Harpy Crowley's Twentieth Deathday Party

Participants: Alejandro, Avery, Becky, Calla, Cheree, Chess, Crawley, Edith, Esther, Hall, Harper, Javier Cruz, Karner, Khadijah, Marquez, Nisha, Quinn, Rach, Schultz, Shelly, Summer, Zebastian, Zoey

Storyteller: Guest starring Sundance as Bastian Fox

Location: Sunset Noir Salon

Date and Time: July 9, 2021

Summary: A party celebrating the twentieth anniversary of Cheree's Embrace.

Mood Music: https://tinyurl.com/4sdw446r

The Sunset Noir Salon hasn't required much in the way of a decor change. Rather, a refreshment station has been set up, running the length of a very long table. Vitae is available on tap, along with more specialized blends for the representatives of Clan Ventrue who thought to note such in their RSVP. In terms of 'additives' to the vitae, nothing is stronger than a champagne buzz. This is a Ventrue social affair, not some Brujah rager.

A signboard indicates that this gathering is to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Embrace of Harpy Cheree Yvonne Crowley of Clan Ventrue, childe of Bastian Fox, grandchilde of Prince Jonathan Lightbourne, great-grandchilde of the Duchess of Amber, great-great-grandchilde of Mithras.

Members of the local Ventrue Board are present, though largely keeping to themselves in small clots of murmured discussion. Some of them are politely wondering among themselves why this event couldn't have been held one floor up in the Centurion Club -- the Ventrue-only gathering place. Still, the Game remains the Game, and it must be played.

Cheree herself, wearing a black lace mini-dress and a tall choker, is positioned near the door, having arrived with Becky Cromwell shortly before the start time. She's stationed to greet guests with a big smile, and handshakes or air-kisses to either cheek, whichever is appropriate. She's not making Becky stand with her to greet people. She knows that Gangrel, they must roam.

The Sheriff of Los Angeles is seldom seen in anything other than a suit and tie and, though his attire today is no exception, the suit is particularly fine and the tie (normally a charcoal or grey affair) is a deep red one, the tie pin is a little fancier too though whether that is because of the party or because of his temporary promotion, to Primogen and Regent pro-temp both, is anyone's guess. Under his arm he has a wrapped present, the wrapping paper decorated in thin silver and gold leafed paper.

He waits, patiently, for an opportunity to meet with the deathday girl and, when it presents itself, he bows formally "I felt, rather than go through the hassle of prestation for that book, it would make an appropriate and auspicious gift for the day. Many happy returns on behalf of House Tremere, Miss Crowley."

Tonight, Becky is wearing a form-fitting, long-sleeved white open weave cotton top, the color and openness both flattering to her dark skin. Belted around her waist with leather is a calf-length black maxi skirt, with a slit up to her knee on one leg. With all of this, she wears black designer boots with a little bit of a stompy heel to them, but not enough to qualify as 'high heels' by any stretch of the imagination. The boots come up nearly to her knees, are are laced tight. All of this is Prada.

While dressed for the part, Becky has never been one for parties, or large gatherings in general. Standing next to Cheree as the guests start to arrive, it doesn't take the Gangrel all that long to start roaming. Keeping to the edge of the room, her steps eventually carry her to the refreshment bar.

Zoey was here of course, she was even dressed in her best with that black backless dress of hers. Her hair was pinned back, the bluenette once more having secured it with that cute clip while she too follows along through the collection of guests. Of course she too will take her turn, grinning brightly with this glossed lips as she moves towards Cheree and gives her own best grinning attempt at the bow (curtsy?) appropriate.

"Ms. Crowley," she offers, not simply dropping to first names even if there is a little humor in her eyes. "Happy Embrace-night!"

Of course, Alejandro will gain a casting of her eyes having been before her and Becky too will earn a little friendly wave of her fingers.

And in comes a Shelly? The Malkavian Deputy might be almost unrecognizable for anybody expected her normal threadbare flannels seeing as they've been traded in for a perfectly tailored teal velvet suit, waistcoat and tie and all. Even her hair has been tamed back into a simple updo secured with a glittering pin. Eventually she works her way in the door and towards the deathday girl and holds out a rose constructed of fabric... flannel fabric. "I got your message."

Calla arrives at the party while adorned in an off-white satin dress with ribbons for sleeves that leave her slender arms bare. The dress is fitted at her bodice and sleek waist, flaring out gently at her hips and reaching to mid-thigh. Upon her small feet are lilac ballet-style slippers that lace around her ankles with yet more ribbons. Chestnut locks have been brushed to a silky sheen, reaching to her small waist.

Calla's arrival is a quiet thing and her footsteps are soft not adding noise to the room. The tiny ghoul is quick to move away from the doorway as not wishing to block any important vampire's way and she almost as quick to move slightly to off the side in order not stand in the middle of the room for block the areas where most will be walking through. There is something watchful about her as if she feels the need not to let her guard down. She does a curtsy that is directed to the those in the room. She does it a few times to face in different directions to cover all the vampires present. Calla doesn't rush to greet the birthday princess or those in the room at large, she doesn't persume that her entry is that important enough to merit such, at least not yet.

Cheree's eyes light up at Alejandro's gift. She hugs it to herself, and has to resist the temptation to let out a little 'eee.' "Thank you!" she chirps. "And congratulations," she adds, with a big grin, "/Regent/ Lopez."

"Miss Valentine! Deputy Marin!" Cheree greets the two Malkavians with air-kisses to either cheek, still holding Alejandro's gift to herself like it's as precious as gold. When the flannel flower is held out to her, she blinks, once. "I think if you gave this to a Rose, Deputy Marin, they'd go into whatever the opposite of catatonia is -- like, not just a manic state, I think this would actually be PCP to them," she grins. She still takes the flower, though.

Karner arrives with Khadijah on his arm and Chess near him somewhere, to his side or behind him. He wears an Armani midnight blue velvet tuxedo, white dress shirt, matching blue velvet bow tie and black dress pants and shoes, accessorizing everything with an Omega Seamaster Diver 300M Co-Axial Master Chronometer 42MM strapped to his right wrist. His glasses are small, round, and mirrored, their lenses the same color as the tuxedo.

Once Cheree is free, Karner will lean in for cheek kisses, not air kisses. "Congratulations, darling," he says, reaching into his tuxedo for what appears to be a jewelry box wrapped in blue silk, which he will hand over to her. "You look wonderful, by the way."

Making her way on in not long after Shelly, Quinn appears to again have left her leathers at home for the night in keeping with the required attire. Opting for a form-fitted short cocktail dress in basic black, the neckline plunges in a deep 'V' down the middle, she pauses long enough to let those pale blue eyes of hers sweep the room and its various attendees.

Moving through the receiving line, she greets Cheree with a simple dip of her head in a nod, "Happy Embrace Day? Or whatever you want to call it." Yeah, she's really no good at this sort of thing.

Avery arrives solo not long after the party is scheduled to begin, dressed in a goddess-style gown of navy blue and silver heels ([1]). When coming upon the guest of honor greeting everyone, she offers Cheree a friendly smile. "It's good to see you again, Harpy Crowley. Happy... Embrace-aversary." Her smile grows a touch because, well, what /does/ one really call such a night?

Cheree has polished up her newfound ghoul for the night. This included insisting on a shower, putting actual makeup on, and combing the mess of poisonous purple hair that sits atop Rachel Irmgard Buck's head into a loose and easy bob.

She's also had Rachel shoved into a black Chanel dress. It fits her well enough, despite being tailored to the Ventrue's figure, and consists of a multi-black series of fabrics that cascade into a translucent spool that encompasses her scrawny legs.

Rach looks like a dog fresh from the groomers: surly, liable to snap, but almost enjoying the fact that she'll be able to roll around in shit once all is said and done.

She's preoccupied herself in front of the string group. She's watching them intently, bobbing her head along to the reimagined compositions of Cheree's CD collection that she'd never bothered to iTunes import, and she's calling out each rendition as though it were a party trick to name popular songs from the 90s (because, really, that's ancient history).

"Ummm, I know this one, I know this one!" She holds up a finger.

"BLACK HOLE SUN!"

The string group is doing an impressive job of ignoring her.

Marquez comes in dressed far fancier than he is normally seen. He is neatly trimmed, hair styled well, and the three piece suit he wears seems perfectly fitted like it was made for him. Even his neck is covered, not a single button undone and a tie holding it all together. He even manages to look comfortable as the elevator opens and he steps out into the room. Of course the reason for that, and likely the clothing as well is on his arm as he is escorting in Keeper Campbell, and carries a small package in his other hand.

When it is their turn, the Gangrel gives a smile to Cheree, "Congratulations on your evening Ms. Crowley." he says to her in a warm tone, "20 years is not nearly long enough, so may you have many, many more."

Karner Blue's sometime-bodyguard follows behind the Malkavian and the Ventrue like a small slim shadow. She's dressed in metallic charcoal and silver tonight, the simplicity making her a foil to Karner's usual stylish couture display. Her cobalt-blue hair is freshly-shorn, the pixie style buzzed Marine-short on the sides, the slightly longer top gelled up a bit with a hint of glitter: that sparkle is the only festive thing about her. Sober, watchful, intent on anything that moves too close to Karner, she stays quiet unless spoken to.

Khadijah finds herself in the Sunset Noir Salon on the arm of Karner Blue with Chess close by, and eventually makes her way over to greet Cheree. "Happy Death-day Harpy Crowley." She grins and pulls out a small something from her pocket and places it in her hands, murmuring quietly to her as she does.

Khadijah's party outfit is a recherche Hermes ensemble of a high-necked, faux fur sweater top and mini-skirt combination done in wide, uneven horizontal bands of earth tones; rusts, browns, and muted greens and blues. It's tied together with a substantially thick Hermes belt with O ring components, and a set of calf-high leather boots paired with layered thigh-high tights all done in muted greys.

Who's that? Zebastian! And in formal wear? Of course darling, it's Celine - a few seasons out for those with a keen eye for sartorial concerns, but all perfectly acceptable -- assuming slimly tailored vaguely mod-styled androgynous black suit paired with black stack-sole Chelsea boots passes the vibe check. That's for the Court of Kindred opinion to decide. (Think: [2])

Zebastian certainly /looks/ comfortable, waltzing from the direction of the Harpy's Roost -- batting a hand in the direction of Mae - emotional support ghoul resplendent in black n' red silk dress and matching cross-body-bag; it seems her role? Is to shadow Zebastian, subtly perfume the air with the scent of cherries, and hold an auspiciously formal black gift box in gloved hands.

Now, it seems Zebastian is en route to where Cheree is - but seeing the swathes of Kindred paying tribute? He smiles dreamily and tips his head -- standing in the vicinity of that luxurious fountain, taking a moment to simply soak in the Ambiance... and give Rach a very ... a very look, as the ... ghoul correctly guesses the current song.

All dreamy smiles from Zebastian.

Moving along off from the new arrivals and gatherings around Cheree for the time being, Karner, Khadijah and Chess's arrival does indeed bring a smile and she moves up towards the first two of the pair once they're done saying their greetings. "Khadijah, Mr Blue! Wonderful to see you made it! How does the night find you?"

Rach? She does indeed earn a look over from the bluenette, a little grin at the outburst and a wave of her hand to greet the excitable updressed Ghoul!

All but the most Auspicious kindred would miss the almost imperceptible momentary wince at the title "Regent", to everyone else, the polite friendly almost genuine smile (which for a vampire is genuine) is seamless. "You are too kind, Miss Crowley. I have boots much larger than my own to fill, I am earnestly grateful that my doing so will be a temporary matter," in this, at least, the Sheriff/Primegent is being entirely honest. "But enough politics, if such a thing can truly be said for those such as us, may the first score years be only the first of many," he says and profers a second courtly polite bow and backstep to move out of the way.

Calla is quietly here in violet and cream. She watches those that arrive, studying outfit with curious and sometimes admiring attention. She doesn't let her gaze linger too long anyone person or vampire as not wanting to do anything that could be considered rude.

"They do that sometimes," Shelly nods seriously. "See something they like so much they'll talk so quickly it might even put poor Oysgard to shame as far as motor-mouthing." She gives a wink and a little wave to her clanmate even as she slids further into the lounge and away from the entrance, not wanting to impede the flow of traffic.

Harper walks in alongside Marquez, her hand gently hooked in the crook of his elbow. She smiles to Cheree as they take their turn greeting her, handing over a medium sized flat box with a ribbon tied around it to keep it closed. "Congratulations Miss Crowley." her voice soft as she inclines her head to the Ventrue. When gifts and pleasantries are exchanged she lets the man she arrived with lead them off to elsewhere so the line keeps moving.

Hall comes into the salon wearing a black tuxedo, in observance of the dress code, and a bit of a wide-eyed look. Maybe it's his first night in the room. But after he stops and stares a little, he, too, eventually makes his way over towards Cheree. He offers her a small, crooked smile. "Congratulations, Harpy Crowley."

While he waits for...the Cheree train, such as it is, Karner turns and flashes Zoey a grin. "That's /Primogen/ Blue, darling, and how lovely to see you here! Don't you look nice, my dear." He leans in for air kisses. Seeing Hall come in as well, Karner nods to him, his grin fading a touch. "Doctor Hall. You look very...Ventrue tonight." He appears to mean it as a compliment.

"Good evening Miss Zoey, this night is quite special isn't it. How are you doing?" She glances over at the refreshment area and picks up a "special" Khadijah, Ventrue drink (since she thought to RSVP with that information). When Hall is done saying hello to Cheree, she'll give him a little finger wave, hoping he'll come over and talk.

"Primogen!" Zoey repeats, hand coming to her mouth in mock-horror at her faux-pas. "My apologies...!" She leans in to the air kisses and grins lightly as she draws back, only to repeat the greeting with Khadijah and then grin. "Wonderful! I've actually just completed a little project I'm sure you'd -love- to see sometime."

A few of the old-money Board members who are discussing matters amongst themselves give Rach some very pointed side-eye, as if to attempt to suggest that she should be more seen, and less heard, and also less seen.

Cheree, meanwhile, is besieged by well-wishers and their deep well of wishes. "Primogen Gallo, thank you so much for coming," air-kisses for her. "Keeper Campbell, Mister Marquez -- oh, you shouldn't have, truly!" Cheree sets the gifts on a small table next to her as they're handed over. Both because she doesn't have time to open them and so that they can be /seen/. Harper gets air-kisses, Marquez gets a handshake.

"I'm sure you'll do an /amazing/ job," Cheree says to Alejandro with another big grin, in between fielding greetings.

The Karner-Khadijah-Chess triad gains interest from the deathday girl: "Primogen Blue!" Real cheek kisses. "Whip Khalid!" Air kisses. "And whooo is /this/?" Cheree has the gifts from both Khadijah and Karner in hand, but her attention is briefly upon Chess, watching the ghoul with keen interest in her gray-blue eyes. A new face!

"Miss Thornton," Cheree purrs, her reverie broken by the need to greet. Handshake for Avery. "Doctor Hall!" Cheek kisses, actual ones.

Cheree continues placing gifts in her hoard, though now a ghouled security guy is standing discreetly nearby. Guarding.

Arriving a little behind the rest of the crew and a few moments after Marquez and Harper is Javier. The tall gangrel is dressed in a well-tailored suit for his tall frame. It's a classic, timeless design of black over a white collared shirt, black tie, and comfortable black leather shoes. Smiling to Cheree as he offers his congratulations he gives a light bow of his head and a "Congrats, Miss Crowley."

Smiling in greeting to Harper he gives Marquez a wink of greeting just before spotting Shelly and waving. There is a view waves to other familiar faces as the tall man moves to stand with his coterie, leaning in to speak softly and complement their clothing and how great everyone looks.

"/Thank/ you, Mister Cruz," Cheree says with a smile. Javier? Handshake.

Marqeuz also hands over the little package, not feeling self conscious at all about the size of his present as he continues on with Harper to make room for the next set of guests. The ease he wore when he arrived seems to have slipped away some, as there is a little tension in his shoulders being in the middle of so many.

It doesn't stop him though, and he makes a circuit around the room, offering polite greetings to anyone he knows that he sees, as well as pausing for anyone that speaks to either Harper or himself. This is a Gangrel trying.

Alejandro nods to Shelly as he passes casually on his way towards the bar. "Deputy Marin, good to see you," the greeting is honest and frank, the Sheriff/Primegent is not the most socially gracious and is grateful of a friendly face; everyone else he passes gets cordial nods or bows with greetings, each appropriate to their stattion. When he gets to the bar he raises to fingers to the server and imbibes from the glass slowly, feeding the beast rather than savouring the flavour, it being less-than-fresh.

It would be easy to forget that Calla is here as she stands enough off to the side to be not anyone's way as the approach to greet Cheree and enough off to the side nto to block the door leading out or the path to the vitae bar. Still she is not off to the side as to be emo lurking alone either. She doesn't lean against a wall or any furnishing, but stands with the posture of a ballarin. Maybe she will tired and that will change later.

She sneaks a little smile to other ghouls - Chess, Rach and Mae. Her dimples briefly appear. Calla then looks to Karner as if pondering something, possibly when to time the required greeting. She waits a bit though. The hint that she is thinking about only subtly evident in her thoughtful expression as she looks to Khadijah, Karner and Chess-wards.

Becky busies herself at the refreshment table, harassing the staff as she asks about the refreshments on offer.

Hall nods, greeting Karner and Khadijah in return. "Good evening, Primogen Blue. Harpy Khalid. Chess. And, uh -- thank you." He sounds a touch embarrassed by the compliment, and he wrinkles his nose a little. And since Zoey seems to be in the mix, he adds, "Miss Valentine. Good evening." Leaning in to greet Cheree when she welcomes him to the party, again with a quick, lopsided smile. "How's, uh. Night seven thousand, three hundred and six?"

Karner grins at Zoey again, murmuring something briefly back to her before he turns to Cheree once more. "Ah, yes, may I introduce Francesca Biondi, usually known as Chess. She is my ghoul, darling, though I usually keep her so busy there's simply no time to bring her to social affairs." He lets out one of those inimitable hyena laughs of his that can probably be heard across the room, though it's blessedly brief. "Anyway, let us not take up too much of your time. Many happy returns, darling." Karner squeezes Cheree's shoulder, his gaze briefly moving to Calla, an eyebrow raising, before he snorts at something Hall says.

Chess regards Cheree seriously in turn, though after just a moment she bows her head and lowers her eyes. She actually smiles a little when she sees Zoey--and more, when Hall greets her by name. *He* gets a little upraised hand wave as well, her expression open and warm.

Cheree grins to Hall: "Oh, it's wonderful, now that you're here, Doctor." Before Karner can walk away, she touches the Malkavian Primogen's arm, to hold him back a second, and whisper to him.

Khadijah's eyebrows raise at Zoey's admission that she's been working on a special little project. "Can't wait to see that. I'm sure I'm going to love it." And she is totally sure. She spots Oscar and smiles, offering him a little finger wave as well. And then to Calla too! "Miss Calla, so nice to see you." She offers.

"Sher-uhhhh..." Shelly kind of freezes midway through returning Alejandro's greeting when it comes to the matter of what title to use and so ends up just nodding to the Tremere. And to Quinn and Marquez and Harper and plenty more as well... practically turning into a bobblehead with all the greetings.

As they start to make the rounds, Harper gives Quinn a wink and a grin. "I love it." as they pass by. Her head lifts to look at Marquez and she gives his arm a light squeeze before changing their direction to an empty spot along one of the walls. She turns to rest her back to it, looking up at him as she talks quietly.

Becky finally settles on what she wants to drink and glass in hand, she moves away from the refreshment table and towards some familiar faces. "Hall, Blue, Khadijah." A beat. "Hey."

The secure lift's doors slide open quietly and, inside, stands the tiny, withered raisin that is the Seneschal of Los Angeles. The Nosferatu is not dressed up, unless you count his robe as something fancy. It is definitely not.

Crawley looks around for a few moments, taking in the crowded Elysium before him.

Then, without much fanfare at all, the goblin slithers his way over to one of the groupings of chairs; one without any Kindred sitting there right now.

Here, he has decided to settle in and fold his hands, eyes watching the goings on with some care and not a little interest. But, the social butterfly he is not.

At some point, Bastian Fox will stride in from the direction of the Conference Room, wearing a trendy, shiny 'sharkskin' gray tuxedo (so called because of its blend of wool, cashmere and synthetic fibers that gives it a subtly bumpy texture with a light-reflective sheen) that was no doubt custom ordered from some bespoke tailor in Manhattan. He is wearing a pair of blindingly white sneakers with it, that he'll likely only wear for a week before throwing them away.

He'll check his Richard Mille watch as he enters (a favorite brand of finance and tech bros with too much money), and then scowl to himself. He'll then glance up with those ferally perceptive eyes of his, taking in the evening attendees, "Alright. Fuck it. Let's get this donkey show on the road." He says more to himself than anyone in particular.

Hall's calculation has Zoey lifting her hands, seemingly counting on her fingers for a moment before the bluenette Malk nods her head with certainty. "Oh, checks out!" she offers excitedly. Hall's greeting of course brings with it a smile, a bow of her head too. "Evening Doctor, quite a night, no?"

Chess' introduction finally has the living sugar rush that is Zoey looking the other woman over properly, that beaming grin on her lips. She'd probably even met the girl before, but now? Well lunatics going to lunatic. "Oooh 'Chess'? How fun!"

Alejandro griss at Shelly "It's still Sheriff as yet, to the best of my knowledge Deputy Marin. Matters between you and I have not changed to the best of my knowledge." He pauses when the feral Mister Fox steps up onto the stage and maintains a silence that could well fool most as being comfortable.

Rach is humming along to the very patient string group's rendition, chewing on her lower lip and stroking an imaginary guitar like it's gently weeping, before Zoey catches her eye. She cracks a wide grin and disrupts the air axe display to waggle her fingers over in her direction - and it's only due to this distraction that she notices the side eye coming her way from some people who look Very Important.

She straightens up, clears her throat, and glances back at Cheree, to make sure that her domitor hasn't clocked her as well. No? Safe enough. Rach gravitates over toward the blood-bond-leash-holder, only to pause mid stride as she catches sight of Zebastian and Mae. The former she just wrinkles her nose at, as though trying to place his face, but it's the pairing with Mae that has her smile reappear like a poorly mended tear in the seat of a pair of leather pants. She sticks her tongue out at the other ghoul, before gravitating over to Calla and settling against any convenient structure upon which to lean. This posture lends her an air of authority as she leans in close to the woman and informs her lowly (as lowly as her brassy voice can go, at least):

"Did you know the people snacks are made out of orphans?"

Catching sight of the little ballerina ghoul, the Brujah Primogen begins to cross the room over towards Calla, bowing her head in brief to anyone she happens to pass along the way. Pausing nearby, she smirks a bit at Harper's wink before returning her attentions back to the little ghoul, "You..." her words trail for a moment or two, finger wagging slightly. Yet whatever else she appears about to say gets waylaid for the time being with the arrival of Fox.

"It, uh, looks that way, yeah," Hall replies to Zoey, after grinning back at Cheree, still seeming a little embarrassed. To Becky, he nods, giving her another quick smile. "Hey, uh. Becky." And he starts to fall back a bit, since there's no shortage of folks looking to extend their compliments -- and sometimes gifts, too -- to the star of the evening.

Calla looks to Karner at the raised eyebrow and sucks in this soft breath that might suggest to the more empathic and well only if they would bother to pay a ghoul any attention that she is has some small fear of Karner. She looks to Khadijah, smiles a dimpled adorned smile that touches her brown eye sand takes such as opening. She dips into a cursty. "Harpy Khalid, such a pleasure..." She says and then looks to Quinn and then Bastian and then back to Quinn. She quickly dips into a cursty directed to Quinn.

When Bastian enters, Cheree's whole demeanor shifts. She goes from pleasant, grinning party hostess to -- well, Bastian Fox's head cheerleader! "Daddy!" she chirps, bringing her hands up and lacing her fingers together in front of her chest, as if she was a teenage girl being confronted by a pop star. "You made it! Oh, I'm /so/ happy! Thank you, Daddy! Thank you!" Cheree moves close to Bastian, but not close enough to hug. "Look how many people have shown up -- to hear /you/ speak, Daddy!"

Calla was about to greet Karner and even stepped tha tway, but the arrival of Bastian Fox has her pausing and keeping very very quiet for the moment anyways.

"Miss Cromwell, good evening. Don't you look formal tonight." Karner briefly grins at her, but he appears to be intent on bringing Chess with him over to Rach. Along the way, however, Bastian makes his way in, and Karner pauses to watch him and Cheree interact for a moment. There's a look on his face, but it's difficult to describe. His lip is mildly quirked upwards, however.

"Becky, how's it going?" Khadijah greets her with a smile and a wave as she sips happily on her drink. She sees Crawley has come and Mr. Fox. Her attention rides on Cheree then and the interaction she's having with Daddy. She smiles as it's a side of Cheree she doesn't often see.

Having made her way out of the greeting/reception line, Avery starts towards the reception bar, brushing a bit at the hair that hangs about her face. "I love the look, Deputy Marin," she offers with a smile upon passing Shelly and noting her attire for the evening. Spotting Alejandro, there's a nod and a pleasant greeting of "Evening, Primogen Lopez," before Bastian Fox's arrival catches her eye and her head turns to look in that direction for a moment.

Oh look! Bastian Fox was in the room! A face Zoey had barely seen more than once even if her 'crafts' had been offered to the one Cheree called 'Daddy' all so excitably! She tilts her head, watching curiously while for the moment she remains in the small circle that was Karner, Khadi, Chess, Hall and now Calla around them.

"That's at least a relief... selfishly anyways. Hard to train up a new boss, but guess it'd be even harder to wear three pretty big hats at once. Though I guess the two new hats really go hand in hand anyways..." Shelly might have a little nerves herself as her words are coming faster than usual... her hands flutter a bit though very deliberately not picking at any hem of the nice, new suit she's wearing. As for Avery's compliments, she smiles. "Thank you. The Keeper was kind enough to make it for me. Not really an offer one can pass up after all."

Catching Zoey's glance, Calla peeks over to her, dips into a dancer's curtsy and gives her a gentle dimpled smile.

Summer arrives in the elevator with Crawley, the two utterly mismatched in appearance, what with him short and shoddily robed and her statuesquely garbed in an evening gown. They aren't talking, though the Rose will offer him a genial smile before he scurries off to another side of the room. Summer takes her time in entering, perhaps swanning just a /touch/ given the splendor of her couture gown.

The dress is embroidered in silvery blues and golds with sheer mesh between, which provides glimpses of her tantalizing figure beneath. Exceptionally well executed, it is difficult not to appreciate the gown's craftsmanship ( [3] ) and the woman wearing it.

With Cheree so close to the doorway, Summer moves in her direction, an effervescent smile already in place. Given her discourse with Bastian, she will not interrupt, but the fetching redhead will bide her time a step behind, one hand lifted to absently fondle the romantic upsweep of her fiery tresses.

Marquez seems grateful when Harper leads them to a spot slightly out of the way, and when he looks down to her he smiles a short thank you as they talk quietly while the guests all arrive. Bastian arriving does make the Gangrel look up, and then mutter some more words to his companion.

Rach practices the line a few more times under her breath. It wasn't caught by Calla, so she'll have ample opportunity to try the ruse again.

"Did you know that the /people/ snacks are made from orphans? No - did you know the charcuterie is made out of orphans? Did you know-..." Rach trails off with a glance over at Bastion with the faint air of someone who knows something is afoot, but can't place a finger on what, until she catches Cheree's response. That's when it clicks. That's daddy.

"Ooooooh. Shit." To herself, then:

"Really?"

There's a brief look toward Karner and Chess as they approach, and she gives the former a little upnod of acknowledgement. The latter gets a hurried study, before she's back to watching her domitor fawn with a faintly pensive air.

...has Zebastian just kind of, zoned out? Yes - yes he has; but the dreamy consideration of the middle distance comes to a stop, as he catches on the peripherals Rach sticking her tongue out at Mae. His head tips, then with a little gesture? He directs Mae -- who is, by all accounts, impassive in expression and response -- to follow, as he swans along without comment -- moving as if to intersect Cheree now that she is free...

Only is she free? Of course not, Daddy Bastian is here, being called to by Cheree -- it would be ever so rude to interrupt -- and the forever fractured focus of Zebastian has become snagged, on /so much activity/, such as... such as... such as...

What's happening by the elevator? A ding has the Malkavian drifting in its direction, glancing up to the low ceiling of the Elysium, as if tracking sound through space. How very Zebastian. It leads to falling into Summer's trejectoy, a mute object drifting along her orbit with effortless ease and a dreamy contemplative smile.

Calla then sucks in a soft breath, the tiny ghoul then turns to Karner, dipping to another curtsy. "Primogen Blue, greetings, you are dressed wonderfully, but you always are of course." She peeks over to Summer, getting distracted by her for a moment and then looks back to Karner if trying to gage how he took the greeting.

Like the Nosferatu should be, Crawley is the little black ink stain on the carpet in the corner. The one that no one really notices until they get close enough to see it. And then, you just can't get the thought of it out your mind that it's there, making an otherwise flawless floor .. imperfect. And, all of this party is ..perfect, except him. Sitting there like some monstrous kind of Grumpy Cat meme. He may have arrived in the same elevator, but the two could not have been more different in their destinations at the party. Like a Choose Your Own Adventure where he took the saddest path possible and died alone in the woods.

Becky's nose wrinkles up a bit, as Karner compliments her clothing. "Been told it looks alright. I let Cheree pick out an outfit for me. It's not as if I can see what it looks like in any of the mirrors. Its going alright, Khadijah," she says, before taking a step back and drifting closer to Hall. "Bar has quite the selection. Might even be something that you'd like," Becky states, while lifting her own untouched glass in demonstration.

Bastian Fox glances at Cheree when she comes bounding over to him like a meth-addled Golden Retriever. There's a brief, warning drawing back of his pale lips when it looks like she might try and hug him. Although, he'll simply offer her something of a grimaced smile when she remembers to mind her manners. He glances back down at his watch and then he tells Cheree distractedly, "I got shit to do tonight, baby. I can't stay long."

He'll give her another warning look to prevent any pouts or complaints, and then he tells her, "You've somehow made it twenty years. Survive the rest of the night, and I'll have a present for you."

He directs his attention to Crawley and Hastings when they arrive - and something about the sight of them can't quite help him from a harsh, barking peal of laughter.

A silent, but surprisingly genuine, bow is directed to Crawley; silently and discretely to Crawley. Subtle enough to avoid drawing attention to himself (especially from Bastian) but, hopefully, clear enough that Crawley can see it; and a second similarly duplicitous bow to Summer, this one replete with a smile.

Karner gently pushes Chess at Rach, murmuring something to the former before he says something in a louder voice. "Chess, this is Rach. Rach, Chess. Rach is new to your condition, Chess. The two of you should help each other through this affair together." There's a stern warning in his voice, and then he looks over at a /third/ ghoul int he form of Calla, raising an eyebrow at her. "Thank you, young lady. Why is it I never see you with your Domitor? It's very curious indeed. Well, give my regards to Schultzy, I suppose." He pats Khadijah on the shoulder, saying something softly to her, and then appears to be heading in Bastian's direction.

Nisha arrives with the elevator doors open and soon departing, shifting from a smooth pose to a girl on a mission. Revealing a cool cat - in black. With a red tie, bleeding Blues Brothers energy. Adjusting her red tie so that it now hung lose with sunglasses slouched on her nose, unbuttoning her pure white collar and dressing it down - relieving the tightness around her compressed throat. Dressed rather androgynously, Nisha slinks through the crowd and gets in line for Cheree's greeting.

Meticulously black painted fingernails with white crosses soon dig out a necklace she is wearing.

Nisha pulls out an old cast iron skeleton key. It was rusty and had some green mold festering on it, and it totally looked like old garbage. "Oh ... here's your gift, Cheree.", Nisha says very politely with little etiquette or any formal titles. Bright ivory fangs showing, angled down like a piranha, those sharks teeth stuck in her maw, but turning up to grin.

"This is an old skeleton key... my dear.", yoinking it free from her ball chain necklace actively warn. "... it's now yours. From you to me. -- May this key now open all the doors that bar your path in this life. May it lock away and deny your enemies that seek you ever harm. May this be a key of good fortune and luck, when you need it most.", biting the tip of the key, as if checking the metal quality in a coin.

"You can almost taste the power...", squinting like a loon and offering it over eagerly. The woman was likely very off her meds tonight. Happily distracted and looking almost at the ceiling. Forgetting what she was doing, briefly.

"Enjoy!", bowing her head politely and looking at the refreshment bar. **... is there cocaine by any chance or weed?**, she asks privately about the vitae stock.

Glancing back towards Calla as the little ghoul appears taken with alternate company, Quinn simply wanders off yet again to make more rounds. Catching glimpse of the Tremere, the Brujah Primogen starts off towards him and Shelly both, weaving her way among others in the process. When she finally does arrive, she comments quietly, "Well, I'll be damned. Not used to seeing you at these sorta things, Lopez... or should I say Primogen."

Somewhere there's time for Chess to give a small nod and tiny smile to Calla. Another for Rach--this one a socially-gauged compromise between caution and friendliness. "Hey," she offers, her voice quiet. "Nice t'meet you."

Calla looks in Becky's direction as she speaks about her outfit, studying such for what is a very brief moment and then giving her a dimpled smile. The smile fades as laughter starts and well she backs off from the main group with the subtle grace of a ghoul trying to fade into the background. Calla has not forgot that Quinn almost spoke to her and she looks in her direction with polite attention as if wanting to silenty communication she well available. Calla looks to Karner next, nodding to him. "I will give him you regards, Primogen Blue." She says softly, gives a faint smile. She then looks to Chess and Rach, giving them both another smile, a second smile.

When Bastian tells Cheree that he has shit to do and can't stay long? Cheree's heart visibly sinks. She goes from elated and grinning to looking like Bastian just told her that actually, hey, kiddo, we /can't/ go to the cabin this weekend like dad promised.

Cheree tries to hide her disappointment, but does a terrible job of it. Still, she sounds sincere when she says: "I understand, Daddy." She offers him the saddest of sad smiles. "I'll try to make it the whole night," she says, papering over her sadness at Lack of Bastian as thinly as is Kindredly possible. "But... what are the rules, like... make it to sunrise, or just to 12:01--?"

Before Cheree can finish her attempt at a joke, there's a sudden Nisha. Cheree's eyes widen with surprise. She takes the offered key and holds it for a second. She looks down at it, then up at Nisha, then over at Bastian, all the while with a look of total confusion in the time it takes Nisha to go and discover that the vitae refreshments don't have anything stronger than a mild champagne drunk-on.

Zoey herself does look over at the exchange, a silent spectator like many a Kindred before her attention moves towards Calla, Chess and Rach in turn and she gives a little whistful sigh. Maybe the poor lunatic was considering a ghoul of her own, though pity the poor mortal who'd have to keep up with her boundless energy!

Still, space now, she moves to follow Khadijah's lead and gain herself a drink!

Something Karner whispers to her makes Chess bite the inside of her lower lip, almost invisibly. She nods, an equally tiny movement, flashes Calla a brief smile, and then returns her bright-eyed attention to Rach. "Is there anything here to drink for, you know, us?"

Why yes, Chess, there is. But it's also no stronger than champagne.

Hall glances over at the bar, then back to Becky. "Yeah, maybe," he says. Either he isn't confident about that, or he isn't quite ready for a drink yet. His gaze lingers on Cheree for a moment after she very visibly deflates like a popped balloon. He bites his lip.

Khadijah nods to Karner and follows along with him toward where Bastian Fox is standing. She still has her delicious drink in hand as they make their way over but she stays quiet for now.

"Hey-hey, Primogen Blue!" Rach reorients her dour stare toward Cheree and Bastion toward Karner and Chess. The smile's back on her face, easy as pie. She looks Chess up and down, then reaches in for a sudden and abrupt embrace.

"Hi! Ohmyfreakinggod, I love your hair! Yoooooo -..." She holds the other ghoul at arm's length, as if to look her over better.

"Yeah, c'mon, I'll show you -" As she moves to lead Chess, and potentially Calla, toward the refreshments, she lowers her voice and puts on an urgent whisper, fit for the stage.

"/Don't/ eat the charcuterie tonight. It's made out of orphans!"

"If you wave a glow stick three times while saying his name, you might summon him to more parties," Shelly winks towards Quinn as the Brujah Primogen comes over. "Or at least you'd have a cool glowstick and be part of the way to a rave. Honestly kinda surprised the party is all these and not a little bit more that. Maybe the raving is saved for after-parties?"

Calla sucks in a soft breath and tries to get a sense for things. She looks over to Hall, giving him this gentle warm smile that is devoid of any fear or nerves. She then looks over to Rach and a soft sound escapes her slightly parted lips. She follows Chess and Rach toward the rehreshments, but her gaze strays back to Quinn as if Calla were super aware of Brujah Primogen now.

Did Summer hear Bastian's barking laughter? Most likely. But she has the good grace to look utterly unphased, especially as she slinks closer to him and Cheree to no doubt wish one or both of them a good evening. She is close enough to witness the interaction between the two, of course, and patiently waits for an opening before leaning in to place her hand on Cheree's shoulder and press a kiss to her cheek.

"Happy Embrace-Day," Summer says, offering the black-clad debutante (if she can be called such), a sunny smile. She draws back, next turning to Bastian so that she may give him a cursory once over and say, "Don't you look dashing, Mister Fox? Love the shoes." She will then lean in and attempt to brush his cheek with the sort of polite air-kiss that politely leaves a fraction of space between their leaned in faces. Is Summer taller than him? She will dutifully lean down if necessary.

The Keeper's eyes roam over those that are present, watching the group as they flow between groups. Always on duty. Her head tilts and she continues to speak quietly with Marquez, her hand lightly hugging his arm against her side as she does. Her expression remains somber for the most part, eyes focusing on Fox as he enters and speaks to the party girl.

Becky finally takes a drink from her glass, the thick liquid within staining her teeth crimson. Her eyes moves about the crowd, tracking Nisha's rather eccentric behavior, before shrugging and attempting to locate the other Gangrel in the room.

The blue-haired Chess might be a bit taken aback by that sudden, impulsive hug. When she answers Rach, it's more of an *actual* whisper. A for-real quiet secret, audible only to those close by or with preternatural hearing. "Have been to things before, where there's this many? Like, politics things?" To be fair, everything involving one or more vampires *IS* arguably a 'politics thing'.

Cheree gives Summer a genuine hug. Not the kind of clingy take-me-under-your-wing-pls hugs she often hits Summer with, but a hug nonetheless. A more 'formal occasion' hug. She returns the cheek kiss. "Thank you, Primogen," she says. "I hope you enjoy the party." She watches Summer interact with Bastian in the same way that someone watches an SUV /almost/ interact with a runaway baby stroller -- just holding her breath, so to speak.

Alejandro tilts his head to one side at Quinn "Primogen is, I believe, the correct title for me in public now. But I confess. I didn't really think to learn the rules for proper titleage, I had assumed it would be decades if not centuries before I would have to concern myself with it. But I will not take offence at anyone using any of my public titles." He laughs at Shelly and feigns indignation. "Quiet Marin, don't share the Deep Secrets," he says to her with a degree of good natured comraderie. It is a strange Tremere Primogen, however temporary, to have forged an uneasy alliance with a Malkavian Deputy and the Brujah Primogen.

Nisha wanders off just as mysteriously as she came, sauntering over to the refreshment table after offering a finger wave to the Ventrue Harpy.

She was stuck puzzled, "If they drank champagne... we drink from a champagne glass?", picking up a flute and sniffing it. Then gulping it down greedily, "You ever see that Saturday Night Life skit? - Damn! Who's Pinot Grigio is this?!", kind of talking to a lose crowd of kindred and mostly herself. Unlocking her phone and wondering if she could YouTube the video ... totally not-pre-gamed. *hic*

"Yeah, well, I don't know whether congratulations or fucking condolences are in order," Quinn confesses with a faint flicker of a smirk upon her lips, "So, I'll just leave it at that." All the mention of glowsticks and saying a name three-times commands the Brujah's attention with a faint laugh, "He's not fucking Beetlejuice, Shel. I mean, at least I don't think he is..." her pale gaze slides back to gauge Alejandro speculatively, "You don't own a tacky black and white stripped suit do you?"

Having said his hellos and congratulations to Cheree, the tall gangrel finds himself a nice spot post up against the wall. Javier unbuttons his jacket to get a little more comfortable as he switches from meet and greet mode into relaxing and enjoying the evening while kindred watching mode.

Crawley's gaze continues to take in the room from his vantage. He seems to have chosen a specific spot that really lets him get a good look at most of the room and barely have to move his head. Nosferatu are like social snipers. They know exactly where to set up in a room to get the best shots of the area.

In particular, his cerulean gaze lingers on Rach and then on Chess, taking in both of them with a longer-than-usual stare. And he does stare with a bit of intent, quite unconcerned if someone would look over to see the sewer troll leering in your direction. He might be curious, he might just be nosey.

Bastian Fox's laugh at he and the Primogen of Toreador's arrival seems to be ignored like water off a duck's back. A Clan that gets little but leers and jeers from the 'betters' is hardly moved by such a tame effort at getting a rise.

The brief respite seems to have been plenty to recharge the social battery of Marquez, and he has on a pleasant expression just shy of a smile. The conversation with Harper continues as they move around just keeping an eye on the guests. He does laugh briefly, but manages to cut it down with his hand raised to his mouth and clearing his throat.

Avery eventually drifts away from where the refreshments are - this Tremere apparently not one to chitter-chat at the moment, despite it being a party. Green eyes drift to Nisha upon seeing her, and the Gangrel is given a brief onceover before her attention shifts elsewhere, taking in the others present, as well as the quartet that's been playing.

A sip taken, a little roll of her tongue to test the taste hitting her senses from the night's catering while she glances over to Nisha and her outburst before she too moves to rejoin the circle of familier faces...and the zone of them around Bastian Fox himself. Okay Zoey, time for your best attempts at formality and friendly.

When it's her turn? She too does the formal bow, but ever-Zoey she was still smiling brightly. "Mr Fox, a pleasure to see you in person!" she offers.

Hey, that probably wasn't a bad attempt for the bluenette, right?

Alejandro nods at Quinn's first comment "I am not Beetlejuice, my True Name is much longer than that, as are most people's," he says with a self-aware grin, "and you have to say it backwards while ringing a bell and walking backwards around an empty orange flavour tictac box, it is important that it's empty, if there's anything in it but air you'll summon my twin brother and he has no sense of humor."

Calla peeks over to Nisha, having a gentle dimpled smile for her. She is at the moment close to Chess and Rach as they head in the direction of the regular booze bar. "Someitmes they have berries can one can add that do the wine..." She says hopefully.

Cheree also watches Zoey approach Bastian, and continues holding her breath (in a metaphorical sense). Very astute observers might notice that she's kind of bracing herself. Like she half expects Bastian to smack someone, and like that someone is probably going to be her. And yet: she's still maintaining that winning smile! What a good hostess.

"That's one of the curse of my clan... just like Cassandra when we do reveal a true Deep Secret, nobody is willing to believe it isn't just confused rambling or joking," Shelly grins towards Alejandro and points towards Quinn and her Beetlejuice reference as Example Number One. There may be a damper of said grin as she catches sight of a certain other Primogen in the crowd.

Karner was just about to waylay Fox himself when Summer steps right in like that. He goes stock still for a moment before continuing his trajectory, waiting for Summer to finish oh-so-very-politely air-kissing the sneaker-clad Ventrue. In the meantime, Zoey gets in there too, which makes Karner grin a little. Still, he waits.

"Something like this? Nah. Not really. I mean, I don't think I've ever been in a building this high before, if I'm being honest. Let alone one chock full of vampires." Rach responds to Chess, before glancing back at Calla.

"Uh. Yeah. And we can pet the wabbits too." When they arrive at the refreshments station, she takes stock, lips pursed.

"What's your usual poison?" She inquires generally of them both.

Chess doesn't miss the Nosferatu stare; something makes her look for it, in fact, and a tiny vertical line appears between her brows as she studies... that. Apparently unfazed, she gives the watcher a tiny nod. Her muddy-hazel eyes scan everything in sight, and she even half-turns to track Karner's location. Then she resumes her role as... what? Just another ghoul at the kids' table?

"Things can get... tense," she says quietly to Rach. "And just water's good if there *is* any. You know about the flipping out, right?"

Calla likes Shelly's teal velvet suit and so she looks admiringly toward her, but just for a moment. She looks and then looks away and over to Rach, listening to her. "I normally have blueberries and then pour white wine over it, but today, I think I will have blueberries and then pour champagen over the berries." She says, not really changing things up much after all. She tries to under that.

"Dude, they can do flips?" Rach asks, looking sidelong at Chess as she pours her a glass of water. She then looks over at Calla.

"Uh. Shit, man. I guess, like... you gotta' make that one yourself." She grabs whatever's quick and easy for herself and cracks it open, be it a bottle of bubbly or a can of beer. Either way, it's going in a long stemmed glass, if only to fit in with the crowd.

Cheree forces herself to look away from the crowd around her Sire, checking on the rest of the party with a quick visual once-over. She also steps toward the refreshment table, to grab a glass of the special draft set aside for her particular Ventrue tastes. Then she's back to the crowd around Bastian, offering Karner a tiny smile.

Rach didn't notice Crawley staring. In fact, she hasn't seen him at all. She hasn't been looking down. This is probably for the best.

"Thanks," Chess murmurs as she takes the glass. "And no, not *that*. Just..." She lowers her voice to a whisper. "You have to be real careful not to make them angry, you know? Because they'll kill you like--" She snaps her fingers.

Trying to commit the entire ritual to memory, Quinn's eyes eventually just glaze on over, "Well, fuck me with a chainsaw, that's a shitton of work just for a summoning. See, this is why I don't do mojo." She recounts with a shake of her head, "Way too much fucking work... and the payoff? Yeah, I'd probably summon the Staypuft Marshmallow Man."

Full-on smiling now as she teases the newly appointed Primogen for the Warlocks, her gaze sliding sidelong to regard Shelly -- reaching over to poke the Deputy, "Hey, you good?"

Calla looks to Chess and then she looks to Rach. "Well..." She says about the flips as if she doesn't want to fully explain at least not now. "It is always good to be careful." She then adds vaguely. She fills up a glass filled with blueberries and pours champagne over such. "I should have and wanted to greet Harpy Crawley, but I didn't want to rude crowd around her either when more important beings needed to greet, so maybe later." She says to the ghouls, chattering a bit. "And I really want to go see what Primogen Gallo wanted, but I should give her a moment there too." Calla then looks over to Chess, nodding in agreement with her.

For all of Bastian Fox's sociopathic tech bro persona, there's always something predatory, suspicious and cold that flicker-flinches to the surface for a nanosecond whenever someone attempts to show him the slightest pantomime of affection. So it will be when Summer goes in for her air kisses! By the time the Toreador Primogen is drawing back, Bastian is regarding her - and Crawley - with something of a knowing, sardonic smile.

Before Bastian can respond to Summer's query about his sneakers, he'll be distracted by Karner's approach. He nods to the Malkavian, "Blue. How did Cheree con you into this?" He seems genuinely bemused that Karner likes Cheree enough to be one of the main guests here. Yet, it takes all sorts. He tells him, "I need to talk to you soon..." Then with a grin, he'll turn back to Summer and Crawley with a slow pivot of his heel, "Excuse me. Primogen Hastings. Seneschal Crawley."

It's then that Bastian will step away from his woeful childe, the Hollywood director and the Labyrinth-esque power couple and turn around...Whereupon Bastian is confronted is confronted with Zoey and Nisha. He glances between the two of them, and then he very carefully takes Nisha's glass away from her (and she seems ever so politely willing to offer it up) before he tells Nisha, "Thanks." Then he looks at Zoey - not unlike as if end table had just jumped up and said hello to him. And then...He steps around her and walks on.

He won't get far though, before Bastian holds up the glass he had taken from Nisha, and then flicks it with his unnaturally glass-like fingernail, making for a surprisingly loud and attention grabbing sound.

"Yo!" He waits for people to shut the fuck up, and then holds out his cup in Cheree's direction, "Cheree Crowley. She's the fucking proof that if you can make it in New York, you can make it anywhere." It almost seems for the moment that he's on the verge of launching into some heartfelt monologue about Cheree's scrappy fledgling nights. And he does think about those things. In fact, he thinks about them so much that he looks down at his glass before saying more softly, "It's been a long twenty years, baby." So very, very long.

Then he gives the glass he took from Nisha to a (potentially nonplussed) Zoey, and walks out.

Though he has been paying attention to the people he's talking to; part of Alejandro's attention has been kept for the woman of the hour and seeing her step aside to get a glass he discretely raises his glass to her in toast. He smiles wryly at Quinn and looks like he's about to say something until Bastian's 'yo' whereupon he shuts the fuck up.

Calla stops chattering the second that Bastian Fox begins to speak. She lifts her delicate chin, slightly lowers her dark lashes and keeps her attention focusd in his direction.

"Oh," Rach sounds a little disappointed.

"Yeah, I know they're, like... evil and shit. But also -..." Rach trails off at Bastion's 'speech'. She stares, then, lacking prompt, sets her glass down and gives him a round of applause, even if she's the only set of hands in the room doing so. Although, if she is? She stops rather abruptly, after three or four lonesome claps.

Cheree stands there, whispering with Karner, but her attention is fully upon Bastian when he speaks -- and then leaves. Cheree looks stunned, but not in a bad way. Like something amazing just happened. She smiles, with pride forced onto her face. And then she claps, as Bastian exits. "Thank you, Daddy!"

"I'm certain I will," Summer says to Cheree, her dimples pinched with the genuineness of her smile. "It's a lovely thing to celebrate, after all. And I'll happily use any excuse to wear couture. The Keeper outdid herself -- much to my /immense/ gratitude."

The Toreador takes a moment to angle herself to the side, one manicured hand lowering to take the meshy skirt and draw it to the side. "I'm especially fond of the embroidered evil eyes..." her voice trails as Karner steps up, the Malkavian Primogen earning a delicate once-over before she says, "Oh! What fine timing you have, Primogen Blue. Come all this way to wish me good evening?"

Any further chit-chat is waylaid by Bastian's plucky greeting to the Malkavian and subsequent 'speech'. Summer turns to watch the Ventrue as he toasts his childe, her expression remaining pleasant even if her smile loses some of its candor. By the end, her hand has delicately found Cheree's back where it rests while her sire eventually 'drops mic' (metaphorically) and leaves.

Shelly has no glass to raise in toast, but she can be quiet and attentive real good as soon as 'yo' is called. And when the Shark-true walks off after the briefest of speeches, the no glass comes in handy as it makes it easier to offer up a polite little clap for the Death-day Girl.

Attention snapping to Fox, Chess focuses on him as he speaks--mostly. She also tracks the dynamics around Karner Blue, as a matter of course. And then, of course, her attention is on Karner and Summer, the muddy-hazel eyes fascination-sharp as she watches their interaction over the rim of her glass.

Becky goes silent as Bastian gives his speech. She stares unblinkingly at him, expression utterly blank. Once Fox leaves the room, Becky gives voice to a soft snort, before looking over at Hall and rolling her shoulders back in a shrug.

"I lost a sizable bet at the roulette table," Karner tells Bastian with a big grin. He inclines his head when Fox says he needs to talk to him soon. "Only good things, I'm sure. Whenever you'd like, Mister Fox, I'm available." Karner, of course, doesn't try to chase after Bastian or anything disgraceful like that. He turns his head to listen to Bastian give his little speech, and then offers a polite round of applause. He doesn't have a glass of his own to raise in toast, just yet.

It's not until Bastian leaves that Karner seems to finally register that Summer is here. "Why, Primogen Hastings, I didn't even know you were coming. What a happy accident! You look very..." An eyebrow raises as he looks her up and down. "...picturesque. I look forward to your speech, since you have /such/ a way with words."

Harper's attention turns to Fox as he calls for attention, giving it as she listens to his speech. Her head tilts lightly, expression a little puzzled, but as Cheree reacts so favorably she politely lifts her hands to clap before turning back to her conversation.

Alejandro raises his glass which was already raised in discrete toast is raised publicly. He doesn't say anything, having already expressed his respect in as meaningful a way as society and their respective stations allow.

Marquez also looks up again once Bastian speaks, and a long attention span isn't needed. He looks to Cheree to see her reaction, and then with the Primogen leaving he offers a polite clap for Cheree's sake.

Opting not to partake in the evening's refreshments, Quinn doesn't have a glass either but turns her attentions towards Fox all the same when he offers up his toast. She falls silent, clearly considering his words, as her gaze slides over to regard the 'woman of honor' throughout. At the conclusion, the Brujah just bows her head once to Cheree -- lips pulling into a thin line.

Crawley's leer locks onto Calla next, as the Ventrue ghoul begins to talk about blueberries. His eyes kind of get this extra dead look about them as that gaze lingers on the woman for a sizeable amount of time. Those might be what one calls murder eyes, most recently seen on the face of one J. Dalhmer.

Bastian Fox might not be the only sociopath in Elysium tonight.

The Nosferatu turns his attention to Bastian Fox as the Ventrue speaks his name, giving him a nod, little more. The goblin (Hoggle) hasn't spoken a single word since he walked into the room, so why should he break that trend?

Then Bastian is giving his 'speech'. The Nosferatu watches Fox with detached interest, actually smiling a touch at it's brevity and clear message.

Welp...that was probably about what she'd expected if Zoey was being honest! Still the blunette Malk was ever smiling, aparently not even Bastian Fox could change that. A sip of her own drink and the 'borrowed' glass is handed back to Nisha lightly after the toast concludes and she looks back to the other woman with a little chuckle.

Zebastian refocuses into reality -- there is a slight glide to the left, as he spots Cheree en route back from the refreshment table -- and while the Malkavian seems to be wrapped in a shroud of dreamy disconnect? It's not so thick that he cannot lift a hand, fingers wiggled at the deathday Ventrue as he smiles at her -- secretive? Silent, yet playful -- as a gesture has Mae slipping forward, that auspiciously formal black gift box held out for Cheree, should she wish.

Or order Mae to open it on her behalf. Whatever. Mae's don't mind.

Zebastian---- says nothing. Absolutely nothing, because Bastian Fox has ping'd that class Nisha holds and started to talk, make a speech re: Cheree... Zebastian? He is listening - head tipped, and it ... looks... he looks...

...is Bastian walking out?

Zebastian looks--- bright! So bright -- hands coming together in gentle applause, gold bracelets glinting as he gestures to Cheree, smile soft and encouraging -- a nod to Summer, Crawley, Zoey, everyone, who is near - as he chatters on in that melodic chime to Cheree; "...There are moments, where words cannot cover the extent of impact that experience has given, no? Like a bell that is rung, it's not the strike - it's the moments in-between that resonate. Happy death-day, mon cheri -- there's great expectations for the future, and I'm sure we're all incredibly excited to experience this moving forward. How do you want to celebrate?"

Calla looks to Crawley and she sucks in a soft breath and then another soft breath. She seems a little bit nervous. The tiny ghoul holds herself totgether (mostly) and she dips into one of her polite dancer curtsies directed toward the small inhuman seeming being. She follows that with a faint smile and then takes a sip of the white wine filled with berries, this very human sip of a girl who still loves such things.

The 'Yo!' most certainly grabs Avery's attention and the Tremere's attention falls on Bastian as he launches in his 'speech'. Lips purse a bit as she listens, watching the Ventrue with the faintest hint of curiosity in her eyes. With his departure though her focus returns to the room, settling in a spot them to more or less people watch for a time.

Cheree stops clapping /after/ everyone else. She then seems to register that Summer is touching her, and she grins up at the much taller Primogen like she'd just received the fanciest of fancy presents on the fanciest Christmas ever. When Zebastian approaches, Cheree is still over the moon. "Thank you, Harpy Zebastian," she purrs, and then takes a demure, pinky-out sip of her flute of vitae.

Nisha will give Mr. Fox and plenty of room, only a wink is given as he tells her thanks for the glass and leaves to say his spiel. Returning it to Zoey and instead of her, a smile growing on her face. She was totally beneath notice and survived a surprise Fox encounter. Also got a 'thanks', it seemed like a win ... as she departs the refreshments table with a sharp object in hand. Dropping it off in the sink to dispose of the potential weapon.

Washing her hands she cleans up and eyes the crowd. Until she departs to say hello to Avery and Alejandro. Whispering a congratulations to the new Primogen before he left.

Alejandro provides a nod to Nisha's congratulations, equally inscrutable in response now as he was earlier in the night. He discretely replies below normal audible levels so as to avoid drawing any attention and shakes Nisha's hand.

Rach leans her head in to regard a whisper from Chess, when she sees him. It. Crawley. Peter Crawley, in all of his end-table-sized glory, lurking, and staring, intently, at the woman just beside her. Her eyes go wide as stopsigns and she reaches out to grab Chess' arm, as if she were in danger of buckling over. Her mouth opens, but she, mercifully, doesn't make a peep. She just stares at the little Nosferatu with a death grip on Karner's retainer. Finally, she mouths something along the lines of:

"Whaddafuck/is/that?" To Chess.

Avery's head tilts a bit when Nisha approaches, but she offers the Gangrel a small smile which fades a bit at whatever's whispered. Leaning in, the Tremere says something quietly right back, the smile slowly returning.

Chess chews quietly on one side of her lower lip for a moment, watching Karner... but then a little smile comes to her lips when Zebastian speaks. The curve lingers as she watches him, until Rach gets her attention. Brows lifting--those are *also* blue, trust Karner to attend to every detail--she looks over to Rach and says, gently, "Don't stare. They can stare at *us* all they want. The other way around is... not advisable."

Becky drains the last of her glass, before peeling away from Hall and returning to the refreshment table. She lingers there, seemingly content to stay in her new location.

"Of course, Harpy Crowley." Zebastian chimes back to Cheree, then resumes his prior experience as ornamental party Malkavian -- fingers absentmindedly combing through the ends of his hair, as his attention drifts without ever really focusing in on anything -- just taking in the ~ambiance~, without distorting it with his presence.

...Mae just stands over somewhere looking pretty, indifferent and like her sole purpose is to hold that black gift box. Zero fucks given by Mae on the matter of anything else. So it goes.

Nisha cants her head to the side, and then nods to Alejandro. "Ah .... so...", understanding and politely stepping away. "Either way. Wish you best of luck.", and stepping to the side to monitor the ongoings of Cheree's celebration. Occasionally talking to Avery and agreeing to something.

Karner may be rolling his eyes behind his sunglasses. His face makes a gesture similar to that, although it's hard to tell, exactly, and then it's over. Who knows what he's reacting to, exactly? He continues to speak softly with Khadijah, who is still standing next to him, perhaps even still on his arm, though he occasionally looks over at Chess to see exactly what she may be up to with the other ghouls.

"How very gracious of you," Summer returns to Karner, offering him a wide smile. "If you'll excuse me, however?" One assumes he will! She turns around to approach the front of the room or wherever it was that Bastian parked himself for the speech. Along the way, she will snag a glass from the refreshment table and hold it aloft, careful not to spill any of its contents. Then, she turns with a soft *swish!* of her skirts, positioning herself to address the crowd of Kindred.

"As Mister Fox so aptly alluded to," Summer says, still smiling, "Reaching two decades is no easy feat for a Kindred. There are many in this room who have more than doubled...even tripled that number...but it is easy to forget that it is the early years where we face the most adversity. The gradual loss of our mortal selves. The gradual acceptance of what eternity might mean -- and the realization of the lengths we must go to rise each night. It's not easy. It's /never/ easy. And we should absolutely congratulate Miss Crowley."

Summer takes a moment to offer a gentle applause, though it's more a delicate clap-clap against her inner wrist as the other hand still holds her drink. After a few seconds to allow for applause, she will continue.

"Whenever I celebrate someone's Embrace," she resumes, "I like to think of the formation of a pearl. Pearls, as you know, are the only gemstones in the world that come form a living creature. A bit of grit /wriggles/ its way in and the mollusk, as a defense mechanism, produces materials to coat the irritant -- layers, and layers, and /layers/. The result is a pearl. We, too, begin as organic material, but over the course of time -- and many hardships -- learn to become something else. Something better."

Summer lifts her glass toward Cheree, the corners of her lips rising higher. "To Miss Crowley," she says, "I cannot wait to see the ways you grow and change with the coming years. I have no doubt that the end result will be just as lustrous and precious. Cheers!" With that, Summer will draw her glass in for a dainty sip, then step to the side.

"I believe Primogen Blue also wanted to say something?" With that, the tall redhead will step away and make room for the Malkavian in question.

Cheree is part of a crowd of onlookers focused on Summer -- a scenario that the Rose Primogen no doubt finds familiar. Unlike with Bastian's speech, Cheree only joins in with any applause after the others start clapping. She does look truly touched. Like a piece of grit, touched by mollusk slime. In a good way.

Letting her pale blue gaze slide over those gathered within the room as Summer takes center stage, the Brujah Primogen listens in silence to the toast offered. Her lips curl faintly at the corner before she finally offers another nod. Leaning a little closer, she says something quietly to the Deputy Marin.

Alejandro provides polite applause to Summer's speech with a gentle "here here". His eyes narrow ever so slightly when Karner steps up to talk next. He turns his head to look at Nisha for a second and smiles, "Thank you again, Miss Yoon."

Crawley sees Rach's shock, and because the Hidden Clan are such total horrowshow sickos, there are few things they delight in more than seeing a genuinely terrified reaction to their appearance. Now Rach becomes the target.

The Seneschal leans forward a bit in his chair, face set in a very serious, almost sullen and disapproving manner. He stares a long ass while.

"Boo," the Sewer Rat whispers, but his lips are clearly readable, by the blind.

And then Summer is giving her speech-toast, talking about pearls and clams. Crawley tears his gaze away from Rach for a few moments, head tilted curiously toward the Primogen of the Roses. As she speaks about grits of sand and mollusks, he digs in his own ear and pulls out some sand of his own. A glance at the gunk and then he rolls it between his fingers, making a special pearl.

A special pearl that he rubs off on the arm of the chair. Woebetide those who sit there next. They will be given a /special/ gift of their own.

Another speech and a slightly more enthusiastic round of clapping from Shelly after Summer's words apparently even moved the deputy, before she whispers back to the Brujah primogen.

Chess seems rapt enough when Summer steps up and speaks her bit--but that is nothing to the way she watches Karner, when the Malkavian moves. The mere almost-mortals around her will be forgotten for as long as he chooses to speak.

At Chess' advice, and with the eager chance Crawley takes to deliver a fateful 'boo', Rach breaks any potential eye contact with the little monster like one might a rabid dog, looking immediately skyward - or, as it happens, to the lounge's dimmed overhead lighting. She blinks a few times.

"Is that what happens to Ghouls? Is that like. A real ghoul?" She inquires in low tones of the ceiling, although presumably she's asking the woman she's stabilizing herself against.

"Oh - shit... is that a Nosferatu? Cheree told me about those. She didn't say they were all, like..." She doesn't say short. She's been burned by sensitive vampiric hearing once before. She just implies it, be holding her hand just past her waist, palm parallel to the ground.

Thankfuly, she's keeping her voice down as she speaks all the way through Summer's elegant delivery.

Calla looks to Summer when the Primogen tall red rose speaks, how can she not? She gives her a smile and claps happily when her words come to an end.

Gentle applause from Zebastian, after Summer's speech -- his head tilting, only slightly out of sync with standard time, as he chimes softly; "...A pearl beyond price..." A low hum, then Zebastian turns to look at Cheree -- something dreamily contemplative there, in his smile - a touch encouraging, even - but dreamy. Mostly dreamt.

Zebastian does not look in the direction of Crawley and his contribution to the world of pearls. Markedly does not look? Accidentally does not look? Impossible to know -- and besides; the Malkavian has some incredibly important business, with looking a the surprisingly low ceiling of the jewel-box-like Elysium with dreamy contemplation n' suchlike.

Avery turns her attention away from Nisha and towards Summer as the Rose offers her own speech for the night, a faint smile gracing her lips as she listens, both hands lifting to applaud lightly, but genuinely, at its conclusion.

Marquez perks up again to listen to the next speech, this time from Primogen Hastings. What starts out as a small curl at the corners of his mouth end up a full smile by the end of her lovely words, and so when she toasts Cheree he claps once more, though this time with greater enthusiasm.

Javier turns his attention to the stage and Summer as the Rose speaks. Nodding a bit along with her words he doesn't have a drink to toast with. Instead, he gives a polite dip of his head in agreement, smiling as he turns his attention back to the crowd to look over all those gathered.

Summer slips away from the front, instead meandering over to where Zebastian watches the party. With her glass still in one hand, she uses the other to gently loop through his arm, holding him gently by the inner-elbow. Her head dips in for a soft aside, her gaze mirthful and pleasant.

As she quietly murmurs, her eyes flit about those in attendance, eventually settling on Chess -- an unfamiliar face -- whom she greets with a warm smile.

Becky listens to the speech and once it finishes, the Gangrel collects a second glass. Lifting it up in a silent toast, instead of offering up applause.

Ding!

At last, the guest of honor is here. Or... Is she? Because stepping out of the elevator is... Not a blond. No wonder Esther's late. It must've taken forever for the near platinum blond to get her hair to that black. Her blow out ironed, turning her hair pin drop straight. Of course, there's not much Esther can do about her tan on such short notice, but her makeup is certainly working on the look. Lips painted the same ink black her hair is dyed. Eyeliner dark, flaring out into a dramatic cat's eye. She isn't just a one-trick-pony with that makeup.

Even Esther's outfit fits the look. Black fingerless gloves roll up past her elbows. Heeled black leather boots lace up to her knees. Fishnets cross the stretch of thigh before her pink-and-black pleated skirt starts. A golden, rectangular belt buckle separates the skirt from the corset top. Black ribbons running through silver rivets up the back. Thick black choker around her throat.

And Esther is smirking. She's obviously in love with the joke as she steps into Elysium.

Karner listens to Summer's speech with a smile on his face. He applauds at the appropriate times, eyebrows raising and fingers splaying across his chest as Summer mentions him by name. 'Moi?' he mouths, his mouth forming an 'O' of surprise as that same hand moves up to briefly touch his cheek. Then he, too, moves quickly to the refreshment table to procure a glass of something red, served in a champagne flute.

It's now his turn to move to the front of the room, his blue velvet-clad, lanky form taking up the place that Summer once held. He's likely no stranger to giving inspiring(?) speeches to masses of people, either because he's won something or he's about to tell them all how they're ruining his production with their incompetence.

Now, however, he removes those round mirrored glasses from his face. It's possible that most people in the room have never seen Karner without some form of sunglasses. Beneath the blue lenses, his eyes are a rather startling amber color. They have been expertly outlined with stark black eyeliner, and there is a swipe of subtly shimmery mascara on his lashes in the same shade of blue as his tuxedo jacket.

"I'm afraid I'm none so poetic as Primogen Hastings," Karner begins. He turns to look directly at Cheree. "I'm far too youthful to understand the vampiric passage of time." The Malkavian lets out a little trill of laughter before his entire bearing becomes more serious. "I haven't known Cheree Crowley for long, but I see how she transforms the space around her. I see how her fresh-faced spirit enlivens the Praxis. I see how she brings Kindred together -- like she has tonight." Karner takes a moment to smile vaguely at the assembled before his attention returns to her. "Connecting us all."

"And I see her as an unliving beacon of how Prince Lightbourne will change Los Angeles forever, and entirely for the better." Karner stares at the young Ventrue with what may be described as a great deal of fondness. "I am confident that she is already the social glue that binds us, and over time, she will learn to guide us and shape us, as well. I, for one, look forward to seeing her change hearts and minds for many years to come."

"To Cheree." Karner toasts her, drinks, and then blows her Cheree a kiss, flashing that overly toothy, overly gummy grin of his. "You've only just begun, darling. And now, the Kindred of the hour herself! Let us 'give it up' for Harpy Cheree Crowley herself!" Karner applauds thunderously. And then, humming to himself, which he tends to do sometimes, he wanders away from the front of the room, downing the rest of his drink.

Hall stands back from the crowd, listening to the speeches. Now and then, he looks a bit pensive. He gives a polite round of applause to each.

Edith has arrived, and has snuck herself into Elysium as much as is possible, and she's here just as Karner's reading his speech. She's wearing a black dress, it's pretty nice and all. She stands somewhere out of the way-ish and does the ghoul thing of keeping out of the way until approached.

Cheree is distracted by Esther's arrival as Karner makes his way up to speak. It takes her a second -- 'Who is this Dita Von Teese Goes Kinda Trashy MILF--' and then Cheree's eyes widen in recognition.

"Esther!" Cheree chirps in a whisper. "You just missed Daddy's speech. It was /amazing/. And Primogen Hastings was so kind with her words..." Cheree's attention then settles on Karner for his speech, as her arm moves to loop itself in Esther's. Either one of them is a mini-me, or the other one is a maxi-me.

Cheree holds eye contact with Karner during the speech, even to what might be an uncomfortable extent for other Kindred. Not for Cheree! When it's over, she claps, and looks between Esther and Summer excitedly, as if to say 'that was about me! did you hear?!'

Cheree takes a few moments to get to the front of the room and be able to speak, though. She wants to down her drink, first, and make sure there isn't anyone she needs to greet.

By the time the third member of the Praxis steps forward to give yet -another- toast on behalf of the Ventrue of the hour, it is clear to all that the Brujah Primogen's attention span is waning. Quinn simply stands near the cluster of Shelly and Alejandro, devoid of drink and listens. When Karner concludes his words, she happily looks back to her conversation group, really not indulging the toasts any further.

Chess beams, her face lighting up to star-brilliance as Karner speaks; it might be pure sunlight, if she weren't in a room full of vampires. It's only after he finishes his little toast--and after she takes a sip of water--that she looks over to Rach. "Hmm?"

No speeches from Zoey, that was probably for the best, still she lifts her drink with a little smile and a cheer, the bluenette toasting and echoing the words before making to settle in and finish the rest of her drink!

Shelly steps closer to Quinn, giving the Brujah a friendly nudge before she leans to whisper something.

By this point, Rach has positioned Chess unsubtly between herself and Peter Crawley.

"Uhn, nuffin', dude. Nevermind." She's half-paying attention to the speech from Blue, half making eyes at Cheree that scream 'tap, tap, tap'.

"Your accent is awesome," Chess tells her, apropos of nothing. "Where are you from?"

Calla is quietly here. She sips more win and a bit more wine until the glass is half finished. She then reaches in the class to get a blueberry out, a wine damp berry and eats that, nomnom.

Crawley is now looking at Karner as the Malkavian Primogen gives that speech. To be honest, he never really lost that dead look in his eye, so it might be easy to think, if one looked his way, that he was vaguely bored. Or tired. It's just likely the goblin is too lazy to summon up the blood to give a shit.

As people toast and cheer for her, the Nosferatu says, quite softly to himself and perhaps those in the immediate vicinity, "Melius est exurere quam debilitari."

He has nothing to toast with, so he just settles back into the chair and folds his hands nearly upon his chest, a small, amused smile rests on his lips.

"Oh, uh..." Rach perks up at the abrupt compliment. "Thanks. Georgia. Little town no one in their right fuckin' mind's heard of. Benevolence? We're like squashed right up against Alabama."

Avery raises a brow just a touch as yet another speech is given - this time coming from Karner, who gets equally as much attention from the Tremere as Summer did. Applause is one again appropriately given, and the one hand is reach up again to brush some hair away from her face, nose wrinkling a bit in annoyance.

Marquez is still speaking with Harper quietly, eyes scanning the room from time to time. He does stop long enough to give another light applause at the end of the speech.

Summer smiles and offers a gentle applause at the end of the Malkavian's speech. As her hands move, she dips her head to the side, murmuring something to Zebastian amidst the clap-clap-clap that fills the room. As her lips move, her eyes flit out, seeming to focus on something before shying away.

Esther happily loops arms with Cheree. Smiling the entire way. Clearly glad someone else likes the joke, too. "Really? I mean, I knew you were making a big deal out of this, but..." a long, black nail pushes back her hair. Hooking it over her ear. "Ventrue are weird, sweetie."

And then it's a pat on the back as Cheree moves to speak. She's teasing, but it's all in good humor. Obviously having fun. Standing at the front of the crowd.

Alejandro watches Cheree rather than Karner during his speech, he has little enough to say to the man at the best of times and clearly thinks little of the content of his speech but respects the subject enough not to be rude about it.

Anyone looking Edith's way will notice that she's applauding the last speech with the utmost propriety. It's immaculate, it's appropriate, it's paired with the most poker-faced expression you ever did see, and if she's frowning on the inside? Nobody will know about it.

At the exact moment when it's polite to stop the clapping, Edith walks over to Calla's group and inclines her chin in a nod of greeting. "Hello Calla, Rach." A polite smile follows, then Edith gives another nod to Chess, who she hasn't met yet. "I don't think we've been introduced?"

Zebastian - arm looped by Summer - stand there, a pretty picture of dreamy Malkavian party poise; head tipped for a moment, hand fussing with his hair ditzily as they share a quiet word - or Zebastian kisses Summer's cheek? Who could say. Could be both - or neither; maybe he's recited a poem or a bawdy joke, or heard one, because there is soft tittering and---

Oh yes, listening -- Zebastian listens -- tries to listen - smiles and nods as Karner goes about his process of well wishing Cheree on her death day. What is going on? Did Zebastian take too many xan's? There's an Ambien ambiance to his approach to existence tonight, as in 'He Ambien the best Malk he can be' -- which is a very ditzy looking Malkavian.

One who gives Summer a little tap before untangling himself from her - distracted briefly, hands frozen mid-air as his head tips -- in Rach's direction? Crawley's? Esther's? Over to who? All? Looking like some noise - thing - experience has snagged him, left him dreamily contemplative and only a touch lost.

Watching Summer give her speech, Nisha gives a slow clap of applause when appropriate. She wasn't good at these social affairs, so faking it till you made it, seemed like a good idea. Offering a beaming grin of ignorance while off to get more blood for herself. Having been denied earlier. "Can I get another tall glass of whomever?", narrowing her eyes and -sniffing- the blood in question. Was it poisoned? Eyeing the room suspiciously and taking a baby sip.

Nisha then turns around to Zeb and his emotional support ghoul, Mae. "Hey Zeb!", yet she was instantly speaking in Korean, "Hey Mae. You don't have to hang onto that present all night you know? Just throw it at Cheree. Ventrue -love- a game of dodge ball. It's like a clan ritual of how they receive presents. Just bonk her on the head with it - when she's least expecting. -Bonk-. She will be ever grateful.", Nisha says drunkenly in *Korean*, giving some absolutely horrid advice to the asian ghoul. Bonking the palm of her hand against her own forehead - like it with an invisible object that just struck her. Trying to get the ghoul girl to smile, or to laugh a little. Nisha was being completely facetious. Actual present throwing was probably a low risk factor, and it seemed like a joke. If one could understand the language. Drunk aunt sipping more blood. Gesturing that she was teasing and don't do it.

Cheree makes it to the front of the room. She sets aside her empty glass, and along the way, obtains a fresh one, of the specific vitae flavor her in-built Ventrue pickiness desires.

"I'll try to be quick," Cheree says. "Both because I can't compete with the Primogens, and because I'm my Sire's childe." She grins brightly. It clearly means something to her, to witness the crowd in Elysium.

"I just thought I'd tell you about -- July 9th, 2001. That was the night I was Embraced." Cheree looks down at her glass and considers for a moment. It's a very similar thing to what Bastian did during his speech. She might not even realize she's copying. "So. I was 18. I was in a band. There was a secret show at the Bowery Ballroom in Manhattan -- LCD Soundsystem. You might have heard of them. You definitely never heard of my band." Cheree bounces her eyebrows for emphasis.

"The opening slot my band had was kind of an unofficial tryout, for a spot on DFA Records. We played a great set, but we didn't get it. Bastian Fox approached me after the set. He's never told me what drew him to me. But something did."

Cheree continues, getting a bit emotional: "I remember that night, I told my Sire that I didn't expect to live past thirty. He counter-offered forever. And... he saved me."

There's a pause for almost two beats. "Imagine if my band /had/ gotten onto DFA Records. Imagine if Daddy /hadn't/ been there. DFA was a big deal... twenty years ago. How many of you can hum a song by the Juan MacLean? How many of you are still bumping the Rapture? How many of you /ever/ knew who Black Dice were? And that could have been me. I could be some 38-year-old who /used to be/ in a cool band. I could be a has-been, and a has-been of /dance-punk revival/. I could have been a fucking LOSER."

Cheree pauses again, and her smile is a bit of a sad one, but also a proud one. "Daddy saved me. Everything I am, everything I've been, everything I will be -- that is all at the feet of one man. My Sire. Bastian Fox. I'd like us all to please raise our glasses to /him/ -- because /he/ made me."

Karner replaces his sunglasses on his face, swapping his current glass for a fresh one. He turns around to look at Cheree as she tells her story. As is more typical of Karner, his face is hard to read. But he gladly raises a glass to Bastian. "To Bastian Fox!" Karner raises his voice, too, echoing her toast. He can really project when he wants to.

Calla looks to Edith as she draws near, having a gentle dimpled smile for her. She continues to stand near the ghoul bar. When Cheree gives her toast, she lifts her glass filled now with more blueberries than wine.

Crawley doesn't have a glass. Oops. Looks like he can't toast. But he can smile. Which he does, just sitting there and watching who around the room toasts.

Chess is just drawing breath to say something to Rach, when the stranger walks up; she looks over and up, giving Edith a little nod. But then--more speechifying, and so she listens dutifully. In some circles it's considered bad form to toast with water, but she does it anyway.

Only then does her attention return to Edith. "I'm Chess," the petite woman offers. "Pleasure to meet you."

Clap. Pause. Clap. Pause. Clap. Shelly doesn't have a glass but she gives a token of a golf clap before her hands fidget back into her pockets. All toasted and speeched out already.

"Uh, how about you? LA?" Rach asks of Chess after a satisfactorily long awkwardness, before Edith approaches.

"Uh, Edith, Chess, Chess, Edith. Um. Mister All-stair and Primogen Blue, respectively -..." Rach trails off, though, as Cheree begins to speak. She steps forward a hair, heedless of leering Peter Crawleys and the idle pleasantries of familiar socialization. She grins from ear to ear, nearly swallowing at least one of them, before bouncing and thundering her applause. She /hates/ dance-punk-revival too. They have so much in common. Wow.

Thankfully having -no- glass, Quinn simply turns and listens to the 'Ventrue of the Hour' regale her embrace tale with a faint shake of her head. Maintaining her silence, she simply smirks at the praise and open display of sycophancy? Desperation? Whatever it may be, the Brujah Primogen finally just looks away to glance about the rest of the room -- pale blue eyes catching a few others in the process.

Alejandro raises the last of his glass to Cheree, having kept a mouthful on the off chance she gave a toast so as not to be unspeakably rude and raising an empty glass. His face is inscrutable and he leans over to Quinn to say something with a friendly smile.

Becky takes a sip from her glass, before lifting it up in a silent toast.

Summer offers Zebastian's arm an amicable squeeze before leaning in and pressing a kiss to his cheek. She offers him a warm, fond look, then turns to watch the Ventrue as she makes her way forward and offers the heartfelt description of her Embrace. The Rose listens with her usual expressiveness -- her brows drawn in and up, her lips pinched and then curled, until the end, when Cheree gives cheers to her sire. "To Mister Fox," she echoes, lifting her blood-filled flute and then taking a sip from the contents.

Summer offers Zebastian a dip of her head and a polite, "Harpy Oygard," as a means of farewell. Then, she turns to stroll through the crowd in the direction of Hall, the metallic threads of her evening gown delicately shimmering beneath the ambient lighting.

"Yaaaaaay," Esther says to the toast- she's without a drink. Instead her hand goes up. Fingers out. Jazz hand! But just one. Which only makes it look more sarcastic. Quickly turning her attention down into a black purse which she must've purchased special for this. Though somehow, it's still apparently cluttered with everything to pick through.

Mae? When addressed by Nisha? Does not react - not immediately at least. There are three seconds of indifferent non-reaction, before the ... aloof? Sedate? Disconnected from reality? Ghoul turns, and simply glides away, as if she has much more significant business away from Nisha, over there, in the corner, where Mae stands -- and if one looks for long enough, one might see puffing on her vape just once before returning to immobile meditations and disinterest.

Zebastian has in this time turned to Nisha, head tipped and watching her with dreamy incomprehension. Another tip, then quietly; "...How..."

Whatever Zebastian was going to say to Nisha? Is too slow to continue -- see, Cheree is speaking and... One must listen. Aw shucks - there's nothing to toast with -- guess those hands must come together and gently move as if to toast, smile dreamy and--- what //was// that, though? A glance behind his shoulder, like Zeb--- a smile to Summer, slightly out of sync --- then a look over, across the Elysium, to Hall. A beat.

Back to Nisha; Zebastian tips his head to the side. "...Where were we? Oh; how..." A slow ocular pat-down, as if to get some mysterious information on Nisha's current state: smile complicated. "--are you?..."

Cheree lifts her glass, takes a drink, and then one of the ghoul staff approaches her and hands her a small envelope. "Oh -- one more thing," Cheree says.

"I didn't advertise this in advance, because I didn't want to seem like I was trying to bribe people to attend. But. I had a ghoul take down every Kindred who showed up, and then randomly draw one." Cheree waves the envelope in her hand.

"Whoever's in here? Gets a Trivial Boon from me. My way of saying thank you -- and that I look forward to all of us making Los Angeles what it /can/ be." Cheree opens the envelope with one hand, ripping it a bit. "So let's all give a hand to the lucky winner..."

"Miss Avery Thornton!"

Hall hasn't got a glass, either, but he nods at Cheree after she finishes her own speech, and he smiles her way. He appears startled to see Summer headed his direction, and he blinks at her a little. " -- Primogen Hastings," he says, when she's close enough to address without having to shout to be heard over the music and the murmuring crowd noise that fills the salon. "Good evening. That was, um -- a thoughtful speech that, uh. That you gave." Just before the room erupts with applause in honor of the night's raffle winner!

Rach, applauding, leans her head back to obliviously ask the other ghouls:

"Bro, what's a boon? Is that bad? Like a pox? Or a, uh... boil?" She squints.

"Why are they clapping?" She asks, clapping still.

Edith waits until there's a gap in the speeches, even applauding Cheree (and Bastian, by extension) in the same polite manner as before. To Chess, she offers a pleasantly measured smile thereafter. "Very nice to meet you too, Chess," she says, with another gentle tilt of her head.

Turning her gaze slowly around the gathering, Edith lifts an eyebrow when the boon is announced. There's nothing snide or impertinent in the tilt of her expression; nothing really at all, in fact, aside from a quiet observation of the events in play. She brings her hands together in applause if and when it's the right time.

Karner looks briefly at Hall and Summer, an eyebrow raising, and then takes his glass and makes his way over to where Crawley is sitting by himself. "Good evening, Seneschal," he greets. "I've enjoyed seeing you at so many affairs lately. Perhaps I simply didn't have the chance to attend enough events on the Camarilla party circuit before things grew rather unfortunate." With a slight grin he adds, "When will the Hidden Clan outdo us all, and throw the greatest party of all?"

The party is big, but the pleasures are small. Calla keeps eating wine soaked berries.

Chess at least has an almost empty glass, so she can in fact applaud a little. Her gaze shifts from Edith to follow Karner's movements. "San Diego," she says to Rach, glancing over to her only with an effort. "But that was a long time ago."

Shelly is done with clapping. Her hands have been pocketed. But as Avery's name is called out for winning a trivial boon, the Malkavian lets out a sharp whistle of approval/encouragement.

Becky finishes off her second drink, leaving the stained glassware behind on the table. She moves to take a step forward, before scowling and taking a moment to adjust the fit of the unfamiliar clothing.

Summer swans over and takes a spot beside Hall, her glossed-lips hiking into a broad smile. "Good evening, Mister Hall," she says, offering the man a polite dip of her auburn head. "And thank you very much. I honestly hate giving speeches..." her nose gives a delicate scrunch, but her smile remains, "Though I suppose hate is the wrong word. I'm just acutely aware that one wrong word or flub will be all anyone hears. If that makes sense?"

Summer looks at him with a playful gaze and then lifts her shoulder, appearing sheepish but goo-humored. Her voice drops, affording a soft aside as she tilts her head in. Afterward, she pulls back with a grin and adds, "It's nice to see you outside of Elysium. I don't think we've run into each other anywhere else."

Not having a drink either with which to toast Cheree's speech, Avery is casually drifting towards the refreshment stand in the midst of everything when she hears her name called out and pauses, head turning slowly in Cheree's direction as if there must be some mistake. But nope, no mistake there it seems! She gives the Ventrue Harpy a nod of thanks, then glances at Shelly with a big ass grin at the sharp whistle.

Summer also claps for Avery! She looks rather thrilled for the Warlock.

Edith turns to Rach and clarifies, "It just means a favour, as far as I'm aware -- either giving one, or owing, or agreeing to one. A social contact between Kindred. But don't quote me on that." She smiles and shrugs a shoulder apologetically. "I'm actually still new to all this."

Cheree moves out into the crowd, looking to see if she can find the lucky Tremere. In the course of looking for Avery, she pauses to settle her gaze on Chess, Calla, Edith, and especially Rach. "...is she behaving?" she asks the three non-Rach individuals.

Of course, right then, she actually spots Avery, and leans in to offer a half-hug, hands on Avery's elbows, and an air-kiss to either cheek. "Congratulations."

"I'm unsure how I'm doing, Zebastian. I haven't checked in with myself lately. My inner clockwork might need some repair. Self medication is a solution ... if at least not a tunnel to chase escapism into other less concerning problems. Yeah?", swaying on her feet, Nisha nods to Mae and points at her vape pen. Pulling her own out in return and smoking publicly with strawberry vapor.

Then speeches are being had and Nisha shuts up, to be respectful. Raising her -bloodied- glass in the air to Cheree and Mr. Fox.

Doing such with some proximity fanfare and applause. Before draining the glass whole in one sip like a monster. "Evidently thirsty, I am.", flicking the empty glass. Trying to honestly gauge how strong Fox might be with such a potence fueled flick. *Tink tink tink*

"Oh... yay! Win that shit Avery!!!", whoo! "I need another drink.", sauntering away back to the refreshments bar.

Avery winning something merits a golf clap from Esther. Tip-tap-tip-tap. But then the actress is sliding back in toward Cheree. "Having a good night, I take it?" Esther asks, putting her arm back around the smaller woman's shoulders. "God, I wish someone threw me a party like this sometime."

Crawley was doing the 'Elysium lean' -- that process when the situation in the Camarilla's sanctum has become so tedious that even vampires, who feel no particular urge to sleep at night, are starting to zone out. It's more common in Europe.

Still, Karner Blue, of all people, saves him from the doldrums. As the director approaches him the Sewer Rat cranes his neck upward at a weird angle, "I attend more than few events, Primogen, but purely as a spectator. So it is easy to overlook my presence. You know I am not one for social pleasantries."

A faint grin curls at the corner of his lips, "More than a few of these Kindred in here would murder each other if left to their own devices, yet, they are willing to put on masks to pretend otherwise. It is .. amusing, to watch. Allows me to .." he glances at his robe, patting the front, "update my ledger."

"As for parties," Crawley arches a brow, "you were at Bar Sinister, I think? At least I saw you on the security footage. I think people had a good time there. As for how it compares to other events? I am no judge of any good times."

He suddenly crooks a finger toward Rach and says, "Primogen. Answer me this riddle. I believe myself to be the most wretched creature at this party tonight. Yet, I sadly, find myself upstaged by that one." He seems very mildly annoyed.

Calla looks to Cheree, nodding in response to her words. She then dips down into a curtsy. "She is behaving very nicely, Harpy Crowley and happy embrace day. I would have said so earlier, but I didn't want to interupt."

After air-kissing Avery, Cheree settles into Esther's wing. "...well, when do you want me to throw one?" Cheree asks, up toward the much taller faux-goth. "I mean, I don't even need a reason, just give me a date." Her arm loops around Esther's back. She looks happy, she looks comfortable, and the ghouls don't seem to be telling her that Rach is being a monster. Yet. "Thank you, Calla~."

Wry grins seem to be the mood for Alejandro tonight. He gives one to Quinn with a nod and a slight chuckle and a second to Nisha. "You're still here, Miss Yoon. That is a sign that you are doing at least moderately well, I find.." whatever it is he's about to say he stops and looks straight to Crawley and follows his finger to Rach, having been paying some attention to the other Primogen present. Rach, who had been completely beneath his radar until now, becomes the object of his scrutiny.

"Quite so, Seneschal Crawley. I think quite a few of these Kindred would murder /me/ if left to their own devices." Karner unleashes one of his hyena-like laughs, oh-so-loud in the low-ceilinged space. Who designed this room?! "It's really quite remarkable, watching everyone behave themselves. But yes, I was indeed at Bar Sinister. I heard a rumor that there was quite an outstanding DJ set, but alas...I was upstairs." He lets out a little sigh. "I always preferred upstairs, you see, as it's a bit quieter. Pity I missed the set, however. The event seemed well-received, at any rate."

Karner then looks over to where Crawley's pointing, his eyebrows climbing slowly upwards. "That is a ghoul known as 'Rach'...Harpy Crowley's only recently taken her under her black-clad wing. She's over there with my ghoul, Chess." A big, slightly mischievous grin comes to his face. "Perhaps I should introduce them to you? I'm not quite sure they've shown the proper respect. I blame ignorance, mostly, though I suppose some of that is my fault."

Hall nods to Summer in return. "Yeah, that, uh. Makes perfect sense," he says. "But. I guess, uh. You'll have to pick another night to get started, if. You want to 'fail fast, fail often.'" And he grins, the expression a little crooked on his face. So that was probably a compliment, of sorts.

As for meeting one another, that quick, sometimes tentative smile of his flickers, and Hall looks a bit chastened. "I, uh. Guess that means. I should get out more. I probably haven't, um. Shown my face enough, since -- " But he just pauses, not finishing that sentence. Summer and everyone else surely know since what. "Although. You must be -- I'm sure that, um. You're very busy, still. These nights. And. It's, uh. Kind of you to -- to greet me, um. Like this."

"She is," Edith says, confirming Calla's assurances that Rach is being a good little ghoul. She doesn't curtsy, but instead offers a courteous dip of her head, perfectly proper 'n polite. Again, though, Calla gets copied. "Happy Embrace Day." Ghouls being good ghouls, and all that.

Chess gives the incoming Cheree a small, deferential nod that might also be the answer to the question. She doesn't at all interrupt the interaction between Cheree and the favor-winner and Esther, however. Instead she turns her attention to Rach. "You'll get used to it," she murmurs.

"Thank you, Edith," Cheree says, feigning politeness like a professional.

Seeing Cheree approach, Avery does goes to meet the Ventrue of honor, allowing for the half-hug and air kisses even if she looks a little on the awkward side of receiving them. "Thank you," she murmurs in response, stepping back then as Cheree heads back to Esther, who's look tonight gains a curious look from the Tremere.

Rach refocuses on Cheree. She gives her a 'thank-god' smile and gravitates over and joins her side, not quite lashing onto her so as to avoid disrupting Esther's hold, but she's /hovering/.

"Dude, Cheree, you'd know if I wasn't. I've been on my best Ps and Qs and minding my, uh... I mean - you know what I mean." She pounds the rest of her glass and lets out a small huff as the fizz from the bubbly burns her sinuses.

"Can you, like, do me a boon and tell me where I can, like, powder my nose around here? The champagne isn't quite doing it for me." She seems utterly oblivious that there's a fair number of curious eyes coming to be peeled in her direction.

Rach winks at Edith as she uses her new vocabulary word.

"Is it not a gift, to sense anything at all?..." Zebastian asks Nisha, in that hazed-out airy way of his, head tipped as he watches her start to slip away - gentle confusion deepening as she pulls a vape out and puffs. Totally lost -- or nearly totally lost -- definitely at a loss for words.

Is the Elysium Lean contagious? Is it related to standard lean? Zebastian is leaning away - drifting - looking down at the floor, where the glass-covered rivulets from the main seven-sided fountain over yonder, flow. The Malkavian seems ... perplexed by these, as well. The 'water' features, with their red tint. They are observed, as the muted Malkavian drifts without aim.

Karner's blue-haired sidekick--that would be Chess--winces slightly, and bites down hard on the inside of her lower lip. There's an awakening of tension in her posture, the readiness to move should things suddenly become violent--and after one lightning glance in KArner's direction, all her attention is on Cheree.

"'Do you a boon?'" Cheree's tone goes completely flat, and her expression sinks into cold fury. "'Do you a boon.'"

Cheree looks to Edith, Calla, and Chess. "What are you /telling/ her?" Her glare -- and it's a /glare/ -- directs itself at Rach. "Go back to the suite. You're done for the night. You're sleeping in the closet tonight." Then Cheree's /glare/ turns itself toward the other three ghouls. "And you three. Where were you just now? 'Do me a boon.' Are you /trying/ to make my ghoul sound like a moron? Is this some kind of stupid breather /prank/ you all play on each other? Honestly. You three should know better. You should be ashamed of yourselves. God knows your domitors are."

Then, in a fit of pique, Cheree returns to Esther's arm, and turns away. She's done talking to live bodies for the night.

"Ah," Crawley smirks, "I should have known that such a broken toy would find it's way into Miss Crowley's chest. It is no surprise." The Nosferatu looks past Karner to Rach for a a moment, then away, as he is clearly sated ..for now.

Back to Karner, the smirk starts to fade at the Malk's mention of people wanting to murder /him/. He says, "Nonsense, Primogen. I am sure that you have been forgiven for your transgressions. After all, it was clear that you found yourself in a difficult situation and did your best. What one of us would done different?" A beat. "The Beast and the fear of our final death breeds desperate souls."

The mention of the DJ draws a nod from the Seneschal, "Indeed. The music choice was quite good. We Nosferatu may have faces that look like a dogshit, but our ears and fingers work perfectly fine. Like Qusimodo. A face reviled by so many, yet able to create magnificence. The beauty comes from within, Primogen."

A second glance to Chess and Rach and he waves a dismissive hand, "I do not need to meet ghouls. Their respect is /not/ required, only their obedience."

The Warlock's look gets a wink from Esther. Always wry, that one.

Then comes the talk of 'doing a boon'. And Esther can't help but snicker. Hand coming up to cover her mouth. And when Cheree reacts? A little more laughter, followed quickly by a noise of concern. Her arm quickly coming up, squeezing Cheree's shoulders. She leans in, saying softly, "Hey, kiddo. It's only embarrassing if you're embarrassed." Which, well, she would know. Still smiling.

"C'mon. There are more people who want to say hi. You can tell them this was your idea," a hand moves down her entire outfit.

Visibly rolling her eyes as the hostess with the not-so-mostess flips a switch, the Brujah Primogen grumbles slightly, "Oh, for fuck's sake." Those pale blue eyes of hers wander over to take note of the quadrangle of ghouls -- shaking her head all the while. Slowly looking back to regard both Shelly and Alejandro, she comments dryly, "I can't deal with this shitshow anymore. I'm out. If I stick around, laws are going to wind up broken."

Which laws? Well given the location, it's a pretty good guess, as Quinn heads for the exit.

"Where did you even get that much printer toner?" Cheree teases Esther as she's led off, forgetting the ghoul incident nearly as quickly as it started.

Summer's expression softens as Hall stammers his good-natured replies, her demeanor patient and friendly. "Hah," she says after his assessment of her speech, laughing and then scrunching her nose, adding, "Thank you." A beat. "I think?" She hikes an eyebrow and feigns a scrutinizing /stare/...but the look smooths away a moment later, once again with a broad grin.

"That's quite alright," she goes on to say, "About not seeing you about, I mean. Elysium can be very crowded...case in point..." Summer glances to the side, looking at the rather spectacular but well-dressed crowd before looking back to the Ventrue, "And likely not a very good place to get to know anyone. Still, I feel remiss, and insist..."

Summer's voice trails as Cheree begins to berate the other ghouls. She looks from the Ventrue to the trio of somewhat-living souls and her smile slips a touch. "Miss Calla? Miss Edith? Have you met Mister Hall?"

Edith, when away from Ian, apparently has something akin to a conscience and a sense of accountability -- and though she's not entirely to blame for Rach's mistake, she actually looks quite crestfallen for her fellow ghoul. There's even an expression on her face, look at that. With an apologetic glance Rach-wards, she then turns back to Cheree and nods. "It wasn't a prank. I should have explained myself better." She's taking responsibility for this one, so that Calla and Chess don't have to. Then, with a nod, she asks, "May I take my leave, Harpy Crowley?"

Appalled, Chess looks at Cheree with wide eyes for a moment, and then her gaze snaps downward to the floor. A flush splashes across pale cheeks, heat rising sudden under her skin. Her posture draws inward--though it's hardly possible for her to get any smaller, really. When the vampire of the hour is done with that setdown, Chess dares a sidelong look to Karner, without so much as lifting her bowed head.

Alejandro watches Cheree with a cultivated dispassion on his face. "Please allow me walk you out, Primogen Gallo. It is not safe to go alone."

Cheree wanders off without answering Edith, so the answer is probably 'yes' or 'I don't care' or 'you can go' or some variation thereof.

Rach nailed it. She totally, effortlessly nailed the pop vocabulary quiz. She's actually smirking, smugly, as she turns back to Cheree, and finds herself facing a very reptilian looking stare.

Rach turns so pale, so fast, it's like she was embraced on the spot.

She steps back a hair, and when Cheree thankfully redirects her attention to the trio of remaining ghouls, gives Edith a look that screams: 'man, what the hell!'

This is before she scurries off, grabbing a handful of cocktail shrimp as she goes (even a blood fiend needs dinner accommodations), just fat-fisting them into a greedy chest-clutch, and angling herself for the elevator. She rapidly taps against the call button with her rear.

Who's having a good time, over there? Ignorable? As the party princess Cheree has a death-day diatribe at some young breathers over in the far distance? Mae. Unbothered. Moisturised. Indifferent. In Her Own Lane. Focused. Flourishing. Thriving, in a bubble of complete silence and utter disregard to the happenings of other more sociable ghouls who pass time communicating. Not Mae. Mae hasn't said - won't say - ain't gonna say shit. She's got her own business to attend to - well Zebastian's business by proxy -- and that business includes not giving a shit about anything that's going on. Mae is exceptionally disinterested.

Zebastian? Quite interested in the aesthetics of the Elysium rather than the going ons or anything --- or... Not? Who knows. There is a low hum -- sing-song almost, half a ditty that is not relates to the string quartet, yet still has him smiling dreamily to himself, head dipped to the side as he drifts aimlessly.

Harper's attention pulls away from her conversation to focus on Cheree. There's no smile, expression blank though there's that slight tilt to her head as she watches what's occuring. A sigh follows as she watches the ghouls scurry and as Quinn starts to make her way out she says something to Marquez. The quiet murmur and then she's walking over towards Cheree.

Having finished straightening out her clothes, Becky was on her way to join Summer and Hall. And then the kerfluffle with the Ghouls. Going utterly status still, the Gangrel stares unblinkingly at the Gaggle of Ghouls.

"Yeah, sure..." the reply is given to Alejandro at his offer, Quinn managing a final glance over towards Cheree with a pointed shake of her head. Without further adieu, the Brujah Primogen walks out with a Tremere escort.

Marquez gives a nod back to Harper, his arm extending as she leaves his side to make it a tad easier. He remains there, watching the ghoul-drama with a slight shake of his head.

Karner watches Cheree and the ghouls with a slight frown, but. He'll deal with /that/ in a little bit. For now, he turns back to Crawley. "Obviously I'm inclined to agree with you, Seneschal, but you'd be astounded by the rancor I still seem to incur. I am not proud of my past actions, but all I can do now is try to make up for them." He takes a sip from his glass. "One hopes the rest of the Praxis will eventually understand."

He chuckles again at the bit about dogshit. "Seneschal, I admire a great deal about the Hidden Clan, and I am not only saying that because you're one of them. I think I would have made rather a good Nosferatu myself, in fact. To craft something wonderful out of something awful is more than most artists can hope for." Then Karner clucks his tongue. "Yes, a little more obedience seems to be in order." He changes tact. "Do you think a great number of Anarchs will attend that...interesting idea for a party Primogen Hastings is having, Seneschal?" Speaking of the Primogen, something going on over there appears to make him frown slightly.

Calla stops eating her wine soaked blueberries when Cheree looks in direction and she sucks in a soft breath as she focuses on the Venture Princess. She dips into a curtsy, her cheeks are pale and the girl seems nervous. She parts her lips as if about to speak and then looks over to Edith at her rescue with a grateful smile. She looks over to Rach as she leaves and back to Cheree. Calla keeps the curtsy low, she keeps silent and then turns her focus to Summer with a gentle smile. "Oh, I know Doctor Hall, but I want to know him better." She says and starts that way. She gives Edith a smile as if welcoming her silently along.

"Of course," Hall tells Summer. "At your convenience, Primogen Hastings." At her question, he looks from her to Calla and Edith. He raises an eyebrow, then just grins. "Oh, sure, uh. We've -- I think that we've, um. All met. Good evening, Miss Sunberry. Miss Lee-Prescott. How are, uh. How are you -- finding the party?"

Becky's head turns, tracking some of the Ghouls as they approach Hall and Summer. That stare lingers for a bit, before she huffs out a soft breath and starts to make her way towards the exit. Seems that the Gangrel has had enough of Social Time this evening.

After a moment of studying the floor, Edith looks up with her poker-face back on. She seems ready to leave, looking over her shoulder, but then seems to belatedly recognize that Summer just said something to her. The ghoul blinks after a few seconds, and puts a smile on her face that's... well, it's a perfect example of a small smile. "Oh, Primogen hastings. Excuse me." To Hall, a nod of her head, the same sile. "Doctor Hall. Hello" As to his question, she lets Call do the talking for now. Edith's probably still feeling terrible; maybe also wondering what Ian's going to say about all of this.

Chess lets out a breath, when punishment seems to be--well, at least deferred. She looks over when Summer is kind enough to introduce the others to Hall; for her part she gives both the Doctor and the Rose a rather compromised and still-unsettled smile.

Cheree is still clinging to Esther -- she seems quite comfortable there, walking at the tall actress's side. So it's not hard at all for Harper to move up on her position. Cheree is back to being all smiles, in fact.

Calla makes her way over to Summer and Hall. She gives them a smile. "Primogen Hastings." She says gently in her direction. "You speech was wonderful. It is very wonderful to see you again. I would have greeted earlier, but I didn't interupt you at such a busy moment." She says and then looks over to Hall. "And Doctor Hall. I have msised you. Glad to see you again. I wish I could hug you, but I don't know if...you would take a hug from a ghoul, but if you would..."

Summer offers Calla and Edith a welcoming smile, though the latter's address to Hall -- /Doctor/ Hall -- makes that smile slip so that she can look properly chagrined. "Oh," she says, glancing at the Ventrue, "Doctor Hall. My apologies. And here I am, a Primogen needing a nudge in etiquette from a very capable ghoul. Good evening, Miss Calla..." she offers the ghoul a gentle touch on the shoulder and then a kiss to her cheek, "And Miss Edith."

Summer moves to wrap her arm around Edith's shoulders, drawing her in and then stooping down to give the ghoul an amicable peck on her cheek. "We were just talking about the pitfalls of socializing in Elysium," she says, bringing the ghouls into the conversation, "How it's convenient but very difficult." A beat. "And chatty."

Summer looks up to see Becky's approach, the Gangrel received with equal warmth as she says, "Good evening, Becky. Nice to see you again. See? If it weren't for Elysium, I don't think we would have met."

Calla is so very flattered when Summer kisses her cheek and she looks all happy. She holds it together and doesn't make a fool of herself though, giving her a dimpled smile even as her cheeks are pink.

The Keeper cuts a bit of a figure as she moves across the floor, the crimson gown she's wearing sliding along with each step as though liquid. She gives Cheree a small smile as she comes to a stop. "Lovely gathering Harpy Crowley, everyone seems to be having a delightful time. Congratulations on your anniversary and here is to many more in the future." She leans in then to whisper something quietly to the Ventrue Party girl before straightening up and looking at her with a lifted brow so see what she replies.

Esther chats as she escorts Cheree through the crowded throng of the party. Escorting the girl from conversation to conversation. Esthers free hand waving, gesturing. A constant flurry of glossy, black nail polish. When Harper arrives, the raven haired Malkavian smiles.

A bit airy, as if walking on tiny bubbles, Nisha is tip toeing on her sobriety, sneaking back to Zeb with a couple of refreshments in her arms, "If no one else is drinking? Why should we let it go to waste?", offering some blood over to Zeb as she hordes a bunch of drinks in her arms. "Hmm, that's an excellent question. One I want to think deeply about. I don't want to give you a -shallow- answer. Sometimes it's about the depths and unknown oceans inside us and searching there.", leaning in to Zeb so she wouldn't fall over.

"Would you be willing to host another salon for us? I do miss them so. Various topics to explore and discuss. Poking at the intellectual mind partaking of the philosophy of the soul. I question, the topic of -forgiveness-. Can we forgive as kindred? Can we let our grudges go. Certainly God has not forgiven us or Caine, if such mythology are true or endure. Me personally ... I like to believe in forgiveness because sometimes I feel like I'm the worst sinner. -- We all have beasts and struggle with our humanities, it's perhaps a interesting topic for us to insert into the stratospheric hive-mind of interwoven kindred thought throughout the Praxis.", shrugging at that. "Perhaps we can ... take a reflective moment to be appreciative for the various kindred in our lives, I'm trying to. So in short a salon topic on the healing of the soul, might work some healing magic?", shrugging, a bit of Dr. Yoon showing through.

Cheree smiles to Harper. "Keeper Campbell. If you haven't yet met her, allow me to introduce you to Miss Esther Rosewaffer of Clan Malkavian." She leans in to listen to the whisper, and then lifts her head, returning the arched-brow look of the Keeper. "...so be it, then," she says.

Becky pauses in her exit as she is greeted by Summer. She offers the Summer a faint smile in return. "Good evening Primogen. Certain that we'll run into each other on another evening. Goodnight." A headbob, then the Gangrel takes her leave.

Hall glances over at Becky, waving her way when he sees her start to head for the exit. "Night, Becky." Then he looks back at Summer, Edith, Calla, and Chess. "That's, uh, all right," he says. "Hall or, uh. Ashley is -- fine, too." To Chess, he says, "Long time no see, uh. By the way, Chess." About hugging, he gives Calla a somewhat uncertain look, at first -- not much of a toucher, in general -- but then he leans down enough for her to be able to reach him, anyway. "Where's, uh. Primogen Schultz?" he asks. And he looks at Edith. "Or Alastor Stanford? I mean -- never mind, uh, you don't -- have to answer that, I'm. Sure that they -- sure that they're busy, they must. Have, uh. A lot to. Occupy them both."

"Souffrir est un art.." Crawley responds to Karner's words about making something wonderful from the awful, "And, few, save your own Clan, suffer more than we do, Primogen Blue. At least Malkav's gift gives you the decency of some rare insights and vision. Our blood is a curse - nothing more." He's not bitter.

His gaze remains on Karner as he mentions his own redemption arc, "I'm certain that loyal service to this Praxis will earn you the admiration that you seek." A beat. "As for you being a member of the Hidden Clan. Well, you have many positive qualities, Primogen Blue, but humility is not one of them. The transformation from your former self would have taught you that. Perhaps it would have made you more formidable." He studies the Malkavian closely, "Yes, I think you would have made a fine Nosferatu, and I am saddened it did not come to pass."

The statement about Summer's party draws an arch of his brow. "Will the Anarchs come," he smirks again, waving his hand, "look around you Primogen Blue. Given the number of quite stunning physical specimens we have in this Praxis, I believe there will be a line out the door to get in and see them in swimsuits."

A glance around the room as if trying to spy some of then, then back to Karner, "And not a few wanting to get a glimpse of Primogen Hastings as such. I know there are more than a few Anarchs who have had their eyes on her for quite a time."

Edith sees momentarily surprised by the peck on the cheek, but not horrified or stumped by it. It just takes her a a few moments to manage to form a response, which actually just consists of a small nod and a murmured, "I see. Thank you." Her features crumple into something less grave, just fractionally, for just a fraction of a second, before a small smile gets tilted to Summer. Then she turns to Hall, and says, "It's alright. But yes, the Alastor a busy man." She doesn't add much to that, seemingly answering only out of politeness. Edith has the look of someone who has already departed the room -- if not in body, then in spirit.

Chess gives Hall a sudden, genuine smile, almost relieved--although she's been doing her best maybe-if-I-think-hard-enough-the-floor-will-swallow-me for a while, his attention seems to tug her out of the dangerous waters.

Avery watches the goings-on quietly, inching her way over to where Shelly is for a few moments. "We should play some mini-golf again some night, Deputy Marin," she begins with a small smile. "Unless you have a fun suggestion for something to do in Hollywood?"

"A pleasure," Esther greets Harper with an overly formal flourish. A tone that mocks the idea of an introduction. Then a look, from one to the other, "What are we talking about?"

Harper gives Cheree a wink, then looks to Esther. "I have, pleasure to see you Miss Rosewaffer. We met once briefly over at the other Elysium. I hope you find yourself enjoying this one just as much." A nod to the two before before she turns and starts to make her way over towards the elevator.

"I haven't had much chance to get down to North Park since the move up to Hollywood," Shelly admits sadly to Avery. "Though, the Chancellor does keep tempting with promises of glow ball golf if I were to just make my way over to Hancock Park for a night. Perhaps you could join as well and we can make it a foursome if we find another person too? A foursome is a golf term, right?"

Schultz makes his way into Sunset Noir, late, although he would surely say he's right on time, and the party started early. He's dressed in a tuxedo tonight, tailored perfectly to his unchanging frame, in a classic black-on-white palette. Patent leather shoes shined to a mirror finish complete the look, and his hair is gelled into submission in an outdated, Hollywood golden age kind of way. He glances around as he enters, taking stock of who is gathered where, bfeore delving into the social fracas.

As Harper exits, Cheree shakes her head softly, and then leans said head against Esther's shoulder/chest general area. "It's nothing," she says. "Just business." Cheree closes her eyes for a second, and then gives Esther's middle a squeeze. "You know, this means you're going to have to come up with something new for Halloween."

"Goodnight," Summer says to Becky, returning the head-bob with one of her own.

The Toreador looks back to Hall as he offers his reassurances, her tongue giving a soft *click* before she says, "Are you sure? I thought doctors were rather stuffy about that sort of thing. Medicinal or academic -- I don't think it makes a difference when it comes to hubris." She grins at him, just enough to flash a very mortal canine before she asks, "What sort are you, then? Doctor, I mean."

She might add more, but that is when she notices Chess with her sudden, genuine smile. The Rose looks at her with amicable curiosity, her hazel-green eyes flicking and then settling on her face. "Hello," she says, unwinding her arm from Edith to offer her hand to Chess, "I don't think we've met. I'm Summer Hastings, Primogen for Clan Toreador."

Supposing the ghoul allows, she'll offer a pleasant handshake. A moment later, the arm returns to Edith's shoulders, giving her a silent buoying squeeze.

Marquez makes a slow walk over to near the elevator, as he did when he first came in giving nods and brief greetings to those he knows. It doesn't take long though, and he is already by the elevator when Harper makes her way there. He presses the button when he sees her walking over.

"It can be hard to share or even understand those visions, sometimes, Seneschal," Karner says to him, "if one cannot tell what is real and what is fantasy, as is the case with no small number of my clanmates." The blue velvet-clad Karner is chatting with Crawley in some yonder corner. He has to smile when Crawley gives what he must take as a compliment -- that he'd make a good Nosferatu! "I'm a bit sad about it myself, Seneschal Crawley. Pity I can't have a do-over." Karner strokes his chin, like he's really and truly thinking about this.

Then Karner does indeed take a look around the room at the various attractive men and ladies in their couture wear. "Mm," Karner says. "Curious. And dangerous, if you ask me, but I'm rather used to opening my home to all manner of creatures." Noting Schultz finally arriving, Karner gives Crawley a broad smile. "But would you excuse me, Seneschal? I should go and say hello to Primogen Schultz. It was a pleasure to speak with you, as always." Karner's words are quite genuine as he bows his head a little and moves to greet Schultz, giving him a congenial slap on the shoulder. "Hallo, Schultzy. Better late than never, eh?"

Calla continues to stand close to Summer, Hall and Edith. She looks over to Hall and ohhs softly. "Oh, he is very busy." She murmurs in regards to Schultz. "I am sure he wishes he could be here and wish Harpy Crawley a happy name day though." She adds a moment later. She then looks to Schultz, because well Calla tends to notice him. She has an adoring dimpled smile for her regnent. "Oh, he is here." She then adds to Hall.

With a bit of a wave, Javier buttons up his jacket and then smiles as he makes his way out. A soft mumbled, "Good to see you" or "Excuse me" is offered to those he passes until the tall Gangrel makes it out."

"Oh, sweetie, I have a million ideas. Halloween is like, my Christmas. Well, I mean, other than Hanukkah, but that wasn't really a thing when I was a kid? Not a big deal," Esther pushes away the idea. "Anyway, I've got costume ideas. We'll make it a bash." As she continues to escort Cheree around her party.

Schultz makes his way through the crowd, looking toward Cheree, but Karner soon enough appears and Schultz seems untroubled by the change in plans. "Why, Karner!" he replies, "How lovely to see you!" He leans forward to offer and air-kiss to each cheek of his fellow Primogen, before he adds, "You know, I think we might have a bit of business to discuss when you have the time. After the festivities, perhaps. I wouldn't want to short-change our leisure time, after all!"

Harper comes to a stop to wait for the elevator, giving a bright smile as Schultz steps out. Then he's off to greet others and she steps into the now open doors.

Hmm? Zebastian's dreamy contemplative observation of the glass-covered rivulets of fountain water that run along the floor of the Elysium is interrupted, as Nisha returns -- the offer for a drink? Politely declined with an abstracted gesture -- and the Malkavian seems all so incredibly slow and dreamy and calm to the point of possible sedation or dissociation---

---then Nisha goes to lean on him - touch - get close, and it's not that Zebastian dodges -- oh don't be silly, he's not an /acrobat/ -- it's just that he's chosen that exact moment to lean down and brush a hand near the surface of the glass-covered rivulet, before half-waltz swoop-swish-turn and--- watch Nisha stumble? Listen to her as she sways? Gives her some space, as he listens, fingers coming through the ends of his hair and---

There is a long silence from Zebastian, then:

"...The only person who can forgive you is God." Zebastian tips his head to the side -- and for the subtextual weight of that simple statenent? He still simply watches Nisha with dreamy consideration. "What you're describing? Isn't salon material, darling-- it's a wake."

Chess swallows, the smile fading away into seriousness as her eyes go a little wide. She hesitates only an instant before taking the woman's offered hand; then she sweeps one leg forward in a perfect Elizabethan courtier's bow over that hand, though she does *not* make contact with it. When she straightens, she meets Summer's gaze for only an instant before averting her eyes. "Chess," she says. "I'm... Karner's. Honored to meet you, Primogen."

"Well, if it wasn't a term before, it definitely it is now," Avery replies to Shelly with a soft laugh. "And I'd love to join in. Real golf can't be /that/ hard... can it?" Amusement dances in her eyes now and she shakes her head. "As interesting as tonight has been, I do think I'm going to slip out. You still have my number still, yes?"

Edith seems to forget herself just for a few beats, and actually smiles to Summer and Calla in a way that makes her usually stern face look a little softer and more her age. She might even lean closer to Summer, too -- just for a moment -- but nobody saw that, alright? Alright. As soon as the lapse in Edith-ing comes, it's gone, and she's got her game face back on, a frown crossing her features as if she's scared she got caught out. Hall gets an apologetic curve of her lips.

"You never know until you try," Shelly gives a wink to the Tremere. "And I believe I do. Conveniently, I was about to head that way too soooooo, after you." She waves a hand for Avery to head first but eventually they'll join the others trickling towards the elevators.

Crawley nods to Karner, listening to the Malkavian Primogen's words with enough care that one might be convinced he's interested. It is more than most get. When the blue-suited director moves to excuse himself, he nods again, "As you wish, Primogen. I am about to depart myself. The Seneschal's work is never done."

He moves to push up from the chair, a chair that he gunked earlier with his undead ear wax. But all that is forgotten .. in the past, and on the chair's arm.

Straighting his robe, he meanders out into the Elysium, sort of walking in what seems to be a random pattern. That is until he sees Cheree. When he catches her, the Nosferatu just /stares/ at the Ventrue. Like he can see right through her. Just standing there, silent, clearly judging .. measuring the poor thing.

Then, in a series of quick steps, he is crossing the floor toward the conference room, seeking to put this soiree and those silly games in his wake.

Karner seems happy enough to return Schultz's air kisses. "Business? Why, I do so love discussing business with the Ventrue. Tell me, are stock options involved?" He lets out one of his distinctive laughs. "But I'm happy to do so, of course. Later would be fine. Shall I help you find the Kindred of the evening?" He scans the room for Cheree, then points her out for the Ventrue Primogen's benefit. It's right after Crawley's taken a moment to stare right through her like she's made of glass.

Hall blinks at Summer. "I'm a Doctor of Philosophy," he answers, pronouncing the phrase in a rather dry voice. "Not a medical doctor." He pauses, biting his lip, as though not quite sure how much detail to offer about his education. But then he does clarify, "I'm, uh. A physicist." Before falling quiet while Summer and Chess introduce themselves to one another. As for Schultz, after Calla points him out, Hall turns to look his way. "Oh, uh. You're right. Speak of the devil, I guess." And he gives Edith a quick smile.

Schultz looks over and, if he noticed the eyeballing Cheree got, he gives on indication. "Why, there she is! My duties kept me for most of the night, but I'm glad I've seen her while she's still vertical." He pauses for a moment, seeing if Karner will accompany him in the direction of the birthday (deathday?) girl with a side nod of his head. If Karner is willing to do so, Schultz will go and greet Cheree warmly, offering an air-kiss next to a cheek (and one for Edith too!) before handing Cheree a small envelope, assuring her, "Just a card, though Hallmark doesn't *quite* cover this sort of event."

"Thank you, Primogen Schultz," Cheree trills, returning the air-kiss and accepting her gift. "I'm sorry you missed Daddy." She then disappears back into her nebulous, off-camera socializing.

Oh, Karner is more than willing to come along with Schultz, apparently, although he does look over to where Hall and Summer and the ghouls are all talking. Watching them all for a moment, he taps Schultz on the shoulder. "I suppose I'm going over there. Do you want to come as well, Schultzy?" Calla is over there too, so Karner seems to assume he will -- but he doesn't mention her by name.

Summer would never ruin Edith's street cred by fawning /too much/ but that gentle arm remains wrapped around her shoulders as the conversation continues. Her smile grows when Chess introduces herself, the Primogen offering a polite dip of her head as she says, "A pleasure to meet you, Miss Chess. I'm surprised we haven't met before, what with the Primogen's fondness for traveling in groups. I know things got a little rough there for a moment, but I hope you're enjoying the evening."

Summer looks from Chess to Edith and Calla, adding, "Do the three of you know each other? Beyond the whole..." she glances to the side where they were standing when Cheree yelled at him, "Misunderstanding?"

While they take the time to answer, Summer looks over at Hall and says, "A doctor of philosophy? You might enjoy chatting with Alastor Stanford. He loves that sort of thing..."

Her voice trails as the small group notices Schultz, at which point the Toreador smiles and offers a wave in his direction. "I'm afraid I must be heading out. If anyone would like a ride?"

"Oh my god!", Nisha spills a few drinks as Zeb dodges away from her, and sends the poor gangrel sprawling. She spills a ton of drinks to the ground making a fucking -mess-. "... Omg dude.", gasping in extreme horror at the party foul. "Like what the fuck bro...", taking a deep breath and nodding.

"Ok, I can clean this shit up.", looking around to fix the mess while still sipping more blooded champagne. "Any volunteer ghouls able to fetch me a broom and dust pan, please? -- I can quickly suck all this blood up... if nobody minds me doing a small party trick?", going into masquerade clean up mode. Handling the situation quite calmly as she instantly sobered up. Buzz now killed.

Slowly lowering to the ground to set the rest of the champagne down. Picking up broken class with her bare hands and fingers, fortitude keeping her mostly safe. Picking up shards with her black talons. Continuing on like nothing had ever happened, working on the floor to clean up the mess.

"So what's the difference between a salon and wake, Zeb? You mean wake like a funeral?", unsure what the Malkavian meant as she focused on cleaning the floor up.

Calla is still lingering close to Hall, Edith and Summer. She looks in the red rose's direction as she speaks to her, nodding quickly and almost eagerly like she wants to respond to her quickly. "Oh, we do all know each other, but thank you very much Primogen Hastings." She says with a note of warmth in her tone. She then peeks over to Edith, having a dimpled smile for her as if she noticed that earlier smile. Oh, Calls is aware of Schultz with all her adoring longing, but she doesn't rush over to him.

Hall smiles back at Summer. His enthusiasm seems genuine, and for a moment, he even appears slightly less uncomfortable than before. "Yes, uh, we -- we've only met, um. The once, but. It's clear that Alastor Stanford is -- exceedingly thoughtful, and, um. Well educated, too."

Schultz, having greeted Cheree, nods to Karner and makes his way over toward the ghouls and Summer. He catches the wave offered by Summer and offers her a smile in return. He makes his way toward her and offers a hand for her own to rest in, so that he can lean in and air-kiss each of her cheeks. "Primogen Hastings, so nice to see you! As promised, I've come when my obligations allowed... do you have time for that chat, or are we ships passing in the night once more?" Having just arrived, he's tending to the first orders of business, and doesn't seem to note any drink-spilling or other hubbub in the lively party.

Chess is briefly lost for words, but she manages a small smile after a moment and says, quiet enough to be missed in the noise, "Calla and I have known each other a while, Primogen, though Edith and I just met." And then the beauty is... leaving? Eyes carefully trained on the floor, the blue-haired pixie merely says, "Safe journey to you and yours." Something seems to make her take a deep breath, and she takes a step back to search the crowd. When she spots Karner approaching, her eyes light up, but her expression turns almost unreadable, conflicting emotions resulting in neutrality.

Hall glances at Chess, then at Schultz, who's just burst onto the scene! "Primogen Schultz," he says. "Good evening." As for a ride, he gives Summer a quizzical look after she offers that to the small group standing nearby, but shakes his head. "Thank you, but. Uh. No thank you." Maybe the ghouls?

Zebastian's response, as Nisha stumbled and spills blood everywhere? Is to step back, lest any of it get on his Chelsea boots or tailoring. Expression? Curious, as his head tips to the side -- and he just... Watches her. Watches her ask around and look for things to fix the situation, much like someone at an experimental theatre production might watch an actor talk about Yorick while panhandling from the audience.

Only it's Nisha picking up bloodied glass with her talons.

Interesting.

Entirely not his problem.

"...Darling?..." Airily said, head tipped - dreamy and distant, as he starts to drift backwards; "...I could explain it to you, but I can't make you understand..."

This is the extent of what the muted Malkavian can say -- with an abstract gesture? Mae starts to drift after him -- and away he drifts, pulling a Norwegian Goodbye on the rest of the party, as the Malkavian drifts off towards the elevator, and off into the night.

"Well," Karner tells the group with an overly large grin on his face, "Here we all are. Ashley, how are you getting on?" He dusts some imaginary dirt from Hall's shoulder. "Having fun with the ghouls, hmm? This one isn't giving anyone any trouble, I take it." And yes, he points right at Chess when he says that. "Are you, darling." Since Summer said she was leaving, and Schultz is busy with her anyone, Karner merely gives her a nod.

Calla is quietly here, shifting her slight weight from one small foot to another and glancing down at her feet in her little lilac slippers.

Edith, at this point, is ready to head out when Summer does. Not without a polite goodbye to everyone!

The... odd...? situation with Nisha and Zebastian draws Hall's attention for a moment. He frowns their way, as though trying to understand just what the heck is going on over there. Then Karner appears. " -- oh," he says, looking back at Karner. "Uh. There you are, Primogen Blue. It's too bad that, uh. Primogen Schultz missed your speech."

"He is indeed those things," Summer agrees, nodding her head at Hall. "And I'm sorry to scurry so soon. It seems the cycle continues -- Elysium, brief chat, then farewells -- but I remain optimistic that that will change the next time we meet." The Rose offers him a cheeky smile and then places a hand to his arm, leaning in to offer a farewell kiss to his cheek. "Be well, Mister Hall. Ashley."

She draws away as Karner approaches, giving him the chance to speak to Hall. When he draws up, Summer says to Karner, "Your ghoul seems lovely, Primogen Blue. You must be very pleased..."

Her words drawl as Schultz comes over, Summer's expression visibly brightening. "And Mister Schultz. You did exactly as promised. How lovely to see you, even if in passing..." here she sighs, heavy and dramatic, then tilts her face up to receive his greeting before turning hers in to offer a mirrored mwah. "Alas, I'm on my way out," she says, sounding apologetic, "But I hope fate will be kinder soon."

Summer's arm remains about Edith, prepared to lead her when the time comes.

Swallowing hard, Chess trains her eyes on the floor again. "I hope not," she says very quietly in answer to Karner.

Karner frowns a little at something Hall says. "Yes, well, it isn't like anyone appreciated it, hmm? No matter. It was for Harpy Crowley's benefit. Hopefully she got something out of it." His eyebrows raise as Summer kisses Hall on the cheek. He opens his mouth as if to say something, then shuts it again, grinning faintly. "She does the job, Primogen Hastings, thank you. Do have a lovely evening." Karner's attention turns to Chess again, and he pats her briefly on the head. "Mm, well. That's good. Though I don't think you entirely succeeded in your assigned task tonight, hmm? We'll discuss it later."

Schultz tuts softly at the news Summer offers. "Soon, I hope, Primogen Hastings," he offers, lifting his second hand to give hers a light, two-handed squeeze, before releasing her to head off toward the elevators. He turns toward those remaining then, and offers a warm smile to those present. "Ashley! So nice to see you," he purrs, extending a hand for an old-boys-club type handshake. And then, "Chess, hello." She gets a nod and a polite smile, and then Calla a warmer one. "Calla. Good evening," he purrs, before glancing over to Karner. "A speech? My, I'd love to hear the details!"

Calla looks to Summer and Edith as they speak of leaving, givng them a warm smile. "Take care, Primogen Hastings and Edith." She murmurs softly. She then looks over to Schultz, seemingly to brighten and perk up a bit when he smiles in her direction. "Primogen Schultz." She says with soft adoration.

Chess gravitates toward Karner without seeming to move; it's a very natural process, an object returning to its allotted home. Her eyes close briefly when Blue touches her hair, and then she looks at her Domitor for a moment at the words that follow. Another swallow, a nod, and she lowers her eyes. They stay lowered when Schultz greets her, except for the quickest startled glance at the sound of her name. "Primogen," she says, very quietly. Soft enough to go unheard, even, but the reply seems a necessary courtesy.

"Yes, um. Next time," Hall tells Summer. "Thank you. Drive safe, Primogen Hastings." Then he frowns again. "What do you mean, it isn't like anyone appreciated it? I'm pretty sure, uh. All the speeches got applauded, didn't they? Yours, Primogen Hasting's... the ones from Harpy Crowley and her Sire..." As for what the speech(es) was or were about, he looks at Schultz, but leaves that for the speakers to expand on. "Good to see you, too," he says, shaking Schultz's hand. "It'd be, uh. Great to catch up, but. I'd -- better be getting back soon, um. For tonight, uh. -- Sadly."

"Says the seer of madness to a total animal.", Nisha says respectively to Zebastian with a friendly wink and giving him a laugh. The gangrel then placed a hand like a -paw- into the small but growing sea of red blood, flowing outward on the floor like a murder. Touching the middle, finding it's core and placing her fingers inside.

"Probably gonna need to call me Uber, I'm gonna get so drunk...", mumbling to herself and drinking up the blood through her hand. Watching the red tide reverse course like time re-winding, sucking the blood up by touch alone.

Her logic..., they were allowed to feed here. This constituted another form of feeding, even if it was unorthodox. Waiting until the blood is all sucked clean and off the ground. Spotless. --Purring-- as Nisha shotgunned a lot of alcohol and blood all at once, like a gangrel frat girl. The young Doctor was nearly finished with her glass clean up duty as well. "Ok, maybe next time.", sighing.

Karner glances down at the snappy Omega on his right wrist. "Yes, I should best head out myself. I'll walk out with you, Ashley. Chess, come along now." He apparently has no intention of further arguing with Hall on the reception of his speech. Then he grins, slapping Schultz on the shoulder instead. "If you'd like to meet later this evening, Schultzy, do let me know. I should be free a bit later on." He's briefly distracted by Nisha sucking up blood through her hand. It is always bit wacky when Gangrel do that.

Schultz sighs in obvious disappointment at Hall's reply. "Oh dear, it seems I've arrived just to see *everyone* leave. Well." He glances toward Karner, who then is excusing himself as well, and he gestures helplessly, before turning to Calla and shrugging. "Sure, let's see if we can talk that business," he answers to Karner.

Chess gives Hall a small smile, and offers, "'Night, Ash." She looks to Karner, falling in behind the Malkavian's shoulder when he moves to leave.

Calla takes a step closer to Schultz and then another step closer until she ends up right next to him. She looks up to him. "It does seem to be ending, Primogen Schultz, but I won't leave your side for long as you want..." She says and adoringly and tries to lean against him. Poor Schultz, he probably wanted talk with fellow vampires not Calla clinging to him, but well...

"Calla, be a dear. Please fetch me a trash can, with a dust pan and broom? I'd like to clean this mess up and get home before I'm too drunk.", letting out a soft hiccup. Nisha blinked softly, "Want to help me get babe, you and the Primogen mind giving me a ride somewhere?", slowly and tiredly laying on the floor by her glass pile.

Calla looks too Nisha, nodding in response to her words. She then darts off to go help Nisha clean. She does that, clean, clean! She tries not to get blood upon her pretty white dress or step on glass with her little violet slippers. "Oh, yeah, I mean I think so, we would be honored too, I think." She says, but leaves the final answer up to Schultz of course.

Nisha begins to suck up any red spots off Calla's white dress if it were to occur, mystically draining the blood via touch. "This is good skill to learn to uphold the masquerade if you ever get embraced. Do you want to get embraced, not everyone stays a ghoul forever. Some want to commit, if they are a good fit for kindred society.", asking curiously while scooping up glass with her bare hands and tossing it into the trash. While letting Calla use the tools to be safe. Nisha was supernaturally durable and wasn't afraid of being cut. Much like that female Texan bee rescuer, swooping bees up with her bare hands - but in this case it was broken glass. Being quick about it. "You look nice."

Calla seems impressed when Nisha cleans off any blood. She seems a bit well confused by the question. "I don't know." She says about the question of being embraced or not. "I mean, I wouldn't want that if would cause me any distance from Primogen Schultz." She says with all the adoring of a little bond ghoul. "I mean, I would be content not be if he wanted that and well if I got to stay with him. Although I suppose if I did get embraced maybe I would it would be safer, but maybe not, I don't know." She says ponderingly. "Thank you. I am glad that you tihnk so." She says to Nisha. "Um, where did you want us to take you?"

"Oh just anywhere safe along the way. I can go sleep this hangover off in a .. park somewhere or something.", finishing up with the glass mess and slowly rising. "How about I head downstairs. If the Primogen can give me a ride, cool beans. If not, I'll call an Uber or something.", Nisha explains casually. "I wouldn't sweat it."

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2021-07-09 Harpy Crowley's Twentieth Deathday Party

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