Roses in the Night [Open]

Sarai wasn't ready to sing right away, and it is by far the least comfortable one. She's been at the disposal of others before, and try to keep it under strict control whenever it happens.

Still, this is doable, singing, she's uh.. surely she knows a song? Right? She rises up and looks at the crowd and staring faces, they seem to expect something of her too, uh oh.

She realizes she does know a song, and straightens up, knowing her task ahead.

Lyrics:

As she sings the lyrics, she takes full use of the horrible passages to portray the evil mother, she takes out her own knife dramatically, and (without danger to anyone of course) wields it in a sinister and scary manner to evoke stronger feelings from the crowd. Unsure if this will simply revolt people or give them a show, she tries her best at least.

Eveline sympathises greatly as Sarai is granted no time to prepare at all. A performer might be able pull it off, but Sarai is...a scientist? 

But...she does it! Eveline finds her voice rather complements the dark tale, all bound together by her uncanny movements.

She does not notice that the tavern comes to life with dance until Ludecke asks her to join him, and she happily accepts, taking the opportunity to drink in his scent.

Sarai is no performer, but manages to string along people by her charisma alone, that she struggles to find the words, or is perhaps a slight more intimidating than jolly, matters less, because people are here to have fun, and just enjoy the show. As the song nears it's end the knife disappears as quickly as it appeared.

She meets the eyes of those around her, giving a nod here and there, maybe even a smile for the innocents (whomever she might deem that) then she return to the table and waits if necessary for Ludecke and Eveline to end their dance. (no doubt the toreadors will get caught up in polite conversation or whatnot, but she's patient and doesn't mind)

To her own mind, this is a strange thing, and dangerously comfortable, singing and dancing in good company, how easy it is to be lulled into comfort and lose that very important edge that keeps you alive. then again, not everyone has a group dedicated to tormenting you.

A part of her, one she had not considered speaks up then (inside her mind):

Inner voice:

Sarai sits there, intensely processing the words in her mind, she had considered this before, at least the thought occurred to her, and it angered her of course, to think they actually won, in a way, and she fled, like a street dog. Perhaps it is right? Of course it is! She angered them, and they cursed her, they couldn't control it, but becoming a Malkavian cut off from her family certainly qualifies.

The joke is on them though... she's got pointy teeth now, and a cunning none of them can ever hope to outmatch.

She normally holds a rather stiff (if regal) posture, so no one might wonder if she's tense, except her hands are balled into fists.

Eveline claps her hands excitedly as the song ends. While not her preferred style of dance, Ludecke sure swept her away, leaving her in a somewhat euphoric state. 

She congratulates her new friend as they join her again, who seems rather tense after such a joyous performance, but then again - she was left with no time to prepare.

"That was wonderful, Sarai! You sure had me fooled this would be a challenge!"

"Ooo, then let's save the secret 'til the next tavern!" she adds hopefully at Ludecke's question.

A part of the young Toreador does not want to leave this place yet - she loves it here - but the thought of other, unknown, taverns wins the battle.
Hoping Sarai is ready, she asks them both: "Shall we?"

Sarai relaxes and seems to try and compose herself. She’s aware of the Toreadors’ ability to notice such things, so she offers an explanation: ”It was fun enough. I just had a… realization of sorts. You know ’Malkavian’ hah, how cliché right?" she brushes it of as a funny thing, hoping to downplay how severely you interpreted it.

In truth, she does come across convincing, maybe it wasn't so bad? Malkavians have their episodes, and if this is hers, it certainly wasn't so bad. Of course you might suspect it's not always so simple. But for now, it seems alright. Indeed Sarai seems to be over it at least.

"I guess that means riding next? I should think upon my secret meanwhile."

She goes with them, to the next stop, or hangs here if that's what they want, she needs Ludecke's help, and will do what it takes to get it after all.

Sarai follows quietly, not wanting to one to get them caught being where they ought not to be. She looks around at a distance so to speak.

Eveline enjoys them all, only some more than others. She clearly surveys them thoroughly as they hop from tavern to tavern, just not in a manner that would stifle their night of fun - that would be very improper, Eveline reminds herself.

"However I'd like to show you another thing first."

At this, Eveline's hunger for surprises - nice ones - takes the helm again, as she lets out a faint squeal and clutches her hands together, in pure expectation. Seeing as Ludecke leads them to a building with no lights shining out, she gets even worse (but manages to contain it) and clings to his free arm again.

As he mentions the possibilities of transforming the storage space into toilettes (oh, she loved that idea!) she lets out a loud sigh of relief, being able to confirm what she hoped this was. Without hesitation she waltz in, scanning the walls, the floors, the ceiling - no part of the locale is able to hide from her, and it is getting quite clear that she is starting to see all the things she would...will...do with the place. Lighting, style of decor, upholstery - everything is taking more and more shape in her mind as she comes to a halt in the middle of the great open space.

She is still again - her mind focused, silent, and she turns to Ludecke, nodding:
"This is it, my liege! This is my tavern." A look of utmost thankfulness comes over her - she does nothing to try to hide it - and adds;
"And yes, of course! I would feel so much safer with you minding the rest of the building."
A pause.
"This is my tavern."
Another pause.
"Thank you."

The last in a serene, almost hushed, tone.

Although "not sure it is a place for us to be in" triggers her curiousity, she takes his word for it.

"Oh, I haven't ridden a horse for ages!"


"...please don't judge my form, though!" she adds with a short laugh.

She looks to Sarai who has seemed to taken a "back-seat" for a while and waves her to come closer (taking her arm if she lets her).


"You may not have ridden before, but I do not rule it out that you will outperform me in this." she says in a joyful manner, hoping to reassure Sarai.

Sarai just isn't comfortable out in the open very much, but horses? Sure, why not.

"I look forward to it, like I said, I was a poor girl, riding was a privilege where I'm from, so this should be a treat."

(she lets Eveline take her arm.)

"I would very much like to know what you did to set the mood for, what I guess would be, the most powerful man in the world at the time!" Eveline is no scholar, but she is quite certain the roman empire ceased to exist at least hundreds of years ago. It is still hard to fathom for her, that some of her kind have been here for thousands of years. She will have to keep asking questions  on this, to see if she can get more clues as to how old Ludecke himself is.

"I fear neither of our dresses is cut out for anything but a ladies saddle, but I do think this particular dress has lived long enough anyway" she states mischievously and simply rips its skirt up along her right leg. "I believe that's something I haven't done before", she confesses triumphantly to the others.

After being introduced to the horses, Eveline seems quite clear:

"I think Adalard and I could become very good friends, so if he is not 'taken', I hope we can get a chance to find out." She nears the elder horse slowly and reaches out a hand to pat him.

Sarai goes up to Frederika and looks her in the eye, seeming to appreciate a curious horse who doesn't shy away.

"Will Frederica accept me riding her? She seems skeptical, I like that, she seems smart."

She was more curious about doing this bareback, but she will take whatever saddle will work best according to the deal.

She goes bareback then, the dress will simply have to bear it, and she couldn't care less about exposed legs.

Sarai: "Who was she? The Adversary?" she asks sounding interested, getting adjusted on top of Frederika.

"I wonder if there's any adversaries here, do you know?" she adds as a follow up question.

Dropping her jaw at the revealing of the Nosferatu, Eveline then asks:

"What was she going to do? The prank, I mean - what was it?" Eveline is riveted. This also makes her wonder how often the emperor was pranked on a total. Or, how often kindred played such pranks on kings and emperors in general! Do they still do it? Eveline is firmly convinced they are still doing them, and smirks at the thought.



"Well, I might as well take the mens' saddle now when I've ruined my dress." she matter-of-factly states and laughs.



"Is she still around, your pranking friend?" While there being a, not insignificant, risk that she no longer is, Eveline thinks all friends lost should be held in remembrance - immortalising them, in a way.


Eveline accepts Ludecke's offer and is hoisted up onto the horse's back. There she turns to Sarai and asks:

"Would you tell me about your being an Adversary some time? You are the first one I've met, and it sure sounds like your kind knows how to shake things up." This is said with nothing but honest curiousity and is clearly meant to get to know her new friend better.

The talk of Sinners, Malkavians, Adversaries, like minded Humanists and her own links to all those things makes Sarai ponder, as he asks for a secret.

Riding the horse is uncomfortable, and slightly trying, as she's not used to the muscles used, but at the same time, a wonderful feeling, letting this animal work in tandem with her, like wielding a weapon, a live one. Her voice shakes a bit from the bouncy ride.

"It's a lot to take in, I turned adversary over a couple of years, he probably intended for me to become a voluptuary and settle nearby. But my will won out, and he liked it, something I am grateful for."

"It all makes me wonder, what if he was related to Gunther? I mean the link between sinner Malkavians is a striking one, I'd like to learn more about it, but he was silent on the subject, I suspect he doesn't know himself really, and I can't say why. But that's his secret, he might know, but was unwilling to share."

"As for me, my deepest darkest secret? I am not sure which is deeper, or darker to be honest. The most important things about me are at best controversial, and revealing them are dangerous, I could tell you things that might even put you in danger." she says matter-of-factly not threateningly, and by now you know that difference with her.

"I don't want you in danger, so I will tell you about the passion which let my sire change paths, and which helped shape my unlife." she begins, trying to make a little story about it, though she is void of certain details, she has literally years of experience by now and can talk at length about the beast inside.

"Everyone has a beast right? Well, mine is a bit different, I can communicate with it, we have an understanding, most don't understand how fundamental this bond is, and what it means, they can't apply the idea that you might work with it like a partner, some like the Ferals let it run wild, but there's no thought to it, just instinct and roaming free, some try to tame it, with rules and restrictions. It's seen like a ... a parasite, something that takes over, and tries to run your life. But I found out different, already from the start my beast not only communicates with me, we learn likes and dislikes, we think about ways to solve things and in general we have a kind of understanding."

To Ludecke and Eveline this might sound like a lot of words saying 'I have a beast and it is special' without anything backing up the whole special-ness of said beast. her overly repetitive speech patterns tells them she's not acting quite coherent. It might become clear to them that this is the basis for her Malkavian madness, it apparently gives her an altered perception of her own beast. Her deepest darkest secret. When she speaks of it, it's like it cannot be compared to other beasts, and maybe she is right, but more than likely her beast is quite like most others.

"I try to learn more, as time goes by, keeping a scientific mindset, to understand how deep this mystery goes." she finishes with.

Judging from her expression she looks hesitant and exposed, she probably feels like she told something absolutely world shattering and intensely original about herself.

"Miete?" Eveline gives away an amused giggle. "I just love the contrast to that name and her being a Nosferatu!" There is no sarcasm in that, only mirth.

At the mentioning of disclosing the secret, Eveline bids the other two farewell for the night - explaining that since it's not she who will be helping Sarai with the painting, it'd be like stealing from her, should she stay (her curiousity is screaming, though). She blows them both a kiss each, and sets off in another direction, starting to hum a tune from one of the taverns.

Sarai isn't sure what to think of Ludecke's words, he seems trustworthy, but also very human. He would judge the beast, and yet, she has to agree that she has the same concerns herself on occasion, when the beast wants completely unreasonable things, the massacre of a newborn, razing and murdering an entire household, torture those who slight her. It all can easily slip into a gory mess from which nothing is learned. (and on occasion she regretted listening to what it said)

She's not sure about what he means with 'not listen'. Like, is he suggesting she just cover her ears and go la la la la? Maybe he thinks ignoring something so intimate is easy? Maybe it is for humanists? could her shift to the Road of Sin have cost her this ability?
Or did she simply forget?...

It's under great protest from the beast that she starts to consider the fact that she doesn't have to listen to the beast at exactly all times, she could perhaps shut it down completely, from sheer will, which she has plenty of, as far as she knows. Her sire always commended her for it.

"So you mean like, I could, instead of arguing with it, just disregard it somehow?" she asks, in a moment of exposed weakness. Ludecke probably suspects that she was not even aware of this ability. Most vampires learn to resist the beast because they are forced to, while trying to regain control, but Sarai with her deep connection, never feels like she loses control. Well he's not sure of all the details, but her reactions speak volumes to him. For some reason she decided not to hide things, with regards to this secret, right now.