11697/Introduction to the Circle

Introduction to the Circle
Date of Scene:	22 June 2022
Location:	Tessa's Suite - Hellfire Club
Synopsis:	Tessa summons Glorianna to the Hellfire Club
Cast of Characters:	Tessa, Glorianna Silver

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Tessa has posed:
The woman known as Tessa Fox is many things to the Hellfire Club. The closer one gets to the center of the organization, the more it becomes obvious just how key she is. She's only a member of the Outer Circle -- the Black Herald, to use her formal title -- but that's just her description on paper. In practice, she's Sebastian Shaw's loyal and effective right hand. The Hellfire Club is a place of secrets. Tessa, more than anyone else, is their keeper.

Following a busy day in the boardroom, Tessa has retired (so to speak) to a private office she keeps on the fifteenth floor, not far from the Inner Circle's sanctum itself. The office is utilitarian rather than opulent, though it maintains the elegant and moneyed Victorian ambience of the rest of the Club.

Tessa herself is in her 'uniform' -- purple corset, thong, boots, gloves, all of it, topped off with a matching choker around her neck. Her cloak is hung neatly on a rack, to be donned later. She's sent a communique along to Glorianna Silver, another member of the Outer Circle, requesting a meeting in this very office.

Glorianna Silver has posed:
It's technically Glorianna's first 'official' meeting as a member of the Outer Circle, but she has dressed for the part. The black corset and thong are trimmed with red piping, thigh-length boots and opera gloves both in pure black satin. Her black cloak is lined with red, and she swishes it clear of the door as she enters.

The tanned redhead even has her hair pulled up and wears an ornate necklace with a red stone as a final accent piece. A quick scan of the room as she closes the door, then she steps slowly (thanks to those heels!) over to the woman at the desk.

For only a moment, Glorianna waits to be recognized. Then she clears her throat softly. "I received your invitation." she declares.

Tessa has posed:
When Glorianna enters, Tessa is faced away from her. Her own hair is done up in a Victorian-style bun, neat and immaculate. She looks back over her shoulder, and offers a pleasant smile. There's something very Stepford Wives about Tessa. She's inscrutable.

"Miss Silver. Thank you for joining me." Tessa steps to one side, revealing that she was standing at a liquor cabinet behind the desk. "Would you care for a drink? I apologize that the selection may be rather limited compared to the full bars available elsewhere in the Club."

Glorianna Silver has posed:
Glorianna Silver returns the smile. "Miss Fox." she replies, stepping slowly closer. Her gaze wanders as the other woman steps aside, perhaps comparing outfits. The cloak billows in her wake and she nods slowly. "Yes, please." the redhead replies. "Whiskey, neat."

Reaching the liquor cabinet, she turns to face Tessa more directly. "I have questions, but of course your business takes precedence."

Tessa has posed:
Tessa is part of the Black Court, and yet she wears purple. No one else on the chessboard gets a purple outfit. Perhaps this is a sign of what one can get away with when one is indispensable to the Black King.

Tessa retrieves a bottle of Lagavulin 16 Year from the cabinet and two glasses. She pours, and if one is watching closely enough, it's remarkable how she manages to pour the exact same amount into both glasses. A single for each of them. Tessa caps the bottle but leaves it out. She offers a glass to Glorianna. "I suspect that your questions and my business may overlap quite a bit," she says, preserving her genuine smile.

"Please. Let's sit and talk." Tessa gestures to a couch in the office, rather than the desk.

Glorianna Silver has posed:
Glorianna Silver lifts a cinnamon brow as the liquor is poured. Yes, she notices the precision. She reaches up to untie her cloak, hanging it up next to Tessa's before accepting the offered glass. "Thank you." she replies, pacing towards the couch.

Turning slowly, she settles comfortably close to one end of the couch and crosses one leg over the other. "Why don't you go first, then?"

Tessa has posed:
When Tessa sits, there's such an economy of motion that it feels like ballerinas would kill to be that coordinated. She doesn't have to adjust the way she sits or scoot or anything -- she doesn't need to get comfortable. She just lowers herself into exactly the position she wants to be in. Like Glorianna, one leg crosses over the other. She looks regal and ladylike, especially with a glass of whiskey in her gloved hand.

"Mister Shaw has placed his trust in you to join the Outer Circle. Those whom Mister Shaw trusts, I trust." Tessa has a sip of her whiskey. Lagavulin is a smoky whiskey, with an enticing aroma, but it goes down smooth and sweet. "I tend to affairs here at the Hellfire Club. In a general sense, I do my part to keep everything running at optimum. However, I am also here to assist the Black Court in whatever capacity I can. Mister Shaw trusts you, Miss Silver. I trust you. So I would ask that you also trust me."

Glorianna Silver has posed:
Glorianna Silver passes the glass under her nose, sampling the bouquet before sipping. Tessa has her full attention. A brow lifts again at the taste; open appreciation. "Of course, Miss Fox. But please, do feel free to call me Glorianna."

"I am not known to be trusting by nature, but if Mister Shaw trusts you then his confidence certainly becomes mine." There is a pause, then Glorianna asks. "Is there some reason in particular you are asking for my trust?"

Tessa has posed:
"As you wish, Glorianna. And you may call me Tessa, if you wish." The way Tessa speaks is like the mystic pinnacle of Customer Service. She's warm, encouraging, personable, and yet something about it feels scripted. She's the uncanny valley, personified. Everything about her is just a little TOO perfect.

"Discretion is one of the keystones of the Hellfire Club," Tessa says. The hand not holding her whiskey is resting in her own lap. Despite Tessa's immaculate posture, she still looks comfortable, in her own way. "You understood this as a member, of course. Within the Board, it becomes all the more vital. Should you have questions or concerns, I invite you to come to me with them. I'm here to help. I will keep things quiet. You're an esteemed philanthropist, Glorianna. Scandal wouldn't suit you. I'm here to make sure you never even have to risk it."

Glorianna Silver has posed:
Glorianna Silver is full of questions, but as a businesswoman she also understands the importance of timing. And pacing. "Of course, Tessa, and thank you for your candor." she replies. For her part, Glorianna settles comfortably against the cushions while sipping her whiskey.

Her questions are fed out slowly, beginning with specifics about the more individual titles for Board members. And for the Outer Circle. "Chess is a most interesting analogy, I think." she offers. More whiskey will be required, of course.