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Post by Nathaniel Breuer on Dec 31, 2010 22:45:53 GMT -8
Just as dusk is setting. Nathaniel turns the corner, and steps into the bookstore. He takes his bulky sunglasses off and slides them into his coat pocket. He glances around the place, taking in it's organization. He nods to whoever is at the front desk and makes his way to the back.
Nathaniel strolls casually through the book stacks, idly picking out a book and skims through it.
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Post by Melissa Devereaux on Jan 1, 2011 17:14:08 GMT -8
Melissa looks up from a thick book as Nathaniel walks through the back door. Her eyes thin with annoyance but Melissa quickly covers it with a warm smile. " Hello Nathaniel, How are you doing this evening?"
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Post by Nathaniel Breuer on Jan 5, 2011 20:45:44 GMT -8
Nathaniel looks down from the book he’s inspecting. He’s equally surprised to see her so close to dusk. He smiles back, warmly.
“Why hello there, Ms. Deveraux, what a pleasure to see you. I was just about to contact you. You’ll be pleased to hear that everything’s been arranged.”
After only a brief pause, “And how does the evening find you?”
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Post by Melissa Devereaux on Jan 5, 2011 23:23:53 GMT -8
Melissa briefly looks to the right of Nathaniel. " I am doing well, thank you." Melissa says while returning her eyes to Nathaniel. " I have already been told. I really appreciate your help." She puts the book back on the shelf and takes a seat in one of the armchairs. " I forget how much freedom Ghouls have here in Sunnydale. Do you come here in the day often? "
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Post by Nathaniel Breuer on Jan 6, 2011 18:15:02 GMT -8
He glances momentarily, following her gaze. He rubs his eyes. "Moderately so. Many of the things in the lab are, rather, um, light sensitive. I keep it rather dim, so whenever I feel the need for some air I come here.". He smiles, ironically. "Perhaps a book store isn't the best place for fresh air, but it gets me out of the lab.". He leans against the book shelf next to her. He smiles again. "I'm happy to report I've found a research partner and a willing subject. Things are moving along quite nicely." He ponders her a moment. "Do you come here often?"
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Post by Melissa Devereaux on Jan 6, 2011 20:22:07 GMT -8
Her smile falls into a disheartening grimace. " I am not happy to hear that your research is moving along nicely. You really don't see your situation. " Melissa takes a deep breath and looks Nathaniel in the eyes. " You are going to die, one way or the other and your research is not going to lead you to the preferable outcome." Her voice is calm and clear but not threatening.
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Post by Nathaniel Breuer on Jan 6, 2011 21:04:27 GMT -8
He's clearly taken back. He even blinks a few times for good measure. "Pardon. Really?." He shakes his head, composing himself. "Yes, of course that's true. I'm going to die, it's an inevitable part of life. Even if I chose the obvious rout to immortality, that's still a death. And even then, a complete death occurs fairly often." He thinks again for a moment. "And I'm not sure you're aware of my desired outcome. I want to understand, and that's exactly what I'm doing. And if you're worried about my overstepping my bounds, there are a few other, completely established members of the organization assisting me, making my authority theirs. If anyone objects to va- ... this kind of research itself, then they can talk to my associates. It's practically like they're experimenting on themselves." He smiles. "And if anyone's worried about what I might say, I certainly know the position I'm in. I know I'm dealing with dangerous people. I also know I'm close to death anyway, next week or next century it hardly matters.”
He pauses, turns his head to the side. “Though, I thank you for your … concern … I hope I got your meaning.”
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Post by Melissa Devereaux on Jan 6, 2011 21:54:47 GMT -8
Melissa takes on a pleading look. "My meaning is that there are people who fine your work threatening and you shouldn't be so vocal about it." She bites her lip in thought. " Especially my clan." she says this almost as a whisper. Melissa pauses and folds her fingers together in her lap. " Most of the time people are afraid of what they do not understand. So help me understand. What is your desired outcome?"
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Post by Nathaniel Breuer on Jan 6, 2011 22:11:29 GMT -8
Nathaniel nods. “I see. In that case, I really do thank you for your concern. He looks down, dispassionate now. “There’s a lot we don’t understand on both sides. One world is full of reluctance, arcanum, superstition and doubt. The other is completely empty, both blind to the wonders out there and completely devoid of purpose.” He shrugs. “I need to understand, it’s that simple. I needed some contacts, now I have them. As a researcher, I just couldn’t not pursue this.” He glances up into her eyes. “Your house chose you for a reason. That means you were a researcher of some kind.” With a half smile, “Tell me, in the same position, would you do any different?”
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Post by Melissa Devereaux on Jan 6, 2011 22:53:18 GMT -8
Melissa takes a long time to answer. " That would depends on many things and how much I know." She smirks " Probably." Melissa cocks her head. " You find us pointless, empty and blind. What do you see thats so fascinating to do all of this work?"
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Post by Nathaniel Breuer on Jan 6, 2011 23:11:06 GMT -8
He smiles. "No, I find your society full of superstition and archaic ideas. You're also full of wonders beyond belief, beyond possibility. That means, either some things you're purportedly capable of are fabrications, or we need to radically redefine our laws of physics. Either way, any person with decent reasoning capabilities would have to be insane not to investigate. Its the responsibility of any self respecting sentient creature to know their place in the world. If or when I join you, I'd be in a much more capable position if I know a little more about the metaphysical landscape before I make that irreversible transformation."
He peers at her. "I think you approve of what I'm doing. I think that if it weren't for your clan, you'd want to help me.". He peers a little closer. "And you're a little resentful, that I have the freedom of both daylight and research.". He smiles and turns away. "And you think I'm an idiot, and maybe suicidal."
He gauges her reaction.
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Post by Melissa Devereaux on Jan 7, 2011 0:00:27 GMT -8
Melissa gives him a conspiratorial look. " Your right on all accounts except for one." She lets her words hang for a few minutes. " I met a hunter like you before. He was fascinated to know and to understand the mysteries of the kindred. Everyone always thought he was too eager. But he would always explain that he only did his research to fine better ways to kill the undead." Melissa gives Nathaniel a wide grin that was not exactly pleasant. " Seeing you now and your passion, I know he was lying."
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Post by Nathaniel Breuer on Jan 7, 2011 7:15:18 GMT -8
He smirks. As if he knows better, but still amused by his own own concietedness, "Oh, then perhaps just an idiot savant then.". He let's her go on to her bit about hunters. He watches her closely for any subtler insinuations. "Well, we can't deny anyone their curiosity." He takes off his glasses blinks as if blind, he cleans them. "I'm not exactly cut out for the hunting business, and I find that honey is by far more effective than vinegar. Though ..." he trails off. "That's what I mean about superstition. You're simply another form of 'life', so any religious zealotry is ultimately misguided and ... well ... futil. Because we really are night and day, nither one of us could hope to win in only twelve hours and nither of us could compete in the other's arena. So I don't see the point in the argument.". He smirks, "Why, do I strike you as the hunter type...?"
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Post by Melissa Devereaux on Jan 7, 2011 13:46:27 GMT -8
"No." She says almost as a question. " I am guessing you've never met a hunter. They definitely compete in our arena, if they are smart enough. If they know what they are doing. It is usually the hunter that uses their brains that can be dangerous. And the best hunters are ghouls." Melissa gazes unseeingly at one of the bookcases. " I was never a ghoul myself but the Ghouls in my Clan are a lot more …. complacent then you. Is it different for Melkavians?"
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Post by Nathaniel Breuer on Jan 7, 2011 15:33:32 GMT -8
Nathaniel shrugs. "While i put a premium on craftiness, I value survivability more. And no, I've never met a hunter. In spite of my ease here, I'm still relatively new to this scene. Though, it seems rather hypocritical to hunt your kind, and simultaneously benefit from their blood.".
He pauses a moment in thought. "Complacency is definitely not part of my personality. I.."
Thinking a little more on it. "I imagine that one of your clan has a great deal to lose. Malkavians, however, have nothing to lose. Also, when you have an organization with a common driving goal, obedient subordinates are surely an advantage. Malkavians are chaotic, they have no norm, no structure, in a sad, demented way, no boundaries. So I'm still not sure about my position in all this, whether I'm lucky or not to be associated as I am.". He gauges her reaction to all the clan talk.
"So yes, there is quite a difference between our clans. I imagine Ventru must be rather similar in it's structure. Power, organization, inheritance. Isn't that more or less accurate...?"
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