Wine and Women

[Twist]

It was what happened when you asked your diner for places to host events and she was an avid browser of Pinterest.

The winery had been reserved, but despite the single digit number of Invictus of worth that would show up, the parking lot wasn't empty. After all, this was a gathering of worth hosted by Twist and that meant staff, nobodies and wannabees of the Invictus and diner.

Inside, the lighting was low, the red carpet tinting the rooms with the hue of the wine that was born here. Already a scattering of aforementioned nobody-wannabees drifted about, partaking of the wine that was offered. Both from bottle and wrist by the blood dolls.

Outside, in the small area normally reserved for weddings, was where the true meeting would take place. A table was arranged, at 4 of the seats a small package. Fitting with the Pinterest winery theme, the packages were wrapped in brown paper and tied with dyed string. One of the string wrappings was dyed red and flecked with flakes of gold-leaf. One of the string wrappings was dyed red and left the course brown of natural fiber. One of the string wrappings was dyed indigo and flecked with silver flakes. One of the string wrappings was dyed black and green.

Inside each package the owner would find a single stemless wineglass that had been half dipped in colors to match the string. The edging of the paint against glass covered with a rim of tiny gemstones to match. Despite the Pinterest commonality of the gift, there was symbolism enough in it to warrant it's being offered.


Izayoi Goto Saber Sloth Alessandra Orianna Takeda Katsumi Cayce Vivian York Selena Yumyumcrow

[Takeda Katsumi]

When Takeda had recieved the Duchess' letter she had been struck by a swirl of anxiety and building excitement. Formal events such as these were performances, and while the passage of time might dull their edge, this would be her first impression upon the Unconquered of Sacramento, and more than that, her first moment representing herself, alone, and not as merely an adjunct to her Sire.

Nevertheless, she had known this day would come, and so she had prepared. She'd already bought several gifts, now all she had to do was choose which gifts would be most appropriate. For some, that was easy. The game of strategy and territory would go to the Prince. The tea set would go to the hostess. It was the others that gave Takeda the most difficulty, but eventually she decided to simply present ornaments, each with its own symbolism embedded into it. If any took offense, so be it, it would be due to their own lack of taste...

And so it was that Takeda pulled into the Vineyard's parking lot and was then faced with the indignity of carrying her own gifts...

No, this would simply show humility and sincerity. The Prince's gift and the Duchess' gift were quite bulky after all, and thus this would also emphasize her willingness to carry their burdens...Yes, this would do.

So it was that Takeda strode to the meeting table with a tower stack of gifts in her arms, the black silk of her Kimono shining, the four diamonds of the Takeda mon upon her breast, and her daisho upon her waist, even if that was hidden from Kine eyes...

  Obfuscate for katana and wakizashi is2 successes

Date		Action		Roll		Result
2018-03-31 20:08:24		Takeda rolls 6 to Always Armed (Wakizashi: wits3+larc2+obfu1) (10 Again)		8, 4, 10, 1, 7, 5, 6		2 successes
2018-03-31 20:08:11		Takeda rolls 6 to Always Armed (Katana: wits3+larc2+obfu1) (10 Again)		2, 5, 9, 3, 4, 10, 2		2 successes

A gift fit for a Prince

Inside the box is an exquisitely hand carved, Go board, with pieces made of polished shell.

A gift fit for a Duchess

Inside the box is a hand made ceramic Japanese tea set, the pieces furnished with a bone white glaze and shot through with cracks of gold in a more modern variation of the Wabi Sabi style.

A gift fit for a Mekhet

Inside the small box is a glass Kanzashi in the shape of a cherry blossom.

A gift fit for a Daeva

Inside the small box is a silk folding fan with images of peacock feathers.

[Izayoi Goto]

Izayoi also runs a gambit of emotions as she reads the letter scribes by the Duchess, Archon and Judex. She was to be invited to a gathering of the Unconquered before she had been formally Acknowledge with this august Domain of Alessandra Antinori.

How many could boast that, she wonders.

Dressed in an indigo kimono with silver petals of wisteria dancing along artfully. The mon on her back is that of the wisteria of the Goto, altered to include a showing of her eternal alligence to the Iga.

The Shadow approaches the vineyard, gifts in hand. Her decision an easy one. Life had marked her a servant, and death would carry that through. Though echoes of past and present will bleed through the pair of Eastern women as their gifts are unwrapped, though neither know it yet.

Upon her entrance, the kage-shadow bows low, as beffiting her introduction to the Judex, while pausing only to steal herself against the gates of Jigoku and the Sakki pouring from them. Though the thought of her daisho hidded within easy reach comforts her.

"Good evening, I am Madam Goto," offering her introduction, still holding the bow, arms held out before her to holdmthe gifts, but as an unliving creature there is no strain to her muscles. If bid, the Jonin would keep this posstion for the entirety of the festivities.


[roll=ToS katana 3 suxx, Wakizashi 4 suxx75597, 75598[/roll]

Gift for Her Majesty

An exquisityly hand carved Go board, the peices are carved of pollished stone.

For Her Grace, the Duchess

A moderate sized painting of expert quality, painted in the Japanese style depicting a violent and bloody comflict.

A gift for a Delightful Daeva

A selection of hair ornaments and accessories, favoring an Easter esthetic, all in golds and reds.

A gift for a Honorable Haunt

A high quality calligraphy ser, with several nicely smelling, good quality ink sticks. Included is a sheef of rice paper

[Alessandra]

It was only her second official Invictus meeting, but her first as Prince.

This caused a mixture of feelings to stir.

Excitement and nervousness at the forefront.

But she could do this.

Extra care was taken to select a gown appropriate and befitting a Prince. But it wasn’t easy for someone not used to dressing up. A red silk gown of multiple lengths was picked. A modest amount of heavily tattooed leg could be seen, and the dress proceeded to get longer as it trailed behind her. There were no sleeves, so her tattooed arms and back were on full display. Her hair was done in an elegant up sweep, leaving her neck and facial tattoos on display. She went with a smokey eye and lips to match the dress. Her skin, while still pale, had a fresh, healthy glow to it. Warm to the touch and lively with life.

Now gifts. This proved to be just as difficult for her. She was still learning the traditions of the First Estate she so wanted to make a good impression. So she went with things that perhaps the women could use.

But driving the Torino was an interesting challenge all in itself. And she was sure a sharp dressed tattooed woman stepping out of the car was a sight to be seen.

The boxes themselves were not very large, so they fit nicely inside in a black leather bag that she carried into the winery.

Upon entering the space, her Beast flares with rage in her head. The weak Beasts present causing a stir within. How easy it would be to end each pitiful one where they stood. One was her Reeve, the other? A new sight. Which didn’t help the rage that boiled within.

But instead, the Savage Prince’s lips curl up into a smile, each woman taken in.

“Buonasera.” says the Italian, dark eyes studying those present.

A Gift for the Duchess

A Gift for Vivan

A Gift for Takeda

A Gift for Izayoi

[Twist]

Wandering among the neonates of the city's Invictus, Twist's beast was a rumble of desire for blood before the first of the true Invictus arrived. But the increase in volume of it's silent demands was similarly hushed even as she moved toward them.

Her own attire for the evening was a formal style jumpsuit. A pair of heels and an up swept hair do giving her the literal and illusionary height needed to pull off such a look. Red crystals scattered in her hair to complete the color code of her clan.
https://i.pinimg.com/564x/1b/88/d8/1...e977c0e97e.jpg

Even as she reached Takeda and Izayoi, a second figure drifted up just shy of along side her. Kalos. Dressed in a finely tailored suit, he bowed to the group and silently reached out in an offering to take the burdens they bore.

Twist allowed the other women a moment to divest themselves of packages before smiling warmly in greeting. "Good evening and welcome. You both look stunning this evening." she said, but before she could continue the Prince arrived.

Twist herself lowered herself into a deep curtsy, held it for a moment and then rose.

"Your highness," she greeted, again with a warm smile. Her gaze drifted between the three women. Attractive and deadly and a fitting representative group for their chosen Covenant. "I hope the evening has found everyone well?"

[Takeda Katsumi]

Once she was freed from the burden of her gifts, Takeda greeted each of the other women with a bow, the deepest to the Prince, and the smallest to Goto.

"Thank you for your most kind invitation, most honorable Duchess Twist," the Reeve replied, pleased at the warm reception. "I can think of no gathering that I have been to that has been as wonderfully designed as this. Is it not true that the ancient vineyards were once fertilized with the blood of the kine to ensure a bountiful harvest? If so, this is a most auspicious location."

[Izayoi Goto]

The tides of Jigoku always threaten but never had the flood of hell been as swift or as terrible as this. Terrible, vicious devils appear upon the invitation of the Judex. Izayoi is greatful for the momentary repreive as she deposits the gifts where aproperate.

"Your Grace, you are ever a vision of loveliness." bowing deeply as she pays the Delicate Daeva a complement in kind.

"Konbanwa. Good evening Your Majesty," the kunoichi offers another deep bow the largest of the (known) devils in the room. "I hope your travel to this very fine location was enjoyable?"

Another bow, though not as low as given towards the Duchess and Prince, towards the fashionably late Daeva, "Good evening to you as well,"

The Duchess has indicated seating already by placement of the gifts. Izayoi notes the placement so she might approach the table when it is time without blundering and choosing the wrong seat at this, her first Invictus meeting within the Domain of Sacramento.

[Alessandra]

A smile was offered to Kalos as he takes the bag she had.

And then the party begins. Or well the games.

A bow of her head was offered to Twist as she appeared.

“You are looking as magnifico as ever.” Says the Italian to the Judex. “I certainly cannot complain; this location is wonderful.” She compliments.

Then comes the press of Vivian’s Beast, before she sees her Coterie Mate. Though it was a challenge as it used to be, but more of an anger of being in the presence of a weaker Beast.

Smiling to the Daeva, “I believe the same can be said for you.” She says.

Her attention turns to Takeda, the other face she recognizes and a smile was offered and a slight nod of her head.

Now the new woman who was aristocratic in her good looks. Possibility a similar country as Takeda?

Dark eyes study her for a moment before the smile widens,

“Buonasera,” greets the Savage, “Well, I cannot say driving a manual car in a dress is exactly enjoyable, but it made for an interesting a fun travel.” She says with humor, “Which is enjoyable in its own way.”

Small talk was never her strong suit.

This was going to be a fun meeting. New faces always upped the unknown factor. And at this meeting, she held some ranking. Well, not within the Invictus itself, but within the Domain.

[Twist]

The last of their numbers arrive and Twist lifts a hand to brush away the apology, "We have barely gotten started," she says easily.

A light laugh from Twist at Takeda's praise of the gathering, "I am glad it meets your approval." Her head tilts as she considers the suggested note of history. "I am not good with history but I know not to discount the possibility of anything."

"The challenges have done nothing to ruin..." Twist made a gesture with her hands to encompass the picture that Alessandra presented.

"Well, shall we begin?" she asked after it seemed that everyone was divulged of their burdens and had had sufficient time to partake of the 'drinks'.

Izayoi rightfully made her way to the table first, and Twist waited a moment for Takeda, before moving to her own place. Again, following the protocols she knew, she waited until at last Ale was situated before settling into her chair.

"I believe it would be most appropriate to begin with any old business that there may be from our previous gathering." And looking to the only two women aside from herself who had been at the last gathering, Alessandra and Vivian.