[Sodium_noir] Hell is other people

[FlameFlash]

> Dr. Lazarus, 'Sandra Scoland', Mitsuko, Aurora
> Mage, Bastet, Avatar, Mage
> Lady Sinclaire's Mansion
>
> [Sandra]
> Sandra nodded, agreeing with Hiram's last statement, but her reaction was
> more of keen interest than of surprise.  "A personal theory I've lived by
> for sometime," she says. "I've seen too many coincidences in my own research
> between civilizations on different sides of the ocean for there not to have
> been at least some form of mutual communication.  Use of a type of cuneal
> writing in one form or another, detailed knowledge of astronomy,
> mathematics, cartography and similar building structures..."
>
> She then looked at Hiram. "But traditional academia tends to refute many
> 'new theories' on mankind's origins," she says in a matter-of-fact tones,
> "if only because the academic elite are too proud to admit they are wrong
> and would have to go back and rewrite a whole lot of history books."
>
> But there was something more to Hiram's smile, she noted. This was something
> bigger. The corner of her mouth turned up in a sly smile as she spoke in
> faux conspiratorial tones leaning closer to him. "But something tells me you
> aren't just talking about a few pottery shards, are you Dr. Lazarus? Just
> what exactly is this 'proof' you are speaking of, oh Wily One?" she asks.
>
> [Hiram]
> Hiram's grin widened slightly.
>
> "I can't tell you now," he said, "but you can come by my office later we can
> talk more about it when I have the proper materials at hand."
>
> [Sandra]
> Sandra's smile widened as well at Hiram's offer. "You, sir, are on," she
> says raising her glass accepting his offer.  It was then she realized just
> how low her drink was, and the slight buzz she was beginning to get from the
> alcohol.
>
> [Hiram]
> He started on the last gulp of his drink as he turned back to look inside.
> Near the fireplace was Aurora, and the avatar of the node. Hiram gave a
> start, nearly coughing on his drink. Why did they bring her here?? He
> thought as he pushed his chair ahead to go meet them.
>
> [Sandra]
> Sandra watched with slight surprise as Hiram rolled away towards the
> gathered women. Evidently he knew them and seemed rather surprised to see
> them here judging from his reaction.  "No... please. Go right ahead," she
> says under her breath with one arched eyebrow when Hiram was out of ear
> shot.
>
> 'Oh well,' she sighed thinking to herself as she lifted herself from her
> leaning position against the railing.  'Waste not, want not,' she told
> herself as she took the final swallow of her drink. 'Let's see who these new
> arrivals are.'
>
> [Hiram]
> "Ladies," he said as he rolled up to them, "it is certainly a surprise to
> see you here," he was directing his statement more at Mitsuko than at
> Aurora. "Can I get you anything?" he asked before he realized that he'd
> bolted off from his conversation with 'Sandra'. He turned back, hoping she
> had followed.
>
> [Sandra]
> Placing her empty glass on a passing by tray carried by one of the servants,
> she quietly walked up behind Hiram remaining an unobtrusive distance from
> him and the new arrivals, waiting to be properly introduced.
>
> [Aurora]
> Aurora blinked, then blushed as her senses returned to the plain of flesh.
>
> "Dr. Lazarus!  It's good to catch up with you.  We were invited to a new
> friend who moved in, couldn't pass it up," she smiles conspiratorially at
> Mitsuko.
>
> [Sandra]
> Sandra stands back watching the scene unfold seeing the distant gazes from
> the new arrivals. It also seemed the good doctor was caught off guard as
> well for whatever reason judging from his lack of response.  Then the
> dreaded 'pregnant party pause' happened... those moments at social
> gatherings where everyone just stands there with awkward grins waiting for
> the next topic, any topic, to come up.
>
> 'Well girl,' she thought to herself.  'You aren't going to get to know
> anyone new standing around waiting at this rate.  Let's see if we can't
> speed this up a bit, shall we?'
>
> "It seems the cat got the good doctor's tongue for some reason," she says
> from behind Hiram as she steps forward. "So it looks like I'll just have to
> take the initiative and introduce myself instead.  Sandra Scoland, recent
> Gotham transplant," she says with her trademark 'meeting a new client smile'
> and holding out her hand to Aurora.

Aurora smiled much more shyly, she fought the urge to glance back at
Mitsuko.  She hated meeting new people in such a big place, much
preferring the spirits she'd been talking to a moment before... her
senses were still so full and open, but she steeled herself to the
newness of meeting other people.  "Aurora," She says simply, smiling,
accepting Sandra's hand.

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