July 2020 Invictus

[Twist]

The evening arrives, the heat of the July day lingers into the evening as the guests arrive at the Sacramento Zoo for the gathering of the First Estate.

Kine working for the moment as hosts, direct the arriving Kindred to the Rare Feline Courtyard where the event will occur. As the Predators gather, other predators prowl around them in their cages.

Eventually the duties of the Kine hosts would shift, going from guide to snacks. And already the early arrivers, the nameless masses of the covenant, arriving early to get the best free meal per the protocol of their chosen covenant were sizing up the Kine, picking their choices.

Small bar tables scattered about the enclosure, stand up and designed for light conversation.

Save for one. One that had chairs. Had the feeling of formality.

But only 7 chairs. 7. For those Invictus who would arrive last. 7 Invictus who had names. Had Power. Were the true strength of the Covenant.

I apologize for the delay in this. I will give a couple days for arrivals.
Alessandra Jennifer Hazelton Edward Heinrich Jacque Lenora

1 (Empty)
2 (Jennifer) 3 (Alessandra)
4 (Jack) 5 (Edward)
6 (Empty) 7 (Lenora)

[Jennifer Hazelton]

Lady Notary Jennifer Hazelton arrives, a tasteful bag carried on her arm. It no doubt contains gifts for the Invictus as is custom.

She places the gifts in tasteful wrapping, the ribbon bows the color of her clan, upon the assigned gift table.
The Lady wears a ball gown with full, billowing skirt in the emerald green color. A matching green scarf in silk dupioni is pinned to her neck with a spider pin composed of previous stones.
She carries a small tasteful bag with her Notary ledger and special pens for the ceremony. She strides within with confidence at looking at the table and positions.
It suggested what have you done for the Invictus, the classic power.
She claims seat #2, standing behind it for the Duchess's arrival.

[Alessandra]

Arriving, Ale steps into the area. A bag was carried which had gifts for her fellow Kindred of Quality, each placed on the gift table. Each package wrapped perfectly in each Clans colors, but with two Daeva, Twists was more elaborate.

Turning she spots Jennifer, and dips into a small curtsy, respecting the womans place as Lady. It was nice to have her Beast silent, in its cage.

The Savage had found a stunning dress of light brows and reds gems, a few blues ones for accents. It fit perfectly to her curves. Her hair was artful done, brown natural gems hung from her ears, and her makeup was minimum. Tattoos visible on bare skin.

“Lady Notary Hazelton, good evening. You are looking wonderful tonight.” The Italian greets, moving to the third(#3) seat.

For Twist

Burmese Ruby

For Jennifer

First Edition Print with blue flower pin

For Jacque

Ornate Chess Set

For Edward

Rare Edition of Hamlet

For Lenora

Jewel encrusted Pin

[Jacque]

Five leather-bound folios were tucked under the Lord's arm as he made his approach to the Courtyard. The days were longer this time of year, and the heat persisted into the night but the Ventrue still dressed to the nines for the occasion. His long sleeved cuffs were adorned with cabochon amethyst links, the deep royal purples matching with his pinstripe vest. A new accessory could also be seen around his wrist: a Rolex. It seemed the minimalist lawyer was breaking away from the long established habit.

He carefully placed the stack on the gift table, taking a moment to straighten out the lengths of rich fabric that were folded through each of the folios. A cursory glance could glean each one corresponded with the clan colors of one of the other five in attendance.

Making his way to the table he first addressed Jennifer, "Lady Notary Hazelton, it has been too long. How have your nights fared?" Looming over the fourth chair he then turned to the Prince, "Madam Prince Antinori. It is good to see you. Your dress is divine with such an elegant use of jewels." His hand gripped the back of the chair as he steadied his beast against the challenges of the others in attendance.

folios

Each folio contains a high quality sample of fabric matching clan colors as well as the business card for an MAS and MSDP certified master tailor.

[Edward Heinrich]

In contrast with his attire for Formal Court, Edward opted for restraint. Within his jet black suit, the flashes of colour emanating from his pocket square and tie were all the more noticeable.
He carried a briefcase, bearing gifts to be soon revealed. He bore older gifts as well, his shoes courtesy of Jacque, and his cufflinks — a final flash of colour — courtesy of Alessandra.

As an attendant appeared to guide him, Edward held up a hand, "we await another." In line with his entrance to July’s Formal Court, Sponsor and Paige would enter together.
Seeing Lenora soothed nerves he hadn't even known were on edge. "Good evening, Miss Black." In an exact replicate of that previous night, he offered his arm, "shall we?"
As they walked through the courtyard, as the ever more familiar Beasts caused his own to scream, a smile played across Edward's lips. He leaned in to speak quietly to Lenora, "the Duchess is as tasteful as ever."

Once they were clear of the rank and file, once at an appropriate distance, he separated a quarter step from Lenora to bow to the three about the table. While the first was deep, each following bow became more shallow, by the time Edward had turned to Jacque, it was more of a full-body nod. "Madam Prince Antinori... Lady Notary Hazelton... Mister Jack."

He made his final approach, taking his stand behind the fifth chair and looking over the Lord beside him: "Mister Jack, you must hand my compliments to your tailor. That vest looks positively stunning upon you."

If Lenora does not follow, Edward makes a small gesture to indicate she should claim the seat beside him.

[Lenora]

Lenora had arrived in good form, having meticulously chosen her outfit as an expression befitting of herself and the formalities of the estate.

The Lord had already shown that she rarely wore dresses, instead opting for suits and other clothing. To show herself in such an important meeting in a dress seemed to her to be disingenuous. The Duchess and the other standing members of the First Estate deserved to see the Priscus of the Clan of Kings at her best and true to form. Thus, Lenora Black opted for a formal, fitted three-piece tux tailored to her needs.

Her clan colors were present, but, as befitting of the woman's prudence, they were much more subtle than the gold patterns of the late formal, being present in a ring and a pair of earrings. Her makeup was minimal, doing little more than highlighting her natural beauty.

Following her studies and conversations with her sponsor, Lenora had also not arrived empty handed, boasting a small stack of amethyst colored gift boxes, each tied with a black lace ribbon, though the Lord proved steady enough to take Edward's hand as it was offered.

"Good evening, Mister Heinrich," she responded, her cadence matching the formality the pair had done in the formal past, "We shall."

Upon arrival to the group proper, Lenora took a moment to dispense the boxes appropriately upon the gift table while her sponsor relayed his greetings. Once he was done, she had returned to her place and dispensed her own bows of reverence. The first towards Alessandra was deep. "Madam Prince Antinori." The second to Jennifer was less so, "Lady Notary Hazelton." And the final to Jack was the shallowest, "Mister Jack."

With Edward's instruction given, Lenora claimed the seat he indicated, standing behind it. Lenora's usual stoicism played upon her face. Her hands clasped lightly to her front as she granted the greater group her intention, but Lenora did not speak, exercising abundant caution until she was either addressed casually or called upon. It was not Lenora's place to interject on their conversations.

In this den of beasts, Lenora was the newest and she seemed well aware that she needed to proceed carefully, lest the others choose to bite.

[Jennifer Hazelton]

“Good evening, I am pleased to see you. I was curious if you were working on what we had discussed “. She stated to Jacque.
“ My nights have been well. I’ve made considerable progress.”

Jennifer blinks at Edward ignoring her to address Madam Alessandra. She gives Jacque a subtle glance, seeing if he saw the same thing. It was strange to ignore her, she thought, when he was so focused on proper behavior. Lady notary was the highest rank without the Duchess present. The address sets the same precedent for his Paige.

“Mr Heinrich. “ She’ greeted, formal and a slightly stiff tone. He ought to be aware of the issue from that. Unfortunately, it drew the same precedent for his student.
“ Miss Black. “
Jennifer glances at the seat indicated for miss Black. Was Penelope not coming. She counted the seats again. Surely a page wouldn’t claim a seat higher than a woman already accepted to the invictus that had risen to the same status as herself.
She pressed her lips together slightly. Perhaps they would rectify themselves when Penelope Abigail appeared. Surely the seven seats had been noticed.

[Alessandra]

She watched as Jacque entered, a small smile on her face.

As he addressed Jennifer, she was impressed. He had been paying attention and learning. Not that she doubted he would pick up quickly on Invictus protocol.

“Mister Jacque, good to see you as well, I hope you’ve been well.” Her smile remaining, warm and friendly. “That is quite a striking suit, it fits you well. And thank you.” The dress had been a challenge.

As Edward made his entrance, she was…surprised. His words didn’t ring right.

“Mister Heinrich, good evening.” Dark eyes move to Lenora, “Miss Black, a good evening to you as well.”

Looking back to Jennifer, “Lady Notary, the book you lent me has been an intriguing read, I’m anxious to meet with you again and discuss it.”

[Jacque]

Jacque was no stranger to the consequences of Pride. His prudent nature had gnawed at the back of his mind from the moment he claimed the chair next to the Lady Notary. It was one thing to be proud of your own progress, but the game of chairs was a visible declaration of your worth. One that could bite you in the ass if there was something you didn't know or if you jumped to a conclusion- and there was plenty he didn't know about Edward.

"It is never far from my mind, though I continue to lay the foundation that will allow the work to flourish," he nodded as the Notary shared her progress, "I'm teeming with anticipation for our next discussion on the matter." It was clear the Lord absolutely loved expanding his insights, especially of the occult lately.

"I have," he acknowledged to the Prince as he smoothed out his vest, "Thank you. I've enjoyed expanding my wardrobe as of late."

The gnawing finally ceased at the unexpected slip of decorum. The Lady's glances were not unnoticed; a brow arched with both curiosity and concern as he looked to Edward, then Lenora as she repeated her sponsor's error. Decorum was important, but he had yet to witness the consequences in this type of setting. He pursed his lips, considering what might be to come. One thing was for sure though, his choice of chair was now indisputable.

He shifted into a grin as he received another complement on his clothing, "Mister Heinrich, I'm glad that you like the craftsmanship, thank you."

An equally shallow nod was afforded to Lenora, before he returned his gaze to the two senior Invictus present. He imagined the Judex would be arriving soon, and wondered if things would be resolved before, or after.

[Twist]

A shuffling, a wave of curtsies and bows, announced her arrival even as her beast did not.

Protocol dictated that she be the last to arrive but if the lack of extra time to mingle and flaunt bothered the petite Daeva, it did not show. Nor did she allow the reaction of her Beast to dictate how to act, even if it paced and snarled in a multiplied version of the Zoo's cats that surrounded them.

Approaching the table and those waiting, the red fabric of her dress was a bright statement to her clan. The embroidered roses that accented a back daringly bare a brighter one. Behind her, Kalos trailed, stepping aside to add Twist's gifts to the table before stepping back into the shadows.

A warm smile was present as she approached the chair at the head of the table.

"Good evening, I hope that it finds you all well," she greeted, taking time to look around the table and meet each of her fellow notable Invictus's eyes. "Shall we?" she asked without expecting an answer, settling into her seat and allowing the rest of the Covenant to follow suit.