Charity Ball - An evening with the Mayor / Facing the Music:Attn Simon (Open to the adoring public) / Jan 18 years ago

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. ))

Carol 18 years ago

Carol gave Kyle a look and was about to reply with a rather derogatory request when Simon called to her. Blinking she listened to his voice in her head.

[Alec and Nova smelled something, ask them what it is? And prepare the others.]

'Guys, what is it that you're smelling. Simon needs to know. Now.'

Carol was now not just worried but put out. Something bad was about to happen and she swore to god if anyone fucked her Vera Wang dress up, there'd be some serious hell to pay.

Lotus 18 years ago

"Fear." Lotus said, licking her lips in excitement.

Mathias 18 years ago

'Guys, what is it that you're smelling. Simon needs to know. Now.'

Mathias and Shay had arrived just in time to hear Carol ask.

"Fear..terror and anger. Something is very wrong here,and damn me if I know what it is"

Shay 18 years ago

At first Shay looked at Alexi oddly. Hadn't they just said they would sit elsewhere? But before she had time to ask anything, he had started pulling her along, gripping her arm like he was pulling her up a mountain side, and saying something about needing to get to the Tacharan table?

Something was wrong? What in the heck happened in the space of seconds that had caused him to take on such a sense of urgency.
Not only did she feel the tension in him, but when he whispered his concerns, she became immediately concerned as well.

It was a good thing though, that he lessened the vice grip, as she was about to yank herself from him.

Once they got to the table, Shay heard Carol saying that Simon needed to know what everyone 'smelled'...? Shay looked around and saw various strange looks on the people there. She also now noticed how people all over the ballroom were acting agitated, and some were even leaving.

Grabbing onto Alexi with her own death grip, she pulled at him, wanting to know what was happening, and if they needed to leave as well.

"What is it? Gas...is there a gas leak or something?"

No...Alexi said he smelled...Fear?

"What do you mean fear...anger...Mathias, how do you smell such things?"

Alec Devereaux 18 years ago

Laughing a bit uncomfortably, Alec scowled.

The fear may be me, sorry about that. What I smell is a petroleum based catalyst for incendiary explosives. I think it might be best if we all got the fuck out of here in a calm and collected manner with Simon's go ahead, though I suspect if the waiters are anxious and possibly in on what is happening that the standard exits may be covered for certain types of departures.

Looking to Carol, as she had implied that she was going to communicate to Simon either in person or via one of her wonderful toys,

With Simon's permission I would like to scout the upper floor and roof and see what there is to see. We should probably also have someone tail one of these anxious waiters, and someone to check the basement. Everyone else should attached to Simon. Best case scenario, we're all twitchy for no reason, which seems unlikely.

Looking to Carol, he waited for direction.

Nova 18 years ago

Nova laughed sharply at the rather astute observation, tilting her head back and trying to concentrate.

“Yeah, she’s right. That dude’s got problems.”

Then Simon stood up and walked off, muttering under his breath. Yeah, there were problems alright. Kyle made a flip remark and she sighed, really not wanting him in the middle of this, then saw where her creator was going.

“Why the hell is Simon going to talk to Arin Bjorn?”

Carol then asked the people at the table what their deal was, and she nodded in agreement with the general consensus. There wasn’t much time to think about things beyond their situation at that point and she was glad for the fact that Alec seemed to be formulating a plan so quickly. It was reassuring and she considered what the next step was. Kyle could go with whoever would be leading them out and be as safe as he was bound to be in this situation, but it was hard not to feel protective. She put her hand on his thigh and gave a light squeeze, though she was still looking to her clanmates as she stood.

“We're not all here. Need to find my brother and Addison.”

Palmer 18 years ago

Palmer followed close behind Shalimar and Mathias with Valentine beside him and two drinks in his hands, looking for all the world as though he had planned to blunder into Tacharan in the midst of some sort of crisis and had brought drinks just to be prepared. He paused before they arrived at the table, though, and handed Valentine’s drink to her.

“This is, I’m afraid, where we must part.” He was sincerely regretful for that, at war as he was with his duties as a huntsman and his duties as a gentleman. “I must see to my people as I imagine you must see to yours; I didn't realize I had a clanmate here until just a moment ago. I do hope we meet again, Lovely Valentine.”

He couldn’t have possibly felt like a bigger heel for this, even if the large crowd at the Tacharan table was slightly reassuring. The thought of a certain high strung blonde bearing down on him had absolutely no effect; there was just no way of making this right and he had to hope Valentine would understand.

/ooc Palmer out pending responses

Valentine 18 years ago

Following along with Palmer Val was watching the rest of the room. Like Mathias, other, apparently more sensitive members, of Tàcharan were concerned. More than that it seemed this concern was spreading.

She felt utterly unprepared for this sort of situation, even though she had no idea what the situation was, and was possessed of a very strong desire to get the hell out. Still she kept up an appearance of calm.

“I can’t say that I’m not disappointed at this turn of events. But under the circumstances, Palmer, I do understand. Take care.”

Val very much meant what she’d said, but respected Palmer’s loyalty to his clan. There was something to be said for looking out for one’s own.

Smiling after her retreating escort she turned her attention to the rest of the table. Damned Giovanni, curses her with teeth that barley fit in her mouth but doesn’t pass on bloodlust. If she ever saw him again there would be words exchanged.

Mathias 18 years ago

"The scent was not you Alec. While Shay and I were at the bar,someone brushed past me..and it set off every alarm bell. The fear they felt was almost palatable,their heartbeat was like hammers on my head and their sweat..well let us just say it was an unpleasant experience in the extreme. That person was scared,terrified of something and it was not an unknown quantity - they -knew- what it was."

He turned to Shay,gently rubbing her hand. In the excitement and concern with getting her to a safer place he had skipped some details.

"Sorry love,I forget that we have not discussed my..abilities. My senses are somewhat more acute that normal, and can sometimes give me an edge in combat,or as we just saw tip me off. It also explains why I have been on edge tonight,besides Paul that is." Mathias instantly regretted saying it,but he was focused on other things and not social niceties.

Listening to Alec and Nova, he nodded his head in agreement. They needed to get together with Simon,and quickly - before something happened. But they also needed to get Shay,Carol and...Kyle?,Mathias struggled to remember the man's name. And unless Carol brought her toys communication would be a issue.

"We need to get Shay,Carol and Kyle out of here. However,I dressed light and so the idea of splitting up is not a good one. Nova, can you call Jan? Carol,same for Simon - if we can get them here discreetly so much the better."

Shay 18 years ago

How long she stood there with her mouth open, Shay had no clue, but she was a little stunned to find out Alexi had such skills. Lucky for them, especially tonight, for where would they have been relying on her 'intuition'? Woefully out of luck, that's for sure.

Though she was anxious about the turn of events, watching and listening to Alexi remain calm, and organized helped her keep her wits. His touch was reassuring. When he mentioned Paul, who she knew he had a difficult time with, she again had to marvel in his abilities to maintain his cool. Later, when they were alone, and safe, and it was quite again, she would need to thank him properly for showing her such consideration.

Thinking there should be something for her to do, and knowing she could be helpful if given proper direction, she held back. She had been trained to work in emergency situations, but when things around you were alien to anything you had ever dealt with, she also knew better to let those with experience take over. She wasn't even one hundred percent sure what all her clan mates looked like, or she would have been happy to go in search. She did know Addison, and that he wasn't at the table yet. Yet she wasn't sure if it would be a benefit for her to go off on her own to try to locate one person. She certainly didn't relish being parted from Alexi.

No...she was afraid Addison would need to rely on himself, or someone else to assist.

"Let me know if I can do anything at all, sweetheart."

There, it was said. Alexi could use the offer however he saw fit, but at least she had made it. Until it was suggested differently, she would remain by his side, and try to 'feel' anything that resembled fear.

Ginnie 18 years ago

Ginnie had listened very carefully to the conversation around her. As Alec spoke about catalytic oils, she tensed. Slowly she closed her eyes and let her ears and nose pic up what they could. She wished now that her beloved maker had given her perception instead of telekinesis. She could detect nothing over the stench and roar of so very many humans. Sighing she opened her eyes and studied the room. They only thing that looked like it could be even remotely dangerous was the little sound speakers. That would take a massive amount of "redecorating" to turn that into an explosives rig. She also had no way of getting close enough to find out. She'd mention it and then stay on guard.

'This damn dress is going to get in the way if I have to run.'

"We may want to keep an eye on the sound system, but I can't be certain. It seems a good place for incendiaries. I'd use it, were it my job."

She'd like to get a look. If Alec was given leave to scout she would go with him.

"I'd like to join Alec. Love, do you have an extra set of picks with you, or did we leave all of that at home? I don't think I even have a nail file in my purse."

Alec Devereaux 18 years ago

Looking to Ginnie as she began speaking, Alec nodded.

Damn...I hadn't thought of the sound system. With the even distribution and coverage, it'd be perfect for blanket incendiaries, wouldn't it?

At the question, Alec smirked.

Just the ceramics that you don't like that I almost always keep with me...and I'd have to make quite a scene to get them ready without a bit of cover. And some people just ate.

Carol 18 years ago

'A what?' Carol tried to keep the fear out of her voice but it wasn't happening. Looking back over at Simon she sent a rather frantic message as calmly as she could.

[Simon it's a bomb. There's a bomb somewhere in here. We need to get everyone out.]

Kyle Evans 18 years ago

'A bomb?' Kyle looked at Alec. 'And you want to go looking for it? We need to get everyone the fuck out.'

Grabbing Nova by the hand he pulled her close to him. With a nervous laugh he looked down at her, forgetting the uncomfortable incident with Rene and Simon. 'You sure do make a date interesting, I'll give you that.'

Looking at Carol he called her over. 'Come on, let's go.'

Addison 18 years ago

Addison stepped up to the table and resisted the urge to take a seat. The food looked so inviting...and he was getting famished. The little angry sound was coming from his stomach area again, despite the urgency of Jan's warning and the girls' foreboding statements. He nodded in greeting to those at the table still and eyed the plate o food with interest.

(OOC: Apples is back for a moment)

The Voice 18 years ago

The sudden blast originating from the corner of the room you entered and knocks everyone off their feet. Bits of wood, metal, and slivers of glass pelt the floor around the guests. An inferno has risen up in the corner. The only safe exit is the garden doors, and the entire room seems to be headed there at once.

The big bang.

Nova 18 years ago

Nova turned to Alec and Ginnie, feeling somewhat dazed at this development and grinning lightly.

“But you guys can fix it, right?”

Kyle was taking her by the arm, saying something about getting out, and yes, he would need to get out, that seemed like a good idea. Addison walked up then, though, and she turned to him, frowning.

“Where’s…”

The rest of her query was cut off by an unbelievably loud blast and a wave of suffocating heat, the sheer force of it knocking her off her feet in a collision of bodies to land half on top of Kyle. Dazed and a little nervous to open her eyes and see how badly she was hurt, she swallowed once before doing just that. She had felt something rip from just below her knee to the top of her hip, and she was convinced she would look down to see a massive gash going up her leg…

She almost laughed when she realized it was just the seam of her dress, which now had a considerably higher slit up the thigh. Then she rolled over and looked to Kyle, speaking in a voice scratchy from the smoke.

“All right there?”

Alec Devereaux 18 years ago

Facing the direction of the gardens, Alec has a split second warning to pull his senses back in, for all the good it did him. The shockwave knocked something into him - was Nova that hard? - and knocked him off his feet and onto another guest, causing a table to buckle onto others. Momentarily senseless, he turned the world down toward dark silence for a moment, tuning out. He was still intact, though his hearing was next to useless and one eye was very moist. Bringing his body into an upright position, he rubbed the gobbet of charred...someone...from his face. Glad it wasn't his eye, he scanned the wreckage. Looking at the table, everyone was down, but it looked like there was movement. Sitting up, he opened his senses a bit more. There was hearing, but it was all ringing. Shutting it all but off, he altered his vision to reduce color and contrast but accentuate motion. Moving toward Ginnie, he glanced at Nova's movement - she seemed fine, and was checking Kyle. Moving past without a further glance, he looked to his lover to do a quick evaluation, using their hand signals to indicate radio silence - she'd get that he couldn't hear anyone.

Glancing around, he saw that the blast had effectively created a funnel. One primary exit option with any other exit options covered from the same single direction. Fucking perfect setup. Anyone going out that front entrance was fucked, but unless you were fireproof, that was the only exit that he could see. The underworks would be aflame, so unless this place hooked directly to sewer, they had one way out. Addressing the folk near him, he said

Don't bother talking to me - I can't hear. We're being funneled out - the shape of the destruction is cutting us off from other exits - we need to head out with the crowd, but make sure no one can see faces - especially Simon's. Wait, where's Simon?

Fuck.

Looking around, it was pure chaos. How the fuck were they going to find him in that unless Carol's radio still worked, which would be a longshot?

Mathias 18 years ago

Mathias -felt- the shockwave before the explosion. Turning towards Shay,he was about to discuss how she could assist in evacuating Tacharan personnel. The shift in pressure caused by the explosive bubble tingled against his skin and Mathias had but a moment to react. Pushing Shay down to the floor, he was caught up in the explosion and flung against someone.

Smoke and dust filled the room,making it extremely difficult to see or breath. Temporarily stunned, MAthias reached out for Shay,expecting her right next to him. A momentary panic set in as he reached out desperately to find her. All else,his life and the lives of those around him were forgotten as Mathias searched for his soulmate.

"Shay?? Shay!! Call out love, I can't see you!!"

Shay 18 years ago

"Mathias?!"

Shay shrieked as the felt him shove her to the floor, and was propelled even further by the blast. A sharp pain to her head, as it smacked against something very hard, and Shay literally saw stars. Then, she saw nothing.

Blinking...nothing. Rubbing her eyes...nothing. All around her she could hear screams, and groans, and cries...glass being broken, and walked on, loud noises that sounded like furniture falling. People yelling...Mathias yelling...yelling for her. But she couldn't see him, or anything!

"Mathias?! I'm on the floor...over here...I can't see you either."

The smoke must be terribly thick, to be so black, but it didn't smell terribly bad. She could definitely smell smoke, but she could breathe too...it wasn't over powering her. So why couldn't she see, and why were her eyes now tearing so badly...and why did they HURT so badly? Every time she tried to open her eyes, the tears ran down her face like a faucet.

Before panic set in, and she could feel it was on the way, Shay started scrambling on the floor. Pieces of glass were digging in and cutting her knees and palms, and she was constantly wincing. First sharp pain in her eyes, and then her head, and now it seemed her entire body was to be subjected to torture.

Finding what felt like the leg to an upright table, Shay pulled herself into a sitting position, and leaned back against the leg. She was scared, and she needed Alexi, but was trying to gather her sanity at the same time. She would not let on about how scared she was. At least she was breathing, and didn't appear to have lost any body parts. That thought sent her fingers to her eyes, where she touched very lightly against her eyelids with just the glass free tips of her digits. No...even though she couldn't see, her eyes were still in her head.

"Mathias? Can you hear me still? Can you still not see either...I think I've got pepper...or glass...something in my eyes...?"

She tried to make it a simple question, but the fear in her made it come out as a rather despairing wail. And just as she felt herself calming just the slightest bit, someone tripped over her legs, and just lie there.

"Mathias?"

Reaching forward she felt someone...a man, for they had on a suit, or tuxedo...but they weren't moving. Her hand moved through something thick and sticky as she felt up along the arm to the shoulder, and across to the head.

"Oh my god!"

Where the head should have been was air, and Shay's hand had sunk into bone and blood and muscle...

She screamed.