[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

[freelife]

Of course Eames speaks Russian. She's unsurprised, and switches easily. "Good. I am only just learning. I cannot believe I didn't learn Russian before." She'd been nowhere near Russia during the Cold War, instead spending most of her time bouncing back between Ireland and England, keeping her city safe during the Troubles.

[falsify]

She sounds like a new learner, but he can already tell she's picking it up fast and gives and approving nod. It probably helps a lot having a Russian girlfriend who must miss hearing her native tongue.

"It's not a language most people have cause to learn," and Evie likely can't pick up on the little inflections that hint at just how long ago it was Eames learned it himself (and that he hasn't been keeping up.)

[freelife]

He's absolutely correct. She's completely unaware of how long ago it was that Eames had learned Russian. To her, it was imperceptible.

"No, but neither was Hindi," she says, happily back in English. Hindi was one of the languages she'd spoken, and perhaps one of the more obtuse ones, in this time.

[falsify]

"Ooh, that's a rare one," and Eames sounds suitably impressed by it, "must come in handy for a Victorian though."

[freelife]

"I worked closely with the last Maharajah," she explains, "so it did come in handy. I actually lived in India for quite some time." She worked while Henry mostly remained at home, and Jacob had trained a new generation of Assassins.

"Apart from the occasional visit, I avoided Russia enough to not need to learn to speak the language until now."

[falsify]

Of course she did. But still, Eames is interested in all this — it's hardly as if Evie has ever been especially forthcoming about her life — and he nods along as she talks.

"I think most sensible people avoid Russia," Eames says in a faux-whisper with a raised eyebrow. It's not a country that's ever been known for being welcoming, after all.

[freelife]

At that, Evie has to laugh, covering her lips just barely with her hand. "I would have to agree with you on that. I suppose love has removed enough of my sense, then." Hell, she hoped not. She needed her sense.

[falsify]

"Oh, love is it?" Eames' grin widens and he tuts a little teasingly, "I suppose they all fall sooner or later."

[freelife]

Oh. Great. Now she's gone and told Eames that she loves Natasha before she's even been able to talk to her girlfriend about the situation.

"I'm not sure," she says, trying to save some face. "Something close to it, perhaps."

[falsify]

Eames laughs and pats her arm, she's said it now and there's not putting that cat back in the bag, "don't worry, I won't tell her before you do."

He might be a dick, but he's not that much of one.

[freelife]

"You have no idea how much I appreciate that," she says, shocked by the honesty in her own voice. But she's never been one to be good at ooey gooey emotions.

[falsify]

"We haven't talked about how to repay my generosity yet." It's a tease, of course, and the expression on his face says as much.

"You should come over for dinner-- both of you," he adds with a thoughtful voice, leaning toward her with a raised eyebrow and just a hint of a smirk, "I know an Italian butcher who makes an amazing blood sausage."

[freelife]

"We'll discuss it," she promises him, even if it is a tease. "When the time is right." She trusted they would both know when that was.

His invitation comes as a surprise, and it registers as much when Evie blinks her heavily-lined eyes. "Oh- yes. That'd be wonderful, actually. I'm sure Natasha would be more than willing to come along." Her words are stilted, unsure.

She can only hope that Eames isn't angling for a threesome right nwo.

[falsify]

He's not, though he wouldn't turn down a threesome should one be offered, but he's not the kind of guy who sees two women together and tries to strongarm his way in. Really he's just curious to see how they are together, for all the similarities and differences he's aware of between those two.

(Plus, don't tell anyone, but he's really hurting for some socialising that doesn't revolve around politics and how awful London is as of late.)

Eames smiles, "great," and he takes a sip of his drink, "let me know when you're free."

[freelife]

"Of course. I'll talk with Natasha, and I'll be in touch." She's not going to schedule something without Natasha's permission. Still, it seems like it'll be fun.

[falsify]

"Speaking of," Eames smiles and pats her on the shoulder with a gesture toward Natasha, wherever she may be, "I should let you get back to the love of your unlife over there."

[freelife]

Evie gives Eames a Look. "Thank you- I'd tell you you're awful, but something tells me you already know that." Her words are nothing but fond. "Have a lovely night, Eames."

[falsify]

He knows he's awful, so he gives Evie a bright smile for her trouble, "you too, Frye."