The Other Mayor of London

[undergroundmods]

The OTHER MAYOR OF LONDON invites you to a night to remember...

"" (Watch on YouTube)

Hosted at The Angelo in the heart of Islington (courtesy of Cesare Borgia), Raymond Harris invites you all to join him on the night of Saturday, 6th August to celebrate his self-proclaimed ascension as the Other Mayor of London. His aims are threefold: to stake his claim as the most powerful supernatural being in the city, to persuade other interested factions to ally with him, and to intimidate his enemies with a show of extravagance. All members of the Islington Nest are expected to work hard tonight to achieve these goals.

The party officially begins at 20:39 when the sun sets and ends at 05:34 when the sun rises. Of course, there's no guarantee that everyone will make it until dawn...

Rules of entry
• This is a black tie event. Anyone who fails to wear the appropriate attire will be denied entry.
• No stakes or other vampire-killing weapons. That's just rude.
• No more than five werewolves and shapeshifters will be admitted in total. Raymond wants them to witness his power, but not to spoil his party. They will be closely watched and likely mocked by the surrounding vampires.

Raymond is guarded by his vampire henchmen at all times. Any perceived threat will be dealt with swiftly and mercilessly.

Places to go
Once you're admitted to the hotel, you'll walk into the lobby, where you're free to mingle with the other guests. It's here that you're likely to first spot the party's human contingent: a collection of young and beautiful men and women whose sole purpose is to provide a live food source for the vampires. Dressed in uniform black suits and cocktail dresses, they will offer up their wrists and/or necks to anyone who wants them.

From there, you can head over to the bar for a more relaxed and cordial atmosphere. Drinks are free until midnight; after that you'll have to pay. The bar does not serve blood; it's expected that vampire guests will drink directly from their nearest human.

If you're looking for something a little more substantial, try the tea room where you'll be served tea, coffee or red wine, and a selection of cherry tomato canapes, strawberries and scones with jam and clotted cream.

The main action, however, takes place in the ballroom. Red mood lighting continues the general theme and live music will be playing all night. Professional dancers provide entertainment in the early evening, but it won't be long before the ballroom is crowded with party-goers revelling in the fun, free and wild atmosphere. This is where you may find Raymond, the benevolent host watching over his guests. Drink and be merry. He wants everyone to have a good time.

(You can check the OOC plotting thread for more info and to ask any questions about this event. Enjoy!)

Comments

Eames || OTA

[falsify]

Despite the general... Well, everything about Eames' wardrobe, he cleans up pretty well. He also seems to have aged recently, but so far that's just a some of flecks of grey at the temples and a few wrinkles around the eyes. But he's a fae, so he must just be trying out a new look, right?

Unfortunately he's pretty beholden to the rules, so no weapons. Eames comports himself with confidence regardless, and a certainty in his movements that you wouldn't really expect a fae to have in a den of vampires. He'll just have to improvise if someone starts something.

Eames starts in the lobby, greeting a few familiar faces as though it's great to see them even when it's not. (Chatting up a few of the women offering their blood services, because if the cure to this fucking curse is what he's narrowed it down to, they seem like the most likely to be down with it.)

After a while though, the whole thing gets to be a bit much to be around and he decamps to the bar, taking full advantage of the free bar while he can. At one point he spends a little time talking to a shapeshifter, sharing a few laughs at the expense of vampires and making fun of the pomp and grandeur of such a pointless little event. It's a good place to get an idea of who's with Islington — as members or as allies — but Eames is highly aware that it's almost better for getting the names and faces of their detractors too.

The ballroom doesn't see him until much later, and once he's there he doesn't dance. If someone invites him he'll probably accept, and he'll be amazing, but in the meantime he doesn't look impressed. Watches Raymond for a little while and contemplates going over for a chat, but Eames quickly decides he'd rather not and stays where he is. Leaning against a wall with a drink in his hand while he silently judges everyone in attendance.

[outstandingbalance]

Natasha spots Eames when he joins the crowd in the ballroom, noting where he positions himself and the look he's giving the others in attendance. She doesn't move to join him immediately, finishing her conversation with a Circle Midnight witch first and allowing herself to briefly be waylaid by a young vampire who think she can be wooed over to Islington with a little awkward flirting. Once she's finishes with them, she drifts into his orbit, though, flashing a smile.

"You're looking more distinguished tonight," she comments. She notices the differences, but she wouldn't say they don't suit him. She also assumes that the changes are his own doing—fae doing what fae do. "Not interested in dancing?"

[falsify]

He quirks a smile at what he assumes is a compliment, (because why wouldn't it be,) and turns his gaze to Natasha.

"Not with any of the assembled," Eames replies, raising an eyebrow as he gestures toward the floor with a tip of his head. Islington as far as the eye can see, he wants no part of that.

[emotioneater]

Nancy has showed up to this event on the arm of a vampire that Eames may not recognize, aside from being an annoying pest, but it is instantly clear that this is indeed the boyfriend that she has been talking about. Cooper and she are a sickeningly cute couple and he's very interested in keeping her next to him for as much of the evening as he possibly can. While there is something a touch possessive about his behavior, he clearly adores Nancy. His eyes and mouth go soft whenever he looks at her the way it doesn't with anyone else and he's every inch the attentive boyfriend.

They dance a little in the ballroom, Cooper leaning in to say something that occasionally makes her laugh out loud. He's feeling relaxed and in good spirits when they finally leave the dance floor. Nancy takes off for a few minutes to go do her own thing and Cooper decides to take a minute to take in the crowd up against the wall. He finds himself next to Eames, watching with adoration as Nancy leaves the ballroom. "I could watch her do that all night," he says softly as she bounces along in her heels.

So, fae dad, your daughter is dating a little twerp of a vampire. What will you do?

[specifiercity]

Arthur spots Eames at the bar shortly after he arrives and finds his way over there casually, stopping once or twice to say hello to some old contacts, keep up appearances. He's there scoping out the vampires for Hillingdon but he'd be here anyway; he can't help his own curiousity.

When he finally finds his way next to Eames, he frowns briefly at the grey in his hair - he didn't think subtle differences were Eames' style, and it's not like he's well-disguised. He'll have to ask about it. But for now, he just says, "didn't expect to see you here."

He's so polite.

Evie | OTA

[freelife]

Evie was completely unarmed. Conventionally, of course. But she wasn't here with any plans to kill anyone- tonight was about making an appearance. She didn't want to support Raymond, but in order for her plan to work, and to skirt any suspicion that may be thrown her way, she needs to be wooed.

So Evie's once more at a fancy shindig where she refuses to wear a dress. Though her heels are high, you can be certain she runs better in them than any has any right to. Throughout the night, she'll be found mingling with the other guests, mostly in the bar. But if anyone wishes to lend her ear for a more private conversation, she's more than happy to accompany them to the tea room.

Towards the end of the evening, when enough alcohol has loosened her proverbial corset strings, she'll be found in the ball room. She can dance, it's hard not to have grown up an Assassin and not learned how, but she's hardly a taste for it.

[loveconquersdinosaurs]

Thomas was at the bar himself, drinking. He figured several beers would be needed to help him get through the night. It wasn't a bad party, he supposed, but he'd have preferred a less strict dress code, and certainly fewer flagrant displays like what he was seeing in some of his fellow vampires. Still, with the wide range of people who were invited, there were plenty of people who were more sane and moderate, even if the vampire contingency wasn't likely to want to share that fact around too much in the current climate.

Evie was one of those he'd consider firmly on the side of sane. Heading over to her, he smiled, "Hello, long time no see. How have you been doing?"

Cesare Borgia | OTA

[longterm]

Sometimes Cesare likes to lurk in the shadows, keeping away from curious, prying eyes in favour of privacy and anonymity. Tonight is definitely not one of those moments. Tonight is fun and Cesare is here to enjoy it to its fullest. He is in his element, after all, this is home, and with the way that he is acting, the uninformed might mistake him for the pseudo neo-mayor, Raymond Harris himself. Cesare would correct them, of course, but only a little.

1. With few objectors in sight, he is having a good time drinking out in the open. He tends to save his appetites for back rooms with no windows and dark carpets that don't show blood, but tonight is a welcome change. Cesare is fully indulging in it. He is happily snacking on three willing participants in the corner of his moodily lit ballroom, with blood pooling onto tongues and smirks and whispers breathed against necks. Is it a little ostentatious? Yes, and Cesare is totally ok with that. Being a vampire is fun and Cesare is perfectly fine with showing what everyone else is missing out on.

2. Cesare has had his fun and now it's time for business. He fixes up his suit and makes his way to the tea room. He has schmoozing to do and negotiations to make. He casually grabs a cloth napkin from one of the tables and pulls a pen from his jacket, fingers calmly slipping past the gun of silver bullets hidden under his coat (he's enjoying himself tonight, but he's not stupid). He places the napkin down on the table, with the pen next to it, and smiles slightly.

"Everyone has their price. Why don't you tell me yours?"

3. Maybe Cesare doesn't like someone who's here. Maybe some quiet, secret chats need to be made. I don't know. Wild card!

2

[outstandingbalance]

Natasha avoids Cesare in the ballroom. The view she gets of him from a distance is enough to warn her off—being around that kind of feeding would be too much for her tonight. Maintaining her self-control is too high of a priority.

She keeps an eye open for the chance to engage him, though. She's been meaning to speak with him, see if she can gauge if he's loyal to Raymond Harris himself or if it's the nest he's siding with, and Harris is an extension of that. Depending on what particular principles have Cesare supporting him, there may down the line be the potential to flip him to Jean-Claude's support. His money and influence could go a long way when the time came...

Well, she'd like to get a feel for if that idea has a future at all.

So when he moves into the tea room, she follows. She helps herself to a glass of red wine and she meets him, standing across the table from him until she's invited to sit.

"That really depends. Just what is it you think you're buying?"

1

[baisant]

Jean-Claude is certainly a man for a demonstration. But there are certain things that make him uncomfortable, and one is the flagrant way that Raymond has allowed the vampires to behave. You will not find him availing himself of any of the 'snacks', though you can be damned certain he is taking note of who is making use of the offer themselves. And how.

He spots Cesare in the back of the ballroom with not one, but three companions. Raising his eyebrows and stepping forward to approach the other vampire. He is fairly certain that the other man will not kill any of them, at least. He is old enough to be able to control himself better than that. Of course, given Raymond's latest stunts, perhaps it shouldn't matter to the other vampire whether he does or not. And that's what is most uncomfortable of all. Jean-Claude would know how Cesare stands in all of this. Though he knows he must be careful. Especially given the other vampire had volunteered his own bar as the venue for such an event, of all things.

"Be careful, mon ami, that you are not too greedy with them," he comments, moving to position himself a few strides away, leaning against the wall behind himself and casually observing Cesare in turn.

1

[dredefulchilde]

Joss had been somewhat surprised to receive an invitation to the vampire event of the season. He had not made any attempt to disguise his dislike of Raymond. In fact, he'd been extremely vocal about it.

But received the invite he had, and he comes to the party impeccably dressed in a small tuxedo. It had been made for him, at great expense, on Saville Row back in the 1930s. He sees no need to update the style. He is fashionably late, of course, but that is more due to the fact that he still can't walk in sunlight than a desire to offend his host.

He immediately spots Cesare and his ostentatious display.

"Enjoying yourself, Borgia?"

3

[falsify]

Given their last meeting here, it's really no surprise to Eames that Cesare would want to speak with him. Every now and then he's been wondering when it is that he'd get his knickers in a twist about this fae coming back to his hotel, and so it's something Eames meets with a tired resignation when he tells the poor hostess he's busy and he'll find Cesare after he's finished once she's done explaining that the owner would like a word.

And, to be fair, he does come and find Cesare afterward. Of course he never said how soon, so there's quite the gap between the two events, but Eames is here now and that's what matters. Casually sitting at his table with a glass of scotch in his hand and a look of preemptive boredom on his face.

"Planning to make good on those threats, are you?"

Nancy | OTA

[stauncherhearted]

Usually at this sort of thing, Nancy is working. Tonight is a rarity in that she's actually attending as a guest, rather than looking for someone to take home at the end of the night. Naturally, she's here with Cooper, and it's the first time she's actually gone in public public with him. Nancy's dressed-up, and incredibly proud of the emeralds she wears.

Most of the night, Nancy is on Cooper's arm, but is never without a drink in her hand. Occasionally, she escapes to the bar for a long drink. Later, she's in the ball room, dancing up a storm, even if Cooper isn't anywhere near her. She gets chattier, the more she drinks.

Honestly, she's not here politically. She's just here to have a good time. And maybe make-out with her boyfriend in a darkened corner.

[longterm]

Now that's where Nancy's wrong, at least in Cesare's eyes. Everything is political. Every action is a move and Nancy has just made a poor one. Cesare isn't entirely sure why she's here, whether she was so foolish (surely not?) to turn up like this or was being deliberately challenging. Either way, Nancy has strolled up to a professional establishment in a very unprofessional manner. Not in his house, thank you very much.

But then there's Cooper. Poor capricious Cooper, technically a peer, though Cesare doesn't exactly see him as one. Cesare wonders if Cooper knows he's dating a whore, or if Nancy has managed to hide that from him. She has always been socially savvy, at least up until tonight.

Cesare strolls up to the two of them, a drink in hand and a smug, overly cordial smile on his lips.

"Mr. Cooper, I'm glad you could make it. Nancy, I did not expect to see you this evening."

[baisant]

Jean-Claude has not seen Nancy for quite some time. Certainly since the last time she had reprimanded him for his latest offense against her friend. He does not allow his thoughts to linger on Kenzi for too long, though he knows as soon as he steps up to greet the girl that will be the first thing on the front of her mind as well.

He does not know whether she knows of his position, or his plans for the future, but she is here, and accompanying one of the vampires who has proven himself loyal to Jean-Claude's cause thus far. So he figures he might as well step up and find out.

"He does not know what a charm he has brought to this gathering, here," Jean-Claude comments, as he steps up to her, managing to have caught her in a rare moment without her vampire companion of the evening. All the better to discuss him behind his back, after all. Assuming he gets that far.

Natasha Romanoff | OTA

[outstandingbalance]

Never let it be said that Natasha doesn't know how to make an appearance. She arrives just a bit after sundown, in an eye catching dress, hair coifed, makeup dramatic and impeccable. It's a change from how she's presented herself up until this point during her London stay, but clearly she has experience with this kind of showmanship because no only does she look the part, she acts it flawlessly as well.

She stays in the lobby and mingles long enough to make a good appearance, fending off offers of blood gently and smoothly enough not to draw attention to herself. If the temptation tries her (and oh, it does), she keeps the struggle off of her face and out of her posture, even when one or two of the human representatives from the nest grow particularly bold in their attempts to win her over.

From there she moves to the bar where she discreetly fortifies herself with a couple of gin and tonics under the pretense of continuing to circulate the crowd.

It's not long before she mains an appearance in the ballroom though. That's the center of the action, so inevitably that is the place Natasha will spend most of the night. Up until now, she's been a light touch feeling out Islington, but her she lets a little curiosity show. Not enough to give too much false hope to the vampires and human hangers on who try to win her over to the cause, but enough to encourage them to try. On the whole, both charm and threats are met with the same noncommittal reserve and a slight, professional smile—an expression that reveals little but invites her conversation partners to draw their own conclusions about where she stands.

Periodically through the night, Natasha will excuse herself to step outside and get a breath of fresh air. She attempts to avoid it, but when the smell of blood or the sight of open feeding becomes too much for her to white knuckle her way through without drawing attention to her thirst, she allows herself to make a graceful retreat to rally her self-control.

[baisant]

Jean-Claude has watched her, as she made her way through the lobby, excusing herself from the offers of blood and smoothly making her exit away from those who are partaking and away to the bar instead. He has to note, he does not think he has ever seen her feed, or mention it for that matter. Not that every vampire does talk about these things with one another, but he finds it... Curious.

Stepping forward, Jean-Claude makes his way to join her at the bar, sliding into the seat beside her and offering the slight quirk of a smile as she does. "A familiar circumstance, we find ourselves in, although perhaps in slightly more unfamiliar settings, to be true," he comments. Cocking his head slightly to the side at her as he does.

outside

[freelife]

Evie had been looking for a good excuse to speak with Natasha all evening, and when she noticed her move to slip outside, she saw her moment. Excusing herself from the conversation, she followed behind Natasha a few paces, waiting for an opportune moment to approach her.

"Lovely party, isn't it?" There's a smile in her lips that remembers all too well the conversation they'd had in Natasha's apartment. Both women knew how advantageous it was to appear at these sorts of things.

She waits for a moment, to be sure they're alone before she adds: "You doing alright?"

[emotioneater]

Cooper is, for once that night, by himself in the ballroom. Nancy's off doing her own thing and he finds himself watching the crowd. He spots Natasha in the dress. She looks good, of course. He might now be unavailable, but that doesn't mean he's blind. He hasn't seen her since he was looking for Alex and wonders what she must think about him taking her in.

He sidles over to her, looking a touch uncomfortable in his suit. It's definitely not his style. "Evening, 'tasha! Enjoyin' yourself?"

Bar

[loveconquersdinosaurs]

Thomas spotted Natasha, and slid in beside her, curious about her presence here, and figuring he'd go investigate. Besides, wasn't that what they were supposed to be doing here? Sweet talking vampires that weren't part of the nest? No matter that at the moment, he'd consider this the worst time to join, as the nest could no longer even offer her protection.

"I'm surprised to see you here. How are you holding up?"

After all, seeing how some of the vampires were feeding here...well, it was enough to make control feel more difficult to Thomas, so he couldn't imagine how it felt for Natasha. Granted, he'd accepted one of the offers himself, but he hadn't fed like some of the other vampires here. He didn't just take the blood, like someone grabbing an apple off a table. No, he'd chatted with some of the humans first, found one who was genuinely enjoying his company. He'd found the quietest place he could and only took a small meal, before buying some food for the lady he'd fed from. It had been necessary, though, if he wanted to keep his head on straight when so many seemed content to just grab and feed, not even bothering to try and be discreet about it.

He wasn't sure how Natasha held it together in the face of all of this.

Cooper | OTA

[emotioneater]

Cooper shows up with Nancy on his arm, looking proud as a peacock to have a gorgeous girl as his date. He's even put on a suit for the occasion, though he absolutely despises it. He thinks it makes him look he's going to prom.

Most of the night will be spent with Nancy, but if one wants to catch him by himself, he'll be putting on his best behavior and at least attempting to be cordial to everyone while he mingles in the lobby. Curiously, he drinks only sparingly at the bar, far from his usual behavior. Could it be he's afraid of saying something he shouldn't if he drinks too much?

Later on in the night, he'll be in the ballroom, dancing with Nancy a bit before he takes some time off for himself. He'll hanging off to the side, observing the dancers and folks coming in and out. He's taking this time to judge the mood of everyone and how they're reacting to the evening.

Thomas | OTA

[loveconquersdinosaurs]

It was a vampire party, and to Thomas a vampire party typically was an opportunity to wear something he could have fun with, something revealing, seductive and eye catching. Alas, looking over the invitation, it appeared that Raymond was bound and determined to sap away any aspect of things that Thomas might enjoy. It looked as if the dress code was a little bit stricter than what Thomas was used to, and while part of him was tempted to go with a black tie and no shirt, he suspected that would ensure he wasn't allowed admittance.

Eventually Thomas settled on a white suite with a black tie and lapels (and yes, he wore a shirt). It was eye catching without being inappropriate. He certainly looked good in it, even though Thomas would prefer to show a lot more skin, but he'd still pause in front of the occasional reflective surface to admire how good he looked.

In the lobby Thomas could be seen flirting with the men and women who were offering blood, enjoying their company and getting to know them a bit. Noticing one woman in particular hanging on his every word, he eventually decided to take her aside, finding as quiet a corner as he could to flirt a bit more, before eventually slowly easing into feeding.

Once he was done with that, he took her over to the tea room and bought her some tea and scones.

The rest of the night he could be found either at the bar or ballroom, mingling with vampire and non-vampire alike, though having a distinct preference for hanging around those who didn't express much joy in the recent free range carnage that had been allowed by their esteemed leader.

Raymond

[brightwitch]

The self-proclaimed Mayor spends most of the night in the ballroom surrounded by lackeys, taking his own advice to eat, drink and be merry. He's charming and cordial with just about everyone he meets, even if there's a slight edge to the way he eyes up some of the less welcome guests.

Some time after midnight, those with sharp eyes may notice him disappear from the room with a certain Abigail Widdowson, Maiden of Witches and head of Circle Midnight. This is no romantic rendezvous, however: they're having a private meeting to discuss a potential alliance between the two factions.

He returns without Abigail and he'll say nothing about how it went, but privately Raymond is feeling rather pleased with himself. Now if only those pesky fae would be more reasonable...

Ballroom

[dredefulchilde]

The rules of polite society dictate that certain niceties must be observed at parties. One of the most very basic of these is that guests must greet their host. Joscelin thinks that Raymond is an opportunistic brute at best and a suicidally foolish one at worst (and has not exactly been quiet in his opinions, these past few weeks), but he still makes his way over to kiss the ring and play nice.

Raymond will get his due very shortly, but not now. Not with so many present.

"My lord," he says with a slightly haughty sneer and a short bow. "An excellent party, this. Well done."

[falsify]

Speaking of those pesky fae--

Eames finds Raymond not long after he's finished speaking with Abigail, might as well hear the odious little parasite out since he's here "enjoying" the party. As much distaste as Eames has for the man of the hour, (and it's a lot,) he's all smiles and broad, friendly gestures as he approaches. It might be an act, and he expects Harris knows as much, but it looks genuine. For the benefit of the assembled, you know.

"Mr. Harris-!" He grins and offers a hand to shake, "thank you for the invitation."