001 ♚ [video & action]

[hybrida]

[ After calming down from his initial arrival, and learning just exactly where he is, Klaus thought it was about time to check out this little communicator he'd been given. The recent troubles with the mirror side and the riddle are none of his concern, since that was before his arrival, no matter how recent.

When the video starts, he looks to be in deep concentration. An expression that soon changes into something a little more smug when he notices it's working. ]

I'm to understand this broadcast can be seen by all who have the unfortunate luck to be here. [ He seems pretty amiable, leaning back a little in his chair as he rubs a hand over his chin. ] I'll admit, this isn't my preferred method of communication, but I believe there's a saying about Romans and what not that would apply to the situation.

[ Klaus glances over his shoulder, obviously looking at someone off camera, and his mouth curves into a smirk that seems at odds with his friendly behavior. ]

This is as good a time as any for me to get to know everyone, isn't it? So, out with it. Tell me something about yourselves. [ In truth, he really isn't interested in facts or making new friends - he's there to observe and judge his fellow captives. ] As for myself, my name is Klaus. I assume several of you have met my brother, Elijah.

[ Anyone who's had a run-in with Elijah will be getting extra attention from Klaus, how lucky for them. ]

If you would all indulge me just a bit, I would be most grateful.

[ He doesn't sound grateful - he sounds just the slightest bit condescending. He ends the feed there.

It's entirely possible if anyone happens to make their way to the fifth floor bar, he'll be parked right at the counter, downing a few glasses of scotch. ]

Comments

video;

[alayne]

He has spoken very kindly of his family.

[ though alayne begins to wonder. elijah had been kind to her, honorable in truth. she knows better than to offer trust, however; she has learned her lessons from sansa stark who came before her and thought fine titles and fine looks showed for a man's honor. but elijah had shunned his title, she thinks.

the man reminds her of lannister lions and yet - ]

I hope he has found you safe, my Lord.

video;

[hybrida]

[ It's been a long time since he's been addressed by such a title. He looks amused by it, wondering what sort of world this particular girl calls home. ]

He did. We had a bit of trouble in the woods, but all is well. [ As well as they can be, considering his brother is unaware of many events about to occur in his future. ] No need for formalities, love. Klaus will do. And your name?

video;

[alayne]

[ elijah had told her not to call him by his title as well but alayne is somehow even more weary now. men who name young ladies by such terms of affection always ride her suspicion. it is a dangerous world for a young girl alone.

but I am not alone, bran is here. and steve rogers. and the good people I've met, mayhaps such titles are common in his world, she thinks; though elijah never named her such. ]

Alayne. Alayne Stone, if it pleases you.

[brainsqueeze]

Indulge you in talking about ourselves or something else?

[hybrida]

Yourselves, for starters. Anything else is really up to you, sweetheart.

[ He's managed to get a hold of one of those ridiculous pamphlets floating about, and he brings it up now, tapping it against his temple. ]

I've done a bit of research. The writing leaves much to be desired, but it was informative, nonetheless.

[brainsqueeze]

Informative, but do you believe it?

( There are some parts that Maria can accept more readily than others, things more familiar to her own experiences. Others are parts that Maria has been told multiple times, each by someone she trusts. The information is there but she's a skeptic - she remembers it but she hasn't yet dealt with it )

Part of me would rather not believe it all unless I've seen it.

[snarly]

What do Romans have to do with anything? ( malia is academically unsound. )

I'm Malia. ( AND I'M A WERECOYOTE. And my dad is borderline evil. But that's all he gets and then she just stares. ) What else is there to know?

[hybrida]

[ The first question has him tilting his head just a bit. The education system has certainly failed this one, hasn't it? ]

It's a turn of phrase, love. Implies that it's more polite to go along with already established customs when one is a visitor.

[ Not that he had a choice about visiting. ]

I'm sure there's plenty for me to learn. For a start, have you been a guest here very long, or are you also a new arrival?

[ New arrival means she wouldn't have much to tell him that he hasn't already learned. ]

[snarly]

( well when you live as a coyote for eight years... )

Oh. That's dumb. I say do what you want, screw everything else.

( do you like her yet klaus

she snorts. )

I'm still new. And it sucks, by the way. Just in case nobody's told you that part yet.

[Video]

[vampdetective]

Elijah.

[Angelus echoes the name without ceremony; no greeting, no segue, nothing at all, just a clear shot of him touching the tip of his tongue to his teeth as he feigns thoughtfulness.]

That would be the stiff in the suit, right? Really needs to loosen up.

[Nowhere near as bad as Angel, but the two of them get along swimmingly, and that's reason enough for him to want to drive a stake through the son of a bitch.]

So, Klaus. You really got a thing for the sound of your own voice, don't you? Awful lot of purple prose, buddy.

[Video]

[hybrida]

[ While he could agree that his brother could use some loosening up, he's distracted by the mix of irritation and amusement that this response elicits. He leans forward just the slightest, still looking just as friendly as you please. ]

I do have a tendency toward the dramatic, truth be told. [ All the world's a stage, after all. ] I can see you're not a fan. I assume you want me to keep it in check, perhaps be a little more succinct?

[ Which isn't going to happen, and that should be clear by how he continues to talk. ]

Here I expected to be met with a friendlier welcome. Tell me, mate, are you always so hostile to newcomers, or is today just a special occasion?

[Video]

[vampdetective]

[Blah, blah, arrogant blah blah. Of course, it takes one to know one -- Angelus is no better, waxing from arrogant and poetic to abrupt and crass in a matter of moments when he wants to, but unquestionably enjoying every moment that he gets to hear himself speak.

He smiles, and there's nothing warm or pleasant about it.]

Oh, it's a special occasion all right.

[No Slayer, no yappy Seer hanging off his arm or trying to shove his soul back in, and he's free. Really, he's overdue to celebrate -- but he's not stupid, either. This place isn't all that big. He could bring the whole place down and reduce it to nothing but a pile of bricks littered with corpses if he really wanted to throw himself a party, but then he wouldn't have it.

So for now, he's settling for observing, getting a read on the walking buffet and assorted others that stand out just a little from the herd, considering how best to proceed. He'll need to eat before too long, but for now, getting the hang of the tech -- which he's much better with than Angel could ever hope to be -- seems to be a wise way to spend his time.]

I don't know, I think this place is pretty friendly. [Happy Meals walking around everywhere.] You tell me, mate, do you always greet the public at large like your presence is some divine favor?

[Action, Bar]

[lightgunhustler]

[She sees the message as it airs. His name doesn't mean much to her, and he's nobody that she recognizes, but then he mentions Elijah. Mentions that they're brothers.

It clicks immediately. She knows what that means, better than she did a couple of weeks earlier. Vampires aren't like demons, she can't expect her salt lines or devil's traps to keep them out, and it's already been made clear that dead man's blood isn't the trick with this breed--

The problem is, she doesn't know what is.

She glances at the back wall behind the bar to ensure that her favorite shotgun is still in place, then checks the knife at her belt before she turns her phone off, cutting off the last of the message before she busies herself with drying another glass, eyes on the door.

Elijah was bad enough on principle, but his brother was supposed to be worse. Not knowing a monster's weakness is a huge failing, but not even Charlie can help her on this one.]

[Action, Bar]

[hybrida]

[ It's not long after his broadcast, and speaking to a few people, that he strolls into the bar. A bit empty for his tastes, if he's being honest.

Whatever magic is fueling the mansion, or more specifically the closets, is a marvel. He'd tried it himself a few times, just to test it. Pulling out a bottle of scotch would be nothing, but there's something about the tried and true bar visit that gives him a little familiarity in a place so foreign.

As soon as he settles down at the bar, eyes on the pretty blonde bartender, a faint scent reaches him. One he would know anywhere, and one that has his eyebrows raising.

Looks like Elijah's found himself a friend.

Isn't it his brotherly duty to find out more, especially when he considers Elijah's deliberate avoidance of mentioning her? And it certainly would be deliberate, he knows that much. ]

Quite a selection you've got there. [ His eyes skim over the bottles, zeroing in on the shotgun. He doesn't bring it up, though, instead giving her his most nonthreatening smile. He has so few of them. ] Have any suggestions for me?

[lightgunhustler]

[She tenses the moment he walks through the door.

She should have expected it, really. Most people found their way here before long, often pointed towards the bar by veterans who suggested they help themselves to a drink and try to process. She wasn't so sure that was the case here. Elijah had been-- well, if she was honest, he hadn't done anything malicious at all, but he was persistent, and he was a vampire, and that meant she was on edge, expecting the worst until she could find a way to safely guard against them.

The last thing she wanted was his brother strolling into her bar. Not when she knew his reputation.]

Like to give people a variety. Not like we're limited by vendor prices here.

[Business small talk, but there's a weight to her gaze as she looks at him that says she knows exactly who he is.]

You want my recommendation? [Ha.] I suggest you get back up, turn around and walk right back out of here.

video;

[boyhood]

<sub>[My oh my, but there'd been a lot of shouting outside today! If Elijah keeps that sort of thing up in the woods, it might warrant an in-person visit from Peter Pan. Temper tantrums are just entertaining to watch sometimes.

But when it comes to composed, rather generic introductions on the network, Peter tends to leave the return replies to others, preferring other methods of communication just as Klaus does. Yet with Mirrors and Reals flip-flopping around, why not do something backward to celebrate the occasion? He makes the choice to answer Klaus' for the sake of it.]</sub>

You're catching on quick.

<sub>[Hello from across the pond of agelessness, vampire/werewolf hybrid creature! Peter's outside somewhere, evidenced by the one of the mansion's outer walls looming behind his shoulder.

His demeanor is also friendly, but in a more leisurely, amused way, rather than dipping straight into condescension.]</sub>

Not sure how many people will agree with you about it being a good time, however. Some of them have just gotten back from an unpleasant vacation. _{[That amusement doesn't waver.]} Most call me Pan.

_{[He hadn't forgotten the man's request to share. One name for another, a perfectly even trade.]}

video;

[hybrida]

[ Something about this boy, his demeanor, has Klaus intrigued. He's learned enough about the area to know that 'unpleasant vacation' is understating it quite a bit. Granted, he'll give his version of unpleasant probably differs wildly from many others here. ]

Pan, then. [ His smile is just as friendly as can be. ] Care to elaborate on this unpleasant vacation? I'd like to get a feel for what to expect around here.

video;

[boyhood]

<sub>[If Klaus wants the full rundown, all he has to do is get a sharpie and make a new pen pal with someone across the glass. They're a chatty bunch, Peter's found. Some of them are quite happy to talk about what goes on in their domain, even if actually visiting the Mirror's home is like visiting one of the worlds bleached of all color and, dare he say it, life.

These two party animals are living on the privileged side. Otherwise, they'd be two big fish in a small pond already crammed full of other psycho fish. A fish tank full of piranhas, anyone?]</sub>

You might want to make a list. It's a long one!

_{[Peter talks as he walks, eyes alight with jolliness.]}

I'm no native, but if they were going to advice about settling into their world, I'd wager it'd start with expecting the unexpected. The Queen of Hearts, for one, can send the shadow selves she has under her control through the mirrors whenever she pleases. A person and its reflection can't normally exist in the same place at once--now that you're here and you have one, too, that means you could end up trapped on the other side of the glass any time.

If you just arrived, you missed all the fun.

video;

[guestlectures]

My name's Alana, nice to meet you, Klaus.

[She smiles, encouragingly. She's new here herself, so meeting people is always a good idea.]

Why don't you start off? Where are you from? What do you do for a living?

video;

[hybrida]

[ Here he's presented with an interesting choice - to be completely frank with her or to keep it vague enough for her to draw her own conclusions. ]

Can't say I'm really from any one place. [ The area now known as Mystic Falls, though his birthplace, he wouldn't exactly call 'home'. ] I consider New Orleans my home. As for what I do - well, you could say I'm a jack of all trades.

[ Which is true enough. One doesn't live over a thousand years without becoming well versed in many areas. ]

And yourself?

video;

[guestlectures]

[Vague. Interesting.]

I'm from near Baltimore, Maryland. I'm a psychiatrist, working mainly with families who've experienced trauma. I've only been here a few days myself.

video;

[metal_superior]

In that case accustom yourself to imprisonment, a parasitic Mirror of yourself, and magic closets.

[Do as the Romans do, right?

His tone and expression betray a mocking edge.]

I don't know if they fast on Saturday but I expect you'll know soon enough and you can observe it at your convenience.

video;

[hybrida]

I don't really mind the closets so much. Quite convenient, actually.

[ He looks a little amused thinking about them. Naturally, he experimented a little once he found himself a room to claim. ]

The bit about the mirrors, however... [ He leans forward a bit, looking contemplative as he taps a finger on his knee in an absent gesture. ] Troubling. Have you any experience with them during your time here?

action;

[charmingaccent]

[It's some small misfortune that one of the only faces from Mystic Falls who wouldn't recognise Klaus on sight is here in Wonderland too. So instead of recoiling in horror and finding a way to ensure the hybrid's sights never get set on him, he's moving from his semi-permanent seat in the corner to the bar itself.]

Does the innocent act works often, then?

[He might not know who you are, Klaus, but seeing the broadcast from this side paints an entirely different picture.]

action;

[hybrida]

[ He turns toward Enzo, an arm resting on the counter as Klaus gives him a once over. It's always a mixed bag, playing this kind of game - some people go along with it, others see right through it. The ones who don't fall for the veneer of civility are the ones he knows to keep an eye on.

Which basically means this - Enzo's caught his attention, and that is never a good thing. ]

It really depends on the audience. [ He gestures to the seat beside him, appearing as genial as you please. ] Join me for a drink, mate? I'd say it's on me, but since money really has no value here...

[ He shrugs. Not that money's ever been a problem, but it's just one less thing to deal with. Focus that can be used in other areas. ]