Islington Nest Christmas Party, Dec 17 [Open to all Nest members and their guests]

[vampire_barbie_girl]

Caroline has worked hard to put together the evening's event, which is not only a Christmas party but also hopefully a chance for the Nest to celebrate its new leadership. The room at the Angelo has been decorated with a winter wonderland theme which, while not exactly original, is quite lovely.

A string quartet is playing a selection of Christmas and other classical music. Any attempts to feed on the musicians will result in the perpetrator getting thrown out the party, or worse. But feeding on any of the hired help or performers should be unnecessary, since several varieties of "blood punch" are available to drink. There is also food and other drinks available for non-vampire guests and anyone else who wishes to partake.

There is a strict black tie only dress code and Caroline will tell anyone who is under-dressed to go home and change.



[The event is happening on Dec 17th but I wanted to get it up early so everyone had time to do get involved if they so desired.]

Comments

Beginning of the party [Open]

[vampire_barbie_girl]

Caroline almost can't believe that the party is finally starting. She has spent the last couple of weeks working so hard to make sure ever detail is perfect and so far, it all is. All the food looks and tastes wonderful, drinks are ready. And the first guests are finally beginning arrive, just as the musicians begin to play.

The only thing about the night that was easy to play was Caroline's own wardrobe, since she is re-wearing her prom dress. Not that she plans on telling anyone that. There were some advantages to moving so far away from home - no one could tell when an outfit was recycled here.

With a smile that made her appear much calmer than she really felt, she began to mingle with the first arrivals.

[stauncherhearted]

Nancy made Cooper promise they'd arrive on the early side. She didn't want Caroline to host a party where someone she didn't actually know came first and they had to stay in complete silence. So she's there just as the doors open, her red hair half-up and curled. She's dressed for the occasion- she had a good number of rather nice dresses gifted to her by some of her wealthier johns. She was actually pretty sure the shoes she was wearing were from Cesare Borgia.

But that didn't matter, because on her ears and around her neck were the beautiful emeralds that Cooper had gotten her for her birthday. Each square emerald was surrounded by smaller diamonds, and the pieces were now by far her favorites.

"Caroline, this is beautiful!" She coos, already getting a drink. "And your dress-! You look absolutely stunning."

[baisant]

Jean-Claude is of course making his own appearance to this gathering of Caroline's. Of course it has his blessing as well. He does not really have an opinion of Christmas one way or the other -- he's too old to feel any sort of charm around the holiday season as one might claim otherwise. But he is of the opinion that any excuse for a party is a good one, especially a formal get-together like this one.

He smiles at her as he approaches. He is dressed up himself, in a red brocade vest and deep red velveteen jacket. The white shirt underneath the vest is the same gaping, unlaced poet's shirt that he's usually got on, as are the leather pants and thigh-high boots, but he's obviously gone through efforts to gussy himself up. Even his hair looks nicer, dark curls spilling expertly across his shoulders in turn.

"Mon amie," he says, by way of greeting. "This is quite the event you have put together." His eyes slide along the line of her dress for a moment before he glances at Caroline herself again. "And you, yourself. You are exquisite."

[loveconquersdinosaurs]

Spotting Caroline, Thomas approached her, smiling. "Your dress is amazing and this party is exquisite. Although, I think next party Islington has should have a non-existent dress code."

Granted, there were the raves on Halloween that didn't have a dress code, which Thomas had taken full advantage of by wearing a loin cloth and fairy wings. That didn't really count in his opinion, though, since he'd spent it fighting Raymond's followers.

ota

[stauncherhearted]

Nancy had been one of the first guests to arrive, and as such, had been drinking ever since. She's got a slight buzz going by the time the party really starts. Pity it's not a loud, party party, but rather a nice, classy vampire sort of party. Any minute now she was sure some of the vampires who had taken to dancing would break into some elaborately choreographed ball-room now.

She was always disappointed when they didn't.

Dressed in a pale gown, Nancy's on Cooper's arm almost all night long. She's happy to be with him, back here at the Anglo where she never thought she'd be allowed in again. But, on her own, she can generally be found either getting a new drink, or chilling out near the buffet. Once a starving orphan, always a starving orphan. Despite the Jimmy Choos she wore.

[longterm]

Nancy is back in Cesare's house. It's pleasant, really. He's noticed that she hasn't been around much, though he doesn't quite realise precisely why. In truth, he thinks she's just moved on. So when he walks up to her, he's amiable. After all, why wouldn't he be?

He smirks as he looks down at his drink of "blood punch". It's juvenile, but endearing.

"You're back. It's nice to see you." He looks down at her shoes. "Is this business or pleasure?"

[baisant]

Jean-Claude is not one of the first to arrive. This is Caroline's party, and besides, he is the Duke now. Old vampires always like to make an entrance, if they can. And in his red and gold brocade vest, red velveteen jacket, leather pants, poet's shirt, and thigh-high boots, Jean-Claude knows a thing or two about image.

He spends a lot of time making the rounds -- again, it's Caroline's gathering, but he's technically in charge, and that means something. He makes a point to speak to everyone he can. And that includes their dates. The fact that Nancy is allied with Islington makes things a great deal easier to do so, all things considered.

He catches her near the buffet, where he hasn't really been sampling any of the food. What would be the point of it, eating at this point is just a mechanical motion. But he does miss it. "Is it any good?" he finds himself asking, as he sidles his way up to her.

ota

[freelife]

Evie had never gotten along well with dresses, and as such, wasn't wearing one. Instead, she had on tight black pants and a blazer. Aside from her shoes (over-the-knee black heels), and a thin gold necklace, she hadn't even bothered to put anything else on. She had, however, elected to button said blazer.

And you know what? Evie was rocking it.

For most of the party, Evie's out making friends, happy to socialize. Tonight isn't business in any way, shape, or form. It's a celebration, and she's here to have fun with said friends. She'll drink blood punch and alcohol, maybe attempt to tell a few jokes (please no), and otherwise generally enjoy the atmosphere.

Re: ota

[vampire_barbie_girl]

Evie's clothes are unconventional but still abide by the black tie rule, so Caroline isn't going to have to kick her out. Not that Caroline thinks she could, not after seeing Evie fight when Harris was taken down.

But she doesn't want to think about that tonight, so instead hurries over to greet her friend. "Hey, how are you? I'm so glad you could come!"

[baisant]

Jean-Claude, in his own tight black (leather) pants and over the knee boots (with a slight heel -- they make his ass look even better), a brocade vest over his usual poet's shirt and a red velveteen jacket over that -- he appreciates her aesthetic.

Making his way up to her, a cup of the blood punch in his own hand, his lips tinted slightly darker than usual to show he had partaken in some already, he offers her a pleasant smile. "Bonne nuit, mon amie," he greets her, inclining his head and raising his glass in turn.

[dredefulchilde]

"I've seen you around quite a bit," Joscelin says to the tall (though all adults are tall to him) woman in the suit. "You supported Jean-Claude."

It is a blunt way to begin a conversation, but Joss has never been one for small talk.

"I should like to know you better. If Jean-Claude is to succeed as our leader, anyway."

Natasha Romanoff | MCU | OTA

[outstandingbalance]

Natasha isn't part of the nest, but she does have friends—friends and connections. When Cesare extended his invitation, she considered not taking him up on it, but since Jean-Claude took over leadership of the nest she's felt more comfortable associating with them.

So turn out she does, and not by halves. She's there in pale gown, neckline plunging and fitted as though it were made specifically for her. She doesn't get all that many opportunities to break out her nicer dresses, so when the chance comes around... might as well go all out, right?

As before, she doesn't partake in any of the blood offerings, but she will help herself to some wine, watching the nest for signs of how the transition has taken it.

[vampire_barbie_girl]

It's shaping up to be a great night for Caroline meeting people who she's only heard of, or maybe seen but not spoken to. One of such people was the woman in the gorgeous but very low-cut gown. She isn't sure if the woman is a vampire or not, since she isn't drinking the punch. But she also doesn't seem to be here as someone's date.

Caroline walks over to her and smiles. "Hi, I'm Caroline. I don't think we've met before."

[baisant]

Jean-Claude is looking dressed for the occasion himself, in his own red and gold brocade vest over his usual poet's vest, red velvet jacket overtop that, as well as the usual skintight black leather pants and thigh-high boots. Still, he cannot help but admire Natasha's own attire as he approaches, the expression on his face obviously showing his approval.

He has a glass of the blood punch in his hand. Of course he does. His color is better than sometimes it is and his lips are slightly tinged -- it shows he's been partaking and not just carrying it around. He'd watched to make sure it hadn't been fae, though. He likes to keep his wits about him, when he can.

"I must say, this is not your usual attire, mon amie, but I for one am not complaining," he says, in greeting.

[dredefulchilde]

Joscelin makes his way towards Natasha clutching two vodka martinis, sloshing them rather alarmingly as he staggers across the room. The initial pleasant effects of the spiked punch are starting to fade, replaced by agitation. His eyes are too bright and his heart feels like it's trying to pound its way out of his chest. But he's still smiling, and that itself should be enough to tell anyone who knows the normally brattish child vampire that something is wrong.

"This one hasn't got any blood in it," he says by way of greeting, pushing the half-full drink towards her. He lifts his own (much pinker) glass in an unsteady toast.

"To our new leader. May he last longer than his predecessor."

[loveconquersdinosaurs]

Thomas was wearing a new suit, mostly because someone had staked him in the leg while he was wearing the old one. Fortunately, it was winter so there had been plenty of time to shop around after sun down before the stores closed. He'd helped himself to some of the blood punch, and was now chatting and flirting with the other guests.

[baisant]

Jean-Claude has been making the rounds of the guests himself, sometimes with a glass of punch in hand, sometimes without. He spots Thomas from across the room and quirks a smile at the other vampire before making his way across to him. He himself is wearing a red and gold brocade vest over his usual poet's shirt, a red velveteen jacket overtop it all. It makes him look paler than normal, his black hair blacker, and his blue eyes bluer, and he knows it. He has more color about him, from having recently fed, and his lips are slightly stained from the punch.

"Mon ami," he says in greeting to the other vampire. "I almost did not recognize you, in all these clothes."

OTA

[dredefulchilde]

Joscelin is about as dapper as anyone who has spent nearly seven centuries stuck at the cusp of puberty can possibly hope to look, wearing a modern white dinner jacket and black bow tie. The overall effect is far more "cute young wedding usher" than anything else, but it will have to do.

He's never been very good at being social and there are few people at the party he has any desire to be social with. Anyway, most of the Nest still hate him for his antics a hundred years ago. He's hardly the most popular party guest in the room. If it wasn't for Jean-Claude he wouldn't be here at all, but he feels an obligation to the other vampire after his disappearance over the past few months. So he sits alone at a table in the corner, sipping champagne and blood punch and playing a game on his phone.

Later in the evening he decides to refill his glass and notices something a little off about the way the punch smells and tastes. Several minutes later, after downing two glasses of the stuff, he realizes that the colors in the room are suddenly too bright and the music is too loud. Even odder still, the whole room feels slightly tilted, like he's on the deck of a ship. But it's not altogether an unpleasant sensation. A broad smile replaces his usual scowl as Joss unsteadily makes his way towards the center of the room. His fangs are out, but he doesn't seem to notice or care.

He's spent his entire life studiously avoiding fae blood, which means that he has no tolerance for it. He is well and truly drunk.

[vampire_barbie_girl]

Caroline had noticed the small vampire a few times throughout the night but hadn't had a chance to talk to him yet. But when she sees him wobbling near the center of the room, she knows the chance is now.

"Hey there," she says as she leans down and reaches for his arm, "it looks like someone's had a bit too much to drink."

/better late than never?? :')

[baisant]

Jean-Claude, happily or not, catches Joscelin early in the evening. Before the incident with the punch, and before he has any chance of making any difference in how Joscelin holds it together or how he does not. Making his way over to where the other vampire is with a smile.

Their friendship is an odd juxtaposition. Joscelin is technically the elder of the two, but Jean-Claude has felt somewhat responsible for him, from the moment their odd little friendship had formed. As such, he has no problem making his way over to the other man with a smile and the small inclining of his head in greeting.

"Good evening, mon ami," he greets the other vampire. "I was not sure that I would see you here, in the end."

OTA

[emotioneater]

Cooper was going to have to have a word with whoever kept making these events black-tie only. He wouldn't have minded so much except for the fact he always looked like he was going to his first school dance whenever he dressed up in a suit. He was tempted to show up in his leather jacket and damn anyone who mentioned it. But Nancy had convinced him to behave and dress up nightly.

So here he was, looking uncomfortable in an all-black suit. He can be found anywhere in the area, talking to people, and generally being on his best behavior. He's got nothing to complain about since the shift in leadership had happened in the Nest.

Partly through the night, he gets blood from one of the bowls, and drinks it down without even thinking about it. It's only when his cup is empty that he realizes what it was. Fae blood. Oh shit. He's been avoiding the stuff for over a year now, knowing how easy it is to fall into a relapse once he's been on it. Now he's got the lovely temptation of an entire bowl in front of him, and not even the guilt of feeding off of unwilling victims to keep him from going back for more. The night just got a whole lot more interesting.

[vampire_barbie_girl]

Caroline - aka the person who had made this event black-tie only - spotted Cooper early in the evening and headed over to say hello.

"Hey, enjoying the party so far?" She was pleased with how smoothly things had gone up to this point - and hopeful that the rest of the party would follow suit.

For Cesare

[vampire_barbie_girl]

After getting Nancy's advice about the Islington men, Caroline really can't help but approach Cesare. It wasn't every day she found out someone was "killer in bed" and, even if she's not sure she wants to go there, it at least has her a bit curious.

Plus, she's not wearing the perfume tonight, so hopefully this meeting goes better than their fast.

She walks up to him, smiling. "This place looks lovely, doesn't it?"

[longterm]

Cesare smiles in return when she approaches him.

"I'm glad you like it. I'm pleased that you suggested this: I wondered if we might not see one another again after our first meeting." It hadn't exactly gone the best. Now, without the impediment of a dreadful cologne, Caroline seems quite delightful.

He looks out into the room.

"I probably should be by now,after all these years, but I'm not yet tired of christmas celebrations."

Micheletto Corella [OTA]

[excrucior]

Early Evening
Micheletto takes the "black tie only" dress code much stricter than most, in that he has chosen to wear an entirely black suit to this soirée. Cesare has made sure he had the suit, and has also ensured his beard and hair are neatly trimmed. Frankly, Micheletto hates fancy gatherings almost as much as he hates wearing color, but Cesare has insisted. After all, he has a lot of people to meet tonight, from the newest Islington allies all the way to the new Duke himself. At least the decor is sufficiently unlit to his tastes.

Micheletto stays toward the darker corners of the spacious room, watching the gathering from the sidelines unless he is summoned (though by whom, it is difficult to tell unless one is watching his movements). He also stays away from the food for the most part, although he does pour himself a glass of rich red wine early on in the evening that he keeps topped off throughout. He never lets it out of his sight, nor does he accept any drinks offered to him by others. They will always get a polite but firm no.

There are also times he occasionally takes a look at one of the blood punch bowls, giving it a puzzled and thoughtful glance.

Late Evening

The Islington Nest's mysterious guest - Mick, he calls himself - seems to have relaxed a little bit after a few glasses of wine, even going so far as daring to sit at a table with a small piece of yule log cake. He looks a little eerie in the dim light, but he either doesn't seem to notice how sharp it makes his features, or he simple doesn't care. He's loosened his tie, just a little, while enjoying his cake, and is quite willing to talk to anyone who comes to sit at his table. His eyes keep straying to the party occasionally, as if he's looking for someone, or watching them... but that usually doesn't stop him from answering.

late evening

[stauncherhearted]

Mick! [Nancy raises a pale arm up in greeting and immediately makes her way over to him, smiling like they're the best of friends.

They are not best of friends. They have met once.

She's fucked his... whatever Cesare was to him, multiple times, and they both knew it.

She just had yet to make the connection between them.

Of course, none of this matters to a drunk twenty-year-old who, with emeralds on her ears and neck, was tripping her way over to sit with him.] Hullo! I didn't expect to see you here!

[Her eyes are glassy as she smiles up at him.] But you're not a vampire, either. [It's an oddly triumphant statement for her.]

Dancing with the Duke - for JC

[vampire_barbie_girl]

Even though it's possible that not all the blood punch has been spiked, Caroline has it all taken away. She can feel her body shaking with both stress and more than a little anger as she watches the last bowl disappear. The party had been so perfect up to now ... out of all the things that could have gone wrong, why did it have to be that?

[baisant]

Jean-Claude tries not to smile as he watches her quake in frustration. He's certain his amusement at her behavior would not go over very well, even if it is because he finds her reactions all rather endearing. Still, it would not do, to have this party ruined simply because someone has played a little prank on their festivities.

"Mon amie," he says quietly, stepping forward and placing a gentle hand on her arm. "Are you alright?" He has stopped her from drinking the punch earlier, but had he been too late after all, in the end?