Simon rose with her, again out of politeness. 'You are more than welcomed to dine with us, Rene, but allow me to escort you back to your partner.' Simon looked at Kyle and gave him a casual smile. He walked up to Rene and offered his arm while the other put his hand on Kyle's shoulder.
Gently but with a firm grasp, Simon pushed Kyle back down into his chair. He tapped it when Kyle was firmly in place.
'I'll be right back.'
((ooc - ready to walk rene back, out pending response))
Facing the Music:Attn Simon (Open to the adoring public)
Jan scanned the entrance for Simon figuring that it was far easier to find his tall creator instead of having Simon have to look for him in a crowd. Luckily it appeared that his father and sister were already here. Nova was in a dress...and it wasn't neon. How did that happen? What the hell was she doing standing next to Evans? Plotting to kill him? Getting close enough to strike? He could hope she'd toss him against a few walls before the evening was over; it would liven up the party.
Turning to Addison, he nodded in the direction of Simon and took the redhead by the hand. He made his way through the milling crowd towards his family, hoping to speak to the Tacharan Leader before things got underway and it became too busy and too crowded to speak.
"Let's hope he's in a better mood."Â?
He'd suggest waiting until after dinner for that but Simon wasn't human and sitting at a banquet with a bunch of snotty elite when the man had work to do was only likely to worsen Simon's mood over time, not improve it. Yep, best to get it over with now.
Jan came to stand next to his father and said quietly.
"Reporting for duty. Have you got a minute to speak to us?"Â?
((OOC: Off to lunch with the family but back soon. ))
Simon Huntington
18 years ago
Alec Devereaux
18 years ago
With a lopsided smirk, Alec moved out of the way as Simon rose, and managed not to chuckle as he offered to escort Rene away and sat Kyle back down. Taking Rene's plate over to Nova as the pair headed away, he dropped the potatoes onto her plate. Whispering quietly, he said
To the victor go the spoils. I thought he was losing his mind for a moment...but he probably just remembered her face from the police rosters. Or maybe he's trying to make Kyle sweat a bit. Or maybe he's sparing her from the trouble that we'd likely cause her. Who knows the inscrutable ways of Simon. Except Carol...and we don't want to know about what SHE knows about Simon's ways.
Winking, he began to arrange a plate for Kyle.
Well...it looks like we've been left to safeguard the lovely ladies, not that this crowd needs it. What can I get for you in the way of appetizers?
To the victor go the spoils. I thought he was losing his mind for a moment...but he probably just remembered her face from the police rosters. Or maybe he's trying to make Kyle sweat a bit. Or maybe he's sparing her from the trouble that we'd likely cause her. Who knows the inscrutable ways of Simon. Except Carol...and we don't want to know about what SHE knows about Simon's ways.
Winking, he began to arrange a plate for Kyle.
Well...it looks like we've been left to safeguard the lovely ladies, not that this crowd needs it. What can I get for you in the way of appetizers?
Carol
18 years ago
Carol watched Simon put his hand on Kyle's shoulder and sit him back down. Her smile faltered a little watching the action. Ellis might've brokered the kills in Tacharan but it was Simon that did majority of the killing. She had become unphased at the amount of blood he would track on the floors or have stained on his face.
Carol forgot sometimes that the Simon she used to know was, well had always been, a killer.
Reaching out she took something pink and popped it into her mouth. She caught Kyle's eye and tried to smile at him, but he didn't return it. He looked nervous. She tilted her head to the side and she shook it just a tiny bit. Simon wouldn't hurt Rene. He was just being polite.
Carol swallowed hard and slowly pushed her plate away.
Carol forgot sometimes that the Simon she used to know was, well had always been, a killer.
Reaching out she took something pink and popped it into her mouth. She caught Kyle's eye and tried to smile at him, but he didn't return it. He looked nervous. She tilted her head to the side and she shook it just a tiny bit. Simon wouldn't hurt Rene. He was just being polite.
Carol swallowed hard and slowly pushed her plate away.
Kyle Evans
18 years ago
When Simon stood, Kyle eyes narrowed at his politeness. When they made eye contact, he suddenly felt very nervous. When Simon put his hand on his should and pressed him down...Kyle was suddenly very angry.
Carol shook her head just the tinest bit at him, warning him or reassuring him, he didn't know. Looking around the table he saw what the other's must think of him. A joke of a human and now a toy. Disgusted Kyle sat rigid in his chair, not looking at anyone now, not even Nova.
Simon was power playing, establishing his alpha role. Honestly Kyle could care less and wanted to leave the Ball now more than ever. With or without Nova but now he wondered just what did she think of him. Kyle looked back up at Rene and tried to give her a reassuring smile, but he was pretty certain that he fell short of achieving it.
Carol shook her head just the tinest bit at him, warning him or reassuring him, he didn't know. Looking around the table he saw what the other's must think of him. A joke of a human and now a toy. Disgusted Kyle sat rigid in his chair, not looking at anyone now, not even Nova.
Simon was power playing, establishing his alpha role. Honestly Kyle could care less and wanted to leave the Ball now more than ever. With or without Nova but now he wondered just what did she think of him. Kyle looked back up at Rene and tried to give her a reassuring smile, but he was pretty certain that he fell short of achieving it.
Nova
18 years ago
Nova grinned as Alec scraped the potatoes onto her plate and immediately stabbed one to give a try, finding it as delicious as claimed and declaring her opinion with an approving ‘mmmM’. Her clanmate seemed to come to the same conclusions…or…non-conclusions…as she had regarding Simon’s offer to escort Rene and she didn’t trouble herself overly much.
“Man, going to have to start keepin’ em off you with a stick,” she said, nudging Kyle’s shoulder playfully. He seemed a little…off, though. Was he staring at Rene’s ass? Hmm, no, didn’t seem to be looking in that direction.
She gave him another nudge.
“Oy.” She pointed to Alec, who was in the midst of setting up a food plate. “Food?”
“Man, going to have to start keepin’ em off you with a stick,” she said, nudging Kyle’s shoulder playfully. He seemed a little…off, though. Was he staring at Rene’s ass? Hmm, no, didn’t seem to be looking in that direction.
She gave him another nudge.
“Oy.” She pointed to Alec, who was in the midst of setting up a food plate. “Food?”
Rene O Brian
18 years ago
Rene gave Simon another of those forced smiles, the kind that's more a baring of teeth than any real show of happiness. With a nod, she looked back to Kyle one last time. "It's really all right, Kyle. I'm a big girl now," she winked and patted his shoulder as Simon prepared to lead her away. "It was really nice meeting you all," she told them all as she started walking away. "Even if I did make a complete ass of myself," she muttered under her breath to herself with a soft sigh. Kyle probably hated her now, and who could blame him. Why after all these years she still let him get to her, even after having been married, having a kid, and divorcing. You'd think she'd have gotten over him by now for fuck's sake. No time like the present to kick that habit.
Rene gave Simon another of those forced smiles, the kind that's more a baring of teeth than any real show of happiness. With a nod, she looked back to Kyle one last time. "It's really all right, Kyle. I'm a big girl now," she winked and patted his shoulder as Simon prepared to lead her away. "It was really nice meeting you all," she told them all as she started walking away. "Even if I did make a complete ass of myself," she muttered under her breath to herself with a soft sigh. Kyle probably hated her now, and who could blame him. Why after all these years she still let him get to her, even after having been married, having a kid, and divorcing. You'd think she'd have gotten over him by now for fuck's sake. No time like the present to kick that habit.
She gave a little wave as she realized Corey was headed towards them. "Thank you, Simon. We seem to have found my date," she flashed him a smile that held a little more warmth than before as she took her arm from his and stepped towards Corey.
(ooc Rene OUT)
Lotus
18 years ago
The clank of dinnerware made her ears ring. She was -really- not used to these large social functions. Lotus scanned the crowd, eyes falling on the tall, dark man known as Simon. She let a sigh of relief escape her glossy lips. She would've felt like a fool if she had to wander around all these people, trying to find her clan. Subconsciously smoothing her dress, she began to make her way through the throng of people. Just a few more feet... Ahhh, finally. The table seemed pretty packed already, a few more minutes late and Lotus probably would've been sitting by herself.
She smiled at Simon and Carol, the only two people she really recognized, then nodded at the rest of the table.
"umm... I'm just a tad late." She said, pinching her fingers together.
She smiled at Simon and Carol, the only two people she really recognized, then nodded at the rest of the table.
"umm... I'm just a tad late." She said, pinching her fingers together.
Carol
18 years ago
'WOOT!' Carol cheered as she got up to greet Lotus. 'Where have you been? Come sit, sit!' She hurried around the table and grabbed Lotus' hand, guiding her to the free chair next to Kyle.
'You look so pretty! Rawr! Hey, have you met everyone yet?' She pointed at the table members and introduced them again. 'Alec, Ginnie, Nova and Kyle. You're not late at all, they're just now bringing the food. Sit!!'
Carol had seen very little of Lotus but her shy quality was not lost on her. She liked Lotus so far - she wasn't annoying which was a plus. Carol gave a wave to Rene as she departed and decided to try and speak privately to Kyle later when he was feeling up to it. By the look on his face, now would not be a good time, so why not sandwich him in with two beautiful women. That would perk her up, at least.
((ooc - permission to grab Lotus))
'You look so pretty! Rawr! Hey, have you met everyone yet?' She pointed at the table members and introduced them again. 'Alec, Ginnie, Nova and Kyle. You're not late at all, they're just now bringing the food. Sit!!'
Carol had seen very little of Lotus but her shy quality was not lost on her. She liked Lotus so far - she wasn't annoying which was a plus. Carol gave a wave to Rene as she departed and decided to try and speak privately to Kyle later when he was feeling up to it. By the look on his face, now would not be a good time, so why not sandwich him in with two beautiful women. That would perk her up, at least.
((ooc - permission to grab Lotus))
Kyle Evans
18 years ago
Kyle looked over at Nova's plate. 'No I'm good,' he managed to say. Just then another good looking woman came by the table. Carol was immediately happy to see her. Hmm, Kyle thought, must be another one. Are there any ugly vampires?
He gave her a rather unsatisfied nod and continued to watch Rene and Simon. Looked like her partner was coming to fetch her. Lucky girl. Kyle wasn't at all sure what he thought of his current situation, besides the fact that he didn't like it.
Not at all.
He gave her a rather unsatisfied nod and continued to watch Rene and Simon. Looked like her partner was coming to fetch her. Lucky girl. Kyle wasn't at all sure what he thought of his current situation, besides the fact that he didn't like it.
Not at all.
Simon Huntington
18 years ago
Simon wasn't sure why he offered to take Rene back to her table, but he found the reaction it gave Kyle thrilling. It was very alpha male of him to do and he couldn't recall ever doing it on purpose before. It was almost something Ellis would've love to have seen him do.
He gently released Rene as her partner approached them. 'Ah, stealing her away already. Miss Rene, it was a pleasure.' He gave her a stiff bow and then returned to his seat. Lotus had shown up, much to his Carol's delight. Before he sat down he gave her a small smile and nodded.
Across the table Kyle seemed to glare in any direction he looked at. He almost laughed out loud. The dinner had become so surreal.
He gently released Rene as her partner approached them. 'Ah, stealing her away already. Miss Rene, it was a pleasure.' He gave her a stiff bow and then returned to his seat. Lotus had shown up, much to his Carol's delight. Before he sat down he gave her a small smile and nodded.
Across the table Kyle seemed to glare in any direction he looked at. He almost laughed out loud. The dinner had become so surreal.
Lotus
18 years ago
Lotus's eyes popped open just a bit when Carol shrieked in glee. Such spunk in that one. Lotus had always been the quiet type, not sure why, just never really felt overly exuberant. It was refreshing though, to feel the energy from someone like Carol. It was like an electric charge in the air.
Lotus bashfully flashed everyone a smile, nodding in their direction. She vaguely recognized Ginnie from the big "meeting", though she's fairly certain no one else recognized her.
Taking her seat next to Kyle, she looked at him and flashed another bashful smile, feeling slightly embarrassed for no apparent reason. She wrung her hands in her lap, wondering if she should even bother trying to eat.
Ew tension. Someone was tense. Lotus peered at Kyle again. He didn't appear to be having a good time like everyone else. She scooted her chair closer to the table.
Trying to break her awkward nervousness, Lotus focused in Carol's direction, "Hey Carol, sorry I haven't been around so much, Just trying to get settled in and organized, and figure out where the hell everything is in this city. How have you been?"
Lotus bashfully flashed everyone a smile, nodding in their direction. She vaguely recognized Ginnie from the big "meeting", though she's fairly certain no one else recognized her.
Taking her seat next to Kyle, she looked at him and flashed another bashful smile, feeling slightly embarrassed for no apparent reason. She wrung her hands in her lap, wondering if she should even bother trying to eat.
Ew tension. Someone was tense. Lotus peered at Kyle again. He didn't appear to be having a good time like everyone else. She scooted her chair closer to the table.
Trying to break her awkward nervousness, Lotus focused in Carol's direction, "Hey Carol, sorry I haven't been around so much, Just trying to get settled in and organized, and figure out where the hell everything is in this city. How have you been?"
Carol
18 years ago
'Welp, purdy gud really. Have you gotten a chance to go to the House of Pain yet? If not, after this let's get into some latex and check it out!'
Carol clapped happily, trying to liven up the mood around the table. Inwardly she sighed, tension was getting too high there tonight, something had to give. She just hoped that she'd have time to get her camera when it did.
Carol clapped happily, trying to liven up the mood around the table. Inwardly she sighed, tension was getting too high there tonight, something had to give. She just hoped that she'd have time to get her camera when it did.
Lotus
18 years ago
"No, I haven't been by there yet, but I'd love to go. I've got plenty of latex laying around. Life's been pretty uneventful lately, so I'm due for some excitement, on any level. I'm already dying to get out these shoes. My heels are going to be so bruised." Lotus said with a chuckle.
Alec Devereaux
18 years ago
Having worked his way around the table, Alec had a newcomer to double back to. Carol knew everyone, so he had no way of judging if the new diner was fresh meat or a return visitor coming to support Simon's power base. Either way worked in Simon's favor, so all to the good. Grabbing another dish,
I don't think we've formally met. I'm Alec - is there anything I can get on a plate for you?
Pausing, Alec felt...strange. There was something...wrong. Standing up straight, he immediately scanned the balcony. Nope, that wasn't it. Closing his eyes, he opened his senses...the din of sound didn't have anything unusual hiding within it that he could detect, though the vibratory pattern was unusual, but only mildly. Could be anything from traffic to lots of people chewing...but...
Reducing his hearing and expanding his scent of smell, he caught it. That was the source of discomfort. Leaning over the food, Alec breathed in lightly, sampling the food. Expanding his sense of taste, he inhaled over his tongue and through his nose. No...that wasn't the source of the taint, but it wasn't pure, either. Taking a step away from the table, he closed his eyes and inhaled again...it was...stronger...but still so subtle. Oil...refined...highly refined. Catalyser? Why the hell would the Mayor have oil at his house? Looking around, there were some windows, and obviously vents open - the smell could be coming from outside, but it there wasn't any industry local enough for it to be noticable, which meant that he was either imagining things, it was off of the newcomer, which would have been much more potent, or it was something present nearby. Walking past the newcomer, he paused behind her, sniffing her slightly. Nope - she was shower fresh with maybe a light floral scent...something Asian he couldn't quite place. No flammables.
Moving around the table, scanning the crowd, he stopped behind Nova and whispered
Do you smell anything strange? You know, aside from the food.
I don't think we've formally met. I'm Alec - is there anything I can get on a plate for you?
Pausing, Alec felt...strange. There was something...wrong. Standing up straight, he immediately scanned the balcony. Nope, that wasn't it. Closing his eyes, he opened his senses...the din of sound didn't have anything unusual hiding within it that he could detect, though the vibratory pattern was unusual, but only mildly. Could be anything from traffic to lots of people chewing...but...
Reducing his hearing and expanding his scent of smell, he caught it. That was the source of discomfort. Leaning over the food, Alec breathed in lightly, sampling the food. Expanding his sense of taste, he inhaled over his tongue and through his nose. No...that wasn't the source of the taint, but it wasn't pure, either. Taking a step away from the table, he closed his eyes and inhaled again...it was...stronger...but still so subtle. Oil...refined...highly refined. Catalyser? Why the hell would the Mayor have oil at his house? Looking around, there were some windows, and obviously vents open - the smell could be coming from outside, but it there wasn't any industry local enough for it to be noticable, which meant that he was either imagining things, it was off of the newcomer, which would have been much more potent, or it was something present nearby. Walking past the newcomer, he paused behind her, sniffing her slightly. Nope - she was shower fresh with maybe a light floral scent...something Asian he couldn't quite place. No flammables.
Moving around the table, scanning the crowd, he stopped behind Nova and whispered
Do you smell anything strange? You know, aside from the food.
Addison
18 years ago
Addison moved back to the table and took a seat quietly. There was a plate of some sort of food stuffs so he grabbed the closest thing to him and munched on it slowly. Jan wasn't back yet, and Carol seemed to be in conversation with a girl Addison didn't recognize. She was cute, though...very petite.
"Hello," he said to the unfamiliar girl with Carol and reached for another unknown something on the plate.
"Hello," he said to the unfamiliar girl with Carol and reached for another unknown something on the plate.
Nova
18 years ago
Nova gave the good looking chick a wave, vaguely remembering seeing her at the meeting as she walked out, and turned to Kyle with a frown.
The guy had gone all quiet and didn’t want to eat, which was sorta worrisome. Carol and the hotgirl, whose name Nova was going to have to get at some point, seemed caught up in conversation and Alec was messing with the food, so she thought it was an opportune time to lean in and ask:
“You feeling okay?”
Something sure –felt- wrong. It could, she reasoned, just be Kyle’s mood throwing her off, but she didn’t think so. She looked around, eliminating possibilities. Not the new arrival. She didn’t think it was Jan’s absence bothering her, though when her brain got this way she tended to look for him first. Not Simon…
Then Alec came up and asked her something, and she actually jumped, startled. She hadn’t realized how tuned in she had been, though of course once she was aware and trying to force the issue in order to answer Alec’s question, she couldn’t seem to focus.
She shook her head slowly as she looked around the room.
“No…but…” Her eyes passed over a waiter walking by their table. She watched him continue on, frowning. “…something’s off.”
The guy had gone all quiet and didn’t want to eat, which was sorta worrisome. Carol and the hotgirl, whose name Nova was going to have to get at some point, seemed caught up in conversation and Alec was messing with the food, so she thought it was an opportune time to lean in and ask:
“You feeling okay?”
Something sure –felt- wrong. It could, she reasoned, just be Kyle’s mood throwing her off, but she didn’t think so. She looked around, eliminating possibilities. Not the new arrival. She didn’t think it was Jan’s absence bothering her, though when her brain got this way she tended to look for him first. Not Simon…
Then Alec came up and asked her something, and she actually jumped, startled. She hadn’t realized how tuned in she had been, though of course once she was aware and trying to force the issue in order to answer Alec’s question, she couldn’t seem to focus.
She shook her head slowly as she looked around the room.
“No…but…” Her eyes passed over a waiter walking by their table. She watched him continue on, frowning. “…something’s off.”
Lotus
18 years ago
Lotus smiled at Alec's offer of food. Potatoes -were- her favourite of the foods, but now wasn't the time to start shoveling them in her mouth. Every muscle in her body went tense when she heard the familiar thump-thump of a racing heartbeat. Not an excited heartbeat, but one comprised of complete and total fear.
Alec moved behind her... was he... was he sniffing her? Inhaling briefly she caught a waft of heavy perspiration. Not Alec's, or Kyle's, it wasn't strong enough to be theirs, they were right next to her... this was faint. Growing stronger. Something was wrong. Her spine startled tingling. It seems like she wouldn't have to wait until the House of Pain to get some of that direly needed excitement.
Completely absorbed in her senses, Lotus totally forgot to respond to Alec. She blinked a couple times, and stuttered, "N.. No thank you, I'm not very hungry..." She trailed off, still trying to figure out what the hell was going on.
The thumping was the loudest thing she heard now. It smelled like she herself was perspiring, the smell was so strong, then a soft breeze hit the back of her arms, she turned slightly and realized the source of all the panic and fear. A man in a tux was hurriedly going somewhere. 'Oh my god', Lotus thought. 'That's a waiter! What the fuck is going on?'
Lotus turned back to Carol, looking slightly perplexed. "Something's up with that guy..." nodding toward the waiter in question, "He's like, wigging out hardcore."
Alec moved behind her... was he... was he sniffing her? Inhaling briefly she caught a waft of heavy perspiration. Not Alec's, or Kyle's, it wasn't strong enough to be theirs, they were right next to her... this was faint. Growing stronger. Something was wrong. Her spine startled tingling. It seems like she wouldn't have to wait until the House of Pain to get some of that direly needed excitement.
Completely absorbed in her senses, Lotus totally forgot to respond to Alec. She blinked a couple times, and stuttered, "N.. No thank you, I'm not very hungry..." She trailed off, still trying to figure out what the hell was going on.
The thumping was the loudest thing she heard now. It smelled like she herself was perspiring, the smell was so strong, then a soft breeze hit the back of her arms, she turned slightly and realized the source of all the panic and fear. A man in a tux was hurriedly going somewhere. 'Oh my god', Lotus thought. 'That's a waiter! What the fuck is going on?'
Lotus turned back to Carol, looking slightly perplexed. "Something's up with that guy..." nodding toward the waiter in question, "He's like, wigging out hardcore."
Simon Huntington
18 years ago
Simon felt the fear before he even saw who it was coming from. There was something...a smell, a sound...he couldn't pin point it but something in him tingled. Immediately Simon's blood lust grew as he smelled the fear of someone nearby. Noticing the reactions of his table mates, he stood, slowly.
Carol turned and looked at Simon as he stood, gently reaching out and touching his hand. He pulled away from her touch as he started to turn, searching the area. The fear walked by him, the smell of the man's sweat was thick in his notrils, making his blood lust rear its ugly head.
'Something,' Simon murmured.
Spinning slowly he watched the waiter and like blips on a radar his head was telling him something...something was wrong. Finally Simon's eyes crossed a familiar face only this face was looking directly at him.
'Excuse me,' Simon's voice trailed as he walked towards Alfarinn who seemed to have the same worried look on his face.
((ooc - Simon out))
Carol turned and looked at Simon as he stood, gently reaching out and touching his hand. He pulled away from her touch as he started to turn, searching the area. The fear walked by him, the smell of the man's sweat was thick in his notrils, making his blood lust rear its ugly head.
'Something,' Simon murmured.
Spinning slowly he watched the waiter and like blips on a radar his head was telling him something...something was wrong. Finally Simon's eyes crossed a familiar face only this face was looking directly at him.
'Excuse me,' Simon's voice trailed as he walked towards Alfarinn who seemed to have the same worried look on his face.
((ooc - Simon out))
Carol
18 years ago
It was one thing to watch Alec, Nova and Lotus all suddenly change the subject, asking each other what was wrong...it was another to look at Simon and see him on the verge of blood lusting.
Quickly Carol stood. Her mind raced, trying to figure the trigger for their sudden response. She followed Simon's eyes towards the waiter who just passed their table.
'What the fuck,' she mumbled.
Quickly Carol stood. Her mind raced, trying to figure the trigger for their sudden response. She followed Simon's eyes towards the waiter who just passed their table.
'What the fuck,' she mumbled.
Kyle Evans
18 years ago
'I feel fine...,' Kyle's voice trailed as he watched Alec and Nova suddenly become anxious. The new girl joined in their conversation as they all started to look around.
Kyle's eyebrows furrowed. 'What are you...?' That's when Simon stood which alarmed Carol enough to stand. Simon walked off towards another table and Kyle stood to watch. He was talking to some other man with long blonde hair.
Kyle wasn't stupid, something was wrong and it was flipping the other's out. Must have something to do with their weird vampire ways but Carol wasn't one and even she noticed.
'Listen, am I going to have to run again?'
Kyle's eyebrows furrowed. 'What are you...?' That's when Simon stood which alarmed Carol enough to stand. Simon walked off towards another table and Kyle stood to watch. He was talking to some other man with long blonde hair.
Kyle wasn't stupid, something was wrong and it was flipping the other's out. Must have something to do with their weird vampire ways but Carol wasn't one and even she noticed.
'Listen, am I going to have to run again?'