(2311)Formal Court

[Alessandra]

Eternal Court

The Nox Populi is an upscale experience that will take Sacramento nightlife to a whole new level.

In the heart of downtown Sacramento there is a place of intrigue, excitement and entertainment. The modern flare of this venue is host to exclusive parties. The seduction of this establishment may take you away as you drink, dance and socialize. There are private services available upon request. The best DJ’s in town are in line to play a wide variety of music. Some of you may dine…as long as you have your VIP pass.

However the Kindred arrive they are discreetly met and led to the back of the club. The space downstairs is decorated in dark, rich woods and expensive furniture. There's a coat room that will also hold one's 'unmentionables'; namely, weapons, at the foot of the stairs. There are also private areas, dark, and furnished with soft couches, as well as meeting rooms with conference tables and chairs, and an area with several televisions. The Court area is decorated with long black and brown silken drapes cascading from floor to ceiling. Draped in elegant bunches and gathered into valances across door frames and between supporting pillars; the lighting is intentionally low, but without the pulse of the music from above, the place has the feel of a sepulchre.

The common area circles the Court proper, and it becomes apparent that this is not decorated for a single evening. Small symbols note areas for Kindred only that branch off of the Commons, which will be necessary once those Kine privileged enough to see behind the Masquerade filter in: ghouls, herd members, or even devotees. The furniture setting is familiar now: a set of elegant chairs, all dark wood and red leather, arranged in a circle. The baroque lighting leaves the corners of the Elysium commons in deep shadow.

With the permanent fixture that the chess table had become, there was yet another new item. A Steinway concert piano, its cover in an upright position, revealing stunning inner strings strings. The lid was closed on the keyboard, the bench not with it.

Another evening; another Danse. For some it will their first, for some it shall be their last. After all, this is the Prince's Elysium, and subject to the Laws of the Domain.

Formal Court has now begun...

Please remember that Predator's Taint is in effect and role-play is expected, or rolls will be asked for!

This is a great place to get Acknowledged


You now have 1 Week to enter Court before the Doors Close.

Formal Court a specific event. Announced to the Domain, you are expected to attend or you will find your Acknowledgement revoked. After 1 Week, the doors to Court close (no new entries into the thread). Once you have left Court, you are not permitted to return. Court is never truly empty: this can include 'faceless masses' of Kindred beneath notice, ghouls, herd members, devotees, or even officials in their offices.

[Verity Carmen]

Keep and ear out for anything that screams deception at the next few courts … the next court is formal court. Verity is internally cursing herself for not piecing together the two statements the Seneschal had told her sooner. Talk about a trial by fire.

Still to hear the most meant being here as early as she can manage. She has headphones in listening to Hendrix on the way to court an attempt to calm nerves and brace against the coming onslaught of raised hackles and urges to fight or flee. Verity has arrived at court.

Having worn her only dress previously she is dressed respectfully as her wardrobe can mange in a one of her newest band Ts Her best Jeans and leather jacket and riding boots. Hair, stylishly wild, and make up, the full works black nails and purple lips, exactly the same as they have been each night since she was embraced. She is what she is and not trying to sell herself as anything else.

While waiting for things to begin in earnest and other members of the domain to arrive she mingles with the present crowds, heightening her sense of hearing to help listen in to particular huddles and catch leading conversations.

To read body language and listen for signs of deception, 1 success

Date	Action	Roll	Result
2023-11-01 17:11:31	Verity Carmen rolls 5 to Observe the faceless masses of court for telling body language (10 Again)	1, 7, 9, 5, 6	1 success

Once she has a feel for the room she begins to work in earnest, dipping in and out of conversations, a smile here, a musically toned compliment to another, laugh at joke, seem impressed by some minor achievement flatter egos and let words slip out. Savouring no one present with too much attention just enough to get things moving, enough to make them want to impress her with what they know.

Gatherer rumours 2 successes

Date	Action	Roll	Result
2023-11-01 17:22:35	Verity Carmen rolls 8 to Gather rumours at court (manip 2, street2, spec 1, SL2 DV 1) (10 Again)	5, 8, 8, 5, 1, 6, 1, 3	2 successes

[Albert Baker]

It was one of the 'attendance required' courts again, thus Al was at the Nox. After leaving coat and hat at the wardrobe and calming the urge to run as fast and far from here as he could with internal recitement of prayers, he entered the main room.

Dressed in the usual three-piece-suit (slate grey for this occasion) combined with a white dress shirt, a red tie and black shiny dress shoes and adorned with a silver amulet and a steel lapel pin which told the spectator, which covenant he belonged to, he looked around to see who happened to be here already. When he saw Verity in the crowd, he greeted her with a nod.

"Good evening, Miss Carmen."

[Verity Carmen]

With the greeting heard Verity, looks over and smiles. She takes a moment to politely excuse herself from her conversation and make her way over.

Giving the Mekhet Priscus a bow of the head, making auburn locks dance, as she does so.

‘Priscus Baker hi.’ Casting her eyes over him. ‘Never been able to rock the formal wear myself, but you make it work.’ Hands go into jacket pockets striking a casual conversational pose. ‘Your nights been treating you well?’

[Douglas Lamech]

Lamech strides into the Nox as he did before, wearing his same priest garb. Hidden eyes leer at him from every corner of the room as he walks to a spot near the middle. He fiddles with a cross worn on a bracelet beneath his sleeve, feeling exposed and uncertain of himself. Miami didn't have formal courts, at least no formal court he was expected to attend, so despite his intentionally-maintained vertical stature, Lamech's eyes darted about the room in barely-contained paranoia. "See me through these unfamiliar woods, Lord." He mumbles.

You are no sheep, Childe.Lamech spots familiar faces in the crowd, the two he had been speaking to in the previous gathering. He approaches the pair. "Verity...Priscus Baker." He nods to each as he greets them, a bit deeper to Baker.

[Jacque]

The tap after tap of well polished shoes followed the Lord through Nox and down the stairs in the back. There wasn't a theme this winter, or at least one that he saw announced, so he showed up in his tuxedo- the only difference in his normal ensemble of amethyst tie pins, cuff links, delicate gold chains and of course his Rolex. For how often he had been seen in a royal violet paisley vest, it still had no signs of wear or fraying. Each pleat in his garment was immaculately pressed. His ghoul was also in attendance following a short few steps behind him.

Heading into court proper he steeled himself for the presence of the other beasts. While his gait slowed to a stop, his ghoul made her way into the faceless crowds to be unobtrusive. His own beast snarled, ever ready to lash out at all who were present. This led him to keep the leash taut at all times. It would not be this night he would lose control.

Upon his arrival he nodded to the shadow, "Priscus Baker." His eyes flicked to his fellow Lord, "Mister Lamech, nice to see you made it." Though it had been a little time since their conversation about pecking orders. Hopefully it would not be the sole source of excitement for the night.

Following his attention to the preacher led him to the new(er) face to the Lord and the very different choice of garment. "I don't believe we've met Ms...?" The Lord trailed off giving the opportunity for an introduction. He had heard her name, but where's the fun in that?

[Jennifer Hazelton]

Jennifer entered Elysium with a calm and composed presence, moving to the coat check, her ghoul two steps behind her. Jennifer unwinds the scarf that she wore in from outside. After the pins are pulled out of the outside scarf, she sets them into a metal pin case. She unwinds a white linen layer that the scarf was pinned to. As she does so, she unveils the deep and gruesome scar on one side of her neck that trails down her collarbone. A deep bite from some beast with a hideous mouth has bitten and taken flesh from Jennifer’s neck. The scarves, pin case and a long, thin item wrapped in blue linen is checked at the coat check.
She wore two pieces of jewelry that she prized, an emerald ring on her right hand. Jennifer wore a chocolate diamond and white diamond ring on her left hand. Her dress was different than any she has worn in the past – the neckline was asymmetrical that showed off her delicate neck, collarbone and back… and the scar. The Lady adhered to the Florentine Code and her dress was a lovely deep green.

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 her betters, her eyes focused on the Kindred who were present. Jennifer walks confidently to the group, Liam continuing to melt into the faceless crowd.

“Priscus Jack.” The voice was calm, although the timbre of that voice that slithered like a snake though crumbling leaves. Jennifer gave a nod the Ventrue who was also respected in the Domain.
“Priscus Baker.” A less pronounced nod to the Mekhet, as appropriate to someone recognized in Sacramento.
“Ms. Carmen.”
Brown eyes flick to the other present and she remains silent for a long beat. “Mister Lamech.”
Her gaze moves like a wave between those present.


Emerald ring

Diamond ring

[Verity Carmen]

Verity mimed sucking air through her teeth waiting for the priscus to respond. Is not used to getting compliments or something?

Although she didn’t have to wait long till the other new in town kindred joined. And showing respect to the titles today it seems. She returns his nod in equal measure. ‘Father Lamech.’ To scratch or smooth over? She settles on good behaviour. ‘I’m actually glad to see you tonight will be a first for us both if I’m not mistaken.’ Musical tones conveying a sense of anticipation.

She didn’t notice the third join them immediately. Amongst the crowd of beasts his quietness got closer without her realising, until the greetings were given.

She hadn’t met him before but for all the airs of secrecy kindred society boasted, the cacophony talked, and she listened. There was only one kindred spoken of that fit this description. She bows her head low until her eye line is under his. ‘Not in person Priscus Jacque, only by reputation. Verity Carmen.’ She raises her head slowly. While I normally don’t go in for the rich types, he is a sight to savour.

Only to be on the way back down in a deeper still bow of the head. ‘Good evening, Seneschal Hazleton.’ Staying lower than she had for either Priscus. I’ve begun what she wanted but I can’t help but notice that in this group of five, of the three that aren’t the two of us, two of them hold titles in the domain did she intended me to scope them out as well? Raising again, she casts eyes over each of the gathered present, better to be sure.

Read emotions of Priscus Baker 1 success

Date	Action	Roll	Result
2023-11-06 11:40:52	Verity Carmen rolls 5 to read emotions of Priscus Baker (10 Again)	9, 4, 5, 6, 2	1 success

Read emotions of Priscus Jacque 3 successes

Date	Action	Roll	Result
2023-11-06 11:41:20	Verity Carmen rolls 5 to read emotions of Priscus Jacque (10 Again)	5, 10, 2, 8, 8, 5	3 successes

Read emotions of Father Lamech 1 success

Date	Action	Roll	Result
2023-11-06 11:41:38	Verity Carmen rolls 5 to read emotions of Father Lamech (10 Again)	3, 7, 9, 1, 7	1 success

Read emotions of Seneschal Hazleton 4 successes

Date	Action	Roll	Result
2023-11-06 11:41:58	Verity Carmen rolls 5 to read emotions of Seneschal Hazleton (10 Again)	3, 8, 10, 9, 9, 5	4 successes

[Alessandra]

Another night, another Court, one she had debated skipping, having various fires that she needed to address and put out. But she found herself calling her tailor for a dress, deciding making an appearance was important. Or something like that.

One of the doors to her office opens and Gabriel steps out and off to the side. The first to appear is Cain, all one hundred and twenty-five pounds of supernatural muscle and hate. This was no ordinary Rottweiler; this was a beast infused with the Vitae of its master.

Walking up behind Cain, the Savage nods to Gabriel who closes the office door and stands off to the side. Making himself scarce, but ready should the Italian need him.

Her tailor had picked out something different for her, something she wouldn’t pick for herself, but she was willing to give it a try. It was fitted and was more colorful than the Savage was comfortable with, but, why not. It allowed some of her ink to be visible, while drawing attention to her curves. Dark hair was left down and in waves, dancing around her shoulders and back, makeup was not present.

Standing, she observed Elysia, dark eyes moving across the room, taking in who was present. Her own Beast snarled in rage at the sheer amount of weakness in front of her. A respectful nod was offered to Jennifer, then to Jacque. He may not be Seneschal anymore, but she still respected him. Then nods to the Priscus.

The new faces were noted, one who seemed to not understand what Formal meant. The other still ready for Halloween, or maybe something else. She remains in a position of observation, not close enough for any conversation. Cain stood in front of her, ever on alert.

[Albert Baker]

Al thoguht about the remark and smiled faintly.

"Well, it has been what I wear to work for a long time so it's quite fortunate I can make it work."

Thinking the question over for a moment he finally nodded.

"Yes, so far. Yours as well, I hope."

Then more people arrived one by one. The first was the new preacher who was greeted with a nod and a slight smile.

"Good evening, Mr. Lamech."

The next one was unexpected for the time, though he received a nod as well.

"Good evening, Mr. Krait."

Then quite unexpected the last attendee for the time being appeared, being greeted with a bow.

"Good evening, Lady Seneschal."