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Post by Agrippa on Mar 10, 2021 2:40:43 GMT -8
When they were sure the others weren't looking, Agrippa snuck Ivory a guilty smile and a slight nod towards Euridice- a silent plea that while they might have followed a woman to the gathering here, it wasn't the Dragon whom they had just bid goodnight not ten minutes earlier. The polite social shunning was as unsurprising as it was disappointing, but they kept up a bubbly and naïve energy regardless. They didn't have ill intent, but slipping into a more honest mood now would likely tip alarm bells for the political elites. If nothing else, their failure to get the Sage Escort to recognize them would simply end with them being another pretty face in the crowd. Not a desirable result for sure, but one that offered more opportunities for future success than being tagged as a potential problem. For the time being, the beast was content to listen close and try to decode what the two were saying- perhaps if they could do that, they might find another in...
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Ivory
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Pres 4 (Regal) - SL 1 (Noble) Fairest Hunterheart
Posts: 588
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Post by Ivory on Mar 10, 2021 9:11:12 GMT -8
There was a breath of relief as Nimbus confirmed he did not, in fact, know who she was.
“Well then that makes this meeting considerably more smooth. I am called Ivory, sir,” she offered, refraining from needless embellishment. As he sat, the Pale Dragon remained standing her mind trying to calculate how to word the following request. The act to be discussed though was altruistic in a sense and Ivory had scant few occasions with which to pull from to formulate a good pitch.
“I don’t want to impose longer than I must, lest I tarnish your evening,” she offered, “I am here because I need help and I believe you might be able to assist, should you be willing. It… pertains to the recent gentrification efforts of Whitney and the struggles it is presenting to those who live there.”
Ivory was going to be blunt and direct. The social disconnect was obvious to the dragon, but tonight was not one to slither her way into Nimbus' circle. No, tonight the Pale Dragon was pushed by a greater purpose.
“To be frank, I have it under good authority the efforts are going to increase and force residents out, but not before bleeding them,” she continued, “I would like to try and prevent this… or at least alleviate the strain through the creation of a community fund that can provide funds for families and individuals who have been forced out of the neighborhood as leases are terminated and properties are sold. I… have the means to contribute to initial efforts, but my resources have limits and I would be unable to fund the project on my own. Further, I lack the network and expertise to execute effective fundraising.”
She let a pause hang for a minute to provide the Knight of Rains understand the direction her conversation was going.
"I am not asking you to take the brunt of the impact on this matter, nor do I expect you to believe my concern to be genuine," she concluded, softening her blunt approach, "but I felt it imprudent to abandon myself to my senses without first attempting to address this concern. I ask only that you consider my request and accept my contact details."
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Post by Nimbus on Mar 10, 2021 12:39:56 GMT -8
Agrippa registered various details; the designer clothes, an older woman in the company of the Knight of Rains, the siren aesthetic... They were looking at Esquire Piper. Esquire, meaning she had sworn a direct vassalage to a Knight as some juncture, but chose to remain apart from taking the next step upon completion of her tutelage. She was a sharp investor and businessman, building an empire of her own right in the hospitality business surrounding the Strip. There was a few unsavory rumours about her reluctance to take the Knight's Oath, with the current Elemental wrapped around her finger in an open relationship; whether she earned her keep, or was one of those parasitic types currently leeching off of the philanthropist's naïve nature. The business chatter flew straight over Agrippa's head as boring accounting and generic stock opportunities. Not their cup of tea. Nimbus blinked slowly, though for him in might as well have been flinching. "Woah, 'tarnish'? Was it something I said?" He listened to her pitch with a soft smile, nodding his head, "Did you need a donation or...?"
Piper's attention slid from Eurydice.
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Post by Agrippa on Mar 11, 2021 0:48:28 GMT -8
Agrippa side-eyed Ivory. They had quite deliberately refrained from even alluding to the project, for fear that Chugunkin would have wanted to keep this thing under wraps. They couldn't argue with her results, though it still made them nervous. It did mean that the cat was out of the bag now- they could take advantage of that without being the one initially responsible. Better yet, the talk of business had ripped away Piper's attentions, leaving Eurydice without her social shield. It was now or never.
"I'm Agrippa, by the way."
They had been at the table long enough that an introduction wasn't out of bounds, hadn't they? Speaking softly enough to not disrupt the conversation happening beside them, Agrippa offered a hopeful hand.
"I would compliment you on your set, but I'm sure you've heard that particular compliment enough times that its become meaningless."
the unicorn channeled their enthusiasm, collecting all of the lights in the room in their eyes.
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Post by Eurydice on Mar 11, 2021 15:10:44 GMT -8
The dancer's draconic stare roved back to the soft looking Unicorn. She had not changed out of her ensemble, serpents on her brow catching the dancing light off Agrippa's Mantle. her handshake was hot to the touch, and engulphed their hand with a combination of a strong grip and long-lacquered talons. The Beast felt a rush as their fight or flight response kicked in in a strange mix of excitement and the feeling of being hunted. "Hello, Agrippa. If you don't know my name already, then I don't think you should be here."
Though the statement itself was inherently threatening and a little condescending, she said it with a sort of warmth that felt more protective than anything else. "What were you seeking tonight?"
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Ivory
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Pres 4 (Regal) - SL 1 (Noble) Fairest Hunterheart
Posts: 588
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Post by Ivory on Mar 12, 2021 16:48:06 GMT -8
Ivory felt the Beast's side glance, but, given her focus and her nature, she cared little for it. Ivory would pursue the matter so long as she felt it was appropriate. Chugunkin had not sworn her to secrecy and, frankly, the matter demanded action. Getting the tenants out before landlords bled their finances was not enough. Ivory was seeking to cushion the fall.
Ivory's gaze remained solely on the Knight of Rains throughout, his first statement prompting only a cordial smile.
"People speak in more ways than words, sir," she afforded the man, "I take no offense, but it suits my purposes to relay my understanding. I am aware that I am a stranger and that there are other matters you and your company would prefer to engage in. I am trying to keep this brief to afford your time respect."
The second statement though, prompted a pause in the Pale Dragon, her expression turning mildly perplexed as she considered how to answer the question.
"My apologies, I seem to be having trouble conveying my interest," she says, "I think granting me a donation, while flattering, would do very little to solve the issue of gradual displacement. For two reasons, primarily. First, I doubt many will seize the opportunity to leave affected neighborhoods quickly. Roots often go deep and people are rarely willing to leave behind their communities immediately. Hence the need to set up a fund or foundation? Something that can endure temporarily to grant as many people the opportunity to leave with relative comfort when they come to accept that they must. Which leads to my second reason. I lack the understanding and contacts to create such things, my knowledge is focused elsewhere and I lack strong allies in Vegas. I cannot build this, but I believe that you can. I want to help and to learn while providing my fair share of a donation to the effort."
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Post by Agrippa on Mar 13, 2021 2:40:52 GMT -8
Agrippa started the handshake strong, though quickly stiffened as their flight instinct (for the unicorn had not a fighting bone in their body) took hold. The spark of fear rolled over them, only visible for half an instant before being forced out by a quiet chuckle
"And if I didn't, I wouldn't be. To be entirely honest, I'm shopping my face around. Had an audience with one of the hosts earlier-"
They nodded towards the VIP area, confident that Eurydice would be able to connect the dots
"And I thought it appropriate to see who else amongst notables might be interested in knowing my name..."
The naïve enthusiasm of earlier dwindled, replaced by a tone lightly conspiratorial, like that of a high school girl willing and eager to spill hot tea.
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Post by Krakenbox on Mar 13, 2021 23:30:44 GMT -8
"Oh! Like you need someone to run a charity. That would need," he seemed lost in thought for a longer stretch as the air shimmered with mist, "...You would need to register a Non-Profit with the proper tax forms. Or you can just work with something like Habitat for Humanity...? Are you asking who can run business models, or a media person?"
He smiled widely at the Esquire, "Piper's good for-"
"I'm very busy, Sir Nimbus," she said. Not rudely, but firmly.
"Stheno has a ton of experience in management."
"So you're here to preen your ego," the Sage said to Agrippa, leaning back as she rested her chin in her hand.
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Ivory
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Pres 4 (Regal) - SL 1 (Noble) Fairest Hunterheart
Posts: 588
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Post by Ivory on Mar 14, 2021 0:47:44 GMT -8
Ivory heard the words, but the rebuff was clear enough. There was a slight frown and, as Piper rejected the burgeoning suggestion that she could assist, the Pale Dragon's eyes lingered for a long moment, even as the Knight himself suggested working with Stheno.
"I'm certain she does," Ivory offered to the Knight's words, but her gaze didn't shift, "but... no."
Call Ivory a prude, but she doubted Stheno's Desire was in the right place. She didn't just need a partner in the endeavor who could organize. Ivory could learn that on her own if need be. Certainly, someone who was willing to teach would be useful, but more than anything she needed someone who gave a damn. Sir Nimbus, it seemed, did not. Or at the very least Piper had neutered his intent.
After the pause, Ivory's gaze shifted back to him.
"It seems you and your entourage find the matter to be, at best, inconvenient," Ivory offered, "In that case, I will deal with it on my own. Enjoy your indulgence."
They didn't want to help? Fine. For the Dragon, though, the matter was more personal. She had been forced out of her home once and, in those moments, she lost her humanity. It was shameful that others didn't recognize the risk - or didn't see the need to prevent it.
Go fuck yourselves.
With that the Pale Dragon turned and moved to depart. Notably, Ivory left behind her drink, half finished and placed upon an empty table as she passed.
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Post by Agrippa on Mar 14, 2021 6:36:22 GMT -8
The wyrd wasn't going to be any help tonight, and quite frankly, neither were Agrippa's own mundane senses of etiquette. Resigned that they would have to go about this blind, the unicorn merely shrugged.
"Few people get much of anywhere in a roomful of strangers, and I have no delusions that I'm any exception. Just trying my hardest to make the room a little less strange is all."
A smile finally sincere to a degree was cut off by Ivory's gentle sledgehammering of her own negotiations. Agrippa glanced up, blinking. They hadn't meant to follow her here of course, but somehow her departure left them feeling even more vulnerable than before. As if her leave was a cue, inspiration struck the beast. They hummed thoughtfully, turning back to Eurydice with crooked lips.
"Whitney. That's Winter's territory, isn't it?"
Though careful not to broadcast it as their intent, they were speaking loud enough that Piper and Nimbus could hear if they so wished to lend their ears
"Doubt she knows the lay of the land there, and I doubt even more that she's spoken to anyone who would, as of yet. You wouldn't care to be kept abreast of those efforts, would you?"
They offered the Sage Escort a single lifted brow.
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Post by Eurydice on Mar 15, 2021 15:36:10 GMT -8
Eurydice shook her head, "Knowing what Ivory is capable of; me slipping into her business will only serve to take away the spotlight of her achievements. A pretty title often distracts from who actually put in the work. People are fickle like that. And dragons are territorial."
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Post by Agrippa on Mar 15, 2021 17:11:35 GMT -8
"Oh, I wasn't-"
They barely repressed a sigh. This wasn't going to work, and they needed to recognize when to drop the shovel.
"Nevermind."
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Post by Krakenbox on Mar 15, 2021 20:26:47 GMT -8
Agrippa had not said anything to offend Eurydice, they were hitting a road block in terms of the Sage being known to be incredibly stubborn in working with the current Knighthood. If Chugunkin or Nimbus' name was attached to anything, she wasn't interested in involving herself. It was very isolating for her, and had cut her off from much of the Court's resources.
Nonetheless, she persisted... though violently, given Ricochet's reputation.
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