Not the Lesson we Expected

[Carthrat]

[09:11] <Rudy> <--->
[09:14] <Rudy> Instead of using his yet-to-be-cleaned-up-properly house to educate Lucie in the finer points of proper behaviour, Rudy opts to pay the occultist's new digs a visit. It wouldn't be good if she took his bash to be the norm. Surely Isernia's higher class is a bit more refined than that! But if it isn't... it's win-win, surely.
[09:16] <Lucie> "My first houseguest," Lucie says, admitting Rudy entrance to her (notably cleaner than Rudy's) house. "Try not to spill anything or scuff up the floor." It's on a par with Rudy's house as far as size goes: well furnished sitting room and kitchen downstairs, several bedrooms upstairs (not that Rudy needs to see those).
[09:22] <Rudy> "My lady, I'm not so clumsy," replies Rudy, sounding hurt. "I wouldn't want to ruin the experience for your second, or even your third guest. But because I'm your friend, I'll forgive you this slight."
[09:26] * Lucie leads Rudy through the foyer, past a flight of stairs, into a sitting room. It's filled with quality, virgin chairs and sofas, ready to be sat upon for the first time! There'd also be a view of the open street should someone choose to pull back the curtains. "Sit wherever you like. There's wine too, if you've recovered enough for it."
[09:28] <Rudy> "'Please, take a seat. Would you care for a drink?'"
[09:30] <Lucie> "What? It's my house, of course--oh, I see." Lucie frowns. "Excuse me a moment." She disappears into a side room, returns shortly with a deep red bottle and a pair of glasses. She promptly fills these and takes a swig of hers before sitting. "That'll make this easier."
[09:39] <Rudy> "Don't gulp it down," replies Rudy, chidingly. "Take sips. If you slam down alcohol quickly, it sends a message that you aren't worried about your fine control, or your precision." He reaches for his own glass, holding it up without yet taking a sip. "It's alright during a toast, of course, or if the mood is suitably enthusiastic."
[09:41] <Lucie> "Always enthusiastic, places I'm used to drinking. Having something to drink was all the reason you needed." She sets her glass down. "I'm sorry, do continue. Might not be excited to learn how to say everything I already know in a slightly different way, but I have to admit it'll help."
[09:44] <Rudy> "We just want to avoid embarrassing Lady Vanderboren overmuch. I'm sure a certain degree of amusement on the part of the distinguished guests will be unavoidable," replies Rudy, certainly sounding amused himself. "Let's actually begin with something simple." He holds up a finger! "For the rest of the time I'm here, you have to smile."
[09:46] <Lucie> "Really?" Lucie asks, incredulousness and annoyance dominating her expression instead. "I feel a fool doing it without a reason."
[09:52] <Rudy> "So you said. Personally, I imagine it takes something quite special to properly coax your lips," replies Rudy. "Would attending this banquet be a sufficient reason? If you can assure me of that, there is nothing to worry about. After, it's expected, isn't it? You should be happy to attend!
[09:52] <Rudy> "Your mood will be felt by others, you see. There, more than anywhere, your happiness would beget their happiness. Your disdain would beget their disdain. It's actually true no matter what the event, but it is of particular importance during those held on your honor.
[09:52] <Rudy> "So, smile! Don't worry about feeling stupid. Just do it until it becomes second nature. Do it until you mean it. There's as much to be happy about as there is to be sad, after all, and it'll put others at ease around you."
[09:52] <Rudy> "Which is, by the way, what manners and ettiquette are all about," adds Rudy.
[09:57] * Lucie sighs, picks up her drink (only sipping this time, though!) "I do look forward to it," she admits. "But looking forward to it and being there are separate things. Well. I'll do my best to imagine the applause. The elite standing in line to meet me. Maybe that'll do." Lucie concentrates and, with great effort, manufactures a careful uptic at each corner of her mouth!
[09:59] <Rudy> "Standing in line? I suppose it's plausible. I imagine the night will go something like this," replies Rudy. "We'll enter the banquet hall to start, all dressed up and presentable. We have a choice- we can enter singly, or in pairs. If we go in pairs, it should help fend off any unwanted admirers. It's more a concern for you and Henri than me and Glenn, of course."
[10:02] <Lucie> "Could use a few," Lucie says, "but it's hardly what I'm hoping to find there. Must I keep smiling? I feel incredibly silly. Like my face will stick this way if I'm not careful."
[10:06] <Rudy> "You must keep smiling. It's okay to stop now and then- we're not looking for some sort of plastered grin- but you can never frown," replies Rudy. "I suppose it is relevant- what exactly are you hoping to find there?"
[10:11] <Lucie_Dolan> "Looking to establish ties with soem experts in the arcane," Lucie says, doing her best to keep that smile up. She could almost forget it's there, if not for the protest of unused muscles. "Maybe priests, maybe wizards, scholars--if I knew where to start it would be easier to say, but time in Shadowshore didn't afford much time for research, so I'll just poke my nose around and see who seems
[10:11] <Lucie_Dolan> like they might share my interests."
[10:20] <Rudy> "Ah, that should be easy. Professionals tend to enjoy talking about their work," replies Rudy. "All you need to do is find someone. Perhaps we can obtain the guest list beforehand- it would be excellent if you could speak to someone and show that you know a little about them. Not too much, you don't want to seem like you're trying hard, here. Just their name, their profession, maybe an exploit or two... how would I do it?" Rudy takes a sip from his glass, and swirls it contemplatively. "'Ah, Miss Dolan! You are the mage who helped deal with that terrible group of assassins, am I not mistaken?'"
[10:22] <Lucie> Lucie does her best to echo Rudy's light, conversational tone, with some obvious strain. "Ah, yes, terrible business, that, not a one of them left alive once we were done there."
[10:27] <Rudy> "Ah, here you'll likely run into one of two sorts of responses," replies Rudy. "'Excellent, excellent! The city is safer for your efforts. I work in trade myself- groups like that are a plague and must be dealt with!' Or something like. 'Oh! Oh. Is that right- ah, look, I can see my friend...' It's actually not so bad either way, even if it's still slightly blunt. It gives a strong impression without seeming crude."
[10:31] <Lucie> "I'll be as blunt as I can get away with," Lucie says with a satisfied nod and a slightly more genuine smile. "I dislike disguising the things we have to do make our living. If someone can't stomach the truth of it, they likely can't help me anyway." A moment's thought. "What else should I be ready for? There won't be...dancing or such, will there?"
[10:34] <Rudy> "It's fine to be blunt in the proper circumstances. You have to.. package it in the proper terms. Don't be boastful or crude or flippant about important matters. And don't be too challenging. I don't know if you're aware, but many of the things you say have that sort of feeling to them... oh, dancing? I can teach you the basic court dances. As long as you don't trip on your feet, you'll be alright. Most people don't have any style at these events- as long as you're not too self-conscious, nobody will notice." He frowns. "Table manners are going to be more important."
[10:37] <Lucie> "Only if you think I'll need to know how, then," Lucie says. "Never had the knack for it. Any dancing you'd see in Shadowshore isn't fit for such company. Table manner, well, knowing what fork to stick in what, it seems--But here, you can't just gloss over that and move on: what sort of 'feeling to them' do you mean?" Lucie challenges.
[10:41] <Rudy> "A challenging feeling," replies Rudy. "Like that. It's as though you have a certain expectation of failure from the people you speak to. Like when I came in, for example."
[10:45] <Lucie> "I don't mean to," Lucie says. "Well, not always. Used to needing that edge. Dealing with two kinds of people, outside of the gang: those without direction or those just looking to use you for whatever they can get. Take more than nicer house to leave it behind." Finishing off her wine, a resigned sigh. "Have to try, if it'll cause problems."
[10:48] <Rudy> "I wouldn't go thinking people change all that much just because they live someplace different or have richer parents," remarks Rudy. "You'll still have your layabouts and your schemers and your doers. Shadowshore must've had some industrious types as well, right?"
[10:52] <Lucie> "Oh, yeah. Industrious smugglers, harlots, drinkers. Some of the thieves were real professionals?" She shrugs. "I get your meaning. Didn't really meet up to talk about where I come from, though. Let's get back to talking about how I fit somewhere else. Sorry for throwing things off."
[10:54] <Rudy> "Plenty of them in high society, too," replies Rudy, grinning. "Obviously, there are differences, but it's mostly in how things are wrapped up and presented. If you were threatening someone in Shadowshore, how would you do it?"
[10:58] <Lucie> "If you're small-time, you got a weapon and you make sure they know you got it. Probably you get a buddy, too, just so the mark doesn't get any notions of fighting or running. If you've actually got some pull, though, you just drop a name or two--your gang or your boss. Someone with a reputation. You want to make 'em imagine they got an even nastier fate than getting roughed up by a couple thugs
[10:58] <Lucie> in store if they don't cooperate."
[11:05] <Rudy> "Right. If you want to threaten someone in society, you can't do it like that. You can't do it blatantly, either, and these are different things. Your weapon, here, is generally some form of blackmail; knowing some embarrassing rumor, perhaps. Or having some hold over them, financially- buying their debts or being able to reduce their value. Or maybe personally- if you have access or control over someone close to them. It's indirect, it requires a grasp of greater things that we presently lack."
[11:09] <Lucie> "Right. So, we mingle, learn dark secrets, and then exploit them. Guess there's a level of subtlety to it in these circles I need to adjust to."
[11:12] <Rudy> "Dark secrets tend to be learned beforehand," admits Rudy. "I was just using this to show that you need to be somewhat indirect. The result is the same- you're threatening to harm someone. In Shadowshore, the only thing people tend to have is their lives, so you threaten to hurt them. Here, people have so many more things they need to take care of... and they have money and guards and the law on their side." Rudy shrugs. "It's the same if you just want to insult someone. You have to do it in a way that doesn't sound like an insult. Even if everyone around you knows it's an insult." Rudy muses. "It could happen to us, actually. No, it probably will. Except for Henri, I guess, we're all commoners."
[11:15] <Lucie> "Yeah. Everything about her said 'rich' to me pretty much right when we met." No real judgement here; plain statement of fact, to judge by her tone. "So what's the proper response here, when someone puts down one of us just to show they can? Do them one better? Show grace and ignore it?"
[11:20] <Rudy> "If they fuck it up and are real obvious about it, you can get away with punching them in the face," replies Rudy. "That is, if you're willing to fight a duel. I mean, you can in Anowia. I should probably ask someone about the Isernian custom.. still, it's probably a bad idea, they can hire someone to fight it for them, and they've got enough cash to hire a good champion, too. Otherwise? Just turn it around on them. Make their insult seem like a compliment, if you can, or paint them as hypocrites. If some young idiot stealth mocked me for being noveau rich, I'd start talking about the nobility of doing things on your own, without any helping hands. And if it was an old guy, I'd talk about how many more years I have to grow my wealth."
[11:26] * Lucie nods. "Right. So no matter how far up you go, turns out the backbone of social gathering's still jovial mockery. Only the richer you are, the more subtle you're obliged to be about it. Not that far off from what I'm used to, only calls for more thought. And probably throwing a tankard's not a usual comeback here. Not that I did that--that was just the rest of the guys. I usually got by
[11:26] * Lucie with a glare, or if I really wanted someone gone, maybe I'd reach in--" she taps her forehead, "--and give 'em a nudge. Which I guess is out as far as the banquet goes."
[11:27] <Rudy> "Sadly not," replies Rudy. "It's a strange thing. The more you know someone, the looser it's permissable to get. If I was trading jabs with and of you guys, it'd be okay for them to be harsh. After all, we're like friends. But even if we hated each other's guts, it'd still be fine because everyone sees us as friendly."
[11:29] <Lucie> "We're 'like' friends," Lucie repeats with a low chuckle. "Guess that's true enough. Lot I don't actually know about the rest of you."
[11:29] <Rudy> "Ah, I didn't mean it like that!" replies Rudy, hurriedly. "There's nothing to really know about me, anyway. Can't speak for the others, but..."
[11:31] <Lucie> "Nothing except for that monstrosity follows you around like a puppy," Lucie points out. "And what, don't know anything about the other two? No one ever traded stories? Been working together how long now?"
[11:33] <Rudy> "Not more than a month before we met you," replies Rudy. "It's... what can I say? Glenn doesn't talk a lot, and Henri seemed to actively disdain where she came from one time when she mentioned it. Besides, I think the most interesting parts of our lives are happening now." He shrugs. "Anyway, we're young. You really wanna hear about my schooling and my parents? No way, right?"
[11:35] <Lucie> "Not drunk enough for that yet," Lucie says, working to remedy this by pouring herself another glass. "Can tell more about someone by what she does than where she comes from anyway. Could start with that monster, though. Little curious there."
[11:39] <Rudy> "Well, I actually don't really know anything," replies Rudy, finishing off his own and holding it out for more. "I was doing work for this weird old guy's mansion, see. My first real job, where I was doing the planning and the hiring and all of that. Worst job ever, though. Kept having nightmares and daydreams. But work's work, right? You don't go home because you're feeling a bit off."
[11:39] * Lucie_Dolan (~Melanchth@pool-71-178-114-125.washdc.east.verizon.net) has joined #dunes
[11:40] <Rudy>  <Rudy> "Well, I actually don't really know anything," replies Rudy, finishing off his own and holding it out for more. "I was doing work for this weird old guy's mansion, see. My first real job, where I was doing the planning and the hiring and all of that. Worst job ever, though. Kept having nightmares and daydreams. But work's work, right? You don't go home because you're feeling a bit off."
[11:40] * Lucie (~Melanchth@pool-71-163-231-191.washdc.east.verizon.net) Quit (Ping timeout)
[11:40] * Lucie_Dolan is now known as Lucie
[11:41] <Lucie> "Not if you want to get paid," Lucie confirms, filling Rudy's glass.
[11:46] <Rudy> "Well, I didn't get paid for this one. Either I fell asleep on my job, or those daydreams were a bit more real than I was giving them credit. Felt like I was pressed in with a ton of corpses, or oil or water or something. Like.. claustrophobia? It was worse than that. But I can't really remember clearly." He eyes the glass for a moment, before slugging back the wine in one go. "Next thing I know, I'm in the basement with the owner, and Myra's there. Takes one look at her and dies on the spot."
[11:48] <Lucie> "Weak," Lucie says. "Glenn chewing up everyone we meet makes me at least as queasy. Though I guess it would be a shock if she just stepped out of the wall." Lucie glances around, as if half-expecting that to happen--well, Myra *is* obviously quite attached to Rudy.
[11:50] <Rudy> "I wasn't sure it was of fright. He was screaming stuff at me like he knew what was going on," replies Rudy, sighing. "Anyway, it didn't look so great for me after that. Myra wouldn't go away to start with, she just followed me around. If I'd stayed home any longer, they'd probably have chased me out."
[11:53] <Lucie> "Mm. Yeah." Lucie gives this a knowing nod. "So no idea where she came from or how you can do any of the things you can do. About in the same boat, then."
[11:55] <Rudy> "Yep. Well, it's magic, right? Like sorcerers and stuff," replies Rudy. "I dunno. I was real mad for a while, since it felt like my life was going way off track. Didn't expect to wind up getting into fights all over the place, but I guess Myra's good for that, and she doesn't care how bad she gets hurt... so why should I? You use what you have, right? And complaining any more would just be like... you know, those women who go 'Oh, I'm so beautiful, it's a curse!'"
[11:57] <Lucie> "Can't say I know any of those." Lucie leans back, swishes wine around in her goblet. "Would have a few words for 'em if I did."
[11:58] <Rudy> "I'll bet you would. Anyway, that's why I wanna go on a trip before the banquet," replies Rudy. "Maya got her powers from somewhere, and Myra reckons her pet is the same sort of thing as her. So if we take a trip to where she got hers, there might be a few answers." He sets down his class with a grin. "You said something interesting back then, though."
[12:00] * Lucie polishes off her glass again. "Wait, I said what? When?"
[12:04] <Lucie_Dolan> "Oh. Just mean, I dunno how why I can do what I do either. Just always been there, made some people scared in the day. Part of why I'm looking to make ties with some experts--figure maybe I can figure it out that way, get access to things I can't find elsewhere."
[12:20] <Rudy> "Scares you, too?"
[12:23] <Lucie> "Got my reasons." Lucie pours herself another glass...Wow, where'd that bottle go? "Think I want to know where it comes from if I can. Might help. You ever think like no talent comes without a price, like everything balances out somewhere? Feels that way sometimes. Want to know who decided it was an even trade, if anyone's to blame, right?"
[12:24] <Rudy> "Yeah, I know what you mean. I mean, it feels like I got Myra by accident. Figures that someone might want her back."
[12:25] <Lucie> Lucie laughs. "Maybe she's got an angry poppa out there somewhere looking for her, twice as many arms and three times as many mouths. Better watch your back, Rudy."