(2003) In like a Lion...

[Mable Wood]

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.

It’s spring in Sacramento. Flowers are beginning to bloom and kine are starting to shed clothes. The Nox nightclub's upstairs section fills with young fresh blood celebrating life and youth. Excitement and lust fill their hearts and minds. Most of all is their exuberance and joy that surrounds them. They spread this joy to all, including those who dance the slow Danse of the eternal undead.

The Kindred are discreetly met at the door and led to the back of the club where they may use the stairs or take the elevator to the exclusive meeting rooms. 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 a place used just 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.
It is expected that all Kindred will check in their weapons into the coatroom. Please be sure to do so unless you have permission to carry one.

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

[Mable Wood]

Mable gave a final look around the room making sure no signs of pink ribbons were left from last month. She turned on the lights which gave a nice glow to the pictures that had been added in January to the room.

She slipped on her heels and tugged at her black shirt dress. Then she nodded to the bouncers to open the doors.

[Lenora]

It was always better to be timely and the Priscus of the Clan of Kings arranged for her arrival to be earlier than was normal.

Descending the stairs, she felt the press of Mable's as she reached Elysium and took some precious few moments to look upon the usual decor of the room to push he own Beast back to its cage even as it shrieked in terror. Once done, the Lord glanced to the usual spot of the Prince and saw that it was empty. Nonetheless, her gaze remained for some moments, her expression one of anticipation before shifting to her usual cordial manner.

Her usual face in place, Lenora finally approached the Keeper. She was dressed in a grey suit and accompanied the look with only a pair of silver hoop earrings. Tonight was about business, though, if Lenora played her cards right and gained the audience she wanted, perhaps the business would double as a pleasure as well. Until Alessandra arrived, Lenora would have to wait.

"Good evening, Keeper Wood," she offered.

[Dirt Nap]

Dirt Nap arrives earlier than he has in the past, among the first to arrive. He braces himself, clamping down on a surge of anger and contention as he senses the Beast of the others inside, even as his newly donned Mask of Tranquillity should obscure any sense of his own Beast. Aside from the Mask, Dirt Nap is wearing his usual attire, a fresh, clean Gingham shirt and clean, unwrinkled dungarees.

He enters with a slight smile, nodding deeply to the Keepers and the Priscus as he sees them.

”Eve’nin Ma’am, Keeper Wood, Ma’am Priscus Black.” Dirt Nap says softly.

[Mable Wood]

People began to arrive. Mable readied herself for incoming beasts. Her own growled and tugged at every entrance even when it was just a bouncer at the door. Mable had to pull it together and did so by swearing in Russian and German quietly. By the time Lenora approached her she was her usual smiling self.

"Good evening, How are you doing?" She asked sincerely.

Dirt came in and wait wait what? She tilted her head at his approach. "Hi," She grinned, "Hmmm there is something different about you. Congrats."

[Jacque]

Jacque swiftly made his way down the steps. These social gatherings still left him on edge, though it had been better recently. He felt the beast starting to stir as it picked up the scent of those who were present. Fear, anger... polar responses from the thing that fought ever moment to escape the prison inside. Every waking moment he despised it.

He stopped at the coat check and adjusted his cuffs, then straightened his vest before crossing the threshold into the main foyer. "Keeper Wood, I hope your evening finds you well." He smiled and turned his gaze to Lenora, offering a respectful nod, "Priscus Black. You look stunning as always." The suit was tasteful, but still complimented her natural beauty.

His head turned to find Dirt Nap and with a coy grin he remarked, "Mister Dirt Nap... well done." Recognizing the ability from his own command of it, it would seem that you can teach an old dragon new tricks.

[Alessandra]

Another night, another Court.

Standing from the desk, she smoothed the front of her black dress. Not that there were any wrinkles, but it seemed more out of habit. The dress cinched at her tiny waist and flowed out into a skirt that hit about mid shin. Her dark hair was a bit shorter, something new to try. At least until she woke tomorrow evening.

With all one hundred and twenty five pounds of angry Hell Hound at her side, she entered Court. Standing in her usual spot, far enough away to not be spoken to, but still able to be seen and see.

Her Beast roars with rage in her head, banging and tear at the bars of its cage. Demanding the blood of the weaker ones. But she pulls the leash, putting back in its place.

Spotting Mable, she offers a nod, then see’s Jacque, and also nods. Her way of greeting. Cain turned his murderous gaze to the gathered Kindred, and placed himself in front of Ale.

How would the evening unfold?

[Twist]

The nights were quiet but it could easily be a false sense of security. And so it was that Twist found herself standing before the doors to court. A breath, a tightening down on her control and she entered.

The room wasn't full. It never was anymore. But it wasn't empty either. Surging against her tightened control, her Beast snarled and screamed for death. But her control was stronger and it was calmly that she located the Prince and then the Keeper.

To Alessandra first a deep curtsy and to Mable Wood a second if much shallower one. Obligations completed, she noted the other figures in the room. Spotting both Jaqcue and Lenora a brief smile of approval flickered. And the last was Dirt Nap.

A small gathering indeed. But one in her favor.

Pleased with the view but not wishing to intrude on the small circle around Mable, Twist moved past the entrance to wander the room, the hem of her dress brushing the floor as she walked.

[Lenora]

As the taciturn Savage spoke, Lenora turned and noticed the distinct lack of the Beast his person*. Granting the man a smile, Lenora's countenance easily showed she was impressed.

"Mr. Nap, how lovely to see you," she said softly, "Is that a new shirt?"

Turning her attention back to Mable, the smile remained.

"I am well, thank you," she said, "And yourself? I am sure the farm must be getting busy with the coming spring. Have you had many seedlings?"

Then came that calm, measured voice. Lenora looked at Jack, her features turning coy briefly at his compliment.

Flattery, cousin?

"And yet the same is true for you, dear Herald," she offers. Prudent as she was, Lenora was not entirely unreceptive to the man's compliments. "It has been entirely too long."

Then came another pang of fear as the Prince herself joined the small throng. Lenora composed herself before lowering herself in a deep bow, granting the Highest of the High in Sacramento her respect. If Alessandra and her Beast had not already shown her power, the appearance of Cain made any argument to the contrary moot. However, Lenora would not spare the hellhound a glance. He was a tool and, as far as Lenora knew, she had remained in the Prince's good gracious. The beast would not attack unless called to and, seeing little chance of this happening, Lenora did not consider him a threat.

The arrival of Twist was met with a deep nod and a smile pf admiration in return. However, the Archon seemed content to weave her own path and Lenora saw no reason to force an engagement.

[Alice Hart]

Alice comes not from the stairs, but from her office. Removed in the impassible statue of a doll, carved of ice and unmoving. Now, she enters with a vibrancy unexpected of the one who calls herself Wraith.

Spring was coming, and with it new beginnings and new endings.

She wears purple, as is her preference, now that colour has entered her wardrobe. She had to loose her eyes to gain the appreciation. The memory, of ruby and amethyst.

She steels herself against the hatefeatrunkill as the Wraith gnaws on her spine, as she can feel the fangs of the monster under the ocean, beneath her bones wake and demand.

Lyssa, signals her with discrete hands, that Keeper, Herald, Prince and Archon arrived before her. Alice nods her head, strings slackening, before being pulled taut. Then she leans into a deep curtsy. Holding for several of her ghoul's heartbeats, before pulling herself up.


"Good evening, I trust all is well." she asks of the room at large. Wondering who would answer her.