[open] Vampire Ball - May 26th (backdated)

[baisant]

The invitations go out a week in advance. Some of which are hand written (ink on parchment, of course), to those of whom he wishes to see personally, though of course they are welcome to bring guests. The more the merrier, or so the saying goes. Especially in the case of such an event as this. Jean-Claude is vying for the spot of President of the Night Council, after all, and while the event is not technically connected to the election, timing is everything, mes amis. And what an event it is.

The instructions on the invitation are quite simple. There is to be a ball. But not just any ball, a Vampire Ball. If you are a vampire, an ally, or interested in becoming both, you are more than welcome to attend. It is a night to celebrate the collective history of the Nest of London. Formal historical costume is a requirement of attendance. Masks will be allowed as well, though the event is technically not a masquerade. All wood and silver will be checked at the door, for this is a night of entertainment.



The event is being held in a private historic home, presumably for the atmosphere. In the foyer there is a coat check (along with wood and silver check, courtesy of Guilty Pleasure's well-loved bouncers). The guests are funneled through from there into the main ballroom, where yes, there is a live string quartet playing. How did Jean-Claude afford such decadence? It helps when you have lived for so long as he has and have had very little to spend money on besides clothes and decadence. It certainly couldn't be his own private residence -- could it?

Off to the side of the ballroom is an array of chaise lounges and other sofas and chairs, while on the other may be located several tables of refreshments. It is clearly indicated which table is intended for the vampires and which is for those who are still among the living. There is another bouncer posted on watch over the refreshments, and the punch in particular -- they need not have a repeat of the last time someone spiked their drinks in such a fashion after all. There is quite a selection of finger foods on the table for those who are so inclined to partake in such delicacies, and there are offers of champagne, wine, and punch for that table. There are finger foods on the other table as well, although not as many, and each one has an accompanying card indicating the donor's name and blood type, just in case you were wondering why they were for the vampires.

The house is of course bigger than the ballroom and the foyer, but few guests are allowed to venture up the front stairs or beyond the little hall to where the restrooms are located. That does not mean, of course, that there are not those who manage to sneak past the little corded ropes meant to keep such troublemakers within check, especially when the bouncers are otherwise preoccupied. There are all sorts of fun rooms to explore.

And so many costumes from so many eras! Guests are encouraged to talk amongst themselves and share memories of the good old days for those lived through them, or ask questions if there are curiosities from those who did not. Today is a golden age, Islington Nest is at its strongest yet, and it is a time to celebrate what it is to be Vampire. There is more to such a life than drinking blood and having fangs, a sophistication and experience beyond the hunger. If nothing else, Jean-Claude hopes to share this with the attendees on this evening.

Which at least manages to begin without a hitch, but if you should manage to stay for the end of the night, prepare for some fireworks to ensue. For what is a party without a little drama...


(ooc note: anyone is welcome to attend, though if you are anti-islington you will not get very far in the door before being turned away. certain allies/those who have helped jean-claude in the past will have received direct invitations, but there is a general buzz passed around the nest and islington allies ahead of time that will have spread through the supernatural community leading up to the day itself. as stated above, historical costume is a must -- vampires are encouraged to wear something from an era they lived through, though humans are welcome to whatever they desire! masks are fun so wear one if you like though there will be no anonymity here.

details will be in jean-claude's comment below, but his ex, asher, is going to be crashing the party at the end of the night, so if you're there for the end of the evening expect that as well. i will make a comment for asher as well on his own so you can tag with him before the main event if you decide you'd like to skip out on the fireworks as he and jean-claude butt heads for the first time in hundreds of years.)

Comments

[falsify]

Eames raises his eyebrows and nods when Cesare says she's a supporter, as if actually interested in Cesare's nonsense. He can dress it up however he wants, but they both know the fact of the matter is Cesare has a child hanging off him, and he highly doubts it's something the man wants.

"Oh? And what is it she's supporting?" The question is an obvious attempt at bait, and Eames isn't taking it. Especially not when there's something so entertaining about the situation Cesare has found himself in, and he drops his voice a little with his question, "she knows you can't bring back free school meals, right?"

[longterm]

"She's old enough to vote in this election." Unlike Eames, who still has no voice in the matter. Truly, Cesare is surprised he's even giving him the time of day right now.

"Though it's odd that you seem to take objection right in the middle of my campaign, rather than when I got along well with Nancy." After all, Nancy was a similar age back when he was purchasing her services. Clearly this is a poorly formed political move. "When we both got on well with Nancy," he adds, because he's pretty sure Eames was sleeping with Nancy too. After all, who wouldn't?

[falsify]

Wow, how wrong can one man be? Eames lets out a sudden and sharp laugh, not entirely surprised by what Cesare has to say but still finding it hilarious nevertheless, and shakes his head.

"I never said I objected," Eames says, still very amused. He finds it a little disgusting maybe, but he doesn't have any particular objections beyond it being poor taste on Cesare's part. It's certainly not like he's hurting anyone, not if the way Lydia seems obsessed with him is anything to go by.

Still, a point must be made, and Eames tips his head a little toward Cesare and lowers his voice so it won't carry past the two of them. "But if you must know? I don't fuck children."

[longterm]

Cesare's eyes narrow for a second. He doesn't like Eames' suggestion and the words are vulgar to say the least. He speaks in a lower tone to match Eames' as he takes one more step closer, leaning into the conversation.

"Nancy and Lydia are delightful young women, and I suggest that you speak of them as such," he says warningly. He's sure neither would be interested in being described so condescendingly as children, even if Cesare would have done the same exact thing in private mere moments earlier.

[falsify]

Well, he's seen one of those delightful women throwing up in the expensive ceramics not so long ago and he's called Nancy a child to her face before, so he doesn't especially care about Cesare's opinion on the matter.

"Please. Lydia's a little girl with a passport and a push-up bra, and Nancy's naive enough to think Cooper's a good person to settle down with."

[longterm]

For once, Cesare actually agrees with Eames on something. Cooper is a dreadful waste of space and anyone with any vague sense can see that. But it won't do Cesare any good to say that. Instead, he raises his eyebrows a little in false surprise and tilts his head with a smile.

"With charm like that, however do you get laid?" he asks, having clearly abandoned any consideration of trying to impress or get along well with Eames at this point.

[falsify]

"Oh," he intones with false pity, "do you want advice? I understand it must be difficult for you to approach people when they're old enough to see past an expensive suit."

[longterm]

"Hey, at least they can appreciate a good suit. That's clearly something you haven't quite figured out over your many years." Cesare replies with a shrug, trying not to let Eames bother him. At least Eames is acknowledging that he's well dressed. Because he damn well is.

[falsify]

Oh, is that supposed to be an insult? How sweet. If anything, Eames just looks amused by the dig at his clothes. He knows what his wardrobe looks like, and he knows he looks good right now too. It's hardly his fault Cesare doesn't understand how to do period dress.

"Well I said 'expensive' not 'good,' but sure, you can have that." His smile doesn't go anywhere; to an onlooker he probably seems like someone happy to be talking to a friend, "I know you mustn't get many compliments. Have to take them wherever you can, mm?"

[longterm]

Cesare is pretty much done with Eames at this point. He knows that this is a waste of time and they're just throwing insults at each other. In contrast to Eames, Cesare is actually an adult. At least, that's what he thinks.

He gives a slight roll of his eyes before politely nodding towards Eames.

"Have a lovely rest of your evening, Mr Eames," he says, signifying that he very much intends for this conversation to be over. "If you don't mind, I have a campaign to run."

[falsify]

Well he's not going to overstay his unwelcome, annoying Cesare is fun enough for a few minutes but it's not like Eames has any desire to be around the man any longer than that. Or at all, really.

"Of course-- mind yourself out there," he smiles and claps Cesare on the shoulder, "be a shame if someone got vomit on that lovely white vest of yours."

And he turns and leaves to find someone he actually enjoys talking to. Bye Cesare.