Invictus Soiree

[Jennifer Hazelton]

The two-story salon had an artistic styled sign across the entrance with the name Lotus. The location of the building, nestled on a walkway near other artistic stores. The lighting within the salon allowed one to see the space, yet was dim. When you move through the entranceway, a walk-in coat check where Liam waited 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 guests as they arrive down a hall. You leave behind the rooms that most of the members of the Invictus have visited: the small yet well-appointed study. The meeting room specifically designed for gatherings of the Invictus that had hosted the Oath Swearing ceremony of Whip o’Brien. The medium sized room with some artwork on the walls to reflect and converse on. Two large glass globes with small openings at the top were just before the hall. Within these globes, lotus flowers floated in clear water.
When one follows Liam down the hall, one would pass a table with a white table cloth. There was a wooden display box with a glass viewing front set in a special stand on the table. Within the display case was a single glittering pin. The pin was set apart on the bottom of the two lines, for it was a display. This pin was a braided gold design, the same as all of the other pins in designs.
The Alder Lady Prince had received a pin with a rhodolite stone, one that Jennifer believed to be closest to a Gangrel clan color. This pin on display was a glittering green emerald at the center. These pins had been given to those who had attended the Swearing Ceremony of Whip Connor O’Brien. The center of each pin was a stone correlating to the Florentine Code for the recipient of the pin.

You arrive at a small ballroom. The room was appointed in finery and spared no expense, decorated tonight in green and gold. There are expansive brocades of gold and green silk draped over the walls. A low table bore small vases bearing roses, alternating pattern of a red rose to a white rose.
There is great room to stand in the center to converse. To even dance. A look around reveals a long table with a green tablecloth set up with some floral strands of white roses. There are trays of small delicacies: one held colorful macaroons. One held small glass figurines of various roses. One held small, exquisitely embroidered hand fans.

There were two sitting areas: one facing the hallway with seats for six in comfortable arm chairs, each arranged for conversation. There was another sitting area on the far wall, with seats for four.
Orianna Alessandra Killian Jacque Drakken Connor OBrien NotaHoneyBadger Aiko Hamura

[Jacque]

The Lord arrived somewhat early, knowing full well the importance of a timely arrival.

Early as he was, he found a seat across the road from the salon where he watched the entrance for the arrival of others. Old habit and the need to not stand out as a stalker led him to pull out a cigarette case and use his flameless lighter to have a smoke while he waited. He was mindful of the breeze, ensuring the wafting smoke didn't linger into his clothes. He wore a purple paisley vest over a white dress shirt. He had several pieces of jewelry on him from his amethyst tie bar and cuff links to his Rolex. On the left side of his vest he wore an amethyst pin- the sash being folded and tucked in his back pocket in case it was needed for this less than official occasion.

With it coming up close to the prescribed time the Lord flicked the butt to the ground and snuffed it out with a twist of his heel. He walked across the street and nodded in acknowledgement of Liam, following him down the hall and to the small ballroom. He took in the decor for the evening with an air of being impressed. His steel eyes lingered over the dance floor. "My dear Vivian..." he uttered with barely a whisper... at least he thought.

failure

Date	Action	Roll	Result
2022-10-24 22:34:43	Jacque rolls 7 to whisper (WIT+Sub) (10 Again)	6, 4, 4, 7, 2, 7, 3	failure

[Alessandra]

According to the invite, it was a, soiree, not really an official meeting. But it still meant she needed to put forth some effort in what she wore.

A dress just didn’t feel right, so she went with a suit. Something that fit well, was expensive, and somewhat looked good on her. And according to the color chart, red was technically a Gangrel color. But, unable to decide what color to wear under it, she said fuck it, buttoned the jacket twice and called it good.

So, why not.

Her dark hair was slicked back in a low ponytail and her make was nonexistent. Though there was a warm, healthy glow to her skin. The pin and sash were in place, under a long black jacket.

Her heels, and her Beast announce her arrival, and she was surprised to have arrived as early as she had. Spotting Jacque, she walks over, “Good evening, seems I’m not the only one who arrived early.” She joked.

[Alessandra]

Bookkeeping for Blush

[Jennifer Hazelton]

Jennifer stepped into the small ball room by the hallway after allowing enough time for those of lesser rank to arrive. To her surprise, she discovered that neither of the two were present.
Jennifer's skin had a healthy glow about it, for she was Blushed. She wore a beaded mermaid dress that was accented by the black silk scarf, pinned in place with the gold filigre brooch. She wore only one piece of jewelry that she had made several months ago, a ring composed of chocolate diamonds and white diamonds. She wore the Invictus sash, with the pin that matched the others prominently displayed. The gem in her pin was emerald, the same as Whip O'Brien's.

"Alder Lady Prince, Priscus of the Gangrel." Jennifer paid the Prince respect. Her voice slithered like a serpent moving through dying leaves.
"Speaker Jack, Seneschal and Priscus of the Ventrue." She gave the Speaker his due respect.

Her dark eyes ticked over the ballroom, noticeably. Detailing that she was aware of the absences.

"What a surprise." She said dryly.
"I would like to thank the two of you for attending the Soiree. I have set little delicacies, if anything strikes your fancy." She indicates the table of tiny delicacies from the French Macaroons to the little handmade hand fans. Party favors, little delights to amuse.

[Connor OBrien]

The Whip arrives shortly after the time listed on the invitation, having given what he thought was enough time for Madame Hamura to arrive first. Tonight he is dressed in a black suit with a black shirt, paired with a green and red vest, tie, and pocket square combo. Holding the tie in place is a black, emerald studded tie clip. On the cuffs of his coat are gold, vintage cufflinks. Before exiting his vehicle, he wills his blood to give his skin color and warmth.

When he enters the building, he is surprised to see the three kindred he did not quiet expect yet, and did not see the one kindred he did expect. With a deep bow of apology he speaks. "I apologize for my tardiness, it seems I arrived both too late and too early." He doesn't openly mention Madame Hamura, but his meaning would be implied by her absense.

[Jacque]

"Good evening, Alder Lady Alessandra Antinori, Prince and Priscus of Gangrel," Probably not needed, but always in good taste. "It would seem so. I like your suit."

"Lady Notary Jennifer Hazelton, Priscus of the Nosferatu," he reciprocated her own greeting. "What a lovely dress," he commented. Each decoration he glanced over meaningful of something in some way.

"Thank you for your hospitality. I take it your Salon is doing well?"

Steel eyes gazed towards Connor as he made his arrival, "Hmm," he paused in response to his comment. "Good evening Mister OBrien. You look sharp." A compliment to perhaps ease the weight of his tardiness. "I haven't seen Madame Hamura nearly at all since her acknowledgement. Perhaps she has traveled on?"

[Alessandra]

Hearing the ruined voice, the Savage turns her attention to the Haunt, a bow of her head, “Lady Notary Hazelton, Priscus of Nosterafu.” She replies, “You are looking stunning this evening, what a beautiful dress.” Maybe she could ask Jenn her advice on dresses. The Italian was always going back and forth on them.

“Of course, I wouldn’t turn down the chance for the First Estate to gather.” Even if it was informal.

As Connor makes his entrance, there was a nod of acknowledgement. Though she had to wonder what would cause him to keep them waiting. She doesn’t wait for anyone; her nights were quite busy.

As it was time for titles, “Thank you Speaker Jacque, Seneschal of the Domain and Priscus of Lords, your words are too kind.” Least someone liked the suit? It had been a gamble, something a bit different. But she was enjoying it, especially knowing it had been tailored for her. There was a sense of power to it.

A shake of her head, “I cannot say I have seen her in some time. It wouldn’t be unheard of for one to come, get Acknowledged and decide to move on.” It was actually quite common in the Domain. “Or maybe she simply had something to see to and will be returning.” A gentle shrug, “I suppose time will tell.”

[Jennifer Hazelton]

“Mister O’Brien.” Jennifer gave a slight nod to the Nosferatu Whip to show her respect. “Thank you for joining. Think nothing of it.” She bade on his remark about his tardiness. Jennifer responded with nods of respect in kind as the Alder Prince and the Seneschal addressed her.
“There are some favors and delicacies if you wish to partake.” A nod to the table that she had indicated to the Alder Prince and Seneschal.

"Yes, quite possible, Your Grace. Madame Hamura met with me last month on the matter of finding the mastermind behind the Dropping Bodies matter. Perhaps she is focused on the task." Jennifer offered.
Jennifer made a small motion to Liam, who stepped out to the controls for a moment. Symphony No. 4, Op. 90 "Italian by Mendelssohn began to play.

"I was curious if anyone has concerns that we should talk over, as we have not gathered in a small while." She inquired of the three gathered.

Someone is not here who should have been, and no RSVP sent. Has she truly departed, then? Jennifer wondered.

[Connor OBrien]

With a bow, Connor moved into his formal greetings of the evening; starting, of course, with the one he'd had the most difficulty with. "Alder Lady Prince Antinori, Priscus of Gangrel" His bow was deep, even more so because of the fact that he'd fumbled her title during every meeting of the First Estate so far. "Your choice of suit is marvelous, Your Grace."

A turn on his heels to face the Seneschal. "Thank you Speaker Jack, Seneschal of the Domain and Priscus of Ventrue, coming from one such as yourself, I am more than honored." His words were delivered with a deep bow to the man.

Finally, he turns once again to face Jennifer. "And thank you, Lady Notary Hazelton, Priscus of Nosferatu, for your hospitality. The decor is nearly as lovely as your dress tonight." Once again, his introduction was delivered with the accompaniment of a deep bow.

With the introductions out of the way, Connor removed his own sash from the pocket inside his coat and donned it, the emerald pin from his unorthodox swearing ceremony in its rightful place.