Lotus Eater
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Presence (4) Capable |Rigid Mask | Winter Mantle | Status (Licensed Security) | Autumn Goodwill (1)
Posts: 74
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Post by Lotus Eater on Feb 2, 2022 8:15:03 GMT -8
Lotus took a slight sip from the Gimlet in hand. Before her, she noticed the uncomfortable beast at the other end of the bar. The Winter courtier studied the serpent for a moment recalling what information she may have heard or learned about the summer courtier.
She didn't linger on her thoughts however, she didn't want to stare. Lotus Eater approached Aster Blau, raising a free hand in greeting before tapping just below her ear. The gesture revealed the woman was wearing some high-fidelity earplugs.
"Would you care for some earplugs?" Lotus offered.
She placed her drink upon the bar before pulling open her clutch bag. Lotus fished out a small unopened pair, holding them up in an offered gesture.
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Post by Aster Blau on Feb 3, 2022 19:14:23 GMT -8
Aster saw Lotus approach before she spoke. It was the dress in part, but it dealt more with the capable demeanor the Arrow bore. Blue, serpentine eyes flick to Lotus' face as she offers a smirk at the offer.
"I'm sure there's some kinda common sense about not accepting gifts from strange women," she quips, her smile evidencing her intended jest, "I'm good, thanks. Dulling a sense ain't gonna help me if shit hits the fan."
Aster's gaze roams Lotus' features for a moment as the Viper attempts to find some feature that might clue her into some past association. Alas, Winter is a secretive beast and Aster can find no recollection.
"Don't think I know ya," she says, extending a hand, claws safely retracted, "Aster Blau."
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Lotus Eater
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Presence (4) Capable |Rigid Mask | Winter Mantle | Status (Licensed Security) | Autumn Goodwill (1)
Posts: 74
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Post by Lotus Eater on Feb 3, 2022 20:55:54 GMT -8
"Fair enough," she said with a smile. Lotus drops the earpieces back in her clutch.
"The high-fidelity ones are nice. Use them at work."
Lotus Eater took Aster's hand in her own with a confident handshake.
"Lotus Eater, though humans call me Lindsey." The wizened flashed a soft smile.
"Have concerns the party will take a left turn?" She asked, prying at the comment about the serpent had presented about 'shit hitting the fan.'
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Post by Aster Blau on Feb 3, 2022 22:15:23 GMT -8
"Work, huh?" the Viper offered, holding her tongue from prying too deep.
"Good to meet ya then, Eater," Aster said. At the question Aster offered a shrug.
"Maybe. Maybe not. We were all at Samhain," she mused, referencing the infamous arrival of one of the Gentry's Heralds, "No one expected that. They're getting bold. We need to be vigilant. If that means being on deck while others lite Imbolc take 'em, so be it."
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Lotus Eater
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Presence (4) Capable |Rigid Mask | Winter Mantle | Status (Licensed Security) | Autumn Goodwill (1)
Posts: 74
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Post by Lotus Eater on Feb 4, 2022 8:13:24 GMT -8
A bemused smile crossed Lotus's face as Aster referred to her as Eater.
That's different.
" Security and Loss prevention specialist," she says before taking the slightest taste of her gimlet.
"I agree," Lotus remarks to being vigilant.
"With Samhain, the weakening wards, the crowning of Golden Boy. It, I admit, makes cutting lose a tad difficult."
Lotus considered the complications and the paradox they created. The rites were there to strengthen the ward and defend the freehold, should they be enacted right. Not all celebration elements were needed for the rite; some were social constructs to help stomach or ease the ritual. But the line between ritual and revelry sometimes was blurry.
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Post by Aster Blau on Feb 4, 2022 15:29:32 GMT -8
There is a respectful nod as Lotus states her profession. It was a good profession as far as the Viper was confirmed.
"Even better to meet you then," Aster offered, "Got similiar interests, but I ain't exactly an educated professional. More just a hammer waiting for a nail."
Some ease blooms on the Viper's face as Lotus affirms her agreement. It was nice to here someone seemed to understand.
The comment on Golden Boy elicits a surprised glance from Aster, but it is paired with a smile.
"No shit?" she asked, half-inquiring if the Wizened was pulling her leg, "Well... good on him then."
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Lotus Eater
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Presence (4) Capable |Rigid Mask | Winter Mantle | Status (Licensed Security) | Autumn Goodwill (1)
Posts: 74
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Post by Lotus Eater on Feb 4, 2022 17:06:17 GMT -8
"It's mostly on-the-job training anyways," she says in a light tone. "However, meeting someone in the field is always a pleasure."
"I haven't seen you on the casino circuit, I assume private clientele?" Lotus could fashion a guess who, given what she knew about the serpent.
Her long thin, ink-black fingers settled her gimlet down onto the bar. Then, drumming the bar for as she addressed the topic of sovereignty.
"No shit." a simple nod was given in the confirmation.
"Perhaps. Not a position I envy in these times. Nor could I imagine it at his age."
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Post by Aster Blau on Feb 5, 2022 16:25:49 GMT -8
The question elicits a chuckle from the serpent.
"You could say that. Let's say it's all below board and leave it at that, yeah?" Aster began, "Ain't no reason to discuss that kind of business. Not here anyway."
As the Wizened before her affirmed Golden Boy was now the sovereign of Winter, the Summer Beast looked please.
"Age don't mean shit for us, but I think you know that," the Viper said, taking a drink of her water as azure eyes moved back to the crowd, "No telling from the outside how long someone feels like they spent over There. Most of us don't remember anyway, right? Not in any detail anyway. Either way... Crowns ain't given out willy nilly. This ain't Europe and Golden was never a prince."
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Lotus Eater
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Presence (4) Capable |Rigid Mask | Winter Mantle | Status (Licensed Security) | Autumn Goodwill (1)
Posts: 74
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Post by Lotus Eater on Feb 6, 2022 7:37:03 GMT -8
The Wizened nods in understanding to Asters describing her clients. The smile spoke of a mutual understanding. Not talking more of work was fine by her; in fact, she preferred it.
"Do you mind?" Lotus inquired as she pulled out a cigarillo from her clutch. Generally, if the desire to smoke occurred while inside, she'd use a vape as a courtesy. But after all, tonight is Imbolc.
The Riddleseeker eyes trace the beast's face as she seems pleased with the news.
" Valid points. He went through much this last year, and his knowledge of the occult, I hear, is impressive. Perhaps he is what the freehold needs right now."
New blood, not one of the old guards. Not yet so far into the wyrd, he has lost connection to the common folk of the freehold or modern sensibilities. But understands what is at stake understands sacrifice.
"After all, we don't want another house divided." Lotus smiles, glancing out to the crowd.
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Post by Aster Blau on Feb 6, 2022 22:30:58 GMT -8
Regarding the cigarillo, Aster shook her head.
"Nah, go ahead."
As the Riddleseeker's eyes wandered around Aster's features, she would find the Serpent was not attempting to be deceptive or kowtow to the favor of the Arrow. It made sense really, the Viper wasn't known for her politeness.
"Couldn't tell ya," Aster quipped as Lotus mused on the hope that Golden was what the Freehold needed, "Ain't a politician or an occultist. Still, I know what I'm good at and I think I've come to terms with what that means when my ticket gets punched."
Another shrug came to be as Aster heaved her shoulders and pondered something deep in her mind.
"Eh, every house is cracked if you know where to look," Aster said, "Takes the whole to keep shit in order."
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Lotus Eater
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Presence (4) Capable |Rigid Mask | Winter Mantle | Status (Licensed Security) | Autumn Goodwill (1)
Posts: 74
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Post by Lotus Eater on Feb 7, 2022 10:56:54 GMT -8
Lotus smiled at the approval. Then, flicking out a lighter, she lit the end of the cigarillo. She took a pull, letting the smoke rest within her mouth before letting it billow out from between her lips in a soft sigh.
"Don't need to be a politician to be political," She points out, resting her weight on the one hand against the bar.
"But I'd agree. It does take the whole, which often is precisely the problem."
The Riddleseeker let out a small cold chuckle at the thought. Then, taking another drag on the cigarillo, looking out across the dance floor and wildness the evening was providing.
"It's Sisyphean," she states after a moment of contemplation.
"A relentless cycle of self-preservation eating itself on the platter of self-determination. Even with enemies at the gate, we find a way of making an adversary of our selves"
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Post by Aster Blau on Feb 7, 2022 18:15:48 GMT -8
Aster listened and nodded to the Lotus' not-so-subtle irritance at some failure to achieve consensus. However, the Beast decided it would be a poor choice to push the conversation further. Imbolc's Oath of Silence or no, digging deep into a cult's dirty laundry in public was never a good idea... and she didn't like the idea that she could become a person of interest to Winter. Not in that way anyway.
As Lotus waxes philosophical the Beast largely looks at her blankly. Aster was not a dumb person by any stretch, but the Viper was uneducated. Oddly enough, Sisyphus hadn't come up in her day to day life and it showed.
"Sure. Whatever you say," she offered.
Aster would pause for a bit, letting the situation settle.
"So, I gotta know," Aster said, "Imbolc's all about you all losing yourselves a bit, isn't it? But you're over here talking to me. Why?"
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Lotus Eater
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Presence (4) Capable |Rigid Mask | Winter Mantle | Status (Licensed Security) | Autumn Goodwill (1)
Posts: 74
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Post by Lotus Eater on Feb 8, 2022 8:57:15 GMT -8
Lotus Eater gave a slightly amused smile and a shrug. Taking the lull in the conversation to take another sip from her Gimlet. Settling the glass back on the table, she tapped its base softly with inky fingers of her free hand while taking another slow drag from the Cigarillo.
When Aster pried to why Lotus had joined her at the bar. The Riddleseeker nodded, acknowledging the question before letting a plume of hazy smoke roll from her lips, away from the serpent.
"I guess it goes back to the earlier topic. Vigilance is hard to turn off, like you said, in case shit hits the fan. Ironic, given this rite is about purging and letting loose. So by not participating, wouldn't I be helping weaken the magic?"
The Riddleseeker liked the cyclical nature of that conundrum.
"Let's say I need the shallow end of the pool before I go in deep." She looked away from the party to Aster with a smile.
"Why you? Curiosity, an attractive face, and shared experience of discomfort, I'd wager."
She pulled a napkin from the bar, setting it down before tapping the ash from her smoke onto it.
"You don't need to be here, so what brought you out tonight? Have something to purge?"
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Post by Aster Blau on Feb 8, 2022 16:26:12 GMT -8
"Could probably say the same for me," Aster said, referencing the weakening of magic due to the lack of participation, "Ain't just Winters letting loose out there."
The compliment caused a small, surprised smirk to touch the Beast's lips.
"Attractive? Usually the scars are a turn off," she quipped, vaguely gesturing to her form. The Viper indeed had quite a few, but what else would be expected from a warrior?
To the question of her own purpose, Aster merely provided a noncomittal shrug.
"I'm sure I do, but I don't really think about that stuff," Aster answered, "Thinking about the bad shit and my past is distracting. Being distracted can get you killed and I still got a role to play in this Game of ours."
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Lotus Eater
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Presence (4) Capable |Rigid Mask | Winter Mantle | Status (Licensed Security) | Autumn Goodwill (1)
Posts: 74
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Post by Lotus Eater on Feb 8, 2022 17:54:44 GMT -8
She finishes her Gimlet, placing it on the bar and raising her hand in a slight gesture to the Bartender.
"And I sweat wax," She says with a slight laugh.
Lotus eater caught herself as she was about to divulge some philosophical melancholy about attraction and beauty. But, unfortunately (or fortunately), she wasnt drunk enough for that shit.
"The scars tell a story, least to say" The wizened, held up a finger in a gesture of one moment. "Excuse me"
She turned to the Bartender and put an order for another drink. It was one of the "Strong" ones of the evening. There were, after all, wards to maintain.
A new drink in hand, the Riddle seeker's attention moved back to the Serpent. Aster was coiled of sorts, ready to strike at all times to whatever danger lurked beyond her perceptions. Lotus appreciated that vigilance, duty, work ethic- made one reliable. However, the Winter courtier couldn't help but have a curiosity about what sorrows the Summer courtier was running from.
Lotus raised her drink in a toasting gesture. "I can appreciate the sentiment. May the ghosts of your past never distract you."
The wizened took a sip of their intoxicant in a glass. Giving the drink a hard-to-read appraising look.
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