12-13-2024, 06:50 PM
(This post was last modified: 12-13-2024, 07:32 PM by Lucien.
Edit Reason: slight edit to the name of the wine *wink*
)
Lucien's dress was both formal and old fashioned. The suit was an earth-toned three piece, cut to an ancient vintage that elegantly accommodated the antique watch chain. His auburn hair was combed back in neat waves, away from the angular planes of his face, and a pair of round gold spectacles perched on his nose. Yet despite the austerity of his appearance, there was little of that in his manner, which was warm enough if a little preoccupied. When the first of his clients arrived and was promptly cleared through the security, he smiled and gestured for the man to take himself a seat at the table. "You must be the Jackal's man," he said. Lucien knew little about either representative, or indeed who they represented, but he didn't need to for his work. It had been the Jackal's people who had arranged the meeting, though.
"The wine is a Chateau Lafite Volthström of the most exquisite 2021 vintage. It possesses a rather beautifully full damson and spice piquant, with just a hint of orange rind – they really did excel themselves that year. Please, help yourself should you wish." He did not shift his position, legs crossed, hands clasped and rested in his lap. They were covered, so an unintentional reading of the bottle was not the issue, but the gloves were pristine white. He did not want to risk soiling them, which was why he had allowed the dismissed server to pour his own glass.
The Jackal's representative did not seem comfortable in the environment, or perhaps not best pleased to be here, though of course Lucien would never be so rude as to comment on it. He sensed, though, that pleasant small talk would not be appreciated.
Fortunately the second representative arrived soon after, a dark-haired woman draped in figure-hugging red. Lucien was surprised to note that they both appeared Middle-Eastern, and glanced briefly for signs of any familiarity between the two, but there was no indication of such. He welcomed Bode’s woman in the same courtly fashion as her counterpart, and she slid herself into a seat.
Then he introduced himself, allowing space for the two to add their own names if they wished, listed off the simple rules of neutrality that governed the contract of his time, and finally explained the process of his expertise. There was sometimes a little incredulity at that, even in a world touched with the new and inexplicable powers of channeling, and a ruler many were coming to believe was a literal god. Occasionally he was asked to test an object known to the sceptic, which he invariably did without complaint, but the Archivist’s reputation spoke for itself. He spoke with the warmth and flourish of confidence. Finally, he asked if either of them had any questions before he might begin.
"The wine is a Chateau Lafite Volthström of the most exquisite 2021 vintage. It possesses a rather beautifully full damson and spice piquant, with just a hint of orange rind – they really did excel themselves that year. Please, help yourself should you wish." He did not shift his position, legs crossed, hands clasped and rested in his lap. They were covered, so an unintentional reading of the bottle was not the issue, but the gloves were pristine white. He did not want to risk soiling them, which was why he had allowed the dismissed server to pour his own glass.
The Jackal's representative did not seem comfortable in the environment, or perhaps not best pleased to be here, though of course Lucien would never be so rude as to comment on it. He sensed, though, that pleasant small talk would not be appreciated.
Fortunately the second representative arrived soon after, a dark-haired woman draped in figure-hugging red. Lucien was surprised to note that they both appeared Middle-Eastern, and glanced briefly for signs of any familiarity between the two, but there was no indication of such. He welcomed Bode’s woman in the same courtly fashion as her counterpart, and she slid herself into a seat.
Then he introduced himself, allowing space for the two to add their own names if they wished, listed off the simple rules of neutrality that governed the contract of his time, and finally explained the process of his expertise. There was sometimes a little incredulity at that, even in a world touched with the new and inexplicable powers of channeling, and a ruler many were coming to believe was a literal god. Occasionally he was asked to test an object known to the sceptic, which he invariably did without complaint, but the Archivist’s reputation spoke for itself. He spoke with the warmth and flourish of confidence. Finally, he asked if either of them had any questions before he might begin.