(2102)Formal Court

[Alexander Moore]

Crouching before the entrance to the Court, Alexander wondered if it would be rude to ask if they could raise the door frame another foot or two. Pulling himself to his full height he gazed about the room, smoothing down his black suit as he realized he knew far too few faces within the small crowd that had gathered so far. Reigning in his Beast as it tensed and whined at the harsh weight its betters, and containing the pull to tear at all those lesser. Moving slowly through the Court, Alexander tried to spy those he shouldn’t offend. He didn’t have to look long, the Prince was always a beacon of power and beauty that readily drew the eye.


“Your Grace” Alexander says, softly enough that he doubts anyone could hear, but it’s good to stay in practice lest he reproduce the mistakes of others. He bends at his hips and bows low to the Prince.


“Seneschal Hart, good evening” Speaking louder to her as he bows, taking care to not let the bow go as low as the one he gave the Prince.


“Priscus Hazelton, good to see you again” Another bow, and Alexander gives her a small grin as he rises.


“Priscus Durant” Upon seeing her by the piano he gave her a small bow, barely pulling her name from his memory. Upon seeing Dirt Nap he offers him a short nod. His long stride brings him over to the piano, quietly wondering if there will be some sort of entertainment for the night besides the company of his Kin.

[Edward Heinrich]

Edward descended into Court for the first time in months, feeling much like he did when he first arrived, almost two years prior. He dwelled fondly upon his excitement and apprehension. Close on two others' heels, the hulking one was familiar, but the other was new. Then again, he hadn't been at Court in some months.

As he casts his gaze about the assembled, his eyes glazing over as the Beast was wrestled back into its cage. Where did the thrill go?

Alarm bells went off as the new face he did not recognize failed to pay respects to those due to them. It was not Edward's place to help, but he found he didn't care. Edward approached the new one. Milton

"Good evening, sir." Edward was careful not to bow, even shallowly, to the man before recognizing the officials. "I apologize for being so direct, but for the harmony of the night to be maintained, we should pay already overdue respects to those deserving of them. With me, if you would please." He spoke quietly but did not whisper. There was no blame or condescension in his tone. The man probably was new, and so his lack of paying respects was unlikely to be taken as an insult. But, even so.

"Prince Antinori." Edward bowed deeply to Alessandra.
"Seneschal Hart." A bow to Alice.
"Priscus Hazelton." A shallow bow to Jennifer.
"and Priscus Durant." A shallow bow to Quinn.

For the first time since his first descent, he bore the coil of barbed wire over his unbeating heart. It was unlikely but possible the newcomer would recognize it. Otherwise, Edward wore a black suit with a plaid undershirt and a gold pocket-handkerchief — his one display of clan colour.

Assuming the new face followed along with his bows, Edward turned back to him with a smile. "Please accept my apology for rudeness in not first introducing myself." Edward extended a hand to shake despite the Beast's howls of rage. "I am Edward Heinrich, of Clan Daeva. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Mr...?"

[Alice Hart]

Alice doesn't need Lyssa's hand upon her shoulder to know exactly when Ale appears. She feels in the ice in her veins, the turn from blood hungry Wraith to craven cad, demanding flight. Alice, of course ignores it. Long used to dealing with the Wraith and it's whims. As the Blind Doll lowers herself into a jerking strings pulled curtsy, she sends the Wraith back, back behind it's cold iron bars.

She rises after the appropriate amount of time. Returning to the conversations blossoming around her.

"Good evening, Priscus Durant, Dirt Nap, Miss Wood, Mister Moore, I trust you are well?" Waiting a moment before turning her face towards her Cousin, "Yes, I have been well between now, and last we spoke." Ignoring what she told Ale, Court was never a place for anything underneath the pleasantries. Everyone here was a monster and everyone here was hungry. Alice hadn't made it to where she is by being stupid, and showcasing obvious weakness.

Her facsimile of a smile sharpens as she feels an unfamiliar Beast, a weak, mewling thing. Fluttering around the outside of the pack. She lends an ear as Heinnrich makes the first move.

[Quinn Durant]

Quinn lowered herself into the deepest and longest curtsy of the evening as Alessandra joined the court. After this she resolved to never ever ever wear something sheer and short. She held that deep curtsy for five human heartbeats, showing nothing less but the utmost respect to her Majesty. She straightens and catches the glance Alessandra spared her. Quinn took this to mean she either had done something wrong or right, she guessed time would tell which it was eventually. She pulled her attention back to those she was conversing with, fighting with her Beast momentarily not to run for the exit.

“Very well Seneschal Hart, thank you,” Quinn replied cordially to Seneschal Hart when asked by her. Lady Hazelton of course asked the second question that posed in Quinn’s mind for the stunning doll. Since Seneschal Hart responded she was well, no point in making her answer again.

Quinn nodded to Mable slightly, acknowledging her and quietly, but obviously looking over her dress. “Very festive, Ms. Wood. I appreciate that. Do you have a Valentine lined up for the day?” Quinn’s smile took on a slightly playful tone, and she winked at Mable. She shook her head gently to the question as to whether she played or not. Indicating she did not. Her beast was ready to play though, play hide and seek. Yeesh.

Scholar Dirt Nap received a nod of respect, as he was her mentor within the Dragons. He also won the first smile that reached Quinn’s eyes for the evening. Quick elevator eyes as she drank him in, not bothering to hide the compliment she paid him. He looked great in what he was wearing. “Good evening, Dirt Nap. Good to see you tonight.”

Quinn nodded to Lady Notary’s question. “I texted her a few days ago, and didn’t receive a reply. If she isn’t here tonight she will be treated to a home visit from yours truly.” She replied, and the smile on her face was predatory. She expected her to be here. Especially since she had been considering Maeve for a Whip position. Simone would hopefully be a Deputy, and then her clan would be settled into their roles and she could nudge and adjust her ducklings to her liking.

Alexander Moore was impossible to miss. I mean, you have eyes don’t you? She nodded to him, and flashed her best professional smile to him. “Good evening, Mr. Moore."Just when you thought the Nosferatu couldn't get more scary, here comes a GIANT haunt.

Quinn’s smile stepped up a notch as she overheard Mr. Heinrich schooling the new Beast in town. She gave Mr. Heinrich a polite nod of acknowledgement. She saw his nod to her, and she accepted the notice with her eyes, her gaze meeting his briefly in the soft light. She spared a glance to Milton, looking him over briefly before returning to her genteel conversation. She was of course listening.

[Alessandra]

She watches as faces enter Court, making mental notes of various things, dark eyes moving from Kindred to Kindred.

Catching the look from Jennifer Hazelton , she nods, allowing her approach.

The new face is spared a looked, her Beast demanding she end his weak existence. His presence was bland, not one she would spend much energy on, and she continues to watch the room.

It was nice to see Alexander enter the room, and it was hard to miss. She wondered just what had been keeping him from the other Courts.

And then there was Edward. Who was actually trying to be helpful, or was trying to dig himself out of the miserable hole he found himself in. She was happy to bet on he was trying to save face, not that it helped in her eyes. At his words, her lips formed a tight line. This was going to be that embarrassment of a Shadow all over again.

[Seryna]

Simone Perez enters, an unassuming Latino woman. Her Beast rolls out to greet the others BP 3 Her stocky body is well-muscled, and scarred. Her short, straight black hair is brushed back and pinned with a small clip into some more passable style for Formal Court. She presented herself in a modest blue calf length dress with 3/4 sleeves. A scar at her collarbone peeked out, three lines that resembled claw marks. As she approaches the Prince and bends to a respectable curtsy, there is another small line, possibly a healed knife knick, along her right thumb revealed.
She remains bowed for an appropriate time before rising and backing away from the Prince.

"Seneschal Hart." She greets the Crone Seneschal, the one who shares her Covenant. A deep nod is given to the Seneschal.
She gives a deep nod to Priscus Durant, not quite as deep as the one to the Seneschal. "Priscus. Good evening."
The brown eyes tick to Alice, studying her a moment. Then glances to Lyssa. The new Mekhet speaks to Alice.

"Good evening, Seneschal. I am Simone Perez. A pleasure to meet you. I had been told that you were a member of the Crone, as am I."

The Kowalsics enter next, wearing ther fashionable long coats. Mr. Kowalsic lets his formidible Beast roll out BP 4. The childe, Miss Kowalsic, emits no Beast, having shrouded her Beast in Obfuscate. The coats may earn a glance in mild Sacramento weather, but the reason why is clear when Mr. Kowalsic's ghoul helps him with his jacket and reveals the scarred, red flesh of his neck. The suit jacket hides his arms, and his hands appear unblemished. The Kowalsics wears the Invictus Code colors of green and black to announce thier Clan; Mr. Kowalsic in a black suit with emeralds in his tie bar and cufflinks, a seafoam green shirt and gray and green patterened tie.
Miss Kowalsic has been moving holding her Sire's arm and dragging her left foot. Now as the ghoul helps her remove her coat, she stands in a soft kelly green floor length gown that has been altered over a large, prominant hump in her back. She wears an expensive worked silver necklace, a locket nestled on an 18' chain.
The ghoul, a brown haired Caucasin man in a slightly out of date brown suit, departs to where ghouls wait for their masters. Mr. Kowalsic offers Miss Kowalsic his arm and the two walk slowly, deliberately, to the Prince. They pass the new Kindred and Mr. Heinrich, and Mr Kowalsic deliberately glances by the two, not pausing for a respectful nod. The childe glances at them for a moment, a slight nod to Mr. Heinrich.


The two make the appropriate bow and curtsy before the Prince. Miss Kowalsic holds hers a few beats longer and keeps her eyes downcast. The two rise and take a step back from the Prince.

Respects are paid to the Seneschal, bows that are appropriately lesser than the one given to the Prince.
"Seneschal, a pleasure to see you." Mr. Kowalsic greets, sincere as his carefully composed face shows interest in the Seneschal. The childe's head bobs down, her eyes remaining looking down and in the submissive stance while addressing someone so well respected.

"Priscus Hazelton." The two perform perfect bow and curtsy to the Nosferatu Priscus.
"Priscus Durant." A nod befitting the respect her title holds, polite glance of interest.

[Mable Wood]

Mable gave Dirt Nap a warm smile. "I enjoy hearing all kinds of music. I love all the different beautiful displays the Prince has been having set up for court."

to Jennifer, "Oh! I didn't notice that. Wow, I was so blown away from the beauty of the piano."

A new beast entered at that moment causing Mable to not continue with the thought. She wanted to tear him apart. She quickly pushed beast down and started to head over to greet the man. However, Edward beat her to it. Not your job anymore, she reminded herself.

The giant entered, ducking through the doorway. He approached and greeted everyone else. Hmmm, was she invisible or was he one of the types of people who didn't see her fit to acknowledge as a person? She quickly brushed aside the feeling and ignored the slight, after all, she was not important.

"I am well, thank you Seneschal Hart."

"Thank you, Priscus Durant. I try to spread the love all month long." She giggles.

Simone entered as well as Mr. K and Miss K. Mable stood quietly as they greeted the Seneschal. She was not sure what to think or believe with any of them. So she just watched and tried to learn something. Her beast whispering into her mind about blood and death while Mable just smiled sweetly.

[JC Smith]

JC still didn’t feel ready court but sometimes what you felt and what was were different. Formal court was required by the laws laid down in the city and he had for the moment decided that staying n the city was what he was going to do. So, it was either explain to Prince and Priscus why he’d chosen not to attend or bite the bullet and get things over with.

As he entered the room suddenly the desire to bite rose considerably. So far, since learning to change his beast, he’d only run into one or two Kindred at a time. Here in the common area there were considerably more and it made him want to ATTACK THEM ALL. Coat the elegant seats with Vitae. KILL the weak and the challengers because this should be HIS and he drive everyone else out.

His upper lip curled into a snarl for a moment before he clenched his jaw and forced his expression into neutral even as he could feel his fangs descend in his mouth. His throat felt dry. His hands itched and he was having trouble taking his mind off images of bloodshed as his gaze fell over the room and its inhabitants.

He curled his toes until it felt like they might snap off, focusing on moving the blood deliberately and away from his claws fingers. Step by deliberate step he walked further into the den of his opponents.

He looked around the court officials first. He didn’t see Twist but Alessandra and Alice both received their due respect first before he acknowledge anyone else. The biggest threats and the ones he should take out first His Priscus and leader who showed herself more tolerant than most he’d met so far in his unlife and the unsettling doll willing to share information. He kept a distant at present both out of respect and to avoid the temptation to rip out throats

Mable was the next target drew his attention next with her red dress and he nodded with a small smile towards her. “Good evening Miss Mable Wood.” She was clan at least. As was Dirt Nap, he reminded himself, managing to tear himself away from bloody thoughts by focusing on a spot of calm. Even if he knew the man was still a predator behind the Mask, but what JC’s inner demon didn’t know helped him to gain at least some solidarity when he greeted his fellow Savage.

With his mind feeling a bit steadier he acknowledge the remaining Nosferatu “Priscus Hazelton, Mr. Moore, I hope you’re doing well this evening.” He couldn’t say their presence was the most comfortable and while their monstrousness was still visible, at least he didn’t feel like killing them.

Unlike “Priscus Durant,” slavering Slave “Thank you again for the gift of attire.” She’d provide him clothes, like he cares if they got soaked in her blood. Damn it was hard to stay positive sometimes.

“Mr. Heinrich,” he said to the Ventrue. JC was almost grateful he didn’t know the man well enough for his mind to latch onto something to hate.

He didn’t recognize the other prominent faces but he greeted them each in turn “Hello, I’m JC Smith. Good to meet you.”

“And hello Simone Perez, ma’am,” he said at last coming to someone that might justify both his fear and his rage and given she was presently engaged with the Seneschal and the likely topic of conversation. He bowed to Hart again as he approached the two women.

Side thread?

[Jacque]

Another cycle once again in this eternal danse. At least his habits for attire did not shift much in honoring this tradition. Expensive suit? Check. Shoes impeccably shone? Check. Rolex? Check.

He made his way down the stairs into Court proper. As had been commonplace these nights, his beast stirred in both fear and anger in response to the various predators in the room. He took a moment to steel himself and survey the room.

A smile traced across his lips as he saw the piano added to the room. His eyes immediately tracing back to the Prince and offering a deep bow of respect. He then offered shallower bows to Court members, then to any other valued members of the Domain before acknowledging fellow Prisci with a nod, starting with Hazelton. Any other greetings towards him are returned in kind as he circulated the room.

A passing gaze studied the new face closely, listening for the nuggets of information that are all too common at gatherings like these. Once again the beast riled at the prey, only to be promptly quelled by the man. Heinrich's engagement with his cousin was surprising to Jack, but he chose not to engage in the conversation. For now the Lord made his way to one of the seating areas, making himself comfortable and carefully watched the Incubus navigate his introduction.

[Twist]

She was late and it was no ones fault but her own.

If she was worried about it though, it was impossible to tell with her confident walk toward the doors of Elysium. As usual she ignored the coat check, the sheer ruffles of her dress fluttering with her movement past.

At the doors she paused. Both to ready herself against the press of beasts pulsing just a few feet away as well as to wonder.

Would they close the doors to her?

She almost wanted to see someone try.

Twist will attempt to enter court. Wasn't sure given the start date of the thread if they have been closed or not yet.