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

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?"

[longterm]

Cesare has had some time to learn about Natasha since their last meeting. He listens reasonably well and managed to pick up enough information about her during their last talk to ask his contacts about exactly who she is. He has found out some things about her, not a lot of things, but some. One of those is that when it comes to conversations, she plays a better game than he had even thought. As such, he doesn't even remotely worry about making things difficult for her.

"You're a smart girl. You tell me." He gestures for her to join him. He has a feeling this might be an interesting conversation.

[outstandingbalance]

"Am I? I wouldn't say that seemed to your opinion that last time we spoke." She sits confidently, crossing her legs as she speaks. Natasha has almost always projected an air of professionalism, but now she's actually on the job. Her expression is schooled. Her clothes, hair, her makeup, are all impeccable. Her hands are still, folded in her lap.

She might be only a fraction of his age, but tonight, Natasha seems like a natural partner to face across a negotiation table.

"I'm not joining Islington."

[longterm]

Cesare leans back in his chair for a moment, thoughtful and curious. It's an interesting tactic to shut down a conversation so swiftly like that, if that's in fact what she's doing. Whether it's true or not, though, he appreciates the plainness of her words. Cesare can do flowery language and elaborate metaphors, but he'd rather not.

He isn't deterred by her comment, but intrigued.

"Then why are you here?"

Last time they spoke he saw her as little more than a trifle, something to fill his infinite days and keep him occupied. Tonight she is more of a peer, a young, inexperienced peer but just about one nonetheless. If she wants to negotiate with him and talk seriously, he'll give her the respect to regard her similarly in return.

[outstandingbalance]

It might seem like a strange choice, but Natasha knows he strategy. She knows there's nothing to gain here by wasting time by setting unreasonable expectations. If she has his interest, then she'll consider it a first step. The easiest, but a good start.

"I have an interest," she says, her tone pleasantly matter of fact. That much should be obvious. A vampire living in any city would have an interest in the way the local nest interacted with the rest of the supernatural community. Natasha doesn't go into the details of her particular interest yet—the fact she came to London in part because compared to most large cities, the supernatural politics were peaceful—but it is a bread crumb.

"I'd like to think there are other things I can offer without leaving my current position." She smiles slightly. "I'm sure there are things I could hope for from you that don't involve an invitation to join the nest."

[longterm]

"You want to determine your terms with me at my own party." It's a statement, not a question. Cesare is too confident to ask her, even rhetorically. He shrugs. "Ballsy." He can't quite decide if she's being foolish and brazen or smart.

"I support my own nest, Ms Romanoff, not others'." His tone is definitive, the type that shuts down a conversation in seconds, but his words are deliberately vague. In his way, he's being polite and giving her some room to discuss and negotiate. He's still curious to find out quite what she's asking of him.

[outstandingbalance]

"That's a good thing, because I don't want you to abandon your nest." If she takes his comment as a compliment, she doesn't show any sign. Natasha knows she's going to need her poker face. Stoicism is a strength of hers.

"Believe it or not, I'd like to be able to support your nest too. If I'm on good terms with Islington and vampires in general are on peaceful terms with the rest of the city, I benefit." She can admit to a certain level of mercenary survival instinct. If he thinks that's all she's interested in, that's not her problem. If he underestimates her because of it, all the better. "Unfortunately, at the moment... I'm not sure if I can do that."

She lifts one hand and gestures around them, a little ballerina's grace slipping into the movement. "If you want to change my mind, I'm all ears."

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.

[longterm]

Cesare doesn't bother to turn to find out who is speaking to him. The accent and the tone of friendly, amiable scorn makes it perfectly clear. Instead he keeps his eyes fixed on a blonde who is with him. He smiles and places his hand to her throat and to lift her chin up with his thumb, his gaze intent and curious. If Jean-Claude thinks he's going to shame Cesare out of feeding and enjoying himself, it's not going to work.

"And what if I were?" Cesare doesn't intent to kill his willing participants tonight, at least certainly not in public, but in truth there is little other than his own philosophy that's stopping him. Raymond Harris certainly wouldn't stop him, after all. If anything it's actively encouraged. All bets are off at this point and Cesare would like to remind Jean-Claude of that.

[baisant]

Jean-Claude doesn't really give a toss about Cesare enjoying himself. Let him do as he likes, Jean-Claude doesn't really care. So long as it is not a choice that the rest of the city will make him regret. If he kills that woman, Jean-Claude will have something to say about it. Even if it is not against the current laws as the vampires are to hold themselves accountable. The fact of the matter is that there are no laws, as far as Raymond is concerned, other than the laws that he has created for himself.

That is what concerns him.

Jean-Claude gives the other vampire a withering look. Cesare knows damned well just as he does that there is nothing stopping him. And that is part of the problem. Still when he replies he is ever the gentleman.

"Who am I to stop you." Only the Marquess of Islington, of course.

[longterm]

Cesare finally looks to Jean-Claude and grins wide, flashing his bloodstained teeth.

"Exactly."

Tonight is a night of peculiar rules and regulations, strict political positioning and careful unspoken alliances, but when it comes to Cesare enjoying himself, for once he has complete freedom. He's particularly pleased with that idea.

"Congratulations on your promotion, by the way. I should have jumped back into bed with you while I had the chance." It bothers him a bit. Of course it does. Cesare has always been power hungry (why else would he have built this damn hotel?). But he knows when it's best to be a good sport, at least in his own, slightly off kilter way. Besides, he's rather have a Marquess of Jean-Claude than a stranger or someone incapable.

[baisant]

Jean-Claude inclines his head slightly in thanks to the other man's congratulations. Although he doesn't know quite what to think of the words to follow. Would he have enjoyed another night in bed with Cesare, but of course he would. He has started to get the measure of the other vampire however and finds him to be more power-hungry than his own tastes generally run. Such people are dangerous, and Jean-Claude has ever been in the habit of self-preservation.

"Perhaps you should have," he replies. He doesn't know whether to honestly take it as a compliment from Cesare or whether the other man is saying so because he is owed it at his rank, but he will take it regardless. "It is too bad for you that your chance has passed," he replies instead. Both because Cesare does not seem to be interested anymore, and because he doesn't think he would take him up on it now, even if he were. It would be far too foolish, with the other vampire as power-hungry as he is.

[longterm]

To be honest, Jean-Claude is entirely correct in his assessment, not that Cesare sees his own ambition even remotely as a flaw. Their time together had been fun but some time and a lot of things have changed since then. Cesare doubts the two of them are still compatible. In fact, he wonders if they ever truly were. Perhaps what Cesare was so drawn to was that power and influence seems simply to fall into Jean-Claude's lap even when he doesn't necessarily want it. Cesare wishes he were as fortunate.

"Tell me if you pick up a new squeeze, will you? So I know whom to envy?" To his credit, at least Cesare is transparent. He wants to know who might be receiving favor and who to treat differently. He likes to keep an eye on all the players on the field, so to speak.

[baisant]

Jean-Claude tilts his head at Cesare slightly, keeping his dark blue eyes level at the other vampire as he does. He is well aware of why Cesare might be asking such a thing. And just what sort of 'envy' Cesare might impart to such a person, if he were to have a 'new squeeze' as Cesare puts it.

"Perhaps I shall," he replies. "That is dependent on me picking up a new squeeze, as you say, however. If I were you, I would not hold my breath." Jean-Claude would sleep with anyone, and as many times as they so desired. But the notion of a singular fondness for one particular person -- that is something that he only gives but rarely. He has been hurt in the past, after all. And he knows better than to invite such pain upon either himself or those people close to him.

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?"

[longterm]

Cesare barely stops what he's doing in order to cast Joscelin a grin.

"Of course. Care to join?"

Joscelin may have the body of a child, and Cesare doesn't quite know how that affects him and his proclivities. The one thing he can guaruntee, though, is that Joscelin still has an appetite. Vampires can quell their cravings all they want but a vampire still has to eat. Besides, what's wrong with a casual snack during a party? Cesare's just helping himself to the crudites. Joscelin might as well join in the fun.

[dredefulchilde]

Joscelin never turns up his nose at a free and willing meal, but he'd already drunk his fill on the way in to the party. He smiles and demurs. "In a little bit. Ate on the way in. Poor old dear." Instead, he accepts a glass of champagne from a tray.

"Our host certainly knows how entertain. Might even outshine your little 'dos, Borgia."

[longterm]

Cesare huffs slightly and quirks an eyebrow at Joscelin.

"This is one of my little 'dos. Do you forget where you are?"

Ok, so maybe it's not entirely his, but this is his hotel, his waiters and waitresses are the ones serving and that's his champagne Joscelin is drinking.

"Harris has good taste, though. I'll give him that."

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?"

[longterm]

Cesare is sitting towards the back of the bar. It isn't exactly a backroom, but it's secluded enough for the two of them to have a chat. Cesare wants everyone to see this, and besides, he doubts Eames would go into a room alone with him anyway. Eames may be a fae but he must have some sense. He leans back into his chair, holding his drink, relaxed and calm.

"Perhaps. The night is young. But first I want to know why you came here." Eames definitely had some audacity. Cesare will give him that.

[falsify]

"I was invited." He seems to be repeating that a lot today, which in some ways is a compliment. It means people either aren't aware or easily forget the amount of influence Eames wields within his court, which is how he likes it.

On the other hand, it's really fucking tedious, and Eames sighs. Gesturing vaguely in the direction of the Ballroom as he speaks, "take it up with your Duke if it's such a problem."

[longterm]

Cesare shrugs, his attitude deliberately calm and relaxed. Whether he actually is or not is another matter.

"What he says goes." Tonight is a different sort of game. Tonight Cesare is fully intent on getting on Raymond Harris' good side. Picking fights at this point would not help.

"Now, are you going to have a proper discussion with me or are you too afraid someone's going to sneak up on you while we talk if you do?" Fights may be unacceptable, but little jabs are ok.

[falsify]

Eames actually laughs at that, a quiet chuckle over the rim of his glass. He's not afraid of being attacked, not that he expects vampires to observe hospitality rules — they're a bunch of fucking savages, of course he doesn't — but he knows how bad it would look. He's also not interested at all in a conversation with Cesare, but that doesn't mean he won't have one.

"That all depends on the topic, doesn't it?" Eames says, a little teasing, but he is curious about what it is that Cesare could possibly have to speak to him about other than a lot of posturing.

[longterm]

Cesare doesn't allow Eames' laugh to bother him. At least it doesn't show. Quietly it could really irk him, but instead he smiles too, quirking an eyebrow as if Eames' words have just grown a little more interesting.

"Does it? Tell me then: what topics are off limits? So we can start with those." Truth be told, Cesare is mostly interested in finding out precisely why Eames is here. Sure, he was invited, but there has to be a reason. Is he here to bargain? Negotiate? Make deals? Or just throw his weight around? Cesare wants to find out either way. He doesn't think he's found the truth yet.