Post: #1

“But why?” Lesa’s voice was heard clearly though her door, causing the man to stop before knocking, “you have never shown the slightest interest before?” A low sound followed, more like the growling of an animal than anything human, causing the stranger to lean forward slightly, straining to hear.
“Fine then,” Lesa sighed, “you have after all been more supportive than most, for which I am grateful. I will send Elyssa to your room with something to wear, we will just have to pass you off as my bodyguard. I just hope many haven’t actually met a Norseman before, as that is the only thing I will be able to pass you off as Graveclaw.”

Graveclaw?? the man thought, what kind of absurd name was that. As he stepped back suddenly the floorboard creaked and the voices inside stopped. Realising they knew he was there he stepped forward and knocked sharply on the door. After a moment the door opened, revealing the stunning form of Lesa, a thin silk gown wrapped around her.

“Jonathan!” she exclaimed, a bright smile appearing on her face, “you got my message then?” Jonathan swallowed once, then twice, as he took in the beautiful sight, lustful thoughts running through his mind. Already he could feel himself harden and hoped sincerely she did not look down and see his excitement, as he followed her into her room.

“Of course Milday,” he finally stammered back, “I came as soon as I got it. To have the honour of escorting you to the ball tomorrow is one that many in the city would kill for.” His eyes followed Lesa as he sat herself down, the slit in her gown revealing two perfectly shaped pale legs all the way up to her thighs. He could feel his heart racing, despite his best efforts to keep himself under control.

“You do flatter me,” Lesa replied, a coy smile on her as she gently ran her finger up her leg, “but how could I resist an invitation from such a dashing gentlemen. Did you manage to make the arrangements I asked for?”

“Of course,” Jonathan said, chest inflating as he tried to impress her, “your bodyguard, two of your friends and their partners have been added to our invitation. It was most difficult to do, but for you, anything is possible.” He suddenly jumped back and Lesa seemed to move in front of him in the blink of an eye, her hand tracing swirls down his firm stomach. She was so close her could feel her cool breath on his cheek.

“Thank you” she breathed, before kissing him gently, sensuously in his lips. Jonathan felt his whole body stiffen, before a wave pleasure crashed over him. It took as his willpower not to collapse there and then, just managing to keep himself on his trembling legs.

“A little too excited aware we?” Lesa giggled as she stepped away, “hmm, perhaps you should go and clean yourself ready for this evening. If you enjoyed that then I promise you will more than enjoy what is to come.” Before he could reply Jonathan had be gently but firmly propelled out into the corridor, the door behind him closing with a soft click. Stood there, still trembling, with his shame trickling down his leg he staggered off, mind awash with the promises of the night to come.

Post: #2

Victarias stepped down the hall, unconscious of cold, night air that caressed her body through the loose folds of her garb. It was long since she had lost the feeling of heat or cold and the ravages of the elements. She stepped by a mortal staggering through the empty halls, a look of guilty bliss etched on his features. She looked inquisitively at the man, her nose curling at the aroused scents that wafted off the man's body. She rolled her eyes.
Stepping up to her destination, Victarias took a breath subconsciously. She knew that she didn't need it, but it was an old habit that refused to die when she did. The door was baroque and ancient, its carved surface displaying the images of abstracted flowering and picturesque gardens. Victarias smiled at the sheer appropriateness of the imagery and steeled herself to knock.
She had never held a full conversation with the Mistress Lesa, but merely standing nearby had become... uncomfortable. However she needed advice, and this seemed like the most productive venue, so she knocked on the door.

Post: #3

Graveclaw dropped from the ceiling where he had been clinging to hide "ssssee nobody ever looksss up" he frowned at Lesa "Graveclaw going now before ssssomeone elssse come" he growled, turning opened Lesa's door and slunk out paying no attention to Victarias.

Post: #4

Lesa looked in surprised to see Victarias at the door. They had not really spoken though Lesa had helped in freeing her from Morr's realm. After a moment she collected herself,

"Please come in, sit down," she said, showing Victarias to a comfortable chair as she closed the door, "is something wrong?"

---

Twice nearly the Duke had turned back round, and twice he had steeled himself to carry out the horrifying prospect in front of him. The sad fact was, whilst he knew how to slay all manner of beasts, when it came to the art of seduction he was sorely lacking. Even deciding on an outfit for tonight had been beyond his comprehension. He could tell a suit of armour in an instant, but fashionable attire?

So he found himself outside the door of the one person he was sure would know. It bit deeply into his pride, but there really was no other choice, and brining his hand up he knocked heavily.

Post: #5

Simon examined his costume for the ball. It was not that different from his best clothes though it was a powerful shade of Crimson rather than the black and purple that he favoured. The final part of it lay on the table. He picked up the mask which fitted over the top half of his face. It was in the shape of a skull. It was perfect though only a Bretonian or someone versed in the legends of Mousillon would understand what he was meant to be. A knock on the door got his attention. "Enter!" he commanded.

Post: #6

The Duke walked in, stopping for a moment as he saw the skull garbed person in front of him. Mousillion. The word popped up into his head unbidden, and for a moment the Duke thought Simon had heard of his coming and was playing tricks with him. After a second he realised that however fast he might have been, even Simon could not have thrown together such a trap in a short time.

"Lord Simon," he said, greeting him with a nod, "I trust you fare well this evening? That is certainly an......interesting piece you are wearing, which funnily enough brings to straight to the point why I am here........" The Duke's voice trailed off, hating himself for having to ask, and hating it all the more that Simon probably could already tell why he was here and was no doubt laughing inside.

"I need your assistance," he finally blurted out, "I am going to the ball with an..........an acquaintance.......a female acquaintance, and I find myself slightly out of touch in regards to the most recent fashions....and..ah.. protocol of such events. I was hoping the once such as yourself may be able to assist me?"

Post: #7

Mircea walked down the streets, he had searched around and asked to where the resistance of a ‘’Tremere Geller’’, after uesting several mortals and using his own mesmeric abilities he had finally been able to locate Tremere’s residence.

It was a large Mansion-like building, located away from the normal wealthy districts of Nuln. He knocked on the door loudly and after several seconds. A old man dressed in the uniforms of a manservant answered him.

‘’Greetings sir’’ he said.

‘’I am visiting a relative’’ Mircea told him slowly, unsure of how exactly to approach this,

The old man’s face flashed with surprise.

‘’Ah! Lord von Faulsing, out Master was expecting you, please, do come in’’ he bowed and opened the door. Mircea went inside the house, noting the grand entrance hall with it’s sweeping staircases.

A servant offered ot take his cloak, but Mircea shook his head. ‘’This vist will not be long’’ he replied. The old man then let Mircea through a central door, deeper into the mansion.

As Mircea walked up the stairs he could feel the ward sin this place deactivating his own magical senses. A pair of mortal guards dressed in half-plate moved aside and let Mircea and his guide into a long hallway with a Brettonian rug.

It was covered with portraits, all of them vampires. Most of then fourth or firth generation get’s. As he walked along he soon came ot more portraits, but these where of the older generations.

There was himself, scowling in his old military uniform, there was the ever smiling Simon, seated with his wife. There was Karl, dressed in finery, there was also Hans, standing grimly, along with Fritz, Pieter, and the others.

Finally the last portrait was that of Vlad himself, clad in plate mail. Mircea briefly glanced at the picture of the former Count of Sylvania and he moved on. At long last he came to a double-sided door.

‘’Here the Master is’’ the old man said before excusing himself and leaving. Cautiously Mircea opened the doors and walked into a small- library like room, stuffed with various books.

On a desk there was Tremere.

‘’I gather you where expecting me?’’ Mircea called out.

Post: #8

Tremere smiled standing from his chair and walking over to his cousin-in-death
"General its so good to see you" the vampire said slipping back into his old way of thinking before catching himself
"Sorry, Marshal." he muttered shaking his head slightly, sometimes the memories got mixed up.

Gesturing towards at seat infront of the desk he smiled pleasantly.
"Sit, sit." he urged returning to his own seat behind the desk.

Once seated Micrea noticed the large Portrait on the wall behind Tremere's head it was one that Tremere had had comissioned and copies gifted to Simon and Micrea both whilst keeping one for himself to remember the victory at Harroten fields.
In it Micrea, Simon, Tremere and Peter all stood alongside each other, corpses at their feet, they where all dressed in armour which was splattered in blood. Simon was grinning as he held a small pistol in his head, Peter had a expression similar to simons and had his bloodied blade unsheated, Tremere smirked faintly his sword sheathed and lent on a staff and Micrea had his arms folded, his sword was also sheathed, andhe wore a rare slight smile on his lips.

"So...I'm guessing you are here to try and obtain a few invitations?" he asked wearing his usual smirk.

Out of the side of the side of Micrea's vision he could see Mannfred's sword leaning against the wall.

Post: #9

‘’You are correct on that’’ Mircea answered. ‘’I have business at the Ball, shocking I know, so I must quickly come to it, I trust you have some invitations for your old comrade?’’ he asked.

He glanced briefly at the portrait. He had a copy of it at Mitternacht, one of the very few luxuries he allowed himself in that cold, grim castle.

Rapdily the grey-masked head of the Shade popped in from the door behind Mircea. ‘’Kill him! Please!’’ before he popped back out. Mircea ignored him.

Post: #10

Tremere pulled out a drawer in the desk pulling out an envelope and tossing it onto the table;
"Within are invitations for two guests plus Bodyguards. That is four of your so called council. By the way I think you should ensure that said bodyguards are not more finely dressed than the nobles they protect." he said simply.
"Sadly they are named invites so I had to give such for them although bodyguards are of course unnamed. Those invites say Meyerling and Akarin Gellar, cousins of myself. I am afraid it was the easiest way to obtain invites." he explained with a smile then speaking before Micrea could ask the question
"I have...eyes...around the city, one of them descibed seeing Akarin in the Banking district earlier."

"Are four helpful? I am sorry I could not get more although four is alot more than some nobles could claim" he said somewhat arrogantly.

Then a more serious expression touched is face
"More worryingly I have heard reports from my "eyes"...the Lahmian convent has a close watch on the house you are staying in...they are strong in this city and I think the large vampiric prescence unnerves them." he said and then continuing before Micrea could speak "I know you have little respect for them as do I but do not underestimate these women...they are vicious and cunning."

Post: #11

‘’Four is helpful, you have done much to help me’’ Mircea replied. ‘’Akarin should no doubt appreciate the gift’’ he explained. ‘’As for those bitches, I have handled them before, I appreciate your warning, but I have handled myself before.’’

Post: #12

Victarias stepped into the room around the hulking mass of the exiting Strigoi as Lesa bid her enter. For a moment she wondered why Lesa had such varied visitors to her room this night, but quickly decided not to dwell on the thought. She sat on the luscious seat that Lesa offered and entertained herself on the feel of the deep cushions beneath her, keeping her mind off of the dark angel before her.
Victarias had never felt attracted to other females, but a glance at Lesa quickly changed that fact in an instant. Wearing a thin, silk night robe, each inch of Lesa's perfection could be easily discerned, the exotic curves of her form caressed lightly by the cloth, shining slightly in the light of the candles that dotted Lesa's chambers, accentuating her form. Had she been standing before Victarias nude, the Blood Dragon could not have been more attracted to the mistress.
Victarias gulped, the cool air foreign to her long-dead form.
"Uh, no, nothing wrong... not really, Mistress." She stammered quickly, her eyes lowering to the ground quickly. Her mind focused quickly on the fact that she had beheld very little true beauty since her incarceration.
"I received an... invitation to this ball that we are attending. I must confess that the fashions of such domestic nature have never been a point upon which I pride my strength." She chuckled wryly, awkwardly, "I can kill in a heartbeat but I cannot dress in garb suitable for any other function."
That's right, make stupid jokes. Why was she even here? Lesa probably had much more important things to do than cater to a stupid girl's pleas for fashion advice. The woman had just lost her husband, for Abhorash's sake!
So had Victarias. She brought her eyes up to meet the shining emeralds of Lesa.
"Can you help me. I feel that it's... important."

Post: #13

Tremere smiled seemingly pleased
"I'm sure you can Marshal, you always have been able to. I almost forgot, those invites are guest invites but those for High Aristocracy which means not only can you bring a body but a guest also so that is infact six vampires. I apologise for not remembering that...I guess the idea of you bringing a a woman put me off." he said smiling faintly for as far as he knew Micrea found such things uninteresting.

Tremere stood and picked up his sire's blade setting it on the table, it's scabbard had been changed to one that was far less showy and for those without the ability a vampire's eye one would be unable to detect the traces of Necromantic energy around the object.
"Whatever you are doing tonight I have no doubt will be dangerous Micrea...and I do not see Vlad's blade with you...so if you so wish you may...borrow this one." he said, there was a hesitant note in his voice, clearly not wishing to give up the sword but at the same time thinking it a good idea.

_____________________
Akarin walked down the hall of Lesa's mansion, finally having found directions to the count's quarters.
The assassin wore a fine Black Garment that clung to his lean form that was reasonably plain lacking abundent amount of lace with only silver thread designs woven around the arms and chest and he also wore a cloak which was black also with Crimson lining. His Black hair hung lose, his fringe covering one eye as it usually did, the dark aristocratic clothing suited Akarin and he appeared to be a resonably handsome and his appearance coupled with the natural grace in his step was quite a figure.
He had ensured that both eyes were their normal Pitch Black Colour, it would have been a mistake if his eye had been active and crimson...might have caused a stir afterall.

Akarin walked into Simon's room speaking without looking to see who was present, from his informal tone he hadn't seen the duke.
"Simon have you a mask I can borro..." he cut off raising an eyebrow finnally seeing the Duke.
"Oh...hey Duke...erm am I interupting something?" he asked curiously.

Post: #14

Peter strolled around the mansion in a bit of a daze. He was not fond of the luxury of Lesa's house, it reminded him too much of his childhood home in Altdorf.

He passed timid servants that ducked and coward as he passed. It was not the bowing of a servant to a noble however, but the cowering of prey before a predator.

Not for the first time during his long existence, Peter wondered what it was he had sacrificed for immortal life.

Post: #15

‘’I guess I can settle for this’’ The Shade said as he popped back into existence next to Mircea.

‘’Thank you Tremere, I have brought alongside my own runesword, but such a blade would be helpful to me if any problems come about’’ Mircea explained to Tremere as the shade disappeared once again. ‘’I shall return to you when this is over, depending on how quickly I return to Sylvania’’

Post: #16

Tremere smiled nodding
"Then allow me to walk you to the door my old friend" he said standing, Micrea stood after pocketing the envelope and lifting the enchanted blade.
The two vampires strode through the house, Tremere stopped glancing at a portrait of Vlad's first War Council apart from the Old Count and his gets there was Tremere, Akarin, Micrea and the Blood Dragon Peter
"I miss those days you know...if everything hadn't of went wrong...if only Mannfred, may Morr shred his twisted soul, hadn't of betrayed his father...we could have won...we should have won that war." the vampire said sadly.

Shaking his head he began to walk again with Micrea following, once at the door he smiled
"Well here we are, once you leave I will re-set the wards so that no more of our kind can enter apart from myself...I am less than pleased with having the Lahmians so close by." he said.

Post: #17

Jason strode out from his quarters, dressed in a sharp fitted suit he wore long black cotton trousers and a long sleeved maroon shirt with a black silken vest a beautiful pattern of golden thread was sown into it which were in fact small enchantments glowing softly as he paced threw the halls. Jason's hair was left long and flowing his features darkly handsome and his eyes the same feral color they had always been, dulled ever so slightly by the enchanted vest as to not pierce the eyes of a noble and cause a scene. He did wonder if he should have changed there color but decided against it he liked there color no matter what other 'mortals' thought. Jason's thin form shifted through the halls until he noticed Peter walking just in front of him, thinking to himself and looking a little depressed. He picked up the pace and touched him on the shoulder and stood with him looking him over.

"Interesting formal wear Peter, I didn't think you were the type?"

Post: #18

Simon slowly removed the skull mask from his handsome features. "and so you come to the only male member of this council who has any idea how to fit in to these soirees." he said sitting down gesturing to the Duke to do the same. "Very well! In the interests of continued von Carstein/Blood Dragon cooperation and the fact that you're easier to deal with than your brother Vekarin. I will help you." They were interupted by Akarin who barged in. "Simon have you a mask I can borro..." asked the vampire before seeing Simon was not alone. "Oh...hey Duke...erm am I interupting something?" he asked. "Not at all Akarin." replied Simon "In fact you may be of some assistance."

Post: #19

Akarin raised the eyebrow, glancing from the poorly dressed Duke to the formally attire on Simon and smiled faintly
"In anyway I can Count." he said pleasantly entering the room shutting the door tight behind him.

Smiling at the uncomfortable looking Duke he spoke in a fakely innocent voice
"And how can I assist?"

Post: #20

Seeing Akarin enter the Duke's hopes plummeted. Whilst Simon had the courtesy to deal with such request without ridicule, he knew that Akarin would divulge this embarrassing situtation to all and sundry, and any hopes of this remaining private were slim to none.

"Thank you Simon," he replied, "you have little idea how much I appreciate this. As for Vekarin, I have no love for him myself, so on that score we are most definitely allies. I would however request, that this discussion it kept as private as possible, I am sure you understand why." The last part was said with his eyes fixed on Akarin, making it abundently clear who he distrusted,

"How we are to proceed though is up to you, you are after a master of such things."

---

"An invitation?" Lesa said, somewhat surprised. "I did not realised that Vekarin had changed his mind in going to the ball, still he is becoming harder and harder to predict these days." Lesa knelt down in front of Victarias, not realising the effect she was having, which became all the more worse as the gown parted slightly.
"Of course my dear," she said, a smile on her face, "even for our kind, happiness is fleeting, and if you have the chance of happiness you should grasp it with both hands, trust me on this. So anything I can do to help, I will do."

Standing up Lesa regarded Victarias,
"First things first though. If we are to dress you properly we need to see what body shape you have, and it is hard to tell anything under those shapeless baggy things you are wearing. So, off with them." As Lesa stood there waiting, Victarias realised that she was not going anyway, and that she was expected to strip and show her naked body to the Mistress.......