(2105) Formal Court

[Seryna]

Eternal Court

The Nox Populi is an upscale experience that will take Sacramento nightlife to a whole new level.

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.

However the Kindred arrive they are discreetly met and led to the back of the club. 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 brown silken drapes cascading from floor to ceiling. Draped in elegant bunches and gathered into valances across door frames and between supporting pillars; the lighting is intentionally low, but without the pulse of the 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 decorated 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. The furniture setting is familiar now: a set of elegant chairs, all dark wood and red leather, arranged in a circle. The baroque lighting leaves the corners of the Elysium commons in deep shadow.

With the permanent fixture that the chess table had become, there was yet another new item. A Steinway concert piano, its cover in an upright position, revealing stunning inner strings strings. The lid was closed on the keyboard, the bench not with it.

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.

Formal Court has now begun...

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


You now have 1 Week to enter Court before the Doors Close.

Formal Court a specific event. Announced to the Domain, you are expected to attend or you will find your Acknowledgement revoked. After 1 Week, the doors to Court close (no new entries into the thread). Once you have left Court, you are not permitted to return. Court is never truly empty: this can include 'faceless masses' of Kindred beneath notice, ghouls, herd members, devotees, or even officials in their offices.

[Jacque]

Of course the first Court following his rise would be Formal. A part of the Lord still loathed the exercise in futility, but a part of him was relieved that his presence was required regardless of his responsibility. The Lord dressed sharply, accented with a deep purple tie and waist wrap to make sure no man or monster he encountered could mistake his wealth. He adorned the suit with cabochon amethyst cufflinks and the familiar Rolex.

The Beast stirred as he approached the coat-check. The Lord paused to straighten his cuffs, a personal ritual of the Lord to subdue the primal instincts that rose within. Upon entering the court proper he steeled his beast by bowing deeply to the Prince, "Your Grace," holding long enough to be certain of its notice.

This night he chose to begin circulating through the various social groups of Kindred forming, pausing occasionally to return acknowledgements.

[Milton]

Milton descends into court looking like a million other corporate drones, wearing a grey suit, grey tie, and checked shirt. The clothing is purposefully understated, though clearly of high quality. Milton prizes his anonymity, and his wardrobe is meant to render him as forgettable as possible in his chosen professional context. For him, Court is no different.

He enters just after Jacque, recognizing the familiar outline of his Priscus. But then, the Prince's superior Beast washes over him like a wave. He follows Jacque's suit and bows, deeply. "Your grace," he intones.

Next, he turns to Jacque himself and offers a slightly shallower bow. Though not by much. "Seneschal Jacque."

With that, he moves to the periphery of court and finds himself a seat. To wait and to watch.

[Dirt Nap]

Dirt Nap steels himself against thee Beasts inside and then enters wearing his tuxedo.



It turns out, he's just in time to catch Milton's salutations to the Prince and...the Seneschal?

He pauses just a moment, to see if anyone corrects Milton as to who the Seneschal actually is, and then follows his example.

He bows deeply towards the Prince, and says, "Your Highness."

He then bows a little less to Jack, and says, "Seneschal." without a questioning tone. He waits a beat, as to what Jack might have to say about it if anything.

[Jennifer Hazelton]

Jennifer arrived at Court, giving a discrete glance at the coat check. If someone was watching when she arrived, she did pause and drop off a knife at weapons check.

The Priscus was dressed in a tailored A- line dress in high quality fabric in Clan colors. It was perfectly tailored to her form, with a matching dark green capelet that had lace overlay and featured a clapsed collar that covered her neck and collarbone. This was the second wearing of the dress, in case members of the Invictus took care of her attire. Those of the First Estate would recognize the work of the tailor that Mr. Jack had extended at the last meeting of the First estate. Her dark brown hair was wrapped into a French Twist, held in place with invisble pins and a pin holding a single live bloom of the Blue Convolvulus flower. The Nosfertu wore black evening gloves to match her capelet, and carried a small black clutch.

The Priscus would pay the Apex Predator, the Prince, the deepest curtsey of the night when Prince Alessandra arrived. Complete with bowed head. The Prince had earned it.

Next, she curseyed to the Seneschal. It was a pang that it was Alice's position, reassigned. It had to happen for the Court to run smoothly. Yet still, it pained Jennifer. It helped that it was Mr. Jack.
"Seneschal." She greeted respectfully, letting the title roll off her tongue.
"May I offer congratulations." Her serpentine voice slithing like a snake over the syllables, infusing her words with an uncomfortable quality.

"Mr. Clay." The Nosferatu gave Dirt Nap a friendly look. Different than greetings past, if one remembered. "Mr. Northbridge." She stated her greeting to the Ventrue.
As always, her Beast was Cloaked.

[Quinn Durant]

Quinn descended the stairs, her heels announcing her way before she even made it into sight. There was no choice on heels or not tonight. She wore three inch heels with her dress, not that you could even see the shoes mind you, not with the train the dress had on it. She stepped all the way out of her comfort zone and wore bright cherry red and cream colored dress. The dress gave the illusion of naked skin, while only actually giving the eye a bit of it on the top. The back of her showed ever inch of her caramel colored skin. Her hair was done very elaborately. As the Kindred were forever juxtaposed between the old and the new, her hair honored times long buried beneath the sand and her dress was a modern gown for the warm nights that awaited them. She took the makeup very very understated this evening. Very fresh face looking, because of how elaborate everything else was.

Quinn curtsied to her Grace, the Apex of the court. Her curtsy brought her low, and she bowed her head in reverence, a slight tilt of her elegant jaw line to expose a patch of her throat. She paid that respect as if her life depended on it because this was Formal Court. It just may very well...

Quinn next would curtsy to Seneschal Jack, it was not as low nor did she show her throat to him, but her head bowed as her body lowered as her gaze did demurely. She held that pose counting in human heartbeats before rising.

She would give nods of acknowledgement to those other Kindred who paid her respect in kind. Of course a deeper nod, with reverence was given to Lady Notary Hazlelton, as her Status amongst the Kindred demanded, but also one of the Prisci. She drank in her fellow Kindred's attire, enjoying watching them come to court this evening.

[JC Smith]

So, it started again. Another court. Formal this time and required. If that wasn’t immediately obvious by the number of people already present by the time he arrived. Where he’d been the first to arrive some months, tonight the Elysium swarmed with Kindred. To say it annoyed him would be an understatement, but he didn’t let it show.

JC’s clothes were the same as they always were for court. He couldn’t afford a new outfit every month like some of the members of the domain. However, he was lucky enough to be gifted a nice suit by Quinn and it remained the staple of his closet.

He scanned the room, noting the familiar faces that had already arrived. Though he held of on actually doing anything, trying to not even make eye contact just yet. First, he needed to make sure Alessandra got her bow. And only after seeing that the Prince wasn’t here yet did he turn attention to anybody else.

Like Jack, looking dashing in his cummerbund. The Gangrel bowed to the new Seneschal, wondering if last months display had been a hint that the Ventrue knew he’d be getting the position ahead of time.

He smiled and nodded to Jennifer in her tailored green dress, Quinn looking like a Flavian woman come to life, and even Dirt Nap in his tux. Yep, definitely formal court.

JC didn’t immediately engage in conversation, taking up a position between two pillars with a backdrop of brown silk curtains. It seemed for now, the night was still in the introductions phase. For now, he would take the time to steady his thoughts against the beast. He didn't want to make a stupid mistake like last time.

[Seryna]

From the faceless masses of quiet Kindred or Kindred who don't press their luck, one Kindred who has not been to Court since the Formal Court steps to the coat check. The press of a Predator rolls out to challenge the other Kindred within, for Mr. Kowalsic's Beast is formidible (BP 4). The childe, Miss Kowalsic, accompanies her Sire wearing an expensive coat. A ghoul dressed in an outdated but fine reinforced brown suit takes the lady's coat and checks it, then takes the gentleman's long coat. The ghoul surrenders one medium handgun and something about twelve inches long, carefully sheathed to the coat check and then goes to hover wherever ghouls hover, out of sight. It is clear why the gentleman wears the coat as soon as he sheds it - he has obvious marks of his Curse, scared red skin on the back of his neck and hands. His face is unblemished. Mr. Kowalsic wears an expensive suit, the shirt the color of hunter green and the suit a deep grey. He wears expensive accessories of a tie bar and cuff links, a matching set prominently featuring emerald stones.

As they step into the Court proper, all can now recognize Mr. Johnathan Randall Kowalsic and his Unreleased Childe, Miss Isabella Kowalsic, of the line Nosferatu. Mr. Kowalsic is a valued member of the city, having been here long enough to earn a reputation as a defender of the Masqeruade.
You know that Mr. Kowalsic is a valued member of the First Estate.

Status of Mr. Kowalsic is 3

Valued = Invictus Status 3, City Status 3

Mr. Kowalsic offers his childe his arm and they proceed slowly towards the Seneschal.
Anyone scrutinizing Miss Kowalsic finds an apparently young woman with chocolate brown eyes and fair skin with warm brown freckles. Her hair is a dark shade of brown, so dark it is nearly black. It is swept up into a severe bun. She wears a tasteful elegant ankle length dress in light jade green. She wears simple studs in her ears of precious stones of jade. A well-crafted silver necklace is tasteful, looking appropriate on someone older than her. The gown is tailored, for her back is misshapen. Her left foot drags a bit as they move at her pace, stopping the respectable distance from the Seneschal.

"Seneschal." The gentleman bows respectfully, holding it for a correct amount of time. The woman curtsies carefully, the same respect.
"Priscus Hazelton."
"Priscus Durant."
Mr. Kowalsic bows repectfully to each Priscus, though a bit less than most would. He does hold some status in the community. The Nosferatu childe moves in tandem with her Sire, laboriously curtseying to each Kindred holding important titles - Sensechal first, then Priscus Hazelton and Priscus Durant. She holds the positions of respect longer than independent Kindred, signalling her respect to her own position in relation to Court Officials. Today, she speaks for one of the first times as she shows respect to the Seneschal.
"Seneschal."

"I have recieved your correspondance, sir, and thought upon it carefully." Mr. Kowlsic speaks to Seneschal Jack. "I do wish we could have met privately, yet I have been reserving my evenings for important resolultion." He gives Jack a meaningful look. "I do apologize for my childe's improper conduct this past Court. Shall we speak of recompense?"
Miss Kowalsic remains a step behind her sire, head remaining bowed. Her manner is chastened and sober. When her Sire finishes, she raises her head slightly to look for a sign of Jacques' expression.

The rumors you have heard about Mr. Kowalsic, of the line Nosferatu, there have been rumors if one cares to investigate. The one most repeated is that he has an army of ghouls. It has been whispered that he has killed to protect the Masquerade. Of late, some of the First Estate and a few investigators may know private information about the Kowalsics.


Simone Perez enters on the heels of Mr. Kowlasic and his childe. The Mekhet pauses at the coat rack until the two Nosferatu have walked into Elysium proper. Simone shrugs a sports equipment bag off, hands it over to be safely stored, and passes her black leather jacket to be checked. Simone walks into Elysium and pauses on the threshold to look around.
This Kindred looks to be an unassuming Latino woman, but her stocky body is well-muscled. A scar runs across her forehead. A second scar, which looks to be three equidistant claw marks, peeks out on her collar bone. Her short, straight black hair is styled with gel and accessorized with a jet blue ribbon that works for her. She wears a form fitting indigo blue dress, knee length, and black flats that look like she can run in them. The shoes look new.
She is one of the faceless Kindred you have seen on the edges of Court, who has been drawn into the Danse in the last few months. You have heard that she is a maiden of the Crone.

To Crone

Respected = Covenant Status (Crone) is 2

This Kindred is BP 3
The Mekhet walks to the Seneschal, holding a respectful distance from Senechal Jack and equidistant from Mr. and Miss Kowalsic. She bends into a respectful bow, held for a few beats to make sure everyone is aware of it.
“Seneschal,” She greets with a respectful nod. “- Simone Perez. Good to meet you.”

The Mekhet then bows to her own Priscus, Quinn Durant. "Priscus Durant." She greets repectfully.
"Priscus Hazelton." The Mekhet greets, bowing to the Nosferatu woman, though just a shade short of the bow to her own Priscus.
The Mekhet moves to stand closer to Quinn Durnt, checking with a glance to see if this move will be rebuffed.

The Mekhet gives a deep nod to Mr. Kowalsic. Mr. Kowalsic turns momentarily from watching Jack to give a slight head motion of acknowledgement of the respect paid. The Nosferatu gentlemen then turns his attention on Seneschal Jack.

[Sieb van Zon]

Sieb van Zon entered The Nox Populi a bit earlier than he wanted to make his presence known.

He wears a fine fitting suit, and his hair is styled, sadly there is nothing he could have done to improve his eternally stuck scruff.
He looks young, but aside from that he isn't of any special beauty as some would expect from a Daeva, compared to most he looks fairly average.

But as he entered and things developed, he saw a lot of Kindred and his beast felt teared into all different directions at once,
unsure if it has to flee, or tear into some of the weaker Kindred while doing so.
Composure! he angrily thought to himself, as he stuck to the faceless masses and waited and listened in on the developing social interactions.

At one point he had to reach out to inquire about her grace Priscus Twist.
I am unacknowledged, so I have to remain humble and careful when asking.
He memorises the names and titles as much as he could have done from seeing the initial greetings.
With that he left the faceless masses.

He starts walking to the group of people and starts the greetings, careful to be humble but not appear submissive.
"Seneschal Jaque.", he says as he bows.
Than he greets the Prisci, each with another bow:
"Priscus Durant, Priscus Hazelton."
Lastly he greets the other Kindred he sees, for each trying to remember the names he heard.
"Mr. Kowalsic, Mrs. Perez, Mr. Clay, Mrs. Kowalsic."
"I am Mister Sieb van Zon. I apologise for intruding unacknowledged, I just arrived in Sacramento.", he says in his typical dutch accent.
"I don't wish to occupy any more time than is necessary, but I would appreciate if one of you would be willing to help me.
I wrote her grace Duchess Priscus Twist that I would arrive in Sacramento today,
and wanted to inquire if it would be possible to meet her here."

[Jacque]

Jacque quietly observed as each Kindred paid their acknowledgements and also started to circulate with this small talk.

"Thank you, Lady Notary Hazelton," he replied, bowing his head in appreciation of her value in the Domain. He hoped he could live up to the examples of the last two to serve, but it was a thought he wouldn't voice in this arena. "Your dress is captivating."

Nodding to Quinn's curtsy, "Priscus Durant, good evening."

"Mister Northbridge, Mister Clay, Mister Smith. I trust you sharp gentlemen are doing well this evening?" A returned acknowledgement with the touch of engagement.

The Beast's aggression just as quickly turned to fear and retreat as Mister Kowalsic and Simone made their approaches to pay respect. Where the beast acted with instinct, the Man knew he had the advantage of his mask. He shifted his weight to turn his stance between the two predatory groups, first acknowledging Mister Kowalsic with a bow of his head appropriate to his value to the Domain, "Mister Kowalsic," then a slightly less defined bow of his head to the recognized Mekhet as she made her introduction, "Likewise, a pleasure Miss Perez," before turning back to absorb Mister Kowalsic's statements.

The Lord considered a moment- there were many assumptions that could be drawn from the inaction of the past weeks and the choice of action tonight. Dangerous assumptions. "It would be most inappropriate for that discussion to occur at Court." With the details of the grievance being held to the letter, his first actions as Seneschal could be seen as strong-arming for prestation. "A private meeting would best serve this matter, or if you are understandably too indisposed with more important Domain matters I would not scoff from written correspondence." He considered a moment before adding, "I appreciate the gesture and urgency you show this night, however. Where I granted you a measure of privacy to address your failure," another pause to let the last syllables hang in the air while his eyes stayed trained on Mister Kowalsic, "It takes an increasingly rare quality to be willing to own it and choose to resolve it publicly."

The Lord didn't wish to have his attention so quickly absorbed in personal matters, and one of those reasons presented itself with impeccable timing, "Mister Sieb van Zon, welcome." He grinned at the question before responding, "Anything is possible. How about you keep me company until she finds us?" Jack always enjoyed laying out questions that only sounded like questions. He gave a nod of his head to each Kindred with recognized status or higher before adding an, "Excuse us," to gracefully exit.

Continued in (2105) A seating area to the side...