Holiday Ball! [December GM Event]

[Grayson Wyatt]

The long stems of the champagne flutes glimmered like diamonds in the light as they descended. He placed the tray on the edge of one of the large frozen over fountains in the courtyard. He figured a flat surface could effectively do his job for him, which was a realization he was thankful big bucks who was running the show here hadn’t made as well. Of course. He knew how these things went. More likely than not, the elaborate use of so many bodies wasn’t about efficiency. He had seen some of the advertisements for it, and knew that the official ‘on paper’ reason was that the mayor guy wanted to soothe possible tensions. If someone had asked Grayson (and nobody ever did because he totally didn’t give off the vibe that he knew much of anything), he would have said that he thought it was all an elaborate show. He had grown up around wealth and privilege. This wasn’t just about greasing social wheels and trying to keep the train of Harper Rock’s delicate community chugging along. It was a statement. Power. Wealth. Numbers. He had no clue who Bancroft was trying to impress, but the man was certainly going out of his way to show off to someone.

Gray wasn’t checked in enough to the situation to know exactly who though.

Plus he was busy slacking off, and his sights were set on someone to help make that pass time all the better. Except it was ******* freezing. He was wearing green hose, which did nothing to protect him from the knee down. From that point up, he basically was just wearing velvet shorts, which were so breathable that it was basically like sticking his nuts on an ice block. His hands descended very briefly to protect the dispenser of his genetic inheritance with two cupped hands. Oh thank god. Warmth. A little warmth. HIs shoulders hunched in a little bit, and he shifted his weight from foot to foot so as to keep the circulation going. Except. The guy with the mane of darkness did not follow after him. He glanced back in the direction of the party, and caught a glimpse of the guy chatting with someone.

“Hey, there’s a bathroom inside.” Someone mentioned to him in passing with a tap on the shoulder.

Grayson glanced down, and realized how it looked. HIs brows flattened. “Yeah, well you can **** off.” He muttered under his breath as he straightened up, glancing around. And that was when he caught sight of a large fur coat. There. That would be his ticket out of chillsville. So he crept back in the direction of the ballroom. The woman wearing it was absolutely swimming in a pelt that looked big enough to have come from a bear. It was basically hanging off of her shoulders, and barely held on by her arms. Her dress itself was long and elegantly simple. Black as pitch. He moved upon her with what he thought was a fox. He figured...how hard would it be to just slip the thing off of her. Walk away? She was barely wearing it anyway.

So he reached out and gently tugged.

…

…

…

“Young man. What exactly are you doing?”

Tug.

Tug.

Slightly more frantic tugging.

She gave him a flat stare, and Grayson had the dignity to pull away, dust himself off, and then retreat back outside into the cold. Sure. It was still chilly out there, but it was warmer than the look the lady gave him.

So there he was, back outside, hands cupping the family jewels again, with an expression that said if anyone commented, he was going to eat them...when he caught sight of what appeared to be a fully garbed Santa booking it towards the party.

What.

The.

Actual.

****?

He smiled. It was probably the greatest thing he had seen at the entire Ball.

It was upstaged though, when he realized the guy he had been trying to entice out into the cold was finally coming. Jesus. That had taken ******* forever. And Grayson was frozen enough that playing coy (what little ability he had to do so) essentially went out of the window. So he moved closer, leaned to look into Bohan’s eyes. His teeth were chattering a little.

“You h--h-had actually better be h-h-hot stuff. Or I s-swear to g-god, I’m kicking your a-a-***.” He hissed.

[Tiamat]

An eyebrow went as Azreath introduced himself. She had in fact, met him once before. Mortll had dragged her to see him, shortly after she began her relationship with Enzo. He had apparently forgotten about that meeting. “Mortll had us meet months ago. I’m guessing you do not remember that,” she answered as she gently took the offered hand with her own left hand. “However, I am Tiamat Melchior. Pleased to make your acquaintance.”

A brief nod to Amalea was all she got out before the woman taken off. She briefly nodded her head to the other two women, Caligrace and Freya, in greeting. “you both look lovely tonight ladies,” she complimented. A stray hair brushed across Tia’s face before it was quickly tucked away.

A third voice caught her attention and her eyes narrowed slightly. She was correct, they had seen each other a few times before. “Of course, we have. How many times was it that you and your friends broke into my home to attack my ex?” A slight emotionless smile crossed the raven-haired woman’s lips as she watched this woman, Eve. “You may refer to me as Ms. Melchior.”

The sudden appearance and disappearance of yet another young woman caused Tia’s eyebrow to quirk slightly again. She glanced back to one this Faith had been speaking to. “You seem to have an interesting way of making friends, Eve, was it?”

From the corner of her eye she caught the sight of Mordechai towering over some one with Zodiac, barely visible, by his side. She would investigate that later. Tonight however, she had other plans. She still needed to find that perfect mark. Perhaps this group would divulge useful information. though most likely, not intentionally.

[Bohan]

First Bohan stared and took a sip of his drink. Santa was running like a bat out of hell and barely left a breeze as he did. Perhaps the artist even blinked once or twice while taking in the visual on the green legged sassy elf who had something to say while looking rather uncomfortable. Glass in hand and seemingly defying the nut freezing cold around him he finally glanced back behind him casually as if Not-so-Happy Elf was addressing someone else.  Bohan believed he had to be because the only thing he did was make the trek all the way into the great outdoors to find out where his flutes were. Instead he found the smart *** grin absent that he last spotted indoors.

“Was I interrupting something?” His hand and drink lifted to point the direction the jolly old elf headed behind him. “And if I was then good.” Bohan winked. Another sip had the drink nearly consumed. “Swearing you are going to do something means you are taking it pretty serious.”

Eyeing the glass as he set it down on the nearest flat surface next to him which gave him the time to figure out he really didn’t dress the part to carry out such a threat. He was in velvet shorts holding his nuts for comfort. What the hell was the guy going to possibly do hanging on to his family ice cubes? Not that Bohan was appropriately dressed to go a couple rounds in a ring. And the real question is …. Why? Where in the hell did Mr. Elf go from serving drinks and ditching a party goer on the clock to handing out *** whooping tickets? The drink made the elements more comfortable for him while he looked the guy over, festive out fit and all while contemplating his options. Hot stuff? Bohan had a history of having his moments. It wasn't routine but when pressed he had it in him to set a few fires. He stretched his long fingers then let them relax. Sounds like there were going to get busy.

“You know what they say. There is only one way to find out.”

Bohan figured that pretty much said it. What else was there to say? Nothing really. Which is why Bohan’s fingers went about removing his cuff links nice and slow from each wrist while the guy he was speaking with chattered some little tune with his teeth. A slow drop of his right hand had the act of pocketing them complete. A few odd, unexpected clinks when they hit the surprise in his jacket pocket barely caught his attention. He had a date with an elf it seemed and he was more than willing to get down to it. A brief brush of his fingers through the top of his dark hair settled any loose strands. A smile surfaced at his lips and his hands opened at his sides and raised a bit as if to signal he was good to go whenever Not-so-Happy Elf was ready to start. Finally his right hand turned and the crook of his index finger curled toward him as if to call the male closer to him.

[Elizabeth]

Alaric was an optimistic individual, Elizabeth had noted that more times than not when they had gotten together and conversed, be it intentional or by accident. Elizabeth could be optimistic, but more times than not, when there was a potential threat in some capacity, it was rare for her to take the high road, when she wanted to be both offensive and defensive.

The zombies? Elizabeth inquired silently, wondering if anyone found the slow moving, mindless creatures to be a threat. Even her thrall, who had no supernatural abilities could successfully take one down, if need be. Still, the fadecreatures...perhaps. Elizabeth could hear the points Alaric was trying to make, but certainly the Siren could think of an alternative method to dispose of zombies and fadecreatures if they put their minds to it. Instead of lumping all undead creatures together to suffer the consequences. When he shared the thought that she perhaps should be concerned regardless, all Elizabeth did was nod her head. Even if Alaric could prove there was nothing nefarious going on tonight, or with the Siren, Elizabeth would still be on the defense for the night things turned south.

She smiled in his direction, then glanced to the individuals that had been surrounding him at first. “Are those some of your family? I would wager that after tonight, they would appreciate a quite night indoors and smaller numbers.” She laughed softly, before thinking about her plans. The strain in his voice, evident. “My plans are almost the same. Remaining indoors with a couple of people. Tonight takes a lot of energy on multiple fronts.” She explained with a lift of her shoulders, as her blue eyes bounced around the room to see Amalea return and 'hear' the thought from the woman. Her mindspeak abilities shifted to Amalea and her alone. Pictures? I...perhaps. The thought of being in a picture, let alone a group picture did not honestly appeal to Elizabeth in so many respects. “Are you alright?” Elizabeth finally asked, her attention on the man at her side, as curious blue eyes narrowed slightly in interest.

OOC: Tag Alaric and Amalea

[Mordechai]

The killer shook her hand, perhaps a moment longer than was considered correct by the maven miss Post, but then again Emily’s ideals had not been updated in the last one hundred years or so. A thumb rubbed softly against her thumb nail, “An interesting color combination, Ms Mori, although I must say, the colors suit you to a ‘T’ “ The presence of his ‘sister’ at his back was both relieving, in that she was a master of the traits he did not have experience with, but also disturbing, as he was still uncomfortable with the purpose of this gathering, and she did not absorb damage nearly as easy as he did. “I am sure that some of Hebigumo's technologies are beneficial to the human’s that dwell amongst, I often see them touted across the web… but is it the less publicized actions of your company that are more thought provoking in my opinion. I spend much time in the wilderness north of the city, and have watched quite a stream of Hebigumo's trucks entering the cave system up there, and was just curious, are the mutants that run rampant there by- products of your failed experiments, the unfortunate results of failed research, or is the mutation of the supernatural community the new focus of your company, that hasn't made it to your webpage yet?” His countenance flickered, a contrite look of pity crossing it as he continued, “I am sorry, I know you probably do not have an answer for me on that topic, I have had some instruction of the oriental business mindset, and realize that even with your obvious skills and abilities, you are still only a woman, most likely the reason you have such a lowly job, dealing with the dirty gaijin at a preposterous joke of a gathering such as this.”

The words Zodiac sent flowing through his consciousness reminded of the reason that he fought to keep his tight circle safe. Although he turned as if to introduce her to the woman, his body remained positioned between them, His attention on the beast in silk and jewels before him. “My compliments do go out you, I really must admit I was taken aback when I first saw you. I did not believe that a lowly arachnid could clean up so well, it is obvious that you have confounded and beguiled the humans quite well. Quite well indeed.” The quiet smile returned to his lips as he began his introductions. “Allow me to introduce Ms Ayuka Mori, of the Hebigogo foundation. I believe she may be a relative of those pitiful arachnids we have been slaughtering across the city.” His head cocked as he queried, “Lost any sisters lately? Or is it that hatching from one egg amongst thousands does not promote familial concerns? It must be difficult knowing that you might be next, when your leaders decide your glamour is no longer the face they want on the company, and they give you a handful of dolphins to try and hold a building against true warriors.” Looking down on the woman his smile grew even larger, though the cold glint of his eyes belied any humor in the expression as he blew her a kiss, “See you soon sweetie, make sure to kiss your loved ones goodbye, before you wander the streets at night…We own the night” Backing slowly away the giant lowered one hand to Zodiacs shoulder as he whispered just loud enough for Zo and Ayuka to hear “I do hope she has better control than the last one had. That one pissed all over when I took her head. No respect at all”

[Ainsley (DELETED 8973)]

Ainsley gave Ayuka an appreciative smile as she excused her brother's sudden and abrupt departure. “Sometimes starting over, or fresh is just what the new year needs.” Ainsley commented in respect to Aykua needing more art, or different art. When she spoke about cards and bulk rates, Ainsley was taken aback. She hadn't even seen a single card, yet it sounded as if the woman was wanting her business. “I'm sure we could work something out if you place a bulk order.” Ainsley assured the woman before the conversation circled back to the Mayor and suddenly the room was filled with dancers. Ainsley's lips parted into an 'o' shape, because how he managed to do what he did, with this came as a surprise and shock to the woman. Everything Christmas was in a single place thanks to the Mayor.

“A friend?” Ainsley asked suddenly as Aykua mentioned her meeting someone. She looked down at her arm, the one Ayuka just squeezed in a warm fashion, then followed after the woman. How could she not, after the casual mention about zombies and vampires? Ainsley wans't positive she had ever met a vampire, but once she had walked by the Quarantine Zone and saw one of the rumored zombies right along the fence and it was enough to keep the woman out and away from the area.

Just as Ainsley made her way to the other woman Ayuka had joined, a man the size of...well, the biggest person she had ever seen came by and introduced himself. Ainsley refrained from giving her name, only because she was flat out intimidated by his muscle mass and his height. He could probably pummel everyone in this place with one hit, given his big, beefy hands. Ainsley just took a step back and then froze when she heard what he had to say. Arachnids?

Her eyes moved to Ayuka who looked anything but like an arachnid and frowned. Was the big man drunk, or on medicines? Maybe he needed to be on medicine. Ainsley took another step back, and then glanced around for Bohan, the look of confusion, terror and slight panic in her face.

[Doc]

[for_peace][/for_peace]

Doc gave Amalea a welcoming smile, and put his arm around her lightly, in a protective manner. The crowd was such, that he didn’t wish her jostled or pushed. He looked at her, and nodded, his eyes flickering with the ‘ah ha’ moment. Roses. She was allergic to roses.. Not perfume. Note to self.. Never get Amalea roses. Ever. Not even a picture.

Trying to lighten the mood, “They are pretty.. And not many have that type of allergy, so it was very polite of you not to make a big deal of it. I know a lot of other people who would have made a huge scene out of it. Thank you, for not doing that.” He meant it. He knew he has issues with filtering his words, and he tended to say what was on his mind, even when it behooved him not to. At least Amalea didn’t have that failing. She was generous and gracious to a fault. Even if she wanted to rip someone’s throat out, she appeared unruffled and stoically unconcerned, until out of public view. He could learn a lot from her.

Just as Doc was about to telepathically respond to her comment about the security oversight, Amalea followed up by voicing the desire to have a group photo taken. Sure it would have the Spider Woman in it, but she wanted a group photo with him. Spider Woman could always be cut out. He gave her a genuine smile, that held hint of awe in it. She wanted a photo with him. How could he say no to that? “Sounds like fun..”

Keeping his arm around her, “Lead the way..” He wasn’t concern about the Spider Woman. This was a public event. If she meant to do harm to the Vampire Community, this would be the worst place for her to try something. Everyone just needed to relax, and not jump the gun, like they had at the laboratory. At the lab it had been shoot first, ask questions later. That didn’t turn out well. Now, they were faced with another similar situation. It would behoove everyone to reconnoiter, listen, learn, and not make rash choices. His hope was that he could at least have a dialogue with her. Find out if, what the Administrator said was even true. All he knew for certain was, rumor. He had no facts to stake anything on. And getting that information from a Spider would be a hell of a lot easier in a genteel public setting, than across the barrel of a gun.

[Every]

[for_peace][/for_peace]

"You make it sound as if it's been a recent activity, and not something that happened multiple years ago. Perhaps your ex should have found better connections." The response came without skipping a beat, the smirk that threatened to fall across her lips remained at bay. "With that being said, it's not particularly the time or place to bring up old news." The brunette didn't hunt any more, anyway. There was still the occasional conflicts with paladin or sorcerers, but it was hardly enough to cause the shadow to bat an eye.

There was a shoulder lifted in reference to Faith. "It's done me well enough, however, that was far from friendly." Every responded and then blew a bit of hair from her face where it'd fallen from her updo. Her weight shifted once more, a habit that she did from time to time before she lifted the glass to her lips to take another drink of blood. She responded, and then offered a smile towards Azraeth, Flynn and her adoptive family. "If you'll excuse me, I'm going to make my way over to the photo booths for now, and save us some time in line." The brunette nodded towards the small line beginning to form before making her way over.

[Zodiac]

[for_peace][/for_peace] [against_sirens][/against_sirens]


She glanced up as the woman spoke her name, but nothing more. When she began to move off, her hands absently made the sign of the Evil Eye at her back. The woman was basically a thief. Simple. But, unlike other thieves who took risks and knew there would be hell to pay if caught, she’d found the way to steal most intimately from others without risk involved. It was a cheat, and she could have no respect for anyone who acted on such things or took advantage of others in such a way. Perhaps that’s how it happened?

She shook it off. No sense getting in a fix over something she could not do anything about. All she could do is keep her distance and avoid the girl’s touch. Eventually Karma would make the slate even again. It was not her job.

Her attention went back to the conversation Mordie was having with the drider, and as she listened her eyes grew wider and wider as her jaw began to hang lower and lower. ”Christ, Mordie! Why not talk about her mother while you’re at it!” she wanted to scream in his head, but stayed silent. He was double dog daring her In front of everyone. The mystic doubted Ayuka (it was a pretty name) would reply with an attack here of all places. She had watched her enough during the evening. She was too cool and in control of herself to be that stupid. She had hoped Mordie would ‘translate’ for her if needed, but that idea just sailed off to Neverland.

”Oh Goddess, I need a big rock to hide under.” her thoughts whined as the woman sat her eyes on her. Despite her inner agreement with Mordechai that she was ‘the enemy’, an equally large part of her was on fire with curiosity. 12 generations of her real life family had been emersed in the esoteric arts and none of them had even seen a Siren/drider. Let alone be standing in some fancy *** party in a conversation with one. So much she wanted to know and understand. She’d be the first to have more than repeated myths to record in her tomes.

Yeah, and she wanted a pet dragon for Christmas too. Neither of those things were gonna happen now.

Her eyebrows perked up a bit as she tried to smile. A weak finger wave of greeting. Black and violet nails catching the lights from above as she tried to find a way to salvage something from this.

She gently spun loose from Mordie’s hand and struck a pose. Arms raised over her head before she began to dance. Hips rolling to a beat in her mind as she moved. A dance passed down from generation to generation of her kind. As the gypsy moved, she made a grand display to Ayuka her arms were free of tricks or traps. In a heartbeat, she froze in place and snapped her fingers– causing one of her business cards to appear between her fingers. She let it gently drop into the drider’s hand. Multi colored with bold lettering proclaiming who she was.

Mistress Zodiac
The all seeing eyes of the past, present and future.
Spiritual Advisor-Fortunes Told-Potions Brewed

A few other lines of the various stocks and services her places provided and the names. Addresses and phone numbers to her shops plus the website and e-mail address,

The hand that gave her the card pulled back and pointed to the button she wore before she began to sign. Otherwise she held the pose she finished her quick dance in.

Blessings to you and yours this eve of Christmas, Miss Mori. Part of my goals here this night was to network a bit. If I may? She sent not a thought to Mordie or anyone else In the room.

She opened her clutch and took out the pouch she had the gift cards on. She riffled thought them before pulling one out and making a couple notes on it before handing it to the woman. The front was a happy Christmas scene with the words YOU GOT A GIFT! while on the plain back it read.

TO: Hebigumo Foundation Rep/person/etc (Ayuka Mori)
FOR: One free session of your cards read for purposes of divination and self discovery.

NOTES: This card cannot be passed on or gifted to anyone other than who it was given to/ the one named above. If it is not in your interest to make use of this gift, please dispose of this card properly. If you wish to enjoy this gift– contact one of the shops on the business card and make an appointment. Bring this card with you to your session.

She had written in Ayuka’s name and signed it. On the other cards peeking out of the pouch could be seen one made out to the Mayor and several others. She snapped her clutch closed and took a step back. Her back pressing against Mordie’s leg and hip.

Since you are about the only one here I hoped to find, this night, I guess I am done. she continued to speak with her hands hoping the woman understood her. If not, the cards and the dance routine would have to do.

[Tierney]

[against_peace][/against_peace]

She hadn't planned on going to the event, but the decision to had come a few days before. It had been long enough to secure a gown, the v-neckline keeping the style classy despite the long slit up to her thigh. She'd chosen it strictly for the beaded design that rested against the sheer back, while the dark blue sat well with her red hair. Although it wasn't as wild as it typically would be, she had pinned it back so that it would be out of her face for the evening. Her makeup had been kept natural, her piercings removed to give her a more delicate appearance.

The arrival had been surprisingly busy, even at the time of her arrival. Cameras flashed on and off, politicians and the general public coming and going as if someone had announced a premiere. She'd studied the decorations and appreciated the painstaking detail that had gone into everything, but Tierney also knew that it had been expensive. There were other ways to have that money spent, more important ways. In front of her, she heard a man with a camera pointed at him discussing the ball and Mayor Bancroft's previous campaign. It had worked in her favor when she arrived that a reporter stopped her, the man giving a bright smile as he said, "How do you feel about the Holiday Ball that's currently being hosted by our mayor this year?" With a well practiced frown playing across her lips, the red headed woman gave a soft sigh. His hand rested against her elbow, the gift in her arms containing a small, but reasonable stack of twenties within as he moved a microphone towards her to indicate that it was her time to speak.

"Truthfully," She began, "While I'm sure our mayor is doing the best he can, I do believe that this event could have had its funds go to the families of those whom have lost their lives over the year from the very vampires he invited here to his home." The man's expression dropped and the one that was replaced was clear that he had realized he'd make a mistake. "The violence in this city has escalated, and I for one, believe that while gangs are involved, vampires are a force to be set away rather than be friendly with." He began to pull the microphone away as she continued, "Last year, someone mentioned that our Mayor is owned by the undead, what has he done to help his people? A mayor is supposed to help us, not them." She had been reading the forums more often now that she was planning to do something, particularly the ones that had happened around the time period in which vampires had come out of the perverbial closet.

Did previous politicians know? Surely, the government had. "That's... quite a bit to think about, Miss. Thank you for your time." The reporter looked back to his camera man, visibly trying not to cringe as he made a cutting motion against his neck. The motion becoming more and more desperate as the man with the camera seemed to be unable to find the red button that would stop the recording. Pleased with herself, Tierney simply said, "You're quite welcome" before making her way further up the walk way. Her floor length gown brushed against the pavement, silver heels clicking as she went. Inside, it seemed to be even more extravagant. Tierney resisted the urge to let out a loud sigh, instead she allowed a man with a camera nearby to capture a picture of the frown that remained across her lips.

All in all, she knew this was something that her mother would have fallen in love with. The details were beautiful and they supported anything to do with children - unfortunate or not. If the circumstances were different, she'd actually likely enjoy herself. She came to listen and watch, to observe. And, she would do it all while talking to the men and women who could make a difference. To those who could push for stricter punishments and patrols by the soldiers and cops in their streets at the moment, rather than be home with their own families.