Holiday Ball! [December GM Event]

[Tiamat]

She quietly watched as Every walked away. She turned her gaze back to Azreath as he spoke again. She tilted her head slightly as his words. “Time does not absolve one of their crimes,” she replied, her voice quieter than before. Her thoughts wandered again to her past. The memories of her life floating past.

A mental image flitted into Tia’s mind and broke her train. She raised an eyebrow as the information swirled around. She turned to find Zodiac standing near an Asian woman. She was the one pointed out in the telepathic message. Things seemed to have gotten even more interesting. She reached into her clutch, and quietly swapped out her poisoned ring for it’s normal counterpart. With the mayor a no-show, Tiamat decided to try another avenue in pursuit of her goal.

“I appreciate the offer Azreath, however, I’m not entirely fond of being in photos.” She turned to walk away into the crowds and as she waved, said “Enjoy your evening boys, there’s someone I must speak to it seems. It was a pleasure seeing you again Azreath.”
She made her way back to where Zodiac, Mordechai. She slipped around and placed a quick kiss on Zo’s cheek. “Caught a bit of your dance there. So where’s your new friend? I’d love to meet her. I even switched rings since the real reason I came hasn’t shown up.”

[Caligrace]

Well, this just got interesting.

Shaking her head, she gave a slight lift of her hand, slender fingers brushing the mass of red that adorned her head. She only lasted a second on her own before she was turning on her heel and following after her friend, that same hand suddenly snaking out to curl into the strap of Every’s dress. “Come on, doll. You know you can’t run off like that,” she huffed, painted lips forming a delicate, albeit playful, pout as she worked to keep up the pace. Once she was at the woman’s side, she dropped her hand from her dress to wind her arm around her middle, eyes flashing with excitement and a touch of deviousness as she pressed a brief kiss to her jaw.

“I don’t know what all that was about, but I have to say, you handled it like a pro. Remind me to come to you when I find myself faced with my arch-nemesis.” As they neared the photo-booth, she pulled her lower lip between her teeth and turned to scan the crowd, sharp nails tapping along to the Christmas song that boomed from the loud-speakers. Her sire had somehow gotten lost in the gathering crowd, though every few moments, she would catch sight of blonde as Freyja weaved her way in and out of the groups, her infectious smile brightening the room as she made her rounds. The woman was a livewire, and Caligrace couldn’t help that familiar swell of envy as she watched her work her charm and win over the guests with such ease.

Certain that the blonde was well taken care of, she allowed only the briefest of frowns to grace her features as she felt the unfamiliar twinges of adrenaline and an emotion she couldn’t quite name. It caused her to shift on her feet and unease reared its head, but even as her alert gaze traveled each face, she couldn’t seem to pin-point the exact cause. Of course, she couldn’t think that anyone would be moronic enough to attempt something nefarious at a Holiday gathering – especially one that housed children as well as innocent civilians – but she couldn’t shake the darkness that filled her heart. With a quick jerk of her head, she ran her tongue along her lower lip, the taste of cherry and honey dancing along her taste-buds as she suddenly reached out, slender fingers plucking a glass of champagne from a passing waiter. Smiling her thanks, she handed the harried looking man a twenty before turning her attention back to her adopted family, her eyes having darkened slightly.

“Something doesn’t feel right,” she whispered, her words barely heard over the music as she stepped closer to Every, the glass brought expertly to her lips. “I worry for the siren’s safety. Perhaps we should keep an eye on her, doll, and everyone else…”

[Every]

[for_peace][/for_peace]

It wasn't something that she missed, the arrival of the paladin. The Eirene's Will was in place, but Every could still smell the sweetness of Sawyer's blood as she had her back towards the woman. She was tempted to go over and taunt her, to antagonize the source of her weird obsession at the fact that she wouldn't be able to draw a blade there in public. Even if she had, there would be systems to hack later on. Things that could be leaked into news outlets. Still, Every ignored her and focused on the event at hand. At the faces filtering in and out through the crowd as she passed. There weren't many that noticed the ritual that had slid into place, the tension in the air still hovering around them, but there was no danger to be had in the Ball, not any more.

Eirene's Will was a ritual that her sire had used on occasion, one that that she'd felt the effects of and didn't mind. Still, it didn't let her mind at ease as she noticed the way Mordechai and Zodiac were acting near Ayuka. She felt a hand against her shoulder, the voice that followed had Every slowing in her walk as she left Azraeth, Flynn and Tiamat, her arm slipping around Caligrace in return as she fell into step. "Just another individual I've met over time as a Ty member. I killed her fiancee, a Pratt, on multiple occasions for trying to expose our kind previously." She explained softly, keeping a smile across her lips as the conversation was meant to stay between them.

"Thank you, though, people in this room are far from being arch-nemesises. I've had a lot of practice with keeping a level head." She gave the redhead an affectionate squeeze, glad that she and Freyja had made it. It wasn't an event she knew that her childer would like to attend, nor Jayden. Perhaps Cree, but she assumed her blonde friend was still getting used to the city and having returned home. As Caligrace took a glass of champagne, Every placed the empty glass of blood on the tray before smiling her thanks in return and continuing on in her way, heels clicking against the ground. There was an incline of her head as she heard Caligrace speak, stepping closer to the allurist as she listened. She couldn't help but give a soft chuckle, "Harm will not fall upon Ayuka on these grounds, Cali." She explained softly, "Attack me with Swarm. You'll see what I mean." She continued in the next breath, "There's a ritual in place that stops any powers and acts of violence on the area it's performed on."

The arrival to the line had Every turning to face Caligrace a bit, looking around until she spotted Amalea and Doc making their way over. Her weight shifted slightly, her body relaxing with the knowledge that for once, a fight wouldn't break out in the evening. It made the gun on her thigh a bit useless, but all in all, it was a relief to know that the children in the room wouldn't be in any crossfire. Her thumb idly brushed against the woman's hip at her side in an unconscious manner as she smiled to the two as they approached her, Amalea's groan causing a frown to play across her lips. Her hazel eyes followed the tilt, the name reaching her ears causing Every to give a roll of her eyes that showed her full opinion of it. "Of course he would be here tonight, pushing around his zealot nonsense. Pity, he's connected to a mobster and is a nutcase himself. He'd actually be somewhat attractive, if he wasn't."

[Luffy]

http://www.conquestvehicles.com/gallery ... SC3931.jpg (car)


Luffy took cover behind some barrels as another firefight broke out the chem plant. He found himself facing off at least three minor Helheim troops. He returned fire and managed to kill one of them with his machine pistol. He dropped back down and took a good look at his cover. “Red barrels. Awesome. Let’s watch the otter explode. Not today tiny Satan! Not today!”

He made a break for new cover as he shot at the other Helheim. He barely made it before the machine gun fire ripped the air in his direction. He got ready to open fire again when his phone started ringing.

“Mollusk, this is not the best time. I’m in the middle of getting shot at by some Helheim.”

“Funny you should mention that,” the girl on the other end replied, “I was doing some last-minute shopping for presents. Your new friends have friends out here too. They’re being jerks too. They said Coastside belongs to them now?”

Luffy sighed heavily under the gunfire. “Thanks for telling me, Mort’s gonna wanna deal with this. Get somewhere safe kid.”

He canceled the call and pointed his gun at the barrels across from him. “Sorry boys, can’t play anymore. I got get to work now,” he shouted as he tore into the red containers. The resulting explosion knocked the Helheim back as Luffy made his break for the door. He pulled the key fob from his jacket pocket and pressed the button to unlock his armored car. He climbed in, put his sunglasses on, started the engine, and pulled away from the firestorm he had created.

As he tore through the streets, Luffy tried to remember where Mortll was. She had said something about going to the mayor’s Christmas Ball. He blew through a red light, narrowly avoiding getting hit in his rear quarter panel. He cranked the volume as his radio blared out Five Finger Death Punch’s cover of “Mama Said Knock You Out.”

He shifted into third gear and pressed the gas pedal to the floor. He turned up to the mansion’s driveway and shifted again, picking more speed. People screamed and scurried in every direction as quickly as their legs could carry them. At the last possible second, Luffy slammed his foot down on the break pedal and downshifted. He squealed into a slide and the vehicle bounced up the curb only to stop within inches of a poor valet. Who promptly wet himself.

As everyone outside worked to collect themselves after this sheer act of insanity, the door popped open and out stepped the man. Standing at six feet four inches, a beast rose from the darkness. His long beard was braided into multiple strands. He was clad in a blue and black hooded leather jacket with black leather pants. His thighs had two golden pistols strapped to them by tactical leg holsters.

The hood of the car had the image of an otter in a crown. A sword in the animal’s paws held the words “Hail to The King”. He began walking to the mansion doors as Security guards and news people scrambled. He only paused long to lean close to the valet he had nearly hit. “Hey kid, if my car’s not there when I get back out, I’m holding you personally responsible. Got it,” he whispered. The boy simply nodded and stepped back slightly.

Luffy pushed past the guards and kicked open the doors before entering. “Yo, Morts! Where are you? You need a ride to another party?”

[Ainsley (DELETED 8973)]

Ayuka tried to be reassuring, that much Ainsley could gather from the woman's touch to her arm. She gave her a small smile, then slunk back, until she was no longer part of the group. Which was just about the time Ayuka was making her departure on a more confident level. Ainsley could only stand there in awe of the woman, inspired by her confidence. However, deep down, Ainsley knew that no matter how many years passed, ten or one hundred, Ayuka would possess a few qualities Ainsley would never have; more than confidence. She couldn't peg it yet, but Ainsley was in utter awe of the woman and the way she handled herself.

Once Ainsley was away from the group. she moved throughout the mansion, until Ainsley found the bar and ordered a white wine. She took a seat after she glanced in Bohan's direction, then sat and enjoyed her wine, while thinking about everything that had been said. Vampires, zombies and something about spiders. While Ainsley had heard about vampires, and knew about the things in the QZ, she had never met a vampire (she believed) and was positive the guy on a tangent about the spiders was off his rocker. But, that was the holidays for you. Someone always drank too much, or went on about something most people did not care about, but they believed they had the right to state their opinions because there were people and they found a soapbox.

[Alaric von der Marck]

Alaric followed Elizabeth’s eyes and found Judah and Aurelia in the crowd. They had gone their separate ways, but they were strong and independent. They were adults. They would hold their own, much as Alaric should be expected to hold his own – something he was trying hard to achieve.

”Ja, that is Judah and Aurelia. I will have introduced them, but you have moved away too quickly,” he said with a smile. ”You will meet them, soon. In the new year, perhaps I will organise a small gathering,” he stated. He did not say that he would perhaps try to find Isabella; he’d stumbled across her one night, in one of the malls. He knew that she was there, she was in the city. Perhaps she would come, if invited. It would be a good thing for his family to meet some of the other elders.

Beyond that, there were not too many Alaric could invite. None that he knew well enough that an invitation to an intimate gathering would not be deemed strange. Unless it were not so intimate… but that was something to consider at another time.

When he’d spoken he’d regained some of his former control and calm, but soon a man came bursting through the doors and the crowd seemed to swell – through the entrance and otherwise. The dancers were beautiful, that much Alaric would admit, but their dance forced the crowd to part around them, which caused others to jostle and push. A ripple seemed to radiate through the crowd and it had nothing to do with the electronics. It was simply a bad vibe and, honest as always, Alaric shook his head.

”I must apologise, Elizabeth, but it is all starting to be too much. I think I will take my leave. If you desire to join me for fresh air and calm, you are welcome—though I think you have company to escort you home?” he inquired. He would not leave Elizabeth high and dry; if she wanted company, he would continue to give it. But he would prefer to do so out of this hall.

[Azraeth]

[for_peace][/for_peace]

The matter between Every and Tiamat was a tense one. Azraeth was the sort of creature who respected personality traits independent of the person to whom they were attached. It had, after all, been his admiration for Flynn that had first cemented his desire to be close to the human. In much the way he could not agree with everything Every did, he could not agree with Tiamat’s unwillingness to forgive and forget. But had he not just, moments before, been thinking that he could never forgive his own brother for lesser offenses? He could admire Tiamat’s unwillingness to compromise herself. He had seen, time and again, vampires abruptly change their tune regarding someone or a topic when it best suited their political goals and motivations. Tiamat, it seemed, was not that sort of person. It took a particular type of strength to be that independent. Similarly, Az respected Every’s desire to uphold what she considered to be right. In the end, it really wasn’t his business, and Azraeth, though occasionally a gossip hound, knew when to butt out.

So he offered a nod to Tia’s words.

He had no magical insight into the situation. He didn’t see the whole picture.

But he could see little things. Had stitched them together. Maybe Tia truly was just angry about the breaking and entering. Or maybe her ire was seated deeper in her chest. ‘This person mattered to me, and you hurt them. You took them from me.’ . Time certainly wouldn’t have absolved that particular offense. Not for anyone. Because it was deeply personal. And sometimes the only way a person’s memory could be kept alive was through the dark things they had done or which had been done to them.

And it was still not his business, though he wanted to ask. They didn’t know each other like that. “I hope you enjoy the rest of your evening, and the holiday.” He said to her as they parted ways. Only to be intercepted by Mortll on his way to the sitting room. It seemed there was a lot going on. Helheim had decided to capitalize on the number of people at the Ball in hopes of catching the Voodoo Dragon with their ‘pants down’ perhaps. Well Azraeth certainly had some feelings about that. “I believe Lea’s in line to get a picture with some people. I can teleport the group, I just need us to be off of the mansion grounds for it to work.” He said.

It seemed the night was going to hold more excitement than he had been bargaining for.

Hey, Sis, Helheim is being sucky. Flynn and I are going to defend one of the territories, but I will get a picture with you tomorrow when we go to visit Every. Plus snow on the mountains. We can totally make a snowman happen! Give the ladies hugs from me. He would have asked for her to come along for the ride, but he didn’t want to interrupt the flow of her evening. She had already made sacrifices to ensure things remained smooth at the party, so as far as he was concerned, she deserved to enjoy it to her fullest.

With that, he looked his arm in Flynn’s, and began towards the front exit. They had some asses to kick.

Outro<3

[Esli Barnes]

[against_peace][/against_peace]

True to who Gideon was he found his brother requiring him to pick up a business like pace to keep up once they cleared the doors. A welcome warmth rolled over him as he stepped in. A brief halt of his large shoes had his hands coming to rest on each hip as if he was contracted to come in and give a review of what was before him. And there it was. Everything that appeared to be the commercialism of what people had been choked into swallowing down as Christmas was in full swing.

“So much work to be done here.” He breathed out which gave him reason to draw back in lungs full of air. Unfortunately it was not to be fresh. It was tainted, spoiled with the scent that always came with what he had learned was clinging to the walking dead. “Pine isn’t cutting it in here, brother.” Esli managed to catch up with Gideon to deliver the bulletin. He doubted the older Barnes needed the obvious pointed out but did so just in case. “Boswellia? Frankincense?” He listed off the source and options then mumbled off two more under his nauseated breath. “A match and some kindling. It is enough to make stepping back outside to join the wise men a much better idea.”

So far he spotted death and very little promise of the salvageable living. Of course he had to see it all for himself. No wonder the world was slowly going to hell. If it wasn’t the abomination of evil borne in mankind’s veins it was what shimmered, blinded and assaulted the senses collectively. This what the celebration for the birth of the savior had been reduced to? They were needing more than they came with to change things.

[Elizabeth]

Elizabeth's eyes bounced back to Judah, a name she recognized being spoken before from Alaric's mouth. It was always good to put a name to a face. She wondered how things were since they spoke about Judah and Alaric's feelings on certain things. Something she will ask at a different time and venue. "I would like that." Elizabeth said with a smile, her eyes back to the other elder. Elizabeth found the concept of humans and vampires living under a roof, together, successfully, interesting. Humans that were not thralls. How did it work? Was Alaric part of the family given the differentiating time schedules and appetite differences, or was it like a vampire family? Together for a while, intimate, and then....

"Of course. I understand." There were many things going on at once and being that Alaric ventured out sometimes, or rarely, Elizabeth could understand. He had not stayed long at Halloween either. Still, his venturing out was getting more and more noticeable. Who knew where another year would take him?

At his offering, Elizabeth smiled and shook her head. Common decency and propriety always was a noticeable and admirable quality with Elizabeth. Even if times were changing and gender roles were becoming closed, some things, in her mind, should remain the same. There was genuine care for her well-being in his tone and offer. "Go. I will be fine. Some way, or another I will leave the party in one piece." Her eyes wandered over to where Doc was, then back to Alaric. "But, thank you. Do have a wonderful Christmas with your family and I hope the year ends well for thee." She dipped her head to the other elder, gave his arm a gentle squeeze, then made her departure to the bar. "Red wine, please."

[Doc]

[for_peace][/for_peace]

So it was Mortll that brought the flowers that sent Amalea into a allergy meltdown. Even as Amalea said Mortll wouldn't have known, Doc’s feelings, still colored by the perceived insult to Amalea from earlier, was not inclined to give Mortll the benefit of the doubt. However, he didn’t want to ruin the evening. If Amalea was going to let pass, so would he. They were going to have their photo taken, he wanted it to be a fun memory, not one colored by his negativity.

As he struggled with letting the ill will toward Mortll go, He inclined his head toward Amalea in answer to her question about his experience thus far. “So far .. so good.” He paused, he almost wanted to tell how creeped out he about the spider sucking on her face earlier, but again, he forced himself to amend his words. “The crowd is a bit much. The sound system was glitchy, and” He looked around the room absently, “It would have been nice to see the Mayor actually here.. But so far .. so good.”

Then he heard Amalea groan. It wasn’t a large one. Or even one of drama. But it was a groan none the less.

Doc slid a glance at Amalea as he took her in almost imperceptible groan. He glanced briefly over his shoulder to see what caused it, just as she added ‘..paladin contingent…’ and then the name ‘..Gideon..’. The quick intending glance became a longer one. Ah ha. That was Gideon. He had heard the name, and he knew the paladin, but he couldn't definitively put a name to that particular paladin face until that moment. Doc had traded bows with him before and knew him to be a particularly vicious and vindictive ********.

And as Doc watched Gideon, his outward facial appearance would be that of someone blandly and somewhat patiently awaiting their turn for the photo. There was no outward indication that Doc felt any unease or any sort of trepidation. However, he was already formulating a plan. Should Gideon intend to start trouble, he was already plotting his moves. Step one, move Amalea behind him. Shield her at all cost. Step two, push civilians out of the line of fire.

Though, he looked uninterested to the casual observer, Doc’s eyes was attuned to the movements of Gideon’s hands and the hands of those with him. His reaction time would be short, if the paladins decided to start ****. He sent Elizabeth a telepathic message, ~Paladins on scene. Scruffy dude, who needs a shave, just coming through the front door with his entourage.~