(2408)Formal Court

[Jennifer Hazelton]

The Seneschal focused on the important matters that were occurring, such as the Alder Prince’s correction of Priscus Carmen’s behavior. Jennifer kept her eyes on the Prince for a long beat. Jennifer lowered her head in respect to the Alder Prince. She looks at the Alder Prince’s face. Jennifer was curious what the prime predator was feeling. That tone had Jennifer on alert. As alert as she was to the Prince’s powerful gaze and her command to the Daeva, Jennifer acknowledged other movements and conversations as predators swirled around one another.
Jennifer regarded the speakers who refer to Invictus Domains, composed and lady – like in comportment. Dark brown eyes look to the Ventrue Priscus, making an answering nod to Priscus Jack. As others speak and make their decisions, the Nosferatu observes the Priscus of Lords. As he addresses her question of Priscus Baker, a minute nod is given in response. That reasoning was sound.
That response from Priscus Jack hemmed up the situation perfectly. Anything that Jennifer would say was laid to rest. Jennifer has no desire to speak only to hear her own voice. Jennifer lets the topic rest.

Priscus Baker's response earned a nod of acknowledgement from Jennifer, to show that she had heard Priscus Baker and respected his opinion. This was not a way to needle the Mekhet Priscus, as all had thier own opinion. Another Kindred makes an issue with Verity known, and Jennifer ignores this. It was not her business until recording of a boon was brought to her. The new Daeva recieved a curious gaze. The gaze stretches as Jennifer evaluates Julliette Allard. Ms. Allard had not been the one to attract attention and was going to be tied to the behavior of her Priscus.

“Mr. Roman. If you wish to converse on ideas, I would be glad to do so another time. I am curious where your interests lie.” Jennifer states, her brown eyes meeting Marcus’ for a moment. There is a slight nod to the Gangrel in recognition for the respect that Mr. Roman shows to her. Respect shown should be met with the same acknowledgement, and Jennifer did so to the letter of propriety.

Ms. Grey steps towards her and Jennifer gave a short nod of acknowledgement. “Yes, that is something that I would be interested in. I shall be able to meet with you at the beginning of next month.”
Brown eyes move to the new Kindred who steps closer to where she stood with Priscus Jack. She observes the request of Priscus Jack, noting the composure of the new Kindred.
Pressing matters were addressed, Jennifer’s whole attention returned to Verity being called by the Alder Prince.

[Helen Kingsley]

Watching the proceedings and listening to Verity's argument, Helen does think she kinda figures out whats happening here. Interesting. Not unexpected, but still, takes serious balls, especially with that kind of stuff can turn out... The Princes rebuke isn't hard to anticipate, but then, things'll go as things'll go. As she's not a Priscus or otherwise involved in the going ons, she leaves the guys embroiled in that thing to it and stays the fuck away. Best thing for everyone.

Ah, yeah, my Priscus. Rookie mistake, but shows the funny ideosyncrasies of the place. Or something like that. The Iudex does some of his pretty impressive Iudex-y stuffs.

Addressed by Vincenzo, she frowns as the first thing. Is her damn mailbox broken ?

"And I wish I wasn't pestered at court with stuff that a call or mail would be good enough for, but I guess we both can't always get what we want. You will be contacted by whoever assisting me is available for it. Is there anything else, Mr Vincenzo ?"

She wonders what would happen if their roles were reversed. Always a fun game with Lanceae. But hey, people get contacted by who's there, not by who they want. At least that's how she knows it.

[Alessandra]

Verity and Alessandra can move to the side thread and move their business along and get it taken care of Sorry I didn't get a side thread up sooner, but lets get our stuff taken care of!

[Benedikta Grey]

From her spot near the Seneschal and the Priscus of Lords, Benny observed continued to watch as Priscus Carmen continued her tour of providing verbatim apology. The Mekhet's face went blank as she blinked. Did Verity know she was coming off as disingenuous?

Then Sacramento's greatest Beast spoke, demanding Verity's presence and providing some rather forceful correction. However, none of this was Benny's business, as she was neither a Priscus nor a Domain official and, thus, she turned her attention back to her own environs... though, surely like many others, the Shadow listened with some interest to the exchange of the Prince and the embattled Rose.

Turning back to Hazelton as she replied, Benedikta afforded a polite smile and a nod.

"Of course, Lady Seneschal, I look forward to the correspondence," she offered. It was a truth from the Carthian, her encounters with the Seneschal had been quite pleasant thus far, though this was greatly aided by the fact that both usually kept their Beasts shrouded. "I'm sure I've taken up enough of your time. Have a pleasant evening, Seneschal Hazelton. Priscus Jack."

The night was already proving interesting and Benny had been Kindred long enough to know that Hazelton would likely have much to do during Formal Court. Doubly so given the Haunt's watchfulness of the night's slights. Both Acknowledged officials were granted a nod befitting of their station, but the Lancea in her midst recieved none, though Benny did spare him a glance this time. Schnieder was not yet Acknowledged and, if Verity's current struggles were anything to judge, it was in Benny's best interests to avoid social faux pas.

The techie Shadow thereafter left the Seneschal's orbit, moving to seat herself on the periphery of the group to lounge and relax... or at least attempt to in the sea of Rage and Fear she felt gnawing at the back of her mind.

[Otto Schneider]

Otto felt anger and shame well up in him as he heeded Priscus Jacque's subtle admonition. It was a rather basic tenet of Invictus etiquette, something his Sire had taught him decades ago, and yet he had managed to fumble an otherwise simple procedure. Perhaps it was because he had spent so much time in a Domain that centered around the idiosyncrasies of an Elder Archbishop, but he had failed a rudimentary test of manners.

He struggled to keep signs of frustration from showing as he bowed again. "I beg your forgiveness and indulgence, Most Gracious Priscus Jacque. If my Sire still played a part in the Danse Macabre, she would flay me for making such a brazen error." Scraping his mind for all the lessons of Invictus etiquette and remembering the appropriate appellations for groveling, he would throw himself at the feet of the Priscus. He hoped, in part, that shifting to a more obsequious tone would help to ameliorate the insult. "Ignorance is no excuse for such a grievous mistake, I can only hope that in your wisdom you find a shred of compassion for my unintentional slight."

There was no real excuse, especially considering that his Sire had been a Countess of the Invictus and thus should have ensured Otto had an appropriate education in Unconquered politics. He could only hope that Jacque was feeling indulgent this evening and that the ancient bond between the First and Second Estates meant something in this Domain. "I pray that in spite of my ignorant display you would still consider blessing me with Acknowledgement at Court tonight." It was an overall pitiful display and he knew it. But he didn't care if he humiliated himself tonight, it only mattered if he could carve a niche for himself in the current Kindred political structure.

His eyes were naturally drawn to the Prince and Priscus Carmen, but the two were drawing away from the crowd. As before, most of the present Kindred did not bother to acknowledge his presence tonight. Thus Otto kept his focus on the most senior Ventrue of the Domain.

[Verity Carmen]

Continued from Arrow update...

Dismissed from the prince's presence things all in all having gone far from how she expected it leaves the Daeva much to mull over and consider ... later ... right now the last few things need to handled.

The order mattered. Juliette first, she was the kindred Verity could walk away from causing the fewest additional twists in the evenings proceedings. Her cousin was ... on the side lines. No wonder she was picked out, that move has never worked. As thoughts connect to Lamech and Losh both who had tried this to their detriment.

Reaching her cousin, Verity will bow her head as for one acknowledged in the domain after all her cousin was and due as much, her Priscus will speak quietly now, as is expected by the decorum of court, no longer needing to address the entire room the volume of course no obstacle for any of the predators in the room kindred hearing being as sharp as it is. "A little decorum Ms. Allard. Tonight is not the night for looking smug." If her cousin had enjoyed the show, if she had understood it, they would discuss another night. "Lets try for something more demure shall we." A look of misty green eyes makes clear this is no request. "This is you're first court appearance the side lines are hardly fitting." That wasn't how Daeva dansed. Once and only once her cousin has adopted a look more appropriate to the settings and events of the evening will Verity with bow her head once more as appropriate and move on.

Which left the notably larger task, fortunately the only kindred forbidden to approach was the prince so she could not cause offence by approaching or initiating conversation. Approaching the Seneschal Verity will bow her head as befitting the officials social standing and domain position, then a bow of her head to each involved in the conversation as appropriate to their respective standings followed by addressing the kindred to whom she had business. "Seneschal Hazelton, I am aware I overstepped earlier this evening and that you are due more respect then I have given you tonight. I apologise for my display and hope the offering of a minor boon to you will convey that I understand where respect is due." A bit galling but sometimes sacrifices had to me made, and no one can say she had made no effort to make peace.

[Jacque]

Jack watched and listened as the machine of politics churned through every corner of the room. The pieces moved quickly as different games were played and with different goals in mind. The signals of understanding were acknowledged and with Verity's apology accepted by the Prince he excused himself from the immediate company of the Seneschal, moving closer to Otto. As Verity handled her business a brief look of near surprise flushed across his face. So she does understand that apologies are debts to be paid.

"You must be quite thankful that this is indeed not an Invictus domain," he responded to his cousin's apology submission. "I have no qualm or hesitation with handling your Acknowledgement Mr Schneider but it will be on a night soon after this one. It draws too late to complete the full process without rush so the remainder of tonight you should take in all that you can from the lessons to be learned..." He reached into his pocket and offered a business card to his cousin.

I'll open our own scene after court

[Albert Baker]

Then several things happened at once. First Vincenzo needlessly brought his issues with Verity into the open... publicly and was rebuked by the Reeve for it. The Prince and Verity left for a talk and Mr. Krait had a talk with the Hun. Shrugging internally Al went to have a seat and watch the proceedings from a more distant position.

[Seryna]

"I did not realize speaking in Court would be an issue. I will handle further matters by mail.
As you see fit. Good evening, Reeve."
Vincenzo gave a nod to the Reeve. He turned and saw that Priscus Carmen was not speaking with him on the issue that he had raised. He stepped after Priscus Baker and looked over the room.

[Raul]

The Gangrel Whip smiles and offers a nod to Juliette when she introduces herself to him. Carthian, interesting.

When his clanmate approaches, he returns the nod to Marcus. "I would be happy to speak with you as well. We should make a night of it sometime. Soon." Then the Unbound Savage voices his philosophy. While it has some truths to it, there's some things that will have to be corrected.

He gives a smile to the Seneschal when she acknowledges his request. "Of course. At your leisure."

"I'm as well can be," he says in response to the Reeve's inquiry.

He nods to Benny, glancing to Juliette and Helen for a moment. The Movement of the city is growing. Is that a good thing?

When Verity starts to give her 'apologies' to the other Priscus, he lifts an eyebrow but doesn't say anything, just watches it unfold. When the Prince calls the Rose over almost immediately, he suppresses a smile, wishing silently that he could still eat popcorn.

He looks around the room and tries his best to hide the frown at the people he doesn't see, or more specifically, one Dragon that he doesn't see.

The night seems to be drawing to end. He glances to Jennifer but doesn't say anything unless she addresses him. He's not in a rush, now that the deed is done, as it were.