The young woman walked calmly up to the door to the manor home all ready having passed the guards inspection noting not a single weapon was placed on the young beauty. She was the picture of serenity wearing a corset top gilded with silver and gold lines on a base of pitch black. Her raven black hair was pulled up and away from her neck with a few traced framing her face perfectly. There was not a single strand that could have thought to not be expertly placed.

The door pulled open and immediately the woman dropped into a deep curtsy without meeting the eyes of the person who opened the door.

“I come bearing a message from my Master,” when she spoke her voice hung like crystal in the air

[ooc - after the meeting with Sigurd]

Sensing the arrival of a human on her estate, Darla sent out a questioning flick of power to her head of staff, telling him to open the door. Staying on the surface of his mind, she saw what he saw as he opened the door. A young, raven-haired woman in elegant dress and a clear voice claiming to have a message from her Master. Was there a new vampire in town with a human servant? Whispering through the butler's mind, she told him to let her in and escort her to her office and that she would meet them there in due time. The man was not to leave the woman unattended until she arrived.

The young woman followed the butler, her eyes keeping a permanent downcast concentrating on the space just ahead of her feet. She had no interest in the decor or the layout only with the delivery of her message. Nothing else would matter to her. The sooner her mission finished the sooner she could get back to Gerard and report that it was delivered. Perhaps she would garner a smile for preforming as instructed so well...

The butler finally stopped leading her in what appeared to be a office of some kind. A cursory glance around the room she found one of the chairs and set herself lightly into it. She crossed her legs at the ankles and folded her well manicured hands gently in her lap. It was there she waited.

Would she be forced to wait long she did not know but she held that position her eyes downcast to the floor waiting. She had much practice waiting for her master taught patience and obedience above all else and this was no different.

Taking her time in dressing, leaving her butler to watch the guest and attempt to discern any alterior motives, Darla finally left her bedroom and made her way to the office. Walking in, she dismissed the man then sat behind the desk so she was facing the demure woman.

"Good evening and welcome to my estate...something was mentioned of a message from your master?"

She stood immediately when the other woman arrived, dropping into a deep curtsy. She was expertly trained in matters of court and politics preforming the perfect formal greeting of one superior to herself. She did not make any eye contact with the vampire, she was beneath such honor and she knew it. The woman remained in the curtsy speaking softly in her near crystalline voice.

“Yes M'lady Strigoi, I come bearing a message from Lord Gerard Demorte Anlui and humbly request that I can deliver it to you.”

Taking in the formal greeting that spoke of the old world, and the evasion of eye contact, Darla instantly knew that although of some importance, she was not a human servant but merely a human in the vampire's employ who had trained her. The crystal voice made Darla smile...it was so rare in this time to hear people speaking so well.

"You may deliver it as you were instructed. Please, rise. It is easier to perform one's duties correctly when you are comfortable is it not?"

She gracefully rose from the deep curtsy showing no sign of struggle of fatigue from holding it so long. It would appear that she has had to hold such position for much longer then this time.

“My Lord Gerard Demorte Anlui requests an audience with the Lady Darla Giselle Strigoi, tonight under the accords of hospitality and tradition of presentation to the new Master of the City. Do you accept his request and duty as host?”

Realissing the game that was being played, Darla allowed her voice to become blank and seperated. The servant was not worth anything, merely the carrier of the message, and did not deserve attention. Her body language and eyes turned to that ever-present state of utmost politeness and regallity as she spoke.

"I do, and hereby invite him and his own to my estate this night under the accords of hospitality and traditions of our kind."

The servant gave a slight dip of the head, “You are a most kind and gracious host to receive my Master on such short notice. I shall go to him now and alert him of the meeting set forth tonight. You can expect his arrival in one hour's time.”

She glances up at the butler, giving an unspoken request to be shown out of the door. She offered him her hand and was taken outside of the estate.
* * * One Hour Later * * *

Gerard Demorte Anlui was a man of old taste and he showed it this night. When the hour has passed he arrived in an honest to god horse drawn carriage. The carriage was made out of all black glossed wood with silver inlayed in intricate designs over the wood, wheels, and tackle of the horses. The horses themselves were midnight black and in pristine condition. The driver of the carriage after halting the animals and setting on the wheel break dropped down and opened the door for his Master.

The herald slid out of the carriage first holding a full length white coat and black staff with a diamond mounted on the tip of it. Then Gerard stepped out of the carriage. He was impeccably dressed in a three piece black suit custom tailored for his body and fame. There was extremely thin silver thread woven into the fabric causing it to glisten were it to catch the light just right. On his breast pocket rested a single vibrant red rose. It was the only color on his entire person. He then did a small twirl for anyone watching from the manor house he made a show of not having a single weapon on his person. The herald held up the coat which Gerard slid into it gracefully. She held out a hand and the Master vampire took it with a smile that never quite touched his eyes.

The sound of the metal base of the staff and concrete echoed like a premonition over the manor. Tap. Tap. Tap. The two walked in perfect step with each other as if this was rehearsed a thousand times over. When they arrived at the door the servant slid her arm out from that of Gerard's and knocked with is. Once the knock was finished she slipped her arm back in its proper reseting place.

Just shy of an hour later from the moment the servant had left her presence, Darla was dressed in one of her finest outfits and was in her room awaiting the arrival of her 'guest'. According to her information, Gerard was about the same age as herself and held that most infamous of powers that was the ardeur. He would make an interesting evening.

As she sensed the arrival of the vampire, the sound of hooves reaching her after the brush of his power, she stepped out of her room in a whisper of linen and silk. The tightly corsetted dress the color of midnight skies on a starry night made the paleness of her skin all the more ghostly and the floor-length skirt and train whispered along the marble as she descended the staircase. At her throat was a string of diamonds and saphires that sparkled in the candlelight, and her wrists and ears were similarly adorned. Her hair was swept up but left slightly loose at the front, creating an elegantly whipsy frame for her slender face. She did not often dress as formally as this, but ettiquette demanded it and she did love to wear such dresses so it was no sacrifice on her part.

Bypassing the servants and seemingly awe-struck butler who had never seen her dressed quite so ornately, she opened the great doors to her estate personally and was there to welcome Gerard and the servant she had spoken with earlier. In a clear but emotionless voice, she addressed the two before her and made a bow of her head in polite welcome.

"Welcome, Lord Gerard Demorte Anlui and his servant. I, Lady Darla Giselle Strigoi, Mistress of Miami, do welcome you to my lands and invite you into my home."

Gerard gave the formal bow of the English courts in reply, “You are most gracious, Lady Darla Giselle Strigoi. I must say the tale of your beauty and strength do nothing to prepare me fore what I see standing before me, especially in your own land. I do hope that my calling on you has not inconvenienced you in anyway, I understand how taxing starting to rule your first city can be. Many things to do and people to see etc.

I see you have met my servant and tonight's herald Rose, if you have not all ready arranged entertainment for this evening she can be of some use to us.” He made the decision for his servant without even once looking askance of her.

Rose in turn said nothing but kept her eyes to the floor.

Watching as Gerard moved into an English court bow Darla listened to the coyingly sweet politeness and compliments, and mused for a moment on the different meanings behind 'entertainment' before nodding and responding with equal politeness.

"I thank you Gerard...such compliments you give me. I must say you yourself are not done justice by the tales. Please, let us not talk on the steps when there is greater comfort inside."

Stepping aside and sweeping her arm towards the great double staircase, she motioned for them to move in then mentally told the butler to stop staring at her and close the door. At the same time she flicked open the doors to the dining hall. It could not be considered a dining room, such was its size and decoration, and there was a dancefloor hidden beneath the ruby carpet. Entirely candle-lit for the evening, the murals and laquered banquet table reflected the soft light so as to create an almost etheral appearance to the entire scene. She was proud of the decoration...it kept up the theme of the entire estate. One of classic elegance and understated but exquisite taste.

Walking into that room ahead of Gerard and Rose, she thought ot the message she had sent to Rowan, who was upstairs at that moment showering. She had alerted her that there would be guests, but had not had the chance to do much else. This note of hers was pinned to a emeral green evening dress on the chair outside the bathroom.

Rowan my love...sorry to speak this way but it is better to appear well planned than in a panic over a simple visit. This vampire, Gerard, is not one of higher tastes. He will seek to twist words, force me into a corner and generally try to dominate me in my own home. He is a sadist, a lover of torture and manipulation, and I think you as well as I would not be able to stand him for long without making some minescule mistake for him to exploit. If, however, we were to stand together and be strong, then we would be able to resist him and show our power. If you don't mind then I have put this dress out for you. Call Marie and she will help you put it on. It should fit you and is not too big a loss should it be ruined despite its glamour. I would then appreciate you joining me in the dining hall and to come looking dominant. I will take care of the rest, I just need you here whilst he is in the estate. Once again I am sorry if I have put you into an awkward position, but remember I would not let any harm befall you and only ask you be here.

Turning to smile at her guests and motion for them to take a seat, Darla silently hope to herself that her plan would work and Rowan would pull off her end of this.

His gaze swept over the decor taking it all in quickly and efficiently. You could tell a lot about a person just by what they chose to present during an unexpected meeting. Things in view were objects that they wanted you to see while the absence of anything was something they wished to hide.

So he was not looking at what was there but more looking for what was not. He filed the images away and before his host turned to face them had a pleasing smile on his face. His eyes appeared to only be for her but underneath it all hidden expertly through the teachings of his former mistress, fire would freeze.

“You have a very fine home M’lady, if you do not mind me asking where did you find some of those beautiful art pieces? I think perhaps some of them would fit within the range of my manor.”

He paused at one of the paintings looking at it in far greater detail using the reflection of the painting as well to get a look at the other area of the house. He could not help but note that there was more then one person living here. If his hunch was correct every room that was taken held someone of value. Someone that could be used to learn more about this Mistress of the City. Knowledge as they say is power and in the land of the undead that made knowledge everything.

Guy nervously smoothed down the front of his clothing again. He had been hurried trying to find appropriate formal clothing for the evening, being given somewhat less than 1 hour to prepare, but he had managed. He was dressed simply but elegantly in old, but well kept leather, commissioned by Belle Morte herself to show him to best light, something which he was sure would not be lost on their oh so unwholesome guest. Over the top of the softly tanned leather he work a neckline choker with a clasp in the form of the Habsburg pendant in fine jewels. Girted around his waist, he had borrowed one of Darla's spare swords. He wouldn't be very good using it, but it looked more formal than his normal weapons, not to mention, should he have need of it, chances were there wouldn't be much difference in the end.

He had sent Mercurius out to find Pierre, if he could, and deliver his request that his leopard appear beside him, if possible. It had taken him an even longer time to find something the Leopard could wear, but in the end it had been accomplished. A simple business suit had been laid out in the bedroom should the leopard be able to attend.

_______

Guy made his way into the Dining Hall and greeted his mistress, "Good evening Your Highness. I apologize for being late, but I was with the Norseman when the news reached me, and I'm afraid I was caught rather unprepared." He gave Darla a small courtesy and gave her a sign in the Austrian battle language that he had sent news around the city to make a show of force.

He turned towards Gerard. "Je vous salue Lord Gerard Demorte Anlui du Rouyame de Clovis I Roi des Franks," he said with the polite bow of one greeting a subordinate. "Moi, Galeno de Florence, aussi vous fais bon acceuil à Miami." He gave the older vampire a smile that most certainly didn't reach any part of him beyond his mouth. "It has been long since the days when you were with the Beautiful Death, but still she regrets you. Or so it was 50 years ago." The last was meant to sting, but still be within the realms of polite chatter, at least for vampire.

_______________________

OOC: Translations from French for hte linguistically impaired.

Hail Lord Gerard Demorte Anlui of the Kingdom of Clovis I King of Franks.

I, Galeno of Florence, also bid you welcome to Miami.

Gerard glanced at the newcomer, he could feel the age weighing on the vampire but even so he was no threat. It was obvious he was dressed by Belle he could recognize her style anywhere in the world. It was like a small comfort to know that she was everywhere and nowhere at the same time. So, he belonged to the Mistress of the City then his first thought was correct. She cared for those under her to keep them all under her own roof. That particular piece of information would be worth gold he was sure of. Hurt the servant, hurt the master. Though he had hoped that it would not come to such.

“C'est un plaisir pour faire votre connaissance, je n'ai pas entendu ma langue depuis longtemps,” he responded in equally flowing French. Switching to a language that all could easily understand, “Yes it has indeed been a long time since I have been with Belle. I appreciate you carrying her message all the way across the Atlantic to me, when you see her again tell her simply, Merci.” He left the implied message of if he was ever to see her again.

He gave the lesser vampire a smile, his memories of Belle were all pleasant and when he was removed from her bed, while not seeing it at the time, made him what he is today. He liked who he was.

Sigurd made his way throughout the hallways having gotten he message from his mistress to arrive. He had been held up, but not by more important business, simply the need to become ready for the meeting. Sigurd rarely wore the extra fine clothing that always seemed appropriate during the more deadly vampire politics and it had taken him some time to find the appropriate attire. Since they were apparently meeting a vampire rumored to be of Belle Morte’s line, Sigurd decided for more sexually oriented wear. As he walked down the hallways, he fixed his clothing so that none of it bunched or wrinkled. Sigurd had decided to wear a black leather pants that hugged his body closely, as well as some simple dress shoes. He wore a crimson buttoned down shirt, which had been purposely left open to show off the tight muscles on his body. The only other noticeable things on his person, was a large sword, which had been adorned on his back, with the hilt of a golden dragon. Sigurd also had on him a small necklace that had small Nordic runes attached to it and a small dragon tooth strung at the end. Sigurd’s last accessory was a bracelet simply made of brown wool, which held small figures made of silver, each figure a common sight in Nordic culture.

After a few seconds of walking, Sigurd finally reached the doors that would lead to the little meeting. Sigurd opened the doors without hesitance, his body moving calmly into the room. He swiftly began to move over to his mistress, offering a small bow to Guy and the visitor, and lastly a deeper bow to his mistress. When he rose Sigurd said, “I apologize for my tardiness mistress. I came as soon as I heard we were having a visitor.” Sigurd then stood straight by his mistress, his body looking almost relaxed. In reality, his years of training had made it so that even in a relaxed state he was always ready, always prepared to strike in one fluid motion. His body gave off a certain intensity, which improved the artistic nature of the dragon tattoo Sigurd wore. The body of the dragon lay on his back, but its neck wrapped around the top of his shoulder so the head lay comfortably on his heart. The dragon tattoo was all black, only its eyes a different color, a red that resembled the color of fire that grew in Sigurd’s eyes when he called upon power. He turned to the visitor now, a pleasant smile on his face as he said, “I heard the French from down the hall and I fear I do not have any such words to be said. I do however, welcome you nonetheless. I am Sigurd, a loyal vampire of Mistress Darla’s kiss.” Sigurd then remained silent, knowing that this was his mistress’s meeting and not his own. He was simply here to provide back up, he did entertain the idea of bringing in the pard to further strengthen his mistress, but he did not know if they would be here quick enough.

It was when Pierre was informed that there was a visitor vampire in the estate that he brushed off Mercurius and ran off to see if he could find Guy. He wasn’t in his room, and he wasn’t in the bathroom, so surely he had gone off to the welcome of the visitor without him. Pouting, he walked back into the room again to see if he could find something to wear. And in all of his panic, he had missed the tuxedo that was laid out on the bed for him.

He had brought out some of his best clothes, which were either fishnets or ripped and started putting them on, hoping that it would be alright to wear them in front of the new vampire. It was only when he turned around to find his boots that he saw the new suit sitting on the bed. Cursing in more languages than he could remember, he stripped out of his clothes and preceded to put on the clothes that Guy had picked out for him.

Pulling on his pants and buttoning up his shirt, he was dressing as fast as he could, trying to get down to the people downstairs. He put the jacket over the button-up shirt and picked up his shoes. He had already put his socks on when he started to pull them on, not taking the time to unlace them. He was hopping on one foot, trying to get the damned shoe on. Unfortunately for him, he had lost balance and fell over.

Hoping he hadn’t made that much noise, Pierre tied his tie and brushed it off, buttoning his jacket up after it. He took a glance in the mirror, running his fingers through his hair before he made his way downstairs, trying not to make as much noise as he knew he was making. Finally, he made it to the office room. Doing what his submissive leopard instincts told him to, he got down on all fours. “Sorry I’m late,” he whispered, mostly to Guy than to anyone else.

Rowan rarely had the opportunity to wear something so fine. The rich green of the dress flowed gracefully around her, a fusion of the 12th and 21st centuries. It had a low, scooped neckline along with sheer angel sleeves, primitive corset lacing up the back, and it fell in flowing layers of sheer fabric at her feet. She curled her shoulder length brown hair, so it bobbed up and down in a somewhat Victorian or Greek hairstyle. Another servant did her make-up; Rowan had never had much experience with it. When she looked in the mirror, she could barely recognize herself.

"Tonight is not the night to be myself, anyway," she thought out loud. Her mistress wanted backup, and Rowan couldn't fight. She wanted powerful, and Rowan had very few tricks up her sleaves. She wanted dominant, and Rowan...you get the point. So tonight, she wore a mask beneath which she would hide every insecurity and fear. For her Mistress, Rowan would do far more. For her lover, Rowan would do anything.

As she came down the stairs, she heard various other voices. She reached inside to her wolf, summoning her shapeshifter grace. If this Gerard was of Belle Morte's line, he would appreciate beauty and sexuality, both which she put into her strides, "wolf" shimmering around her. For once, she aimed to turn a couple heads when she walked through the door, in contrast to her habit of keeping a low profile.

She walked towards Darla, stopping when beside the Mistress yet slightly behind, to demonstrate hierarchy. Then she turned to the Master Vampire.

"Welcome, Lord Gerard Demorte Anlui," she said. "I am Rowan, Mistress Darla Strigoi's Pomme de Sang." She sent a tendril of power towards her mistress, a warmth that clearly said And her lover as well...

It was also meant to reassure Darla that she new how to play this game, to an extent. She smiled at Guy's pomme de sang, Pierre, when he entered.

Rhia makes her way through the estate. It was amazing how quickly she got ready and made it there so soon after the few short words that Sigurd had sent to her. But, she did as she was asked by her love, wanting to help make a good showing for this new vampire. She smoothes down her black dress, the same one she had worn the other night, silently laughing to herself that she thought she'd never wear it when she bought it. She opens the marks between her and Sigurd briefly, finding him and sending him a quick few words. "I'm here, my love," she whispers inside his mind, following her link to him. She enters the room, nodding at the assembled and moving to take her place at Sigurd's side. Her hand seems to move to take Sigurd's on reflex, a sense of calm moving over her as they touch. The scent of leopard hits her nose and she turns her head slightly to see the source of it, finding the one Sigurd had told her about. She offers the rather flustered looking young man a small smile before bringing her gaze to the new vampire. "Good evening. I am Rhia Marinello. Nimir-Ra of Fierce Claws Pard and Sigurd's animal to call," she says with a nod of her head.

Gerard nodded as the rest of the house seemed to flock to his location. Anyone else might have suddenly been intimidated by the sudden surge in the body count but Gerard was not normal by far. He noted each arrival smiling and acknowledge those that introduced themselves. “A pleasure to meet you Sigurd, I appreciate your candor and honesty not all of us are gifted with silvered tongues and honeyed words as it were.”

He then noticed the leopard crawl into the room discounting the poor boy immediately. To acknowledge one so submissive without an introduction was truly beneath him. He would not lower himself to such standards.

Finally something interesting arrived in what had to be the crown jewel of her ensemble. What seemed to be a goddess dressed in spun emeralds. Gerard was impressed though it failed to show on his face or posture. He watched as she approached and stood behind her Mistress. An inner smile crept up deep inside as the tendril of power passed between the two. A normal Pomme de Sang, I think not. Information given so freely would not be unrewarded.

The final beauty presented herself to him. He was getting the full treatment it seemed. What was to be a simple meeting suddenly turned into something far more interesting. To provide such a display of power and solidarity meant one thing. The Mistress of the City was afraid. He nodded to the new leopard noting who she was and where she stood.

After she spoke he nodded and turned his blue eyes to the Mistress of this fair city, what could be thought of as a knowing smile came to his lips. “You have amassed quite an entourage M'lady, it is truly an honor to have them all presented before me like this. Though I am confused is this to be part of our entertainment this evening?”

His previous offer of providing the entertainment being ignored it was the most logical thing.

[ooc - bloody hell..I go to bed and come back to all this! I love you guys!!! P.S the posting order is as follows: Darla, Gerard, Guy, Sigurd, Pierre, Rowan, Rhia and Wolfrevan *woo for speedy re-assessment first thing in the morning after a night of Gerard-speak and Todd-ness*]

Darla was watching Gerard roam through her artwork with a cold yet polite eye. She hated having people appraise her things. Surely when in the presence of a person, the attentions of one'self should be on the person, not the paintings? Deciding that him perusing her collection was better than them exchanging blows, she left him to it and answered his questions in a normal tone, nothing of her mind showing.

"I collected them over the centuries and bought them back to my castle, and when I moved here they moved with me. There are works from Vienna, Spain, Italy, France, Romania and many others so forgive me if I do not recall."

It was at that moment that Guy entered, bringing a smile to her eyes, if not her lips. The outfit was not to her personal tastes even though he did look stunning, but she admired the streak of brilliance that had caused him to wear it. He knew the origins of Gerard and had played on it. Rather than respond, she merely nodded her head to him and watched him greet the guest. She had not missed the Austrian code, and felt yet another streak of pride at his mind. She spotted one of her swords on Guy, and her stock for him went up another notch. He may not of been able to weild the sword as well as she, but it was appearance that mattered in such mindgames. Watching silently as he received a greeting in return, she left Guy to it, knowing he would find a place to stand before they were all seated.

There was barely a moment to think before Sigurd walked in, making her muse on the fact that her vampires were flocking unheeded to her, making her proud she had made such choices as to have them. Sigurd's outfit, although not as forward as Guy's, showed of his assests well, something else for her to be pleased with. His tattoo, something she had not seen before, intrigued her. It was beautiful. Thinking for a moment of her own, the huge depiction of her father on the battlefield, colors flying and bloody sword drawn that was painted on her back, she felt regret for not having that sword in her hand rather than hidden inside the table incase the meeting went wrong, but the thought that it would never leave her skin at least was a comfort. Nodding her head to Sigurd once, she listened to the greetings between them then watched as the leopard she knew to be Pierre crawl in with an apology and head for Guy. A man crawling in an expensive suit with his master in leather...it seemed reversed.

All thoughts of the appearances of her vampires vanished as a vision of green, gold and brown slinked into the room. The golden skin and curled brown hair were made for the dress. She had made a good decision with the green. She was pleased to note that she had had her makeup done by one of the servants, and that the servant had purposely left the fang marks uncovered. Smart woman. The elegance and appearance of dominance made the woman before her so different, yet still so familiar. The air vibrated with the wolf's energy and as Rowan spoke, there was not a trace of fear or uncertainty...perhaps her powers would not have to be used to veil her more submissive nature afterall. The smile reserved solely for Rowan slid onto her lips as she spoke, and as that warm power reached her she smiled further before erasing her emotions for the moment. Along that tendril of power she sent some of her own, instilling further confidence to help her play the part.

Turning her head from that beauty with an inward cry, Darla was strangely proud to see Rhia enter the room. She had been a perfect investment on Sigurd's part, lover or no. Having the Nimir-ra of the leopards present added yet more prestige to her meeting, and was a way of pointing out that although the new master, she was not as unnconnected as it could be thought.

Now they were all standing there. Gerard and Rose versus the Master of Miami and her most trusted people. It could be thought a dangerous move...a general calls on his superior soldiers only when a threat was perceived and Gerard may think her afraid. She was not afraid, and was infact mildly suprised by the show her own had come up with. Had Rowan been the only one then they would of been equal. Then again, power was a respected commodity, and everybody in the room had it, and all save Gerard and Rose they belonged to her.

Moving to the head of the group, they all falling into places befitting their positions within the Kiss as though it was rehearsed, Darla was mentally transported back to her days as the king's daughter before the vampire invasion. This was a royal meeting but on a far higher power scale. Now that all of her most trusted and powerful people were around her, her power spiked and would of been barely containable had it not been for her fearsome control. She knew Gerard would feel the power lent to her from all of her people, and she hoped it would remind him that she was not a force to be trifled with.

"This is not my full entourage Gerard, I have merely amassed those who warrant the respect of your recognition whilst you are in my lands. As I would gladly greet those of importance to you, so you must respect mine own. As for the entertainment for this evening, I could not possibly allow you to stage it. My duty as host is to entertain you not the other way around. I shall of course reveal the entertainment in due course, but for now let us sit."

Guy smiled at Pierre as the young leopard entered. He gave the leopard a brief motion to rise and join him. He linked his arm around hte leopard's waist and turned him towards Gerard, "Monsieur, je vous presente ma pomme de sang, le léoparde Pierre." He smiled briefly at the leopard and tightened his grip to show his appreciation.

He smiled at Rowan as the wolf entered, a flowing dream of green. He waited for her to greet her mistress before taking her free hand and kissing it briefly, "Ciao, mia bella dame." He released her to stand with her mistress as he maneuvered Pierre and himself to stand to Darla's right side..

He was getting somewhat tired of smiling and greeting newcomers by the time Rhia entered the room, but he had to put on the show for her, as he still hadn't introduced his leopard to her. He turned to her, "Greetings Rhia Marinello, Nimir-Ra of the Fierce Claws Pard." He maneuvred again to present Pierre to her, hoping the young man new enough to at least pretend she wasn't a perfect stranger.

He turned back to face Gerard as Darla spoke again. He gave a graceful move towards teh table moving to seat himself along the right side motioning Pierre towards a cushion on the floor beside his chair. He politely added to Darla's comments, "Yes, I'm afraid that we had rather short notice to plan entertainment for the evening, but it shall be forthcoming." Under hte table for only Darla to see, he secretly signed her <<You did plan something, right?>>

As Sigurd waited patiently by the side of his mistress, he noticed as a man came in. Technically, it was a leopard that came in, crawling on all fours and towards Guy. Sigurd watched slightly amused by the spectacle of such a submissive leopard. He knew the leopard to be the one Guy had mentioned to him earlier, but Sigurd had no idea just how submissive the man was. Sigurd gave a small nod of recognition to the leopard before saying, “It is good to finally meet you Pierre, leopard pomme de sang of Guy.” He watched the man carefully, eventually turning his attention back to the visiting master vampire.

However, his attention didn’t get to stay on the master vampire for long as he noticed a woman walk in. She was dressed in a beautiful green that accentuated her beauty, it didn’t take him long to realize that she was the wolf who had entered their mansion earlier, Darla’s new pomme de sang. Sigurd offered a small bow to greet the woman who had just entered, before saying, “It is good to see your beauty once again Rowan.” Sigurd allowed a small smile to remain on his face as he watched Rowan accompany her mistress.

Sigurd though could not keep his attention on her for long, for a divine presence just entered the room. Sigurd watched as his angel made her way over again, bringing passionate memories to his mind as he noticed the dress she had worn the other day. Sigurd happily takes his lover’s hand as she moves to him and sends the words ‘I love you’ to his mind. Oh how Sigurd wanted nothing more to reply to that statement aloud and bring her in for a deep kiss. However, he pushed the thought away as he simply said, “I am glad you made it my angel.” Sigurd then turned his attention back to the matter at hand, comforted by the idea of being together with his Rhia more intimately later.

Sigurd then watched the new visitor as he spoke about the little party that had been growing. Sigurd even rose an eyebrow as the man began to speak of what the entertainment would be. Sigurd listened as his own mistress now spoke of having some type of entertainment planned, but due to Gerard’s sudden arrival, he wasn’t completely sure if they had anything concrete in mind. With that thought haunting him, Sigurd decided it might be better to offer a form of entertainment of his own. Sigurd turned to his mistress saying, “If I may interject my mistress. I know that you indeed have something planned, but I was hoping to give some entertainment of my own. I wish to perhaps entertain our guest with a dance I learned during my stay in Spain, the flamenco.” Sigurd then gave a smile as he turned to Rhia giving a small kiss to her hand to imply that she would be his dance partner. Of course, Sigurd also did the action to hide a more subtle use of metaphysics. He quickly sent the information through him and into Rhia, guarding it so that no one else received it. In an instant she had learned everything he had about the art of flamenco, all hundred years worth of knowledge. He then gave a smile as he turned back to his mistress and awaited her reply.

Wolf scratched his nose slightly as he looked around the more empty parts of the building. "Hello?" He said in a soft whisper before shrugging and following the scent of his old friend. He walked into the room very quietly and used his time powers for a short moment to back himself into a dark corner without being noticed. Sitting there he watched the exchange quietly before blinking slightly. Interesting, turning his head he once more slowed down time and sat down in a chair beside Darla and let it resume, giving the illusion of simply appearing there. His elbow resting on the arm and his chin against his fist as his hood shadowed his face, his red eyes glowing softly.

"Well." He said quietly in that over powering soft tone. A tone which had made even mighty kings bow before him though at this time that was not his intention. "I see we have another vampire in your city Darla." He held a glass of red wine and swirled it softly, sipping it he smiled and closed his eyes a bit before opening them. He stared at the new vampire dead in the eyes and held him with his gaze, reading into his soul but not reading his intentions, finding it more enjoyable to figure them out over the long run. Letting the silence hang for a moment longer he spoke after a time. "Darla," he smiled up at her. "it's been a while.. i think we need to go and have a chat and catch up on old times." It was a tactical move, his intentions were to get her from this vampire so she could have some peace, and in truth he honestly did want to catch up with his friend.

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[ooc - for the moment i relinquish temporary control to Darla of my character so the story can continue. I'll try to be on tomorrow to post]

Pierre smiled as he was finally able to stand up. He sent a questioning glance toward the new vampire that was in the room, but moving his look toward Guy quickly, not wanting to look at Gerard as much as he could possibly managed. The vampire scared him, and he hadn’t even conversed together. He wasn’t sure that he wanted to speak with the vampire in the first place, and so he just walked over to his Master.

As he was pulled to Guy’s side, he hugged him, leaning his head on Guy’s shoulder and shifting so that he could get a good whiff of his smell. And suddenly, he felt a bit better when he had his smell in his mind. He knew that it helped him calm down, but now he felt a bit sleepy. He didn’t even notice all of the people coming in, just ignoring them as they did.

That is, until Rhia entered. He suddenly smelled something more that Guy’s usual smell. He smelled something like him, but not him. He smelled that smell that all leopards had. Turning, he saw the Nimir-Ra enter. He was shoved over to her by Guy, when he really just wanted to cling to him for a little while. He turned to Guy and made a face that said what he wanted, and then turned back. And yet again in less than ten minutes, he got on all fours. “Welcome, Nimir-Ra,” he said, knowing nothing else appropriate to say.

(ooc: sorry if I don't react to everything that's happened since my last post. I have a lot to say)

Rowan felt Darla return the warmth, instilling within her more confidence.

Rowan smiled at Sigurd in response to his compliment, but her concentration remained on Darla and Gerard--especially Gerard. Darla had told her very little about him besides his bloodline and the Ardeur, and he did not seem the type to reveal much about himself willingly. Rowan would observe him closely.

This turned out to be somewhat easier than she thought it would. There was something about the way he held himself, something in his expression, that sent memories chilling up her spine (thank goodness Darla could mask this reaction with her power). All his control, all that he kept hidden, and she still saw "sexual sadist" written all over him. It was her former Ulfric in a parallel incarnation, with less fur and a more feline affinity. This, she understood.

For a brief moment, she felt Gerard's eyes on her, and her wolf crouched in a stance as though preparing for a fight, feeling a slight threat to her wellbeing. She took a moment of pride in knowing her wolf was playing dominant too. Usually she just ran off with her tail between her legs.

Yet all though her wolf was threatened, after the realization of his...dark side...something hidden deep inside of her stirred to life. Perhaps, if she could spark his interest, even for a brief moment, she could find a way to understand his intentions. This too, she realized, would help Darla. She sent these thoughts to her lover as well.

She called to Darla through her mind, a message in mostly images and concepts rather than sentences.

I understand him...I can almost read him...this is a language I've spoken since my first full moon...I can help you with this, my love!

Rhia smiles as Sigurd calls her his angel once more, those two simple words making her feel special. The new vampire's words break her from her reverie and she turns to listen to him, wondering what kind of entertainment he was expecting. She listens as Sigurd speaks, offering to dance and assuming she would be his partner. One problem with all of this was that she had no idea how to dance the flamenco. Her eyes move to Sigurd as he lifts her hand, bringing it to his mouth and placing a gentle kiss on it's back. Her eyelids flutter a bit as he does so, images and and information flooding her brain. Suddenly, she knew just how the dance was done, as if she had studied it her entire life. She squeezes his hand a bit, letting him know what he had done worked and returns his smile.

Her attention was then pulled to the other leopard, the one that was obviously so submissive as he drops again to all fours to greet her. That act warms her further as she begins to speak. "Thank you, gentle one. Please, stand with your master once more." She looks to the vampire standing beside him with a small smile and a nod of her head before doing the same to the leopard on the floor, then brings her eyes back to Darla.

Signing back to Guy under the table that she had infact not planned anything but was thinking, she had barely any time to continue her musing when Sigurd spoke to her, offering his entertainment.

"That would be most pleasing Sigurd...but please let us all sit down and move past the pleasantries before we move into such a beautiful display."

Although it had not shown in her words and tone, Darla meant 'sit down NOW', and it was for everybody. If they did not sit soon, then it would look like she and Guy were weaker, as they were lower than the rest of the room when seated. She needed them all to sit down and quickly or it could be seen by Gerard as something different to what it was.

She had been about to look to Rowan and ask with her eyes for her to come and sit by her, when Wolfrevan appeared, his ever-present hood up and in a casual pose. Her predatory smile slid onto her face unheeded at the sight of her old friend and his familiar scent of vampire mixed with his original wolf. 500 years, and he still smelled like his lycan self...and as her animal to call his scent made her comforted. Still smiling as he spoke from the depths of his hood and stared at Gerard, Darla turned to face her dearest friend and put a hand on his slightly warm wrist. He had fed from Artemis before coming here it seemed...that meant the leopard had kept Darla's suggestion and had infact become his pomme de sang not just his lover. There was a lot of that going around it seemed, but she was happy for that raging and uncontrollable bloodlust seemed to have vanished...Artemis had tamed it as was her hope.

"My dear Wolfrevan...it has been weeks since last we spoke, and I am most glad to see you here safe and well. However, we are in the midst of a meeting so I must apologise and ask for our catch-up to be delayed for tonight. I would ask you stay, and greet our guest. Gerard, this is Wolfrevan, Wolfrevan, Lord Gerard Demorte Anlui."

Squeezing Wolf's wrist in a 'forgive me for ignoring you' gesture, she let go and turned to face Rowan as a flood of mental images and whispered words slipped into her mind. She was proud of Rowan for not speaking in their mind...what was not said could not be heard. Sending back not pictures or words, but the sheer feeling of her pride at her learning curve, Darla gave her consent to any plan her love came up with without saying anything then turned back to the still standing guest and her Kiss. They really did need to sit..and somebody needed to take Gerard's coat and cane. Calling her butler, she watched as he entered the room with the nervousness of such a gathering weighing on him, then told him to take the coat and cane from their guest, berating him for not doing so earlier.

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Gerard watch the subtle shift of events, his mind catching the twist and turns of everything going around him. He could sense the unease of the room, the quick thinking on the other vampire's part as they struggled to find a footing and work with it. They were scrambling to find the entertainment that he had arrived with. No matter, he thought with an inward shrug. He would go along with it and see if they slipped on the precarious slope they were now walking.

He looked over unsurprisingly at the suddenly appearing vampire, speaking after the introduction. “Charmed ,Wolfrevan. I am surprised that you could find the time to arrive but nonetheless thank you for the introduction.” He turned, immediately discounting the new vampire and offering his coat and cane to the butler.

“Now before we get to the entertainment it is custom that I provide a gift to my most lovely host for having me here this night.” He glanced at Rose, that was all it would take and she gave a deep curtsy and headed back to the carriage. She took the arm of the Butler, nonchalantly guiding the befuddled man down the stairs with her Master's coat and cane. She quickly walked to the awaiting carriage and picked up two violin cases. Arriving back as quickly as she had left, she brought the cases up to Gerard.

“But before I give such a gift, they come with a story. I have found that such always increases the value of the piece. I am told when I acquired these that he only crafted two such wonderful art pieces before he died. They were part of a set named after the man's daughters. Aurianna,” as he spoke Rose pulled out one of the violins placing it on a stand on the table, “and Alaina the youngest of the twin's I was told.” Rose picked up the other violin placing it on the stand next to its twin. “It is unfortunate that the sands of time have lost the name of the Master that crafted such beautiful instruments.” His fingers ran over both instruments, as if remembering something about each of them.

“Darla, my gift to you this evening is Alaina. May she sing softly and as lovely as the hand that plays it”

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Frowning inwardly as Wolfrevan was casually greeted then ignored, Darla kept all her thoughts hidden as she watched the butler take the coat and cane with a disinterested gaze then turned to Gerard as he spoke and Rose left with the butler.

Waiting for Rose to return, Darla felt a brief stab of concern as to what Gerard could consider a gift, but was pleasantly suprised when the human returned carrying two violin cases. What did he have planned? She did not have long to wait, as Gerard resumed his speech with Rose displaying two beautiful twin violins on the table. The swirling red laquer, the style, they were perfect. Listening to his story with true interest, she remembered the names as she let her gaze roam over the sisters. They were truly works of art, and one was to be given to her.

"My dear Gerard...this is a gift beyond anything I could of expected. I thank you most sincerely for such a show of generosity and only hope I will be able to return it in kind."

Rising from her seat, she slowly walked towards the other end of the table and the gifted violin, one white hand moving to stroke the softly gleaming red of the insturment. Picking it up and placing it on her shoulder, she used her fingers to run through a scale, the clear sounds making her smile happily, not bothering to hide her pleasure at such an insturment.

Turning to face the room so as to ensure better accoustics, she thought a moment then found a piece in her head that would be a perfect test of the violin. Picking up the bow, she began the long, haunting notes of the song she had chosen and her mind was soon lost to the music, nothing existing but her and the violin, the notes soothing her.

[ooc - click HERE to listen to the song Darla plays......co written by Gerard]

He picked up Aurianna placing her under his chin. With his eyes closed he joined her in the end of the song picking up the deeper harmony that Aurianna was meant to sing. When she finished the song he worked the last notes into a beautiful transition that flowed perfectly to his piece.

He was lost within the second measure. There was only Aurianna and the Music. There was no one else for he became the vehicle for her. The music filled the room picking up on the bits and pieces of Gerard and magnifying them to the soft stands of music. Sorrow, Loneliness, and emotions of all kind could be felt when he played his beloved Aurianna.

His eyes did not open until the last echo of the last note faded into nothing.
----------------------------

As her song drew towards a close, Darla sensed and heard the mournful sounds of the deeper sister violin joining her, but her face stayed relaxed and peaceful, the music never stopping its haunting melody as it wound through the room.

Gerard, with Aurianna, was transformed. His playing was perfect, his song beautiful, but as Darla withdrew from her lost state in which she played, she noticed his face. His face, so normally guarded and empty, was awash with him. She could see the real him, and it was a strange revelation. He too was lost when he played, putting himself into the music and the music taking from him his mind. His sorrowful playing conveyed so much more than mere skill with a violin.

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His face returned to the guarded emptiness that has become he normal face. He could not help but look at Darla and the music they created. It was odd vampires were known to not create only emulate but together they had created something.

“If I make one more imposition on you Darla? I would like to have Rose sing while we play for the dance you have agreed to show me. I dare say she would add a most wonderful sound to our music, non?”

At the mention of singing Rose stood from her kneeling position on the floor giving a low curtsy and holding it.

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Seeing Gerard looking back at her, Darla quickly hid her amazement at the sight of him without his shields and moved her arms so Alaina was at her side. "That is no imposition at all ...infact I look forward to making such sweet music from these most beautiful of sisters once more."


Gerard began the first few notes, his eyes looking over Aurianna to Darla seeing if she can pick up the tune. As the two sisters begin to sing he speeds them up slowly ramping up as the two develop a distinct style between themselves that resembles a flamenco. The tune keeps soaring upwards challenging each other as one takes the lead from the other and vice versa. It was only then that the crystalline voice of Rose joined the two sisters singing in flawless Spanish.

Replacing Alaina to her shoulder, Darla listened for the briefest of moments before picking up the tune and starting to play, her lighter notes adding to the deeper call of her sister, the two twining in a competitive dance as she looked at Gerard a moment before closing her eyes and loosing herself to the music once more. Her face softened and she continued to play flawlessly without the aid of her eyes. Half listening to the Spanish of Rose's singing, Darla sent a mental 'now' to Sigurd as the music became more and more complex, forming a soft flamenco tune with ease.

Gerard moved while playing to stand beside Darla. He maintained a sight line from her to where the dancers were to be starting. After all it would be considered an insult if he were to close his eyes and not watch the dancers themselves.

((ooc: Gerard's song will be in the player eventually but for those wanting to hear it now Violin Concerto No. 1 in G Minor Op. 26, Adagio is what he is playing. This post was co-written with Darla)

Guy was suitably impressed with Gerard's gift to Darla, although he wondered if there was some alterior meaning in giving Darla the younger sister, but Darla was a big vampiress, she coud handle that on her own. He listened politely to the music she played and waited expectantly for Gerard to begin playing.

When the older sister began to play, Guy appreciated why Darla was given the younger sister. The older sister was depper, more melancholy, more, something broken and sad. He shook his head and cleared the thought and made sure to shield himself from Gerard jsut in case.

As the music began to change into a flamenco he looked down at Pierre beside him, "I must teach you ballroom dancing if you're going to be on my arm regularly, mi micino." He tapped his foot to the music as he watched Sigurd and Rhia get up to dance, and Rose sang in Spanish. Almost involuntarily he joined in, en basso and in French with Habanera from Carmen, although he was singing more to Pierre than anyone else.

Wolf smiled underneath the hood at the blunt dismissal by the vampire. He was unimpressed by the music himself. Having really no respect for the vampire as he has not proven any worth to him at this moment. He looked around lazily as the music played, showing disinterest at the music, simply to show he could dismiss the presence of the vampire just as the vampire could dismiss him. He closed his eyes, completely ignoring the vampire now and reaching out with his mind, Searching until he found what he wanted and gently caressing the mind of his love and fiance Artemis. He smiled a bit and called to her, after all the leopard was his animal to call but he wanted her with him right now, that is if she wanted to be with him.

Standing in her room at the Pard House, Artemis was just walking out of the shower when she felt Wolf caressing her mind, bringing a smile to her lips. Sending a mental message back telling him that she would be there as fast as possible and that she loved him, she pulled on a calf length black skirt and corset-like top with sleeves, brown belt and sandals and pulled her braids out of their bunch so they hung free around her.

15 minutes later, she was walking up the path to a large estate she knew as Darla's and stopped at the front door, her anklet charms making a small jingle in time with the doorbell. As she was let in, she smelled and sensed her love through a large set of double doors and stalked up to them, pushing them open herself.

She was instantly confronted by the sounds of violins playing a beautiful song, and....Rhia dancing with Sigurd? When did she come here? Pushing the thought aside as she spotted the hooded figure of her fiance, red eyes glowing out at the room in an obviously bored expression. Her stomach still jerked at the sight of him and she nodded in greeting to all present that had noticed her before padding over to Wolf, yellow eyes taking in everything until she reached him and they settled on him with a happy expression. Speaking so only he could hear her, she sat down next to him with one arm on his wrist, still warm from earlier.

"Hey honey...what is wrong or were you just bored with this lot?"

Wolf smiled as his love came in, though with the shadows over his face from the hood that couldn't be seen. His eyes watched her every movement before locking with hers and feeling her arm around his waist. "Only one in particular am i bored with." he said silently to her before removing his hood. His silver hair flowing down his back as he pressed his lips to hers in a tender kiss. His eyes closing as he held it for a moment before releasing her and placing his arm around her waist gently. His eyes dully traveling around the room. Watching Rhia and Sig dancing he smiled a bit and tilted his head. "Come." he stood up and walked over with Arti before starting to dance slowly with her. Whispering faintly as he neared Rhia. "Mind if we join you two in the dance?" He smirked.

[isn't this fun.. whoops xD well you know it's Me wolfy so just leave it be.. sorry bout that. I'll edit it later when i have more time.]

Rhia continues to sit next to Sigurd, surprised to see Artemis enter and move towards Wolfrevan. Her eyes move back and forth between the pair of them and the visiting vampire, unease settling in her stomach. Did either of them have even the slightest clue as to what they were doing? She blinks again in surprise as the pair of them stand moving to dance to the beautiful violin music now filling the room. An anger fills the empty place that the unease left empty, wondering just what in the hell two of her pard thought as to why they could enter a meeting such as this uninvited and insult the visitor as they had. The pair of them dance close to her and she manages an angered whisper in their direction. "What in the blue hell are you two doing? Do you realize how badly you two could make things go here if you continue this? Sit down or leave before you make matters worse. This is already a tense situation as it is," she says, a slight snarl to her voice as her beast swims to the surface, beginning to pace behind her eyes.

Gerard watched his eyes unblinking at the events as they fold themselves out. It would be easy and he knew it to take what he wanted and walk out of the house unscathed. The council would protect him from what ever the others decided to even attempt. He was within every right to do so. He watched the leopard whisper, felt the snarl in the air itself. Yet he kept playing.

He waited until the leopardess turned back as he knew she was bound. His eyes flared into blue flames for a second and his lips curved up into a smile. He knew. She knew. He could take them all in that moment but he was going to wait. Why take something and become no better then a bully. The true masters of the game wait when the stakes are high then strike. This was just child's play no more then any other day to him. Yet to those that stood on the other side of the line this was life and death.

The true predator's knew when to strike and when to not.

[ooc: Like to apologize for this reply taking so long. RL has kept me busy]

Sigurd first watched the interaction between his love and the new leopard. He was glad that she was so intent on taking in new leopards and seeing her be so kind only enforced the reasons why he loved her. Sigurd moved his attention quickly to the visiting vampire, Gerard, however, as the man revealed his gifts to Darla. Sigurd watched intently as he examined the gifts. He could see no flaws with the wonderful masterwork of the instruments and the person who had made them was truly an in visionary. He noted the amazing woodwork, the fine attunement of the strings. As Darla picked up the piece of art and began to move through the scale, Sigurd also noted the amazing sound that came from the little sister instrument. It was clear that the artisan who had made the two violins had put in all his soul and ability. Only someone who gave everyone he had would have been able to create instruments so perfect.

It was then that his mistress began to play a song that Sigurd did not recall. Sigurd allowed a smile to creep on his lips as he listened to the entrancing music come from the violin. Sigurd raised his eyebrow as he noticed Gerard bring up the sister violin and began to play as well. Sigurd felt all the emotions that came off Gerard’s playing, noting just how sorrow filled they were. Sigurd watched as both vampires lost themselves to the music only regaining their composure when the song was finally finished. Sigurd then nodded his head in acceptance as Gerard offered his servant Rose to sing along with the dance as Gerard and Darla played the notes.

Sigurd waited patiently alongside his love as the music began to pick up by the two vampires. The notes quickly being joined by the servant’s voice. Sigurd closed his eyes, allowing himself to fall into the music. He stayed there for a moment, allowing his body to find the beat and become one with it. This was probably the most important part of the dance, for if he missed one beat then the flamenco would be ruined, and so too would be the entertainment. Sigurd then was rudely interrupted as Wolfrevan and the leopard who had questioned him in the club prior, Artemis, began to dance next to him. Sigurd opened his eyes and turned to the two even as Rhia began to yell at them.

Sigurd knew that the situation had now just become much worse with their interruption. Gerard would have surely noted and might even call upon that situation if he ever felt cornered, as a breach of protocol. Sigurd allowed a small whisper of power to reach his love as he sent the thought ~I apologize for this, but it must be done.~ Sigurd then turned to Artemis saying, “Go back to your seat, now…” The statement had been said with such coldness and no feeling, but underneath it was all power. He sent his control over leopards at Artemis. He hadn’t wanted to use his power against his love’s leopards, but they couldn’t seem weak.

Sigurd didn’t wait to see if his power had forced her to leave them alone. He was confident in his strength and Artemis was only a submissive leopard. Unless her Nimir-ra went out of her way to use her own power to stop the call, it would affect Artemis in full force. Sigurd then looked into his love’s eyes saying, “Now the fun can begin, let us show our strength so that even the master of Orlando notices it.” Sigurd doubted that they were that strong, but he had simply said it as a light statement.

Sigurd fell into the beat much easier this time, having already memorized the rhythm. He then moved back from Rhia slightly, slowly circling her, his hands in the air. It was there that he began to clap his hands in tune to the rhythm, his feet stamping at the same time. He circled her such for a few seconds allowing his body to reverse occasionally in move in the opposite direction. Then he moved in swiftly his hand positioned out in the air while his other moved to her back and above her waist. Sigurd then took the lead to the dance, beginning the dance by moving two steps forward. Sigurd then began to move back and forth with Rhia, the hand he had out in the air moving forward to play on her face. He allowed that hand to caress her for a moment, before the pace began to pick up and their movements moved faster.

As the couple moved in small circles around the room, Sigurd decided it was time to use some fancier moves. He quickly stepped back from Rhia, stomping his feet three times while his hands clapped at the same time. Sigurd then spun back towards Rhia, noting that she did likewise. He caught her in his arms as they reached one another, Sigurd dipping her and moving his head down with her. He lowered his face towards the wondrous body of hers, kissing right above the top of the dress that seemed to form to her body perfectly. Sigurd then lifted her up quickly, spinning her small circles using one of his hands. As she spun, he made one foot stomp in tune, always making sure to stay in beat. Then Sigurd just stopped spinning her, their bodies coming extremely close, their faces practically touching. Sigurd moved his lips forward, the lust within him rising, he moved as if he were about to kiss her. Then the second that their lips seemed to touch, he swung his body to away from her, twisting his hand so that she did likewise.

The two now stood side by side, holding each other’s hands, facing the watchers. Sigurd gave a confident smile as he used his the hand that was stilling holding Rhia to spin her to his opposite side. He caught her with that arm, moving in circles again, as his hands kept spinning her to Sigurd’s opposite side. Then Sigurd spun her out to stand alone, moving in to hold her again. Just as he did so however, Rhia moved back raising her hands in the air. Sigurd knew knew what she was doing, so when she lowered her hands next, Sigurd raised his. So that every beat, one raised their arms in the air, as the other lowered theirs towards the ground. Then Rhia turned, giving her back to Sigurd. Sigurd moved in close, allowing himself to show just how happy he was to be standing right behind her. He gave a wicked smile as he moved his head forward a bit and licked her neck slightly.

Rhia then turned back around, taking Sigurd’s hands within his own. Sigurd flicked his wrists upward, making it so that Rhia dipped backwards on every beat. They did that for a few moments before Sigurd spun her away from him. The two then spun in opposite direction of each other quickly. Sigurd then knew the beat was about to end, so he decided to finish the dance. As the song ended, Sigurd moved in swiftly. As Rhia stopped in wait for him, Sigurd ran towards her. As Sigurd got closer, he fell to his knees, sliding on the ground towards her. He reached her just as the song finished, his hands moving to cup her back and butt, while his head rested at her waist. The lust was practically riding him, the dance practically sex with clothes on. He nuzzled his head into her body, flicking his tongue at the dress, right above her waist. Sigurd then looked up a smile on his face as he waited for her reaction.

As the Master of the City started playing a very beautiful song on the new violin, Pierre had made his way over to his master, Guy and had sat down on the royal purple sitting cushion on the floor. His smile to Guy barely changes anything about his features, and was gone the instant it came. He laid his head on the vampire’s lap, taking one of Guy’s hands and kissing it gently. He was still nervous about the new vampire, as he was the weakest leopard–no–the weakest of any creature in this room.

And then, in the blink of an eye, it was Gerard's turn to join in on the violin playing. When a sudden power filled the air was the only time that Pierre actually heard the second, the eldest sister of the two violins. It sounded so sad, like a crying child. He suddenly felt so sad, despite the romance that was filling the small room. He looked up to Gerard, the new vampire, and then quickly back to violins, wondering if he had meant for the sound of it to be so . . . horrible. Of course, he wouldn’t say so, because he had no taste when it came to classical instruments, and it seemed that the others were enjoying it.

The leopard looked out to see that they were now playing a more faster paced song, and that a now singular couple that was dancing in the center of the room. It really was a tragedy that Pierre had no clue how to dance, as he knew that Guy would have liked it. And it was then that he realized that he was holding the vampire back, and that it was because of him that Guy wasn’t out dancing, too.

Guy’s singing brought a smile to Pierre’s features. He closed his eyes to listen to his voice, and to block out the god awful violin that was playing over and over in his head, currently. He sighed and made himself comfortable, then he looked up at Guy. “I’m not going to have to entertain, am I?” he asked, complete terror in his voice that was covered with an apologetic note once he came to the conclusion that he had interrupted Guy’s singing. “Sorry . . . ” he murmured and went back to laying his head on the vampire lap and listening.

Suddenly, it hit him. The power of the eldest violin hit him in the chest with full force. He felt like nothing would be okay anymore. He felt like all of the happiness had left him and that he would have to live in a desolate shell for the rest of his life. Tears burned in his eyes. He buried his head in Guy’s lap as to not bring attention to himself. His body shook as tears fell out of his eyes. He bit his lip, willing himself to stop, but the power of the eldest sister overwhelmed him. And, for some reason, Guy's beautiful singing didn't help much. He still felt like he was melting from the inside out. He tried to focus on the singing, and thought that it might even help if he listened hard enough, but the voilin's song played over and over in his head.

Artemis' eyes widened as Wolf took her slowly onto the dancefloor, and as they came close to Rhia her yellow eyes practically screamed 'oh shit what is going to happen?'. As Rhia snarled at them and told them to go back, her leopard sank back into her as far as it could go, trying to get away from the angry prickle of power. Arte had nodded to Rhia and was frantically signaling to Wolf to get them out of there with her mind, when all thought was erased. Her eyes misted over as the full force of Sigurd's control over leopards crashed into her. Her cat screamed and clawed at her insides, telling her to move away, far away, but the human body wouldn't, couldn't react. Standing in Wolf's arms, she looked completely lost for a second then managed to regain her senses from the power shoved through her and dropped her hands from her loves and walked gracefully towards her seat as though sleep walking. She was running on auto pilot, having never been subjected to such a level of control before.

Rhia makes no move to stop Sigurd as his power leaves him, sending Artemis back to her seat as if on autopilot. She knew that Sigurd hadn’t wanted to do that, but in a time like this, it was necessary that they never look weak. His words reach her mind, bringing a smile to her lips as she moves with Sigurd further into the dance floor. She moved as if the dance was ingrained within her muscles, second nature to her daily life. He led her expertly, every step in place and in perfect time with the music. She couldn’t help but be excited by this, her breath picking up each time her love moved around her or touched her. By the time that they were finished, Rhia wished they were in a much more private area and with a lot less clothes as she looked down at Sigurd, his tongue teasing her waist through the fabric of her dress. She lets one hand move close to his face, running a gentle finger across his cheek as she smiles back down at him. Her hand pulls away from his face, holding out for him to take, though he needed no help in order to stand. When he was standing next to her, she turns towards Darla and then the visiting vampire, her heart still beating fast as the need still runs through her.

Rowan's wolf swayed to the strings as they were manipulatated so skillfully by Darla and Gerard. She herself stayed perfectly still, hoping her love of music would not be mistaken for susceptibilty to their powers. Of course, it did effect her, to an extent, but her "mistress" protected her from most of it. She did not quite understand the outrage when Wolf and Artemis began to dance, but was surprised that Gerard had not acted upon the offense when he had the chance.

As the Nimir-Ra and Sigurd began their dance, her attention was stolen from nearly all else. The lust in the room sky-rocketted, and Rowan stole a glance at Darla, wishing they were away from these mind games and alone again.

Remembering her promise to study Gerard, she shifted her attention to him, waiting for anything useful to be revealed. She barely understood his intentions at the moment, for she had a feeling that Darla's lands were not all he was after.