|
Post by Admin on Feb 7, 2008 10:40:41 GMT -6
Nightfalls.
With in the lush Garden of the Court of Hell. A great anticipation rises in the crowds of the aristocrats as the Elite parade on toward the Iron Gazebo centered in the large black water pond.
Over the bridges they march toward the center they take up posts around the perimeter of the grand isle at the center. Some of the elite stay at the entrances to the bridges to stand guard while the winged soldiers take to the sky to prevent those with flight thinking they are privileged to bypass the gatekeepers.
The time approaches for the opening ceremony and curiosity grips the masses as they begin to line up at the mouths of the bridges to cross. The Elite stand silent and still at each bridge, barring entry till it is time to begin the Regent's first annual Fair.
The huge iron work pentagram gazebo is littered with ornate decorations of the royal house and the curtain that shrouds the center is thick and heavy to shroud the insides from prying eyes.
A minute to go and your invitations begin to glow as the inscriptions fill with the elements, some fire some ice, some metal, some spark with energy and to very few others... to precious gem stone.
The crowd cheers as the outer curtain raises to display the orchestra of quite some size and they begin to play a soft melody that fills the moonlit night. Torches flair to life all around the lake and glittering flames of various colors dance in the black reflective waters.
The Elite motion for the first to enter as the grand clock tower screams the stroke of midnight. The eager crowd cheers as they flash their invitations to the Elites and hurry across the bridges to get to the tables piled high with delights and treats of rare and deviously scrumptious delights.
|
|
|
Post by Thane on Feb 7, 2008 10:57:57 GMT -6
Thane's red eyes open wide at the oncoming crowd of eager Nobels. He watches them rush past him to the food tables as he tries hard not to move and bump into anyone. Granted he makes a better door than a window, but tonight it seams no one even notices his black burly frame partially blocking the way. They part around him like startled deer dart around a post or natural obstruction and continue to fill the outer ring of the iron gazebo.
He stands stoic, arms crossed high on his chest, trying not to let the pushy crowd of snobs get on his nerves. He allows everyone to enter while keeping a watchful eye for any thing he would consider... suspicious.
|
|
|
Post by Lysandor on Feb 7, 2008 11:37:40 GMT -6
Lysandor watches the multicolored tidal wave of a crowd hurry inside. He's reminded of a pack of starving Hellhounds descending on a dying animal, but he keeps his observations to himself.
He keeps to a shadowed alcove where he can easily see the crowds and other Elite guard, but he's almost hidden from view. In such a large crowd, it's impossible for the vigilant Fallen to see everything, but very little escapes his notice.
|
|
Illyon
Denizen
Marquis Incubus
Posts: 91
|
Post by Illyon on Feb 7, 2008 14:54:53 GMT -6
The Devil-Leccubi marquis makes his way through the crowd with a sneer of disdain on his face. Really, he doesn't see what the rush is about. There is plenty of refreshment for the Nobles to have their share, and then some. He has to admit, though, that the decorations are quite splendid, and the invitations brillant.
He escorts a youthful, grey tabby Devilcat, who bares the marks of being fed on recently. She tightens her grip on his arm, making Illyon frown at her.
"Go and find something to entertain yourself with," he tells her coldly, removing his arm from her grip. He looks out at the crowd, looking for something, anything, to catch his interest.
|
|
|
Post by Ciel on Feb 7, 2008 23:10:44 GMT -6
Ciel sighed as she walked up to Thane in her gowned finery. She was still uncomfortable, but she did not show it quite so much as she used to. She's still freaked out about the dress and courtly manners and having so many nobles see her as such.
She's shaking when she reaches Thane and curtsies. "Good e-evening Master Elite. Has everything started yet?"
|
|
|
Post by Thane on Feb 8, 2008 13:18:06 GMT -6
At first Thane does not recognize Ciel in her new clothes. He looks to her from his vigil of the crowd with surprise in his red eyes and bows before her, "Good eve Lady Ciel." He rumbles softly. "The preliminaries are in full engagement but the main gala is yet to present... in an hour or so." He says looking between Ciel and the crowd.
"Your attire is flattering, and you look like you will fit right in with the rest of the lovely ladies... The Duchess De'Velt has really outdone herself this time." He grins to her softly and nods to the tables, "Your station is with them tonight, do not tarnish your new position by consorting with the help... Your Regent's aid now and you must build a solid reputation with the nobles he desires to win over with this political gathering."
|
|
|
Post by Ciel on Feb 8, 2008 19:53:06 GMT -6
At his soft upbraiding, Ciel nods very slightly. She colors as she looks to the tables and her blush is very uncomfortable. "Th-though I understand your concern, Master Elite, the Duchess is not yet present and... and...truthfully I am quite nervous, and frightened of such an important event. I...I truly do not understand what I am to do when I do mix with the fine ladies. I was somewhat hoping that you could...could help me, perhaps?"
|
|
|
Post by Valentine on Feb 11, 2008 16:03:57 GMT -6
Ambassador Valentine Le'Noir drifts at the edges of the crowd- she has nearly full cup of blood wine in her hand and her eyes flit from person to person in the crowd as she calmly observes all the nobles, the discreet guards, and the playthings scattered through the crowd. Her voice is soft and her manner graceful as she greets those greet her and bows her head respectfully when needed.
|
|
|
Post by Thane on Feb 11, 2008 16:41:18 GMT -6
Thane fights the urge to laugh and he snorts a bit to stifle it down. "Follow Me." He says softly, with a quirky grin. He takes her hand and tucks it in to his arm as they wander over to a small group of ladies where Ambassador Valentine Le'Noir has been loitering. Thane clears his throat, "Good Eve Ladies of the court. It is my pleasure to introduce the lovely Lady Ciel Trackand, personal assistant and peoples representative of his excellency, the high Chancellor."
|
|
|
Post by Valentine on Feb 11, 2008 17:11:55 GMT -6
Valentine drops into a deep curtsy at Thane's announcement- she knows just who the two of them are and if either one can see it there's wariness in her eyes.
"Your Ladyship, you honor us with your gracious presence. And, Sir Thane of the Elite- your valor in battle is said to be unmatched." She stays in the curtsy a little longer than is strictly needed but her face upon rising is a polite mask and her amber are eyes empty.
|
|
|
Post by Ciel on Feb 12, 2008 18:49:26 GMT -6
Ciel's nerves shot up even more. This was not the kind of help that she had asked Thane for. This was bad, very bad. Now she had even less margin for error. Sharply reminding herself to kill the cur later, she put on her most ravishing smile and curtsied to the others herself.
She smiled at Valentine and nodded in her direction. "Please, rise. There is really no need to curtsey so long to me." She let a bit of her nerves show as she smiles to Valentine. "It is a lovely gesture Ambassador, but only my Queen or our Chancellor would require such a long period of grace from one such as you. I am merely a Lady..."
|
|
Illyon
Denizen
Marquis Incubus
Posts: 91
|
Post by Illyon on Feb 13, 2008 9:00:35 GMT -6
Illyon watches as a burly Rachet Elite escorts the Regent's newest representative to the group of ladies, his black eyes glittering in icy interest. His lips twist in a sneering smirk as the Elite botches the introduction with blunt speech and manners. Such to be expected from a mere dog. But the Rachet's introduction has not gone wholly wrong, for the Ambassador to the Leccubi court responds as though he executed it perfectly. Interesting.
Illyon grabs two glasses of bloodwine from a wandering servant and makes for the three. He stops before them, bowing his head at both Ciel and Valentine, but ignores the Elite guard, as would any noble. He smiles, using his hard-won charm.
"My ladies, if I may be so bold as to introduce myself," he says, his smile wide enough that they may barely see his own fangs. "I am Marquis Illyon de Verrin, merchant specializing in exotic pets." He offers the glasses of wine to them. "Please, join me for some refreshment and conversation." He bows his head again, letting his deeply red hair fall into his eyes. "I am sure it won't be dull, for both of you must have much more interesting topics to discuss than many a lady at this gala."
|
|
|
Post by Valentine on Feb 13, 2008 10:11:49 GMT -6
Valentine drops into another graceful curtsy for the Marquis though it not as deep or as long as the one she offered Ciel and Thane.
"Your Excellency, what a delight. You are spoken of even in the country." she uses her curtsy hide the glass of bloodwine she already has in her hand behind a convenient stone ornament. It's unlikely to be found until the clean up.
As she stands she takes a glass from Illyon.
"How gracious of you to think of us."
|
|
|
Post by Thane on Feb 15, 2008 10:23:28 GMT -6
Thane watches the vain Marquis introduce himself, as he abruptly takes Ciel from his custody. He snorts a bit and is relieved that he no longer must play nanny to Ciel and her insecurities. Trial by fire, the best way to learn Thane thinks to himself. Take it head on, show no mercy and try to keep up. He knows she is well prepared but nothing can truly replace the actual interactions she must face and become accustomed to. He nods as he sees Lysandor and he makes his way over near him.
His rumbling voice carries a bit as he speaks to Lysandor. He continues his vigil of the crowd as he speaks to the fallen with out actually looking at him directly. "Stage one is secure, have the others reported in yet? he asks eager to hear of the preliminary SitRep.
|
|
|
Post by Lysandor on Feb 15, 2008 13:10:29 GMT -6
Lysandor didn't miss Thane introducing Ciel, or the Marquis arriving shortly after. He looks around skimming through the crowd, looking for any signs of mischief. When Thane walks up to him, he allows himself to relax minutely.
"All but two," Lysandor replies. "There seems to be some trouble with gate-crashers, but everything looks to be under control for now." He looks over the crowd once more. "We can only hope it will continue, and that we will be in for a long and boring night."
|
|
|
Post by Ciel on Feb 16, 2008 0:25:53 GMT -6
Ciel was blushing furiously as Valentine made herself known and Illyon showed up to try and sweep them both off. She shakily takes the glass from him and nods. "Yes, thank you Marquis. A beautiful night, is it n-not?" Her stutter was very faint, but the Marquis being who he was would pick up on it like blood in the water around a shark.
Ciel glanced over again when Thane met with Lysandor. She glanced over at Lysandor herself and tried vainly to make eye contact with the Elite Fallen. She was getting to be the kind of nervous that she could pass out from...for some reason she wished to see approval and a sense of security from his sterling eyes...
|
|
|
Post by Narrator on Feb 18, 2008 15:53:13 GMT -6
By now the little island is very crowded with the courtiers and nobels from every walk of life Hell has to offer. The food is endless and the drink continues to flow. The ladies flirt and laugh as the men discuss politics, the ladies and finances. The outer gates are left open for any who wish to leave but everyone is curious about what the Chancellor has behind the great curtain. The gossip soon becomes fever pitch with everyone not having a clue of what he has in store for the noble gathering. The mood is light and the crowd is a buzz with lively conversation.
|
|
|
Post by Arianna on Feb 18, 2008 18:13:10 GMT -6
Arianna stands back and observes the crowds a bit before moving forward. She notices a shadowy figure lurking in an alcove and also an uncomfortable looking Gabriel rachet near the enterance. "well at least it's well guarded."
She removes her invitation from her skirts as she walks slowly to the gates.
|
|
|
Post by Lysandor on Feb 18, 2008 21:55:23 GMT -6
Lysandor manages to catch Ciel's glance, and he gives her a slight, supportive smile, letting her know that he feels confident in her abilities before turning his gaze back to the crowd around her.
|
|
Illyon
Denizen
Marquis Incubus
Posts: 91
|
Post by Illyon on Feb 18, 2008 22:40:49 GMT -6
Illyon notices both Valentine's very slight insult and Ciel's stutter, but says nothing on either, yet. His smile does lessen at the insult though. He holds out his hands to them to take.
"It is a pleasure, my lady," he says to Valentine, then turns to Ciel. "A truly lovely eve, but one that pales in comparison to both your's and Ambassador Valentine's beauty."
|
|