Roos nods to everyone as they enter while she continues checking in with the staff. Surprised but relieved that no issues had arisen while she was out dancing and feeding, Roos lets the staff get back to doing what they do best.
"You do work your ass off, you deserve to cut loose now and then."
"Hey, she's not the only one," Roos teases Shane. "I mean, do you even work, or do people just throw money at you for being so studly?" she laughs.
"But yeah, it was good to cut loose for a change. I don't usually go out on the floor like that during work. Too much chance of getting lost in the sound. But with you all here, I wasn't as worried about completely losing control or blissing out."
She smiles in thanks for the coterie's friendship.
"So what's up with you two?" she asks the latecomers. "Any new projects, Priam?"
"Hey, she's not the only one," Roos teases Shane. "I mean, do you even work, or do people just throw money at you for being so studly?" she laughs.
A smile at that, "Well, now and then I have to evict someone from a building... that can be work." In truth , Shane's got a good set up and knows it. SOmetimes he gets a call to help but as word has spread trouble makers have let his hotel be.. mostly.
Jericho steps into the room as Terrance again and says good eve Shane and Priam, out for a walk?
Priam shakes his head, "Free consult with Shane. He suggested we come here. I assented. Glad I did.
How are you Jericho?"
"Any new projects, Priam?"
"Absolutely. My own referrals are slower than they used to be but my Ghoul is her own little star. The work has picked up considerably since I onboarded her.
Why sometimes my lifestyle is so mundane I forget I'm not even a Mortal any longer! But when you are pursuing your passion does it matter?"
Priam's words cause Victoria to look down at her couch in thought.
Jericho steps into the room as Terrance again and says good eve Shane and Priam, out for a walk?Priam shakes his head, "Free consult with Shane. He suggested we come here. I assented. Glad I did.
"Weeell," At mention of the free part, "I was going to pay you back by teaching you how to dance but obviously THAT idea is shot." a grin.
"Weeell," At mention of the free part, "I was going to pay you back by teaching you how to dance but obviously THAT idea is shot." a grin.
"I was a club kid in the '70's and a club Kindred in the '80's. The '90's weren't quite the same, but interesting in their own way I suppose.
As my clients often used to tell me, I'm not your average Nosferatu, but then I never wanted to go through Life being average so why do so in Unlife?
So many of our kind lead existences of quiet desperation as if they're already dead, you know, really dead. I'd rather be really dead than merely exist until the ennui leads me to walk into the sun".
"I Hear that. Hard balance being the 'reasonable Brujah' and 'Hotel muscle' while still having a blast with the many many nights I have ahead of me." A nod "Sorry if I sterotyped you, Priam... I'm not as WOke or whatever the term is now, but i DO try not to be an Ahole"
Paris arrives to Null Space around 2:00 AM caring in some reeded instrument its hard to tell what it is in its case. She is woefully underdressed wearing a sleek black sheath dress with flats. As she gets to the doors she calls Roos quickly explaining that she got caught up after a premier tonight with a new "Muse" writing but finished the first few pieces and figured she'd dart over!
as she gets into the Blood Room she looks around and quickly mutters "Hey everyone, Looks like I missed the fun, sorry to be so late!"
Victoria's eyes light up as Paris arrives. "Paris! You had me worried for a while there--I thought you weren't going to show!" She smiles and waves her over.
When Jawn the bouncer tells Roos that Paris is here, she's up and out of the Room faster than anyone can react. Freshly fed and excited to see Paris, she turns on the supernatural speed and is down to the front of the club in mere seconds.
"Paris! Come on, we've all been wondering if you would arrive!" she greets her with a huge hug.
Roos leads her up to the Blood Room listening to her explanation about writing new music. "Oooh, when do we get to hear it?" she asks genuinely interested in experiencing new art. "And when are you going to DJ for me again? I've still got people asking to to have you back, you know."
Shane waves politely. Though frankly the Giovanni wig him out a bit. She seems nice though and he tries to not let any nervousness show.
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Sept. 6, 2022 - Elysium (Madison Square Garden)
Tucked into the rafters at Madison Square Garden are two luxury catwalks with their own bars and other facilities as well as several private lounges that overlook the Garden's floor from high above the regular seats and suites. For years, it has been impossible to book tickets for the Bridge at Madison Square Garden during the first week of every month. Not just difficult, not just expensive, but literally impossible regardless of whatever is going on, whether it's a concert, sporting event, or something else. In 2015 Chris Rock wanted to book the Bridge that week for his daughter's birthday and was politely refused. In 2017 Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman tried to rent out the Bridge to watch a tennis tournament and found that he couldn't. In 2020, Michael Bloomberg asked to hold a political fundraiser there and was told no.
New York City event planners, publicists, and gossip reporters know it is the most exclusive regular event that takes place in the city but almost no one knows who rents out the space or what happens for that week at the beginning of every month. Reporters have set up stakeouts to take pictures of everyone going in and out of the VIP entrance to the Garden during that week and usually come away with fuzzy memories and no pictures. The Garden's ubiquitous internal security camera coverage never records the Bridge or the VIP entrances and hallways that week, either. MSG staff have standing orders to get all their cleaning and preparations of the Bridge done before noon during that week and to avoid the area otherwise.
It is a remarkably public place to hold a private event. Theories abound as to why the Prince of New York City would choose to hold Elysium in such a place. As a show of power and influence, blocking off a week of one of the most in demand sections of one of the world's most popular and active venues is certainly an impressive display. As a demonstration of confidence in one's security apparatus and ability to control the flow of information, it is incredibly bold- some would say foolhardy. As a display of wealth, it is impressive though some would look down their noses at such plebian surroundings. Some people think it's specifically to tweak the noses of those who would prefer to meet in a dark underground bar or a mansion surrounded by a ten foot tall fence. Others jokingly say it's just because Calebros loves the Knicks and the Rangers.
Regardless of why, the fact is that since the spring of 2013- since Calebros was convinced he needed to hold regular, predictable, accessible Elysiums, in fact- the Prince of New York City has held them here, right in the middle of one of the largest public venues in the city, for a week at the beginning of every month. Calebros's lounge is at the far end of the Bridge, with more influential coteries populating the other lounges and less influential ones or those new to the city or without coteries sitting at one of the two open bars or in the two rows of seats that look down on the floor. One can't quite map power in the Camarilla by drawing out a floor map of the Bridge's lounges and who's where, but you couldn't go wrong by assuming that those closer to Calebros are of higher station and those farther away lower.
Although by the sixth night of Elysium, as tonight is, some will have already had their business for the Prince concluded or decided their presence is no longer required for the week and stopped coming. And tonight is quiet down below, with the Harry Styles concert not til tomorrow, the last night of Elysium.
Of course, your entire coterie's presence was requested tonight, so not showing up was not an option.
Sept. 6, 2022 - Elysium (Madison Square Garden) - Paris 9:30pm
Rudy adjusts his tie for the hundredth time as the Uber sits at a light a block from the Garden. He looks over at Paris and smiles in a way that she can tell he's being reassuring but all of his fidgeting and checking in with her is just betraying his own worries. "How are you feeling? Alright? Nothing to worry about, just normal opening night jitters." He wants to ask if she remembers everything he had told her, she could tell, but he's already done that twice and doing it a third time would certainly not help anything.
"I Hear that. Hard balance being the 'reasonable Brujah' and 'Hotel muscle' while still having a blast with the many many nights I have ahead of me." A nod "Sorry if I sterotyped you, Priam... I'm not as WOke or whatever the term is now, but i DO try not to be an Ahole"
Priam scoffs, "Do you know how many a&*#!+& clients I have dealt with and will in the future? Hell, even the Mortals. I don't let such things get under my skin. Nor do I feel stereotyped. Such things are true for much of my Clan.
Many are not skilled enough with Obfuscate to walk among the Kine. It is sad for them to be sure. It's not easy being considered a Monster.
Truth be told I should have been a Toreador, but if I were I would not have had the Sire I had and I would not have traded my time with him for anything, well, almost anything.
He is a genius visionary".
When Paris arrives, Priam smiles. "Play us something, I'd love to hear it too"
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Jericho let the group speak for him and attends in the flesh for the first time in a long time having decided now is the time to come out and he sits down with the coterie wearing a suit and tie that is classic and old but up to date for the times. He walks in with his almost life like look and presents his invite to go upstairs having fed on his herd prior to arriving making sure we is full. Jericho arrived and looks around to see whom else is there.
Sept. 6, 2022 - Elysium (Madison Square Garden)
Shane enters in wearing a suit and tie, the suit is made of leather but hey. A blood red shirt under it, no tie. It's probably the most expensive suit he has... assuming he owns it and isn't renting it out. But damn he is rocking it. Yes, he's wearing the shades.
His eyes glance about at other Coteries too, wondering if he'll see his mother here. He knows Sis won't make it.
Sept. 6th, 2022 - Elysium (Madison Square Garden)
Victoria steps out of her car, this time dressed in a jet-black blazer, skirt, stockings and heels with a white blouse beneath. It looks like she's preparing to go to court instead of Elysium, but it's a suitably impressive ensemble regardless.
She strides up to Shane. "Evening, Shane." She nods before glancing at the man dressed in an old-fashioned suit and tie.
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Jericho smiles as his coterie arrives and he slides up and says with that smile firmly in place good eve Victoria and Shane. A pleasure to meet you face to face, it is I Jericho Jericho bends in a slight and formal bow. Jericho is wearing an older formal suit and tie with a classic cut that looks well off and he appears to have an excellent blush to his not so pale skin beneath a large mustache.
Sept. 6th, 2022 - Elysium (Madison Square Garden)
Victoria blinks in surprise. "Oh, Jericho?" She tilts her head at the man. "I didn't recognize you at first."
Sept. 6th, 2022 - Elysium (Madison Square Garden)
"Victoria, looking professional. Rocking the classic, Jericho." Shane looks about, "As we've been requested to show up as a group, I have to wonder if someone thinks we've been good, or been bad. Either way, I can smell politics brewing." A shake of his head.
Sept. 6, 2022 - Elysium (Madison Square Garden) - Paris 9:30pm
Rudy adjusts his tie for the hundredth time as the Uber sits at a light a block from the Garden. He looks over at Paris and smiles in a way that she can tell he's being reassuring but all of his fidgeting and checking in with her is just betraying his own worries. "How are you feeling? Alright? Nothing to worry about, just normal opening night jitters." He wants to ask if she remembers everything he had told her, she could tell, but he's already done that twice and doing it a third time would certainly not help anything.
"Could be worse as I've said, formalities are always a bit nerve-wracking but this would be a mighty poor place to do anything stupid." She answers looking to Rudy. "If I were a betting man I'd say your more on edge than me but I always have been better with openings than you."
She is wearing a deep crimson ballgown as she emerges from the Uber.
Sept. 6th, 2022 - Elysium (Madison Square Garden)
Priam arrives in a taxi using the face he normally uses on outings, the "Ugly Warhol". His clothing is not nearly as formal as that of his coterie but it is something you would see on a fashion show runway for male models in Italy. Stylish is Priam's modus operandi after all, who knows how many Kindred clients he could pick up tonight by being seen.
He regards his fellow coterie members, We are quite the odd group reasonably pleasant towards one another but with no real common bonds. Like club kids but without the drugs.
He waves to everyone without speaking just listening as the small talk ensues.
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Jericho smiles and says the benefits and barriers of being "The Traveller" my dear. Places to see, people to be. and Jericho nods at Shane's observation and at Priam's arrival and says most of the important meetings have happened so this leaves either real business behind the scenes or something official behind the scenes, or just a chance to get to know some up and comers.
Sept. 6th, 2022 - Elysium (Madison Square Garden)
There are 2 catwalks that make up the Bridge, high above the Garden's floor, each with their own sets of private lounges, bar, and double row of seating overlooking the ground below. Picking one or the other is a choice in itself, as once past the open lobby at the far end of the roof any Kindred can go to either the right or the left side to approach the Prince's lounge.
There are, of course, other elevators that lead up to the Bridge but Calebros makes sure only he and his personal guests have access to those. Everyone else has to make the long walk along one of the two galleries.
"Yeah, better go in together, Not like folks don't know we're allied." He wants to say friends, but if some elder is listening that would be taken as a weakness and not the strength it should be seen as. And who needs some old stiff deciding to Lois Lane one of your buddies, or worse, trying to use YOU as the Lois.
Sept. 6th, 2022 - Elysium (Madison Square Garden)
Roos arrives at Elysium fashionably late, as one does. Not so late that it causes problems for her or her friends, but just enough that everyone that matters is there to notice her arrival. The timing is an art in and of itself, though not an art form practiced with any grace by most artistes.
Like her friends, she’s dressed to impress, but in a Galia Lahav gown that highlights her long, lean form. Wearing 3 inch heels, she tops 6 feet tall. She knows that whatever they’ve been called here for they need to make an impression, so she does. In spades.
She greets everyone with the same friendly, pleasant demeanor that she showed at the club, but slightly more subdued given the venue. Air kisses all around, and compliments on their styles and outfits, especially Victoria’s and Paris’. Even Jericho’s dated but still classic suit, and Shane’s {eye-roll & laugh} leather pants get compliments.
”Well, of course we go together, Shane. We were asked to attend as a group, I thought.”
”Honestly, I don’t think it matters in the end which way we go across. There will be some kind of social traps either way we choose. But no one would dare deny us outright, given the Prince requested our presence.”
As she looks around at the other Kindred and the layout of the Bridge, she naturally tunes in her hearing and sight to see if she can pick up any important or simply juicy tidbits of conversation or notice anyone watching them with more interest than they should.
Sept. 6th, 2022 - Elysium (Madison Square Garden)
"Agreed Shane, strength in numbers and association".
Perception+Alertness
Perception+Streetwise
Perception+Subterfuge
A smile at Roos, then nods to the gents, then a consideration,
"Is it just me, or are we the slickest looking coaterie here?"
Paris joins the rest of the group just before Roos, she had gotten there a bit early but until most of the group had formed she tried to stay out of the area.
As she gets to the others she says in a hushed voice "Evening, I assume you all are just as in the dark as I am on why we're here, I've no prefrence which side we go down."
[dice=Perception + Alertness]8d10
Paris joins the rest of the group just before Roos, she had gotten there a bit early but until most of the group had formed she tried to stay out of the area.
As she gets to the others she says in a hushed voice "Evening, I assume you all are just as in the dark as I am on why we're here, I've no prefrence which side we go down."
"Oh, hey Paris," Shane says greeting her, "Dressed sharp. And yeah, it's never just you. Oh if it's all the same to you ladies, let's take the path sinister" And he leads the crew down on the bridge to their left.
Unless his eyes catch something that would make him want to veer them right.
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Sept. 6th, 2022 - Elysium (Madison Square Garden)
Rudy tags along with Paris as she joins her friends, as she is not a member of the Camarilla and has not technically been invited to this Elysium. He had told her that she would be welcomed tonight but from his clear anxiety it seems almost like he's doing something risky by bringing her here. The theater professor nods and smiles pleasantly at the Null Spacers but seems wrapped up in his own thoughts for now.
The others likely note that Shane is either a poor judge of fashion or hopelessly biased. In the very first lounge the entire group sees a dramatically dressed kindred proudly and fashionably repping his New York state of mind, a woman in a beautifully understated black evening gown that Paris, Priam, and Roos recognize as costing as much as a reasonably priced used car, a stunning (apparently-) young woman in an equally stunning, eye catching pink dress and scarf, a man in a tasteful suit with an equally understated matching watch peeking out from under the cuff of his sleeve, and a striking young (again, apparently) woman in a cheeky high fashion take on a school uniform. It is much the same everywhere you look- New York City's rich and powerful have access to the latest and greatest in fashion and these were some of the richest, most powerful beings in the city. Even those who aren't trying to stand out, like the woman in the simple-looking black gown and the man in the blue suit with the blue watch, stand out to those few in the know.
Shane of course recognizes his mother (the woman in the black dress) and her- Valentine's (the man in the dramatic Yankees hat)- coterie, the Sacred Hearts, just as Priam recognizes his extremely recognizable neighbors. The woman in pink is Katherine Wiese of Clan Brujah, a recent immigrant to the city, the man in the blue suit is Adil Rancière of Clan Ventrue, and the woman in the school uniform is Ana Beatriz Sangra of Clan Toreador. And they're holding down the lounge furthest from the Prince's lounge at the far end of the bridge.
When she notices the Null Spacers Shane's mother gives him a small, unobtrusive smile and wave.
On the other catwalk, sharp-eyed Roos and alert Paris both notice Theo Bell making his way down the gallery, currently stopped to talk to the Harpy Mazz sitting in his own lounge on the other side of the Bridge. They both also notice one of the Scourges, David Morgan, making his own way down this side of the Bridge and the Sheriff, Qadir Al-Asmai, leaning against the railing at the far end of the Bridge, watching both catwalks and the unpopulated arena below.
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Jericho looks at the various folk as the make the promenade and gives a respectful "tip" of the head as he negotiates the crowd having done this walk since the nineteen hundreds. Jericho does not rush not initiate conversation but each kindred who gives notice he politely greets in return and makes a small talk opening with on a topic of recent interest of some sort.
Priam follows Jericho's lead.
He nods, waves, or kisses as appropriate.
Charisma + Etiquette
Victoria keeps her head straight and greets various folk with nods. Curiously, she doesn't see Aisling among the crowd.
Shane sees Eva Diane's graceful wave and unobtrusive smile and gives a thumb's up to his mom in return. She has changed in many ways, acting far more elegant now than she ever did as a mortal, and shows a pride now that is...well, very Lasombra, but it's nice to know they aren't strangers.
Tempted as he is to talk to her now, he stays with the flow for the moment, moving with the coterie. He's a bit more vocal to some that nod his way, where some predators glide or even prowl along the catwalks, he swaggers, shoulders swinging with confidence.
Down nods to those that gaze at him but don't know him well, the universal man gesture for 'I recognize you' and the upnod' for those that know him better and are considered friendly, the man code for 'what's up, bud?' or even 'good on ya'
One nod of respect for Mazz, but he doesn't intrude yet, if the man's talking to Theo 'Freaking Death' Bell. But damn is he curious.
"The left hand path it is, then," Roos agrees with Shane since that's the way she'd have gone, too. When Jericho stops to chat with the Sacred Hearts, Roos compliments Ana Beatriz Sangra on her outfit and extends an invitation to the Null Space for a night when she's got a performance that she knows the Toreador would be interested in.
Moving on, she of course greets any other Kindred that she's hosted at club, and makes small talk about art, music, and fashion with each depending on their interests. But the whole time she's keeping her eye on the prize, getting to her Clan-mate, the Sheriff, Qadir al-Asmai, since he's standing just outside the Prince's rooms and therefore is likely the one that they need to see about getting in.
Paris looks to Rudolph and at his seeming approval follows the rest of the group keeping her head down and avoiding conversation when she can.
"Is it wrong that one night I want to come in here with my head shaved and yell out 'I've got something to say: It's better to burn out than fade away'?"
He speaks to his friend, but he also keeps an eye out to see what Licks with their bat like hearing might be spying on them and either frown or chuckle in response. He can play casual while seeing who is actually more interested in them than they'd let on.
"It's not wrong but I question the wisdom of quoting a character that got his head chopped off at the end of the denouemont..."
"It's not wrong but I question the wisdom of quoting a character that got his head chopped off at the end of the denouemont..."
A grin as they walk as a group, "Priam, you truly are a man of culture. And.. good point."
"Highlander? Seriously?" Victoria whispers.
"Highlander? Seriously?" Victoria whispers.
"What, the idea of immortal beings too outlandish for you?" A wink
"No. It's that there should've been only one." Victoria responds with a wince.
"I thought there was only one?"
Roos has heard this kind of banter before, almost always about some American movie or TV show or sports thing that she's never seen. So she does what she always does: smiles, ignores it, and keeps working towards her goal, this time at the end of the catwalk.
"It's a better thought but not a better visual than the scene that Shane refers to, the Kergin is quite the imposing figure".
"I thought there was only one?"
"Cling to that thought. It's the saner option." Victoria sighs, very unfortunate memories worming their way to the surface.