(2107) Formal Court

[Alessandra]

She watches with an impassive gaze as the Haunt said his peace. His actions had been more than a disappointment, they had been an insult. Not only to her Domain, but Twist as well. Nothing he said was going change her opinion. He was useless and a coward. His words heard, filed away, but not responded to.

Instead, she simply looked to Twist and stepped off to the side in a flash of gold. This was her show now, in her delicate, yet very deadly capable hands. It would be a live art performance, here and now, in Elysia. With the Archon as the conductor.

Twist and the Haunt now held center stage of Court. Ale’s dark, uncaring eyes watching the show, while also watching the Kindred of the Domain. The Savage was ready to handle anyone that didn’t handle this well.

[Connor OBrien]

The scene unfolds slowly to Connor, much more pomp and circumstance than is needed. He has to admire Mr. Kowalsic to a degree though; the Haunt is taking his punishment in stride, save for an almost understandable falter here and there.

Connor watches, not looking away. He must show strength for the family. Like Bellemy, he moves forward and to the other side of the Lady Notary; looking away from the scene only long enough to catch the eyes of Helen and Alexander and give a slight nod of the head to try and bring them both closer. Now is the time for the family to stand with a unified front, and if Helen wanted a reason for a Whip, this was it.

[Twist]

Twist did not object to the ghoul's assistance.

When everything was set, she let a moment pass.

And then she moved. Her cuts were efficient and smooth. If she wasn't moving to avoid causing pain (It was a punishment afterall), neither was she moving to exacerbate.

Inside her Beast purred, reveling each parting of flesh from body.

As she drew to a close she stepped back, an artist examining her work for a moment, a smile that was all fang showing briefly.

Then turning to Alessandra she stepped to the side before bowing low. Revealing and offering the flayed kindred up for the Prince's evaluation.

7 successes

Date	Action	Roll	Result
2021-07-24 11:52:44	[01] Twist rolls 11 to Flaying (Str+Weap+Specialty+Weapon Bonus) (10 Again)	7, 10, 2, 10, 3, 9, 2, 2, 10, 8, 10, 6, 10, 4, 4, 6	7 successes

6 successes

Date	Action	Roll	Result
2021-07-24 11:52:44	[02] Twist rolls 11 to Flaying (Str+Weap+Specialty+Weapon Bonus) (10 Again)	9, 1, 10, 5, 10, 8, 7, 9, 1, 7, 10, 7, 3, 7	6 successes

3 successes

Date	Action	Roll	Result
2021-07-24 11:52:44	[03] Twist rolls 11 to Flaying (Str+Weap+Specialty+Weapon Bonus) (10 Again)	9, 6, 3, 2, 8, 7, 4, 10, 7, 6, 4, 4	3 successes

[Jennifer Hazelton]

Jennifer saw how Connor, Bellemy, Alexander and Helen came together. Dark brown eyes look around in approval, meeting her family member's eyes if they wish.

Helen and Alexander are given nods as they share, yet she holds her thoughts for later.
Jennifer's look around to see if one looked to take advantage found someone.

Edward returned Jennifer's look with a hint of anger in his eyes

"Something to say, Mr. Heinrich? Or just more of the same, nothing."
Jennifer asked. Calm. Confident. A bit bemused that he thought this time was appropriate to play his little delusions that others saw her as he tried to spread after last Formal Court. Her eyes notice Mr. Northbridge's difficulty, but he was respectful. Her eyes meet his in a touch of solidarity for those who show respect. This Court was about respecting Traditions, laws and above all, not throwing the Fucking Archon of the domain under the bus. She is still angry with Mr. Kowalsic for this act. And the fact she won't be extracting her own justice as he's bannished.
Jennifer quickly continues her circuit of scanning for any threats, future attacks that are telegraphed by any emotions beyond accepting the prince's justice, fear, or revulsion. Edward's behavior was noted.
Her eyes look to the Prince, to give a nod. A nod of understanding. She might be Priscus of the Nosferatu, yet she was a firm believer in justice. Actions have consequences.
Her eyes swing back to the nosferatu, doing a quick check if anyone needed her.
If not, she looks back to the Sentencing.

Twist's work is artistry, if difficult to watch. Very difficult.

[Alessandra]

The Savage stood off to the side to give Twist the room she required to work. But close enough to see every cut placed, watch every piece removed. Her Beast growled in satisfaction in her ear at seeing the skin flayed. This was a much better punishment than her other option. This sent a message.

As the delicate Daeva bowed to show she was finished, and for Ale to inspect her work, the Prince stepped forward. Hands held behind her back as her eyes took in each inch of flayed skin. Seeing that Twist was more than thorough, nothing sparred by her skilled hands. A smile and nod of her head to the Archon.

“Magnifica,” She practically purrs, “perfetta.” Appreciation in her voice.

But she didn’t have long to enjoy the punishment, dark eyes snapping to Jennifer Hazelton , then to Edward Heinrich , narrowing. Her face expressing her anger at the interruption. “Is there a problem?” her tone cold, hard and unforgiving. Eyes looking from Jennifer to Edward, expecting an answer to the interruption. And it best be a good one. She was not in the mood.

[Edward Heinrich]

Continued from (2107)Dirt Nap, JC, and Edward...

Edward's eyebrows raised and his mouth parted in a pure expression of shock. He was, for a moment, so totally taken aback as to be beyond anger.

Although that would come, as anyone who knew him knew it would.

And the Prince spoke, obviously, and his expression flattened into one of polite concern. The daggers in her eyes were reserved for himself and Jennifer. Having been addressed in a less than positive way by the Prince, Edward naturally averted his eyes with a bow and looked at the ground below the Prince's feet. He replied without a quaver in body or word: "I haven't the faintest idea what prompted Priscus Hazelton's words, your Grace."

And he didn't. To his mind, he had done nothing out of line. Unless Jennifer really believed that meeting her gaze was enough to warrant interrupting the Prince's justice? No, that certainly could not be it. Not from a Lady of the Invictus.

[Jennifer Hazelton]

Jennifer stared at Edward as he gave evidence of cowardice. Well, that much she could expect. He gave a lot of looks without actually speaking in much of the Invictus proceedings as well. Making a choice and clear display of his intentions would require teeth.

Jennifer performed a curtsy, held to perfect standards to demonstrate the deep depths of her respect to the Prince.

" Your Grace, I am answering the escalating pattern of disrespectful behavior that Mr. Heinrich has displayed.
"I did not intend to detract from the proceedings, Lady Prince. I feel that this sentence is clever."
Jennifer relied somewhat on the knowledge among the Invictus that Notaries were required to be truthful.

"My apologies for the distraction."

The Lady gave the Archon a bowed head as she stated.
"My apologies, Your Grace, Archon Twist."

[Jacque]

Jack's eyes watched with the extreme precision the Archon made look so effortless. It was new information to the Lord, seeing exactly why she rarely had to step into action these nights. His marveled fixation was quickly hijacked by the anger of the Prince.

His eyes narrowed on Edward, considering tying the serpent's tongue once more to free the room of deceptions... but no, not tonight. The Lord's hands were tied. Even without the seal, most in the room would already know Hazelton's grievance with the Incubus, and the absurdity of him pleading ignorance. He had not been discrete with his shit talking, after all.

He watched on as the Notary gave her apologies, and rightfully so. Now was not the time for further interruptions, so he quietly watched to see if the matter was truly resolved.

[Twist]

There is a look one gets after sex. The afterglow of pleasure. The flush of endorphins.

A look that Twist currently wore unabashedly. As the Prince offered her approval, she lowered her head in combined acceptance of the compliment and deference to the Prince. It was the sound of Jennifer's ruined voice that lifted her head, dark eyes moving away from her work to the new scene playing out.

Accepting the towel that was offered by one of the ghouls who had brought in the frame, she carefully began to wipe clean her blades. As far as Kowalsik ... she spared barely a glance for him. She had completed her task, claimed her pound of flesh. She was done with him. Sacramento was done with him.

A soft huff of breath, a quirked eyebrow as Edward ... spoke. Turning to Jennifer Hazelton she smiled, "It seems more of the same. Nothing." Was her voice cold on that last word? It was hard to tell if it was or if it was merely the smooth motions of her wiping clean her blades that made it seem that way.

Turning back to the Prince she bowed for the second time that evening. Had she not walked in with the woman it would have been the third. A thin thread of anger flared at the thought.

"Se c'è un modo in cui il Daeva può rimediare alla nostra interruzione..." Ale may be the only one to understand all of what Twist said but everyone would be able to pick out the word Daeva.

And not hear Invictus.

[Alessandra]

Edward spoke.

Then Jennifer spoke.

Each with a different answer for the disturbance. One was lying and one wasn’t. As to which was which? She wasn’t sure at the moment, and didn’t want to waste the rest of a wonderful evening figuring it out. There would be time for that later.

Her eyes rested on each of them for a moment longer, the anger palpable. After the shame Kowalsik had brought to the Haunts, one would think it wise to not speak out. Perhaps wisdom was not held by all.

Finally, after what could have felt like ages, she looked to Twist. Who knew her dislike for unnecessary interruptions of Formal Court. She’d stripped a Regent of their rights for such things in the past.

Meeting her eyes,“
Se ritieni che una punizione sia in ordine, la lascio nelle tue mani molto capaci, per agire come ritieni opportuno. Perché non erano solo i Daeva, ma anche i Nosferatu.” The blame was not with one, but with two. Singling out one Clan was not the way to go. But if Twist wanted to lay into Edward, she was more than welcome to, without interference from Ale.

A glance was spared to Kowalsik, but it was brief. His punishment had been served, and it was a finished matter to her. She would let the Ghouls deal with the aftermath, knowing her own would oversee it. Making sure things were handled as she had advised.

Back to Twist, there was a nod, as the Prince makes her way out of Court. Nothing said to the Kindred gathered, her message had been made crystal clear.

Ale leaves Court