(1607) Formal Court

[Saber Sloth]

Small Caldarium

The Pinnacle of Dark Serenity

Welcome to a neighborhood of forgotten houses.

Though perhaps not all is forgotten. Memory make this abandoned home solid within the minds of those that know it's growing secrets. Within this not so forgotten house, it's paint peeling, it's shingles crooked and falling to the ground, opens a doorway to the Kingdom Below.

Up the rotting wooden steps and through the paint peeled door, you're faced with a stark, bare living space. A comfortable threadbare couch can be seen as you're lead to a metal door in the back of the house. This door is open, though you can see evidence of a heavy padlock used to keep those who have no business here away. Warn grey wood floors give way to metal grated steps.

The descent begins, you're leaving the world Above, to the one Below.

As the metal grated stairs give way to stone floors, there sits a rosewood table. Individual wicker baskets, with silken linings, are set upon it. Above the table is a notice broad, place prominently upon it is a single announcement. Stating the bathhouse, known as the Caldarium is a sanctuary, and is considered Elysium. The baskets provided are for any weapons that you might have brought. Underneath that message, but still on the same stark white announcement card also states that the area known as the 'Dark Temple' is also considered Elysium, any violators, or violations of the Laws of Elysium will be dealt with appropriately. Next to the table sits a matching wardrobe, inside wooden hangers are left bare, not a coat to warm them.

Turning into the Caldarium proper, eyes catch shadows cast by flames as they flicker and dance upon the stone walls. The lights from within the pools wash the ceiling and walls in a calming and serene blue. The Caldarium, aglow in a soft but contradictory pallet. Sleek, modern lines form that which holds the crystal clear water that would credit the Caldarium with it's purpose.

Those of the Blood, of Clan Nosferatu, this place hums with it's dark promise. The edge of their grating ways dulled, smoothed over by the serenity that permeates every inch of the bathhouse.

To other of the other Clans, this is simply a room, a beautiful room, full of contradictory reds and blues, water and fire, but still a room. Like any other.

Though, perhaps not. Elysium rules within these stone walls, and just as the Laws of the Domain are enforced Aboveground, they are likewise enforced Below.

Tonight this simple but beautiful room is open for the Domain at large for Eternal Court is open once more...

Remember folks Predator's Taint is a thing, and in effect and role-play is expected, or rolls will be asked for!

[Alice Hart]

The Caldarium was meticulously cleaned top to bottom. The bathhouse's water drained and exchanged for something fresher. Not that Alice thought that anyone would make use of the pools, she was just paranoid that dirt and debris were floating within. Alice knows the fervor in which she attacked the room, determined to remove the traces of dust, or the remnants of the recent construction, must have terrified her cousins.

With what was at stake...Alice settled for scaring her Family to make certain the Caldarium was fit to be seen.

The new lanterns artfully placed, though still out of the way so they wouldn't be disturbed, white tealights set within. It was almost comical how Alice lit the small candles, treating it more like she were approaching a ticking bomb, then the innocent creation of wax and wick, but after nights of practice the flames were born with only a mild discomfort.

If the Family were holding Court in any other place Alice would be a writhing, twitching mass of panicked nerves, but in this, the seat of their power, the calming waves of the Dark Serenity that permeated the Caldarium soothed her, invoked a quiet confidence that had her not second guessing her every action since she discovered that they'd be hosting Court.

Instead she was focused on the now, smoothing her black and white dress, Alice set a pretty doll-like smile upon petal pink lips, as she waited for the others to arrive.

[Robert Cross]

Cross approaches from the direction of his office in the depths of the catacombs. He too is dressed to impress, wearing a new, smartly tailored black suit, highly polished black dress shoes, and a crisp white dress shirt open at the throat. To those who have only seen the burned man in passing, his uniform will appear unchanged. But those in his family will know he has made an attempt to class himself up for the evening.

However, he's not here for pleasure. Tonight is about work. As the Sheriff of the underground, Cross is ready for anything, focused entirely on the task at hand: keeping the members of the domain safe from any threat, no matter how mundane or spectacular. Accordingly, he comes strapped with both knife and gun, wrapped in shadow and hidden away beneath his suit jacket. The shadows had given him some trouble, but he'd finally gotten things straightened out, so here he is.

Rolls

  failure

Date		Action		Roll		Result
2016-07-01 14:00:23		Robert Cross rolls 7 to Touch of Shadow (Knife): Wits3 + Larceny1 + Obfuscate3 (10 Again)		6, 3, 1, 4, 5, 3, 3		failure

  failure

Date		Action		Roll		Result
2016-07-01 14:00:52		Robert Cross rolls 7 to Touch of Shadow (Knife): Wits3 + Larceny1 + Obfuscate3 (10 Again)		5, 4, 7, 5, 5, 2, 7		failure

  1 success

Date		Action		Roll		Result
2016-07-01 14:01:15		Robert Cross rolls 7 to Touch of Shadow (Knife): Wits3 + Larceny1 + Obfuscate3 (10 Again)		2, 4, 9, 1, 3, 7, 4		1 success

  1 success

Date		Action		Roll		Result
2016-07-01 14:01:40		Robert Cross rolls 7 to Touch of Shadow (Gun): Wits3 + Larceny1 + Obfuscate3 (10 Again)		7, 3, 7, 3, 8, 2, 2		1 success

Upon entering the caldarium, the burned man stops to admire the space, feeling its soothing atmosphere take hold. Alice has done something really special here, he thinks, and as if on cue his eyes land on the Doll, where she stands awaiting their guests. "Alice," he says, his voice low but carrying in the empty space, "you look fantastic." He strides toward her as he speaks, "And this place does too," looking around to indicate the Caldarium before fixing her again with his flat, blue eyes. "You ready for the big event?" He's wondering if she's as anxious as he is.

[Kenneth Gilroy]

Regent Kenneth Gilroy, Priscus of the Nosferatu, and Bishop of the Lancea et Sanctum stands cringing at the street entrance. Ruler of an underground that rivaled the Barrens in hunting prospects, leader of a Clan that he could barely control, and the spiritual head of a church of one. It was a lot of titles but Gilroy knew just how little they were worth except to make him a target of people who might fear him if it weren't for the fact that his curse more likely made them resent him his 'high airs'. There was still so much to do.

His Clan had come together to build the Necropolis up to where it wouldn't be seen as insulting to hold the Prince's court in. Now he had to undertake the impossible task of making sure their Kingdom wasn't seen as a threat and burned to the ground. The Haven's security was still woefully lacking and with the entire domain learning its location, the occultation's protection was somewhat (though not entirely) mitigated. For now, they were still dependent on the goodwill of other Kindred to survive. The position had to be strengthened but not in a way to draw the very attack he feared. And Kenneth thought he had an idea of how.

However, first he had to greet the threats to his and his family's existence, make sure nobody missed finding the entrance due to Alice's mystical workings, and guide them to the Caldarium below. Hopefully without too much small talk. The worm didn't like presenting himself so directly at the start of court. He'd much rather be on the edges, watching.

[Alessandra]

Formal Court, which meant she had to put a little more effort into what she wore. Which also meant she would probably end up wearing a dress, not her fav, but it was Formal. She decides on a black fitted dress with a free flowing skirt. The skirt part actually hit about mid-thigh, but the sheer fabric hit lower, at about her knees. Both flowed freely about her legs, and while she wanted her boots, she settled on a pair of heels. She knew she could still kick ass if needed.

The area of town where the Necropolis was located was new for her, having never been there. Though she feels very overdressed walking towards the house. Following the stairs, she soon found herself in another world. Well, it seemed that way to her anyways. The signs were read, and with no weapons to deposit, she proceeds deeper.

She wasn’t exactly sure what she was expecting, but it wasn’t what waited for her. From the calming colors and the relaxing atmosphere, it was actually quite nice.

The serenity was cut short by the temper of her Beast. It hated weaker Beasts and their nerve to even present themselves. Soothing it by reminding it that Katya was family and that spraying the walls with her blood would be rude.

Walking towards her Cousin and others, she smiles,

“Regent Gilroy, Mistress Keeper Hart, I must say, this place looks amazing! Thank you for hosting.” She gushed with a bow of her head. “Seneschal Harding, good to see you. Mr Cross, good evening to you as well.” The other guy she didn’t know, though she is sure she’s seen him in Court before. “I don’t believe we’ve met, I’m Alessandra, but Ale works.” She greets with a smile, though something about him made her feel paranoid about him.

[Kenneth Gilroy]

OOC

There seems to be some confusion. Sorry if my post wasn't clear. Kenneth is upstairs/street level at the entrance to the house/Haven area. The Caldarium where everyone else is is down a set of stairs.

One by one they began to appear. The threats, the enemies, and the creatures that wanted to devour him. He held his place, closed lipped smile pulling thinner from the strain of not slamming shut the door to prevent their entry into his territory, meager though it was.

"Welcome to the Necropolis. It is my pleasure to host the Prince's court tonight.” Not that he had much choice. “If you continue down the stairs you'll find the Caldarium where Caretaker Hart you can see Caretaker Hart’s work." He said to each of the stunning women as they arrived.

“I am glad you could attend.” Even if his unconscious squirming was reminiscent of a worm in water tying itself in knots as it drowned.

Quite salutation were made to the Priscus of the Mekhet entered. No primal instincts raised their head but Gilroy knew better than to think that meant there was no threat. More than physical attack, it was David’s observations and questions he was apprehensive about. But the unassuming man in blue passed by as well into the depths of the Kingdom.

He could hear the murmur of conversation begin downstairs, though it was distant. Feeling slightly paranoid, he honed his hearing to supernatural levels. For once, able to use his gifts in court without fear that if discovered he would be killed.