A Peaceful Housewarming Party

[Lucius]

"Ah he is not to your taste?" he smiles at her with mischief in his eyes, "then i shall take him for myself," he winks again, "oh he's not the only thing to have caught my eye at all," he says as they move around, "The Prince's form is most appealing," he says, "she is quite compelling,"

The dance comes to an end. "I thank you Valentina," he says.

He looks around for Velvet, who seems to have disappeared from view. A predatory glance overtakes his face, "well now parvalus," he says within Valentina's earshot, "where have you got to,"

[LittleBird]

Kira tilts her head, a warm and patient look floods her face and she gives Helen a reassuring squeeze of her hand, pausing for a moment at her friends expression, giving her a moment to continue. When she does not Kira nods and takes half a step back, that jovial smile returning.
"You'll see what they are when you open it later, surprises surprises," she beams, "And while I am sure you're beds are heavenly, I shall not succumb to dreams so early into the night Helen,"
(The gift is a large exquisite rug that has the constellations woven into it, and when the rug is taken out there is a little note from kira,i'll dm you)

[Miroslav]

Miroslav halts mid-sentence to look up, horrified, at Lucius. He seems completely taken back by some snippet of conversation.

Miroslav can't exactly insult the Prince right here, either, but he's confused. While Miroslav might have become vaguely and genuinely fond of Erika in the last year, he couldn't compute carnal relations with one of her...

He was squinting at the Ventrue as if trying to climb into his vitae and confirm whether Lucius was, in fact, Ventrue. Did the lemming not realise she was a Nosferatu?

Miroslav doesn't care about some Tremere nobody, so he easily ignores the comment related to Velvet. But distracted, he turns his attention to Jerome to find he is being spoken to.

"I tend to find my company appreciated less in Elysia here," he drawled sardonically, but the eyes are alight suddenly. "You are the new Keeper?"

[Lucius]

As he turns to look for Velvet, Lucius registers the gift Kira is giving to Helen. He glides over to the pair of them.

"And who is this Helen?" he says looking down at the box.

Then he directs his look exactly at Kira "you look familiar neonate? Have we met before?"

[Valentina Audley]

Valentina curtseys to Lucius as their dance ends. She finds herself very grateful Velvet isn't in sight and a part of her hopes he's had the sense to leave the party entirely.

Finding herself partnerless, old habits kick in and Valentina drifts quietly to a corner of the room, to sit and quietly observe for a while.

[annabelle]

Helen grabs Kira's gift tight and defensively but her smile is kind to Lucius "Kira is my close friend and she is of the Black Family..." the latest whispered to the Ventrue.

She smiles at the young Toreador "Kira thank you for you gift, I shall place it somewhere safely. Would you like a drink? My lord would you like some wine too?"

She looks around and only then she realises Mr Price and Annabelle are there. What a rude host she was, to not welcome the Keeper himself and her dearest Annabelle. So she waves at them

"Oh my l, I didn't see you there, my apologies. This party was so distracting. Any drinks? We have really good wine"

[Lucius]

“Ah yes,” he smiles at Helen. “Well ladies, you will need excuse me for a moment, I shall take that wine when I return,” he nods to Helen.

“Perhaps you will grace me a conversation on my return,” he says to Annabelle as he’s leaving.

With that he glides out of the main drawing room door and off into the house.

[Jerome Price]

Jerome nods to Mirsoslav, taking in the statuesque figure before him with obvious interest. "Yes Elder Miroslav, I have the delight of that position until our Prince decides otherwise and you are most welcome at any of our events, I hope that I can ensure they maintain your interest and make you feel more welcome. Indeed all should feel welcome within Elysia after all, whatever their colour, creed, caste, countenance or company."

Seeing Helen notice their arrival Jerome will lean past Miroslav and wave to her, whispering to the Toreador Elder "If you feel under appreciated I am sure it is only because others fear or envy you." Stepping around Miroslav he stops and looks back to take in the firm form topped with the sardonic glare once more, he purrs "I can see why."

He turns and sweeps on to Helen "Princess" he bows low, "What a delightful soiree, might I say you look radiant this evening." He presents the package wrapped with deep red paper and golden ribbons, "Here, a little something to warm your evenings in your new home."

[Madam Zaragoza]

Hermina sat down in the room adjoining the party, listening to all the interactions. Her eyes and face betrayed the beast fighting to be released. In her mind, she was turning over the multitudinous ways in which to cause someone the most pain possible. Death would be too easy and simple. It had to equate to the crime that had been perpetrated. This evening was not the time to deliver the punishment and perhaps it would not be so for some months or even years yet. She would need to hide her displeasure up until that point as best she could.

She got up and paced the room, forcing down the beast. She needed to give the impression that she was content with how things were now. She needed to ensure that he was safe and well. She hoped beyond hope that perhaps it could be a positive thing, that they could return to how they used to be. But deep down she knew that was lost forever.

[Jean-Jacques]

Having finally negotiated an awkward moment with the ghoul, Jean-Jacques steps across the threshold, resplendent in his dress uniform, it is a party after all.

He stands in the hall, taking in the surroundings, removes his kidskin gloves and grasp a small brown paper wrapped parcel, casting his eyes about for the hostess, the princess.