(1908) Formal Court Clans Come together

[Twist]

If only it was winter. Or at the very least, not the high heat of summer. Finding an outfit that was Daeva as well as appropriate to California's August heat had not been a task worth the time it took. In the end, the season dictated her choice to a chic dress that hugged her curves, the red rose petal waist design highlighting her petite figure. Her long dark hair was slicked back into a smooth tail. In the low lighting, the glitter of gold on finger, throat, earlobe and wound through her hair was a subtle yet always present element of her clan's second color. As well as a few other things.

Not stopping at the coat check, she did pause at the entrance to the court proper. A chance to pose, to evaluate those already there, and to reign in her beast. Red was the color of clan. And blood. But tonight her dress would remain white save for the petals. Despite the demands otherwise.

Spotting Alessandra first, Twist sunk into a deep curtsy despite the sheath of fabric her dress made. Holding it for a second, she then rose. Looking to see if there was any others she needed to acknowledge she spotted within a small group, the Keeper - Mable. A small wrinkle of a frown between her eyebrows formed as she picked out the ribbons within Mable's hair, and ducking her head she hid the expressionoffered the Keeper a deep if brief nod of greeting and respect.

Not wanting to join her or the group she had gathered, Twist moved deeper into the room, making an effort to smooth her face as she thought over what Mable was attempting to claim.

[Jacque]

Jacque makes his way down the stairs, dressed in an appropriately colored paisley vest and a gold tie. There was a time he enjoyed Her Majesty's courts, with the small interactions and glimpses of each other as the room played their parts in the social tradition.

His senses sharpened as he moved past the coat check. With all of the fellow predators in one place his eyes quickly sized up the lot- the weak, the arrogant and the dangerous. Dismissing away his reactive feelings, he offered a bow of his head to each of the Court officers, beginning with the Prince and ending with Mable. He then offered a nod to Thomas, noting his new title being spoken followed by a grin to Dirt Nap.

It was interesting, who hadn't arrived yet. It left an feeling of mystery on who would or wouldn't be in attendance after the revisions of the Laws. His eyes briefly glanced to the vacant alcove before finding a suitable place in Court proper to be a silent wallflower- for now.

[Patience]

Thomas now has Patience's undivided attention. Her dung-brown eyes bulge from their sockets. The left wanders further off its axis the harder she stares at him.

"I teach with my hands." She holds them up, showing them front and back. They are scarred. Ugly. Like the rest of her. There is dried blood under her nails, no mistaking it. "And my students learn." For better or worse.

Boyle's dime store philosophy has no effect on her. "It is punishment," Patience retorts. "The punishment 'one' deserves. Growth doesn't come into it." She gives him another smile. Cracked lips pulling tight over grey teeth. "But please. Keep exploring."

No one has introduced Mr. Nap yet. And he has not seen fit to introduce himself, so:

"Mr. Nap. I am Patience." She says it too loud. And with no feeling. Her fetid gaze locks onto the Tuxedoed Savage.

"Do you have any thoughts about what Mr. Boyle calls tribulation?"

Side thread?

[Dirt Nap]

Dirt Nap nods to Patience, "Good to see you, Ma'am". he says respectfully. "I have to say, I have plenty of thoughts, but I don't claim that they hold any great value for anyone but me." he smiles thin lipped. "Still, if you don't mind doing most the talking, I'd be happy to hear what you have to say on the subject."

He nods pleasantly to the others around Keeper Mable Woods and moves off a little bit with Patience so as not to embroil anybody else in a discussion of religion.

Side thread set up.

[Derek Menzies]

Derek makes his entrance sporting an indigo suit and silver tie over a black buttoned shirt, fully intending to take part in the Keeper's announced Color of the Clans. Though familiar sneakers still adorn his feet. He seems shrunken into himself tonight. Whatever confidence he had begun to build was nowhere to be seen as he slips quietly down the stairs and into the Common area.

He seems uncomfortable and skittish, glancing about at the gathered Kindred as if searching for someone. He senses these gathered predators, many familiar to him, and feels the wave of fear crash against him, though they would likely feel nothing from him.

One is distinctly notable, sending his Beast into a muffled panic. The dark haired woman in black who seemed to inspire discomfort in every movement and mannerism. He shudders and does not approach.

Instead he nods to those he knows. To Thomas should their eyes meet as well to Mable. He forces a small smile to Dirt Nap, a little surprised at their presence. A small bow to the Hound.

Derek then approaches Jacque . "G..good evening, Herald. As I, uh, have yet to accustom myself to current formalities, would you, um, be so kind as to convey my wish to approach Her Grace to speak?"

He knows he is being overly formal about this. Yet such formalities may well act as a shield in such an environment.

[Patience]

"I do mind," she replies. Patience has asked this Mr. Nap a question. She will have her answer.

What kind of creature is this? she asks herself, eyeing the Savage. Unsure whether he is sly or simply timid.

She gives Thomas one last look, an invitation to follow if he wants, and then moves to join Dirt Nap.

Patience moves here

[Mable Wood]

When the Prince arrives, Mable curtsies to her. Twist she gives a bow. Jack she gives a smile and a nod of respect.

Derek walks in and Mable's hand goes to her lips. He looked beautiful in his suit. She gave him a smile. Then she tilted her head, wondering why he wanted to speak with the Prince. hmmm.

Thomas's comment about Tribulation bringing enlightenment caused her to smile. Then Patience thoughts about punishment. If her students can learn then how is that different from what Thomas said? Mable kept silent. That was a conversation for another day.

Dirt Nap and Patience were moving off. Mable waited to see if Thomas would follow for the religious discussion. She figured he might be intellectually curious.

She flashed a look to Dirt Nap to make sure he was going to be Okay with Patience.

[Jacque]

"Good evening Deputy Mitnick." Jacque smiled and bowed his head to the shadow. His timidness seemed to come in spurts. Perhaps it was exacerbated by the crowd of court? "The revisions made in that part of the Laws were less about adding an extra step to starting a conversation with Her and more about reestablishing the proper channels, having Her Majesty's Seneschal and Herald to act in their respective capacities." He motioned to a seating area off to the side, "Was there something in particular you wanted to discuss?"

Side thread? Didn't want to assume Derek was okay/wanting to talk directly with Jack.

[Edward Heinrich]

Edward strode in quietly, wearing a suit but lacking a tie. He turned to an attendant with a grimace, hiding his face from the Court as the press of beasts made his own writhe. An outstretched hand was given a red and gold scarf. He popped his collar and, with practiced hands, looped and knotted the twin scarfs about his neck, repurposing it as a full-bodied tie.

Popping the collar back down as the Beast lowered the volume of its whines, Edward faced the court. With a coil of barbed wire above his heart, the scarf-made-tie around his neck, and wearing a faded black suit, he steeled his expression into a small smile. Scanning for familiar faces, listening to the drift of the conversation. He smiled and bowed to Twist when he spotted her, taking a moment to appreciate her... dress.

Noticing who could only be the Prince, he gave her a deep bow in turn.

The initial process of integration is, without fail, delicate. Edward always preferred to get to know someone by working with them. Simply strolling up to the Prince, even though she was "alone," risked any number of invisible social blunders. Who was in favour? Were their cliques? Were Twist and Vivian's reception genuine? If so, should he ask them for an introduction? Or worse, would it be an affront to fail to pay respects to the Prince or some other high official immediately upon entry?

He smiled broadly. Excitingly, it all varied from Domain to Domain. Given the brevity of this Domain's regulations, he made the call of relative informality, which meant the Domain leaned towards domination rather than prestige. A sad state of affairs if true.

That left the Keeper, who appeared to be taking their duties as mother hen seriously. He approached with unaffected grace, giving her his third bow of the night.
"Keeper Mable, I am Edward Heinrich of the First Estate." He would allow the scarf-tie to speak for his blood. "I hope I am not intruding upon your duties, I simply wished to compliment you on the harmony between the Elysium and its Keeper." A closer look at the ribbons woven into the braid showed her dedication to harmony extended to the clans, at least in appearance. He couldn't help but feel slightly giddy to participate in something so beautiful. No doubt his impish excitement showed through his attempt at smooth professionalism.
Mable Wood