William Book RP

my winter essentials

When she reopens her eyes, William’s are half-closed in thought. “How often do your dreams of this nature prove prophetic? And to what degree of... we shall call it abstraction?”

“I see. So I’m trespassing in something more dangerous than I might be able to handle, here.” She echoes the nod, letting out a purely theatrical sigh. “I apologize for the trouble to yourself.”

William thaws slightly as it becomes clear that she’s not going to fight him on this.  “I do not hold your curiosity against you.  I know the draw of hidden knowledge.”  

“It is the knowledge that drew me in, not the potential power. I’m not a member of the Ordo, seeking a Wyrm’s Nest to settle on. Just…just. Um, is there a place that’s better or safer, to talk?” She looks around the area, the fear effects finally sinking in more properly.

A wry curve touches the corner of his mouth. “Safer? Perhaps, while I am with you. Come with me.” He leads her out of Grimmick proper, around to the front door of the bookstore. The door opens without a key, and they step into the cool, dust-scented dimness of the shop. A light flicks on over the overstuffed chairs, and William gestures in that direction. “I would offer tea, but….”

“If you have a mint tea, I still really like the scent and the warmth. Unless that seems like a waste to you.” She settles herself into one of the chairs, looking a little like a creepy porcelain doll, dwarfed by the overstuffedness.

William nods. “One moment.” He steps out of sight, and is back in a few seconds at most with a steaming tea pot. “Here we are.”

She blinks, startled by how little time that took, and then delighted. “Either I dazed for longer than I thought, or that was…really quick.”

William gives a small smile. “Which do you suspect?” He sets down the tray, then holds up a hand. “Before you enjoy, I must require that this meeting will be bound by the rules of hospitality. I will do no knowing and willing harm to you nor yours for the next 24 hours save in self defense, nor tell you anything knowingly false, but I must require that you agree to the same terms - and the promise to do so will be magically enforced, with ill-fortune to plague the oathbreaker. Do you agree to this?”

She seems to think over the implications of the oath before nodding slightly. “I agree to your terms, I’d rather you not harm me after that time is up. How much do I need to prove I’m not a danger to you or yours to ensure that?”

William gives a small smile. “I would not say that it’s a matter of proving, as such. I have a great deal of experience in discerning an actual threat from a potential one. Though if you expect to be taking actions which might make you appear threatening, advanced warning might ease tensions.”

“Noted.” She settles into the chair further. “I’m not sure if I currently expect to? I don’t know what I expect here, yet.”

William tilts his head.  “If I might ask, why have you come to this city?  I understand that travel is difficult for your kind.”

“I’ve had dreams pushing me here. There’s something to learn here. I don’t know what, or how long I’ll be staying. It’s…yes, unfamiliar, and the Cacophony, locally, is very still and quiet. It’s as though all the other vampires in town are holding their breath.”

“I see. So I’m trespassing in something more dangerous than I might be able to handle, here.” She echoes the nod, letting out a purely theatrical sigh. “I apologize for the trouble to yourself.”

William thaws slightly as it becomes clear that she’s not going to fight him on this.  “I do not hold your curiosity against you.  I know the draw of hidden knowledge.”  

“It is the knowledge that drew me in, not the potential power. I’m not a member of the Ordo, seeking a Wyrm’s Nest to settle on. Just…just. Um, is there a place that’s better or safer, to talk?” She looks around the area, the fear effects finally sinking in more properly.

A wry curve touches the corner of his mouth. “Safer? Perhaps, while I am with you. Come with me.” He leads her out of Grimmick proper, around to the front door of the bookstore. The door opens without a key, and they step into the cool, dust-scented dimness of the shop. A light flicks on over the overstuffed chairs, and William gestures in that direction. “I would offer tea, but….”

“If you have a mint tea, I still really like the scent and the warmth. Unless that seems like a waste to you.” She settles herself into one of the chairs, looking a little like a creepy porcelain doll, dwarfed by the overstuffedness.

William nods. “One moment.” He steps out of sight, and is back in a few seconds at most with a steaming tea pot. “Here we are.”

She blinks, startled by how little time that took, and then delighted. “Either I dazed for longer than I thought, or that was…really quick.”

William gives a small smile. “Which do you suspect?” He sets down the tray, then holds up a hand. “Before you enjoy, I must require that this meeting will be bound by the rules of hospitality. I will do no knowing and willing harm to you nor yours for the next 24 hours save in self defense, nor tell you anything knowingly false, but I must require that you agree to the same terms - and the promise to do so will be magically enforced, with ill-fortune to plague the oathbreaker. Do you agree to this?”

She seems to think over the implications of the oath before nodding slightly. “I agree to your terms, I’d rather you not harm me after that time is up. How much do I need to prove I’m not a danger to you or yours to ensure that?”

William gives a small smile. “I would not say that it’s a matter of proving, as such. I have a great deal of experience in discerning an actual threat from a potential one. Though if you expect to be taking actions which might make you appear threatening, advanced warning might ease tensions.”

“Noted.” She settles into the chair further. “I’m not sure if I currently expect to? I don’t know what I expect here, yet.”

William tilts his head.  “If I might ask, why have you come to this city?  I understand that travel is difficult for your kind.”

“I see. So I’m trespassing in something more dangerous than I might be able to handle, here.” She echoes the nod, letting out a purely theatrical sigh. “I apologize for the trouble to yourself.”

William thaws slightly as it becomes clear that she’s not going to fight him on this.  “I do not hold your curiosity against you.  I know the draw of hidden knowledge.”  

“It is the knowledge that drew me in, not the potential power. I’m not a member of the Ordo, seeking a Wyrm’s Nest to settle on. Just…just. Um, is there a place that’s better or safer, to talk?” She looks around the area, the fear effects finally sinking in more properly.

A wry curve touches the corner of his mouth. “Safer? Perhaps, while I am with you. Come with me.” He leads her out of Grimmick proper, around to the front door of the bookstore. The door opens without a key, and they step into the cool, dust-scented dimness of the shop. A light flicks on over the overstuffed chairs, and William gestures in that direction. “I would offer tea, but….”

“If you have a mint tea, I still really like the scent and the warmth. Unless that seems like a waste to you.” She settles herself into one of the chairs, looking a little like a creepy porcelain doll, dwarfed by the overstuffedness.

William nods. “One moment.” He steps out of sight, and is back in a few seconds at most with a steaming tea pot. “Here we are.”

She blinks, startled by how little time that took, and then delighted. “Either I dazed for longer than I thought, or that was…really quick.”

William gives a small smile. “Which do you suspect?” He sets down the tray, then holds up a hand. “Before you enjoy, I must require that this meeting will be bound by the rules of hospitality. I will do no knowing and willing harm to you nor yours for the next 24 hours save in self defense, nor tell you anything knowingly false, but I must require that you agree to the same terms - and the promise to do so will be magically enforced, with ill-fortune to plague the oathbreaker. Do you agree to this?”

She seems to think over the implications of the oath before nodding slightly. “I agree to your terms, I’d rather you not harm me after that time is up. How much do I need to prove I’m not a danger to you or yours to ensure that?”

William gives a small smile. “I would not say that it’s a matter of proving, as such. I have a great deal of experience in discerning an actual threat from a potential one. Though if you expect to be taking actions which might make you appear threatening, advanced warning might ease tensions.”

“I see. So I’m trespassing in something more dangerous than I might be able to handle, here.” She echoes the nod, letting out a purely theatrical sigh. “I apologize for the trouble to yourself.”

William thaws slightly as it becomes clear that she’s not going to fight him on this.  “I do not hold your curiosity against you.  I know the draw of hidden knowledge.”  

“It is the knowledge that drew me in, not the potential power. I’m not a member of the Ordo, seeking a Wyrm’s Nest to settle on. Just…just. Um, is there a place that’s better or safer, to talk?” She looks around the area, the fear effects finally sinking in more properly.

A wry curve touches the corner of his mouth. “Safer? Perhaps, while I am with you. Come with me.” He leads her out of Grimmick proper, around to the front door of the bookstore. The door opens without a key, and they step into the cool, dust-scented dimness of the shop. A light flicks on over the overstuffed chairs, and William gestures in that direction. “I would offer tea, but….”

“If you have a mint tea, I still really like the scent and the warmth. Unless that seems like a waste to you.” She settles herself into one of the chairs, looking a little like a creepy porcelain doll, dwarfed by the overstuffedness.

William nods. “One moment.” He steps out of sight, and is back in a few seconds at most with a steaming tea pot. “Here we are.”

She blinks, startled by how little time that took, and then delighted. “Either I dazed for longer than I thought, or that was…really quick.”

William gives a small smile. “Which do you suspect?” He sets down the tray, then holds up a hand. “Before you enjoy, I must require that this meeting will be bound by the rules of hospitality. I will do no knowing and willing harm to you nor yours for the next 24 hours save in self defense, nor tell you anything knowingly false, but I must require that you agree to the same terms - and the promise to do so will be magically enforced, with ill-fortune to plague the oathbreaker. Do you agree to this?”

“I see. So I’m trespassing in something more dangerous than I might be able to handle, here.” She echoes the nod, letting out a purely theatrical sigh. “I apologize for the trouble to yourself.”

William thaws slightly as it becomes clear that she’s not going to fight him on this.  “I do not hold your curiosity against you.  I know the draw of hidden knowledge.”  

“It is the knowledge that drew me in, not the potential power. I’m not a member of the Ordo, seeking a Wyrm’s Nest to settle on. Just…just. Um, is there a place that’s better or safer, to talk?” She looks around the area, the fear effects finally sinking in more properly.

A wry curve touches the corner of his mouth. “Safer? Perhaps, while I am with you. Come with me.” He leads her out of Grimmick proper, around to the front door of the bookstore. The door opens without a key, and they step into the cool, dust-scented dimness of the shop. A light flicks on over the overstuffed chairs, and William gestures in that direction. “I would offer tea, but….”

“If you have a mint tea, I still really like the scent and the warmth. Unless that seems like a waste to you.” She settles herself into one of the chairs, looking a little like a creepy porcelain doll, dwarfed by the overstuffedness.

William nods. “One moment.” He steps out of sight, and is back in a few seconds at most with a steaming tea pot. “Here we are.”

“I see. So I’m trespassing in something more dangerous than I might be able to handle, here.” She echoes the nod, letting out a purely theatrical sigh. “I apologize for the trouble to yourself.”

William thaws slightly as it becomes clear that she’s not going to fight him on this.  “I do not hold your curiosity against you.  I know the draw of hidden knowledge.”  

“It is the knowledge that drew me in, not the potential power. I’m not a member of the Ordo, seeking a Wyrm’s Nest to settle on. Just…just. Um, is there a place that’s better or safer, to talk?” She looks around the area, the fear effects finally sinking in more properly.

A wry curve touches the corner of his mouth. “Safer? Perhaps, while I am with you. Come with me.” He leads her out of Grimmick proper, around to the front door of the bookstore. The door opens without a key, and they step into the cool, dust-scented dimness of the shop. A light flicks on over the overstuffed chairs, and William gestures in that direction. “I would offer tea, but....”

“I see. So I’m trespassing in something more dangerous than I might be able to handle, here.” She echoes the nod, letting out a purely theatrical sigh. “I apologize for the trouble to yourself.”

William thaws slightly as it becomes clear that she’s not going to fight him on this.  “I do not hold your curiosity against you.  I know the draw of hidden knowledge.”  

William wasn’t expecting to see a young woman wandering Grimmick carelessly.  He tilts his head and follows her at a distance, watching to see what she does and where she goes.  Best not to let someone kill herself needlessly.

The woman (inhuman as she might be), seems to be completely unaware of the danger, while somehow being drawn into the mystery, stepping deeper into the neighborhood as if seeking out its beating heart.

Rather than heedlessly stalking the woman, which would go badly, William makes his way through the streets to come up in front of her. He steps out of an alley when he hears the footsteps. “You shouldn’t be here,” he says in his best imposing tone.

She blinks, seeming to realize that she’s in physical reality as well. “Probably not, no, but I am and here is. Hello, what is this place? It feels…mh. It is a place of power, yes?”

William frowns.  “Power?  No.  This is a place of danger.  There is no power here for you.”

She frowns faintly. “I understood that. It’s not ‘for me’, yes, no. But it is powerful. Like a rip tide.” A hand ripples in the air, trying to express the ebb and flow she feels.

William’s grown deepens further and he peers at the woman. “Who are you? Are you new to our Community?”

“Community?” The way she repeats the word makes it clear she’s definitely not a local. “My name is Phaedra. Phaedra Lamb. I…hm, how formal an introduction does this occasion merit?”

William’s answer is his best “you’ve been found cheating” teacher’s Look. “In the circumstances, I recommend candor, if not complete formality.”

William nods slowly.  “Well.  Haruspex Lamb, I am Lord William Book of Echoes, Regent of the Autumn Court of Changelings, Lord Scriviner to our Freehold.  I watch over this place.  It is dangerous, as are its secrets, and it is my to protect the unwary from its dangers - and to protect it from those who might not approach it with the respect it warrants.”  

William wasn’t expecting to see a young woman wandering Grimmick carelessly.  He tilts his head and follows her at a distance, watching to see what she does and where she goes.  Best not to let someone kill herself needlessly.

The woman (inhuman as she might be), seems to be completely unaware of the danger, while somehow being drawn into the mystery, stepping deeper into the neighborhood as if seeking out its beating heart.

Rather than heedlessly stalking the woman, which would go badly, William makes his way through the streets to come up in front of her. He steps out of an alley when he hears the footsteps. “You shouldn’t be here,” he says in his best imposing tone.

She blinks, seeming to realize that she’s in physical reality as well. “Probably not, no, but I am and here is. Hello, what is this place? It feels…mh. It is a place of power, yes?”

William frowns.  “Power?  No.  This is a place of danger.  There is no power here for you.”

She frowns faintly. “I understood that. It’s not ‘for me’, yes, no. But it is powerful. Like a rip tide.” A hand ripples in the air, trying to express the ebb and flow she feels.

William’s grown deepens further and he peers at the woman. “Who are you? Are you new to our Community?”

“Community?” The way she repeats the word makes it clear she’s definitely not a local. “My name is Phaedra. Phaedra Lamb. I…hm, how formal an introduction does this occasion merit?”

William’s answer is his best “you’ve been found cheating” teacher’s Look. “In the circumstances, I recommend candor, if not complete formality.”

William wasn’t expecting to see a young woman wandering Grimmick carelessly.  He tilts his head and follows her at a distance, watching to see what she does and where she goes.  Best not to let someone kill herself needlessly.

The woman (inhuman as she might be), seems to be completely unaware of the danger, while somehow being drawn into the mystery, stepping deeper into the neighborhood as if seeking out its beating heart.

Rather than heedlessly stalking the woman, which would go badly, William makes his way through the streets to come up in front of her. He steps out of an alley when he hears the footsteps. “You shouldn’t be here,” he says in his best imposing tone.

She blinks, seeming to realize that she’s in physical reality as well. “Probably not, no, but I am and here is. Hello, what is this place? It feels…mh. It is a place of power, yes?”

William frowns.  “Power?  No.  This is a place of danger.  There is no power here for you.”

She frowns faintly. “I understood that. It’s not ‘for me’, yes, no. But it is powerful. Like a rip tide.” A hand ripples in the air, trying to express the ebb and flow she feels.

William’s grown deepens further and he peers at the woman. “Who are you? Are you new to our Community?”

William wasn’t expecting to see a young woman wandering Grimmick carelessly.  He tilts his head and follows her at a distance, watching to see what she does and where she goes.  Best not to let someone kill herself needlessly.

The woman (inhuman as she might be), seems to be completely unaware of the danger, while somehow being drawn into the mystery, stepping deeper into the neighborhood as if seeking out its beating heart.

Rather than heedlessly stalking the woman, which would go badly, William makes his way through the streets to come up in front of her. He steps out of an alley when he hears the footsteps. “You shouldn’t be here,” he says in his best imposing tone.

She blinks, seeming to realize that she’s in physical reality as well. “Probably not, no, but I am and here is. Hello, what is this place? It feels…mh. It is a place of power, yes?”

William frowns.  “Power?  No.  This is a place of danger.  There is no power here for you.”

William wasn’t expecting to see a young woman wandering Grimmick carelessly.  He tilts his head and follows her at a distance, watching to see what she does and where she goes.  Best not to let someone kill herself needlessly.

The woman (inhuman as she might be), seems to be completely unaware of the danger, while somehow being drawn into the mystery, stepping deeper into the neighborhood as if seeking out its beating heart.

Rather than heedlessly stalking the woman, which would go badly, William makes his way through the streets to come up in front of her. He steps out of an alley when he hears the footsteps. “You shouldn’t be here,” he says in his best imposing tone.

William wasn’t expecting to see a young woman wandering Grimmick carelessly.  He tilts his head and follows her at a distance, watching to see what she does and where she goes.  Best not to let someone kill herself needlessly.