{V:tM - IC} New York by Night

[Catulle]

The Piano Lounge in the Club Bar and Grill, Madison Square Garden
00:56, 11/30/2002

Caitlyn swept through the short corridor that conjoined the two rooms. Though small in terms of space, it seemed some soundproofing had been done, as the noise from the party did not travel into the intimate lounge where the Kindred Knights had gathered. An open bottle of Champagne rested in an ice bucket on the floor, and the three musicians toasted their singer on her arrival.

Maria pressed a fluted glass, cold to the touch, into Caitlyn's hand as she approached, her broad grin hinting at her previous indulgence, "Great job, Cate. Where'd you meet this Valentine guy, again?" her inquiry did not seem entirely professional by the look in her eye.

"Here's to us!", Xander was flushed with success, downing his glass entirely too fast.

"Here's to the contract which must be in our future after that set..." Sita, perched on the piano stool, at least had her mind on business.

 

[Ashrem Bayle]

Gabriel nodded again to each of the men as he sat, and didn't pause before answering his better's question. "Fortunatly, Ms. Sturbridge, the other kindred seem to know as little about the Prince's business as ourselves. If they know more, none where forthcoming."

Having given his report, he added: "I hope whatever kept you and Mr. Vanderweyden resolved itself to your liking." He spared a glance at Nikolai. "We managed well enough." He didn't see any reason Aisling need learn about the tension between himself and Nikolai. Despite his precarious position, he refused to cower behind Aisling. He would take care of himself.

OOC: Actually, unless Reaper made a change, Gabe is older than Nikolai. So wouldn't he be "our youngest apprentice"?

 

[Shalimar]

Sabrina

The Club Bar and Grill, Madison Square Garden
00:57, 30/11/2002


Sabrina flushed with pleasure at the gorgeous woman's friendly welcoming smile, she was so pleased that she skipped the last few steps. Maybe she'll be as nice as miss cate the little girl thought hopefully, her hair bouncing to-and-fro with the motin.

She curtseyed to Vychtorya as her uncle made introductions, smiling at the beautiful red-head. "Your very pretty miss Vychtorya." the child says earnestly, her dimples showing on her face. "I hope I get to be as pretty as you when I'm all grown up," she continues warmly.

Sabrina really wanted to ask the woman if she was a vampire too, and what stuff she could do, but one warning was enough, well at least while uncle Nathan could hear her at any rate.

 

[Vychtorya]

The Club Bar and Grill, Madison Square Garden
00:57, 30/11/2002

Carrick, Jemal, Nathaniel, Sabrina and Vychtorya

Carrick seemed to take Sabrina's familiar gesture in his stride, as Vychtorya completed the last few steps into the company. Nathaniel bowed smartly to her once more, as Carrick put out his hand to his childe by way of greeting. The Ventrue spoke, his tones formal, "I had hoped to have the pleasure as I indicated when we spoke previously. Madam, might I present Jemal Montague, my childe and last of the Montague line and his sister Sabrina, who is also under my protection." He turned to Jemal and Sabrina, emcompassing the red-haired woman with a sweep of his arm, "Vychtorya-Lyn Fayrchyld, childe of Carrick Ashton of the line of de Corazon."

Vych places her left hand in Carrick’s and gives a most proper reverence to Mr. Montague and his family.

“’Tis a pleasure to make your acquaintance Mr. Montague.”
Vych extends her hand to Jemal palm down. Her eyes passed from his somewhat quickly considering how striking he was. Vych’s attention, for the moment, had been captured by Sabrina.

She curtseyed to Vychtorya as her uncle made introductions, smiling at the beautiful red-head. "Your very pretty miss Vychtorya." the child says earnestly, her dimples showing on her face. "I hope I get to be as pretty as you when I'm all grown up," she continues warmly.

Vych’s previous anger dissolves into a strange feeling of compassion for the child upon Sabrina’s greeting. The little girl’s voice is so sweet, her dimples simply irresistible. Then she hears the last words Sabrina said echo in her head, “when I’m all grown up.”

With that, Vych feels something pull at her dead heart and slowly stretches out her arms to hold the little girl’s hands out to the sides in a sort of “ring-around-the-rosey” fashion. Then, she kneels to the child’s level bringing both their hands up just below chin level.

With a gentle smile gracing her entire face Vych says,
“how very sweet you are to say that Miss Sabrina. I think you are very pretty too my dear.”
Vych touches the child’s cheek lightly with one hand as she rises.

Vych continues to hold Sabrina’s hand until the little girl releases.

Vych tries to hide the slight wave of sadness in her eyes as she looks at Nathaniel and says,
”Mr. Montague, your family is lovely.”

 

[KitanaVorr]

The Piano Lounge in the Club Bar and Grill, Madison Square Garden
00:56, 11/30/2002

“Oh my god, Maria!”

Caitlyn laughed as she flopped unceremoniously on what had appeared to be a comfortable lounging couch, blue silk all wildly askew. Holding the back of her hand dramatically to her forehead, she loosed her sweet southern drawl in a blaze of primness. “Oh my dear, Maria, I just fluttered my lashes and the debonair Mr. Valentine came forward dropping this luscious opportunity in my lap along with a proposal and a record contract of course!”

Rolling her eyes, the young singer winked at her punk friends. “What do you think? He heard us play and…you saw how they loved us! Just wait and see…today hoity-toity parties…tomorrow Madison Square Garden to a sell out stadium!

A dark eyebrow arched knowing at Maria as she took a sip of the cool sweet champagne. “Though if you want to know the marital status of Mr. Valentine, I’ll certainly hint around for you…there’s no dearth of handsome young men in there, I tell you. They’re just growing out of the chairs! Sprouting like little bean stalks of hunky manhood. There’s the lusciously naughty Jemal Montague, the endearingly sexy Max Freigert, the proper and broody Nathaniel Montague, the quirky Mr. Valentine of whom Maria knows so well and a mysterious man who likes shadows…and those are only the ones that I’ve met so far…so if you two want a set up…just ask away…I can be somewhat discreet.”

She winked. “Somewhat.”

“But I’m just glad to be out of the stuffed-shirt preening room and here with you guys!” She reached out and gave Maria a hug. ”If I ever needed a reminder of why I left my parents, tonight brought it all just rushing right back!”

 

[Jemal]

OOC: OOOH, I'm lusciously naughty..

OT: BTW, Kit.. That rundown of guys caught my atention for some reason, and I JUST realized what... That's the same way they introduce people at the beginning of each Just For Laughs episode..
"The cunning and witty Jeff Dunham, the insightfully satirical Bowser and Blue, The wild and Wacky Elvira Kurt, and the just plain crazy Scott Falconbridge"
And no, that's not an actual line-up.. GOD I WISH those 5 were on a single episode.. that'd be SWEET!

Anyways, back on track...

IC:
The Club Bar and Grill, Madison Square Garden
00:58, 30/11/2002

Jemal smiled to Vychtoria, momentarily taking her hand and brushing his lips across the back of her offered hand lightly. As he returned his gaze to her and released her hand, smiling slightly yet pleasantly, he heard Sabrina's greeting, and nearly winced. Glancing at Vychtoria to see how she would take the comment, he was mildly surprised at her gentle handling of the child. Looking over at Nathan, Jemal shook his head slightly at his uncle/sire, to let him know that he hadn't yet explained it all to her.

"It is a pleasure to meet you, miss Fayrchyld." He said, his gaze flitting between her and Sabrina with a slight twinge of... something.. fear? Jealousy? Defensiveness? Sabrina was his sister, his responsibility, and she was getting exposed to this world way to rapidly for his tastes. Nevertheless, he smiled slightly, not wishing to put anyone off.

 

[Festy_Dog]

"We simply must get to know one another better, Max." Her gaze was almost indecent in its intensity.

Ok, now she's officially scary and creepy, but much more older than I so I'd better keep her happy.

He looks away from Elizabeth to Morgan for second. Help me, etched desperately across his face. He turns back to her though with a somewhat cool smile.

"After all, who would know the beast that sleeps within us better than another Brujah? The way it can drive us is our curse, and yet our passion, is it not?"

"Yes, I can't help but agree its a two-edged sword, but I guess it does influence us to be more articulate and diplomatic. We can make the choice to be extra careful to avoid waking our beast, and thus benefit greatly from it. To be seen as a Brujah who's in control can bring respect, but woe betide any who manage to enrage such a disciplined Brujah," he says, looking to Elizabeth.

Hope that keeps the b happy. Is she trying to get in my pants? God, if there's one thing I hate about being a Brujah its that I have to try so hard to keep in control. It's so frustrating to have to fight with my own blood for rule of my flesh. Not the time to freak out though, I must cool it, put on a happy face. I'll just play Soldier of Fortune 2 or something when I get home. That'll make me feel better.

Max does his best to continue smiling, but the arm Elizabeth is not entwined upon is clenching its hand angrily for a moment behind Max's back. Once again he looks to Morgan in desparation, but does his best to hide his discomfort from Elizabeth.

Uh-oh. Where's Caitlyn? I hope she hasn't left already...

 

[reapersaurus]

Estevez indicated the single remaining seat to Nikolai.

"Gentlemen." Sturbridge looked to each of the four in turn. "I trust that we have conducted ourselves with appropriate decorum. Have you learned anything of the Prince's purpose, yet?" The question was clearly intended for the pair of apprentices, as Aisling paused expectantly.

Nikolai takes the seat next to Estevez, attempting wordlessly to convey that he's glad to be near "real" Tremere again.

"The excellent performance has taken the spotlight tonight - most of the attendees seem to be concentrating their attentions and discussions on the kine tonight.

I thought it rather ballsy of Valentine to bring humans into our little soiree.

Do you know of any designs he, or any others here, may have on the belleza del cantante that performed for us?

After waiting for a reply, Nik would fit in the conversation "Our esteemed acting-Prince's motivations are as yet tonight, his own."

 

[Catulle]

The Club Bar and Grill, Madison Square Garden
00:58, 11/30/2002


House Tremere

Aisling remained quiet, but attentive throughout the reports, brief as they were, "Perhaps the Ventrue and Toreador may pry him out of his silence," an incline of her head indicated the group's approach towards the corner table. She cleared her throat,

"Mr Vanderweyden is a seer of sorts after his clan's most traditional bent. His visions are often elusive after the fact, however, and my assistance in unlocking them has, before now, brought the clan some useful hints of what is to come. A useful ally most definitely." She paused in thought, her eyes fixed on the shadow-shrouded table.

"¿Pero la claridad de su voz, corta derecho a nuestros corazones, no?" Genie replied with a wry smile. Wainwright gave out an audible snort. His glare still had not moved an inch, remaining intent on Gabriel's forehead.
_____________


Elizabeth, Morgan and Max

Max's sire remained aloof from the growing discomfort of his interview... yes, perhaps that was what it was? Elizabeth's face mollified swiftly into a radiant expression, hinting at pride and pleasure intermixed. Her smile showed her teeth. "You, of all here, needn't fear me Max. The others are afraid of our passion, 'lack of control' they call it, yet on the blood of the Brujah was the city won..." She shook her head, the gesture sending strands of golden hair across her face, though she released his arm to brush them aside. "We will not be so easily forgotten; put aside as we were before once our use is concluded."

(Elizabeth Entrancement diff 2 - 9,6,5,4,2,1,1 plus willpower - 4 successes (duration one month)) Perhaps it was a moment of truth, the revelation of such unexpected honesty, but it seemed Elizabeth's persona shifted in that moment. Her confidence in him (she said 'We', right, and she's proud of me?) gave him a sense of purpose; it would only be the honourable thing to reciprocate such honesty, surely?
_____________


Carrick, Jemal, Nathaniel, Sabrina and Vychtorya

The quintet, lead by Carrick and Nathaniel, came to a halt before the shadowed corner table. The features of the man (?) on the opposite side of the table were, even so close, indistinct. It was as if the darkness itself clung to his frame, blurring the lines and deflecting the eye. Both Mr Ashton and Mr Montague bowed low, introducing themselves and their progeny in the most formal terms;

"Carrick Ashton, childe of Maria santa Lucia of the line of the de Corazon Toreador. I present my childe Vychtorya-Lyn Fayrchyld."

"Nathaniel Montague, childe of Simon Montague of the Ventrue descended from the Lady Almanov. I bring my childer Jemal Montague of my own line and," His pause was fractional, barely noticeable, and his expression hidden "Sabrina Montague, who is of my household."

The hitherto silent man they addressed waved aside the etiquette with a sharp gesture of his right hand "Let them talk. I want to hear what they say for themselves." His hand rotated, palm upraised, expectant, though his face remained hidden.

 

[Catulle]

The Piano Lounge in the Club Bar and Grill, Madison Square Garden
00:59, 11/30/2002

Maria's smirk was all but gleeful as she dummed her fingernails on the grand piano while Cate ran down her list. "Well, I suppose rich would be best, but you'd better make him a looker... and, well, exciting if you get me? Think you could fill that order for me, sweetie?"

Sita lifted her eyes heavenwards in frustration, "Look, this isn't a dating agency, for 's sake, Maria. This could be our breakthrough. If the society crowd in there go for us, this could really be the start of, well, a career. Long-term prospects, regular meals, champagne," she raised her glass to illustrate the point "on ing tap for God's sake... Just stop thinking so... low down, yeah?"

Throughout, Xander stood by the piano, tapping the keys in an attempt to string together an approximation of a Sex Pistols song on the classical instrument. His success was limited, at best. "So are we done now, or not?"