(2207) Eternal Court

[Alessandra]

Noting the bow, Ale nods her head to Connor. Had he spoken with Jennifer about his return? Either way, the information would get to her.

Another nod to Helen, wondering if she would ever change her mind on Ale’s offer.

And then…Edward.

Now this was unexpected, one she never expected to walk the halls of her Elysia again. Seems the night was full of surprises. Had he spoken with Twist and she Acknowledged him? Looked like she was about to find out, and without Twist currently there, a shallow nod was given to him. He could approach, her Beast snarling in her ear.

Jennifer was noted with a nod, if she wanted to approach, she was welcome to as well. Was this evening going to be a busy one with Domain business? Or did others simply wish to be social? Whichever it was, Cain simply stood in his spot, ever watching, ever on alert.

[R Quartermain]

The solider entered the Elysium quietly, stopping once inside and offering a deep bow to the prince, and then a lesser one to Jennifer. His eyes slowly scanned the room, taking note of the unfamiliar kindred.

New? Or Old? He mused to himself, moving to take his perpetual perch to one side of the room. With a frown, he noted Durant's absence again. It was... not a good sign - certainly, it was an avenue of advancement, but it was too soon. More time was needed, more preparation. Still, habits born of a prior age remained what they were as he examined the new kindred from one of the railings.

[Connor OBrien]

Connor simply delivers a shrug in response to Helen's mostly rhetorical inquiry.

The rest he ponders for a moment, before shrugging once more. Any impression is a good impression when it comes to those who have been unacknowledged and poaching. Perhaps he'll work to repair their image of him if they put forth the effort to join the domain properly.

His eyes land on Edward for a moment before moving on, perhaps his time away from the domain has improved his manners. Robert was given a nod of respect as an acknowledged member of the domain and a member of his own covenant.

Lastly, he delivers a deep nod, bordering a bow, to Jennifer. Silently he falls in behind her as she approaches the Prince. His opportunity just presented itself, and he's pleased by it.

[Seryna]

Two new kindred enter Elysium.

One with BP 2, the other BP 3.

The Arkwright Haunts were white men. The skinny sort, who lifted weights but in life had eaten nothing but cheap food. The clothes were brand new. An off the rack suit in grey with green dress suit for the first man to walk in. Black and dark blue for Rufus, the second kindred entering.

Both men scan the room for a moment. Spotting Alessandra, the two approach to the outer circle where the Prince would not feel pressured to interact. Both bend deeply and hold the position for several moments.

The two back away, not making eye contact.
“Priscus.” Jackson makes a respectful nod. Rufus follows after a beat.

The two notice Connor with Jennifer and give him deep nods, a few degrees more shallow than Jennifer. Helen is given a nod by both kindred.

Standing in the same room with these two, you get a sense of their Curse. Jackson has an aura of dread about him. Rufus appears to have a sick, cloying smell about him, the smell of decay.

[Conner Wells]

Something felt odd in the air tonight. Something Conner can't quite put his finger on. And so the pull to Elysium was more out of restlessness than duty. In truth, Conner has had a lot on his mind lately; things of a human nature. And so when the monster demands the company of other monsters, the change to show off or ingratiate, Conner indulges.

He descends the steps into Elysium flush with life and dressed in muted blue dress clothes. The initial pulse of unliving pressure doesn't so much give him pause as much as it makes him take stock of the faces behind those nagging, suffocating others. Again it strikes him how the recognizable faces have thinned over time. Almost an apt metaphor for the Kindred condition: the world spins on and we remain.

He gives low bows to the Prince and Priscus Hazelton as the senior officials present. The hound-beast striding by the Prince stirs some darker curiosity in the back of Conner's mind. I wonder what the official policy is for pets in Elysium? In any case, his mind turns to another curiosity when...Is that Edward? He remembers their last interaction: a chess match here in Elysium seemingly ages ago. Conner gives nods of acknowledgement to Helen, Robert, and Connor as he notices them as well. Though there's a dark hope (or is it despair) that Connor will want to ask about Quinn, or the state of Clan Mekhet. Not in the mood, Casanova.

So Conner approaches Edward and offers a nod and a simple smile. Somebody had to break the ice. "Mr. Heinrich? Welcome back to Sacramento. I trust your nights have been well?"

[Albert Baker]

And once again there is the matter of court. Though Al had things on his mind aplenty, he had decided to go and see whether there were new faces or old re-emerged. It was important to keep a finger to the pulse of the Domain, thus not visiting the Nox was something he could barely afford not doing. After parking on the parking lot he entered the building dressed in one of his suits (this time a middle grey one) combined with his striped tie (red, gold and blue), black polished Oxfords, the silver amulet his sire had given him and the pin Jennifer had given him.

As usual his arrival was heralded by a whiff of incense reaching the room before he did. Upon passing the door he felt unusually strong and many beasts tearing at his mind and he took a few steps backwards before a couple of mental prayers calmed his own beast down enough that he could enter the room without walking right out again.

As he walked through the room, watching who happened to be there he took mental notes and greeted those he encountered. A deep bow for Her Highness, a shallower one for Jennifer, a still shallower one for O'Brien and nods for the rest included the three gentlemen he happened not to know and saw for the first time.

As two of the newcomers were sticking to Jennifer and Conner was talking to the third one, he sat down at the sideline for the moment.

[Jacque]

The Lord made his way down the stairs once more as he tended to do this time of month. He still reveled in the feeling that he had to pull back his beast from the presence of others, though the feeling wasn't quite as raw as it was before. He first bowed deepest to Alessandra, befitting her station within the Domain. Aside from that, he offered a nod to acknowledge Jennifer and her standing.

His lips pressed into a bemused grin as he saw the familiar face... Mister Heinrich. So he returned after all.

Making sure his vest and cuff links were in order, he made his way into the court proper and started to circulate.

[Helen Kingsley]

Well, looks like there's more important stuffs to do. The lot of the office holder. And Edward, apparently.

She shrugs and curtsies for her Priscus and the Seneshal, recognizing the other attendants she knows with a nod for each. As is, she steps a little aside and follows how her folks fare.
And Edward. And O'Brien, of course.

[Edward Heinrich]

A tiny nod indicated Edward could rise. Before he made his approach, he bowed to Jacque and a slighter bow to Jennifer. The latter was a can of worms for another night. The two others... Haunts? Were recognized by Edward's Beast by the old rage which could not be ignored, but did not drown out thought.

And then Conner spoke to Edward. It was potentially awkward given that the Prince had just cleared him to approach, but a snap judgement said a few words in parting were better than a cold shoulder.

"Mr. Wells." Edward smiled, "thank you for the welcome, I should very much enjoy speaking with you further; but I fear I must first attend to the matter of my Acknowledgement. Please excuse me."

Edward approached the Prince.

"Good evening, Prince Alessandra." Edward bows again, "it is my pleasure to once again walk within your Domain, a state of affairs I seek to officialize. Might I please petition your grace for Acknowledgement?"

[Jennifer Hazelton]

The Nosferatu bends to a curtsy, one of the deepest of the night, to Jacque. She gives him a smile, a more open gesture of trust and sincere gladness that he was present between allies. Alder Quartermain, Mr. Wells and Dr. Baker are given nods appropriate to kindred acknowledged in the Domain. The pin that Dr. Baker wore was given a notable glance as she recognized her gift. She gives Dr. Baker a look meant to convey understanding. Jennifer looks for the Archon and does not see her. Although Formal court was a month away, Jennifer reminds herself.
Jennifer glances to two of the Arkwright Haunts. They receive a nod of recognition. Jennifer watches them for a moment, marking that they appeared to be behaving correctly. Holding themselves away and not annoying the Prince was all she hoped for.

“Your Grace. Good to see you this evening.” A deep nod to the Prince as Jennifer approached. It was true as she took in the wonderful outfit that the Prince had chosen. “I trust you have been well since we spoke last.”
They were speaking so often, now.
“Whip O’Brien.” She gives a nod to appreciate the new respect the Kindred of Sacramento held him in. A glance to Edward with mild curiosity. Jennifer glances briefly between the two gentlemen, a glance to look for signals in dress or design. She had been en route to the Prince before she had heard Edward's words.

Continued in (2207) The Prince's Orbit...