Entrance (open to all Anantya)

Rupert the Butler neatly set down his newspaper and stepped out of the break room as the quiet chime indicated someone’s entry. A few Anantya had attended the ball tonight and several would likely be returning about this time; it would be a busy evening.

Regarding the gentleman in front of him with an impassive expression as befitted his station, he took a moment to try to place him. Anantya were known for their eccentricities and love of the past and it was no surprise to see a man dressed thus, especially on this particular evening, but it would be rather embarrassing if he didn’t recognize someone because they were in costume. Deciding he had not yet met this one, he offered his welcome.

“Greetings. May I take your…” He gave a vague gesture that could indicate anything the man wished to hand him. “…Mr...?” He offered up another wave of his hand. While people came and went often enough he still tried to put names to faces in case they should meet again; this man could be a guest or he may well be coming to stay for good and either way he would likely be called upon.

Apollyon heard steps coming his way and turned to what appeared to be a butler.he noticed the man trying to place who he was and gave him a warm smile.chuckling a bit he replied to him.

"Mr. Darius Sarimir, I'm the new guy in town. Honor to make your acquaintance."

Mai came bounding through the door in stoat form while the armored Anantya had it open. She skittered to a halt and moved out of the way of his feet but looked up to see Rupert standing there. Mai walked back over to the mat placed just inside the entrance and dutifully wiped each paw before stepping off of it.

She chittered a greeting and moved to a space that would allow her to change from the tiny white and black rodent into her full form.

Nodding at both of the men, she said.

"Konbanwa"

Rupert gave a little bow, noticing as he came closer that there appeared to be blood at the edge of Mr. Sarimir’s mouth.

He wondered if it was a bad sign that he simply took that as an indication that the gentleman would not be needing food tonight. It might have been a touch unsettling had he not been in the service of the Manor as long as he had, but…he’d seen a lot.

Which was likely why he did not jump in alarm when the small…ferret looking critter…scurried into the foyer. He would have smiled a little at the sight of the stoat wiping paws on the mat, but he knew what that cute little critter –really- was and such indiscretions wouldn’t do. In any case, she soon revealed her true form to Mr. Sarimir as well.

“Good evening, Mai-sama. Welcome to the Manor, Mr. Sarimir. Rupert Burke, head butler of the Manor, at your service.”

Unsure of how long the gentleman had been at the Manor without his knowledge, he decided it was best to start at the beginning. It seemed at the very least Mr. Sarimir intended to stay.

“Have you found quarters to your liking as of yet?”

Apollyon kept control of himself as a stoat skittered past his feet and onto the mat.
"Well ya don't see that everyday" he told himself as he seen the animal shape shift to take the form of the Anantya elder.Keeping his bearings he bowed deeply to show his reverence for his elder.

"Good to see you again Mai-Sama" He smiled warmly to her and turned to Rupert, "Well actually I haven't stayed here just yet." he paused a moment," But I was hoping to arrange something tonight if possible"

Mai nodded her head at the armored man and then at Rupert and then quietly stole a piece of the butler's paper while he was busy speaking with Darius. Grinning at the newcomer she neatly began folding the paper repeatedly. She seemed intent on her work and never looked up but Mai did not need to gaze about her in order to 'see' and so part of her attention was on the conversation and Rupert's back, lest he turn and find her busily working on a piece of his daily paper.

Rupert gave his head a sharp nod at Mr. Sarimir’s request, the situation becoming more clear.

“Very good Sir. If you care to follow me, I can show you to a room for the time being, though should you find something more to your liking we will of course make the necessary arrangements.”

Reaching around his desk to get his keys, he added:

“Are you expecting any baggage to arrive? If so I can have it sent to your room as well.”

He had seen Anantya arrive at the Manor in any number of conditions, ranging from those with the clothes on their backs and little else to those with truckloads of possessions. He was prepared for either situation and a spectrum of in betweens.

Wondering vaguely where Mai-sama had disappeared to, he gave a mental shrug and gestured for Mr. Sarimir to follow.

/ooc I am -so- sorry, I totally missed your reply

Apollyon watched the Anantya Elder pilfer a piece of the paper as she passed by the butler. He didn't know what to think as she began folding it. He watched her dextrous fingers making intricate folds with great ease and speed. Shrugging he turned his attention back to Rupert

"Wonderful,"Apollyon replied."I have some personal effects in my car outside,and some en route from New York City.but you needn't worry about them tonight. I am sure you're going to have a busy night ahead of you, with everyone on their way back from the party.I'll come back and grab them when I get situated."

He was still struck with awe at the decor and ambiance of the manor, he had his expectations of his fellow Anantya, but this was something on another plane.A place like this could empty even his deep coffers many times over.

"hmm maybe you're not such a big fish anymore," He thought to himself as he took it all in.Humility tended to be a bit of a problem for him. However given the right circumstances, he could put a quite convincing facade of humility if he had to.And this would certainly present itself as one of those circumstances. He had rarely taken much of his brethren's company in his long life. Not for reasons of loathing or disgust, only for the reason that he liked things simple and quiet. And when you get multiple vampires in a given area, things can get rather complicated. However now he was in the opposite of his status quo,Immersed in the nocturnal, blood-stained, society that was Nachton.coming out of his moment of introspection he took a cue from Rupert to follow him to his quarters.

(OOC: No Worries =) no one's perfect )

Cyrus had changed at the hotel after dropping Suki back at her townhouse. His brown leather pants were almost as supple as his costume's had been. He had discarded his long over-tunic for a bronze silken shirt and black leather jacket. He should have stayed at the Piazza but unfortunately, he really disliked spending the day in the same location. Habit from his nomadic years coupled with the need for secrecy. Perhaps he should take up a suite here at the manor. They certainly had enough room.

Smiling at the driver, who has fed him as well as dropping him off at the door, Cyrus went inside. It would definitely look odd to anyone if he simply ran off into the woods. Perhaps he could grab a beer out in the garden before finding his den.

Upon entering the door, he noticed the faint scent fuji flowers and poor Darius, still in a tin can. He looked about for Mai, perhaps she would care to sit in the garden with him before the dawn. Hearing the conversation between Darius and the butler amused him.

"He doesn't need a room, he needs a scrap yard!"

Apollyon heard the familiar voice from behind him, turned and smiled.He noticed Cyrus changed clothes, to something more comfortable. he looked over his clothes for a quick rebuttal and snickered seconds later. He had it.

"Id rather be a tin can, than look like some kind of retired seventies porn star.Ya look like ya just came off the set of "Rollergirl does the Disco".

he walked over to His new friend, smiling and gave him a playful pat on the back.

He raised a brow at the description. With a glance down at his leather pants that were almost chamois soft feel with no bright leather look. His shirt was a muted matte color with a mandarin collar and bore no resemblance to the polyester flappy things disco had brought about. The jacket wasn't too over the top he thought, it was just a basic coat.

As he curled his lip at the thought of being a porn star let alone retired, Cyrus realized he had forgotten to replace his jewelry. Ah well, he was sure there was a handful of titanium hoops in an inside pocket of his coat. He just needed a mirror.

"Careful there Darius, you look like a prepackaged meal to me." Shaking his head at the taller man. "Why don't you let the nice butler take you to your can opener."

The Butler kept his face calm and expressionless as Mr. Sarimir explained his situation, though inside a smile was forming. So considerate to offer to get his own bags! Clearly this one did not intend to cause trouble.

He became somewhat skeptical of this pronouncement, though, when a new arrival instigated a round of rowdy banter.

Who knew that a bunch of cold hearted bloodsucking relics could be so jovial.

“Quite. And will you be needing quarters as well, Mr…?”

Talon swung open the manor doors and stopped 'looks like a convention in the foyer' he thought. he was still wearing his party attire of hand sewn leather pants, boots and wristwraps..

he grinned at Mai busily folding away and for a moment thought about pouncing on her, but resisted, the other people here might not understand..

he was pleased to see Cyrus in human form, the girl seemed to be having a positive effect on him..

it appeared that Apollyon was moving in from the bit of conversation he had heard walking up..

"Welcome Aboard, a bit of advice I had to learn the hard way.. Don't break anything or the bosses will have a fit.. well most of them will" he said glancing at Mai at the end of the statement.

he glanced to the Butler and gave him a quick nod "Sup Jeeves"

"Cyrus Arslantai." The rest of his request for a room was cut off as Talon entered and he sneezed. Damn dog. Stepping in the opposite direction in hopes of avoiding another outburst Cyrus caught sight of Mai. She was doing some very nice origami, how cute.

"I would greatly appreciate a suite with an exit to the gardens please."

Perhaps he would sleep there tonight but he doubted it. Too predictable since he would just get the room. No, a night spent in the forest cave would be perfect. After a beer and perhaps some time admiring Mai's artwork.

Mai quietly stole another piece of paper and noticed Cyrus had come home. Continuing her project she set the first piece down to work on the second as the two others traded observations about each others wardrobe.

Raising her eyebrows at Talon's entrance and statement about breaking things. Mai looked up at him and grinned. Her origami piece was nearly finished and it merely took joining the two pieces together for her piece to be done. She carefully connected the two pieces of paper and set the small origami tree down on Rupert's desk next to his paper before standing back up and smiling at them all.

'Hai, no playing in the house."

The Aston sped up the drive, its stereo system pounding out a Guns and Roses classic. Still on a pleasant buzz from the party, Amberelle sang along as she was tapping away on the steering wheel for emphasis.

Stopping just past the grand doors with a spray of gravel, the blonde went about gathering up her things as the song finished, then killed the engine. A quick press of her remote armed the security system and locked it up tight for the day.

Still singing the song softly, she danced up the steps and swished in the front doors with a swirl. Stopping abruptly when she spied what seemed almost like the entire household occupying the entryway she blushed a pretty shade of pink and looked a little embarassed.

Umm... hello.

((OOC she was singing Pour Some Sugar On Me.. a real "classic" hehehehehe)

He laughed inwardly at the joke, but it had seemed his counterpart hadn't shared his joy.However his smile disappeared at the not so thinly veiled threat Cyrus had made.One of many things Apollyon did not respond to was threats. He suppressed any thoughts of entertaining this back and forth further.Belligerence would not get him far, not in an unfamiliar place with many potential enemies should he decide to be foolish.instead, Apollyon shrugged and turned his attention to Talon, who imparted some advice as he entered. Listening to Mai's retort, he smiled.

"Suppose a late night game of tackle football in the foyer would be out of the question then." He stated jovially.

He watched Mai finish her work and place the origami tree on Rupert's desk.

"Wow," Apollyon stated. Shocked by the speed of the elder's hands.she hadn't been working on that for more than three minutes.

"My skills with things such as that have always been rather limited.Over the years I've tried my hands at artwork but succeeded in only getting a headache." He paused. " My fingers lend themselves best to music."

Turning to the newest walk-in, Apollyon smiled. Saying, "Hey Amby."

Talon snorted at the idea of playing tackle inside, he could only imagine what kind of hissy fit Morrigan would throw, that part made him smile..

he had heard the car tear up in the driveway blaring the music.. if you could call it that.

When Amberelle enetered Talon regarded her, it had been a few months since he'd seen her, if he hadn't have known it was her by her scent he would have had doubts, she was made up like a noblewoman..

"Evening Frail" he said with a slight nod.

Mai listened to Amberelle as she walked in and tilted her head quizzically at the blonde vampire.

"Why do you want to be covered in sugar? Is this some new hunting technique?"

She wrinkled her nose at the thought of it but figured if it was something that worked for the other Anantya then she should learn about the method.

"What kind of prey does that attract?"

Looking around at the others she wondered if they had heard of this technique also. She had not thought herself so out of tune with even modern methods of hunting though she found most of them distasteful; they were very wasteful in many cases, loud, harsh and lacking in true talent or skill. This did not sound like that though, perhaps there was great patience involved and she found herself intrigued.

She wondered if the song was a way to remember the steps but figured it was not part of the actual process itself, perhaps Amberelle would sing the rest for them.

An insuppressible smile crossed Rupert’s features when Mr. Arslantai requested a room with a garden outlet. It looked like Lord Grey would be getting a new neighbor.

He suddenly hoped Mr. Arslantai was always this noisy.

“I know just the place, Mr. Arslantai.”

Cheered by this thought, he was about to ask Mr. Sarimir if he had any specific requests for a room when Mr. …Talon…gave his greetings.

Oh how cute. A nickname. Honestly, these –people-. Vampires. Whatever.

“Good evening.”

He cringed inwardly at the mention of playing football in the foyer, knowing the inevitable disaster would somehow be his fault, but it seemed they were only joking. Even so, it seemed best to get the crowd moving, particularly if they were still rowdy from the festivities.

His mischievous grin faded into a genuine smile when Mai placed the paper tree on his desk. The first time he had come across a piece of origami in the Manor he hadn’t known what to make of it, and kept it in his desk drawer in case the owner wanted it back. Or at least that’s what he told himself; really it just seemed too interesting and carefully made to throw away. This piece was particularly exceptional and…

Was that his newspaper?

The sound of a vehicle pulling up in a rather careless manner interrupted this thought, and he raised his eyebrows as yet another Anantya entered…singing. Ms. DeEspionne seemed embarrassed to have been caught and he thought to move the discussion along to distract the crowd.

“Perhaps after Mr. Arslantai and Mr. Sarimir have seen their quarters you might care to continue the evening’s festivities by taking drinks on the balcony?”

Looking to Mr. Sarimir, he added:

“Would quarters near the music room interest you, then?”