(1810) An Autumn Court

Oct 18th, 2018 08:20 PM

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.

The dog days of summer are giving way to autumn. Nights are slowly growing longer, bringing out the 'vampire set' just as much as the Vampire set. Lovers of winds, a slow cooling off of the temperatures and the longer darkness are starting to crawl out of the woodwork. Pumpkin spice is in the air, and special events in advance of All Hallow's Eve are starting. It is a time of excitement and opportunity for the Kindred of Sacramento, long suppressed by the long days and short nights. With each passing day, there is longer and longer to Danse.

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 hang 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.

A change from the usual decor - there are several items placed in featured spots. What these items are are a mystery; they are covered beneath tasteful dark coverings. What lay beneath these veils?

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.

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 if you are new!

Oct 18th, 2018 08:43 PM

Fair of face and newly and obviously more humane than ever, with a twinkle in her eye and a dimple in her cheek that pocked at the end of a half-smile, Lina Moretti was loving Change. It had been some time since her last Chrysalis, which had brought power over the Beast, but that was so... internal. This was something different, something that she wore on her face which tore away at the social stagnation of the vampiric Curse. A dimple. A little crease here and there. Small things, but these were the things that separated a woman from a Kindred. Flushed with stolen life and wearing a beautiful black dress, the Priscus of Succubi carried a message.

This was what it was to be Daeva. Perfection in the duplication of Humanity, flying in the face of the Beast as the Curse gave way to Change. The Order of Dragons made it all possible.

Settled into a private couch off to the side of the main space, she settled in comfortably and prepared to observe an evening's Danse.

Lina Moretti is under the effect of Blush of Life.

**Alessandra** · Oct 18th, 2018 09:26 PM

It was the first Court after the execution. The sight of another Kindred being turned to ash would have had time to sink in. It was a sight she’d seen numerous times herself, but knew it had to be a first for some. And she knew it was a difficult thing to witness. Seeing Eternity taken away with a single swipe of her Claws. Seeing one someone had perhaps grown close with reduced to a simple pile of ash.

How would the Domain act toward her after that? Would they be welcoming? Or would Kindred avoid her?

Well, there was no time like the present to find out.

She opted for a cream-colored form fitted dress. It only had one sleeve, which was topped with silver spikes, and showed off her arm tattoos. And it was short enough to show a generous portion of what was on her legs. Long, raven hair flowed around her shoulders and down her back.

Walking in from her office, she was surprised to see she was early for once. Granted, she was almost always at Nox in her office, but usually she was one of the last to arrive. But at least the things hanging were in their place and covered.

Dark eyes then settle upon the weak Beast in the room. Her own curled its lip with a snarl as it began to pace. Whispering in her ear how easy it would be to execute another Kindred. That no one would question her. She had the power.

But no. She liked Lina, Lina had promise. And as such, she shoved the Beast away, ignoring its sweet words.

Walking over, and with purpose, she smirks,

“Priscus Moretti,” greets the Italian, “how are you tonight? You’re looking quite stunning.” It was a new look for the Daeva. Had something changed? She was looking quite alive.

“Mind if I join you? There was something important I need to discuss with you. And there is no time like the present.” A knowing smile spreading across her lips.

Oct 18th, 2018 09:58 PM

Davis had been tempted by Clara's offer of makeup. He even saw some interesting Holloween kits in the local shop windows. The idea that he was offended by suddenly had more appeal, even more so when its origin appeared to come from oneself. Davis wasn't a professional, but his ward had offered to teach him some basic techniques for the stage. Davis even made an effort to watch as she applied her own makeup on.

3 successes

It wasn't as satisfying as he would have liked but it did make him look more alive. Regardless, he did have to admit he was looking more and more ghastly and if Phase 2 of his plan was going to be effective, he would have to appear more alive.

Descending the steps into Elysium with pride, Davis makes his entrance wearing a newly tailored suit. He wanted to look good for the Court. There were positions to be filled and he hoped that maybe, just maybe, he had a shot at one of them. As sheriff or deputy, he could bring his weapons. The feeling of vulnerability too much to be for too much longer.

As he enters Elysium proper his beast growls and whimpers simultaneously. The fight and flight responses to the two female kindred in the corner. The Prince in all her glory, and his Priscus. A double whammy. Alone in a room with those two could equal destruction or salvation. My money is on the latter. Davis thought.

Not wishing to disturb them, Davis chose to remain at the entrance and act as a greeter.

**Mable Wood** · Oct 18th, 2018 10:05 PM

Mable loved fall, the colors, the crispness in the air. She arrived at the Nox and waited a few minutes trying to decide if she should wait out here for Hugh or head in. After a few moments of indecision, she decided he could find his own way in and she would watch for him. Mable checked in her leather jacket and headed into the room. Her beast reaches out to feel for other beasts. Right now there was only one in the room. Pulling beast back in and walked into the room.

In the ever changing decor Mable notices there were clothes laying over items. "Hmmm, interesting" she said out loud. Then she noticed Lina. She looked different. "Hmmm, interesting," she said again.

She walked towards Lina, "Good evening." As she got closer she noticed a dimple. Had that always been there? Maybe? Mable wasn't sure, but Lina did look different.

Mable is dressed in a simple brown dress.

Oct 18th, 2018 10:14 PM

Most Stiffs call it the Requiem; and the part each of them play therein, they call their Danse. More often than not, Hugh calls it The Big Game or just The Joke. Always in his head of course. In his head or not, that’s what it is: The Joke. The Big Game, an eternal Sunday Distraction for the Stiffs. Sound and fury signifying nothing, Atha would say. Who’s that author she liked so much? Hugh no longer has that. Or her.

The constant movement of their Danse keeps the ranks of the Dead just occupied enough. Doesn’t keep them from being monsters. Oh no. But it does keep them from thinking about it.

This is the part where Hugh starts to consider the possibility that his disdain for the so-called Requiem serves the same purpose: a diversion from his own Monstrousness. And this is where he’s at when he comes down the stairs into court.

But then the Thing Inside makes such idle speculation all but impossible. Its constant crying out for Blood suddenly amplified by the presence of other Beasts. For a moment he pauses at the threshold, good eye closed. A small, long fingered hand—it’s beauty somehow enhanced by a roguish coating of dirt—presents him with a bright red apple. That, at least, is still his.

What comes next though? The Thing Inside taunts, using Hugh’s own voice. What comes after that?

Enough. The Thing recedes, as if drawing back into the recesses of some unsealable cave. Never really gone. Hugh opens his eye and looks around at the assembled undead of Sacramento. The Joke is in full swing. And tonight he’s a part of it. So—Danse then.

And here's his first partner, just inside the entrance (John Davis ). Hugh gives him a long look with his one good eye, letting his Beast complain yet again, taking in the cut of the Stiff's suit.

Of course, he immediately feels underdressed. He’s managed to rustle up some black slacks, but they are too short for him, revealing the tops of his black work boots. The well-worn black knit sweater he wears is loose around the collar, revealing too much of the blue, button-up work shirt he wears underneath. No scull cap tonight either. His long hair has barely been tamed by hand.

Finally, he offers what seems to be a sincere smile and speaks, "Hello--good evening. Name's Hugh. Hugh Keeping." Smooth as silk, Hugh. Spotting Mable Wood over Davis's shoulder, Hugh tries to catch her eye. But doesn't move toward her yet, not wanting to seem rude.

**Mable Wood** · Oct 18th, 2018 10:22 PM

Disregard my first post, others were faster then I was

Mable loved fall, the colors, the crispness in the air. She arrived at the Nox and waited a few minutes trying to decide if she should wait out here for Hugh or head in. After a few moments of indecision, she decided he could find his own way in and she would watch for him. Mable checked in her leather jacket and headed into the room. Her beast reaches out to feel for other beasts. Her beast roared and bucked at the others. Pulling beast back in and walked into the room.

In the ever changing decor Mable notices there were clothes laying over items. "Hmmm, interesting" she said out loud. Mable then looked over to the Prince and noticed Lina.

Mable also noticed Hugh and John. She greeted them, "Hi I was just going over to the Prince, do you folks want to join me?"

She walked towards Lina and Ale, "Good evening." Mable bowed her head to the Prince and then she saw Lina had a ... a dimple. Had that always been there? Maybe? Mable wasn't sure, but Lina did look different.

Mable is dressed in a simple brown dress.

**Blackbird** · Oct 18th, 2018 10:31 PM

Tonight Blackbird felt as if she needed to begin again.

Looking back to the night on the sands, all of her potential allies were mostly missing. Kara had been gone for a good long time. Floki and Benji hadn't been seen in days. That left Ashley, who hadn't even approached the little bird since that night at the festival. Yet Blackbird endured, pushed forward by pride and ego if nothing else.

Tonight she had to begin again. This was true and tonight she dressed to be noticed, adopting a bright red cocktail dress coupled with a gold choker and simple golden hoop earrings. Unlike the Priscus, however, Blackbird had not opted to hide her unlife for the Court, descending into Elysium like an alabaster siren.

However, as she ended her descent and looked to the slight movement by a couch away from the main floor, Blackbird froze. Though a myriad of Kindred had already assembled, it was this pair that first caught her eye. Before her was not only her Priscus, but the Prince of Sacramento herself. The sight loosed her Beast within her mind, howling in fear.

No.

Blackbird closed her eyes, pushing down the primal fear she felt towards the greater Kindred before her and, after some long moments, her Beast whimpered in defeat before moving to the periphery of her mind. Unaware the Prince aimed to speak with Lina in private and propelled by a want to be noticed, Blackbird slinked past her fellow Kindred, although caution was readily seen in her movements. After all, if she was to show herself more boldly, why not stop at the top of the ladder? It was risky, but Blackbird felt she needed to gamble, lest the promise others felt she possessed diminished.

Once she was near enough to be heard, the neonate dipped into a deep curtsy, her head tilted downward to gaze at the floor, "Your Excellency," she offered, her voice soft. She would say no more, for she was a mere neonate in the eyes of the Invictus. Worse, she was Unaligned. It was unwise to test the limits of an unknown quantity, particularly when said quantity had claws.

Holding the position for several long moments, Blackbird finally rose and looked to Priscus Moretti dipping her head in respect as she gently clasped her hands before her, waiting to be acknowledged. She was careful not to look at the Prince directly in the eyes. No. Yet again, her gaze rested squarely on the floor. And there it would remain. Once she had received recognition from the Prince, she would grant her attention to others. However, Blackbird felt it was best to grant the Prince her due respect first.

Oct 18th, 2018 11:25 PM

"Your Majesty," the Regent replied with a nod as she rose to her feet, a polite smile crossing the small Daeva's face. The corners of her eyes crinkled; there were not quite laugh lines, but that smile reached her eyes. It hadn't, before. "Please, do. I'm at your service." It was easy to say, but not so easy to avoid flight as more and more Kindred made their appearances, Beasts clashing into hers and mostly provoking her to flee (though Blackbird earned a momentary and predatory glance as she descended). Alessandra Antinori's screamed its supremacy above all, and she found herself naming objects and starting the Pavlovian response with which she had leashed her Beast.

Davis looked decent. A sharp suit, some good make-up to make him less corpsey - good for him. That was a good start. She nodded to the gambler before his attention was taken up by a newcomer. Wood got a glance, and a polite nod. She had recently had to make a public point, and in due course she would speak privately with the Acolytes to determine the nature of any concern they might have. Mable and Krieg typically were on side; she wondered, had they been leveraged by Prestation? It would be solvable. "Good evening, Priscus," she said in return.

Blackbird's sidling up to them was intriguing. She had dressed the part, and done a good job. Recently, she had spoken highly of the little bird. No doubt she was a contender, and Moretti wondered what the next steps of her Danse would be now that she had made early good impressions. A half-smile crossed Lina's face as she looked to the young one, then back to the Prince.

"At your leisure, Your Majesty. Is this a private conversation, or one you would like to have here and now? You have many callers, it seems."

**Alessandra** · Oct 19th, 2018 11:52 AM

Dark eyes watch Davis make his entrance. Her Beast rising to its feet, teeth bared at the weaker one. She takes in his new suit and nods once. He had done well at the Formal Court, would the behavior continue? Or would there be another pile of ash to clean? Time would tell.

Then a new face, looking a little worse for wear, and with a weak Beast. Her own growls, hunger in its eyes for violence. But there would be no violence in Nox.

Mable was next, dressed for the season in a brown dress. In her mind, it was nicer than the bright colors. Her Beast paced, maw covered in saliva as it urged her to rend the flesh from her Priscus.

Damn, maybe she needed a night out killing Hunters. Get the murderous rage out of her system. But deep down she knew it would always be there.

“Good evening Priscus Wood, I hope you’ve been well.” Greets the Savage.

Then the rage again. Jaws clenched as her Beast snaps at the bars that held it, it wanted the weak Beast in red to cease to be.

But the Italian smiles instead, murderous thoughts pushed aside,

“Blackbird right?” asks the Prince, her tone friendly enough, “Love your dress.” Play nice with the new Kindred.

Turning back to Lina, “Actually, yes, I’d prefer to speak with you in private. I don’t want to put you on the spot.” She was pretty sure of what the Daeva’s answer would be, but privacy was still good. Then smiling to those around her, “Yeah, it does seem that way. But this will be a relatively quick and painless chat.”

Date		Action		Roll		Result
2018-10-18 21:23:18		John Davis rolls 9 to Apply Makeup (Dex + Sub + Equip (Pro makeup kit)) (10 Again, WillPower)		10, 3, 8, 9, 1, 2, 6, 7, 7, 4		3 successes

(1810) An Autumn Court

Members who have read this thread : 26

Similar Threads

Hollow Autumn Leaves and Autumn Returns

(1810) Blackbird and Ale

Consilium (1810) Sanctuary 20

(1810) Two Savages

Hollow Autumn Court Meeting