(1507) Monster's Ball

**West** · Jul 1st, 2015 10:27 PM

Please remember that Predator's Taint is in effect and role-play is expected, or rolls will be asked for!

This is a great place to get Acknowledged

http://nwod.org/wiki/images/Eternal_Court.jpg

The Nox Populi Nightclub.

In the heart of downtown Sacramento there is a place of intrigue, excitement and entertainment. The modern flare of this venue is host to exclusive parties. The seduction might establishment may take you away as you drink, dance and socialize... if it were open. Tonight, it's closed for a private party.

As Kindred arrive at Nox, they are discreetly met and led to the back of the club; some may recognize the area leading to rear stairs upward. The space downstairs is decorated in dark, rich woods and expensive furniture. There's a coat room that will also hold one's 'unmentionables'; namely, weapons, at the foot of the stairs. There are also private areas, dark, and furnished with soft couches, as well as meeting rooms with conference tables and chairs, and an area with several televisions. The Court area is decorated with long black and purple silken drapes cascading from floor to ceiling. Draped in elegant bunches and gathered into valances across door frames and between supporting pillars; the lighting is intentionally low, and the dull throb of music upstairs creates a low, rumbling pulse.

The common area circles the Court proper, and it becomes apparent that this is not decorated for a single evening. Small symbols note areas for Kindred only that branch off of the Commons, which will be necessary once those Kine privileged enough to see behind the Masquerade filter in: ghouls, herd members, or even devotees.

Another evening; another Danse. For some it will their first, for some it shall be their last. After all, this is the Prince's Elysium, and subject to the Laws of the Domain.

Per the new Seneschal, Katya Harding, tonight's formal Court is themed as a Monster's Ball.

**Konrad Roth** · Jul 2nd, 2015 10:47 AM

Once again led to the back like the shady character he is, Konrad descends the stairs to the lavish space underground. His attire is formal for the most part, as this is a formal event between the Sacramento Kindred. Yet he is also aware of the theme of this particular event, so beneath his dark gray sports coat is a playful graphic t-shirt depicting the lovable monsters that peaked in popularity during the early years of his Requiem. Perhaps it is the Gangrel's bizarre humor that led to the decision or simply that he is too lazy to put more effort into it.

Regardless of his appearance, beneath the layers of undead flesh lurks a true monster peering out glassy orbs from beneath the ledge of a heavy brow. He sees monsters all about the Court Commons and he feels them too, like a sixth sense provoking a rage that never quite boils over his laid back persona.

And always Konrad brings with him the business that brings purpose to his eternal nights. Only one thing on the agenda again. But always there came more unexpected twists and turns with each assemblage.

Jul 2nd, 2015 11:09 AM

Monster's Ball? It was a truly unfortunate theme for Philip's first full court. He knew not the first thing about costumes or monsters, nor how to dress for such an occasion. As he wracked his brain the only idea that immediately stuck out was that a full latex body suit was probably inappropriate. Ultimately, Philip settled on the only thing he could think of.

He absolutely hated this particular outfit. It had been a terrible investment he still couldn't justify.

Still it would work for tonight.

Philip entered court with a confident stride. Though he was early, it did nothing to dampen his mood. "Good evening Priscus Roth. So good to see you again." His eyes ran across the Gangrel, soaking up the attire. "Let me guess..." Philip bit his bottom lip. "You are a monster of childhood trauma?" After all, who wasn't absolutely terrified by a seven foot tall talking bird with borderline personality disorder? Although, it was possible Philip had missed the point.

**Konrad Roth** · Jul 2nd, 2015 11:35 AM

Konrad's brows crinkle as the new arrival from last Court approaches him wearing something that perhaps only the charming beauty of a man could pull off. But it surely isn't to the Savage's taste, which he didn't realize he had until Philip arrived.

"Yo. An interesting take on it, Philip, right?" Konrad answers cheerfully, pulling out the bottom hem of his shirt as he looks down at his own chest. "Though childe-hood went pretty easy on me to tell you the truth."

Konrad and Philip continue here

Jul 2nd, 2015 02:34 PM

Monster. The very word comes from the Latin, monstrum, meaning a sign of divine displeasure and contrary to nature itself. But, say the word and immediately evil things like imps, demons, and things that reside under children's beds spring to mind. Monsters are the collections of a collective's fear, mutating as it is passed down. Today, they are fodder for movies. Godzilla is the amalgam of the Japanese fear of the nuclear weapon and their resulting helplessness in the face of it.

However, no monster is worse than the monster they create themselves, even for those real monsters who prowl the edges of society.

What, then, does a monster dress up as, when the theme is monsters?

David went back and forth about it for nights after the announcement. Nearly, the Shadow thought about a certain David Cronenberg film. But, after test wearing fake blood on his hands and finding it not to his liking, the Dragon went back to the drawing board. He thought of Boris Karloff's costume in The Mummy, but ultimately decided against it.

Finally, the Libitinarius decided. But getting the feeling right would be a test and getting what he needed ended up being a chore for mid-summer. To be honest, the lion paws were difficult; David was quite certain he wanted his hands to have a free range of motion. Still, the ones he found would go with his tan colored brogues. The grey-heron feathers, by comparison, were easier to come by and were sewn, temporarily, to peek out above his lion paw-hands and at David's lapel.

The rest of David's 'costume' is simple: his sand colored suit wraps the rest of his bean-pole frame.

A Sphinx.

Arriving into the Nox Populi is always a test, a riddle, and a conundrum. The Shrike within screeches in its displeasure as it sees its fellows – wishing only bloody murder on the men already there. And yet, the Man knows that he needs his fellows, others who know what it is like to live on this lonely path they are all on; what it means to be a Monster. Perhaps, the Shrike rages because it knows that these are the people it needs the most and hates them for it.

David reigns in its displeasure, exhibiting again that he not it is in control.

Passing into the courtroom proper, David inclines his head towards Konrad Roth and the fellow festooned with color, Philip Reveneux .

Jul 2nd, 2015 03:06 PM

It was a good thing temperature didn't bother Katya, otherwise she'd be sweating bullets. She waited until getting to her office earlier before the Ball to put it on. knee high six inch heel combat boots gave her the stability and the imitation of her standing on hooved legs. She donned on wide pants with grey frazzled fur to drape over the neck of the boots. The back of the pants widened out to furthermore add curves to her back legs similar to a goats. She did what she could to paint the heels a yellowish gold color to imitate hooves.

The remainder of her body was donned in a grey furry werewolf costume all of it contained under a black felt jacket with coattails. how did she manage to keep the poofy top contained under the jacket? Why with them magic of corsets, a silver bodice that wrapped around her waist just below her breasts. What Katya loved most about this costume was that she could paint her face, giving it a tribal design that curved up along her eyes and the bridge of her nose all it would take would be a flicker of her tongue to give of the look of a demon. This was also the rare chance she would make her hair as big as possible, unbraiding it just so she could have it pinned up in a wild mop by the horned headdress over her face like a crown. The horns were white and extended about a foot above her head, curving at the ends. Given that this was Elysium, Katya wanted to respect the laws and had to do away with the bundle of switches in her pouch. Replacing it was a plastic baby, an open mouth expression with its plastic arms sticking out of the pouch as if it was protesting its journey into hell.

Stepping out of her office, Katya, or Krampus, makes her way into Court, walking slowly as she becomes acquainted with the awkward feel of the boots. http://amasquerade.com/images/produc...es/krampus.jpg The difficulty in maintaining balance is gone when she grits her teeth and trembles at the overwhelming urge to lash her tongue out and actually drag her would be threats to their Final deaths. that is of course until she closes her eyes and tilts her head back to regain her composure, to anyone watching it almost does look like the actual Krampus was about to make an appearance.

She catches Konrad Roth and Philip Reveneux and gives them a smile before bowing her head, not wanting to interrupt their conversation but finds their choice of costume quite amusing. Already she feels this was a good idea, anytime she can facilitate Sesame Street in Court is a good sign. Once she's certain she is not about to interrupt the Priscus of Shadows from joining Konrad and Phillip, she approaches David Regan giving his costume a quick scan before bowing her head and saying "Good evening Priscus Regan. I'm admiring the work you put into your ensemble this evening, I particularly like the detail you put into with the feathers." she doesn't know if a majority of the kindred will find this idea annoying, so she is very pleased to see one of the clan heads taking the ball and running with it,

**Asa** · Jul 2nd, 2015 03:11 PM

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/28/c0/75/28c075436713a1fcc5d7f27d635cc14c.jpg

Asa enjoyed themed Courts, and a nod had to be given to it's origin.

It was the first theme in years that he'd had to give any amount of thought to preparing for. Aside from the fact that he was not a movie-goer, there was always the temptation for some commentary. He half expected the Sanctified to arrive simply as themselves in the nude... a far more appealing proposition had Madison Wells still been within the city. He'd bet good blood that at least one Carthian had at least thought about dressing up as Asa himself.

Truth be told, he given thought to simply arriving with Claws bared.

In the end, he'd given in to a memory from childhood. No doubt some would seek meaning in his choice -- just as he might in theirs. Really, the only thing that would truly surprise him is if anyone had the nerve to don a red wig and green contacts.

The costume was cumbersome, and he oriented himself towards a snippet of conversation, then headed over.

Jul 2nd, 2015 03:18 PM

Mister Jones passed beneath notice as he wormed his way down through the Nox. It helped that he hadn't been precisely avante garde when it came to his dress. Nevertheless, he stayed true to the theme; and the rather barren nature of his warderobe. After all, the finest monsters he'd known in his service had much prefered a nice suit and tie over bloodstained rags. Thus dressed, he limped his way into the court proper.

Aside from the metronomic clicks of ~~cane and~~ brace, he moves with a practiced hush. He gives only a faint grunt as he bears the brunt of exposure to the other vampires talking; his Beast flailing against the bars of it's cage. Squawking, mad-eyed; telling him to escape, to run and not look back. Mister Jones did not dignify it with a reply, just a touch of internal laughter. Running hadn't been an option for a long, long time.

So he did what came naturally to him, found a relativly uninhabited niche; and watched the other monsters arrive for the ball. Hopefully a Mr. Regan was among them; Mister Jones may have patience honed to an instinct, but the old pain in his leg was an unwelcome, if enduring companion.

Jul 2nd, 2015 03:57 PM

David sees the curved horns first, twin statements of strength and a – some would say usurped – symbol of diabolism. They bob over the crowds like a seagull idly riding the waves towards the Shadow. The woman who owns the horns, the Seneschal, is revealed almost dramatically as His Grace's cape flutters past her. Eminently respectful, David bows to her as he did for Asa when he passed.

Feathers flutter in the sudden motion.

“Thank you, Madame Seneschal.” David Regan is a strange person to be the leader of his clan. Unassuming and studious, he lacks the charisma that others would consider a requirement. Despite his height, he is lanky and gangly and his meek, pastoral cadence is a souvenir of the upper Midwest.

David stops himself from running his now-gloved hand through his hair. “It'll take some getting used to, I suspect,” the Shadow notes realizing what he just attempted to do. “The Krumpus?” David questions, intrigued.

Noticing another man nearby ( Paul Jones ), unfamiliar and unobtrusive, David can only guess that this is his newest family member. Turning to Katya, David invites with an offer of his arm, “A new family member has arrived. Would you like to accompany me as I welcome him?”

Jul 2nd, 2015 04:08 PM

Katya notices David's extra bow and turns to notice Asa herself. She too bows to her Prince before returning her attention to the Sphinx.

She smiles and says "Indeed, good guess Priscus and I was going to guess, Sphinx?" she asks, gesturing to the lion paws. When David gestures to the newcomer, one whom her natural rage didn't respond to she smiles and nods. "Of course, I would be delighted." how often does one vampire say they were greeted by a demon and a sphinx upon their arrival? "I will follow your lead Priscus." she says as she waits for David to approach the new member. She has an impulse to take the lead but she gets the impression that Priscus Regan knew of this newcomers arrival and decides to let the familiarity of the clans break the ice.

(1507) Monster's Ball

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