{V:tM - IC} New York by Night

[Catulle]

Becky, Jemal and Sabrina

(Sabrina Self Control - 8,2 - 1 success) By now she'd been coping with the hunger all night, yet even so Sabrina was almost unprepared for the intensity with which it now assaulted her. The first taste all but stripped her sense of self away from her, pangs of hunger sharp as a knife stabbed through her and the first mouthfuls of blood were taken in wracked, sobbing gulps. (Sabrina - gain 3 blood points) The hunger seemed to be washed away by the red tide, yet she knew that she could (should?) drink more, and more, and more... For once in her short life, it seemed she had a true choice to make; a sensation of control and power reinforced with each pulse of Becky's heart.

 

[Vychtorya]

whoops.

 

[reapersaurus]

Aisling, Carter and Nikolai

As Nikolai approached, he saw Aisling glance towards Gabriel over by the harpies. Behind her glasses, only he and perhaps Qadir could have notices them narrow briefly at the sight. "Good evening, Nikolai." She extended a hand to the apprentice, rather than get close to him. "I'd hoped to be here earlier, but affairs have developed rather since sunset. No matter. You and Gabriel are here, at least. You should acqaint youselves with one other as soon as possible." She paused, as if recalling something troublesome then indicated the man next to her, with a fast gesture. "This is Carter Vanderweyden. Carter, Nikolai D'Angelo."

The man smiled thinly and quite coolly, "Very pleased to meet you, Mr D'Angelo. Am I to note by your fellowship with Aisling and our sheriff that you are a man who understands duty and all its repercussions?" The accent was distinct enough to place locally, though fairly archaic to Nikolai's ears.

Aisling, Carter and Nikolai

Aisling lead Nikolai to sit at a table some way distant from the stage, seemingly rapt in the performance. Carter broke away from the Tremere, however, approaching Qadir by the wall with a sense of urgency apparant in his stride, though notably not in his features.

Nikolai plays the part of a loyal and subservient Tremere, and of course allows Aislinn to take the lead in all social interaction.
"I hope your tardiness does not indicate somthing gone wrong, other than what we have all already suffered by you not being present from the beginning of the festivities."

Nikolai then responds to Carter's query:
"Duty is something of a watchword for me, Mr. Vanderweyden.
Duty to your sire... to your clan... to those that look after you *a visible glance to Aislinn*.. to those who's blood and effort took back this pearl of New York from the slime...
I understand too well the implications of duty."
*Nikolai internalizes his thoughts for just a moment before a memory passes briefly by, like a shadow passing over a grave at night.*

After Carter excuses himself to go to Qadir, Nikolai accompanies Aislinn to the table, seemingly content to follow her lead and listen to the Performance.

In reality, he focuses his will to ignore the music this time, and concentrates his Perceptions on what Carter and Qadir are talking about.

He watches as Gabriel and the harpies discuss things as the macabre dance goes on on the ballroom floor.
An image of skeletons dancing to and fro flashes briefly in Nikolai's mind as Vychtorya and Max dance.

 

[reapersaurus]

Aisling and Nikolai

She gave a glance over her glasses in the direction of the harpies, convened with Gabriel at their table. "They seem very interested in our cousin, don't they? Perhaps too interested. When Eugunio and Wainwright arrive, we should take some time together... Meanwhilst, would you mind awfully gathering our wayward friend and meeting me by the stage with him? I should finish up with Carter as soon as possible. Good work with Qadir."

"Thank you.

Even if Eugenio had not desired me to do so, I probably would have approached Qadir myself. Our good Sherriff's exploits during the Retaking were of interest to me.

As for the harpies' interest in Gabriel, I daresay it would be much magnified if they knew of his Mark...

Why you tolerate him in your House, I know not.
But since I do not know of him, and am yet New here, my concerns mean nothing.
I will trust your judgment and insight, my dear Aislinn. Your non-traditional ways and non-hesitation to work with many clans has proven successful so far... why would this be any different?"

Nikolai finishes the last sentence with a look of suggestion into Aislinn's eyes.

After any reaction, Nikolai finishes, "You wish for me to swoop into Harpie territory, and retreive Gabriel?

I'd sooner fight off a couple hungry Sabbat than enter that world of politics, but for you, I will brave the journey.

Wish me luck!"
Nikolai dramatically waves goodbye to Aislinn, imitating a Toreador going off to Battle.

 

[Shalimar]

Sabrina

Becky, Jemal and Sabrina

(Sabrina Self Control - 8,2 - 1 success) By now she'd been coping with the hunger all night, yet even so Sabrina was almost unprepared for the intensity with which it now assaulted her. The first taste all but stripped her sense of self away from her, pangs of hunger sharp as a knife stabbed through her and the first mouthfuls of blood were taken in wracked, sobbing gulps. (Sabrina - gain 3 blood points) The hunger seemed to be washed away by the red tide, yet she knew that she could (should?) drink more, and more, and more... For once in her short life, it seemed she had a true choice to make; a sensation of control and power reinforced with each pulse of Becky's heart.

Even though her hunger is slowly disappearing the child is still straining to get every drop of the wonderous fluid that she can. Sabrina kept suckling at the wound like a babe on her mother's milk. She couldn't seem to stop herself, she had never been able to really deny herself when she got her hands on a treat.

She looks up from her meal still drinking in the woman's essence as she gazes up at her brother, trusting him to tell her when to stop. He wouldn't steer her wrong in this, would he?

 

[Catulle]

Caitlyn

To judge by Valentine's signal to the band and their reaction, it appeared Cate would have a little more spare time before she needed to return to the stage. Indeed, she might suspect that the Knights were already making use of the time backstage to take advantage of the refreshments the venue had provided.
_____________


Max and Vychtorya

As the pair found space to sit together, they were each able to take in the changes in the function since their dance;

Casting her eyes about the room, Vychtorya felt sure she saw Mazz stealing a glance over his shoulder in her direction, his expression obscured by a cloud of dark hair, as he stood in conversation with Carrick. The earlier concern had somewhat dissipated from the Toreador's face and he seemed to note his companion's reaction to his childe with some little amusement.

For his part, Max couldn't quite shake a feeling of unease that rose up from his withered stomach. The striking blonde had moved more fully into the room, her fellows in tow, and had been greeted by none other than Morgan. In a moment of chilling clarity, he saw them both turn to him as they exchanged what he could safely assume were pleasantries.
_____________


Aisling and Nikolai

Aisling watched Nikolai intently throughout their conversation, her expression set in a pensive frown, "Regarding Gabriel, assurances have been given and extracted. But more of that later, once the others are here. In any matter, I do not think that the harpies are entirely in the dark about his past - I'd like to know how much they think they do... perhaps this may make a task for Eugenio." She drummed her gloved fingers on the tablecloth for just long enough to realise what she was doing and stop. She stood again, speaking quietly again "Mr Vanderweyden, I think."

She respoded to Nikolai's wave with a tilt of her head, one eyebrow arched above the plane of her glasses. Amused or irate, he couldn't be certain.
_____________

 

[Catulle]

Becky, Sabrina and Jemal

Sabrina kept her lips pressed tight to Becky's open neck a while longer, though she found herself able to savour the taste more fully the slower she went. (Gain 1 blood point) It seemed like no time at all passed, so focused was she on the steady beat of the woman's heart, pushing the blood down her throat.

She felt a hand on her shoulder. "Come on, pet. You don't want to hurt her by taking too much, do you?" Calm, measured tones from her brother, reassuring. "Now be careful and lick her wound once you've finished; that'll help to keep it a secret. Then I can take her back inside and bring you back to Uncle Nathan. We can talk to Caitlyn, too. You'd like that, wouldn't you?"

 

[Ashrem Bayle]

Gabriel, Hellene, Mazz and Valentine

The harpies and Valentine all rose to give their ovation. As they did so, Valentine leant over to whisper something in Hellen's ear, and though Mazz was clapping as much as the others, his gaze remained fixed on the dancing couple as they came to a stop.

As the noise passed, Hellene looked back to Gabriel, "Enchanting, dear, quite enchanting. I'm sure Valentine's soirees will be the talk of Elysium for some time yet, do you not think?" She kept her eyes on Gabriel's as she sat down again. Out of the corner of his eye, the Tremere could see Mazz stalking out of view. "You simply must meet Thomas when he arrives. I'll find you then; in the mean time, though, I fear we're making Aisling jealous with our dalliance. I'll inquire about that request of yours - I suspect we might know just the man."

As the others rose to clap, so did Gabriel. "I'm sure they will. Mr. Valentine seems to have outdone imself this time", he added with a slight grin directed at Valentine.

"I would appreciate the effort.." With that, he took her hand and kissed it fairwell. "Until then.." he nodded, and gave another nod to Valentine. "Valentine. Perhaps we can talk agian later."

He turned to leave, and nodded at Mazz as he did so. I wonder what his problem is...", he thought.

He tooka few steps toward Aisling and noticed Nikolai coming his way. He nodded. "Nikolai..."

 

[Shalimar]

Sabrina

Sabrina kept her lips pressed tight to Becky's open neck a while longer, though she found herself able to savour the taste more fully the slower she went. (Gain 1 blood point) It seemed like no time at all passed, so focused was she on the steady beat of the woman's heart, pushing the blood down her throat.

She felt a hand on her shoulder. "Come on, pet. You don't want to hurt her by taking too much, do you?" Calm, measured tones from her brother, reassuring. "Now be careful and lick her wound once you've finished; that'll help to keep it a secret. Then I can take her back inside and bring you back to Uncle Nathan. We can talk to Caitlyn, too. You'd like that, wouldn't you?"

The little girl moans her satisfaction over the meal, languidly pulling her lips from the womans throat. Sighing at the order she sticks out her small tongue and proceeds to lick the older woman's bite marks.

With the touch of her tongue the wounds magically closed over making the child hop backward and look questioningly at her brother. How was that possible? BooBoos just didn't do things like that, at least when her mom tried to kiss her's better.

"I want another, I'm still hungry." Sabrina whines at Jemal, wanting more of the rich treat, and besides she really could drink more so it wasn't exactly a lie, just not the whole truth.

"Hey, do boys taste different then girls?" she wondered too him, trying to figure out the differences between the tastes, and what was best tasting. "Make my next one a boy, I want to see for myself." She demanded imperiously of the older vampire.

She stroked becky's face comfortingly smiling down at her. The woman had tasted incredible, and had ended most of her hunger, she wondered how she could thank her properly and decided a gift would be the way to do it. "Thank you for sharing yourself with me," she whispered and kissed the womans fore head. She loojked up at Jemal for a second before asking, "Is there a thank you gift we can give her? It is wrong to just take things."

 

[KitanaVorr]

Caitlyn swept across the floor in a silken blue haze toward Nathaniel's table, after giving Vychtorya and Max a nod plus smile to compliment their dancing...they made such a lovely pair, caught up in each other's embrace, a dark head and a red one beside one another.

Her thoughts though weren't for the dancers as those dark eyes rested on the ashen man alone at his table. Sliding gracefully into the seat beside him, she rested one a warm finger briefly on the back of his hand. "Mr. Montague? Are you alright?" Concern alighted in those warm chocolate orbs. "You've been so wonderful to me. It would be a shame if you were taken ill so early into the night."

Or morning, she added belatedly to herself, realizing that the hour was later than she had supposed...had time passed so swiftly already?