The gray-clad strange cracks a undeniably handsome smile as he replies in a genteel Carolina drawl,"Oh, no need to apologize, madam, my name is Harris, James Cameron-Harris, chiefly of Wilmington in the fair state of North Carolina. And where, if I might be so bold as to inquire, might you be from?"
This 'James' places an especial emphasis upon his utterance of the doubled surname 'Cameron-Harris', particularly the first part, as if it might be a recognizable designation.
Although the name sounds vaguely familiar, Taylor cannot recall exactly where she's heard the name before. Perhaps she should ask the man?
"Name's Taylor MacConnel, Sir. I'm from Virginia, around the Richmond area. It's a pleasure to meet you," she replied with a short bow of her head. "I think I might have heard your name in passing during my rounds through the city, but I'm still fairly new around here," she continues, hoping to gain some info on why he sounds familiar.
The gentleman replies in a friendly manner, once again unveiling his undeniably handsome smile,
"Why, I wouldn't be surprised if you had -- my surname is the result of an auspicious marital union with the Cameron family, the venerable clan of Stagville Plantation in Durham, North Carolina."
After a healthy breath, Harris continues, announcing proudly,
"There's no doubt that my marriage to the lovely Elisa-Mae Cameron has brought me into the orbit of her estimable father, Mr. Bennehan Cameron's extensive business interests throughout the region."
His elegant drawl now assumes a more conspiratorial tenor,
"You being a native of the hoary Commonwealth of Old Virginia, will appreciate, inferior of the Mason-Dixon, will appreciate the vital role that my home, the port of Wilmington, as well as my in-laws, play in our peculiar Southern institution. The alliance was a natural one, which I can only imagine will prosper us both, bye the bye."
The gentleman replies in a friendly manner, once again unveiling his undeniably handsome smile,
"Why, I wouldn't be surprised if you had -- my surname is the result of an auspicious marital union with the Cameron family, the venerable clan of Stagville Plantation in Durham, North Carolina."
After a healthy breath, Harris continues, announcing proudly,
"There's no doubt that my marriage to the lovely Elisa-Mae Cameron has brought me into the orbit of her estimable father, Mr. Bennehan Cameron's extensive business interests throughout the region."
His elegant drawl now assumes a more conspiratorial tenor,
"You being a native of the hoary Commonwealth of Old Virginia, will appreciate, inferior of the Mason-Dixon, will appreciate the vital role that my home, the port of Wilmington, as well as my in-laws, play in our peculiar Southern institution. The alliance was a natural one, which I can only imagine will prosper us both, bye the bye."
'This guy really likes to hear himself speak...' Taylor couldn't help but think to herself. She nods along to the man as he explains his pedigree and the various business connections he has back east. She only pauses momentarily when he brings up a 'particular Southern institution'. It doesn't take a genius to understand that he means slavery. It certainly cements her distaste for the man. Nevertheless she doesn't break face, not if she can find out more about his operations in the area.
"I must say you sound quite well off, Sir. I can certainly see why you'd pick a place as high-class as the Knutsford Hotel. Can't think of anyplace in the city more posh than here." Taylor says in flattery. "Though what brings a man of your stature all the way out West into, well... the sticks?"
The gentleman replies in a friendly manner, once again unveiling his undeniably handsome smile,
"Why, I wouldn't be surprised if you had -- my surname is the result of an auspicious marital union with the Cameron family, the venerable clan of Stagville Plantation in Durham, North Carolina."
After a healthy breath, Harris continues, announcing proudly,
"There's no doubt that my marriage to the lovely Elisa-Mae Cameron has brought me into the orbit of her estimable father, Mr. Bennehan Cameron's extensive business interests throughout the region."
His elegant drawl now assumes a more conspiratorial tenor,
"You being a native of the hoary Commonwealth of Old Virginia, will appreciate, inferior of the Mason-Dixon, will appreciate the vital role that my home, the port of Wilmington, as well as my in-laws, play in our peculiar Southern institution. The alliance was a natural one, which I can only imagine will prosper us both, bye the bye."
'This guy really likes to hear himself speak...' Taylor couldn't help but think to herself. She nods along to the man as he explains his pedigree and the various business connections he has back east. She only pauses momentarily when he brings up a 'particular Southern institution'. It doesn't take a genius to understand that he means slavery. It certainly cements her distaste for the man. Nevertheless she doesn't break face, not if she can find out more about his operations in the area.
"I must say you sound quite well off, Sir. I can certainly see why you'd pick a place as high-class as the Knutsford Hotel. Can't think of anyplace in the city more posh than here." Taylor says in flattery. "Though what brings a man of your stature all the way out West into, well... the sticks?"
Harris snickers slightly, exposing a threatening rictus grin at the Taylor's casual, even dismissive reference to 'the sticks',
"Well, Madame, I'd opine that particular characterization of our present environs is entirely a matter of perspective -- indeed, the Latter-day Saints view themselves as a 'peculiar people' whose recent emigration to these climes reflects the main providential strategy of the Divinity in these present times. No doubt, they view this territory as the center plot of the Holy Land."
"In any event, I have come to conduct a transaction with Joseph Walker, formerly Chief Walkara, a potentate among the group of Shoshone Indians known as the Timpanogo and Sanpete Band."
Finding that the stranger seems to focus his interest elsewhere, Henry decides to look for another way to know the place and its people in his seek for a potential plan or allies.
He enters the hotel, decided to go straight to the receptionist and ask for any job that could give him an excuse to be around, when he recognises Harris among other people in the hall. A tremendous effort is needed to not just jump on Harris and bite his neck, and the soothing words from Mikinak are just an inch of being ignored. Finally, though, he recovers, and goes to the desk.
On his way to the receptionist's desk, Henry fakes being stumbled by the gentlemen and tries to sneak in a minor spell . Once face to face with the man in charge of the reception, he goes "Excuse me, sir, but I'm new in town. I be looking for anything I can do for you in exchange of a few cash. I'm strong and tough, and can carry anything around for you if you please, or can do any other task. Try me for free for a few days, and you'll see yourself." Meanwhile, though, he has an ear and an eye set on the conversation between Harris and the other strangers.
Finding that the stranger seems to focus his interest elsewhere, Henry decides to look for another way to know the place and its people in his seek for a potential plan or allies.
He enters the hotel, decided to go straight to the receptionist and ask for any job that could give him an excuse to be around, when he recognises Harris among other people in the hall. A tremendous effort is needed to not just jump on Harris and bite his neck, and the soothing words from Mikinak are just an inch of being ignored. Finally, though, he recovers, and goes to the desk.
On his way to the receptionist's desk, Henry fakes being stumbled by the gentlemen and tries to sneak in a minor spell . Once face to face with the man in charge of the reception, he goes "Excuse me, sir, but I'm new in town. I be looking for anything I can do for you in exchange of a few cash. I'm strong and tough, and can carry anything around for you if you please, or can do any other task. Try me for free for a few days, and you'll see yourself." Meanwhile, though, he has an ear and an eye set on the conversation between Harris and the other strangers.
The lean blonde, frock-coated gentleman who, by both his mien and slightly-forbidding demeanor, evidently has charge of the reception desk regards Bringer-of-Hope with a intentional expression, equal parts curiosity and suspicion,
"Well, stranger, you're in luck. I'm currently a bit short staffed. One of the bellhops named Miles disappeared the other day, and a couple of the others evidently got spooked as a result, and have yet to return to work. If you ask me, young Miles just skipped town and graciously decided not to inform me of that fact -- an odd one that. In any event, we have an important share-holders meeting coming up, and I'm sure my remaining waitstaff could use an extra pair of hands getting our guests' luggage to their rooms. Go check in with the valet station at the front of the lobby and find Charles. He'll get you set up."
"Oh, thank you sir, you're very kind."
Henry walks slowly to the point the blond man has just told him about, taking his time in an attempt to catch some of the conversation between Harris and the rest. When he finally arrived, he humbly introduces himself. "Mr. Charles, sir? Name's Henry. The kind man at the reception asked me to help you with the luggage."