Rupert frowned as yet another page of the newspaper didn't turn up as expected. Where -did- those pages keep going? Sighing, he folded it up in disgust and flipped on a television.
As if he cared what that silly twit and her even lower class soon to be ex husband did. Ooops she did it again indeed.
He wondered, as the news played out, how many of the newly elected officials were Anantya's people. No way of telling, he supposed, though he'd always imagined Anantya would lean to the right and half suspected they had lost more than they gained this time around. Ah well – he imagined in they end they weren't -that- choosy about who they...influenced.
The sound of the buzzer distracted him from his idle musing and he flicked off the news, focusing on the display that featured, apparently, Arran.
He picked up the handset and pressed the button to open the gate.
“Welcome to Heolfor Manor, Arran.” With a click he hung up the phone and swung his legs off the chair opposite him. Groaning a little, he stood slowly and took a moment to stretch before making his way out front.
Late Night Arrival (attn. Rupert)
There was something about riding a motorcycle that made Arran think of racing along the moonlit plains of Andalusia at night, the excitement and rush that came from hearing the pounding of the stallion's heart and the thundering of hooves.
He had always considered motorvehicles a poor second to such magnifcient creatures, but motorcycles were a different thing entirely. The leather suits like armor of old, with thick padded gauntlets and a reinforced plastic helm. Riding atop an engine designed for nothing but unbridled speed. A temperamental metal frame with rubber wheels that had to be coaxed gently along the highway least the rider be thrown to the ground for poor handling and control. So much like a horse. And then so not.
Arran loved the feeling of having the bike respond to slightest movement, leaning into the corners and driving onwards along the straights. The sad part came when he was forced to slow down, to stop. To remember that this was a metal beast. Soulless. Not truly alive. Like he was.
He rolled to a stop outside the imposing gate, the idling engine seemed to growl in contempt as Arran removed his bike helmet and put down the bike stand. Swinging his leg over Arran straightened and walked the few paces to the intercom set beneath the security camera.
He stabbed at a button and looked up at the camera with darkened eyes.
"Mr. Burke is expecting me. My name is Arran."
Butler
17 years ago
Arran
17 years ago
"Thank you Mr. Burke."
Arran clipped his helmet to the back of his motorcycle and slowly drove up the driveway to the main entrance. Arran turned off the engine and put down the bike stand.
Arran pulled off the leather gloves and placed them on the seat then unhooked the saddlebags and swung then over his shoulder. He unclipped the helmet, stuffed the gloves inside and walked up the steps to the Manor. Saddlebags on one shoulder and the helmet under one arm.
Arran did not have to wait long before the large doors slowly opened.
Arran clipped his helmet to the back of his motorcycle and slowly drove up the driveway to the main entrance. Arran turned off the engine and put down the bike stand.
Arran pulled off the leather gloves and placed them on the seat then unhooked the saddlebags and swung then over his shoulder. He unclipped the helmet, stuffed the gloves inside and walked up the steps to the Manor. Saddlebags on one shoulder and the helmet under one arm.
Arran did not have to wait long before the large doors slowly opened.
Butler
17 years ago
Rupert took a single step outside the door to greet the new arrival, hoping he didn't look as tired as he felt. Noticing the bike out of the corner of his eye, he went through his mental catalogue of the staff to consider who would be able to move it to a garage, assuming Arran would allow anyone else to touch it.
"Greetings, Arran. You may call me Rupert." As Arran had introduced himself by his first name he thought this one didn't require an excess of ceremony. He reached to take the helmet and saddlebags, explaining as he stepped back, inviting Arran to come in.
"Jim would be glad to take your motorcycle to the garage if you wish – otherwise I will show you the way to suitable parking after you've seen your quarters."
He was privately amused at his own choice of words – he would just –bet- Jim would be happy to move the vehicle. Of course it would be treated with the utmost care but he guessed the experience would still be novel enough.
"Your possessions arrived safely and your quarters are prepared. This way please."
With that, he led the way down the first floor of the west wing, keys in hand to open the door.
"Greetings, Arran. You may call me Rupert." As Arran had introduced himself by his first name he thought this one didn't require an excess of ceremony. He reached to take the helmet and saddlebags, explaining as he stepped back, inviting Arran to come in.
"Jim would be glad to take your motorcycle to the garage if you wish – otherwise I will show you the way to suitable parking after you've seen your quarters."
He was privately amused at his own choice of words – he would just –bet- Jim would be happy to move the vehicle. Of course it would be treated with the utmost care but he guessed the experience would still be novel enough.
"Your possessions arrived safely and your quarters are prepared. This way please."
With that, he led the way down the first floor of the west wing, keys in hand to open the door.
Arran
17 years ago
Arran followed Rupert through the manor the the first floor of the west wing. The decor was interesting, but it wasn't enough to stop Arran from following Rupert. There would be plenty of time to admire the interior of the Manor in due course.
Rupert opened the door and stepped aside to let Arran enter. As he passed by, Arran handed the motorcycle keys to Rupert without comment.
The rooms were set out exactly as he had requested, and nothing was amiss or out of place. Arran hadn't expected anything less from a professional such as Rupert. Even the small boxed goods that Arran had requested were here, waiting to be opened.
Arran unzipped his leather jacket and reached inside. He handed the thick envelope filled with five thousand in cash to Rupert.
"Admirable work, Rupert. Your reputation is well deserved. Please accept this as a token of my gratitude."
Arran walked over to the drinks cabinet and proceeded to open the cardboard box. Wrapped in silk were three small caskets carved from polished and etched jade. The seperate boxes were engraved with the respective symbols of the three Orders. Arran smiled in approval as he checked each one.
He covered the caskets back in silk and lifted them out of the box. Returning to Rupert, Arran exchanged them for his saddle bags and bike helmet.
"Please ensure that these are sent to the respective Elders with my humble greetings."
Rupert opened the door and stepped aside to let Arran enter. As he passed by, Arran handed the motorcycle keys to Rupert without comment.
The rooms were set out exactly as he had requested, and nothing was amiss or out of place. Arran hadn't expected anything less from a professional such as Rupert. Even the small boxed goods that Arran had requested were here, waiting to be opened.
Arran unzipped his leather jacket and reached inside. He handed the thick envelope filled with five thousand in cash to Rupert.
"Admirable work, Rupert. Your reputation is well deserved. Please accept this as a token of my gratitude."
Arran walked over to the drinks cabinet and proceeded to open the cardboard box. Wrapped in silk were three small caskets carved from polished and etched jade. The seperate boxes were engraved with the respective symbols of the three Orders. Arran smiled in approval as he checked each one.
He covered the caskets back in silk and lifted them out of the box. Returning to Rupert, Arran exchanged them for his saddle bags and bike helmet.
"Please ensure that these are sent to the respective Elders with my humble greetings."
Butler
17 years ago
Rupert was not used to feeling as though he spoke too much and found it a novel experience. He saw all kinds here at the Manor though and there were certainly worse things one could be than distinctly economical with one’s speech.
He was a bit surprised, therefore, at what must be lavish praise coming from Arran. And a present? Goodness. Anantya paid him extremely well but tips and gifts were not unheard of and he took this one with a humble thank you. He didn’t want to assume – it certainly –felt- like a rather large amount of cash but who knew with vampires? In any case it would be tacky to peek right now. In his experience it was best not to get into an ‘oh I couldn’t possibly’ game with vampires – they were older, stronger, and had better means of insisting.
He took the three gifts for the Elders, with a bit of coordination, and nodded in affirmation.
“Certainly. Morrigan in particular wished to be notified of your arrival and I expect will wish to see you soon. Thank you again.”
He stepped out the door with a slight bow and shut it behind him, shifting the bundles around so he could get to the keys he had slipped in his pocket. These he tossed to Lucinda, one of the maids, with instructions to find Jim. He, meanwhile, would be tracking down the Elders. Not always an easy task, though lately it seemed Sorin had stayed close to home and Mai...well, she always seemed to know when she was wanted.
It would be a while yet, therefore, before he was in a position to look inside the envelope.
/ooc Rupert out and makin’ deliveries!
He was a bit surprised, therefore, at what must be lavish praise coming from Arran. And a present? Goodness. Anantya paid him extremely well but tips and gifts were not unheard of and he took this one with a humble thank you. He didn’t want to assume – it certainly –felt- like a rather large amount of cash but who knew with vampires? In any case it would be tacky to peek right now. In his experience it was best not to get into an ‘oh I couldn’t possibly’ game with vampires – they were older, stronger, and had better means of insisting.
He took the three gifts for the Elders, with a bit of coordination, and nodded in affirmation.
“Certainly. Morrigan in particular wished to be notified of your arrival and I expect will wish to see you soon. Thank you again.”
He stepped out the door with a slight bow and shut it behind him, shifting the bundles around so he could get to the keys he had slipped in his pocket. These he tossed to Lucinda, one of the maids, with instructions to find Jim. He, meanwhile, would be tracking down the Elders. Not always an easy task, though lately it seemed Sorin had stayed close to home and Mai...well, she always seemed to know when she was wanted.
It would be a while yet, therefore, before he was in a position to look inside the envelope.
/ooc Rupert out and makin’ deliveries!
Arran
17 years ago
Arran nodded as Rupert exited the suite and closed the door behind him. All seemed to be in order, and there was no doubting that Rupert and the staff had set up the suite in good order.
Shedding his motorcycle leather, Arran packed them carefully away in the walk in wardrobe and selected a clean pair of trousers, matching jacket, a white cotton shirt, socks and a pair of briefs. He laid these carefully on the bed.
Later Arran would meditate and wait for his summons to the Elder of the Rose, but for now he would soak in the shower and explore the rest of the suite.
Shedding his motorcycle leather, Arran packed them carefully away in the walk in wardrobe and selected a clean pair of trousers, matching jacket, a white cotton shirt, socks and a pair of briefs. He laid these carefully on the bed.
Later Arran would meditate and wait for his summons to the Elder of the Rose, but for now he would soak in the shower and explore the rest of the suite.
Arran
17 years ago
Arran exhaled slowly and as he pushed against the polished wooden floor, his back arching as straightened legs rose into the air. The movement was exquisitely slow and Arran could feel every fiber of muscle contracting and expanding as he pushed himself through stretching exercises that would have exhausted an Olympic class gymnast. Ever so slowly his legs reached for the ceiling and Arran continued to push through the length of his arms until he balanced on his palms.
Discipline and control. The body would do what the mind believed. He inhaled deeply through his nostrils, drawing in breathe to his stomach, and then exhaled through pursed lips as he slowly raised his left hand and balanced on the right alone. It was difficult, but not impossible. Nothing was impossible.
Arran closed his eyes and with an explosive exhale of breath, flexed his right arm and pushed. He twisted in midair, graceful as a cat and landed on the toes of his right leg, his left outstetched at a perfect ninety degree angle. He pivoted on his toes and brought the left leg down. Tensing his arms at chest level, Arran pushed forwards and forced his breathe outwards at the same time.
The shower had been pleasant, but this was far more relaxing.
Arran snatched a quick glance at the watch lying on his bed. Plenty of time. Twirling on his feet once more, Arran resumed his exercise.
Discipline and control. The body would do what the mind believed. He inhaled deeply through his nostrils, drawing in breathe to his stomach, and then exhaled through pursed lips as he slowly raised his left hand and balanced on the right alone. It was difficult, but not impossible. Nothing was impossible.
Arran closed his eyes and with an explosive exhale of breath, flexed his right arm and pushed. He twisted in midair, graceful as a cat and landed on the toes of his right leg, his left outstetched at a perfect ninety degree angle. He pivoted on his toes and brought the left leg down. Tensing his arms at chest level, Arran pushed forwards and forced his breathe outwards at the same time.
The shower had been pleasant, but this was far more relaxing.
Arran snatched a quick glance at the watch lying on his bed. Plenty of time. Twirling on his feet once more, Arran resumed his exercise.
Butler
17 years ago
Rupert had reverted back to his calm and unflappable manner once all the packages had been delivered, and so when one of Morrigan’s assistants paged him to announce that the Elder of the Rose was ready to meet with Arran, he was quite himself in spite of his recent complications. He realized, with everything going on, that he had not yet peeked in the envelope Arran had given him. Patting the pocket to ensure it was still there, he resolved to check just as soon as he brought their new arrival to Morrigan’s office.
He approached Arran’s suite with quiet footsteps and knocked on the door.
He approached Arran’s suite with quiet footsteps and knocked on the door.
Arran
17 years ago
Arran opened the door and bowed slightly.
"I am prepared."
Arran had dressed simply. A matching black jacket and trousers, white cotton shirt and leather boots and belt. His long hair had been pulled back and tied in a pony tail.
"After you, my good man."
((ooc - sorry for taking so long to repy - sick))
"I am prepared."
Arran had dressed simply. A matching black jacket and trousers, white cotton shirt and leather boots and belt. His long hair had been pulled back and tied in a pony tail.
"After you, my good man."
((ooc - sorry for taking so long to repy - sick))
Butler
17 years ago
Sorin was so consistently polite yet authoritative that Rupert sometimes thought the Elder of the Night was constantly acting out a role according to a very specific script of how one was meant to behave when confronted with a butler. Mai's unpredictable nature was, he found, a pleasant counterpoint; a compliment, really.
Morrigan, on the other hand, was pure glorious intimidation. She towered over mere mortals; her stature was almost monumental in nature. And so it was, Rupert thought, only natural to be a shade nervous when one was about to confront the Elder of the Rose.
Arran did not appear nervous at all, and if he was he hid it well. Appearances, Rupert found, meant surprisingly little when it came to vampires. They had too much time and practice with living in a world where they must hide their true natures.
Nodding slightly, he stepped aside to let Arran out.
"Very good; the Elder of the Rose will see you now."
With that, he led the way down the hall, toward the stairwell that would lead them to Morrigan's office.
/ooc Rupert out to a new thread
Morrigan, on the other hand, was pure glorious intimidation. She towered over mere mortals; her stature was almost monumental in nature. And so it was, Rupert thought, only natural to be a shade nervous when one was about to confront the Elder of the Rose.
Arran did not appear nervous at all, and if he was he hid it well. Appearances, Rupert found, meant surprisingly little when it came to vampires. They had too much time and practice with living in a world where they must hide their true natures.
Nodding slightly, he stepped aside to let Arran out.
"Very good; the Elder of the Rose will see you now."
With that, he led the way down the hall, toward the stairwell that would lead them to Morrigan's office.
/ooc Rupert out to a new thread