(1301) The Regency Debates

[Vampire ST]

Upon entering the lower level of Avalon, only a few notable changes have been made for the first official Court of the year. A small table is set by the coat/weapon check, with name badges arranged with the contestants names: @Max Heinz , @Chris Wooding , @Erich Passions , @Velma Star , @Ashley Cohen , Savnok , @John Smith . The Prince's ghoul, Nika Crassus, attends the coat room.

The formal Court area has been paneled in wood, and to one side is a pair of podiums facing one another. Seating is arranged opposite of the podiums for spectators, as well as on the raised area for Court officials.

Court is open. The doors 'close' to new entries on January 4th.

[West]

Arnold Culler arrives, his large frame dwarfing the stairway as he descends.

He pauses at the coat room, but neither his ubiquitous trench coat or fedora are relinquished; instead, he spends a few moments drawing items from the coat and passing them to the ghoul. Once he's relinquished his dangerous accouterments he proceeds into the Underground proper. A slow circuit is made around the premises, and he pauses at the interior.

He notes that there are no signs of wigs.

[Erika Brady]

Behind Culler is Erika Brady, who breezes past the checkpoint. Dressed in an emerald green gown to compliment her hair and eyes, she moves with her usual calm purpose.

As a Regent, she is curious to see who will join their ranks -- and whether or not the position can be held.

Taking a seat, she sits and waits.

[Aileen McFarlane]

Even though she hadn't especially tried to arrive early, it so happened that when Aïleen entered the Avalon, there were only two other Kindred in attendance. She got checked by a beautiful woman she had never met before, but complied meekly even though she looked human. She had no weapon, of course, so entered quickly after the mandatory check.

First, she nodded once deeply to Regent Brady. She had misjudged the woman the first time they had met, but the second time had set things right, and she knew to expect nothing from her fellow Shadow.

The other giant of a man, she remembered to have seen at the summer Court when another Haunt had been burned, but she hadn't really had an opportunity to talk with him, nor had she wanted to, for that purpose. She was rather afraid of him, but would it be construed as rude not to talk to him ? She feared so, but didn't dare actually introduce herself, so opted instead for a middle-ground. She walked toward a seat a few yards from Arnold Culler , and greeted him with a non-commital Good evening Sir. He could make what he would of it, from nothing to actually talking with her.

[Roxie Hart]

Roxie Hart popped into the Avalon Underground after seeing the notices up. The Regent of South Sacramento walked with purpose into the formal court area dressed in a short (shorter than pictured) skirt and a corset that was more than just fitting. The only reason the shrug was on her shoulders was to keep up appearances on her way there. It was winter after all. As soon as she got to the lower level, that shit came off at the coat check. And after verifying nothing was on her, she made her way further in of course followed by the one and only Dog . If shit and faces changing at all made a mark on the Legalicious Regent, it’s not like anyone would notice. She’d been in the Domain long enough to see the ebb and tide and grown accustomed to it. She was a Savage after all, Roxie also knew it sometimes took one swift claw or handy work to change the course of someone’s Requiem.

Nodding to fellow Regents Erika Brady and Culler also in attendance. Roxie thought she wasn’t the only curious one. Picking a new Regent via duels was always a fun treat. Although she kinda hoped the duels actually ended up…well, her style. Thankfully she’d downloaded a few new games on her phone since their Vampiric state didn’t really allow for dozing off if necessary. One of the fucking downfalls. Thank god for Angry Birds. Which is precisely why she sat in the back with at least one empty seat next to her. Then again, she'd probably pay more attention than she wanted to admit to anyone.

[Dog]

Dog followed Roxie, dressed in his Court finest frippery. It was one of the fewer things he owned that had not been stolen or pulled off of a carcass. He had bought it, and it had cost him twenty-five dollars. Being one of the first and only things he'd ever bought, he was going to keep it until it fell apart. Given the threadbare state of some parts, and moth holes of others, that might be sooner than later. His hair was washed, and the suit clean -- aside from now black spatters of who knows what that wouldn't seem to come out.

There was a hint of a sneer, his upper lip lifting slightly as he saw the other Kindred. The complete absence of the Taint, as if they were all ashamed of what they were or hiding their weakness.

He gave Erika Brady the once over he always did, then considered the chair by Roxie, but continued to stand.

It could have been the predator's need to be ready for anything. Or it could have been that his indefatigable muscles had no need for such comforts. Or it could have been that he didn't want to show the world he wasn't wearing socks. Or it could have been that it afforded him an excellent view down his Regent's corset.

[Catherine Keyes]

Catherine was dressed in the long blue skirt and black mid-drift baring shirt she wore her first night in the Avalon Elysia, this time without the bangles that worked so well with the outfit. She kept a short black coat around her shoulders, and with the soft steps of her shoes on the carpet she left the coat with the coatrack and went to find a seat.

She was here for the family, the others might stand their own ground, but the mental prowess of her own clan would triumph.

Each of the regents, at least the ones she knew or could guess by their looks, received nods, before she chose a seat near but not crowding the Shadow regent.

“Good evening, Regent Brady.” She said quietly, “I pray you are well?”

[Chase Ankers]

Chase Ankers only intended to observe the proceedings this evening, entering the Avalon in an unremarkable black suit and tie. The debate held much interest to him as it revealed the nature of the participating Kindred as well as their public speaking skills. Truly how could anyone miss an event such as this? The Lord made his way into the spectator seating, nodding respectfully to the officials as he passed their raised section. Those whose Beasts were not masked radiated like a fire's glow, causing Chase to wince and cower inwardly. He did not stay in their sight long and found a chair along the edge, focusing his attention elsewhere. Everyone was dressed to impress it seemed, even among the spectators. But such habits were typical among them.

Chase sensed a large mass moving through the formal Court area and steeled himself against the temptation to look its way. That giant again...

[West]

The fedora turned, then dipped downward, until it was almost perpendicular to the ground as the giant regarded the small Mekhet ( Bigpaw ).

"Good evening, Miss," the darkness between the collar and brim rumbled with a flash of light on teeth.

[Erika Brady]

Seeing the Kindred trickling in, Erika had been debating whether or not bringing a book would have been appropriate. Her eyes moved to the two Gangrel as they entered, feeling the press of the Beasts: both known, but still disconcerting.

Focusing on Catherine Keyes , her head tilted slightly and her green eyes moved over the other Shadow's dress before landing on her face.

"Oh? And to whom do you pray?" she asked.