(1403) Invictus at The Lily

[Asa]

It was an evening that found The Lily closed -- but not dark. General public would find closed doors, and a polite sign indicating remodeling efforts. Those of a more nocturnal nature would find the Prince's ghoul, Cozette Muriel, waiting to show them inside.

Past the tables, a small array of chairs and a couch are arranged.

While there was a time and place for pomp and circumstance, Asa had not felt this the time or place. Grandiosity would only highlight how few their numbers had become: a dressed up pig was still a pig. A table would only create distance and highlight their numbers. No, what he wanted was something akin to... solidarity.

Jennifer Hazelton ( @Seryna ) and @Joslyn Evans ( @Scelesta ) would be shown to chairs; anyone else arriving would be seated on the couch.

A small coffee table holds champagne flutes and a carafe of dark liquid over a flameless burner on the lowest setting.

[Claire Edmonton]

Claire Tunt arrives at the event with the punctuality of a brutal perfectionist, and her attire sends the same message. The perfect fit and presentation of the steel grey suit was, of course, to accentuate her person as it seamlessly merges with her impressive visage, and her subtle lipstick choice matches the hollyhock flower in her lapel perfectly.

She was here for business; pleasure was a tertiary concern.

[Jennifer Hazelton]

Jennifer Hazelton arrived second to the gathering of the First Estate. She wore a simple dress in exquisite fabric with a faux fur shawl that was pinned to hide her disfigurement. One may remember that this pin had been a gift from Madame Au Pair Sage.



She carried a white bag with individual boxes within; her gifts for the members of the First Estate. She chose a chair facing the door and tucked her bag underneath. She evaluated this new person that she did not recognize. A newcomer since her absence. She wished for a third person to make proper introductions as befit their station. Jennifer took her seat and evaluated the other woman's behavior for hints on if she was indeed, Invictus.

[Asa]

Hearing the noise of arrivals, Asa made his way towards the front of the establishment. As he approached, he felt the press of a Beast; it was to be expected, but that didn't make it any less pleasant. Just a bit easier to ignore. He had wondered if the feeling would ever become routine -- but the years had so far answered that curiosity in a negative.

It was an interesting feeling, given the setting. Every Covenant had their nuances and ideologies. The Invictus, more than any other, represented a zero sum game, highlighted by that undercurrent of rage or fear.

Rage would definitely be preferable.

As he approached the seating arrangement, he gave a nod to the ghoul; a signal which she took, and promptly left.

Asa looked at the two women for a moment, taking in both, mentally approving of each's choice of dress and noting the flower Claire wore. His own attire fit neatly between the two: a tailored suit, white shirt, and merlot tie. Not as formal as Jennifer's, but a bit classier than Claire's. Without hesitation, he removed the chairs until there were only two: the one Jennifer occupied, and one for himself. Anyone else arriving --late, in his estimation-- would have to sit with Claire or stand.

"Good evening," he spoke, smiling with a charming insouciance as if he hadn't just been rearranging furniture.

"Madame Notary Hazelton, it is a pleasure to see that you've returned to the city. Have you met Miss Tunt, of the Ventrue?"

No, it wasn't the Invictus way. Formality, however, was a tool. If one had a job for which the tool did not fit, it was far better to find the right tool than apply the wrong one. Claire could not possibly know their Titles. The way that Jennifer was studying Claire indicated that she was unknown to her; therefore, could not make the introductions. Which left awkwardness standing on ceremony, or a solution.

[Jennifer Hazelton]

"Thank you, Your Excellency. " Jennifer bowed her head respectfully to the Prince. "It is a pleasure to be home."
On the question on Miss Tunt, Jennifer turned towards her. "No, I have not had the pleasure. Miss Tunt,"

Jennifer nodded respectfully to the woman of Ventrue blood.

"-how do you do?"

[Claire Edmonton]

Claire replies to each of them in turn with marked cordiality, "I am grateful for the excellent introduction, Your Highness. And I am doing quite well this evening, Madame Notary. I hope everything is well?"

All of this waffling about titles was proving quite frustrating. Would anyone in this damned domain just commit to consistency, or was such a thing impossible? For this occasion, however, she maintained a simple introspective curiosity. She remained to the point, and tried not to move her hands too much despite how pleasant it was for the silk of her sleeves to slide against her skin. She could be distracted all she liked later.

[Jennifer Hazelton]

"Yes, Miss Tunt, all is well. I have returned to the city from an absence." Jennifer turned her gaze towards the Prince.

"I had been studying under a Lady Notary Chappelle in Toronto. I intend for the experience that I gained in that city shall serve the Unconquered of Sacramento well."

[Jaqen]

August Tobias Galloway had arrived late, not on purpose but by virtue of simply being a new arrival, he had only been acknowledged by Miss Villiers the night before and he could not for the life of him figure out how to read the directions he had managed to print out on google maps. Not that he couldn't follow a map, but it seemed like several of these mapping websites made it a point to take the longest route, or by virtue of design forced one to drive through enchanted forests, cross a lake by a boat that moved with no oars and fight your spirit animal before arriving at your destination. It was practically infuriating.

When he arrived he parked his car, pulled out several old bottles of what appeared to be a dark red wine to the casual looker and straightened his tie, and headed for the door. He was greeted by a servant of the Prince who he spoke to kindly as he was shown his way to the couch on which he was told to be seated. As he entered the main room he sat the two bottles down next to him, they had a simple labeling in red crimson on a white background that read "Georgia Peaches, aged 24 years." After squaring them away he said nothing, unsure of who amongst the group was the one to show proper respects to, obviously all of them of course, but there was an order about things, or so the uninitiated thought, and of course one of them was the Prince of the Domain...

Now he had worked in politics and high society for many many years, and while he was unfamiliar with Invictus custom's he did know that within such a well oiled machine there were certain things to look for that signified who was in power...usually. Seating at a table, style of dress, ease with which others make eye contact and various other little cues that, for the observant make it easier to move along the ladders of the bureaucratic world.

  2 suxx figuring out the chain of command at the table

Date		Action		Roll		Result
2014-03-13 15:23:14		August Galloway rolls 8 to Int+Politics+BN (10 Again)		4, 4, 7, 8, 3, 6, 8, 7		2 successes

As he watched resp[ectfully he felt he was starting to get a lay of the land, so to speak. At least, based on everything the Ventrue knew as he sat on the couch waiting for introduction to those who would make or break his requiem here in Sacramento...so no pressure to get it right or anything.

[Asa]

Claire's phone rings; she looks at it, then makes her apologies and leaves.

"I'm sure you will," Asa answered Jennifer as Claire made her exit.

As he watched the two new arrivals filter in, he added, "Perhaps sooner than later."

It was interesting, watching each. The one who sat, the one who stood. Both bare Beasts made his own rage, and their lateness didn't help the Man mollify it.

Lioni would be seething. Well. At least they're both pretty.

"You must be Miss Evans," he commented, eyeing the sling that hid @Joslyn Evans ' mutilation as he gestured for her to sit.

Asa looked expectantly at August ( @Jaqen ); once he had introduced himself, Jennifer ( @Seryna ) could complete the introductions.