wisely and slow; they stumble that run fast. MOONLIT RIVALS LOG 2, SCENE 1

[libraryassistants]

Who: Readers and Actors, everyone who is invited (and those who are not).
What: The event of the century, the Umbra Ball, is about to begin.
When: The night of the ball itself, and a slice of the morning after. [ooc timeline: Feb 6th - 19th]
Where: The city of Montica and the Umbra Mansion.
Content warnings: Please include any warnings in headers.


Waxing Gibbous Moon

The sun begins to set, and the city of Montica buzzes in anticipation. Vendors close their stalls early - the consensus being that there is no point in running a night market tonight. The streets empty, houses and shops shuttered as eager folk stream up to the mansion.

A few industrious salespeople can be found on the way up to the mansion, selling masks and accessories for any last-minute needs. There is a rumour filtering through the people that a dress code is being strictly enforced, and the clan are supplying masks of silver for anyone who does not bring their own - a concept that delights some and stirs trepidation in others.

The Umbra Mansion almost glows above the city, light spilling from its open doors onto its perfectly manicured lawns and drive. After the sun sets, the metal shutters on the windows are lifted and the curtains are drawn back; and the night sky, in its star-studded glory, paints a picturesque view for the party-goers inside.

The strings of a waltz ring clearly, echoing out into the streets in joyful invitation. Not everyone will be allowed in - some will remain out here, rejected by the doorstaff or content to create their own festivities.

[The Masquerade]

For those who make the cut, the masquerade itself is staffed by humans and vampires and is separated into 2 distinct parties.

The first, for the ‘common’ folk. Those without formal invitations, who are free to mingle and be awed. They are greeted at the doors to the main entry hall - doors that will remain open for the duration of the masquerade. Human doormen (and women) do cursory checks before bowing visitors through, doing their best to keep everyone in line. (No weapons, dress standards met, no obvious werewolves.) Anyone who hasn’t brought their own mask will be offered one here. Silver, of course, and the expectation is that you will wear it.

A pair of grand staircases awaits past the doors, framing a magnificent chandelier. Guarding each staircase is a well-dressed servant. They’re making no secret of their too-sharp teeth or the red tinting their irises, and to get upstairs you’ll have to present an invitation. Gilded in real silver, these invites are only for the elite or those favoured by the vampiric aristocracy. These stairs lead first to a mezzanine; one that encircles the grand ballroom below, framing the common people’s masquerade. Arched doorways connect the mezzanine further to the sprawl of the mansion - in particular, to the private sitting rooms where sensitive… ‘business’ can be conducted. So too does it connect to wide balconies that overlook the garden, providing entertainment for those above.

The downstairs ballroom, lined by this mezzanine, is where the band of musicians plays. Waitstaff roam the sides of the room, balancing trays of canapes and wine. The doors along one side of the ballroom have been opened, allowing attendees to slip away into the expansive garden.

[The Garden]

Intricate stonework lines paths through the gardens, weaving around precisely planned flowerbeds. Stone lanterns light the way along the paths, providing opportunities for self-guided strolls. There are many quiet areas to be found here; whether it’s in the shelter of a small gazebo surrounded by fragrant lavender, or on a bench nestled beneath an arch of wisteria.

But don’t get too comfortable in your perceived solitude. The balcony of the mezzanine overlooks these gardens almost in full - the risk of being seen is never zero.

Out here, in perfect view of those mezzanine balconies and completely accessible to those on the ground floor, is a raised platform that acts as a stage. Here it is planned for a performance from The Crystal Ermine Troupe to take place: ‘The Tin Soldier’s March, or the Tragedie of Ierico and his Harlequin.’ There is nothing stopping other would-be entertainers from taking to the stage when it is not in use - assuming, of course, that they are not put off by the dozens of sharp red eyes watching them from above.

[The Hedge Maze]

A large, complicated hedge maze sits centered in the garden; its width almost as vast as the mansion itself. Vines of moonflowers grow across it, almost seeming to glow in the moonlight. As the night goes on and the partygoers tire of dancing, they may find themselves filtering out here - where a sense of renewed excitement permeates the air.

There is a game that some vampires like to play. Its origins are obvious, but its modern iteration is - usually - a touch less gory than decades past.

It begins with a human. An eager competitor, a jibing friend, or a flustered lover. Someone who takes a head start into the maze, blood and adrenaline pumping as they race to find its centre before time is up.

And it then continues with the vampire who begins their pursuit through the thick hedges at the set time. Employing their senses to track their quarry, they seek to capture the human before they succeed in reaching the maze’s safe centre.

For some, this is a simple game played for fun. For others, it’s an opportunity to demonstrate their skills - for up on that balcony are the aristocracy. If one can prove their wit and skill, they may find themselves with offers for greater power than they currently possess.

[The Morning After]

As the sun begins to rise, the party winds down. The vampires begin to retire to their sun-secluded dens as the many coverings on the mansion windows are redrawn. There are some human guests that might stay a bit longer, but all visitors are ejected by the time that dawn truly breaks. The staff, however, still have clean-up ahead of them - and a few extra helpers certainly won’t be noticed. Any attempt to breach the vampire’s sleeping areas will draw attention, however; so best to keep to the mansion itself.

And while the ball has been underway… some werewolves have made some fun of their own.

[The day will continue in Log 3.]

[Info post here and most recent plotting post here!]

Comments

[angel_of_baal]

"I wish I didn't. My father made me learn. I had to practice with my sister." It was SO awkward. So awkward. He is still not over it.

[bashasasdemon]

Ok, that gets a snort out of him. Oh, the horrors. He had siblings, once, he can imagine how that went. "Well, you're welcome to join me pretending you don't know how." He's not entirely unfriendly, after all.

[angel_of_baal]

It went...cringingly. No one wants to touch their sibling's bodies, esp in a way that was often coded as romance. He loved his sister, but EWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW.

"I warn you, it might not be safe for you to be seen talking to me this closely." Wolf in fancy dress, in vampire den. "IF need arise, pretend to argue with me."

[bashasasdemon]

"Well, I might have said the same thing to you." Kai shrugs. He's a renegade vampire who mingles with renegade wolves, this is hardly new for him. "I don't exactly have a glowing reputation around here." Sigwulf might know him by name, if he gives it, one of the people who stays in the neutral territory trying to stop things from going to hell.

[angel_of_baal]

He leans back against the wall. "Well, we're a pair, aren't we. Just counting down until someone kicks us out." That's what it feels like, at least.

"At least my intentions are good." He hopes. And he hopes that intent is recognized.

[bashasasdemon]

"Oh, I probably won't get kicked out," Kai says lightly, "since if they tried I would make it worse for everyone involved." Including him, but eh. He still belongs here, and he intends to keep that claim for now even if he has no intent to use it. He's learned to think ahead a little bit.

But he's curious, glancing over at his new companion. "And what are your intentions?"

[angel_of_baal]

"I would go quietly. The whole point of me being here is to try to lower the temperature of the conflict between our kinds." He sighs. "I am concerned about the recent attacks by the lesser packs. I fear they might try something here."

[bashasasdemon]

Huh. "For you, that makes sense." But again, Kai does belong here. It would just be in-fighting if they tried to kick him. "Do you have reason to think they would? That they're restless?"

[angel_of_baal]

"For me, I would be representing all of my kind. Living down to the stereotype of us being nothing but savages would fall right into the hands of the those who would use it against us." Or as his father said, repeatedly, 'you represent not just the Guildulf family when you are in public, but the entirety of our kind.'

"They claim offense, but it may be an attempt to stir up old tensions, and to weaken my father's position." He hates politics, finds people far more boring than the stars, but that doesn't me he doesn't know things.

[bashasasdemon]

"You would, unfortunately. No shame to you, just unfortunate that they would take offense to a single misstep." Because they are Like That.

He leans against the wall, frowning, thinking. "They'd be stupid to try and attack here," he says, "This is the night it's the most well defended, for all that it's more open than normal. They might not even disrupt the party in the attempt. If anything, it's a better night to lash out anywhere else."

[angel_of_baal]

"I have already been warned." If he wasn't used to being rebuked by his father for the slightest misstep, he might have taken offense to it. Instead, he was...used to it. "And I can defend myself if need arises." Which was probably the other reason he's been left alone. No one wants to mess up their pretty clothing.

"They might not, but their packs are more known for action than thought. Infiltration is less likely than storming the gates. It is a power play to attempt to rebuke my father and call him a coward." Wolf structure is very, very hierarchical and pups seeking to rise in the ranks don't always use their brains as much as their fangs.

[bashasasdemon]

Kai didn't mean to offend, for once. Just... this man seems young, relatively speaking, and he doesn't want him thrown to the-- bats? Wolves doesn't seem like the right analogy in this case.

He makes a thoughtful noise. "Well then, best case is probably that they come here. Better here than places that are more vulnerable." The Umbra can handle a few unruly pups. Other places... can't.

[angel_of_baal]

Sigwulf absolutely does not take offense. Offense is a luxury he cannot afford when the future of his family and the stability of the city is at risk.

"I know the strength of the Umbran clan. I do not wish to see blood feuds begun tonight, among anyone. Lord Umbra would not take kindly to any disruption of his ball, and it would cement our kind as uncouth animals."

[bashasasdemon]

"Nor I." It's all... very pointless, and he is tired of it, which probably bleeds (ha) into his voice. "It's all very... political, isn't it."

This is more-or-less Kai-ese for 'why can't everyone just get alone.'

[angel_of_baal]

"If only we could go beyond politics and use common sense." Slowly nipping at each other's kinds, over some putative 'power' or influence was absurd. It made no sense he could figure. "Hence this...theatric stuff." Such as tarting up in fancy clothes and offering strangers to dance.

[bashasasdemon]

"Common sense? That's definitely asking too much." Kai snorts, shaking his head. Yes, this whole thing is ridiculous. He agrees. "...Do you spend much time in the neutral region? It's a little more common there." As in, people will actually talk to you.

[angel_of_baal]

"As much as possible." A) it's out of his father's immediate reach b) the whole wolf hierarchy thing is exhausting. Every time he runs into a peer, there's a dance of measuring up, scenting the air, posturing. Almost as dumb as dancing but twice as lethal.

"More people should meet in the middle ground." Both in Montica, and politically. "No one save a criminal should be afraid to walk, day or night, in any street in our city."

[bashasasdemon]

There are wolves in the neutral zone, but Kai has a difficult time imagining Kiran doing much posturing. Except in the obnoxious teenage boy sense (/affectionate).

"They should. I'm quite often around there myself, if you do drop by." He won't dance, but overtures of friendship he can offer, at least.

[angel_of_baal]

Most of his kind respect the neutral zone, and the hunting rules.

Most.

Some packs want to test the waters and the boundaries.

He gives a gracious nod. "The more we prove that our kinds can get along, maybe the louder the message."

[bashasasdemon]

Kai nods. "I'm Kai. Like I said, you can find me there most of the time." He's not hard to find. And that's... mostly intentional, for things like this.

[angel_of_baal]

"Kai. Sigwulf Guildulf." He'd probably already introduced himself: the whole masquerade has been a blur and it's a lot of people to have to deal with for an introvert. Better safe than sorry.

"Should you need a safe space, you are welcome to come to my observatory." It's not much but it's isolated and easily defensible.