[1706] Eternal Court

[Yumyumcrow]

Eternal Court

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 of this establishment may take you away as you drink, dance and socialize. There are private services available upon request. The best DJ’s in town are in line to play a wide variety of music. Some of you may dine…as long as you have your VIP pass.


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.


The furniture setting is becoming familiar now: a set of elegant chairs, all dark wood and red leather, arranged in a circle. The baroque lighting leaves the corners of the Elysium commons in deep shadow.


Eternal Court is open once more...

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

[Alice Hart]

Before doing anything else. Alice Hart heads to the Barrens to hunt, coming up empty once more. She hoped to gain a mouthful or two to heal her still battered form, but knowing the pitiful amount currently residing within, Alice declines the chance to heal anything else before she descends into Elysium.

To hide the bruising and cracked porcelain, Alice replaces her jeans with black slacks, and the t-shirt and jacket with a fitted pussybow blouse, also in black. The only color she wears is on her shoes. Purple, lace pumps.

Briskly, Alice makes her way from the primal pulse of the living word, into Elysium, and to her office. She'd leave once she's sure she wouldn't murder Lyssa - who stubbornly waited for her on the couch, and that she wouldn't race to the sweating, writhing, blood pounding bodies to stupid to know that there were monsters underfoot.

  failure

Date		Action		Roll		Result
2017-06-02 16:17:20		Alice Hart rolls 4 to Feeding (Strength 2 + Subterfuge 2 -3(blind/barrens) + WP) (10 Again, WillPower)		7, 3, 6, 2		failure

[Alessandra]

Court.

Court after the battle they had fought with the Brood in a warehouse.

Court after taking grievous wounds at the hands of said Brood, well, claws more specifically. And those wounds don’t heal overnight.

She had sated her hunger after the fight, and healed some of her wounds. But some of those wounds remained. But she didn’t hide them. Blackened wounds that seemed to wind outwards, in some way looking like black veins. As of the injury was working into her veins and arteries to take over more of her body. They weren’t pretty, in fact, they were horrifying. She was the Reeve, and a Savage, and had survived the fight, and she wouldn’t hide them. Those marks were like a badge of honor to her. And let them show those who choose to attack the Domain or those who reside in it that she was ready to fight and defend those around her. And if any of those Kindred resided in the Domain who thought her a pushover, or wanted to make a move, let them view her current wounds and think twice.

Entering Nox, the Italian wore a leather coat, zipped up, and a hood, which had been up. Carefully hiding her wounds behind leather, not wanting to draw attention. Safely behind the door of her office, the coat was removed and tossed over a chair. Her outfit for the night was a black leather halter top, over which an oversized sheer black shirt hung. Black leather pants and heel boots completed the look for her.

Well, lets see what the night holds she thinks, opening the door and entering the Court area. Spying the circle of chairs again, she makes her way over and sits.

[Robert Cross]

Knowing that tonight will be his first time back in court since his return to the city, Cross had spent the first of his waking hours in prayer and contemplation of the Dark Word. He'd left the sepulcher shortly after Alice's own departure, aware that she too needed to prepare for the night's demands. Alone and naked in the depths of the catacombs, he'd knelt for a long while, turning over a specific passage from the Testament in his mind: Keep foremost in your hearts always that no noble is above a slave, nor a prince before a worm, for we are all equally exalted and brought low in our Damnation. Finally, he'd returned to the sepulcher, dressed in a new black suit--much like his old one, now ruined by chainsaw and bullet--letting his blood work on closing a few more of his wounds in the process.

And now, the Burned Man is descending into Elysium. Thinking again of the Dark Prophet's words, trying to find comfort in their meaning. Not exactly succeeding. He pauses for a moment at the bottom of the stairs, eyes sweeping the room. Taking in the new arrangement of furniture. Finally, his gaze lands on Alessandra, whose very presence sets his Beast ablaze with an all consuming fear. But no--this is no unfamiliar Monster. Only recently they'd fought together, bled together, and emerged victorious against the Brood. He still has the wounds to prove it. And somehow, thinking of those holes still marking his already-scarred flesh helps him get his Beast's objections under control.

So, rather than turning tail and fleeing into the night, Cross approaches the Reeve, striding across the space of the Elysium. He stops and offers her a deep nod of his bald head, almost a bow. "Reeve Antinori--good evening. How are you?" Flat, blue eyes linger on her exposed injuries and a warm smile twists his scarred lips. "I'm glad to see I'm not the only one still recovering from our little engagement." There's a note of pride in his voice that will tell her that he is of the same mind concerning their wounds: for Cross as well they are badges of honor, though his remain hidden. "Have you seen Seneschal Hart yet this evening?"

[Alice Hart]

Feeling calmer Alice struck out from her office.

Hiding in the hall leading to the Court proper as the Wraith thrashed and whined and hissed and insisted that she need flee.

Here in Court, Alice calmed the waters with her will. Drowning and chaining the Wraith within. Not was not the time. Definitely not with these voice carried on the air, Ale, Robert and Vivian. None that she'd want to raise her little fang to, and none that she would flee from.

Stepping out into the light, Alice fixes a smile on her face. It's all to wide and too fake, but it's hers.

"Madame Reeve," Alice ducks her head in greeting. "Whip Cross." Another duck of her head, while also telling the ladies the Burned Man's status within the Clan. "Vivian." Alice turns to plastic smile towards the succubi, "How are you all this evening?"

[Mable Wood]

Mable decided to go for a more mature fashion statement tonight. She dressed in a soft flowing lemon yellow summer dress. As she entered court she allowed for the push and pull of beast.

Briefly she realized she never named the beast within, she had come to accept it but naming it felt too permanent and personal. She knew others had a name for their beast. Other's tried to ignore it or hide it all together. For Mable it was just an extension of her that she always had even in her old life. While she considered this she let the other's wash over her. The fight or flight instincts became so strong at these gatherings.

She looked around and saw a small group gathering in a circle of chairs. And heading over to join the group.

"Good evening, everyone." Mable said in a soft warm voice. Her eyes widened at the injuries she saw on Ale. She gave her a questioning look wondering why her clan mate hadn't told her Priscus about the obvious battle. But then perhaps it was Reeve business and not clan business.

[Alessandra]

Dark eyes watch the burned Haunt as he approached, they hadn’t spoken since the battle with the Brood. That battle left her with a new found respect for the man, he stood up and helped defeat the Brood with everything he had. Couldn’t ask for more dedication then someone putting it all on the line.

“Deputy Cross, good evening to you as well.” Yeah, she called him Deputy. He earned back enough of her trust in that warehouse to earn that title. “Well, I’ve been better.” She said with a hint of a smile, “And you?” was only right to ask him how he was doing. She chuckles, glancing at an exposed shoulder and nods, “Yeah, those are a little more of a bitch to heal. But hell, might as well show ‘em off right?” there was humor in her tone.

There was then a shake of her head, “Not yet.” Her tone changed from humor to concern.

Her eyes then snap to the presence of a strong Beast, one that challenged her own. When she sees it was Vivian, the look softens. While the challenge remained, and her Beast snarled, she pushed it back. They knew her, and would be sharing a Haven with her.

“Good evening Madame York. That’s quite the dress, and I’m sure you broke few hearts so far this evening.” She says with a sly smile. “How’ve you been?” she asked before glancing at the circle of chairs and shaking her head, “I haven’t.” though the decorations of Court weren’t really her department.

“Did you check lost and found?” she says with a smirk. Did they even have one of those?

And then Alice appeared and she stands, offering a bow to her. Alice was still Seneschal and above her in rank, “Seneschal Hart.” Greeted the Savage before taking her seat again.

“Well, I’ve technically been better, but I certainly can’t complain.” Alice would get what she was talking about, Alice had been there for the fight. “And you?” dark eyes study the blind Haunt.

The press of another Beast walked in, challenging her own once again. But it was very easy to spot the keeper of the Beast, the bright yellow dress was like a beacon. Wow that was a bright color, thinks he Italian. Then again, anything that wasn’t black was bright to her.

“Good evening Priscus Wood.” Catching the questioning look, but choosing not to say anything. If Mable had questions she could ask them. “How have you been?” Courts always reminded her of a broken record. Greetings…asking about each other…complimenting dresses…blah blah blah.

[Robert Cross]

The title used by Alessandra doesn't escape him. A smile of real appreciation blooms on his scarred face. Another step toward restoring his good name in the domain. Another step toward earning the respect of someone like the Reeve, who Cross holds in high regard. Especially after their shared night of bloodshed.

Her admission of having felt better actually draws a chuckle from the normally stoic Haunt. The sound is dry, rasping. Like dead leaves on pavement. "Oh, I'm still piecing myself back together." Indeed, the Blood is doing its work even as they speak. "But I could be worse." He could be ash. But he's not. Thanks in no small part to the efforts of the Kindred before him. "I assume we'll need to discuss our next move carefully..." Yes, the job is not yet done.

Before he can continue, though, the force of another powerful Beast sets his own pathetic Monster to struggling against its tether. Flat, blue eyes settle on Vivian York as the Burned Man turns to make room for her in their conversation. "Miss York. A pleasure as always." Christ, but she's beautiful... It's what he always thinks when he sees the Daeva. "I'm doing fine. Been busy," his eyes cut to Alessandra when he says it. Busy with bloody work. "And you?"

But then Alice strides into their midst and it's clear that the Burned Man is happy to see her. In his own muted way of course. Maybe it's how his normally lifeless blue eyes seem to betray some spark of vitality. The hungry manner in which he takes in her ensemble for the evening. Or in the tone of his voice when he addresses her, even if he keeps things strictly formal: "Seneschal Hart, good evening. Doing very well. And you?" A stiff bow is offered to the Prince's representative in the Domain. He's keen to keep up professional appearances. As if he hadn't woken next to her in their sepulcher.

When Mable, yet another strikingly beautiful woman with a Beast that makes him want to cower, joins their growing circle, Cross barely seems to notice her. His Beast does however, and it takes a moment to reign in its burning fear. Still, he only has eyes for Alice at this moment. Though he does manage a nod of greeting for the new arrival--this Priscus Wood. She hadn't offered an introduction and he feels no compulsion to do so himself.