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.

[outstandingbalance]

As luck would have it, Natasha means it as one. A fairly empty compliment, maybe, but still a compliment. She doesn't have a problem with men who look a little older.

She follows his gaze, her lips twitching slightly. The face she puts on is good, but she doesn't try to make it look sincere. "I don't know. I'd like to say a few of us make all right dance partners, though."

[falsify]

Eames chuckles and looks away from the floor to Natasha, giving her a quick look over. Nothing lecherous — though she does look stunning — it's become habit here, looking everyone over to assess how much of a threat they are. Though he doesn't think she's much of one, not to him here anyway. She doesn't seem the type to go in for Raymond's brand of mindless carnage.

And he's still smiling when he asks, "is that an invitation?"

[outstandingbalance]

"Maybe," Natasha says, lifting her chin slightly as she speaks. "Maybe it just seems to me a little like a waste to be at a party like this and not find anyone at all for a dance. But..."

Her smile doesn't exactly falter, but some of the brightness goes out of it, and she looks over the floor again. On the far side of the room, luckily far enough that she doesn't catch the scent, a pair of vampires share one human meal.

She doesn't see that ending well for him.

"I'm not seeing a lot of partners I'm interested in either."

[falsify]

"Well I'd like to think I'm more interesting than at least... Three? Of the other guests," Eames says lightly as he offers her a hand. Even without following her gaze, Eames is well aware of the temptations present, but she's holding it together which. Well. He is impressed.

He nods toward the dancefloor, "and I'd hate for you to leave here disappointed."

[outstandingbalance]

"That makes two of us." It is possible that, to some degree, Natasha is using Eames as a distraction. While he presents another kind of temptation, at least it is different from the humans who would volunteer to open a vein for her, and being around other vampires indulging. At least he and Natasha are on the same page: they would both rather she kept control of herself.

That's not the only reason for her interest, though. Natasha can imagine why he would be here, and she wouldn't mind knowing his stance or his take.

And beyond that—she had to suspect he'd be a good dancer. It would seem somehow tragic if he weren't. So she takes his hand and allows him to escort her onto the floor.

Other people should wish they looked this good.

[falsify]

Eames has no problems being a distraction, and certainly not in this instance. Dancing with a ludicrously attractive woman? How could that ever be a bad thing.

He finds them a spot on the floor, and one might be correct to assume he's picked one where they'll be seen by almost everyone in the room on purpose, turning to face Natasha with something of a sly smile as he brings his hands to rest on her hips. (Entirely respectfully, of course.) If there's a single fae who can't dance, Eames doesn't know that he's met them, and he settles into the rhythm of the music easily. Moving like it's as natural to him as walking, even as he waits to see how Natasha dances to respond in kind.

"So--" Eames speaks softly, quiet enough that only Natasha should be able to hear him, "how many offers have you had to join the nest tonight?"

[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?

[falsify]

He's looked into this Earl of Holloway, of course he has, but the information is useless by and large. Short, Irish, young, bit of a shit. Nothing noteworthy either way. He had no idea it was this little shit though. To be fair, he hasn't witnessed Cooper do anything except be annoying, but god. Eames sees the possessive behaviour too, and it's not overbearing but, it bugs him regardless. Possessive partners are perhaps his least favourite kind — Eames has had a couple. They didn't last long.

But beyond a cursory look when they're in the same room, Eames doesn't pay much attention to them. He still thinks it's a monumentally stupid decision on Nancy's part, but he can't say he cares enough to expend any real thought or time on it.

When Cooper's next to him though. Ugh. He wrinkles his nose in distaste and looks out over the room to spot her. "She looks like she's having a great time."

There. They've exchanged words and no one died. Now leave.

[emotioneater]

Cooper, alas, has no social graces and therefore no idea how unwanted his presence is. He turns to properly look at the man standing beside him. He knows him by sight, though not necessarily by name. Definitely not a vampire, at least not an Islington vamp. "I wanted to make sure she would. Do you know her?"

Hopefully, he's not one of her clients. That will make this very awkward if he is. Cooper has promised himself he wasn't going to get into anything with anyone tonight and he intends to keep that promise.

[falsify]

"Well enough," Eames says nonchalantly. Intentionally vague because honestly? He doesn't want to get into this whole thing, and he doesn't exactly know how to describe their relationship. 'Hi I'm some kind of adoptive family member?' Ridiculous.

Plus? Kinda curious about this guy's possessiveness. Is it 'normal new boyfriend' level or something else? Because that could be fun.

[emotioneater]

"Hmph," is all that comes out of Cooper's mouth. That could mean a whole host of things. He's not going to get jealous, much as the emotion is already bubbling beneath the surface. For all he knows, this guy is just some friend that Nancy found in the coven or something like that. Plus, if he starts something right now, Harris will take notice. Cooper is trying to keep a low profile when it comes to the head of the nest.

"What's your name?" Maybe Nancy has mentioned him in the past before and he's getting all worked up for nothing.

[falsify]

Eames has no intention of starting a fight, but hey. If one presents itself he won't say no. It'd certainly help break the boredom he's feeling, watching all these vampires swan around and try to be intimidating.

"Eames," he answers easily enough. He doesn't ask in return, but it shouldn't be a surprise that anyone here knows who Cooper is.

[emotioneater]

"Funny. She's never mentioned you before." That's mostly sarcasm, but there is an undercurrent of truth there. Nancy did make a habit of mentioning those men that she considered to be her friends or those that she wasn't terribly fond of, if for no other reason than to make sure that Cooper didn't hit them over the head and leave them for dead in a ditch somewhere. Strange that Eames' name hadn't cropped up.

[falsify]

It's no surprise to him that Nancy hasn't mentioned him before; he sort of exists at that cross-section of her life where everything becomes just that extra bit more complicated. Regardless, Eames just shrugs a shoulder nonchalantly, "I guess she wouldn't."

Sorry Cooper, it's Eames' turn to be an obnoxious prick.

[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.

[falsify]

"I was invited," he says as though it explains why he'd come at all. Truth be told, it's largely the same reason Arthur's here; chronic nosiness. Regardless, a familiar face that doesn't come with a set of fangs is a welcome sight, one that makes Eames relax just a smidge as he looks at Arthur with the facial equivalent of a shrug. "And I could say the same to you."

[specifiercity]

"I was invited," Arthur repeats back to him dryly. It wasn't terribly hard to get invited, but Arthur did seek out one of his Islington contacts anyway to make sure it didn't just look like he was there sizing up the major players of the nest for their stakes.

He glances away, at the party, and then looks back at Eames, frowning gently.

"What's with the grey hair?"

[falsify]

"You don't like it?" Eames turns to face Arthur properly, leaning against the bar with a raised eyebrow, "I think it's a good look for me."

[specifiercity]

Arthur actually doesn't think it looks too bad, but he's not about to go casually commenting on Eames' appearance in a positive way or anything. That would almost be amicable.

"Just wondering what you're going for. It's not much of a disguise," he says.

[falsify]

"Could be because it's not a disguise." Which is all the answer that needs.

Eames takes a sip of his drink and looks out over the party with a frown. It's kind of hard to come up with smalltalk when a) he doesn't care, and b) he's kind of preoccupied with this situation.

[specifiercity]

"Alright, don't tell me then," Arthur says with a shrug, even though it really is bothering him. Maybe Eames just thinks it's a good look on him or something, but Arthur's curiousity isn't satisfied by that. He has to act like it is because he doesn't want Eames thinking he's actually interested in much of what he does, but it's still going to bug him.

[falsify]

"What's the problem?" He knows the problem, and even if Eames wasn't pathologically opposed to telling Arthur about his curse, he'd probably keep it to himself just for the entertainment value.

(It's slim pickings at these things.)

He smirks lightly over the rim of his glass, "you don't like older guys?"