1400 CE

"My companion and I traveled from the lends of the Sultan Bayezid, First of his name. As for stories I am but a humble scholar, this journey through Europe being the biggest excitement I've ever had." Abdul explained as he sat. "Mr. Issac, I heard you hail from the British Territory, I must ask, what is it like."

"Oh i believe the people there are likely much like people you can find nearly anywhere. They live their lives as best they can. They work, they love, they hate, they experience joy and sorrow. They have hopes and dreams. Some are pious and some less so. The city is full of bustle and noise though the countryside is much nicer. England is currently ruled by King Henry the fourth of his name. He seems a good king though I do not feel qualified to evaluate such things. There are rumblings of discontent and rebellion among some folk but I am also not qualified to say how that will go. My biggest complaint about England is the rain. Days will go by with naught but rain. What is the land you are from like Abdul?I know so very little about the lands of Sultans."

Duccio went still a quiet as Finn had entered the hall as this old women peeked his interest which doubled at the mention of her clan and stood up when she came over. After a courteous bow of greeting and waiting for her to be seated Duccio moved himself a little further to the back as the smell of the cookies brought carefully subdued memories back before he had a chance to squash them down again. With a soft slow breath Duccio marshaled his thoughts back in order and and began listening intently to the stories brought up. "Quite the interesting story Kristophe, I would love it to get more stories from the Caliphates perspective to add to my personal collection if you ever have the time." Duccio said with a bright smile and a clap of his hands.

A light tap at the door interrupts, the door opens partway, and a young woman wearing practical travelling clothes slinks through, holding her hand back to guide the door closed quietly behind her. She takes in the room at a quick glance without making eye contact with anyone, then steps nervously towards Torston and the podium, removing her hood, though still averting her eyes. As she nears, Torston catches the scent of wild thyme.

"Hello, you must be the... Keeper, is it?" she asks quietly, "I think that was the word..." she trails off, eyes darting briefly to his face for a sign of confirmation before averting her eyes again. "I've been travelling on foot for weeks now and I'm afraid the details have gotten a bit... foggy." She meets his gaze briefly again while attempting a meek smile.

"Oh, right! Sorry... I'm Gwynne." She pauses a second before remembering there's more to be said. "I was told to say that I'm a... I'm um..." she stops, furrowing her brow to try to remember something, before continuing in a whisper: She continues in a low, frustrated voice "Something to do with- I don't know... She doesn't like me much, anyways, and I think maybe she was just trying to embarrass me, because it doesn't make any sense. She was from clan Ahrimanes and taught me all about them, but I don't think I lived up to her expectations, so she told me to leave Denmark, go somewhere else - 'anywhere else', she said - and not to drag her into it." Gwynne sighs, and looks at Torston with a bit of a frown forming. "Of course she told me all about the clan, and all their rules and things, but glossed over anything that would have actually come in handy when I got here. I know this probably looks bad, but I promise I won't cause any trouble. I'll stay outside the city as much as possible, keep to myself, and won't bother anyone. I've lived on my own in the woods for years, so it won't be much different - well, other than the sunlight and drinking blood and whatnot - but I've had plenty of opportunities to familiarize myself with that on the journey here. I just want to stop travelling for a bit... start a garden, that kind of thing. I always had a garden growing up, and I miss it now." Her frown turns to a thoughtful one.

"It is of no worry domina Volkova I did not properly introduce myself as I did not wish to interrupt the conversation, I am Leonarduccio Esposito at your service." Duccio said with a deep bow of his head. As the timid Gwynne made her entrance an amused smile played across Duccio's lips as his right hand drummed the table absentmindedly.

Gwynne nods in response to Torston. She glances around the room again, her eyes lingering on the plate of cookies and the two vampires drinking tea for a moment before locating a solitary table against a wall. She clears the entryway and moves over towards the table.

As Gwynne walks toward her solitary table Isaac smiles at her and waves cheerily.
"Hello! I couldn't help but overhear that you may not be fully informed on our particular....culture? Society? Whatever word applies I must admit I am very much in the dark on such things. These kind folk were filling me in as well as sharing stories with me. Feel free to join us if that appeals to you!"

Gwynne stops, giving a cautious once-over of the varied bunch now gathered around the tea and cookies, before tentatively approaching, the scent of wild thyme now reaching the group. She sits, taking the tea offered by Finn.

"Thank you, Grandmother," she says softly, with a smile, "You are too kind."

Gwynne looks curiously at Isaac, then at Enki and his glowing tattoos as he approaches. She nervously takes a sip of the tea, waiting for the conversation to resume.

Abdul left out a deep laugh at Enki's comment, "The only clan I could think of in a worse state would be the Demon worshippers of the African Continent. And my dear Finn don't lie, we very much do bite. Just not eachother."

*A noise emanated from the top of the ornate stairwell*

A figure strode down the stairs with effortless ease, it almost seemed as though they were floating. Aware that the number of eyes on them was growing, they made no attempt to speed up. On the contrary, each step seemed to be taken with a purpose.

As she reached the bottom of the stairs, she began speaking. Her voice like that of the sirens, holding an almost magical sway as the noise from her mouth hung in the air.

She made her way over to Torston's book he had been writing in and picked it up. She carried it with her around the room, speaking to each vampire as she went.

"Abdul, welcome to my humble abode."

"Isaac, it's a pleasure."

"Finn. As beautiful as my home."

"Kristophe, your wind could power the sails for a calendar year."

"Duccio, my city has much to teach you in the ways of humility"

"Gwynne, dear sweet Gwynne."

"Enki, your presence is appreciated"

"Godfrey, so glad you could make it."

"Onora, here to preach?"

"Karim, I trust you've found my city adequate."

She finished making her rounds, satisfied that she had met everyone. She made every attempt to appear friendly and invested without risking being dragged into a conversation that would go on and on.

"Now that you're all here, I'd like to say welcome. Amsterdam has been a wonderful dwelling to me and I have every confidence it will do the same for you. Everyone here has been recognized by the court and will be afforded the protections of Elysium. Break them if you have a death wish."

She chuckled slightly. A sickening chuckle made from the windpipe of something long dead. She glanced over to her Warden as she continued.

"As some of you may know, Willem Damwicher and several city nobles have gone missing. Those of you who don't know, should. Whomsoever brings forth information on this matter which results in answers being had will be rewarded handsomely. Please, mill about and enjoy yourselves. I must go now. Gregor, Torston, Vishard, please show our guests a good time."

The woman turned on her heels and headed to the front door. She opened it and a hooded figure stood in front of her.

"Ah, excellent. I was wondering when you'd get here. Come, we have much to discuss."

The hooded figure said nothing, merely nodded and fell in line behind her as they walked through a side door into what appeared to be a conference room.