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

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.)

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Nancy'd been putting off speaking with Lydia all evening. She knew that it would come down to a very uncomfortable truth, and she'd have to be the one to say it: Cesare was not Lydia's boyfriend, and actually believed she was a prostitute. If Nancy didn't tell her, Cesare was going to probably be a huge jerk about it. So it was the best for everyone if Nancy be the bearer of bad news.

But now is not the time for bad news, and Nancy's almost thankful that Lydia is too drunk to notice she's there. Until the poor girl starts vomiting into a vase. A few martinis in her, and Nancy still knows what to do. So she's at Lydia's side, one hand holding up her hair, the other stroking her back. "There there," she tells her, "Get it all out, love." She'll text Jean-Claude about it later and apologize on Lydia's behalf.

Oh thank God for Nancy. Lydia, shame faced, half turns to her friend. "I've made such a mess, haven't I?" she asks, mournfully. But a moment later, she's heaving again, and she hides her face in the vase.

"He didn't want me here. He didn't like the dress." She coughs out. "I thought he liked me."

She's stopped vomiting, but she doesn't move, despite the slightly sour smell from the vase. It's embarrassing to admit that the guy she'd been claiming as her boyfriend doesn't want her around and probably barely remembers her name.

"Just get it all out," she says, never stopping rubbing small circles on Lydia's back. When she's good and done, Nancy will help her try to straighten.

"Fuck him, then," Nancy says, because she can't have this conversation here while Lydia is this drunk. "He's obviously not worth your time, am I right? And certainly not ruining your makeup over." She gives a soft smile and tries to usher Lydia into one of the bathrooms.

"C'mon, love, let's get you cleaned up."

"It's all a mess," Lydia lets herself be taken off by Nancy. "And now I've ruined your night and that stupid vase and the vampires all think I'm some dumb witch and I just want to fall off the face of the planet."

She wipes her tears away dramatically. Her breath stinks of sour alcohol. "Bloody hell, Nancy. You're too nice to me when I am such an idiot. He doesn't love me, does he? I was just an easy lay, wasn't I? God, I am such a dick!"

"No, it's not, you didn't ruin my night. I'm having tons of fun." She sits her on the comfy couch in the bathroom because in this place? Of course there was.

"Let's get you some water, yeah?" Nancy reaches into her purse, pulling out a water bottle that was far too big to fit into said purse. "Drink this. It's water."

She sighs. "I'm nice to you because I'm your friend, you. Don't call yourself an idiot, you just made a mistake." And so did Cesare, the idiot. "This is not about you, this is about him. Maybe he doesn't love you, but that just means you're free for someone else. And you don't want to have a man like Cesare Borgia love you, do you?" Yeah, she knows. "He's never been the sort for love like you want."

"Is that his name?" Lydia gulps the water down, and burps. All pretence at elegance is gone. "I knew it was Cesare, but I didn't know his surname." Not that it matters.

"I thought he might actually fancy me a bit. I gave him my virginity!" She half whispers the word. "I thought it was special… and now he doesn't even want me here!"

"Oh, Lydia," Nancy says, reaching over to stroke Lydia's hair.

"Your virginity doesn't mean anything, alright?" With her other hand, she takes her hand. "no one ever has a good first time, trust me." Or so she imagines- she remembers when she lost her virginity. Not something she ever wanted to dwell on, of course. "And at least Cesare knew what he was doing- and you came, right? I didn't. So you're way ahead of me, there."

"It doesn't?" She settles into Nancy's shoulder. Nancy might be only a year older than her, but she seems to know exactly what to do right now.

"I… I think…" Despite herself, she begins to smile. Cesare had been a good lay, at least. It had been fun.

"So I'm not just a desperate slut? Not everyone's laughing at me?"

"No, it doesn't. You don't feel any different before and after, do you? D'you want a man to have had that effect on you? Especially not one as stupid as Cesare?" Forgive her, Ces. She's got to say some untrue things in order to cheer up her drunk friend. And save the day. You know. Like you fucking asked.

"No- no, you're not. You've only had sex with one man, that doesn't make you a slut, either. If anything, I'm the slut here. So with my authority, I'm going to tell you that no, you aren't. And no one is laughing at you. If they are, then fuck them anyway, right?" She strokes Lydia's hair again.

"I wanted it to be magical," she mutters. "None of my sisters have slept with anyone. Just once, I wanted to do something first. And yet again, I'm the idiot. I thought he really liked me."

She shakes her head. "I just want to go home."

"You're not an idiot," she coos. "C'mon. Yeah, let's get you home, shall we? D'you want to spend the night at my place? It's a lot closer." And cleaner, and bigger, and likely had a full breakfast waiting for Lydia in the morning to chase her hangover away.

"I can tell Cooper to meet me home"

"Thanks, Nancy!" In the morning, she's not going to remember much of any of this. Hazy memories will replace embarrassment.

"Can we just go? Now? I don't want to face the vampires right now."

"Of course, love," she says, giving her an affectionate squeeze.

"Let's go, then. I'll get us a cab." And text Cooper to let him know the situation. She feared she was on thin ice with him as it was, and she wanted to tread carefully.

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

Laterrr

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