(2105) Formal Court

[Milton]

Milton is keen to note who greets him and who does not. One of his most entrenched and stringently followed mental habits is the maintenance of a list of those who might have slighted him. Tonight he has already added a few more names.

Of course, there are always those who must be properly addressed, whether they have shown you the same courtesy or not, and whether one wants to or not, due to station or title. A prime example is Quinn, who is greeted with a nod of respect, "Good evening, Priscus Durant." The smile offered her is patently fake. The forms must be observed, but no one can force the feeling.

On the other hand, Jennifer's greeting is returned with something approaching real warmth. As much as this corpse in a suit can muster: "Priscus Hazelton," he says with a nod that almost achieves a bow, "a pleasure as always. I hope the night finds you well." Milton harbors sincere hope they will have time to speak tonight, but does not attempt to detain her at the moment. She is a serious, and busy, Kindred. Milton knows this. It's something he respects.

Back to his own Priscus: "Very well, Seneschal. Thank you for asking." Jacque's attentions to the new arrival make perfect sense to the Man within Milton. He is, after all, the Seneschal of the domain. And this newcomer has asked for help. But the Beast hisses its envious displeasure. To be snubbed by his own Priscus in favor of an unacknowledged whelp. The man wins, but the Beast leaves its mark. Milton will watch this Sieb van Zon. Perhaps another name for that list.

For now, though, there are the Kowlsics, the senior of the two carrying some weight in Sacramento, and the touch of drama they seem to bring into court. Milton renders himself inconspicuous (not a difficult task), but attends closely to the exchange between Jacque and Mr. Kowlsics. How curious...

[Twist]

Twist descended the stairs, leaving behind her a murmur of comments and looks that merely brought a satisfied and pleased smile to her face. Not bothering to glance, let alone stop, at the coat check she instead paused for a moment before the doors to Court. Inside her Beast already paced. She was not late this night, but neither was she early enough to be first and she could feel the others just beyond. Her Beast could feel them but wanted to truly feel them. Feel their skin tear beneath fang and nail, their vitae spill in red rivers down silver blades...

Inhaling, she set aside the images, restraining the urges of her Beast and entered.

Dark eyes scanned those gathered. Dismissing the nameless, she sought first the Prince but it seemed she had not yet arrived. Second was the Seneschal. A figure different than the last time she had paid her respects to the position. Spotting Jacque off to the side with one she didn't recognize, she lowered into a curtsy from where she stood. The red gold fabric of her dress pooling silkily on the floor for the moment she held it before she straightened and moved deeper into court.

Seeing both Jennifer Hazelton and Quinn Durant , she paused in her walking to offer the two Priscus deep bows of her head. Jennifer first as a well respected Covenant mate and then Quinn. Spotting the Kowalsik's, her eyes narrowed briefly, a small twitch of fingers her only movement before she moved on. It was good they were still in town after all.

With the night yet young, she felt little drive to join the existing conversations. Instead waiting to see if something would come to her.

[Alessandra]

Formal Court. It meant putting in more effort into what she wore. And to do that, she had consulted an online personal shopper. This was her way of stepping out of her comfort zone of black, and into color.

Which had ended up costing her more than she felt a damn dress should cost. Who in their right mind spends this much money on a fucking dress? Especially on a dress they would wear only once. Seemed like a huge fucking waste to her. Were prices like the one she spent…normal? High fashion and the price that went with it was something she would never understand. It didn’t matter either way, she was working out of her protective shell, taking a few more risks. Well, when it came to fashion anyways. Shaking her head, as she looked at the dress again, she then nods to Gabriel.

As he opened the door, she walks into Court, pausing for a moment. The crash of weakness enraged her Beast. It snarled and demanded the blood of the weak ones, demanded they be put in their place, beneath her feet, in a pile of bone and gore. But it was quickly pushed back, its chain pulled until it sat in the corner of her mind. There would be no violence tonight, she had spent too much damn money on this dress. Which was a rich silver color, hugging each of the Savages curves with a slit high enough to make most uncomfortable. It displayed her leg ink, and how toned her leg was. One arm was completely exposed, the ink reaching from her finger tips up her shoulder and neck and onto her face. She wore little makeup, save for a blood red lipstick, and her dark hair hung in lose waves. This was a new look for her, color and a hint of sparkle. But she wore it well.

Spotting Twist, it was hard not to, especially in that dress. A deep bow of her head, respect earned and given. Then she see’s Jacque, her new Seneschal, and gives a bow of her head, not as deep as the one Twist received, but one still with respect. Seemed he had a new face with him, interesting. Then the nods were offered to each of the Priscus present, everyone else, ignored. But she does take note of who was present. Stepping off to the side, she stands away from the gathered, but in a place she could be seen and could see. The Savage was watching.

[Edward Heinrich]

Edward made no fuss entering Court, he neither strutted nor scurried. Nobody cared what airs he put on. Edward's lack of energy was the polar opposite to that of his newly-arrived cousin, who had seemed to ignore Edward's words and race on ahead.

The heady pressure of dozens of Beasts washed over Edward, the singular pressure of one notifying Edward that the Prince had already taken her perch.

Seneschal Jack? The overheard title from his Cousins lips struck Edward with a flood of panic. His eyes flashed between those close to the utterance, but from their faces, there was nothing amiss with that address. Well, well.

Upon stepping onto the floor, he lowered himself into a deep bow. "Prince Antinori." The short window before his eyes lowered was plenty to burn the image of a tattooed roman goddess into his retinas.
A second bow, not as deep, but held slightly longer, "Archon Twist," who was, as usual, painfully attractive. She could probably wear anything, but that dress really iced the cake. Clan colours too.

Same as Edward, colours wise that is. Although his jacket wasn't exactly red, he hoped it would be considered close enough.

Clothes

The gold on him took the form of a tie bar, cuff links, and watch. All simple and unadorned.

"Seneschal Jack" Edward bowed to Jacque. Wanting to approach, but opting against it. Sieb decided to venture out on his own, and Edward was not about to trail behind like a lost puppy.

Catching sight of Quinn, and her dress, Edward decided that was really who he wanted to speak to tonight. The last formalities were addressed first, a slight bow to two Haunts: Mr. Kowalsic and Jennifer. Before Edward made his approach, stopping with a short bow: "good evening, Priscus Durant. Have the nights treated you well since we spoke last?"

Side thread?

[JC Smith]

With the two highest ranking kndred, JC worked to focus on

[Dirt Nap]

Dirt Nap acknowledges Jennifer's friendly look with direct eye contact. He sees no weakness, if anything, he sees strength enough to show some feeling, outright. He smiles slightly and nods respectfully and perhaps appreciatively, "Ma'am, Priscus Hazelton." He says in a soft tone. He seems less uncomfortable in the tuxedo than he has seemed in the past, wearing it more like a protective suit of armor that is appropriate to a hazardous environment. Cloaked Beast or not, she was obviously a formidable woman, and he's of a mind to appreciate that more now than maybe in the past.


Quinn Durant's entrance is like everything she does, real noticeable. The illusion of the skin tone dress brings to mind his hunger for fresh blood more than other types, which is not what it's probably supposed to do. Putting what looks to be a fair bit of effort into seeming like there's less clothes and less makeup than there really is comes across like putting out bait, like she's less protected than she really is. He wonders just who the bait is meant to draw in.


He gives her a respectful nod, like she's a Priscus, and he's not, and like their relations in the Covenant are not something to be showing out in public. "Eve'ning, Priscus Durant." He says. 'Supplicant' and congratulations on it are for more privacy than this.


J.C. enters in looking to be in fine form, dressed in his one suit like always, but smiling at people without the clenched or bared teeth.


And then Kowalsic's come on it. Dirt Nap makes a point of paying his respect, like to a person with higher rank than him, and a person who puts a lot of stock in that to boot. He nods to Kowalsic only less deep than to the Prince and Seneschal and than he would to Twist if she comes nearby. He expects to be ignored, maybe hopes for that, but the surest way to get his attention would be to do anything like a disrespect.


Dirt Nap nods in respect to the Kowalsic Childe too, as he would to a lady.


He reflects on the rumors about Kowalsic, and the little bit of first hand experience he's had lately; maybe the killing was a little more directly to protect Kowalsic's own interests as much as the Masquerade generally.


When Ms. Simone enters, Dirt Nap watches her carefully, nodding to show respect. Good to see she's still in town, or at least near enough to show up, keeping up her acknowledgement. "Evening, Ms. Perez." Dirt Nap says.


So far, Dirt Nap has known who everyone is, except then a man comes in he doesn't know. Which doesn't mean he's new; Dirt Nap was out of town for the last Court.


He seems to know who everyone is on sight, even Dirt Nap, who's pretty sure he's never laid eyes on the man, himself. So he's someone who believes in studying, being prepared, it would seem.


Dirt Nap nods in respect at being addressed by Mister Sieb van Zon. "Glad to meet you, Mister Sieb van Zon." Dirt Nap says quiet like. He doesn't offer any opinion as to whether the Archon is in store tonight, or where she might be if not.


He nods as Jack the Seneschal leads the new guy away, almost like he was included in the fancy good bye, which he might be. Jack has been pretty decent, and this isn't the first time he had an office that he could Lord it over if he wanted.


Dirt Nap notices a somewhat familiar face as Milton arrives, having just seen the man once before left for a time. Good that he's stuck on. Too many don't. "Evening, Mister Northbridge." He says softly with a nod. He recalls the man came in humming last time, and seemed to have a weakness for chess. There were worse things to be remembered for.


Then Lady Twist comes in. Dirt Nap nods right off, deep only just less than to the Prince.


He believes he ought to say something, to go over to her, since he run off so sudden like the last time. But he just watches for now. There's others been waiting longer, it seems, to talk with her, and it'd be good to judge her mood first anyways.


The Prince makes her official entrance, and Dirt Nap flat out bows in her direction, holding it a bit. She's only just recent let him back in, and he is grateful. When she settles in, and doesn't seem to want anything from him in particular, he just watches her, watching them all, though not in any direct way that would have a chance of accidentally meeting her eyes directly.


Mister Heinrich comes in looking humble enough, especially for him where he is usually giving out advice.


Dirt Nap nods to him. "Evening, Mister Heinrich." He says.

[Jennifer Hazelton]

The Mekhet Priscus is given a nod fitting her role as Priscus. Jennifer evaluates her for a moment, not shy in her appraisal. Perhaps it was time for this Shadow who likes the spotlight to rise.
“Priscus Durant. That’s quite a look.” She leans in, confiding with her serpent voice. “It suits you.”
The Nosferatu is always turning her head casually. She sees the nod from the Gangrel. She gives JC the perfect nod of acknowledging him. Dark brown eyes regard him for a moment.

"Good to meet you, Mister Sieb van Zon. Seneschal Jack, be well until we meet again. We should talk soon."
A respectable nod as the Seneschal moves the conversation away from the main cluster. She'd like to move away too, but there's something she has to set straight.
"Mr. Kowalsic." She reigns in the respect he's been paid. Last showing, she had given him great respect. Yet now she puts him on notice by just toeing the line of civility with a respectable nod. The Nosferatu turns to the Mekhet, given her a nod befitting her station.
“Madame Perez.”

The Nosferatu then turns to her fellow Nosferatu. Jennifer moves in closer to the Kowalsics. There's no privacy here, so she keeps her words to the point.
"I want this business buttoned up within three nights. The fourth night, you and me have a meeting in the Necropolis."
She goes for simplicity - stating what she wants to see. It could blow up on her if he wields his influence over her standing in the Invictus. Yet she's tired of waiting for him to clean up his problem. She knows just what Dirt Nap confided, and she doesn't let on. The childe is given a meaningful look. No words. Words are reserved for those who have done something deserving of praise. Jennifer waits a beat for a reply.

Her dark eyes are evaluating the room even as she waits. Mr. Milton is given a polite smile along with the slight nod. She notes the respects paid to her.
“Good evening, Mr. Northbridge. Yes, I have been very content. I trust Sacramento is treating you well?”

The Duchess Twist, Priscus of the Daeva and Archon of the city strides in. That outfit is pure Daeva sensuality. The Nosferatu smoothly transitions into a curtsy as the Daeva enters. She very nearly smiled to see the Archon, pleased at her arrival. Dark eyes appreciate the Archon’s style.
She rises appropriate to her station, and her Beast has begun to grumble. The prowling lion of Kowalsic’s Beast is familiar enough. Yet Simone is practically a stranger, and the Beast has taken note of the newer Beasts. New prey. Jennifer has just soothed the Beast back into its’ cage as something more sweeps over the Elysium.

The Beast of the Apex Predator causes the Beast to whisper its’ desire to discreetly withdraw, away from this mighty new Predator. Yet the Beast was wrangled away again. Jennifer lowers herself to the deepest curtsy of the evening. She holds it for a few beats of a mortal’s heart, signaling her belief in what the Prince has earned. She rises and gives the Prince a sincere smile. She enjoyed the Prince’s company. Yet she doesn’t press for attention.

Mr. Heinrich comes in and she gives him the respect he's due, the slightest nod. She is ever polite, the Invictus Lady.
Dirt Nap is turned to as he speaks to her. She considers him for a moment. Yes, he has changed. He had not even missed a Formal Court, but something has impressed upon her.
“I do hope you have been well since we spoke last, Mr. Clay.”

[Conner Wells]

Conner crosses the threshold of no return after briefly stopping at the coat check. He's wearing a grey suit with white shirt and red tie; though the choice of tie color now strikes him as painting a target on his throat.
Beggars can't be choosers. But maybe this beggar can make an impression.
The Beast inside prompts a shudder; a quote from CS Lewis running through his head...
​But it is immortals we joke with, work with, marry, snub and exploit. Immortal horrors or everlasting splendors. But face those horrors he would.
Connor scans the crowd for @Quinn; his one lifeline in a sea of ritual and unexpected formalities. He finally catches her, and approaches offering a bow from the waist.
"Greetings Priscus Durant. My apologies for intruding on your presence tonight, but I would humbly request your guidance in tonight's affairs."

[Bellemy]

There was a brief commotion outside of Nox as a Shrouded figure walked toward the entrance, groups of local Kine stared and gaped at who approached the building. Some sneered and made snide comments such as "Who died?" "What the hell? Halloween is over." "What a freak." and the like each group thinking they were the first edgelord to come up with the "Joke". Others looked on in silent acceptance of a person who was obviously a little wired but seemingly harmless, while others still, glanced in appreciation and silent approval of someone who was brave enough to have their own style.

Bellemy followed the instructions of Jennifer Hazelton and the staff were quick and efficient, before long Bellemy was led to the VIP area. The Haunt descended the stairs and took in the opulence of the establishment. Long nailed finders sliding down the banister in a smooth and seamless motion. Once arrived Bellemy took in the collected court. The feeling of power was almost palpable in the air. The smell of the predator hung thick, thinly masked among so many Kindred and while most used their gifts to conceal the animal aura of their kind, some did not and Bellemy worked to calm the emotions of fear and anger of the raging beast inside.

Bellemy noticed her Pricsus standing not too far away in a conversation with others. Some that Bellemy recognized from the dossier and some that were not. Bellemy remembered the rule of not approaching the prince without invitation and felt that might be prudent advice to extend to Kindred as a whole until Bellemy became more settled. The haunt moved out of the way of the stairs and found a spot off to the side of the room. Neither hiding in a corner nor standing out in the crowd.

[Mable Wood]

Mable entered into court wearing her raven dress. Her hair was pulled into a tight top bun.

She paused on the stairs as the exposed beasts ran over her. Her own screamed in her head like the migraines she got when she was alive. Red seeped into her sights. New faces, familiar faces blurred through her mind. She pushed hard a beast as she smiled sweetly. Her muscles tensed waiting to spring. She slowly relaxed each muscle group as the red drained from her thoughts.

At the bottom of the stairs, she stopped. Seeking out the Prince she gave a deep curtsy. Next, Twist, she gave a small bow from the waist. Then the new Seneschal, Jack, he also got a small bow from the waist. She gave Prisci Durant and Hazelton a deep head bow. She then scanned the room to make sure she didn’t leave anyone connected to the court out. Giving quick nods of greetings to anyone else who looked her way.

She walked further into the room trying to decide who to approach. While thinking about it she listened in on conversations. Slowly she ambled near to Mr. Kowalsic and his group. “Good evening,” Mable said when there was a lul in conversation.