(2006) June's Informal Court

[Lenora]

The Pale Woman that was Alice was noted, Lenora offering the sightless Haunt a bow, Lenora's pale eyes glancing lightly to her ever-present ghoul briefly as they often did. A slight smile hit her lips, the details of Lenora's mortal life were becoming distant memories, but she remembered her years of ghouldom well enough.

Am I the only one who can sympathize?

Lenora had been forward enough about her past, but she was the only former Ghoul of Sacramento's Kindred as far as she knew.

A smile and a nod is granted to Jennifer Hazelton from Lenora as she continued on. Then Edward arrives and speaks. His entrance belies further wails of rage from the Beast, prompting first a curious look before Lenora reigned herself in enough to respond.

"Nonsense, Mr. Heinrich," she offered, her tone friendly "Your presence is most welcome. I was merely saying hello. Good evening to you."

And then Lenora finally reached her usual table, leaving Edward to continue his discourse with Dirt Nap unharassed, but, before she could seat herself, a figure of instinctual terror entered her vision. Thus, Lenora offered the Prince a deep bow, holding it for a few moments before rising and, finally seat herself.

Lenora's gaze finds the newcomer again. Then travels between him and the Prince as he moves close the gap with the Seneschal herself rather than offering Her Majesty some silent respects. Had he noted the arrival of the Prince?

It mattered little, perhaps. Alessandra had been clear on her stance of neutrality in regards to covenants in the city. Still, it was enough to cause the Ventrue's rigid sensibilities to bristle lightly.

"Hmm."

The sound is brief and largely for herself. Regardless, the inner thought is abandoned as Lenora finally seats herself and settles in. Eventually, eyes look out to observe the growing crowd, but Lenora falls to silence.

[Alice Hart]

Ale is right to have every confidence that Lyssa will notify her mistress. The ghoul presses a hand to Alice's shoulder, feather light and entirely to warm. Flush with real life. Alice privets upon her stool, and offers a seated bow to the Prince. Even as the Wraith, tugs and pleads, hisses and wishes. Demands in desperation to flee. The Blind Doll, however, keeps her pose for the appropriate length of time before she straightens.

"Yes, Lady Hazelton, I've found the nights, pleasant." she says, acknowledging her Cousin, and Priscus before the new arrival. In fact, she offers sting pulled nods as silent greetings to those who greet her before she speaks to the Dragon.

"Sit Mister Quilz." She says, impressed that the man had presented himself presently. Which said more then enough about past kindred in the city.

Continued in (2006) Seneschal Aside...

[Jennifer Hazelton]

The slight bow was marked, giving the newcomer credit. She had regarded him carefully at his presentation because so many seemed to speak incorrectly or forget how to address Kindred properly. He could have promise of properly conducting oneself.
“Good evening, Mr. Heinrich.” Jennifer greeted, her voice slithering like a snake through dried leaves.
”Solstice celebration?” She repeated, a bit surprised.

Jennifer respectfully lowered herself into a proper curtsy at the Prince’s arrival. The Nosferatu respected the Prince’s privacy. Deep brown eyes marked Mr. Quilz progression to Alice and his greeting. She acknowledged Miss Blacks’ smile and nod with one of her own.
She gave Alice a nod as she saw to duty. She would try and catch her later, she had small matter her family may also be interested in. The Nosferatu afforded another nod to Lessa during their departure. Her time studying under the House had shown her some afforded much more respect to ghouls than her Sire had, and she rather liked the thought.

“It must be nice not to be the only one of your Covenant any longer.”
She remarked to Dirt Nap. She had filed his information away as Nosferatu did.

[Twist]

The trickle had not become a flood in years now, but still they came.

Sparing a moment to kiss her suitor of the moment fairwell, she slipped out of the booth and joined the flow of Kindred to Court.

The weight of the beading on her dress quickly pulled any errant wrinkles free as she breezed by coat check. She did pause at the entrance to the common room though, both to settle the upsurge of her Beast and to look over who was already there.

How many curtsy's to make and where too.

First to Alessandra of course. Hers the longest and lowest. Second to Alice Hart , busy with a new face.

Lenora and Jennifer Hazelton were the only other Kindred with a title to claim and so for them a nod of greeting. Doubly meant as fellow Invictus. As well as one offered to her clan mate Edward Heinrich .

Social obligations meet for the moment, she moved deeper in, ignoring the repeated entreaties of her Beast to do more than walk.

[Edward Heinrich]

"And a good evening to you, Mr. Quilz." Edward smiled through the pressure of an unfamiliar Beast as the man departed, and was reminded of his own, tumultuous first night at court.

"You're too kind," Edward's joy was dampened as Lenora took her leave, "and a good rest of the night to you, Priscus Black."

As Twist entered, Edward turned and bowed, before resuming the conversation.

Side thread here

[Alessandra]

The thing with removing yourself from the small gatherings, is you can watch and observe.

Watch and observe when someone decides they don’t owe you the respect your station deserves. Bows and nods offered to those who are not Prince.

A finger twitches as her eyes narrow slightly and she follows the Dragon as he approaches Alice. Dark eyes flick back to Dirt Nap, who was always polite and she nods.

Seeing Twist enter, she bows her head in respect while debating the options.

And there were many! Some, of course, more fun than others. But, she settles on a less, confrontational way. For now.

Walking towards Alice Hart , she leans towards the table, “Seneschal Hart, my apologies for interrupting, but please make sure there are no questions in regards to proper manners.” Leaning away, “Thank you.” And she moves away, towards Twist .

Smiling as she approaches, “Buonasera, sembri piuttosto sorprendente stasera. Spero che tu stia bene.”

[Dirt Nap]

Dirt Nap is suprised at the intentional focus of Edward Heinrich unable to fathom what he might really want from Dirt Nap and what 'formal acquaintance' entails. Well. One way of going about finding out.

He nods to Jennifer Hazelton hoping she joins in the conversation. "I suppose so, Ma'am, Lady Hazelton." Dirt Nap ventures cautiously when she congratulates him on being joined in the Domain by another Dragon. A Sword being what they are, it's only likely he's here for a specific purpose. "I haven't rightly figured it out yet."

In an effort to rise to the intensity of Endward Heinrich's seeking his 'formal acquaintance', Dirt Nap puts his whole focus on the man, putting aside concerns of what else is being said and done in court, and how his fellow Dragon seems to be faring.

Going to the side thread with Edward Heinrich.

[Jennifer Hazelton]

The entrance of the Alder Duchess turned Jennifer's head. She saw the nod from the Alder and lowered herself into a respectful curtsy to the woman who had accomplished so much for the domain in Sacramento. It was carefully shy of the depth of the one she had given the Prince. The Lady Notary waited until the attention of the Duchess passed and rose.

The Lady Notary turning to watch the Prince for a moment. One could not ignore that Beast. The Lady gracefully turned and continued to speak with the two Kindred.

Jennifer focuses onto the conversation with Dirt Nap and Mr. Heinrich .

[Lenora]

Despite her apparent distance, Lenora is alert enough when there is mention of the newcomer admitting to have killed his own mentor.

"Tsk."

The soft, subtle hiss leaving Lenora's lips was largely to herself and somewhat involuntary. The dislike of such an admission is plain on her features.

Nonetheless, the man is meeting with the Seneschal and Lenora bore no desire to interrupt the proceeding. No, it was best to remember the man's face and name. He was a figure to be wary of.

As Twist arrives and affords her respects, Lenora makes a point to rise from her seat granting the beautiful Daeva a deep bow. Then the Priscus of Lords returns to her roost.

With the Prince's approach to the newcomer and the Seneschal, Lenora merely smiled, though her gaze did not rest on Alice or the newest Dragon. Instead, she allowed herself to settle into the middle distance, granting an audience to internal thoughts.

[Twist]

Ale's approach was not subtle, it couldn't be with her Beast, but Twist let her steps slow and stop turning to the Prince with a warm smile despite the demmands of her beast.

"Buonasera," her tone matching her smile.

"E grazie perς dovrei dirvi questo" she added, her gaze tracing curves of flesh and ink alike. They were both on display after all and as far as she was concerned, it would have been rude to not appreciate the outfit.

With a hint of reluctance, she let her thoughts and words shift to English.

"I have. The peace of the domain has given me time and I am attempting to put it to good use. And yourself?"