Quartermain's Swearing Ceremony

[Jennifer Hazelton]

The two-story salon had an artistic styled sign across the entrance with the name Lotus. The location of the building, nestled where Kine would walk, suggests that Kindred should blush. The lighting within the salon allowed one to see the space, yet was a few levels lower than normal. When you move through the entranceway, a walk-in coat check with attendants to accept coats and accessories was to the left. The next door led to a small room with a few seats along the wall, yet mostly open space. This space was where ghouls and proxies were sent while business was conducted. A small hallway with two locked doors led to an upstairs area, reserved for a small office area for managing the salon.

Liam leads the guests into a medium sized room, the second door in the Lotus salon. You pass a closed door to reach this door, and a hallway can be seen beside this room. Two large glass globes with small openings at the top were just before the door, creating a narrow walkway into the room. Within these globes, lotus flowers floated in clear water. When one arrived at the door to the room, one would pass a table with a white table cloth. Three sashes, one in in Mekhet colors, one in Nosferatu colors and one in Ventrue colors, were waiting their new owners. One would remember that those who had sworn in 2020 had taken their own ceremonial sashes at that time. These sashes were for the Mekhet, Nosferatu and Ventrue members who are attending their first Ceremony. Roses of red and white were tastefully arranged in the back of the table.

This room was appointed with a podium that faced eight seats. Set in shelving on the wall displayed red and white rose floral arrangements in full view of those sitting on the table.
Jennifer stood in open space in front of podium, ready to welcome her fellow Invictus. She wore a black formal gown tailored to her 5’7’’ height. The gown was a mermaid style with a V neck. Matching black silk was artfully wrapped about her neck and pinned artfully over one side of her shoulder. The pin was a spider in emerald and diamonds. The ceremonial sash in Invictus Florentine code colors for the Nosferatu family was worn with pride. Jennifer wore a ring with chocolate diamonds and white diamonds, which a clever mind might remember it first appeared only a few months ago. On her other hand, she wore a ring with an emerald. Care had been taken to style her long brown hair into cascading waves. Jennifer is Blushed.

Invictus codes

Invictus codes: http://nwod.org/wiki/index.php/Invictus_Codes

Jennifer's appearance

Jennifer’s dress https://www.pinterest.com/pin/298574650309274552/
Jennifer’s Pin https://www.pinterest.com/pin/298574650306010991/
Jennifer’s ring https://www.pinterest.com/pin/298574650306055789/
Jennifer’s ring https://www.pinterest.com/pin/298574650305893708/
Jennifer’s hairstyle https://www.pinterest.com/pin/298574650309317410/

[Connor OBrien]

Connor arrives before anyone else it seems. He quickly checks his attire for the evening after he removes a 5 foot long metal case from the back seat of his car. He's wearing a black 3 piece tuxedo (black on black on black) with an emerald tie. The tie is held down by a black clip which is studded with emeralds. On his right hand, he wears a gold ring with emeralds and diamonds.

The Haunt offers a nod of muted respect to Liam as the ghoul approaches to lead him to the meeting room. While Connor would normally leave the case at the coat check of such an establishment, given its contents, this was a gift and was securely locked to prevent any alarm. He holds the case out to Liam to hold as he dons the new sash left for him on the table with the white cloth, before moving on to the room actually designated for the ceremony.

To any who were observant enough, they would see a purple ribbon tied to the handle of the case, securely holding sprigs of bamboo, cedar, and fennel.

Connor offered a deep nod head, bordering a bow, to Jennifer as he entered. "Lady Notary, your establishment is nearly as lovely as you are tonight. It's wonderful to see you."

[Aiko Hamura]

From the alleyway, Aiko scopes out the address she was given. It's a requirement for her, still being unfamiliar with the layout of the city, and tonight was a perfect example of why. So many kine... Aiko hated blushing, but she wasn't going to risk causing a scene in front of a formal event. Taking a portion of the small well she managed to maintain, Aiko stirred the blood and forced it to circulate through her cold, dead skin. The cold expression of disdain for the crowds around her remained, however, and for all the subtle hues now present in her skin tone, Aiko did not appear one iota more approachable.

After entering, Liam quickly makes himself noticed, and Aiko follows him to the ceremony room, and she bows Jennifer upon entering the room. The recently acknowledged is wearing what is probably the nicest suit in her possession, a crisp white suit with thin, black pinstripes, a solid white shirt, and a red carnation at the lapel. Her fedora remains unchanged however, black with thin white stripes, adding a strange touch of discordance to the otherwise clean look. And of course, the suit is ill-fitting for Aiko's tiny frame, a feature that remains ever-unchanged about her appearance. For once, however, the suit does not look like it has seen better days, and Jennifer will be unable to spot loose threads or rough patches in the cloth no matter how hard she looks.

"Lady Notary, I take it you are to thank for this resplendent setting? It is truly gorgeous." It wasn't a fib; Aiko rarely found herself forgetting to take mental notes about the layout of a room. It was a profession hazard, but in this case, she had found herself simply admiring once or twice. That didn't keep her from noticing that she was not the first to arrive.

[Jennifer Hazelton]

Jennifer waited for the members of the First estate to arrive, fully expecting that some may stand on precedence. Yet she did reflect that she only received only two RSVPs, which made knowing when to begin the ceremony a bit dicey. She decided to officially begin the ceremony an appropriate amount of time from the time stated on the invitations. Jennifer glances towards the clock in the meeting room.
Someone ought to have shown by now, she thought. Then Mister O'Brien walked in the meeting room.

"Good evening." Jennifer greeted her fellow Nosferatu. Oh that was right, he had missed the Grand opening.
"You are too kind." Jennifer replied in her voice that slithered like a snake through dying grass.

Liam placed the gift that was handed to him on a table with a few different tiers, covered in a white table cloth, in the back of the room.
"Good evening, Madame Hamura. Yes, I have established this location. Thank you." Jennifer looked around the new site, Lotus, with some pride. "I shall be hosting Salons here for friendly debates if either of you are interested.
We shall have some time for others to arrive. We shall start in a few minutes."
Read higher ranking individuals which would normally include Jennifer. Yet she wanted to see the first impressions on the faces of her guests.

Jennifer lowered her voice slightly.
"Madame Hamura, there is a sash for you." Jennifer indicated with a glance.

Jennifer glanced between Madame Hamura and Mister O'Brien. It was on the lower ranked individuals to make introductions. Although that does remind me that Alder Quartermain had not done so between Madame Hamura and myself last court. He was holding himself off a bit, Jennifer recognized.

[R Quartermain]

The suit had been ironed to near razor edges and a sash of purple and gold laid across it. It accented the deep purples of his tie and the gold of the cufflinks that had been one of the first gifts he'd received in the domain. The sash, as befit his place as a Soldier, ended in a scabbard - sheathed at his hip an ornate smallsword, something that would look perfectly in place at any museum save for the clear care and maintenance which kept it in working order and condition.

Normally a stiff man, Quartermain's back was a straight as ever as he entered the Salon. Xan took the overcoat from him and stepped away, revealing the sash and sword combination which common sense demanded be kept obscured from mortals. He inclined his head formally to Hazelton, and then nodding a greeting to the other two.

Spending BP for blush!

[Jacque]

The Lord made his way through Lotus, dressed to the nines and blushed for effect. Aside from his traditional vest attire, he wore a clean tuxedo jacket. Various jewelry adorned the Ventrue, from his cabochon cut amethyst cufflinks, to a studded bar tie. His Rolex was present around his wrist, an unmistakable representation of his wealth. He moved to the secondary room, not far behind Quartermain and bowed his head to Jennifer. "Lady Notary. A pleasure to see you as always."

He was curious how this one would go. After all, you couldn't quite beat the last one. "Welcome, Madame Hamura," he offered the small kindness of a greeting.

[Alessandra]

The Aston pulls in front of the business, a tall, rough looking man steps out and opens the passenger side door. A hand held out for an inked hand to take, helping the Savage step out of the car.

Swearing Ceremonies demanded dressing up, and Ale was not going to disappoint. Her dress a mix of various luxurious fabrics of black and gold. Her sash already in place, beneath a long jacket, which was passed to the coat check in. Her skin had a healthy glow to it, her once undead heart beating once again.

A nod was given to Liam as she followed him, the walk one of confidence, one of the Prince.

As she enters the room, she feels her Beast stir. Razor sharp teeth were bared as it growled and demeaned the blood of the weaker ones. But this was not the time, nor the place. And she had dressed up.

Pushing it aside, she fully walks into the room, dark eyes taking in those who were there.

Including one she had not yet met. But that was no worries, it wasn’t her responsibility to handle that.

Looking to Jennifer, “Lady Notary Hazelton, thank you for hosting this evening.” She’d have to remember in case she held events at her own place. To Jacque, “Seneschal Jacque, Speaker of the First Estate.” The others received slight nods.

[Connor OBrien]

The Haunt, upon seeing everyone else blush, willed his vitae to give his skin warmth and color to match the others.

Immediately he turned to the Prince and dropped into what he thought would be the second deepest bow of the night. "Alder Prince Antinori, Priscus of Gangrel."

He then turned to Jack and delievered a slightly more shallow bow. "Seneschal Jack, Priscus of Ventrue and Speaker of the First Estate."

A nod of the head is directed toward Quartermain. Alder Soldier Quartermain."

Finally, he turns to the new face. A look to Jennifer and Jack with a slightly raised eyebrow was all the was show before he stepped up to the Kindred in the ill-fitting suit. "Mister Connor O'Brien, Whip of Nosferatu. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance."

[Aiko Hamura]

"Madame Hamura, there is a sash for you."

Aiko blinks once, slowly. She had noticed the sashes, of course, but something seemed to be blocking her from realizing that the sash had been for her. Her eyes widen momentarily when she realizes, and very coolly Aiko bows her head to excuse herself for a brief second, taking the sash and wearing it. "Of course, thank you, Lady Notary." It is... an unnatural feeling to be invited to these functions.

Jennifer's glance between Aiko and the kindred Aiko didn't recognize gives her the indication she needs to get the introductory ball rolling. Aiko was the bottom rung of the ladder, or close to it... there wouldn't be another Helen to save her ass, not here. Hamura opts for a moderate bow, expecting Connor to have some status above her, but considering he - as far as she knew - hadn't been mentioned to her yet, he didn't warrant anything as close to what was due a Priscus or similar.

Not that Aiko's paranoid planning mattered when the Prince entered. At that moment, the Beast rears its head and threatens to send Aiko fleeing. The sensation weakened when meeting the same vampire a second time, but not for the Prince... not for the gap in potency between Alessandra and Aiko. That particular feeling spurs the deepest bow, and for Aiko to back away without looking up so as to make way for the Prince's path should she choose to walk towards either Priscus. After lingering in the act for a moment, Aiko straightens and turns to Jack, performing a new, shallower bow and resisting the urge to show relief on her face. "Seneschal Jack. Thank you. I am flattered to have been invited to the ceremony."


All worry about whether she would introduce herself to Connor is swept away, as he introduces himself. It was rather impressive, too, at least in Aiko's mind. She didn't open her mouth without a minute or two of planning stratagems. Connor seemed quite relaxed with the affair. Then again... considering that he'd given everyone's complete and full title, he clearly had quite a mind for the details of this domain, and knew he was talking to a lesser. Aiko gives a modest bow. "Madame Aiko Hamura. At your service." A whip, eh? Something about him didn't feel like he was just a whip. And it wasn't just him. Aiko could tell she was feeling more paranoid than usual...

[Jennifer Hazelton]

“Alder Prince Antinori, Lady of the First estate and Priscus of the Gangrel.” Jennifer lowered herself to the second deepest curtsy of the evening.
“Seneschal Jack, Speaker of the First Estate and Priscus of the Ventrue.” A curtsy of deep respect for her ally.
“Alder Soldier Quartermain.” A nod of respect as fitting for an acknowledged member of the First Estate.
Madame Hamura dons her sash and Jennifer gives the Mekhet member an approving nod.
“Excellent, Madame Hamura.”

A glance as she finds Liam hovering by the present table, checking if anything needed to be done. A meaningful glance and Liam stepped through a subtle side door, off to fetch what she had designed to commemorate the night.
Jennifer's introductions were completed, as she had greeted Mister O'Brien and Madame Hamura a few moments before. Jennifer responded to the conversation.

“Thank you, your Grace” Jennifer responds to the Gangrel, although a pleasant smile touches her face as she looks to the Prince. “I have dedicated this room to meetings of the First Estate, should I have the opportunity to host a meeting.”

Jennifer waits for a moment for the introductions to begin to flow like a babbling brook. Her gaze rests on Alder Soldier Quartermain for a moment. The Alder had been appropriately respectful in the last meeting. Although was he going to make appropropriate greetings?

As Jennifer was keen to keep this Ceremony flowing smoothly, she glanced to the clock and noted that it was time to begin. Yet etiquette had a very important place and she did not want to deprive the gathered Invictus their time to gauge and weigh one another.

Although as Jennifer’s eyes move over the gathered members of the First Estate, she recognizes a spanner thrown in the works.
Alder Judex Twist, Duchess of Sacramento, Archon and Priscus of Daeva was absent. More importantly, she had not RSVPd, so I have no indication to wait for the leader of the First Estate. Now that the introductions were moving forward, it seemed very clear that the Alder Judex Twist may not appear. When was the last time that I laid eyes on the deadly Duchess?

Brown eyes ticked to the Alder Lady Prince, then to Senechal Jack. Do you notice? She wondered.

"The Ceremony shall begin momentarily." She stated pleasantly, although her Cursed voice slithered like a snake over dying autumn leaves. She could handle the Ceremony by herself, easily. She worked to maintain a pleasant demeanor and hide her unease at the Alder's absence.

2 successes

Date	Action	Roll	Result
2022-07-25 16:49:36	Jennifer Hazelton rolls 5 to Hide emotion and appear calm (10 Again)	9, 9, 2, 2, 5	2 successes