< atton revisited > The information page for Atton has been fully revised and updated with the new map!
< updated calendar > The Fortuna calendar has been updated in the "Other" lore section! This includes a document which displays the calendar for you to see, making it much easier to understand.
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Welcome to the world of Fortuna, a land of fantastic proportions. This is an original fantasy roleplay that takes place in a world developed over nearly a decade of work and collaboration. We aim to encourage all participants to have a hand in the stories of the characters here, and the world around them. Your choices are key - so make them with pride. You decide who wins the wars, you decide who becomes King, the world is ours, and together we will bring it to life!
Post by Vincent Laeretti on Jan 14, 2017 6:57:16 GMT -7
The expression Vincent aimed at the two other occupants of the table was incredibly unimpressed, much like the general expression he had been using all evening, though this one perhaps carried a particular extra bit of indication that he didn't need to be reminded of table manners at a time like this. Miss Green still had not taken a bite, apparently insisting on standing on principle.
Fine then.
He gently pushed his plate aside, pulling his journal back out and setting it on the table before him. He opened it up and proceeded to scribble in it once more, its pages kept out of sight as his writing was mostly for show. It was passing time.
"I seem to have lost my appetite," he stated blandly, not bothering to look up from the page - not that they could see, at least, through the slight screen his hair and glasses provided. "Give it time and I'm sure it will come right back."
It was rude, it was transparent, and it was just the thing to do. Vincent didn't trust these people as far as he could throw them, and if Miss Green wasn't going to eat the food that had come from his serving, he wasn't going to eat it either. Would she continue to sit there and not touch her own plate in response? Would she express offense at his rude gesture of her and Thomas's 'hospitality'? Well, it didn't really matter what she did. Not as much as it mattered what Thomas did.
Thomas whose eyes had very subtly flashed to Miss Green when her name had been asked, eyes that were watchful, which then became eyes with a twinkle of pride in them when she had answered. Eyes that paid even closer attention when she gave her answer regarding why she wasn't eating. Anyone could argue that this was simply a man paying attention to the conversation in front of him. But Vincent had been on many operations, including those where he sat down at the table to speak with victims of domestic abuse. He'd seen the way their abusers's eyes flashed, ever so subtly, towards their victims when certain questions were asked. Silent tests. Quietly checking to ensure the correct answers were given.
Thomas's eyes had been reminding Vincent very much of this ever since he met Miss Green.
Post by Acacia-Green on Jan 14, 2017 12:01:31 GMT -7
Miss Green still had no idea what Vincent of the SSPB was doing in the hospital, but it certainly wasn't being a good dinner guest. When he pushed the plate aside she, having put a lot of effort into cooking the food and then even giving him a good portion despite the fact that he was an unannounced and unplanned for guest, couldn't have been more offended. He pulled his notebook back out and started writing again, saying that he lost his appetite but he was sure it would come right back. What was he, a petulant child? She had patients who had literally lost limbs who were less pissy than he was being right now. She had dealt with parents of children who were dying who had better manners. It didn't make her angry so much as... disappointed. "I didn't think common courtesy would cause such a fuss," she commented, genuinely flabbergasted by his poor behaviour right now. "I honestly would have expected better from a guest, let alone an officer of the SSPB."
She wanted to take his plate away; after all pushing it away from oneself at the table indicated that you were finished with it and it should be cleared. But again, clearly his table manners didn't cover that either. Instead she decided that if he was going to waste all the very good food she had given him then the least she could do was enjoy her own, though the idea of eating while Vincent wrote notes was almost enough for her to lose her own appetite. Her politeness only extended as far as his would though, and he had indicated he had no intention of being ready to eat, which meant that her job as a cook was done - she took care of the guest and the guest refused. It hurt a little, and it offended a lot, but she let out a vaguely frustrated sigh before starting to eat her own food, wondering if it was common for SSPB officers to act in such a way or if he was just being particularly rude.
Post by Thomas Dunn on Jan 15, 2017 10:04:31 GMT -7
He wanted to laugh, and it was a little hard not to. Miss Green was entertaining where his Green would simply have stared at her plate in silence, waiting for Tom to fill in the blanks for her. No, Miss Green had a personality that might have been attractive to him if he hadn't invented it. It was his own mind he was appreciating, he knew. Not her's.
Instead, he shook his head and cleared his throat, acting as though this were an incredibly awkward situation for him to be in. "Now now, we ought to be a tad more welcoming. Perhaps Vincent is more accustomed to eating alone," It was said in a pleasant tone, but it wasn't a particularly pleasant thought. To Tom, Vincent seemed like a loner. A man too focused on work to have any real relations. No family, no friends, no love. In this way, too, Tom had decided he was superior.
"Do you mind if Miss Green and I finish our meal? Then perhaps you and I can complete our discussion in the study."
Post by Vincent Laeretti on Jan 24, 2017 1:39:36 GMT -7
Thomas looked amused, and Vincent had more or less gotten what he wanted; Miss Green had had an offended sort of reaction to his deliberately rude behavior, and had started to eat from her plate. Thomas, despite looking like he found the situation entertaining, spoke as though it was awkward, shallowly trying to excuse Vincent's rudeness with an assumption. It was good that he seemed to be taking Vincent's performance as genuine. Any misdirection was good. Allowing someone like this to gain a firm read on Vincent would have completely defeated his purposes.
In any case, he could reason that the food was not likely poisoned based on Miss Green's consumption of it. Or if it was, the effects would not be immediately apparent. Delayed poison was a bit more detectable in the nasal passages if you knew what to look for. The slow-acting proteins tended to carry an unhelpably stronger smell. Not to the point of being distinct, of course, but enough that the food might not smell entirely like itself if it had been tainted. And Vincent had already gotten a good whiff of it. It was thus probably safe.
He more or less ignored Thomas's question save for a non-committal 'hmm' that implied he didn't care what Thomas did, and that he was only barely paying attention. He continued to write things in his book, legs crossed and posture suggesting that for the moment he was off in his own world entirely. He would occasionally rest the end of his pen against his lips while he stared at a page thoughtfully, before writing something else down. Likely he appeared to be compiling various observations and reports of his experiences through the day.
After a good few minutes of letting the other two eat in silence, he completed his image by absently reaching for his fork, spearing a bite of the meat Miss Green had sliced onto his plate and bringing it to his mouth to chew on slowly. He spoke no words of thanks or compliment, appearing quite thoroughly to be up in his own head. Shame he'd had to let the performance sit for as long as it did. This meat would have been lovely if it were warmer.
He wrote something else down in his book, and then his gaze seemed to solidify back onto the room around him for a moment, as though a thought had just occurred. "Dr. Dunn, if I may ask, what do you do in your leisure time?"
Post by Thomas Dunn on Jan 24, 2017 13:56:07 GMT -7
As much as it was entertaining to watch Green and Vincent argue in the passive aggressive fashion that seemed to come naturally to the two of them, it was far less enjoyable to be ignored in his own home. Vincent would dare to sit there, and treat Thomas like some kind of nuisance? Well, that was just fine wasn't it? He would enjoy playing his final card tonight. Whether or not he needed to, this Vincent needed to know just who held the power here. Just who held his Lord's ear.
Tom's eyes narrowed a little and he focused on Green and his food. For now... He would have a pleasant meal with his perfect subject, as they did each day. "Miss Green, you've done it again. Cooked perfectly," And it always would be. For him, anyways. She had received enough punishment and wiring to always cook things the way he wanted. He wouldn't have been surprised to find her a time or two silently disposing of failed meals, not wanting him to ever see them... He hadn't of course, but these were the things he could envision of his dear Green. This thought comforted him, and he found himself ignoring Vincent for now.
"I nearly forgot, Adelise Laurié wanted me to thank you for the additional aid you gave her yesterday, Miss Green. I must say--" And of course, it was then that Vincent decided to eat. The cutting of the knife against the plate was sharp in its interruption, and Tom bit his tongue as his eyes stayed on Green.
Oh, he would destroy Vincent of the SSPB. Not today, not soon... But he would do it. Destroy everything he held dear. And he would enjoy every second of it. For now, however, he would simply smile in the way he had been, and play along. He was good at playing along. He'd gotten many, many things by playing along.
"I'm afraid I have very little leisure time, Vincent," He slowly turned his head to Vincent as he responded, looking almost exasperated, "Between my patients, and maintaining the sanitary quality of the hospital, myself and Miss Green have very minimal time for leisure. Although, I'm sure you've noted my aeroplane. I'll admit that I enjoy the journeys I take on board it quite immensely. On occasion I'll manage to read for pleasure as opposed to discovery... Now, one moment." He turned back to Green purposefully, aiming to complete his statement, ideally without the slicing of meat from Vincent, "I'm rather impressed with all of the kind words the patients have had for you in your time here, Miss Green. I dare admit you may have more potential than the job I've offered has permitted you."
And then Tom cut into his own meat, ensuring that the knife squeaked against the plate a little as he kept his eyes on dear, dear Green.
Last Edit: Jan 24, 2017 13:56:26 GMT -7 by Thomas Dunn
Post by Acacia-Green on Jan 27, 2017 11:23:41 GMT -7
If Vincent was going to act like he wasn't there then perhaps it was best for her to treat him as though he wasn't. She still couldn't figure out why he was being so rude. Dr. Dunn had invited him, unannounced to her dismay but still, to dinner and then he had the audacity to treat it like this? She still wanted to throw out his plate of food. Instead she turned her gaze to Dr. Dunn as he complimented her cooking and she flashed a grateful smile. She was prepared to finish her meal quickly and let the two men get back to whatever the obtuse purpose for the SSPB's visit was, and was happy for some conversation with the doctor as he said that Adelise Laurié had wanted him to thank her for her assistance, going above and beyond as she always tried to for the patients.
Meanwhile, Vincent decided he wanted to eat after all, and Green let out a breath that might have been a frustrated sigh. In the silence that followed, Vincent asked Dr. Dunn what he did in his leisure time and Miss Green couldn't figure out whether it was a genuine attempt at small-talk or if this was part of some sort of questionnaire or test or something, but she couldn't imagine its purpose. Dr. Dunn answered the question by saying they had little time for leisure, not when they had patients to take care of, but that he enjoyed his aeroplane and reading if he got the chance.
When he finished answering the question he turned back to her and said that he was impressed - a word she always wanted to hear from him - with everything the patients had to say about her. She did try her best, and she enjoyed helping people. That was, after all, why she was here. To help. To make people better. Dr. Dunn said she might have more potential than the job she had and she smiled good-naturedly and waved it off. "We're doing good work here, giving people their health and their lives back. I can't imagine a better job than helping to achieve that." When he cut into his meat and the knife squeaked on the plate she grimaced a bit, never enjoying the sound of it. Usually Dr. Dunn was a very refined eater, but she could see this was to make a point.
Post by Vincent Laeretti on Jan 29, 2017 9:21:52 GMT -7
If Vincent were to guess, he would say he may well have been successfully getting under their skin. This wasn't exactly necessary - he was more interested in simply observing general reactions and probing for information that way, he didn't really need them to get annoyed specifically. But, he would be lying to himself if he tried to say he didn't somewhat enjoy it on Thomas's part.
"Yes yes, quite the noble effort," he chimed in after Miss Green's statement as though he had been a part of that conversation. He still continued to eat his meal like it was an afterthought, his eyes firmly on his journal as he brought the fork back and forth from plate to mouth. It was clearly just the least interesting meal in the world, as far as his performance indicated. "The aeroplane is a rather unique asset of yours, Dr. Dunn," he said, now continuing off of Thomas's answer to his earlier question. He wrote in his book as though noting it down. "Quite the hobby, and an enviable piece of private collection not many can claim to have." Finally glancing up from the pages, he offered Tom a barely-interested gaze. "And what sorts of leisure reading do you partake in? Mind, that question isn't part of the report. Just an idle curiosity."
Post by Thomas Dunn on Jan 30, 2017 9:32:51 GMT -7
Vincent truly didn't realize the situation he was in, did he? Lord Woodrow must not have viewed him as 'important' enough to have told him the full story. If he had, the dolt at his dining table would certainly not be so annoyingly rude. He already had a contract with Woodrow, with the SSPB. All he would have to do was insist Vincent leave and deliver his patient, and then it would be over.
But Tom would play the game for a bit longer. If only to relish in the look on the man's face when he showed his hand - when he showed this 'Vincent' that he had been holding the winning hand all along, and that he'd merely played Vincent. Wasted his time.
He ignored Vincent's question again, taking a final bite of his food. He set his fork and knife down on top of the plate, and then stood from the table. "Delicious, Miss Green," He smiled at her and picked up his plate - normally he'd leave the plate for Green to clean up - which he brought into the kitchen as he continued: "You won't find a lick of fictional waste on my shelves, I can assure you of that. Medical papers, mostly. I prefer to be informed on the latest... Though there are some older papers that I enjoy when I have the leisure to. Unlikely you've heard of their masters, I'd say. Local scientists, and they were killed before they could make much good on their work. Terribly sad what happened to the Laerettis."
Finished with cleaning his flatware, he put them into their homes and turned back to the two of them, "I hate to rush you through your meal, Vincent, but I believe it's time we return to our business. Don't you?"
Post by Acacia-Green on Jan 31, 2017 20:47:31 GMT -7
When Vincent made his 'noble effort' comment she glanced over at him, wondering if perhaps he had decided to join the conversation after all, but she was greeted instead by the sight of him still looking at his journal as though it was the most interesting thing in the room, and casually and uninterestedly picking away at his food. Her eyebrows furrowed and she pursed her lips unhappily, though didn't say anything about it. She turned back to Dr. Dunn who complimented her cooking and took his plate to the kitchen to wash it himself, something he would never do without guests and only rarely did even with guests, and answered Vincent's question as he did so. She meanwhile finished her own food which wasn't hard given her smaller portion. She wasn't hungry anymore, but she certainly wasn't full either. She would be fine though. Having a small dinner never killed anyone.
Dr. Dunn turned back to them both and told Vincent it was time to return to business (he phrased it as a question, but the meaning was clear), and Miss Green stood from the table then and picked up her dishes. "I will clean up. Dr. Dunn, Vincent, best wishes with the rest of your business. I do hope the report you're writing turns out well." She didn't hate Vincent or even dislike him, but she certainly thought he was a poor dinner guest. Whatever was going on between him and Dr. Dunn she was glad she only had to endure it for one meal.
Post by Vincent Laeretti on Feb 4, 2017 20:34:39 GMT -7
Well, curiosity had been sated if nothing else. Vincent would admit to having almost felt offended earlier when he noticed his father's paper sitting out on the man's couch, and he'd been meaning to find a way to ask about it without making his interest too obvious. So then Dunn was something of a fan, hm? Or perhaps someone who was just interested in the work his parents had done for his own purposes. It was an unlikely reach, but Vincent made sure to mentally file him away as a potential suspect worth investigating for that matter.
Well, at any rate, there were other things to focus on now. Miss Green was cleaning up and excusing herself, and Tom was suggesting they get back to talking business. Vincent, however, was prepared to give his verdict now and put an end to this evening.
"There will be no need to discuss further business," Vincent replied, standing from the table and tucking his journal away. "I have finished my complete assessment of your facility, and the information you have provided on your patients and on your work here has been more than sufficient. I will say, I am not wholly convinced. I will need to return to Lord Woodrow and report all of this to him before I can allow a final verdict to be issued, Dr. Dunn. I'm sure you understand."
In terms of illegality, Vincent had not been able to find anything that would outright rule out Thomas's reception of their prisoner, true. But Lord Woodrow knew better than to doubt Vincent's hunches, and right now the man was positive that something clearly stank. He could not hand over the pirate, not now. This would buy him some time to consult with Woodrow over the matter. He met Thomas's eyes as he spoke his words, expression all business, as though challenging him to refute him. To give him any further reason to say no.
The skin OTHERWORLD was made by JAWN of WICKED WONDERLAND.
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