(2107) Formal Court

[Quinn Durant]

The Prince came in with Twist, and Twist was looking like the Archon incarnate tonight. Quinn's attention battled between the two Kindred, but she of course followed station. She curtsied to Prince Alessandra Antinori first, as low as she could go with it, her chin tucked and head bowed in reference to her Grace's position in the court. She noted the gold dress with interest. Gold was very bold, eye catching, and had been associated with wealth and royalty for years. She gave another deep curtsy, and bow of her head to the Archon, and head of the Invictus Covenant, and Priscus. Twist wore a lot of hats. People tended to forget that. Tonight was a reminder. The leather drew her interest in others ways, ways she kept deeply to herself, and her gaze found the Seneschal next, after some people grouped up a bit.


She swept down into another very very deep curtsy for Seneschal Jack, but shy only a bit of the depth the Prince herself received, her head bowing with the motion, eyes lowering to the floor demurely. Perfectly submissive pose. Not for one iota of a second did she forget her place. She noted his choice in suit tonight. Plum, and offshoot of purple and red. Interesting choice, but as usual the Seneschal managed to pull it off brilliantly.


With the Main officials of the court recognized, Quinn would nods from those who gave them, her gaze drawn off taking the pulse of the court when Mr. Northbridge approached her. She raised one eyebrow in mild surprise.

Continued in Shadows and a Lord...

[Conner Wells]

Even as Conner was beginning to follow the ebb and flow of the crowd and its denizens, the Beast switched from begrudging snorts to a cacophanous whimper. Runhideriptearfleejustgetoutofhereyouidiot! He knew the answer before he and every head in Elysium turned to look at who had just arrived. The Prince, in all her savage glory, and her Archon in stride. Conner bowed low, avoiding eye contact, begging internally that whatever angels had carried him this far would shield him from their gaze. There was something different about the both of them tonight; some terrible purpose they carried. He thought back to the Kowalsics and their ghouls. Maybe this isn't a home invasion, but a declaration of war?

He welcomes the distraction of other Court attendees. He offers a bow of respect to the Seneschal, who seemed considerably less edgy than most of the other officers. Or maybe that was just him. Sieb and Helen catch his eye for different reasons. For the former, there's a brief flash of satisfaction at seeing an Incubus panicked, followed by a blooming sympathy for him. He's new here too. Show him some grace; God knows we need it. ​Helen he remembered from last Court, with the warping shadow. She'd been talking with the Seneschal. I'll have to see if we can talk at some point. She seems like she's far more confident in this sphere than I am.

And then a Lord approaches the Shadows, and a new wrinkle enters Elysium...

Continued in Shadows and a Lord...

[Milton]

Milton moves a step or two closer to join the gathered Shadows...

Continued in Shadows and a Lord...

[Mable Wood]

“Hi, Mr. O’Brien. I am Mable Wood, Gangrel, Crone. I hope you have been enjoying Sacramento.” She left any of her actual titles off from her greeting.

Mable smiled and winked at Quinn. She loved the woman’s playfulness. And the way she looked…Mable imagined licking salt and lime off of her would be delicious. Her smile turned mischievous at the thought.

The Prince walked in with Twist. Mable dropped to a deep curtsy. She stood and gave a deep nod to Ale and Twist.

Edward approaches, “Good evening, Mr. Heinrich.”

“Good evening, Mr. van Zon. I’m Mable Wood.” She gives him a friendly smile.

Bellemy gave Mable a nod. She then said her name to van Zon. “Hi Bellemy, I’m Mable Wood. Pleased to meet you.” Mable saw a beauty in the monstrous appearance. Something a kin to the phantom of the opera or the hunchback of Notre dame.

The door opened, Jack appeared at the top of the stairs. He came down and gave his respects to those of the court. When he was done Mable gave him a nod of respect and a smile. He looked very handsome. She would make sure to tell him later.

Milton arrived. She wasn’t sure about him at all. He didn’t even look at her so she just watched him for a moment with curiosity.

Mable gave a smile and nod to Mr. Kowalsic and Miss Kowalsic. “Good evening.”

Mable watched as people started moving into little clusters. She did notice that the Invictus were all wearing clan colors in subtle ways.

[Alessandra]

Dark eyes watched over the room as the minutes ticked by. Kindred entering and showing respect.

Well, some. It was not lost on her that JC didn’t acknowledged Twist. But that wasn’t the main event of the evening. And could be dealt with after. A look of mild amusement offered to Twist.

Small groups were already separating off to the sides. Would they stay in the small groups when the evening unfolded? Strength among the closest they could have to friends? Or scatter?

Turning her head slightly to the side, there was a nod to her Ghoul. He was dressed sharply in a suit, and spoke into one of his cuff-links while returning the nod to the Prince. He then disappears out the main doors, which close behind him. As do the other doors of the room. One could never tell exactly how others would react, but one could always prepare for the worst. No one would be allowed in.

[Jennifer Hazelton]

The Nosferatu had been watching the Domain officials carefully. Noting the nod and then the closing of the doors, her belief that tonight will conclude the disrespect. She bid the Prince a nod.
Jennifer's eyes move around the room, composed and calm. She glanced at JC for a moment.

She takes special care to see the depth of respect paid to the Prince, Archon and Seneschal.
"Ms Woods."
Jennifer bid. She looked at the Gangrel for a bit, then slowly glanced towards Edward.

"Mr. Moore. Mr. O'Brien is quite right. Join us?"

Those two had played some little game with public opinion after Formal court.
As the Kowalsics step to the side, the Nosferatu Priscus steps to the side to remain with them and join Mr. O'Brien. Jennifer moves to Kowalsic orbit.

[JC Smith]

He finished formalities. For a second he hadn’t recognized Twist. Her outfit was so different from what he was used to her wearing and the beast driving all his attention to the Prince in the insane drive to attack. He recognized her by her delicate movements before anything else. Not even the black of her outfit could hide that. But had still managed to make him delay giving her her due. Shit.

He gave her a deep bow, not as deep as the Prince’s but maybe a little longer. And a hope that it would be taken as an apology.

Handsome Jack arrived in plum and JC bowed again. Doing his best not to project his anger at himself onto Jack or the stupid formalities. Only mostly managing.

He didn’t nod back to Maeve, sure she had only given it because she had probably been ordered on her best behavior. They would have to see if it lasted. The woman was a threat to Quinn and he wished he could strike her down right now before she did any further harm. Pushing back at the beast he managed to talk himself to only wanting to drive her from the city.

And Bellemy! JC returned her nod, concealing his surprise that it had been offered at all. He wasn’t sure what he’d done to earn it or if she was simply greeting everyone. However, there wasn’t a lot of time to wonder as he was approached.

JC’s jaw tightened slightly. This was going to be a long night.

“Hi Dirt Nap,” he replied, wishing this could have waited but between the upcoming Gangrel meeting and everything else he had going on, JC couldn’t blame Dirt Nap for wanting to talk earlier than a month out. It was just JC didn’t see any conversation where he couldn’t at least have the possibility at cussing being particularly productive.

Maybe Edward including himself would spare them too much awkwardness in the name of courtesy.

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

[Dirt Nap]

Dirt Nap notices Edward's entrance, and his seeming like he's avoiding any attention or conversation. Until he heads on over to where he and J.C. are standing.


"Evening, Mister Heinrich." Dirt Nap says. He glances to J.C. before saying, "I don't believe you're interrupting nothing we'd be talking about at Court here tonight." He ventures.


He notices Mister van Zon Sieb entering and checking out things. He nods at the greeting.


"Evening, Mister Sieb van Zon." Dirt Nap says.
He notices Bellemy taking some interest in Mister Sieb van Zon.


The new Seneschal comes in then. He wonders how long it will take for him to stop thinking of Jack as the new Seneschal. Prob'ly best if he make an effort to make that little adjustment right off.


Dirt Nap nods deeply and respectfully to the Seneschal, Jack.


He notices Mister Northbridge come on in and make a beeline right to the Priscus, Quinn Durant. Interesting move.


Maeve seems not to care about the move one way or the other. Seems like usually she's just disturbed by people her Priscus seems to like, which didn't seem like the case with Mister Northbridge the last time he'd seen. Interestinger.

1 success

Date	Action	Roll	Result
2021-07-13 17:14:56	Dirt Nap rolls 5 to perception (Wits 2 +Composure 3) (10 Again)	8, 1, 4, 5, 3	1 success

He watches Lady Hazelton for a beat or two, admiring her way of keeping everything and everyone in rank and file, at least to appearances, in her priorities.


Alexander Moore enters, and works his way gradual like to his Priscus, the Lady Hazelton. He looks uncomfortable enough, but Dirt Nap can't fault his choice for a safe pasture to hole up in.


Connor OBrien looks light on his feet and handsome, like a movie actor playing an action star at a party where something is bound to go wrong.


The Priscus, Quinn Durant looks all put together and composed. Even her single raised eyebrow of showing surprise at Mister Northbridge heading on over to her looks more like it's a signal on purpose to him of something or to the rest of the Court, either way.


Conner Wells looks like...well, he looks a bit like he's doing the same as Dirt Nap, truth to tell, watching and rememberin' and such, matching up what people are doing and saying to what they done and said before. And looks like he's spending his attention on more important influential type pieces on the board than the likes of him, good call and just the way Dirt Nap prefers it.


Mable seems to relax just a smidgeon for a place like this, feeling a little safe, apparently, in the area of the Priscus Quinn Durant. He hopes it doesn't lead to any lapse of concentration that she ends up regretting, but for the moment, he is glad to see her happy.


Then the Prince gives a signal, and all the doors close. No question whether this is to keep anyone out or in. Someone, at least, is bein' made sure of, knowing exactly where they are with no mistakes. Dirt Nap bows to the Prince.


He notices he's not the only one to notice, Lady Hazelton for one doesn't seem surprised.


J.C. answers him, and Dirt Nap glances around at the others who just said howdy and got an answer from him, and nods like an apology for stepping off for a minute, then he moves a little closer by J.C. and by the way Edward, which is not how he'd have done it, but this isn't his show. Or maybe just a little bit between J.C. and him, it might be.

"Hope you're feeling less poor used about what happened. I understand and respect if you don't." Dirt Nap says sincere in tone if a smidge oblique in phraseology to J.C.

(2107)Dirt Nap, JC, and Edward

...Continued in

[Alexander Moore]

Alexander bows to Twist as she enters.


Alexander follows Connor OBrien to join the circle about Mr Kowlasic.

“Of course Miss Hazelton.”

(2107) Kowalsic orbit Continued in...

[Edward Heinrich]

Jennifer stares Edward down. It seemed a habit of hers. He wasn't about to provoke her by having a staring contest. Instead he looked to Sieb.
"And I, you, Cousin." Edward returned the nod.

Jack entered, and the appropriate bow was given. Edward carefully calibrated it to be just between the depth of his bow to the Prince, and his bow to the Archon.

Stunningly, Edward heard his own name from Mr. Kowalsic's lips. What in the world was the meaning of that? He wished the Haunt would take a long walk under the sun, but this was court.
"Mr. Kowalsic." A curt nod.

"Good evening, Ms. Wood." He smiled again, it was good to see Mable, although Edward didn't predict he'd chat with her tonight.

And another glance from Jennifer, which was ignored. Enough of you.
Instead, he returned Connor's nod with a smile. He seemed a decent sort, although were Edward wearing a sword, his hand would be on his hip.
"Likewise, Mr. O'Brien."

Finally, Edward shifted his body language to fully direct his attention to the two Savages.

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