18507/The French Connection

The French Connection
Date of Scene:	05 July 2024
Location:	VIP Lounge - Hellfire Club
Synopsis:	Sebastian and Tess welcome Rien into the Hellfire Club.
Cast of Characters:	Sebastian Shaw, Rien D'Arqueness, Tessa

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Sebastian Shaw has posed:
It is hardly unusual for Sebastian Shaw to make the rounds of the Hellfire Club on any given night.

While he is hardly the only one to have an interest in the affairs of the Club, in what the various members might be up to, he is perhaps a little more diligent then any of the other silent partners involved in it's affairs in keeping track of just what is going on.

But then the billionaire businessman -- and secret mutant as well as the Club's Black King -- is very much the public face of the New York chapter of the global spanning series of like-minded organizations.

But it is not just mingling that brings him into the VIP Lounge on this particular evening, decked out in that archaic fashion that he has adopted -- at least within the confines of the Club itself. It does insure that he stands out, though he is not the only one to adopt such affectations, the trend having caught on with at least a few of the members whether due to imitation or genuine appreciation for the throwback garb.

So while he moves through the crowded area, stopping now and then to have a word with one individual or another, murmured conversations lost under the hum of the crowd, his direction is always quite clear.

At the far end of the room is *his* table, perhaps the only one that always stands open and unoccupied unless he happens to be present. Tonight, he is not just playing host. Tonight is one of those rare nights when he is meeting with an intriguing possibility for membership in their select circle. It is not, in fact, a common occurence. No matter how much wealth or influence might happen to be concentrated in Manhatten itself.

A brief, curt nod is given to one of the footmen decked out in eighteenth century garb, prior instructions already conveyed and the man snaps to attention by the elevator, prepared to escort the potential VIP to his table once they arrive, even as Shaw settles himself, the intricate lace cuffs of his silken shirt spilling out over his hands, almost engulfing them in that filmy fabric.

Rien D'Arqueness has posed:
While Rien is normally more of a leather jacket and jeans sort of woman, she knows how to clean up when its appropriate. And receiving an invitation to the Hellfire Club certainly counts.

Arriving by motorcycle, she tosses her keys to the valet, taking the ticket and tucking it into a pocket as she strides for the door. Still in her leather jacket, tanktop, jeans, and boots, with windblown hair from the ride in. Entering the lobby, she moves towards the elevator, stepping inside and touching the button that will take her to the 11th floor. As the elevator begins its ascent, she'll glance up towards the camera in the corner, offering a smile and a wink.

The grungy street outfit melts away into an 18th century inspired nouveau couture outfit. A corseted powder blue silk cocktail dress beneath a fitted black velvet coat with an ankle-length skirt and a half-bustle at the back, buttoned together at the front light a vest might with a trio of golden buttons stamped with a fleur-de-lis, exposing the dress underneath. A pair of thigh high velvet boots with spike heels lace up the front, the lack of a 'tongue' leaving expanses of her legs bared. Her hair softens and brushes out, curling up into a piled twist that leave a few dangling locks drifting around her ears and neck. Golden jewelry studded with onyx and sapphires decorate her ears and throat. Her eyeliner is winged, a shimmery powder blue shadow decorating her lids, a light brush of blush, and a golden-tinged lipstick completing the look.

Stepping off the elevator, she glances around, sniffing at the air lightly, then offering her name to the footman so she can be escorted to the table. He was almost assuredly aware of her imminent arrival, but its really only polite to announce oneself when you arrive.

Tessa has posed:
Tessa is handling an issue with a patron in The Victorian this evening. It is vexing when their members forget themselves, but a light correction - or in some cases, a temporary ban from the venue - is generally enough to get them back on track. Cut off and poured into a cab, perhaps, but still on good terms. It is twice as vexing when it is one of the Legacy members and their allowed single guest causing the issue, with an overindulgent parent looking on but doing nothing.

Tessa's spine is an unbending titanium as she addresses the situation at hand. There is a three-strike rule for less egregious offenses, and this party has managed to blow through all of them in one night. If she were the sort to show open emotion, Tessa would say that she is appalled. Perhaps gobsmacked. Definitely in a fine fury. However, her face and voice are both perfectly even as she informs the trio that their welcome tonight is revoked, their guest is permanently banned, and the parent and legacy member in question can both consider themselves unwelcome until the first day of September. She raises a single hand as the Legacy in question goes to speak, and their guardian finally compels them to remain silent, though all three are fuming as security escorts them directly to the front. The other patrons are murmuring amongst themselves, and she has no doubt this bad behavior will feature in both Page Six and a multitude of lesser gossip columns come morning. The alert is sent immediately to present security staff and the host's stand, added to the morning digest for the Board, and marked as a topic for front of house staff and all security during their weekly catch-up.

Unpleasant task completed, she makes her way to the VIP Lounge and Sebastian's table. Her attire causes a small disturbance, because some of the people who spend time up here are actually observant enough to notice that she is not dressed to perfectly complement Mr. Shaw's own attire, and to gossip with their fellows about what that might mean. She resists the urge to smooth her hands over her gown. White starts to look grubby with an ease she dislikes, and the gown itself is too lovely to be relegated to grubby. The white lace swirls overtop the smooth black satin of a gown cut in the style of Hollywood's Golden Age, and as she comes to a stop at his side she cannot help but bend enough to press a kiss to his temple. "Sebastian. Apologies for not being here when you arrived, but we had an unruly patron."

Sebastian Shaw has posed:
For the most part, Sebastian Shaw is completely composed, at least when it comes to a public setting.

Upon occasion, in private, with a few select individuals he can dispel that air of ancient formality that he seems to carry himself with, wrapped up in the trappings of wealth and power that he seems to drape himself in with so much ease.

On equally rare and much more unfortunate occasions he might allow himself to indulge in sheer, blind rage. That usually does not go so well for the individual who is his target, nor any of the surrounding rooms or numerous pricey decorations. And while he might be able to afford to replace both things orf value and incompetent servitors, he still tries to refrain.

Still, Shaw can't help but let the smallest flicker of a frown slip over his expression at Tessa's new garb. He agreed to the value of it, of course, understands that it is hardly forever, necessarily and doesn't doubt her loyalty is still very much where it belongs -- mostly.

But there is still something vaguely unsettling about seeing his closest of confidants in the White of the opposite Court.

Ahh well. It is not without it's perks as well as he is beginning to discover and by the time she reaches that table of his the frown is gone and only a faint smile remains present there.

"I trust that the spot of unpleasantness downstairs has been handled?" he asks her quietly, gaze still ocassionally flicking towards the elevator doors. Of course he is well aware of what is going on in *his* Club. He might leave the details up to Tessa more often then not, but little escapes him. For long.

"And that," he begins, with a nod of his head in the direction of the elevator, "would be our guest I presume."

Again, Sebastian has been well debrief on who and what to expect this evening -- though admittedly the choice of attire might be something of a surprise. It is possible that they are not the only ones that have done their homework for this meeting.

Rising to his feet, he stands there, moving just behind his chair to rest one hand on the back of it, the other gripping the gold-handled cane he wields, the butt end of it pressed flat to the floor underfoot.

"I trust this will be interesting."

Rien D'Arqueness has posed:
Approaching with the footman, Rien's lips twitch upward into a wry half of a smile.

"I certainly hope so. I'm far too old to be wasting time on anything boring," her voice lilts with a French accent that has persisted through the decades. Dipping into curtsy before the pair, she straightens to look between them. "Mr. Shaw, Ms. Sage. A pleasure to meet you both. Rien D'Arqueness."

Blue eyes dip between the two as she offers, "If it makes you feel better, I turned down an invitation from the Paris branch in 1973. The entire scene there was being poorly managed. I understand it changed hands in the late 80's, and for the better."

That smile ticks up just a flicker more as she looks from Shaw to Tessa, "And I do want to thank you for the invitation tonight. I've heard nothing but wonderful things about this branch. I'm quite looking forward to speaking with you both." Rien looks back to Sebastian with a small nod.

Her hands fold neatly in front of her, thumbs resting lightly just above the top button to the velvet coat. For all that she shows perfect posture and manners, there's a predatory gleam in those blue eyes that can't quite be hidden.

Tessa has posed:
"They will behave in the future or they will be blocked from these halls for the next several generations," Tessa says with a nod.

Her hand rests lightly atop Sebastian's on the cane as his guest is escorted to them, although in the case of Ms. D'Arqueness it appears rather as if her escort is trailing her. The footmen are used to being around women with strong personalities, however, and he leaves the three of them with a short bow - no doubt to inform the rest of the staff that service will be needed shortly. "That is well before my own time, but I do love to hear that the Paris branch is in better hands these days. I have not had the pleasure myself, but I am certain it will merit a visit at some point. I would hate to find it disappointing."

Her hand squeezes Sebastian's lightly before she lets go, reaching out to shake the hand of her guest. "I am pleased to hear such good things about the work being done here. Our staff work hard, and we take pride in their excellence. Please, call me Tessa. Most do. I abhor wasting time on boring matters when it is not necessary, so I do imagine we will all keep things interesting."

Sebastian Shaw has posed:
The update on the situation on the floors below only brings a fractional nod from Sebastian's head.

He implicitly trusts her to handle situations like this. Which is probably a good thing. She certainly has more patience then he does. Shaw can be diplomatic when it suits him, but he is less inclined to waste that effort on those that he in turns considers a waste. "Good," he agrees softly, and then he too turns to greet the newest arrival.

And potential future member.

As she reaches the table, the dark-haired patrician of the Club straightens ever so slightly before bowing his head fractionally. Despite the gesture, those hawk-like eyes never seem to leave her. Assessing.

It's not hard to guess that they would have surely put together a dossier. In all likelihood it was Tessa herself that oversaw the process rather then one of their regular information brokers. That she has been contacted before by other branches is surely something that has not been missed. Nor is it likely that they have missed some other interesting little nuggests of information. Which might be the reason for the invite now, if rather belatedly.

"Ms. D'Arqueness. It is a pleasure to have you join us," Shaw agrees with a smile, the corners of his mouth curving upward. "Welcome to the New York branch of the Hellfire Club. I deeply hope that our breathern in Paris' loss shall be our gain," he says before motioning towards the seat across the table from his own.

That alone is enough to snap one of the footmen back to attention, to have them rush over to pull out that chair for Rien as if summoned with the sharpest of commands.

"Please," Sebastian continues. "Consider this your home away from home for the evening," he says, that smile tilting fractionally higher. "And hopefully longer to come."

Rien D'Arqueness has posed:
"I highly recommend it. My relatives back home seem quite pleased with it's current status. Apparently it's gone very nouveau, bleeding edge fashions and entertainments. I'm sure you would both be quite pleased with how well it's been turned around," Rien smiles towards Tessa, taking the offered hand and giving a light shake before withdrawing. Not afraid of the contact, but cognizant of not maintaining it for too long. "I had thought about seeking out a membership there, but to be honest, I spend more time in New York these days than I do Paris."

Looking back to Sebastian, her smile widens a touch as she inclines her head, "We share that hope. The Hellfire Club has intrigued me for a long time. I'm afraid I'm not quite as well-known or publicly important as some of your members, but I like to think I make up for that in other ways."

At the invitation, she turns to move towards the offered chair, nodding thanks to the footman that pulls the chair out for her, carefully sweeping the skirt of her coat to ensure she doesn't sit on the length of fabric, and that the half-bustle is suitably situated. Legs crossing, Rien keeps her hands folded neatly in her lap as she smiles between Tessa and Sebastian.

"I would be delighted and honored, Mr. Shaw. I do believe that I could be a little something extra to the fold.. and I would very much like to have somewhere that I can relax and enjoy myself. Indulge." Rien offers an easygoing smile and glances to the rest of the VIP lounge, "THis lounge is something else, to say the least."

Tessa has posed:
"I find keeping up with the bleeding edge of fashion to be fascinating as someone who greatly enjoys playing with it, but I confess I would find it tiring to keep up with as a business venture," Tessa says once they are all seated. "Much like staying in the public's popularity, really. There is such an immediacy to things right now - the trend is here, it peaks, it falls into obscurity in months, weeks, days. A pictured is shared - what was one worth a thousand words is consumed, goes viral, is ripped apart by the masses as if it were meat for a hungry lion. In that way, I suppose we are somewhat archaic, choosing to present a grouping of refined, classic settings instead, but it seems to work for us."

The edges of her lips curve upward just slightly. "Of course, it does help that we do not fully eschew the modern. A love of refinement in style needs not be a refusal to move forward as well. In that, I think we do fairly well as a Board, though I cannot speak to all of our patrons. Some of them are certainly... less forward thinking, at times to their own detriment."

Sebastian Shaw has posed:
While each Club might operating independently, that doesn't mean that they do not talk, do not converse. At least the respective Inner Courts do at any rate. And membership at any one branch at the very least gives one admittance to the others, letting one roam freely from location to location if one does not have firm roots. Or at least travels on the regular.

"It is always good to see our brothers and sisters around the world thriving in their respective domains," Shaw agrees with a shadow of a smile. Not that he would hesitate to lord even the smallest of victories over them. The competition between Clubs can at times be even more cutthroat then that between the Courts.

At least when things are not functioning quite so smoothly at any rate.

As she seats herself, Shaw finally does the same, moving once more to slip into his own chair, straightening that black jacket just a little as he settles himself in those plmumes of silk and lace. "Such trends do tend to run cyclically. And to be fair, depending on which of our clubs within the Club you might find a preference for there is certainly a wide set of styles that prevail," he agrees.

"Obviously I have my preferences too," Shaw conceeds with a brief smile and a slight shrug of those broad shoulders. "Though I can be coaxed into something different when the occasion arises," he allows before giving another flick of his hand.

Again, that seems to be signal enough to bring one of the footmen straight over with a bottle of champagne that is uncorked and swiftly poured into the flutes in front of each of them before the liveried man makes a swift retreat.

"Well then, it sounds that I will not have to try and twist your arm. So much the better," Shaw allows with a quiet laugh. "I think you will find an intriguing mix of individuals here, Ms. D'Arqueness. Some bring wealth. Some bring influence. Most bring both to be sure," he agrees. "But there are others like yourself that bring an intriguing mix that need not rely on these more mundane gifts alone. I am certain that you will find no end of possibilities to engage you," he offers up.

Then, claiming that champagne flute, he raises it her way. "As I am certain that we shall likewise be engaged. Welcome to the Hellfire Club."

Rien D'Arqueness has posed:
"Oh, I would despite that being my position. Fashion is fickle and everchanging, trends ebb and flow with the speed of a lightning strike. But I have to admire their dedication to change and staying on the front edge, all the same. It's an exhausting task, but they seem to manage for the time being." Rien flickers a quick smile towards Tessa, inclining her head towards the other woman.

Motioning to her own outfit, she smiles, "I enjoy mixing the old with the new. For someone like myself, it's almost a necessity, otherwise I risk stagnating. But it's always good to honor what came before, too." She flits a small wink and turns back to Sebastian with a nod.

She chuckles softly and offers, "From what I understand, the mismanagement was a result of hurt feelings between two members of the management that fell out and remained at odds with one another. Thankfully, one finally prevailed over the other and took the reins." Flicking a brief glance towards the footman when he leaps into action, she smiles.

"Oh, I have no partiuclar style that I'm a slave to.. I enjoy different things for different reasons. So I wouldn't be surprised to be found on multiple different levels depending on my mood." Motioning around the VIP lounge, Rien offers, "I could see myself spending a good deal of time here, for instance."

On taking the flute, she raises it towards Sebastian and Tessa with a smile, "I look forward to meeting them. And please, if there's ever anything that I can do to aid the club... don't hesitate to ask. I'm certain you'll find that there's more that I can offer than you might already know." Offering a small toast of glasses, she'll sip from the champagne and smile, "Thank you. I look forward to a pleasingly symbiotic relationship."

Tessa has posed:
Tessa's smile at Ms. D'Arqueness after the toast turns a little conspiratorial. "It helps that suits change rather slower than gowns do on the whole. A few fairly minor changes, and he appears as a wealthy man with a particular bespoke style." She does not do anything as ridiculous as a stage whisper - this is a thing she has teased Sebastian about around others before and doubtlessly will again. His confidence is a boon there. In a less confident man, the finery of his preferred time period would come across much more poorly. At best, costuming, but most likely something to rip apart at the seams. She has seen others make the attempt and fail - both in the manner of dress and in insulting the manner of dress - and it is almost always a source of comedy and secondhand embarrassment.

"I also prefer the mix of old and new in the detailing of my wardrobe. Evocative of a specific trend or bygone style yet still my own. Certain cuts and styles become classic for a reason, and I often find that the ability to combine those with a twist of something fresh and new keeps my closet from feeling stagnant."

Sebastian Shaw has posed:
In truth, Sebastian does not truly care whether or not any one else follows his particular style. Convincing people to dress up like the wealthy or nobility from two plus centuries ago is not really his piroirty.

The fact that anyone follows suit at all would suggest that people either appreciate the long since abandonned style trends, agree with the sentinment of thumbing one's nose at the common outlook of the day that has always been a part of the Hellfire Club's creed.

Or that he has enough passive influence in his Club to bend others to his choices and preferences without bothering to exert any real attempt to do so.

Either way.

"It does not hurt to maintain a certain degree of flexibility," Shaw agrees, lowering that glass back down to his lips, taking a sip of that champagne as he settles back indolently in his seat, that free hand resting on the arm of his chair all but vanishing into that plume of lace and silk that makes up the sleeve of the shirt that peeks through beneath that dark jacket.

He does shoot Tessa a brief, amused look. "It does hurt that certain men's fashions change very slowly, if at all," he agrees drily. Much easier to not have to go chasing tends then.

That dark-eyed gaze flickers back towards Rien and he arches a brow, tipping that glass and the sparkling liquid within her way agian. "I think you'll find that many here in the Club are full of surprises. I have no doubt that many of us will look forward to finding out more about your own," he agrees.

Rien D'Arqueness has posed:
Laughing lightly, Rien gives a nod to Tessa and tilts her champagne flute towards the other woman, "You have a very valid point there, Ms. Sage. If I only really had to worry about a slight change every four decaides or so, fashion would be decidedly easier to keep up with." Taking a sip from the flute, she shifts, uncrossing and recrossing her legs.

Darting a glance towards Sebastian, she curls a faint smile and chuckles, "I'm sure. I'll look forward to meeting them. That said, I do have a... well, I wouldn't term it a request so much as stating an interest." Setting the flute on the table, Rien lays her hands in her lap and looks between them, "I'd like to be more... actively involved... in the club than simple membership. I have been a 'one-woman army' so to speak for years, working towards my own agendas, changing the things that I see fit to change. But it's tedious, and as much as I can do alone, there's far more that I'm sure could be accomplished with a group whose values align with my own." One hand lifts to motion towards them, "And, not to dip too far over into ego... but I believe my skills, knowledge, and experience would benefit your group greatly."

Tessa has posed:
Tessa tilts her head slightly towards Sebastian, and raises one eyebrow in part question, part reply. Ms. D'Arqueness would likely be a boon to their ranks, and has the experience to rise past pawn quickly. The Outer Circle - of either Court - could make use of her, and put her into play more quickly. With the deal she's made, it possible her own White Knight will want more input on the building of that side. She blinks twice, then nods slightly, conceding the assignment to the Black King.

She takes a small sip of champagne as she regards the woman across from them. "Please, call me Tessa when we are outside of formal situations," she says as she takes another sip from her flute. "I do believe your insight will be of benefit to the Board."

Sebastian Shaw has posed:
\That she should know something of the inner workings of the Hellfire Club certainly does not come as of shock. Not given the fact that they are well aware that she is older then she might appear at first glance. Not given the fact that their breathern in Paris have already tired to add her to their ranks at least once in the past.

Given that she does not have some vast and obvious fortune, nor is some titan in the business or political spheres is pretty much a dead giveaway that she brings other... desirable attributes to the table. Power of a more personal sort. And while that is no requirement to gain admittance to the Courts, it does certainly go a long way to insure that such additions will be successful.

The Courts of New York are relatively unified -- a result of Shaw's close friendship with his counterpart in the White. And no doubt it has something to do with the fact that Luthor's necessary absence has left the Black King a rather free hand to run things as he would choose. Though it does make things a little easier as well that they now have representatives from both the Black and White present.

So Sebastian does at least shoot a glance towards Tessa -- she did prepare the dossier they have on Ms. D'Arqueness afterall and takes anothe sip from that glass. No words need to be exchanged -- that is the depth of their bond -- and the dark haired man finally turns back towards Rien with a half smile and a small shrug rippling across his broad-shouldered frame.

"Those with special skills such as yourself can indeed find that they thrive in an environment such as this," the man agrees. "Should you have an interest in... the inner workings of the Club, I'm sure that we could find something suited to your own particular talents," he agree.

Rien D'Arqueness has posed:
"Tessa, then. And I hope you'll both call me Rien while we're being informal." She offers a smile towards them both, reaching for the flute once more to sip from the glass now that the cards are on the table, so to speak. Rien glances between them, the smile remaining as she watches the silent communication.

That smile tugs up a little higher as she inclines her head towards Sebastian when he speaks. "I can offer more than just skills. My resources may not be public, but they are extensive. It's hard to put on a public face when one doesn't truly *exist* in any known format. But it makes acquiring far easier than you might think." One shoulder lifts and drops in an elegant if careless shrug. "I have little enough use for it, might as well make it work for me another way."

Settling back into the seat, she smiles once more and dips her head, "And with that, I do have one request. I have an... ally. A friend. That is in need of assistance. He requests an audience with Mr. Shaw.. and Ms. Gallo. If there's anything I can do to facilitate that audience.. well, I do like to treat my friends well."

Tessa has posed:
"Members of the Club are allowed to bring a guest with them, so long as they understand that their guest's behaviors can affect their own good standing with the various branches." Tessa was careful in her wording. Very, very few people alive were persona non grata at every current branch of the Hellfire Club, but it did happen on occasion. "A meeting with both Sebastian and Selene..." she trails off thoughtfully, mind poring over their schedules, her dossier on Rien, and putting a few other pieces together, and reaches across the short distance between them to rest her fingers atop his own mostly hidden ones. "That should be negotiable. Would you mind sharing the name of this... ally?"

Sebastian Shaw has posed:
That such is likely is another surprise that isn't really a surprise. Most of those with unusually long lifespans seem to manage to acquire their fair share of off the books wealth.

Though of course there are some notable exceptions out there.

And while that certainly does not hurt Rien's case -- either for simple membership or for a position within the courts themselves -- it is likely wise clear that at least to Sebastian, it is her other gifts that are a little more interesting.

Anyone can accumulate wealth. There are far fewer that can do the sorts of things that she can.

So Shaw continues to all but drape himself in that chair, the indolent manner never quite touching his eyes as he regards her from across the table with that raptor-like gaze. He does life that champagne flute her way at the admission, but nothing more beyond that, simply quirking a brow in apparent interest.

"As the lovely Tessa says. All things are negotiable," he agrees without hesitation. "I suspect that should be easy enough to arrange though," he adds with a negligent wave of his hand.

He others seems comfortable enough letting Tessa take the lead on that particular matter. Which alone would suggest an interesting dynamic at play between the Courts in this particular branch of the Hellfire Club.

Rien D'Arqueness has posed:
Inclining her head towards Tessa, Rien gives a smile and offers, "Of course. I would certainly not want to jeopardize new standing with the club by bringing in someone that is.. distateful.. to management." She sips from her champagne and offers, "Vlad Tepes. He has a rather.. unusual and semi-urgent need for assistance from certain individuals. I do believe it would, in the overall, be int eh club's best interest to hear him out. His situation is intriguing, and has ramifications that could affect the world. Including the club." Her smile tugs up a touch more at one corner, "And of course, having someone like that as a friend can be.. beneficial."

She looks to Sebastian and tilts her head towards him with a small chuckle, "And negotiations are, of course, welcome. I can assure you his manners are impeccable, and you needn't worry about his behavior. He's quite well-spoken. Just, as I said, in a unique predicament." Finishing off her champagne, she sets the flute aside and murmurs, "I certainly hope that it will be."

Tessa has posed:
"Does Mr. Tepes require a specialty diet? We can, of course, find ways to accommodate for such things with little notice, but for a scheduled meeting I am certain it would be wiser to have the particulars hammered out in advance." Tessa could admit to curiosity being part of the driver for her question. Did the book - the myth - hold truths, or was the man in question just long-lived or unfortunately named?

"I believe that will be possible, yes, with you vouching for him and attending. If it will not cause hardship, I would also like to sit in on that meeting." In part to see the equations forming first-hand, but also as a small bit of security. Of course, should Mr. Tepes actually be a vampire or some sort of long-lived enhanced, he would likely have the upper hand, but she was resourceful.

Sebastian Shaw has posed:
There are sure to be details worked out. Tessa is something of a perfectionist afterall -- one of the many, many things about her that Sebastian appreciates of course.

The name, of course, is passingly familiar. He might not put much stock in myth, but he is a student of history as he is of many and varied things and Shaw quirks a brow at the mention of just who Rien has in mind to make her first guest at the Club.

In past times they might have dismissed such things as supernatural nonsense. Something not worth considering. But the Club is broadening their perspective. Hence their alliance with Victor von Doom to provide security around all things mystical and supernatural. Hence, in this case, their interest in her.

Draining the rest of his champagne contents, the dark haired man doesn't even seem to wonder whether this is truly the man that inspired the legends. Or simply som imposter claiming the name. It is all much the same to him. He is confident that they will be prepared either way.

"It sounds like it should be a most intriguing meeting," Sebastian allows with a fractional smile and a nod of his head before he rises form his seat. "Should there be any further arrangements that you need to make to facilitate this little get together, I'm certain that Tessa will be able to assist you. I for one will welcome meeting such an... illustrious personage and see just what his interest in our humble little social club might be," he says, that smile curving into the beginnings of a smirk.

"Until then, please avail yourself of the entertainments that the Club has to offer Ms. D'Arqueness," he says, bending ever so slightly from the waist in a shadow of a bow.

The flickering glance that he shoots Tessa's way certainly suggests that they have much to discuss. And perhaps prepare for.

Rien D'Arqueness has posed:
"Nothing that the club will need to worry about. He will be well-fed before arriving, I can assure you. That said, should things go well and he becomes eligible for membership in his own right... I am certain he will make any arrangements with you directly. I try not to presume his wishes or wants in that regard," Rien flickers a brief smile towards Tessa and dips her head into a nod.

Looking to Sebastian, she smiles a little wider, "I am glad that you think so. I will try to arrange a time and date that will meet with everyone's schedule. I'm sure between the two of us, Tessa and I can come to a mutually agreeable day for us all to sit down and talk." Rien clasps her hands together, fingers folding, "And I am certain you will find the reason as intriguing as the meeting itself. I for one, look forward to it."

Nodding, she turns the smile to them both, "Thank you, then. This has been an excellent evening, far more enjoyable and productive than even my expectations. I won't keep you, I'm sure there are matters you're needed for, or even simply other matters you would prefer to deal with. I think I'll enjoy the atmosphere a bit more before heading out." Reaching out a hand to the both, Rien offers, "It was truly a please, Mr. Shaw. Tessa. I look forward to a long and fruitful relationship."

Tessa has posed:
Tessa stands shortly after Sebastian does, noting his glance, and clasps the offered hand within her own for a moment. "It has been lovely to meet you, Rien," she says, tongue curling around the R in the woman's name with a brief roll. "I am certain you will bring a most intriguing light on our endeavors - and not merely because of the company you keep or the time you've lived." Her small smile reaches her eyes, giving them a hint of warmth and amusement. "I will be in touch with you later this week with a few available times over the coming weeks. Hopefully one of them will suit your guest, and I will have it set up for us. Thank you for keeping our business this evening... interesting."