perpetual anticipation is good for the soul but it's bad for the heart

[maxxx]

Comments

[lengthened]

We're feeling generous, are we?

( Donna and Aalis each have their own reasons for affiliating. Maybe this stranger does, too. )

He's searching for something.

[thefaxwhisperer]

Then let's help him find it.

[She's not sure generous is the word, but this is new and interesting and Donna feels like engaging. It's not a feeling that she always comes by easily after all this time, but she tries to ride the wave when she gets it. Taking her glass of wine, she gets up and winds her way over to where Damon is standing.]

I don't think I've seen you here before. I'm Donna.

[Her tone indicates that that's a thing worth knowing.]

[unforgivably]

( the (15) reads good and well, Damon has heard of her, but hasn't met her. )

Damon. You're mixed up with this crowd?

( It's an incendiary question, but she seems like she comes from a friendly place. And, he knows better than to look a gifthorse of answers in the face. )

[thefaxwhisperer]

It's complicated. You know how it goes with sires.

[She's never met a vampire with a not-messy sire story, so she assumes that Damon is the same.]

They always have the best wine, though. Drink?

[unforgivably]

( This would be his I don't know her moment. )

Only wine?

[thefaxwhisperer]

Do you want something stronger?

[Donna doesn't prefer to partake of the staff, but she's not about to judge.]

Because I can pull one of them over. But the wine is quite delicious.

[unforgivably]

Stronger's not my style.

( Not here. )

Yes to the wine. And, maybe, some information?

[thefaxwhisperer]

[She flags down one of the servers to get a refill for herself and a fresh glass for Damon before turning to face him again.]

Can't make any promises but I can try. What do you want to know?

[unforgivably]

I never saw a welcome mat. Organizations like these, I thought they'd greet me at the door. Wine me, ( he raises his glass, before indicating the others ) dine me, and then that's when they make their offer. Is there a special place for the prospective individuals, perhaps they're corralled with other newcomers.

( He's not sure how innocent he sounds vs curious, but he does need answers. )

[thefaxwhisperer]

There isn't usually a meet and greet for all prospects. It usually depends on who recruited you.

[But she doesn't seem to be bothered by the fact that Damon doesn't have a direct reference. People wander in all the time.]

Or turned you.

[unforgivably]

She died in a fire.

( Good riddance. Kind of. He's still in love, he doesn't want to talk about. )

[thefaxwhisperer]

Hence the lack of a welcome mat.

[And then, because Donna is no slouch:]

Are you actually here because you're interested in the Tower, or are you here for something else?

[unforgivably]

Passing travelers regaled my family with Tarot. I knew the practice originated on this continent, I did not know it had such... influence.

( He's grasping at vagueties, to be clear, but he likes to come off as someone who knows a little about a little. )

I'm looking for someone. Their friend is... unnerved. Worried. And frankly, I'm not far behind.

[thefaxwhisperer]

Not that kind of tower. Think more of an Ivory Tower.

[Members looking to pull on the threads of power. But she doesn't seem bothered by him missing the mark. He's here because he's worried about their friend. And he probably should be.]

What's their name? The person you're looking for.

[unforgivably]

( They don't need to go into the differences. He weighs trusting his new friend vs not. )

Scarlett.

[thefaxwhisperer]

The nurse.

[So yes, Donna knows who he's talking about. And from the look on her face, she seems concerned, though mostly for Scarlett, not about Damon.]

Yeah, she's here. They brought her in maybe a week ago?

[unforgivably]

Brought her in? Was she not in her right mind?

( Or was she... coaxed? )

[thefaxwhisperer]

No one coming in from the front are in their right minds.

[Which is harsh to say, but it's also true. War takes it's toll on everyone.]

But if you're asking if you're aware of where she was and what she was doing, she seemed with it enough to consent to being here.

[unforgivably]

Enough, at least. And she is here?

( In an adjacent room? He scans the crowd again: (16) )

[thefaxwhisperer]

[She's not out here in the crowd, no. Donna glances back over her shoulder, before reaching for his hand and guiding him towards the back rooms.]

Follow me.

[unforgivably]

Brazen.

( But, he does, keeping alert. He averts his eyes from the more unsavory acts around them. )

[thefaxwhisperer]

It gets you places.

[As they wander through the hallways, they'll find Melanie, lingering in the doorway of one of the rooms, watching the person within it. As he arrives to lean over her shoulder, Damon will see Scarlett sitting inside, idly brushing her hair in the mirror.]

[unforgivably]

( She's in one piece. And she's alone. She could be worse, he assesses (15), but she's far from the technicolor personality he remembers.

He slips past Melanie, and approaches. He stops a distance away, so as to not startle her. )

Scarlett?

[prettyclothes]

[Scarlett spins at the sound of her name and her face lights up when she sees him.]

Damon. Well, hello, darling. What are you doing in Paris?

[unforgivably]

( He doesn't know what to expect, only that she was missing, and now she's been found. But he knows how delicate she can be, and how temperamental. )

Melanie worries. ( And Rhett if he could admit it to himself. ) You join organizations now?