Ladies Salon

[Eglantine des Rosier]

In the nicest meeting room, amidst vases of roses and violets, Eglantine and Kira await their guests. The main tea room has emptied now as it nears midnight and even the most enthusiastic of their new members has made their way home. The staff are quietly clearing away but the head butler, Mr Blake, remains close to the door as he oversees the rest of the staff. Any knocks on the door will be answered swiftly, with the guests shown respectfully to where Eglantine and Kira sit. Calligraphy and needlework adorn the walls, a piano sits in one corner.

There is an atmosphere of creativity and mutual appreciation, encouraging people to be complimentary and discouraging non-constructive criticism.

[Valentina Audley]

Valentina is admitted promptly at midnight. She's wearing a delicate gown of spring green linen over which tiny blossoms have been embroidered and carries a neat, though slightly larger than might be considered usual, bag in the same fabric. Her hair is pinned up with the customary loose curl escaping and she looks serene.

"Good evening darlings. Gracious am I the first?" She smiles sweetly at Eglantine and Kira, though most of her attention goes to Eglantine. She looks admiringly around the room as she heads over to them.

"What a charming place you have here Miss Des Rosier." The compliment is sincere. Valentina adores pretty rooms, they make such good backdrops for fine garments.

[Eglantine des Rosier]

"Miss Audley, I am so glad you could come to my little gathering. You are indeed the first to arrive, though I do hope not the last." She smiled as she greeted her first guest. "Thank you for the kind compliment on my rooms, they may not be the height of luxury but I am quite pleased with how they turned out." Respectably pretty rather than ornate, middle class and combining function with form... yes Eglantine was happy with her interior design, although she did consider herself rather biased on the matter. It was nice to have her efforts recognised by a fellow Toreador.

"I hear I missed quite the dramatic Elysium. One of the Nosferatu dragged away, a murder to be concerned about and of course one of our own clan claiming the throne. Let us hope he is able to hold it a little longer, it seems quite the dangerous position. We will of course do our best in helping him to maintain it." The brief summation gleaned from her foster-childe's report would hopefully open the door for speculation or gossip about issues that Kira may have overlooked. In any case it was a topic of conversation as they waited a little while for more guests to arrive.

[Erika Leroux]

Erika has made an effort tonight. Wearing her new and most elegant walking outfit - a welcome change from the rags she's recently adopted, and purposefully chosen to please her ward - she feels comfortable and relatively confident for the first time in a long time. She glances at Christine, reaches to her, giving her hand a reassuring squeeze before knocking gently at the door.

[Valentina Audley]

Valentina smiles cheerfully. "Darling Francis, I'm sure he'll make an excellent Prince for you all in these troubled times. I do so look forward to working with him on my lady's behalf. As for Mr Black, one of the new deputy sheriffs, Miss Merryweather went with him, to ensure fair play so I'm sure he'll be back amongst you all soon enough."

The tone of voice is bland and social. She hides any trace of curiosity over Dorian, purposely neglecting to mention either the letter she'd sent him or the impatience she felt at a lack of reply.

[Christine Daye]

Christine smiles happily at Erika, humming contentedly to herself. She's dressed in her usual shades of green, with her red music bag and her lap harp in its bag slung over her shoulder.

"... Maestra.... oh.... I do like your new gown... did Miss Audley make it? The colours are just perfect for you.... oh... who do you think will be here? It is... I have such hopes for this gathering.... the chance to learn...in a... refined atmosphere... I have prepared a few pieces... You will tell me? When you wish me to play? I.... I... I.... oh.... I am so excited! And a bit nervous.... how silly am I?"

She squeezes Erika's hand back, fairly vibrating with excitement.

[Erika Leroux]

Erika laughs softly, happily.

"No, you're not being silly. I am too, to be honest, for I fear my presence will be unwelcome. However, I know that you will perform beautifully, and my nerves are soothed by that very notion. Of course I shall let you know when to play."

She pats her new outfit, her air satisfied.

"Yes, this is one of Miss Audley's creations. I hoped you would like it, and I am glad that you do. I couldn't let my dear Christine down by appearing in rags at such a refined evening."

[Christine Daye]

Christine hums a little, considering. Then, taking a deep breath:

"Maestra... you are Primogen now. You do this gathering great honour by even being here for a moment!"

She twists her fingers, nervous at even hinting at chiding Erika, no matter how gently.

"...and...and... if you are not made welcome... then we both shall leave... and I shall be very cross.... at their lack of manners... and respect... for you... and your position... "

[LittleBird]

Kira is dressed in a rich dark blue gown, one of the newer additions to her wardrobe and one she has been favouring as of late. Rather surprised Valentina arrived in the end, yet pleased all the same, it shall certainly be a interesting evening.

She shares a smile with her foster Sire and Des Rosier as she hears the knock, she leaves them to their conversation, and gathers her skirts to answer herself, let's give the doorman a break she thinks, happy to play the part of a co-host with Des Rosier.

"Good evening," Kira gives a polite curtsy and warm welcoming smile to the pair, leaving the door open with a graceful water like gesture, "Come right this way," she leads them through,quite enthusiastic, passing the belated doorman coming down the stairs, "Miss Audley was the first, we're not sure how many to expect, but with such esteemed company," she nods in acknowledgement to Miss Daye and Primogen Leroux as she leads the way at a leisurely pace in such decorated backdrop "Even as few in numbers as we are, it'll be a sure success," she stops outside the door letting them go ahead.

[Eglantine des Rosier]

"I am glad to hear everything has been handled with propriety." In all honesty Eglantine was more curious about why he had been removed than concerned about his return. She looked up as her foster-childe ushered two more guests in.

"Miss Daye, Miss Erika, I am so very glad you could make my little gathering. Please do join us, we were just discussing the recent Elysium, another transition of power. Let us hope that matters will begin to grow at least a little more stable in the near future." It was no wonder the Cainites were doing so well in their battles if Praxis was being tossed about like a hot potato, only burning those who held it rather than being used productively.