Kristoph-Ryan smiled at Malcolm, "What did you think of the drink, mon ami?"

In response to his question about the food, The older sin-eater's eye twinkles mischievously. "They do not. Let's just say they owed me a favor. Favors are a very... important... currency to me." The last part he says a little quieter, almost as if he were talking to himself, not holding a conversation. Catching himself, he returns his attention to the new gatekeeper, "I wouldn't hesitate to say we have quite a few more arrivals yet. It is actually rare for sin-eaters to show up to theez things on time, after all. Something about dying makes you have a little less respect for our construct of time..."

When Juste approaches, Kristoph-Ryan does a double take and asks her something in an unfamiliar language. No one present can understand what he says. He then answers her initial question in English, "This is a social event. As new sin-eaters, we thought it best that you all get a chance to meet the other denizens of New York. You never know when you might need to call in a favor..." He nods as she makes her way to the table.

He returns his attention to Malcolm, "Ah, mon frere... It seems I am being a rude host by monopolizing all of your time. Please, mingle! Eat! Make merry! We can speak more later if you wish!" And with that, the old man walks away towards Damian. He takes a large draw from his cigar and begins speaking with the younger man in a hushed voice. Pausing once in awhile to laugh. Damian remains mirthless, the dark circles under his eyes ever present.

~~~~


Adongo smiles at Juste and almost despite herself says, "Almost anyone." She nods and pulls out a card with her name and number and hands it to Juste. "Let me know if I can be of help." If she looks, Juste sees that Adongo's card identifies her as a "Master Archaeologist and Professor".

Adongo takes her leave and starts timidly placing some of the offered pastries on a paper plate with a napkin. When Mordecai approaches her, her eyes widen ever so slightly in surprise. "Pleasure to meet you, Mordecai. Welcome to the New York underworld," her smile is genuine and beautiful and makes Mordecai's stomach warm. "Thank you for asking. You are most kind. However, I'm sure I haven't the foggiest idea of what you mean. It's just a bit late for me. That's all; I'm tired." Her eyes glance around to take in who was listening, hovering on Sandra for a moment longer than the others.

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
Mordecai (and anyone else listening), you can give me "wits+subterfuge" or "wits+empathy". If you can beat 5 suxx, your pc can tell she is lying. Otherwise, this is most believable.

---

The warm smile, the kind greeting. Mordecai was taken in by it all, and any thoughts he may have had about Adongo's mood melted away.

"Oh, I see. Well, I hope you get some chance to rest after this event. It's very new to me, and I don't know what to expect."


When Adongo's gaze lingers over to Sandy, he adds.

"That's my friend Sandy. We're from the west coast and kinda lost touch after high school, so it's a strange coincidence that we both ended up dead AND here in New York."


He waves over at Sandy for her to join them.

"So is this an informal thing where we just trade news, or is there gonna be some big ceremony or something like that?"

Sandy was in the middle of stuffing her face with another delicious pastry when she felt Adongo's gaze linger on her. She then observed as Mordecai waved her over, hoping that she would join him and this beautiful woman.

Crap! Ugh, I guess I should be social...that's what people do at these things, no?

She felt the primal urging of Cucuy, who seemed to enjoy the idea of its host engaging with some of the other sin-eaters present. Giving into the pressure, Sandy walked over to where Mordecai was standing next to Adongo.

"Hey," she said in greeting, forcing an awkward smile to her lips. "Sandra Alvarez. Old friend of Mordecai's."

Returning the smile Malcolm raised the drink in answer, "Good enough that I'm glad you told me the name. I'll add some to my own shelf and hopefully return the kindness in the future."

The reply about the food, particularly the way it drifted towards the end, might have earned a remark in other company. But odd was more or less the norm now. Instead he just answered the man with, "Well given all of us technically missed the one appointment most people can't ever avoid it's not too surprising. Thanks for confirming though."

Moving back as Kristoph engages with Juste and tipping him a brief salute with the glass as the older man made his way to his Krewe mate Malcolm turned to those by the refreshments, snagging a plate which he began to fill in a manner that suggested he was comfortable with the buffet presentation. His tone was fairly light as he plated up portions addressing those near it fairly widely, "So, most of you locals or just passing through? I'm not based out of NYC myself normally but I had stopped by to help a colleague with some getting a few matters in order and had planned to linger." Looking up with a grin he added, "That's not a euphemistic colleague by the way. Non-ghost or Sin Eater colleague with issues not related to either. Well as much as anything is."

[Private to GM: OOC: Since I never nailed down where Malcolm operates out of it makes more sense that the family business largely operates outside of NYC and only has small dealings here to avoid overlapping with GM-relevant Sin Eater stuff. But it's still a tool if you ever want to use it]

[Private to Malcolm Unsworth: I appreciate that. Please update your description (if you haven't already), I may use this in your personal plot thread down the line. :)]

The beauty smiles that warm smile of hers again at Moredecai, "Think of this more as a welcoming gesture than a meeting with an agenda. It is most certain we will all run into each other at some point if you stay in the city. Given what we do, it'd be impossible not to. I believe Mr. David over there meant this as an assurance that when we do bump into each other, it would be under friendly terms."

Adongo bows her head politely as Sandra joins her conversation, "I don't believe in coincidences. In our line of... "work", it's good to have friends."
She then produces 2 copies of the card she handed to Juste earlier and hands one to each west-coast sin-eater respectively, "It's a pleasure to meet you both. The world of the living is smaller than we like to think."

She then looks at Malcolm and smiles, "I am considered a local now, I suppose. We are all enriched by your being here, Malcolm. It is a happy current that brought you to New York. Do you wish to tell us what the 'matters' are you are helping with?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:10, Wed 18 May 2022.

"Oh, cool. So just a meet and greet. Got it. I guess we'd better get to some more meeting and greeting, huh Sandy?"

When Adongo hands him a card he pops up in surprise, as if suddenly remembering something. "I've got one of those too! How about a trade?" He reaches into a pocket and pulls out a black tin full of cards, all reading:

Mordecai's Custom Dice. Custom Dice for Gamers

A phone number, email address, and website are also included, but the cards lack any additional adornments. He passes one to Malcom and Adongo before settling focus on Malcom to answer his question.

"Well, I'm from out west and after my uh... accident, I was in the hospital recovering here for a while. I decided after I was released that I kinda liked it here and would just stick around."
This message was last edited by the player at 20:47, Wed 18 May 2022.

Sandy accepted the business card, giving it a once-over before putting it away in one of her jacket's pockets. "Right, friends. Those are good to have," she said in agreement with Adongo, but said so rather awkwardly. "Yeah, nice to meet ya too."

She then turned her attention to Malcolm as both Adongo and then Mordecai addressed the older man. "I'm from out West too," she said after Mordecai replied to Malcolm's question. "But recently moved to the city...so I guess that makes me a local now?" She offered a nonchalant shrug.

"Or maybe a transplant," she added after some thought. "That's what people say, right?" Although, it was clear she was unsure of her words.

Do they? Or is that just when talking about organs?

Waving a hand airily at Adongo's question of his business Malcolm answered, "Nothing too interesting, I'm moving into semi-retirement so need to make sure those taking over my work are fine with things. I've largely sorted matters elsewhere but New York is a trickier bit so I'm still working that through. Honestly it's all rather dull, nothing I'd inflict on others." His grin flickered briefly across his face again, "Though since it put me in town at a convenient time it has worked out well."

Taking the card from Mordecai he briefly produced a fairly bland looking one of his own with only a phone number on, handing it over, "Afraid my official cards are not right for this sort of thing, and potentially outdated in the near future. Got a separate phone for this sort of stuff and just put the number on here, thought it might be unwise adding anything else on." Digging into his inside pocket he produced an older looking phone that clearly was going to be unfit for even basic internet connection, waggling it in one hand before returning it to the jacket pocket along with Mordecai's card.

In answer to Mordecai he replied, "Fine reason to stay anywhere. You been out of the hospital long or they still calling you in for checkups?"

To Sandra's remarks he chuckled very slightly before answering, "Not heard transplants before. Transient's one I know. I'm quite fond of excursionist though I'll admit that's just tourist with a fancy hat on. I even had a soft touch for pilgrim but that's something of a double meaning I believe in this company. And can lead to excessive John Wayne quotes in all company." Nodding Mordecai's way he added, the question not directed to either specifically, "You move out here together then? Or just met after?"

[Private to GM: OOC: Added it now, if you want me to devise names or other details just say and I'll keep fleshing. I try to keep things fairly loose to avoid GM crossover.]

[To Hans]
"With an Agency... it's more an 'internship' I guess than anythin like an old fashioned apprenticeship, I mean aside from the contract 'don' go work for no one else usin this license' thing.  But then I don' even have my license yet, so I figure to stick out, do the year an then open my own office.  Maybe, if I strike good, pay it off sooner.  Keep tryin to talk Linda into doin it too, but I don' think she wants to be tied down under contract.  Course we could just get her license after I get my offices, make 'em our offices."  She smiled at Linda.

After filling her plate she took two small shots of rum, one she silently toasted the group, the other she turns towards the heart of the cemetery and says something soft, like "For those who can't be with us" and pours it out.  Then she munches and mingles, seeming to try to be near (but not exactly in) as many conversations as possible.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:51, Thu 19 May 2022.

Anne had gotten the invitation and had been thinking about what to do about it for quite a while. She finally decided that it was a necessary thing to attend, no matter how uncomfortable she felt.
So, she had taken the metro and approached the cemetery on foot from there. She walks closer to the gathering that was already in full advance. What a whole lot of people, all foreigners. She stands, in still some distance, shoulders down and chewing her lips off looking nervously over to the others.

Mordecai chuckled as Malcom navigated through his antiquated collection of items before giving a thumbs up.

"It's all good man. But no, I don't really have to check in with the hospital anymore, and I'm happier for it. Being bandaged up and unable to move with only the company of a sadistic Geist is not the most fun experience."

His next laugh extends into a yawn and full body stretch. He takes the opportunity to look around and spots the newcomer to the party.

"Hello!"

He waves in greeting towards Anne, and makes his way over to her, with a big, goofy, charming grin on his face.

Anne's body and mind tenses up when she gets approached. But she manages to keep herself from running and her Geist from lashing out.
"Hello", she says - still chewing her lips and nervously moving her weight from one foot to the other and back.
"I am Anne. Anne Reed."

Looking over with interest at Juste's mention of her efforts Malcolm asked, "Which agency? I'd actually suggest even if you get the necessary cash to strike out solo early it might be better to stick out the first year anyway, as long as they're still teaching you anything useful it's better to stick with them as long as you still think you're getting a benefit before you strike out on your own. Though I suppose there's a few advantages you have that they'll be unable to ever teach."

Nodding in polite acknowledgement at Anne as she arrived he smiled faintly at the confirmation  from Mordecai that he at least was done with the hospital trips, looking to the others to see if anyone else looked especially like they had similar experiences. Being full hospitalised after that experience sounded fairly ghastly but then again it might be the norm for some present.

The sound of a car door slamming shut signaled the arrival of two more Sin-Eaters to the party. Unlike the sartorial eclat of the previous 2 sin-eaters that had been introduced, these two were much more grounded in their appearance.

There was a beautiful older woman, her long hair framing her shoulders and make up covering up her fatigue. Though she was dressed in a beautiful white dress, it didn't seem to suit her the way Adongo's did. She was still remarkably beautiful (OOC: also Striking looks 4) but she exuded a more grounded and approachable aura.

The man walking with her seemed even more so. He looked as out of place in his second-hand suit as he must have felt-- he seemed to be constantly adjusting his collar. His beard, though brushed and laid down with a pomade, still seemed on the verge of exploding from its bondage with the sheer vitality of it's fiery persona.


"Ah! Our fearless leader arrives!" booms Kristoph-Ryan's voice, calling everyone's attention. His eyes sparkle as he gestures towards the woman, "Allow me to introduce Olivia Perez!"

Olivia smiles sweetly, waving at all in attendance.

Kristoph-Ryan continues: "And her guest this evening is the wise man himself, Jagadish Vasudev."

The man smiles and waves as Kristoph leads Olivia away, towards Damian, "You can just call me 'Jaggi'."

Jaggi will approach everyone and shake their hands warmly-- by far the most active greeting any have received yet.

As he is doing this, Kristoph-Ryan will stand next to Olivia and Damian and announce that his whole krewe is now present, "We are the Aristocats, at your service!" He bows as Damian covers his face and Olivia very obviously rolls her eyes.

"Pleased to met you, Juste l'Requete," she says as she shakes Jaggy's hand, and then quieter, aimed not to carry over to Kristoph-Ryan and the others, and softened with a wink and a smile, "so, are you O'Malley, or one of the two kittens?"

Sandy shook the man's hand as it was offered. "Sandra Alvarez," she said in response to Jaggi, although her eyes lingered on the beautiful Olivia Perez.

Fearless leader?

She was still so new to this thing, she didn't quite understand what it all meant. Whose leader was she? Was there some sort of centralized power structure she was unaware of? Must have missed the memo...

The Aristocrats? Oh, she's THEIR fearless leader...DOH!

Sandy felt a bit silly, but she was slowly starting to grasp some of these things. So apparently these people were all in a crew of some sort, a Krewe rather. There was much to be learned, and these Aristocrats seemed like capable teachers. For now she remained quiet, listening and observing the others.

As Anne has stepped closer, she kept looking shyly to the others. When Jaggi approached her she had to control herself not to take a step back.
She took the handshake, returning it without much strength - more like jello.
"Anne. Anne Reed." She says with soft voice, not much more than a whisper.

Regarding the latest arrivals there was a flicker of recognition not when they arrived but when Kristoph-Ryan introduced them by name. He returned the greetings, nodding to Olivia and returning Jaggi's handshake while providing his own name once again. The introduction of the krewe as a whole got a momentary frown as he tried to work out if he had misheard the name before instead just smiling politely and raising his glass in acknowledgement, once again having a light sip of the rum.

[Private to GM: OOC: The recognition is purely for Olivia, given her name was on the event too he was anticipating her arrival]

Jaggi stopped as Juste asked her question and laughed. His laugh was deep and full: warm, like a Delhi Summer and just as friendly. "You seem to have made a mistake. I am not a part of their krewe. But if you speak to Kristoph-Ryan, you may learn he was thinking of the kittens when he came up with that particular name." He pauses a moment before continuing, "Actually, having recently been shown the film... I would fancy myself a bit of an 'O'Malley'." He smiles at Juste with his eyes before continuing his greetings.

[Private to Juste l'Requete: Bwahaha just from that comment alone I think we could be friends irl ;p]

 Jaggi pauses a moment from his greetings to regard Anne Reed. "Reed, you say? That is a beautiful name. A strong name... You know the old saying, yes? When the hurricane winds blow, the mighty oak is uprooted while the flexible reed sways playfully in the wind." He pauses for effect, his contagious smile ever-present, "Tell me, Anne Reed. Do you live up to this namesake?"

Anne blushes slightly as a first reaction to being so directly addressed by a stranger. She’s now been complimented, but at the same time questioned, she suppresses the part of her that would silently endure this situation and instead comes with a brief response. “I grew up and prevailed because I was weak and flexible, now I have been joined by an oak.”

"An oak?  Sounds pretty mighty," her quip has good natured mirth behind it, "I just died an things didn't get much better."

She shudders, and then mutters, "Fine Dad," and then continues, "Yeah, okay, it didn't get worse, maybe bit better, well, no, 'better' ain't the right word.  Things got different.  Yeah, le's go with that, different."

Seeing some looks, "I traded one set of really terrible fosters for betterish, less hands on set of... mmm.  'Parents' is a bad word for our passenger, but I was just a kid an they did fill the role, kinda, in a lot of ways... actually.  Huh, always joke, but now that I think about it..." she trails and looks lost in thought for a minute, then she shakes it off.

What little self-confidence Anne had shown, quickly vanished with the slightest headwind. Shoulders go down and she speaks with her shy voice again. “You are right, it sounds better than it is.”

Oak and Reed sounds like a great symbiosis until you realize it can be inflexible yet weak, not only strong and flexible, she thinks - reminded of her daily struggle to combine the good parts.

Jaggi smiles at Anne. He pauses as if he wants to say something else but decides against it and heads to the refreshments table, another nod towards Juste before he slips away.

Anyone nearby can hear Adongo ask Olivia if they would be expecting anyone else. Olivia smiles and responds she had invited one more person and they should be here shortly.

Malcolm was not overly hard to spot tilting his head slightly when the question of if anyone else was coming and when a confirmation was given nodded very slightly before replying to Juste's remarks, "Long list of ways to look at it. From what you said the it's been that way for you for quite a while then? I suppose that would play a part in the dynamic of the relationship." He did not point out that given the nature of the merging with the Geists the parental aspect would be there for all of them given the life granting aspect of the experience. A bit too heavy a topic for the day.

Closing this scene as so many of the players have left and It's been over a year haha.