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

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."

[outstandingbalance]

"You think right," Natasha says, giving a professional smile. She thinks she's seen Caroline once or twice, always at Islington events. They two of them never had reason to interact, though. Not until now, at least.

"Natasha." She sips her wine, considering if she ought to offer more than that. Explain what she's doing here, for one. "Cesare extended an invitation my way. Hopefully you don't mind?"

[vampire_barbie_girl]

"Not at all, the more the merrier. I love your dress, by the way." She however isn't sure how exactly it's staying put. Probably tape.

"So, are you enjoying the party so far?" Ah, the joys of small talk. But maybe it would lead to more information about who Natasha is.

[outstandingbalance]

Some mysteries are not so easily solved. Double sided tape, careful fitting and wishful thinking is probably the correct answer though. "Thank you. It's not often I get the chance to dress up like this. Might as well take advantage of it."

Natasha's gaze flits around the room at Caroline's question, making a show of her study. "There's quite the atmosphere—I do love the decorations. Makes up for not having much in the way of real snow."

[vampire_barbie_girl]

"Thanks," she says, looking around too. "I'm still getting used to this whole no snow for Christmas thing. First winter in London. So I thought it might be nice to go all white and dazzling for the decor. Plus," she added, looking down at her own outfit, "I knew it would match my dress."

[outstandingbalance]

"You were in America before this?" The accent gives her away. Natasha smiles slightly as she observes it. "I can sympathize with being used to something else. A little colder—more snow."

Her lips twitch slightly. "This is better. No cold feet."

[vampire_barbie_girl]

"Yes, Virginia born and raised." Saying that probably outs her as being pretty young. London has made her very aware of the fact that she's still a baby vampire.

She nods. "I do like the no cold feet part, especially when I'm wearing heels. I'm just not sure how much it will feel like Christmas without snow."

[outstandingbalance]

"It's hard to believe it's Christmas at all," Natasha says, her eyes falling briefly. Last spring, she would have had a hard time believing she'd be attending a party with the London nest tonight. Being alive at all had seemed low odds on its own.

"It's been a while since I observed.

[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.

[outstandingbalance]

Natasha meets the compliment with a smooth smile, lowering her lashes demurely. "Thank you," Natasha says. "That's high praise coming from someone in your position. And may I say..."

Her eyes flash up, her smile growing more sly. "And may I say, you are looking the part. Cutting quite the figure tonight."

She shakes her head, shoulders squared, raising her wine glass to her lips.

"How is it treating you?"

[baisant]

He inclines his head at her compliment, offering her a slight bow that would look odd from any other person but from one so old as Jean-Claude seems natural.

"It is treating me well enough, mon amie," he replies as he straightens, "though I thank you for your concern. And your continued support." He tilts his head at her with a smile. As she is not a member of the nest, she need not participate in his affairs as often as she does after all.

"It is good to see you here," he adds, pleasantly.

[outstandingbalance]

"Don't let my secret out, but I usually show up where I'm invited." She smiles slightly as she says it, dropping her voice to a mock conspiratorial tone. Her eyes sparkle just a little.

"Besides, I'd like to think I don't have any reason not to come. Only so many chances to dress up like this."

[baisant]

Jean-Claude smiles widely in response to her conspiratorial sharing. "I will have to make a note of that, then," he says. "You may come to find yourself regretting those words though, mon amie." He flicks his smile wider before stepping back to speak more freely.

"It's true. This is not a political event. I don't even have any hand in the party itself. It is simply a Christmas party. For vampires." He smiles again, realizing how ridiculous that sounds, and loving every moment of it.

[outstandingbalance]

Natasha returns the smile, understanding the humor in it. She's not even sure herself whether she finds this endearing or sad. But if she gets to choose, why at least take it as a sign of how far the nest has moved from where they were.

"Why not? We do clean up pretty nice. And we through a flashy party. Or whoever organized this does."

[baisant]

Jean-Claude smiles and nods in agreement with her words. They do clean up very well. And know how to dress, besides. As for the matter of the party itself...

"Ah," he replies, a fond smile gracing his lips, "that would be the young Caroline." He turns to pick her out across the crowd, before gesturing in her direction. "A vision. With a vision for such matters themselves, as it were."

[outstandingbalance]

"So it seems. This is the first time I've met her." A faint smile. "We talked a while earlier, though. American. It was... different."

By which Natasha means, very different from vampires she's known. Caroline hadn't come from a nest, or the politics. She hadn't had the games Natasha took for granted.

[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."

[outstandingbalance]

"Joscelin," Natasha greets him, her tone deliberately even. Her read on the older vampire is almost immediate and while she doesn't know what's caused it, her impression that he's unstable is distinct.

It's saying something, too, considering the states she's seen him in before.

She accepts the glass he offers agreeably enough. No need to turn up her nose at his generosity. "That's a toast I can drink to."

[dredefulchilde]

"And to your homeland, which distills excellent liquor." Joss downs his martini in a couple of big gulps. Being a vampire means that he can drink massive amounts of alcohol without feeling the effects, so why does he feel so unsteady now? And his face feels clammy. How can that be, when he's been technically dead for over six hundred fifty years?

He leans against the table, trying to ground himself.

"You know, I think there's something in the punch that oughtn't to be there."

[outstandingbalance]

Natasha only sips hers, setting it aside half full when he starts to sway. Her expression hardens. She hesitates to touch him; even in his unsteady state, he's older than her, and hasn't been starving himself. That's not a fight she wants to risk.

"I think you're right." Her lips purse, tightening sourly. "You've never had fae blood before, have you?"

[dredefulchilde]

Joss shakes his head and immediately regrets it because it makes the room tilt alarmingly and he has to white-knuckle the table in order to stay upright. Fae blood. Of course. How could he have been so stupid? That is what he smelled when he went back to get more punch, but all the alcohol near the bar had deadened his nose, preventing him from making the connection.

"God's wounds," he swears, closing his eyes. "Is that what this is? I feel terrible. Hardly the euphoric love-fest I'd been led to believe it would be like. I feel like I'm about to jump out of my skin."

[outstandingbalance]

"You look like you don't feel well." She sets her martini down smoothly and, taking a calculated risk, offers him her arm. She does not go so far as to touch him, especially considering the effects that might come from fae blood. "Maybe we should find you somewhere to sit. Clear your head a little."

Her voice is even, soothing. "You missed out on it being a vampire so long, but you're finding out what it means being a lightweight."

Natasha isn't a large woman. She also isn't entirely without experience with fae blood. She knows something about it.

[dredefulchilde]

Sitting would feel good right about now, but Joscelin resits the thought precisely because Natasha suggested it. He's already admitted to her that he doesn't feel very well--that's about as much vulnerability as he will allow himself to show in an evening.

"I'll be fine," he says instead, brusquely. He ignores the offered arm. "I'm small, yes, but I'm not a helpless child."

[outstandingbalance]

"Believe me, I know better than to make that mistake." If she's lying, then it's a convincing lie—which it certainly could be. She doesn't back off though, keeping just within arm's reach.

Better she deals with him than some of the others here, though.

"None of us here is helpless."