A Private Members’ Club for Discerning Gentlesentients of Weatherby
An august establishment in the heart of Weatherby known as a place for the exercise of habitual gregariousness and social inclinations. The place is sumptuously outfitted with all the fine appointments one has come to expect in a proper club: opportunities for both drinking and dining, zero-gravity billiards and other parlour games, and even overnight accommodations for members with extended business in the capital proper. As a newly elected member, you look forward to distinguishing your presence with both wit and action as the moment dictates.
The doorbot welcomes you warmly, takes your coat, and announces your arrival to the other members. How very exciting to be of means in this day and age!
Rumpthwaite, a silver-tinged Space Moose, tends the bar area with a fastidiousness and decorum that makes you feel quite at home.
Allow me to doth off my pith helmet and cheroot. Welcome all! I, Count Noah Count, (adventurer, somnabalist and harpsichord raconteur) have returned! Where from? And Whence for? You may ask. I have traipsed the South Pole regions of the Martian tundra with my orni-blimp and discovered a crevice to the interior of the planet, itself. With proper provision and funding, we will be able to colonize the untamed maidens and abundant resources.
A messenger arrives, hands a missive to the bartender, then leaves.
My dear esteemed gentlesentients,
It is with great regret that I cannot share the pleasure of your company at this time, but I am still in mourning over the tragic loss of my entire family in circumstances that I am certain you will agree are not necessary to discuss.
I have included sufficient funds with this missive to serve as payment for a “round” of beverages for all those present.
Timing was everything, his father always said. It was the difference between an embarassing story and an amusing anecdote; when bowing to an equal, it was the difference between respect and mockery.
There would be many new entrants to high society present at the Leviathan Club this evening, and Aaaakzeee St-Patrick-Hartbrooke III needed to establish his presence at exactly the right moment to ensure the right impression.
Arriving too early would be a sign of desperation: that one needed to make as many connections as possible within the community of True Citizens.
On the other hand, being announced when everyone else was already present would be a slap on the face to everyone who had arrived already: a suggestion that he was the most important person in the room, which would be challenging and expensive to back up.
A glance; a click. It was not yet time. The cream of society had not risen to the occasion, to be skimmed off by an enterprising gentleman…
St-Patrick-Hartbrooke winced, made note of how much time was available before his departure and resolved to spend that time coming up with a less-tortured metaphor for how he was going to take advantage of the concentration of wealth and power present at the Leviathan tonight.
Auuuugh, Dick, be a good lad an’ retrieve m’ drink from the bartenner, thassaboy… I seem to h’ve dropped m’ monocle b’neath th’ table an’ I’m havin’ a spot o’ difficulty seein’ straight.
[ Duchess Gummibuns wobbles slightly, in her form of an awkward bow ]
Well, this is totally like that famous painting or some junk! A Space Feline, a Space Hound, and a Space Beardo, all together playing cards. Glob, that’s so fresh.
I’m Duchess Gummibuns! I’m, like, famous and stuff, so I’m sure you already lumping know. I’m, like, totally single, but if you want these lumps, you gotta put a ring on it. I’m not even sure if I’m ready for love, but I hope he’ll be a steaming hot babe with huge money.
[ Duchess Gummibuns begins eating food and drink on the table without asking ]
Uh. [ Duchess Gummibuns says within mouthfuls ] Is that Space Cat okay?
[Rumpthwaite produces a porcelain bowl of large, golden, precisely boiled yolks and places it on the table]
“Indeed, sir. Please enjoy these delights from Leviathan’s private duck house. Does Dr. Franksenketchup have a preference for white, apple cider, or malt? Or perhaps something from the balsamic collection would be preferred?”
[Anticipating your next questions, the old moose hands you a vinegar list]
“McClary Brothers is the celebrated choice in drinking vinegars at Leviathan’s, but certainly the good doctor knows what he prefers most.”
