Holiday Ball! [December GM Event]

[Ripper]

[Tag: Penelope Dupuis]

His head was feeling much more clearer now that once again he once was able to shut out all the external stimuli. Even still though he had not quite worked off the nervous energy from his sudden rush of adrenaline earlier. This must have been what spurred him directly forward or accounted for the scowl on his face as he drew closely enough to greet the attendant elf and inquire where the animal handler could be found. After returning moments later following a quiet interrogation of the hired hand, he returned while looking as somber as ever to confront the part time attendant and insist to speak with his manager. The animals must have sensed something was up for they chomped on the bits and stamped their hooves nervously at the scent.

[Ariadne]

[for_peace][/for_peace]

Ari gathered her thoughts and pushed them outwards, visualizing them as a shining ball traveling towards the still glowing Yule Log. In her mind, it looked far tidier than it felt, which was complicated and heart-wrenching. It should have looked like a ball of thorns, or at the very least, tangled wires based on how everything had felt as she pulled it together in her mind. She sighed as she became unburdened and realized that the warmth she around her wasn't just from the fire; the sense of peace that she had been seeking for months finally resettled within her.

Damn new-age, old timey traditions.

"Seeking absolution, or just enjoying the tranquility?"

Eyebrows raised and head inclined slightly as she regarded the young male now beside her. Human. How interesting. Aside from Amalea and her employees, she hadn't interacted with an actual human in a strictly social situation in years. Social. Socially acceptable. How long had she been quiet again? And what was the question? Something about tranquility... "A little of both, I suppose. Isn't that what these are for? Letting go of regrets and finding new beginnings. And you? I do not believe we've met..."

[Mordechai]

It took but a moment to send his findings on to his ‘sibling’ letting the facts and pictures flow from his mind to hers, “Things are not what they seem.” Zodiac had moved towards one of the doors, nearing the safety of the outdoors, if anywhere truly could be safe, knowing what was breeding within these walls. Bancroft was but a puppet, but the more he watched and learned, the more it seemed as if either he had lost his mind, or his master, had some demented plan laid out for this evening…. A jorgomo was moving freely amongst the quests. Invited by the ********. His plan. There were too many of those he considered within his care, still present. His eyes met Zo’s across the room, before making a quick scan of the room. All were spread around loosely, now that Doc had once more left Ariadne standing alone. There was a human approaching her, but the killer could discern no hostile intent, at least in this one. Mordechai stepped back closer to where he had appeared, his preternatural hearing catching part of a conversation. Waiting for a pause he addressed the woman he had seen at Mortll’s. “Perhaps we might discuss the fruits of your labors at a later time? I am the proprietor of midKnight Armaments.” His eyes never really rested on her person, now that situational awareness had become an even bigger mission requirement. The killer waited a moment for her reply before he once more drifted around the perimeter of the room. Moving to have a better angle on the fireplace, and a clearer view of the target person. Moving in closer to her, he considered the available options within a crowded mixed species gathering, as he listened in on her words. No doubt she was highly trained in subterfuge, to pass so easily in the company of vampires and humans alike, but even the best trained agents make mistakes.

[Zodiac]

She paused in mid step and turned at the sound of a familiar voice in her mind. Almost gracefully, Zodiac turned to face Mortll. It was easy when your feet barely touched the ground. Being able to levitate was a mixed bag. It had it’s uses, but blending in with humanity when it came to leaving footprints in the snow like everyone else was a problem. She smiled a real smile and welcomed the woman with open arms.

”Why does everyone discover I am here when there is no mistletoe in sight?” her thoughts laughing like little bubbles popping as she hugged one of her oldest friends in this place. ”How have you been, dear one?” She hung on tight and allowed the momentum of her turn to pull Mort along with her till they had traded places.

”Came out for fresh air or was the vibe in there driving you crazy as well?” She followed Mort’s lead as they moved to the far edge of the veranda. Something had spooked Mort a bit and normally that was not easy to do. Had spider girl done something? Let it be Zodiac’s luck to miss it. They settled down to ‘talk’ and Zo offered her one of her smokes. ”I am out here testing a theory, Besides, less chance of being mentally overheard if such a thing is possible.”

She was about to explain her theory to Mort, when The Doctor decided to make an appearance. Zodiac leaned back against the side of the mansion while Doc took a post across from her against the pillar. She reached down and gave Mort’s hand a reassuring squeeze.

”Your appearance suggests you find merit in my observation.” it was a statement, not a question. She quickly told Mort what she had observed earlier, then continued to them both.

”Another thing to consider in this that adds up to something is totally wrong here. Where is Bancroft? Possibly the biggest night of his political career and he is MIA? It’s political suicide. Instead of the press tomorrow reporting he is champion of the underprivilege the headlines are gonna read he snubbed his own event.”

She took a drag and continued. ”And there is some upset press in there. Their cameras and other toys aren’t working right. Plus we have people – humans and us– wanting to meet and talk to the man and a big assed spider person walking around like they own the place. I have no facts to back this up, but I do understand how to read people and their moods and this whole deal is slowly turning into a pressure cooker. One good shake and someone will pop. A mortal? Vampire or the drider? Who knows, but that won’t matter. It could turn into a chain reaction right in front of a press team eager for something and considering our kind is not the fan faves of the public, odds are it will be all our fault in the papers.”

Silently she laughed. ”Under some conditions, that’s a free for all I would not mind being in the middle of, but not like this. Not because someone actually wants this to happen.” She paused and took in what Mordechai had sent her, then sent her ‘brother’ a quick message assuring him she was alright and not alone and she understood. ”So what do you think, Doctor? Mort? Am I crazy as usual, or…?”

[Doc]

[for_peace][/for_peace]

Doc noted Mortll and Zodiac’s postures with each other. He knew their history. He was rather envious of the more than civil attitude they had with each other. **** him, he never managed that sort of relationship when he broke up with someone. There was always hurt feelings, recriminations, and bloodshed. But those two looked like lovers that never broke up. He sighed inwardly. This was just proof.. On top of the heaping pile of proof, that he was a ******* shitty ‘suitor’ or ‘beau’.

However, he was saved from having to acknowledge his lack of prowess to Mortll as Zodiac (he could have ******* kissed her) took the conversation to the true reason he was outside smoking a cigarette. He had mastered being able to send a telepathic thought to someone, but he hadn't mastered doing it to multiple people at once.

Taking a drag off his cigarette, he sent a message first to Zo and then almost a duplicate to Mortll. ~Bancroft was called out of town.. By ‘higher ups in government’ so said the elf with the megaphone. I do not believe that. I believe it is a sound good reason, not a real reason. Something is wrong with Bancroft. What? I do not know.~

After a brief respite, that to anyone watching would presume was Doc’s apathy toward the women, he continued ~Another has scanned the building and can pick up no traces of spilled blood. Not that, that is proof, of no wrong doing. Only that it has been cleaned well, if there had been a violent attack. If someone is foolish enough to start a fracas, I would have to attempt to stop them. We are only as strong as our weakest link. And if the weakest among us, succeeds in something foolhardy and deadly, we will all pay.~

Doc took another drag and narrowed his eyes as he blew out the smoke from between his lips. ~Now is not the time or place to have bloodshed, any kind. It was cast us and all of our kind as violent deviants. If an attack happens, I cannot in good conscience allow the Spider to die. We have no proof of wrongdoing. And if she dies, it will be all out war between our kind and hers. And Ripper is in residence at this party. I am sure it would amuse him to no end to frame her, and have her killed for his own personal amusement, and **** the rest of us.~

[Noelle]

Elle wasn’t sure what he was up to, or what exactly was going through his head at the moment. But he had a look on him and she wasn’t going to push it. So, she’d just follow beside him….towards the reindeer? She didn’t picture him one for wanting to go for a ride, especially not in his current mood. And she was correct. Ripper had headed directly for the little elf guy. She let him handle whatever business it was he needed to attend to.

Walking a few steps away, Noelle found herself next to one of the reindeer. It seemed a bit agitated by Ripper’s presence...then again animals tended to act that way around the killer. He made them nervous, scared. Reaching her hand out towards the creature, she attempted to pet it. The little **** tried to bite her! Fingers pulled back quickly as she scowled. She tried once again, not reaching for the muzzle, but the top of the head in between antlers instead. While petting with her fingers, Elle kept her eye on Ripper, to see what was going on.

[Flynn]

[for_peace][/for_peace]

At the very least, Tiamat did not disagree to the terms and even shook on it. His own hand returned to his side while he quietly assessed her expression through a narrowed gaze. Were he to have the intentions of collecting on the IOU someday, she could have been rest assured that they would be going to good use, but by his hands, only. It wasn't his place to take a claim to her hard work and then sell it for his own profit. Even if he did provide the parts, it wasn't like he paid for them and had a loss to make up for. Generally, Flynn liked to think he was a good person that didn't operate on solely selfish motivations, which was more than a little naive in a city like Harper Rock. Most days, though, he managed to keep that 'good person' persona forefront. You didn't have to be a personable person to be a good one. At least, that's what he told himself, regardless of whether or not it was the truth.

The unexpected sound of Azraeth's voice in his head had the Paladin freezing in momentary surprise, fairly certain that the vampire had never used any form of telepathy with him in the past. It was an odd thing to experience, hearing his boyfriend's voice so clearly in his head, despite the fact that he hadn't actually 'heard' anything because nothing was sound aloud. At least, Flynn didn't think so, as he wasn't with the man in question to know any different. With Tiamat's attention on the Yule Log, his eyes swept over the room to seek out Az, and finding him in the same place he had been before. Only when the woman at his side spoke up again did he turn to her, an eyebrow arching with clear question in his eyes. "If you were looking to avoid further curiosity, you have failed. Miserably. You would have been better off just saying you had something devious in mind." Though, to be fair, he probably would have been curious even if that had been her answer. But, that wasn't the point.

Choosing not to push the subject, for the moment, he ventured forward. "And that, my dear, is possibly the understatement of the year. He's a protective man, by nature. I don't have much in way of comparison, but I'm sure that nature would rear it's head in a rather ugly way if he felt my safety was threatened in any way." he commented with a small grin. It wasn't a joking matter, by any means, because his words were entirely serious. Were his vampire partner to feel that the Paladin was in any form of danger, he would have been at his side in an instant. Which only lead him to wonder exactly what harm he could have come to at the woman's hand, and what it was that she had up her sleeve to cause trouble that night. Especially if all it would take would be simply knowing her plan of attack. 'Attack' may have even been the wrong word, but if he were in danger simply by knowing, then it clearly wasn't to hand out candy canes and sing Hallelujah.

Scanning the room once more to take note of the several bodies that had seemed to move outside into the cold, Flynn paused. The odd thing was that they hadn't seemed to move toward the area that elves had set up for activities, but a rather secluded area to talk. He hummed in contemplation, now with the overwhelming urge to return to his partner's side. Not out of fear, or even discomfort. In fact, he couldn't have said why it was he felt it, just that the feeling was there and he had no intentions of ignoring it. "Speaking of Azreath...he beckons, with a request that I bring you along. Introductions and all that." he said, stuffing his hands in his pockets as he shot a look at Tiamat. "You don't have to, of course, but should you like to be social and continue your...appraisal from another vantage point, the offer is there."

There was a brief pause as he waited to see if she had any intentions of following, and only then did he set off back through the crowd. He all but held his breath the entire way there, trying not to think too much about the people pressing in around him. As the third time he had navigated the group, his steps were precise and quick, carrying him across the ballroom in only a few minutes time. And as it was, he happened to come upon the group he had previously left just in time to catch the story. Flynn had no idea how it had come up, but that was honestly irrelevant as a smirk took over his expression. Well, if this wasn't an opportunity, then he wouldn't know one if it hit him in the face.

When the vampire finished speaking, the Paladin halted his steps just in front of the small group, his eyes dancing in mischief. First, he acknowledged the woman with a nod, a soft 'ladies.' And then...then he focused on his partner. "That was quite the story..." he began, trailing off at the end for the sake of tipping Azraeth's chin up with a finger. "I don't go around throwing out your full name like confetti, of course. That's a personal matter." At that point, his smirk only grew. "Though, if I were...I suppose I would have to introduce you as Azreath William Connors, wouldn't I? You insisted that was your name the other day, after all." Up until then, Flynn hadn't acknowledged the man's slip while in the throes of three severe head wounds, but it was just too good to pass up. And besides, he deserved it, pulling out his middle name like that.

[Mortll]

[for_peace][/for_peace][against_sirens][/against_sirens]
~"Who needs Mistletoe ?"~she thought back at the Gypsy Mortll was more than happy to follow the gypsy outside the cold fresh air was a welcome relief to the over crowded mass that was the ball room even if half of the residents didn't put off any heat. Her dress wasn't great for the cold. She slid close to the other woman her hand slipped up and touched her forearm her fingers sliding along the silky smooth skin when she was alerted to the other presence. Her eyes smoldered the dragon pupils becoming even more pronounced than they already were as Zo greeted Doc. **** she thought to herself isn't there any escape from this man tonight he seemed to be everywhere she turned. It was a big ******* ball with lots of people why couldn't she get rid of him.

Mortll smiled at Zo ~ "Well to be honest that Yule log had runes on it and what that little dude with the eyeglasses spoke sounded too much like a spell for my comfort ... and you know spells better than I do what you say at the end isn't always what the spell started with ... So I decided to get the hell out of there If anyone is going to be casting spells id rather it be me ya know. "~ She glanced over at Doc " Charles " and gave him a terse nod "Its a given that this isn't what it seems and the Sirens are always up to something what I don't like is she seems to have been singing in Amalea's ear ... "She stared pointedly at Doc "Ive got my suspicions about the electronics id bet anything someone has a electromagnetic emitter. It would totally explain it. " Her hand still rested on Zo's arm she leaned a bit closer to the woman " Zo darlin you are always a bit crazy its what I love about you." Mortll turned and her hand slid up the smooth silken skin of the Gypsy's cheek as her lips brushed across the luscious curved mouth. "See I told you no mistletoe was needed "

[Tiamat]

Her mind had begun to wander in the dance of fire. Memories began to drift through the flames of her thoughts. Times long past. A family long buried in the graves of time. Flynn’s voice derailed her train of thought and pulled her back into the present. “When one has spent a lifetime being a curiosity, one learns to never to bother trying to avoid being the subject of curiosity,” She replied to him.

Her eyes narrowed warily at the invitation she received. She had only met the man once before, but she was certain that her memory of him was correct. He was the one who made Enzo into a vampire. She was also certain that what he knew of her, came from the man. She watched Flynn head off into crowd, weaving through the throng to the one he had arrived with. Her eyes followed the path ahead of him to his destination.

Before following in his wake, her attention was turned to the one who made a different offer to her. She approached The Mountain and nodded her head once as she spoke. “Indeed, we should make an appointment sometime,” she replied in a practiced voice that betrayed no unneeded emotion. She reached into her small clutch to produce a black card. Simple in nature, the name ‘Tiamat’ lay on one side in metallic silver. On the other, a phone number.

“You can find me at either this number, or at Dragons Lair.” After passing off the slip, she motioned to her thrall to follow her.

They worked their way through to the group that Flynn stopped at. She positioned herself at his side opposite Azreath. She looked around the group to take note of who was there. One other she had spoken to slightly. The other three, she did not recognize. She waited until those speaking had stopped before making her presence known. “I understand that my presence was requested.”

[Alaric von der Marck]

Alaric wondered if he’d ever been the kind of person who liked large crowds. When he was human, had he ever attended large parties? There’d been village festivals, but they’d taken up a whole field and weren’t crammed into one room. Or perhaps he’d just been better equipped to handle said events; in humanity, one’s ears were stoppered, one’s eyes glazed, one’s nose blocked and one’s taste numb. One’s senses could not be overwhelmed if they were not fully open to begin with.

As a vampire every sense was flayed open, receiving every signal tenfold. It could be illuminating, fascinating, awe inspiring. It was something that Alaric had to learn -- don’t let the noise and the scents and the sights become a negative influence. Breathe them in, embrace them. But it was harder than it sounded.

Aurelia offered a dance to Ayuka Mori, answering all questions. Ah, yes. Of course. It was Ayuka whose lips he’d seen locked to another woman, and though her attention had lingered upon Alaric, her eagerness to get back to said redhead assured him that it was women Ayuka preferred. While Judah made his exit -- compliments included (to which Alaric half rolled his eyes) -- Alaric listened to Elizabeth. Although he wasn’t watching her, he knew where she was. It was like a sixth sense. She didn’t know whether she was okay. And, according to her, Ayuka was a siren. One of the sirens currently set on closing the rift? Alaric did well to hide his reaction; he barely reacted at all.

It seemed his focus had been found, and everything else had faded into the background. Even the alluring woman in front of him, who, regardless, was also making her exit. Alaric, who two minutes before had been surrounded was once more alone. But, he wasn’t alone. His feet unstuck from the floor and he wound his way through the crowd until he was at Elizabeth’s side. He offered an elbow for her to slip her arm through, should she wish to.

”A private walk? A private conversation?” he asked, wondering if she preferred to speak via telepathy than out loud.