(2201) Eternal Court

[Helen Kingsley]

"It does. Happy New Year as well, cousin."

Well, what the hell was that display about ? She pushes the thought away as Bellemy moves on and offers a nod to Milton as he enters. She also shortly looks over the new arrival she's pretty sure she hasn't seen before. Another nod for him it is as well.

"Thank you." she replies to Conner. "Well, its pretty well made with a good eye for details, even if that dosn't mean much coming from me, I don't really know too much about boats. Or ships for that matter." She leans a little closer towards the display as Conner brings up the front. "I see, basically a ship to ship close combat weapon. That makes sense."

As they appear, Helen offers a deep curtsy to the Seneshal, a not as low one to Quinn and an emphatic nod to Connor.

Helen stays with Connor and the ship, moving along to side thread...

[Jennifer Hazelton]

Jennifer arrives at court, wearing a custom dress tailored to cover one shoulder. A matching silk scarf was artfully draped the left shoulder as well, pinned with a spider pin. The pin was created with precious stones of emerald and diamond, and held a single bloom of blue convolvulus flower.
The Lady held herself with dignity and respect, composed and calm.
Dark brown eyes look over the Kindred drifting in, noting her Grace had not yet arrived. Honestly, the absence of that powerful Beast that prowled out from the Prime Predator like a crashing wave was the clue that she needed. Assured that she was not slighting the Prince, her eyes focused on those present.
She noted the Seneschal’s entrance, an approving eye cast over his care in dressing, noting the expense invested and the little details on display. Jennifer moved to a curtsy, held to signal her respect to the Ventrue Priscus. Jennifer walked to stand beside the Seneschal. She subtly aligned herself beside him to not be forward, yet to signal thier allegiance to those with an eye to see it.
"Seneschal. It is good to see you." She spoke slowly and with care, so that one could understand her words even as her ruined voice crept, rasped and slithered the polite words out.
Priscus Durant was given a deep nod, signaling that the Mekhet was a recognized Kindred for all of her contributions to the Domain.
Jennifer gives a nod to Whip O’Brien.
Mr. Northbridge was given a much shallower nod, yet one to acknowledge him. Bellemy and Helen were acknowledged with a shallow tip of the head, signaling that she had seen them and paying strict attention to their standing in Court.

Dark brown eyes had observed the Seneschal's signal to Mr. Northbridge. Her own eyes regard the newcomer politely, her eyes looking for any messages upon his attire. Jennifer reflected on the letter that she had received.

[Alessandra]

Another night, another Court. One she didn’t have to go to, but it was good to be seen and get a feel for what was going on.

She chooses a rather expensive, but fashionable outfit for the night. At least it was pitched to her as being fashionable. Not that it mattered, but she was still trying new styles. Something would stick. Maybe. Or not. Whatever.

Walking in, she pauses, dark eyes scanning the room as her Beast growled in anger. Seemed there was a new weakness to the Domain, interesting. Worth keeping an eye on, maybe talking with. Maybe, we’ll see how the night goes.

A nod of respect was offered to Jacque, one befitting his station. They should touch base sometime. Then a nod to Jennifer and Quinn.

Walking down the stairs, the heavy ink that marked her legs was on display, hands in her pockets. The flowing and sheer fabric of her shirt dancing behind her. Finding her usual spot, she sits and watches the room.

[Milton]

A tightness at his temples, a constriction in his gut, a desire to flee before a more potent (and unfamiliar) predator. Milton turns his attention from Bellemy to behold the entrance of a new face in court. He forces himself to take the fellow in with unblinking eyes, all the better to chastise his Beast.

But then, Jacque appears and Milton gives himself over to a bow. Seeking further solace in the observance of the proper forms. As he straightens, he notices the Seneschal's subtle motion and nods his understanding. Turns back to Bellemy for a moment, "But alas, duty calls. I apologize. Please don't think me rude. I hope we have a moment to speak at another point this evening." With that, he departs the Haunt's company and his abortive attempt to socialize.

As he crosses court, Milton returns Connor's acknowledgement. Both Quinn and Jennifer receive something between a deep nod and a half bow, and each are graced with a small smile. The expression quickly evaporates as he continues on his way toward Jacque, looking to cross the Seneschal's path before he reaches the new comer.

That's when the Prince steps into court. The shock of her Beast alone makes Milton freeze. Again, he bows. This time, as deeply as he can. If he were living, the blood rushing to his head would render him dizzy. As it is, he holds the gesture long enough for his inner Monster's panic to recede. Finally, he permits himself to rise, and to take in Her presence with one glance. She is stunning. And terrifying. As always.

Not daring to stare, Milton finishes his transit to the Seneschal, joining him for the approach to Quartermain. "Good evening, Seneschal Jacque. I trust you are well..." he says in a soft voice. Glancing from his Priscus to the unknown figure and back again.

[Twist]

The year was new and with it came the first of the Formal Courts. The pleasant thing about this time of year was that red was such a fashionable color for the holidays that it made finding an outfit nearly too easy.

She did rather enjoy the heavy weight of the beading on the one she had chosen for tonight, a small smile as she walked down toward Court proper and felt it slide and shimmy about her. As usual, she skipped the coat check and forced herself to not pause before entering Court. This late and she knew what faced her, no need to delay the issue.

And so it was that the crash of Beasts came quickly and just as quickly did her own rise to scream demands. Which she ignored, mentally pushing back the Beast into a cage of will, even as she scanned the room for ... yes.

There and there.

A deep curtsy dropped and held for a long moment to Prince Alessandra . A second, briefer and shallower but by no means short of respect, then offered to the Seneschal Jacque .

Respects paid to the two highest in the room, she proceeded to offer deep nods of greeting to others. Priscus and fellow Invictus Jennifer Hazelton as well as Quinn Durant . A brief smile for Connor OBrien and ... well that was odd. Mable wasn't in sight.

Twist couldn't recall the last time she had showed to court this late and Mable not be there. As she moved deeper into Court she wondered if something had happened.

[Jacque]

The social circles shifted and other arrived. Many of the domain came extravagantly dressed, no doubt relishing in the feelings a new year brings to their requiems. It brought a smile to the Lord's face, and he bowed and held it for as long as it took for the Prince to notice the gesture. Next came a nod to acknowledge Twist's arrival, followed by a shallower nod first to Hazelton, "You as well." he mustered with a proud smile, pushing through the unease from her ruined voice and her ever-present cousins. He then nodded to Quinn in response to her respectful gesture.

Upon Milton's closing proximity he gestured to Robert, "I am. I wanted to introduce you to our family's most recent arrival: Alder Robert Quartermain, Soldier of the First Estate," The Lord gave a moment, and subtly glanced to Twist to make sure she heard that he was one of her's. He then shifted his stance, near effortlessly to mirror the previous position to Robert's benefit in gesturing to Milton, "This is Mister Milton Northbridge..." he introduced, leaving a few beats of a human heart in pause, "...Whip of the Sacramento Lords."

[Mable Wood]

Mable rushed into the building. Damn she was running late. She stopped at the coat check and took a moment to settle her mind. She said a blessing before she went to the stairs. A hand smoothed down her black dress and then patted her upswept hair.

She started down the stairs and listened to her beast wail in her head. She counted to ten and continued down the stairs.

At the bottom of the stairs she dropped to a curtsy for the Prince, "Good evening your Grace." The a bow for Twist, "Good evening, Alder Twist."

She continued through the room. Next she gave a deep head nod to Jennifer, Quinn, and Jack, "Good evening." she said quietly to them each when she was within earshot

A smile and good evening was given to others as she neared them.

Feeling a bit odd due to running late, Mable Walked over to a chair and sat while she listened to the room.

[Bellemy]

Bellemy wore a smile as Milton approached and was formulating a reply when the man was called away. The haunt offered a quick "Of course. Until next time." to assuage him.

The haunt noted the arrival of Jaque with a howl of fear and anger from the beast, and offered a fitting bow as the Seneschal claimed Milton's attention. Again alone Bellemy decided to move about the room. The creature did not move far before the arrival of Quinn and so Bellemy offered the proper respects to the priscus of the shadows.

Waiting long enough to be assured that Quinn was not stopping to talk, and to give the beast a chance to relax, Bellemy continued through the room and saw the entrance of Conner who approached Bellemy with a question. The creature offered him a respectful nod appropriate to the whip of the Nosferatu and replied "Happy New Year cousin. I am available shall we find a more secluded area?"

Bellemy motioned for Conner to mark the arrival of Jennifer and offered a bow to the priscus of the clan.

Then entered the prince and Bellemy again bowed formally with the beast clawing though the haunt's gut with a frenzy of fight or flight.
Followed shortly by Twist who graciously soothed Bellemy with an aura of calm.

Bellemy noted the arrival of Mable with a nod and a smile. The Heirophant was friendly with friends of the Nosferatu and it would not do to be disrespectful.

[R Quartermain]

, "...Whip of the Sacramento Lords."

"Mr. Northbridge," the soldier replied in acknowledgement, offering a small nod of his head, "the honor is mine."

His eyes scanned the room as he mentally tallied the various people Jack had written him about, their titles and esteems memorized but with no faces to go with them. When the Prince entered, however, that much became obvious and he joined the others in their deep bows, his form and posture in the elegant movement perfect from long years of training and habit.

[Quinn Durant]

As Priscus Hazelton arrived, Quinn waited until she was sure Jennifer could see her, having to step a bit to the side so no taller Kindred was in the line of sight. She gave her a deep nod of respect for her place in the court and for being a fellow Priscus. A small smile offered as well as one of her allies in the domain. A smile that vanished quickly, settling into neutral lines again. A passive mask made for court.

Then Prince Antinori arrived, and Quinn performed the deepest curtsy she would give tonight, holding it to the old faithful tune of human heartbeats that none of them could ever forget. As she rose she was fortunate enough to catch a glimpse of the Prince’s attire before she was obfuscated by the rise of the bodies again.

Quinn smiled seeing Milton, and when the news broke her smile stepped up a few notches. Something that approached warmth filled that expression, like a shimmer of heat on the horizon. Pleasant surprises were so few, that that momentary flutter of delight was a welcome. She let it show for a moment, and it was gone. A mirage.

A shimmer out of the corner of Quinn’s eyes turned her head as she caught sight of Arcon Twist’s elegant movements through court. Quinn made sure her gesture of respect, her head bowed low and held for a moment, was able to be seen. Timing such things was important when you were petite. Quinn took in a moment to admire her dress, the sparkle reminding her of the new year and new possibilities that followed.

Quinn caught sight of something that made her want to retreat into the darkened shadows of the court. A greater beast stalking among the Kindred, and then the beast sat, and the movement ceased, and Quinn recognized Mable and was able to sooth the creature inside of her. Soon Mable and Quinn would be meeting. A mere handful of nights. She was looking forward to it, and she nodded to Hierophant Wood, who was Whip of clan Gangrel.

She felt eyes on her as she stood observing the court, and she found the source. R. Quartermain. The beast snarled in rage again at the interloper. Of course the beast could get no further. Its chains were forged within the Ordo Dracul. She didn’t fear it beating her, and she would get used to his presence over time. He was simply taking everything in, and she stopped staring at him as if he was a puzzle box that she wanted to tear into and pour the contents on the floor.