[Video]

[smallmediumwelldone]

Good evening.

[There’s a woman speaking, tone clipped. The corporate jumpsuit hangs off her small frame, and her hair is swept up into an old-fashioned bun. Or so it seems - she’s standing a bit away from the screen, and it’s tilted at an odd angle.]

I am given to understand that this is how to contact my new coworkers? My name is Beatrice Brewer, at your service, and I assure you I am quite qualified. I am - was - an apprentice of the fifth circle in, ah, a collection of magi, have experience in a thrilling variety of crises, and am quite keen to get started on - [a heavy sigh, more notable for the fact that someone observant might catch that she doesn’t breathe] - this situation.

[There’s a long pause.]

Drat, is this bloody thing even on? Dreadful place, what sort of dog and pony show are they running, honestly. Stuff? Stuff? Of all the names?

Comments

[smallmediumwelldone]

[She gives a rather unladylike snort at that description and covers her mouth.]

Vivid imagery, but a rather fair one. Oh, we nearly had it in the bag! Our strategy has simply been misunderstood and unfairly maligned - it was everyone else that couldn't pull it off! And that's why someone else should buy my round.

I don't deny your other point, it's just that their, ah, set of arts that come naturally is particularly suited for being able to replace skillful handling of people with short-term solutions.

[She finds that tidbit about the Ventrue much less amusing.]

[vampthropologist]

Oh, you have no idea how deep that particular rot goes. [He pulls a disgusted face] And no shame about it at all. As if a lie can become a truth just because enough people say so. Fie on that.

[smallmediumwelldone]

That free take on the truth is equally a rot not unique to the Ventrue. [She tries to not sound too bitter. It would be unseemly.] All the same, cheers. I'll drink, spiritually, to the sentiment - if not in the same pub being frequented by the forlorn Ventrue star.

I've no doubt your time delving has turned up a much deeper well of rot than I can imagine. [Beatrice isn't directly asking, but she is openly curious. It'd be impossible to deny that.] Though as you pointed out, there's no one here that can rat us out - thus I am free say that my brush against glorious greatness by encountering Lords Hardestadt and Pieterzoon was..uninspiring. Eurgh.

[vampthropologist]

[Beckett reacts just a little to the bitterness in her voice, subtly enough that perhaps only vampire looking for it would see it]

Hardestadt and Pieterzoon both? What did you do, reveal your nature on a late night television show?

[smallmediumwelldone]

.......

No. Good evening, Mr. Beckett.

[Did she just...hang up on him? Yes. Yes she did. She even managed to find the right buttons.]

[vampthropologist]

...Was it something I said?

[he says aloud at the suddenly dark screen.]