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

[freelife]

She's 100% in formal wear. And she looks cute. Though the wings of her eyeliner indicate that, oh, hey, she's just as deadly.

"Caroline, hello!" Evie gives her a warm smile. She's not a huge one for hugs. "I wouldn't miss it for the world." Well. maybe. "I'm quite well, enjoying a bit of down-time. How are you? You've certainly put on quite the production here."

[vampire_barbie_girl]

"Well, why bother planning a party if you aren't going to go all out?" Caroline said, grinning. "Thank you though, I'm really happy with how everything's come together. Now everything else just needs to go smoothly."

She eyes Evie's clothes again. "That is quite the outfit. It suits you though, no pun intended."

[freelife]

"I couldn't tell you," she says with a smile and a raise of her glass, filled with the blood punch. "If you need anything, let me know. So long as I avoid drinking too much of the punch. Which is just brilliant, might I add."

Evie shrugs it off. "Thank you- I've never really been fond of dresses, truthfully. Even when I was young, I refused to wear them unless the situation called for it." So, when she went to go save Queen Victoria, nbd, because you don't infiltrate a party at Buckingham Palace in leather pants.

[vampire_barbie_girl]

Caroline doesn't have a glass - she's not drinking yet - but she smiles. "Thank you. I thought it would be fun. I considered blood coffee and tea for later but decided that might be a bit much. Maybe next time." Yes, of course she's already thinking about the next party, even before this one is done.

"That must have caused quite the sensation."

[freelife]

"Blood tea, now there's an idea." It's not a bad one, either. "You seem to be quite apt at this sort of thing." Tell her more about your parties, because seriously, she's impressed.

"When people saw the sword on my belt, they tended to ignore whatever fashion faux pas I was making."

[vampire_barbie_girl]

"Well, they didn't crown me Miss Mystic Falls for nothing. I've basically been planning things like this since I was old enough to order people around. My hometown has a lot of town spirit." Caroline is always happy to talk about her parties. And herself.

"Ah, yes, a sword would do it. I would love to learn how to use one, if you're willing to take on a student. You were really badass at the Harris thing."

[freelife]

"Ah, I'm amongst royalty." Evie dips into a perfect curtsey. "Well I'm glad to hear it. I'll make sure to hire you if I have a reason for a party in the near future."

This gives Evie some pause, and she looks at Caroline up and down. It was always useful to have some sort of way to protect yourself, especially as young as she is. She raises an eyebrow, then looks down, humbled. "Really badass- thank you, Caroline. Truthfully, I've been doing this sort of thing for around 160 years." Still, it was nice to hear that she was a badass.

"Swords are hardly practical in this day and age, but I'm sure I can work something out. Tell me, how is your aim?"

[vampire_barbie_girl]

The curtsy is particularly impressive given that Evie doesn't have a skirt on. "I would be honoured. Maybe a blood tea party, with my solemn vow that none of it will end up dumped in any harbour."

Caroline's had figured Evie got that good through lots of practice. After all, one thing vampires have in abundance is time. As for her aim ... "I can shoot something, if it's not too far, but it's not something I've done a lot. I do wield a mean field hockey stick though."

[freelife]

Evie gives a good chuckle at that. "That was before my time." But other Assassins had been there.

She nods. "Alright. I'm sure I could teach you a thing or two, but maybe not with a sword." Knives, perhaps. Something shorter, make good use of Caroline's lithe frame and inherent grace. "At the very least, how to throw an effective punch."

[vampire_barbie_girl]

"And we'll make sure to keep it that way."

Caroline almost defends her punching ability but catches herself just in time. "That would be great, thanks."

[freelife]

Evie nods. "Of course. I'll give you an address, and we can meet there one night soon." She wasn't training an Assassin, she knew. She wanted to keep Caroline out of that life- besides, the Assassins were hunters, and her role as a vampire was very rare. A few others had been turned over the years, but most had perished.

"Dress to move."

[vampire_barbie_girl]

"I will." Caroline's super excited about the prospect of learning to fight. Alaric had taught her a few things but she felt like she may want to take things to a new level here.

"So, what's new?"

[freelife]

Oh yes. A very different level.

"Tying up loose ends from the coup," she says truthfully. "Other than that, it's a time of relaxation for me. As much as I can- I should know better by now." Evie did not relax well.

[vampire_barbie_girl]

Somehow, Caroline isn't surprised that Evie's not the take it easy type. "Maybe the tea party should include a trip to a spa, so you can take a real break from things."

[freelife]

"Maybe we do tea at the spa, how does that sound?" Makes it a little bit easier, though the blood would get complicated.

Whatever, it was all in good fun. She needn't worry about logistics.

[vampire_barbie_girl]

"That sounds like an excellent plan." Caroline will figure out someway to make it blood tea. Somehow.

"So, what are your Christmas plans?" She is curious if Christmas is something she'll care about in centuries, or if it all just becomes noise. Hopefully it's like birthdays, which she plans to celebrate even when she's into the hundreds.

[freelife]

Put the tea in blood. Allow it to drain and dry. Then, use said tea to make tea.

Or, mix water and blood. Add honey, sugar or cream to taste.

"I'm not sure." Likely drinking alone, watching some favorite old movies. A Christmas Story never failed to make her happy. Same with Nightmare Before Christmas. She was also a fan of A Christmas Carol, having been acquainted with one Charles "Chucky D" Dickens.

"I'll probably watch Hallmark channel, eat Chinese and enjoy a fine Scotch." Any change of plans was welcome.

[vampire_barbie_girl]

That sounds much more simple than anything Caroline has ever planned.

As for Evie's Christmas plans ... "Well, that's just about the saddest thing I've ever heard. So instead, we're going to do something. Don't worry, I'll plan everything. And it won't be as elaborate as all this."

[freelife]

Evie gives her an incredulous look. "I'll try not to be offended." Gosh, her plans were fine.

[vampire_barbie_girl]

Caroline raises her eyebrows. "Any time spent watching the Hallmark channel is time you'll never get back. Even if you are a vampire."

[freelife]

Evie scowls. "I happen to like the terrible Christmas films."

[vampire_barbie_girl]

Caroline sighs heavily. "Fine. I can include watching a terrible Christmas movie in the plans, so at least you aren't watching it alone."

[freelife]

"I'm quite partial to Die Hard, if it helps." They can all watch Die Hard, that's something they can agree to.

[vampire_barbie_girl]

Caroline is of the opinion that Die Hard is not really a proper Christmas movie but she knows better than to make that argument now. "Die Hard it is," she says, beaming. "And maybe some blood tea. Or coffee. Or both."

[freelife]

"Great," she says. "I have no doubt you'll pull it all off remarkably."