A Party to Remember

[Storyteller]

Belonging to the famous artist, Eric Valmont, The Quintessence is an affluent art gallery situated on the southeast edge of Toreador territory. With three floors of sprawling rooms and cleanly modern furnishings, paintings adorn nearly every wall of every floor, but those on the lowest level are clearly on display for the public eye. Plaques welcome viewers to engage in each creation's historied life, and detail any piece's constructed date. On the upper floors... rumoured parties of decadent extravagance are hosted. These levels are strictly private.

Valmont makes the rounds devoid of his Childe - unsurprising to those who have Sired, given she must be young to their world and perhaps needs peace elsewhere - but the host greets his guests generously. Attractive ghouls sashay through the gallery, young nubile things with long legs and glossy hair; it appears suited to Toreador tastes. The uppermost level is intimate, decorated more cosily with its low and unusually-sized sofas. They seem large enough to roll around on, strangely.

The second level seems part gallery (long sweeping white aisles with paintings on display) part salon, tables and chairs and settees tastefully placed. The ground floor is clearly where the mortals have access to through the business hours in the day.

[Storyteller]

ST note - this "party" is unrelated to your Downtime actions; should you wish to antagonise via stats then it's recommended (as per forum rules: viewtopic.php?f=58&t=6) you handle this internally between yourselves, with generosity given to fellow players for the construction of a fun story. This is not intended as an opportunity for physical PvP. With the multitude of salons and soirées available in DT, you are welcome to Kick Off in those, when the consequences of your actions can be met happily with ST attention. This forum is for the spirit of fluff parties to let players relax, presumably, on the basis of Toreador hospitality. It's rare we have opportunity to do so, being beautifully destructive predators.

Remember: Have fun! Create shenanigans, relax, and share a story. Play to lose; it creates better rumours.

Think about what you expect to find at a Toreador party. Consider OOC whether what you intend to do in this thread will upset or frustrate other players. Please roleplay with others in mind for enjoyment.

Should anyone wish to pair off into more private rooms, or if you think this thread is becoming too "noisy" with posts, just create another in The Quintessence.

[Valentina Audley]

On the second level, Valentina has snared a charming cream settee to settle upon, which shows her navy Elysium finery off to it's best advantage. She reclines gracefully (though for those of them who know Dyonisia, the mannerism seems reminiscent of her) and surveys the room with interest.

[Marie Darrieux]

Marie climbs the stairs to the second floor and spots Valentina, her dress a gorgeous contrast against the cream upholstery she reclines on. There is something a little familiar in the mannerism, but Marie puts that aside to ponder later as she advances in to the room. Her notebook and pen from earlier are absent, instead she holds a fan which matches the autumn hues of her dress.

"It seems we have chance to talk socially after all this evening Miss Audley. Might I join you?"

[CFlaubert]

Constance scowled at the outside of the art gallery with an arched eyebrow. This would not go well. According to her calculations, there was a 97 percent chance that something would go awry, and a 3 percent chance that nothing would go awry, but she would still be in trouble.

How was it that knowing one was being setup did not facilitate "getting out" of the setup, she pondered.

With a sigh she went inside, to the lowest level. Looking around at the excessive finery, and the array of "modern" fashion, she supposed that the fact that her dress was vividly different from those around her, emphatically did not mean that she was somehow the trendsetter.

A place near the door, she thought. I can say I came, fulfilled the elders requests and then leave 10 minutes from now.

She considered obfuscating, but "somehow that will break an unknown, unspoken, ancient dictum of etiquette, that no-one ever knew or cared about until this very moment." she grumbled under her breath.

She sighed again, and sat heavily in the seat nearest the door. Dropping herself as far into the chair as she could, and hoping she was not the noticeable type.

[Valentina Audley]

Valentina smiles cheerfully at Marie.

"Please do Master Harpy! It will be a delight to have a chance to speak with you. I am always sorry we miss each other at Elysium. What a charming fan you have!" Valentina casts an admiring glance at is as talks, noting how well it goes with Marie's gown.

She also notes that the cream upholstery should work for Marie as well, meaning they will make a charming picture for anyone glancing their way. It's a pleasing thought because it should be an easy way to attract attention without seeming to be seeking it. Perfect for whatwill undoubtedly follow later in the evening.

[Reginald Verity]

Reggie floated around scanning the gallery to ensure all was in order. Valmont seemed to be coping manfully with his host duties and all appeared adequate. He reflected on his evening at Elysium and the tedium that his elevated status afforded. There was far too much politicking for his liking, so now he needed, no deserved, some entertainment.

He expected Valentina would be holding court somewhere in the establishment and he would ensure their paths would cross at some point in the evening. He had, after all, been promised a reward for his recent endeavours and he intended to collect. Segarus would no doubt be sashaying through the venue shortly full of the promise of youthful adventure. Normally a welcome distraction but not right now, Reggie reminded himself. And then there was that delightful harpist who blushed so enticingly earlier in the evening. An invitation perhaps?

Reggie focused and began to put his centuries of experience to the matter at hand. A challenge had been issued and he was damned if he was going to allow the hypnotic Segarus or the formidable Lady Leverson to defeat him. Where was Lunarus, and was he indeed a true Scotsman?

The matter vexed Reggie and thus he positioned himself to one side being able to observe the particularly shiny and reflective parquet flooring near the entrance while he considers his next action...

[Regulus Grey]

Regulus enters through the front door slowly. Straightening his clothing his steps are slow and lithe, the gait of a hunter stalking his prey. Brushing his slightly wind tousled blonde hair out of his eyes he glances around. A quick nod to the Malkavian nurse, before moving deeper into the room.

The first floor seemed interesting enough, but none of the pieces of art could compare to the beauty of his fellow predators, or even that of the tundra at night. Slowly he advances up the stairs, stopping dead for a moment at the sight of the two Ladies sat on one of the settee's.

Inclining his head deeply, he stays paused for a moment to see if one of them will gesture for his approach.

[Christine Daye]

Christine and Erika arrive together, Christine with her harp case over one shoulder, the other arm carefully tucked in her Maestra's. Christine is giggling excitedly, still pale, wide eyed and obviously manic, not entirely there.

She stares around the room for a moment, drinking in the sight of the art.

"...oh, how pretty!" she breathes. Then, with a start, she sees the other Kindred already present. She bobs a quick curtsey to Verity, a flush once more appearing on her pale cheeks. She bites her lower lip, and looks away, somewhat embarrassed at her blush.

Looking around some more, she spots Constance and gives a little wave.

"Constance! Oh! How marvelous! Look Maestra, Miss Caswell is here!"

She gently lets go of Erika's arm with a fond squeeze, and approaches Constance, smiling in delight. For a moment it seems like she will bend to kiss Constance on the cheek in greeting, but settles instead for a quick curtsey.

"Might we join you? Isn't this lovely? I've not been here before... but I've heard rumours about the wonderful parties here. It's so nice to be invited! Have you seen our host? We should go say hello..."

Her gaze is constantly moving, constantly being caught by the different pictures.

"...oh... Maestra... look at that one! It has a harp! How lovely! And he's got the strings right too!"

[Francis Beauclair]

Francis arrives at the party several hours after the meeting in court, He wears the gold leaf mask he had intended to wear for the ball but there is no mistaking the lithe movement's of his dancer's gate. He seems relaxed and unconcerned dancing and flirting outrageously with all the guests. His particular attention falls on Valentina, Reggie, and Ms Devreaux dancing and chatting unrecognisable from the angry ball of rage that had left the court a few hours earlier.