[Sodium_noir] Hell is Other People

[Eric]

Allen Bradley, Marguerite Sinclair, Sandra Scotland
A Pair of Mortals and a Bastet
Sinclair Mansion
1 – 3 AM
 
  [Bradley]
“It really is an enchanting place.  I always find something new every time I come to one of these little get-togethers.”  Bradley paused and snatched a glass of champagne from a passing server before directing his next question to Lady Sinclair.  “Didn’t you mention something about changing the landscaping near the back patio?”
  
  [Lady Sinclair]
"Yes indeed" she cooed. "Something a little more 'this century' perhaps. I've grown so disenchanted with reminders of the past it seems, this season is all about looking forward I think."
  
  She turned to look down at Sandra's hand, which she was still stroking.
  
  "Oh
so warm, just like my little tiddles paws. Squelching around in the garden all night long and yet she never gets cold. I expect such warm blood is a blessing when digging through drafty corridors and the like?"
 
  [Sandra]
  "Well thank you," she says graciously accepting the compliment with a soft nod and a congenial smile as she withdraws her hand. Far from throwing her off, Sandra took Lady Sinclair's idiosyncrasies all in stride. "Its always wonderful to know another cat lover," she says taking another sip from her own glass.
  
Sandra notes out of the corner of her eye that Christine and this Mara Ravenclaw are off and running to discuss whatever it was they needed to discuss. With a courteous nod to the departing ladies, Sandra once again focuses her full attention on Lady Sinclair and the gentleman with her. 
 
  There were certain 'rules of engagement' when it came to social functions that Sandra had learned over the years. One was to get the other person talking by leading with a common ground statement regarding the event or location. The next is to follow up asking a related open-ended question. It made for a great ice breaker. 
 
  "So I take it you've attended these functions before, Mr. ....?" she says leading the man to introduce himself.
 
  [Bradley]
“Bradley,” he said, somehow transferring his champagne between his hands before extending his right to Sandra so smoothly that she took it to be second nature for him.  “Allen Bradley.”  They shook hands, and Bradley continued.  “You could say that I’ve become somewhat of a staple here in the last few years.”
 
  He gracefully moved his champagne flute back to his right hand and took a small sip.  “So, Ms. Scotland, how do you know our hostess?”
 
  [Sandra]
  "Scoland," she says with a wry grin correcting Allen's pronunciation of her last name. "There's no T." She laughs with a warm, disarming smile. "It's quite alright. I get that a lot."
   
  Without missing a beat, she continues on with the small talk. "Actually, I do not know our gracious hostess here," she says looking to Marguerite with a courteous nod. "Save by your generous reputation, Ms. Sinclair. No, I have not had the chance to meet with Gotham's elite until this evening. I only just moved here a few weeks ago."
   
  ~ Taggity Marguerite and Allen :-)
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