening. It will be my pleasure to host you."

wrap!

[umm_shafaqat]

Keziah resumes her human guise, so that her smile doesn't look so threatening. And she mimes a proper curtsy, despite the fact that her new arrival linens are a shirt and trousers.

"Obliged, sir. Until then." She gives a wink when she straightens up, and then saunters away as if there'd never been a slip in her composure. (As a vampire, one has to recover quickly, after all.)