(1804) The Gallery

[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.


Astute characters may note the little pamphlets displayed here and there, quietly proclaiming that the club is "Under New Management".


However the Kindred arrive they are discreetly met and led to the back of the club. 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 red silken drapes cascading from floor to ceiling. Drapes hanf in elegant bunches and gathered into valances across door frames and between supporting pillars; the lighting is intentionally low, and even with the gentle pulse of music from above, the place has the feel of a sepulchre.


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.


Elysium has been scrubbed, aired and cleaned. Fresh fragrances tease the nostrils and banish the accumulation of dust. Strategically placed plinths hold expansive tubs with an effusion of arranged flowers (all of them are night varieties). The Court Commons has been transformed into a gallery: the singular chair is gone and in its place are a line of easels with abstract artwork.

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

[Izayoi Goto]

The difference between exploring a new city at your leisure with the destination being Elyisa and being guided there is vast.

There is purpose and an undercurrent of urgency as she is lead right, where she would have walked left. Stepped from the shadows and into the yellow light washing the streets. A direct path unlike the winding one she would have preferred, the night was already slipping away as Lawrence Taft and Takeda Katsumi lead her towards the nightclub that served as the sole seat of Elyisa within the Donain of Sacramento.

Izayoi teased with the idea of keeping her daisho wrapped in shadows, but knew that keen eyes will spy them, no matter the strength of her might.

So with reverance, she removes them from her person, and subtly threatens the thrall looking after the discarded...unmentionables.

Already battling the tide of Jigoku as the Kumo-Spider and the Kirā-killer who's being pours Sakki into the air, she descends one step at a time into hell.

[Lawrence Taft]

Taft arrives, along with Takeda Katsumi and his fellow Shadow Izayoi Goto , and wastes no time in taking in the changes since last court. As he descends the stairs, he aligns each fact worthy of note in his mind. Gone is the chair. Gone is the mystery that really wasn't. Instead? Artwork. A fitting central focus for conversation. Just as easy background to be ignored. Its purpose to him would depend on who's company he keeps.

What gnaws at him next is anticipation. The worst kind. The Spider barely registers the prey around him - he's been with them this evening. But soon the Court would flood with Sacramento's many, many predators. Then the Spider would recoil, hide, and hinder Taft's intentions.

Lastly, the Man would be tried. His intentions have been laid bare for many to see. Most had recoiled, rejected or rebuked him for it. But patience is a game he can play. He has all the time in the world...

[Takeda Katsumi]

For many, the Beast that dwelled within Takeda Katsumi's breast was a weak thing, a pitiful emanation of the hellish realm of Jigoku, and yet, and yet, the stain of that demonic realm was only one quality, one element of what it meant to walk the road to Hell. After all, none of them were truly demons. None of them had fallen prey to the spirit of what they in the west called the Draugr, and as such, it was the deeds and actions of their human echos that they would have to be judged by.

As for Takeda, those actions were a talent for Murder, those deeds were the use of strategy, of right thought and right action, and this had made her Reeve.

She gave no weapons to the servants of the Nox, but instead carried them, shrouded, upon her belt, as she escorted the newcomer into the bowels of Elysium.

[Twist]

Twist had noticed the threesome moving through the upper levels of the club, and so, leaving the attractive young girl she had been teasing with a kiss for remembrance she slipped between the bodies of the living to follow.

Like Takeda, she ignored the ‘coat’ check and stepped into court proper. She made no effort to hide her footsteps behind the group, knowing she lacked the giveaway of the beast (which snarling was reeled in, for the night was young).

”Good evening. she greets pleasantly a small nod given to her covenant mates.

[Alessandra]

Court.

Her Court.

Ale was in her office, looking at folder and debating making her entrance.

She supposed she wasn’t actually required to show up early or even at all anymore. But where was the fun in that? She enjoyed Court some evenings. The sounds of other Kindred mixing and mingling breaking up the night. Though some nights it was tiresome. Everyone on their best behavior, kissing ass to get future in the Domain, or just survive.

But she couldn’t just sit in an office. She would lose her mind, what little she had left anyways.

So she leaves the office, straightening the silver jacket she wore, the only thing under it was a bra. Her black dress pants sat below her hips, showing a little skin and plenty of ink around her stomach, sides and back. What could be seen of her arms were heavily inked as well. And were those tattoos on the side of her face and neck? Yup.

Long dark hair flowed around her shoulders as she entered Court. Pausing at the doorway to allow her Beast a chance to settle. It was enraged at the presence of the weaker Beasts. It snarled, rows of teeth bared, wanting to rend the flesh from their bodies for being so weak.

But she doesn’t. Instead dark eyes study the new face among familiar ones. One her Archon, one her Reeve. So the woman was in good hands.

Should she approach?

Of course, she should! Why wouldn’t she? Just because she is Prince? That’s not her.

And she does. The walk slow and deliberate. Knowing her Beast would cause a stir. And that pleased her quite a bit.

“Buonasera.” Purrs the Italian with a bow of her head to Twist. Another nod of her head was offered to Takeda.

[Izayoi Goto]

The devils at her back are silent spectors as Izayoi drifts farther into Elysia, the procession is interrupted by the entrance of women, who's flesh lay the shallow pallor of the dead, but who's soul's inner truth lay hidden among the shadows.

Izayoi's piercing cataloguing eyes takes note of her identifying features and bows low in polite deference, "Your Grace," she says softly, unwilling to break the near silence within these walls, underneath the pulse of hedonistic life above them.

Distantly Izayoi hears purposeful steps, but the Oni presiding them roars within her.

Hell is empty, for the devils are here

Her eyes widen unseemly as she falls meets the floor with all due deference to the Painted Prince.

Eyes focuses upon her fingers as the rest on the floor, "Your Majesty,"

[Lawrence Taft]

Taft watches silently as Goto turns in her weapons. Notes that Takeda does not. But as Twist's approaches - Beast gracefully hidden - and the Spider recovers from the Prince's looming presence, he also notes that neither call her out on it. Curious. Was this the revelation Takeda wished to share?

"Good evening, your Grace." he replies, first to Twist. He pastes a flat-eyed smile on his face for good measure. Then, he turns to the Prince."Your Majesty." He gives her his somewhat unorthodox bow. "This is Madam Goto, if you have not already met. Not doubt she seeks your acknowledgement" Dark, intense eyes swivel to Goto, appraising his fellow Shadow's response.

Which leads him to another train of thought: there are two Shadows, now. A pecking order should be established. But first? Goto should be allowed to make introductions.

[Twist]

The Prince arrives and whatever conversation was happening or about to happen is momentarily paused. Ale's nod is returned with a deep curtsy of respect.

"Buonasera," she replies with the usual smile at speaking her native tongue.

Lifting from the gesture of respect, she steps back a small pace to ensure that there is room for everyone and room for any to speak up if they so needed.

She herself had little to say at the moment, at least... not publicly in court.

[Alessandra]

What was with people and laying on the floor? Wonders Ale as she watches the display unfold.

It was obviously a culture thing, but still bizarre as fuck to her. A simple bow or curtsy was sufficient to her.

Dark eyes look to Twist before returning to the woman on the floor.

“I don’t believe we’ve been introduced.” Was her only reply, cause seriously, what could she say?

And then Taft takes up the introductions.

Her attention moves to him, “That would fall to her Priscus unless they are not present.” if there was one. They’ve had Families without Priscus before, and then it would fall to the Seneschal. If not her, then herself or Twist. Didn’t people understand how that worked? "If there isn’t one available, then I will happy to assist.” But it was not her responsibility.

“Madam Goto,” she says the name, “No we haven’t meet, but I did receive your letter. Though I do look forward to getting to know you.” Had she been Priscus or Reeve, she would have apologized for not responding. But as Prince, she was a lot busier now, and couldn’t reply to every letter she got. She really needed a Ghoul to help with that, or a Seneschal.