(1604) Formal Court

[Cayce]

With measured, resolute steps the Reeve of Sacramento paced into the court foyer, a large black bag hanging from her left shoulder, and felt the essence of hell wash over her, bringing with it a panoply of hate and fear. Each step brought a new sensation, a new bouquet of indescribable impulses, and the Ventrue who dreamed of infinite pasts felt the tendons of her fangs contract and quiver behind her black painted lips. Alas, she did not let them part, nor did she allow her steps to falter as she strode onward in her tailored black suit and silver cravat.

Instead, she merely walked onward toward her her goal. The Seneschal ( sumthingpositiv ). Regan, Twist, and the neonate who had stained her hair were merely accessories...

"Good evening," she said, voice stern despite the greeting. "I believe that we have business to discuss. Unless you would prefer to wait for Prince Clarke."

[Asa]

Asa descended into court, wearing a midnight blue tuxedo that was blacker than black under the artificial lights.

He paused at the base of the stairs, raising a glass of amber liquid to his lips as the sound and sight of other predators assaulted his senses. The caustic, oaken liquid was a poor substitute for Blood that the situation demanded -- but distraction enough before he let it flow back into the glass. Most of the predators were bare; defiant, challenging Beasts below silks and smiles. He knew it. They knew it. Asa set the glass down at the coat closet, color slowly returning to fingers whitened by their pressure on the crystalline lowball. Blood stirred, then flowed. Stagnation to harden the body against change. Unreason to channel the strength of the Beast's fury. He could almost hear Headstrong's description of the threefold Curse.

And just like everyone else, it was all covered by a calm, pleasant facade and expensive clothes.

For once, the room full of bare calves accentuated by high heels and curves defined by lace and silk went un barely noticed as he made his way directly to a small cluster that had a diminutive woman at it's focus.

"Seneschal. Priscus. Reeve. Miss." If he'd met the plastic woman with the child-like features, he didn't recall. Courtesies satisfied, he too focused on the center. "Hound."

A hint of warmth and a genuine smile crept through the last word that the others had lacked.

"Keeper Villiers informed me that two poachers she'd Haven'ed here might attend Court this evening."

For all the 'Your Grace' and 'Duchess'' that would pass lips tonight, Asa Clarke knew the title Twist loved the most.

[Benji]

"Whip York," his blood and instincts whispered to him about mutual, instantaneous hate like a mirrored version of love at first sight as he approached Vivian to introduce himself. The fact that he was meeting her in Elysium was like a soothing balm to his spirit, revitalizing and fortifying him against the urge to retreat. "Louis Rhodes, slightly less than new to the Domain. I wanted to introduce myself to you before too much time had passed, out of respect for your position in our extended family."

[Kenneth Gilroy]

Gilroy arrived slightly later than normal. He was reluctant. Not because of what he knew he would have to face (though that certainly didn't help) but because of what he knew he would have to do.

The worm typed out a message to himself on his phone. Then he typed out another to his family. The worm closed his eyes, collecting himself for the assault. Blind he listened to the ringing of the bell that told him his preparatory texts had been successfully sent. With that Kenneth opened his eyes, bit his lip, and descended into the snake pit.

The other Beasts talked the Elysium. The instincts threatened. Fear; hatred. Run and fight. The simple powerful urges of the lesser mind. Kenneth did his best to resist them and not let them show. Normally he'd take to stalking the edges. Tonight was the exception. He stayed by the stairs, off to one side. And there he stood, like a spider in wait.

[Alessandra]

As her Beast rages and grows it claws in the presence of Brittanys weaker Beast, Ale smiles. There would be no rending of her adorable Cousin tonight. Or any other night, so she shoves the annoying Beast back.

Slowly nodding, “It certainly looks that way.” She agrees, seeing the gathering grow. Dark eyes spy the Prince, and she dips into a low and respectful bow. She knew her place, and he was the one that provided safety and access to dinner. “What about those two? Ever seen them before?” she asks as her eyes shift to the two in the corner, especially the wild looking one. That one needed to be watched, she seemed…unhinged…maybe dangerous. Did she feel threatened? No, which was why her eyes lingered, observing.

“But not too bad, keeping busy with expanding my influence. Not as easy as it is back home, the family name doesn’t help me much here.” She says with a chuckle. “How about you? Anything exciting been going on?” she asks.

[Robert Cross]

Cross receives Gilroy's message as he enters The Nox, he glances at his phone and then pockets it without reaction. He moves through the more lively section of the club, the crowd of Kine parting instinctively before him, some not giving him a second glance out of deeply ingrained politeness: Don't stare at the poor, burned man. Others gawk for a moment only to look away for other, deeper reasons. Reasons they can't name, but feel. In any case, no one bothers him.

He's wearing his usual tonight: the unassuming black suit, the white shirt open at the collar. His gun is back in the car, an unfortunate state of affairs, but one that can't be avoided. As he descends the stairs, he's already mentally preparing himself for the onslaught, for the fire that, now smoldering, will leap to life in the presence of other Stiffs.

And it does, seeming to spread out from the scars that cover his body, the moment he enters the area of court proper. It's as if each Kindred in attendance has their own, special scar, some burn white-hot, generating the kind of pain that you can only flee before. Some generate a dull ache that raises the ire, that calls out to be crushed in annoyance. Cross pauses at the foot of the stairs, his jaw working, putting down the inferno of his beast with a roll of the shoulders. He surveys the room, knowing that this evening is important, trying to steel himself for a night of interacting with his relatives.

Luckily, a familiar, if distasteful, figure lurks nearby. He approaches Kenneth Gilroy , giving him a nod, "Good evening, Priscus."

[Kenneth Gilroy]

“Mr. Cross. Welcome.” There was no welcome in Kenneth’s voice. This was the moment he had dreaded. “Please come with me.” The request was quiet, unassuming, and venomous. The way Gilroy slunk away immediately clearly indicated he still expected the burned man to follow.

Kenneth continues in this thread

[Alice Hart]

Alice receives Gilroy's message when she's just outside of the Nox, was it a helpful reminder or was it he didn't think that the Family would make a good showing?

Alice didn't know. Instead she fixed a haunty, piercing stare upon her face, entered and glared at the Kine within the Nox until they parted like the Red Sea. With surer feet then her first time at Court Alice made her way down the stairs, preparing for the worse.

The Wraith inched it's way up her spine, leaving a path of her frozen rage in it's wake. It tugged and pulled, wanting her to kill and flee. But Alice now, more used to the sensation, pulled upon the Wraith and sent it back to it's cage.
Alice was sure it wouldn't fool anyone watching, but the haunt fixed the lay of her dress as she regained control, instead of glaring or grinding her teeth.

Her gemstone eyes search, seeing the cluster of Kindred around Seneschal Harding, Alice didn't know the other's on sight, but she assumed they were mighty important. The she spots Robert and Gilroy, Alice makes her way towards them, but they are already moving towards one of the 'private' rooms.

The young haunt give a deferential nod towards the retreating form of the fanged worm, and a quirk of her lips for Robert. She really didn't know what this was about, and didn't know if she should follow.

So Alice stood where they had been, and waiting for a sign whether to approach of stay where she was.