(1102) Red & White Court

[Victoria Stamford]

"Oh I suspect several of the topics will give people something to talk about," Victoria smiled knowingly. "However, I don't know everything on the agenda only a few things, you know how the Prince enjoys his secrets. All in all it should be entertaining."

She turned to Wilhelm giving him a serious look like she was sharing something important and whispered very softly. "We may have a few things to discuss after tonight so don't jump to any conclusions before we can talk more privately. Not that my little shadow is one prone to anything rash."

[West]

"Whenever," Erika smiles, although it's a transparent attempt to feign nonchalance and she knows it.

"I'll find you at Court."

[Argent]

"Whereas I can only claim a small robe, a large ego, and an extra long...

...robe sash," Argent grinned, twirling a loose end.

"After this, I'm seriously considering going out flashing. Care to join me?"

He looks entirely serious.

[Martha Villiers]

Martha smiled, listening eagerly to the raven haired lady. "Oh...busy? Well, the preparations were...well...not to worry over that: I was happy to contribute what I could! Though: no, ma'am...you are not detaining me in the least! I was simply intending to take station at the door to better greet arrivals, ma'am!" she spoke with obvious enthusiasm, "It's an honour to converse with you, Hierophant!" and she sneaks a brief look at Dirge's shoes and feet, smiling happily.

[Max Heinz]

*Max cocks an eyebrow at the woman's interest in the club.* Perhaps you should visit The Asylum sometime, it might draw more than your attention...

Well, almost everyone... *Max watches as the two Gangrel leave, wondering what had been said to put the big man in such a foul mood. Not for the first time he was glad the concept of "pack mentality" was a foreign concept to the Mekhet.*

As for the man in the bathrobe, that would be Mr Argent. He's our local eccentric Kindred. I'm sure you'll have the pleasure of meeting him tonight, he has an eye for the girls. *Max frowns for a moment, thinking over all he'd seen and heard of Argent, deciding to amend his statement a little.* And possibly the boys, I'm not quite sure... The woman he is talking to is Harpy Maskelyne, also the leader of the local Carthians.

The dog belongs to Heirophant Dirge, the young woman with the blindfold just over there... *Max points out the blind Haunt for Alice. As he does, he sees Wilhelm set into the club; Max directing Alice's attention to the man.*

That is Deputy Von Schusten, also Mekhet Priscus. He's... escorting the Seneshal into Court. *Max couldn't have sounded more surprised if Wilhelm had instead carried the singing and dancing frog from the old Warner Brothers cartoons in on his head. At least Max now knew what the man did with his nights.

He recovers quickly though, pointing to the attractive female coming in with the other Mekhet.* That will be the woman you will want to speak with later tonight, Seneshal Stamford. She'll call for all the new arrivals for introductions and Acknowledgment.

[Ajax]

At least it wasn't raining. That's all Ajax could think as he and Katrina left Ember in search of something more fitting the occasion and theme of the "Big Court". He knew that Jillian was a right about the dress, he should have seen it before but in truth he'd been so worried about tonight that he didn't even think about the outfits, the whole mess of them walking into Court together and the fallout that could result. He was worried that someone would take issue with them, either out of some political bullshit or just because some vampires liked being miserable pricks for no real reason. Still why did Jillian have to treat Katrina like that, she didn't have to insult Katrina the way she did. It frustrated him because they'd gone to Jillian and tried to make her understand their fears about tonight, they'd asked her for to stand with them not only as a Priscus but as a Friend and Coterie mate.At least it wasn't raining. That's all Ajax could think as he and Katrina left Ember in search of something more fitting the occasion and theme of the "Big Court". He knew that Jillian was a right about the dress, he should have seen it before but in truth he'd been so worried about tonight that he didn't even think about the outfits, the whole mess of them walking into Court together and the fallout that could result. He was worried that someone would take issue with them, either out of some political bullshit or just because some vampires liked being miserable pricks for no real reason. Still why did Jillian have to treat Katrina like that, she didn't have to insult Katrina the way she did. It frustrated him because they'd gone to Jillian and tried to make her understand their fears about tonight, they'd asked her for to stand with them not only as a Priscus but as a Friend and Coterie mate.

And Jillian had tried to toss money at Katrina and told his girlfriend to go off to some fucking store like Target, like she was some kind of street kid trying to wash the windows on her car. He'd always put up with Jillian putting him down, reminding everyone that she was the Priscus and demanding that they follow her lead in public ... he'd taken it because she was always different in private, when it was just them or them and Katrina. He always meant it when he called her his sister. Hadn't he earned enough respect from her for Katrina to be treated like a person? Fuck Jillian was always complaining about stuffy assholes like that Von Schusten guy and hell she'd joined the goddamn Carthians. How could she treat her friends like that? Katrina can feel her lover's hand tense as they walk silently in the night towards the closest open store.

Katrina did not say anything as they walked. She was lost in her own thoughts about Jillian. It was starting to become clear that to Jillian respect was a one way street. That was twice she had embarrassed her at court. First with the deputy and now with this. Over what? A dress? The theme had said white, if it had said only white then she would have understood. Would the kindred have really cared? It was court, not a high school prom party. She had stuck to the main theme, her dress was 80% white at least. Still she would change and get this awful night over and done with.

As they neared the store Ajax moved his head down to Katrina's ear whispered softly. "Remember to concentrate, I love how you look in a mirror. It's like you're twins." He smiles at her and gives her a wink. It was her night and as bad as things got he wanted her to at least enjoy some part of it.

Katrina smiled softly at Ajax. "Sorry, I fucked it up." What else could she add? Jillian is a manipulating bitch that is using them? No, it would not be appropriate. The fact of the matter was Jillian wanted them to respect her in public but then treated them like something nasty she had just stepped in. She had tricked them with this ploy of friendship and for that Kat would give her credit. She wanted a clan to stand behind her but was unwilling to stand behind her clan. Katrina tried to wave it from her mind as they stepped over the threshold and started to take a look around.

"You didn't. I should have been thinking more clearly about things." He watches her look around the store as she tries to find something white. The place was decent one of those chain store places that did fashion for regular women, never the less the large Gangrel will felt odd in the place. It wasn't really the concept of being a shopping vampire, he'd come to terms with that long before, no it was the concept of being a boyfriend and having to do all those boyfriend type things. He was becoming the type of guy he once laughed at.

Katrina picked up the only two white dresses in the store. Heading over to the shoes section she picked up the only pair of white heels. One thing she could do was shop, when she knew what she was looking for she was like a machine and it was clear she was not wasting time here. She headed into the changing room and tried the first dress on. "Urgh! It looks like crap." she said before trying the second one on. Opening the curtain she showed Ajax for his opinion. "What do you think?"

Ajax watched Katrina with amazement and the sudden realization that he'd probably need a better job soon to support her shopping habit. He smiles as he passes a Man Milestone sitting in chair, tapping his foot in time to the generic pop music playing and waiting outside of a fitting room for his girlfriend When she finally opened the curtain, his jaw dropped and it took a few seconds for him to speak. "It looks great." It really did look great, like it had been designed specifically just for her.

Katrina smiled at Ajax. Picking up the other dress she held it in her hands for a few moments. She had a connection with it. Finding clothes that were in a style from the 1950's era were hard to find. Noticing Ajax was near and would understand her connection to the dress if she held onto it any longer she shoved it into her handbag along with the shoes. She removed the tag from the dress she was wearing and the stickers off the shoes so the woman at the till could ring them through. She looked at Ajax and smiled, signaling she was ready.

Ajax returned her miles and walked to the counter with her, pulling out his wallet along the way. He waits for Katrina to pass the tags to the girl behind the counter and pays with cash. The dress and the shoes cost him almost all of the cash he has on him but it was worth it. It was only money and Katrina ... She was one of the two most important things in his whole world and deep down he was secretly worried that Jillian didn't want to be important to him anymore. In his head he prays, not to Kat's god or the ones worshiped by the Circle he'd left but to a figure he remembered from his childhood. St. Jude, if can hear me, just let everything be alright with Me, Katrina and Jillian. I Can't Lose Either of Them. Ajax thanks the girl behind the counter and holds Katrina's hand as they leave the store and begin the walk back.

End Scene

[West]

Ishani Naetesh & Asa Clarke
Masks of Tranquility

Although a thought had been given to wearing a different color than white, that particular trick had been done masterfully by Twist for the Celestial Court, to an effect that doing so again would be a poor shadow.

Ishani and Asa entered, both dressed in white, albeit her dress a bit more formal than his open shirt. Nevertheless, it was the woman, rather than the dress, that commanded one's attention.

Stopping at the roses, Ishani smiled slyly, arching an eyebrow.

"That's quite a grudge."

Asa laughed softly, and shook his head in denial, although both knew the truth.

"I'm just sentimental."

Carefully, Asa pinned a pair of red blossoms on Ishani, then on himself, before offering her his arm and continuing into Court. Both skimmed the crowd, noting who was there, and who was not, particularly for the diminutive Daeva Priscus.

[Joseph Hartman]

White, why would we wear white? It shows the blood and everything better. It's a pain to clean... Joseph picks at the sleeve edge of his white button down as he walks in. A cursorily glances lets him know that the Prince, others of importance and a few new vamps have already arrived. As well as the flowers... it took him a moment but then he takes a solitary white flower and pins it to his chest.

He walks further into the club before stopping and letting his Beast react to the others present. Both new and met. After a split moment he smiles and makes his way around the club before walking up to the Gangrel Priscus.

"The fun hasn't even started yet." He says smiling seeing, Jillian leaning on the bar.

clothes

Note: Joseph is wearing white shoes as well, not the sandals in the picture.