Harley had been so enthralled by the exquisite beauty of the red haired boy's art that he hadn't noticed the boy at first. Once ze had locked eyes with the red head, hir undead heart felt as if it might start beating of its own accord again.

Hir pursuit of Jack was interrupted by the cackle of a Harpy. Ze wasn't sure how ze knew it was a Harpy, but there was no mistaking the laughter in Harley's mind. It suddenly reminded the flashy vampire that ze hadn't sought out or greeted the new Prince. That simply wouldn't do; after all, if ze was going to stay in L'enfer for any length of time, the Prince had to give hir permission.

And a snubbed Ventrue was not very likely to do that. The poor, stuffy Ventrue, ze thought. They never got to have any fun. Harley grinned to hirself and vowed to make sure this new Prince was dazzled.

Once ze had made a brief introduction and spent a moment with the Prince, ze had every intention of returning for Jack before one of the Toreador noticed him. There were enough of the beautiful vampires at the party already, surely they didn't need another.

Harley found the Prince easily enough, others of his clan were close by watching him. A female vampire was speaking to the Prince now, but ze had no intention of going unnoticed for long. Ze would have to be careful, of course, he wouldn't want to offended them too much.

Prim and proper creatures all the time, Harley would have to walk up and wait hir turn to speak and introduce hirself. It was how these other vampires did things. Of course, this made them predictable and predictability made playing pranks on them almost too easy.

Ze tsk-tsked at hirself and pushed any thoughts of mischief aside for the moment. It wouldn't do to make any of the Elders or the Prince angry with hir. Instead, ze stood quietly a few paces from the trio of vampires which included the Prince.

Selene had been wandering the crowds of Kindred and schmoozing with everyone. She'd spoken to a handful of mortals, of course, but that hardly mattered. Her intent had been to make her way to the new Prince.

She had to meet him, not only to introduce herself but to congratulate him on becoming Prince of L'enfer. She intended to find and stay on his good side. He'd be very popular tonight, naturally.

She approached a loose crowd of Kindred who were all focused on one vampire. He declared the farce of the first act to be in bad taste and then put the head of her Clan on the spot in the same breath; figuratively speaking of course.

Selene hadn't met Victoria face to face quite yet; that had been her next priority after ingratiating herself with the new Prince. It would be poor form indeed not to introduce herself to the head of her Clan.

The blonde vampire narrowed her eyes briefly in thought. It seemed that perhaps the Prince was entertaining a pair of Kindred from his own Clan presently, and far be it from her to do something so rude as interrupting.

She pivoted slightly and walked with the gentle swagger she once used to model clothes toward Victoria. It didn't matter with whom she spoke first; as long as she made a good first impression. After all, you only got one.

"It is a great pleasure to meet you monsieur Prince Tobias of the noble clan Ventrue. I would be most interested to stay in the fair city of L'enfer. I have a few assets to add to this city and would be grateful if you allowed me to stay here and prove myself to you and the clan. " Alice's face went from cautious to a warm smile and she stood her ground. This Prince seemed to be welcoming and had the proper clan training. She was sure to fit in here.

Alice glanced around and realized she was monopolizing Prince Tobias. She politely withdrew her hand and said,"I don't want to take up all of your time as it can be precious. It was a pleasure to meet you and I hope to talk to you again soon." She looked at Andrea with a small but polite "shall we" look.

Still upset with how the Prince had put her on the spot, Victoria nearly missed seeing one of her clan members approach her. She was about to turn away and seek the refuge of a quiet and dark space within the theater, if one could be found, when she realized that Selene was making her way towards her. She put on a smile and nodded to Selene with all the grace expected of one from Clan Toreador.

"Designer Selene! Darling, how long has it been since I last saw you? It's not been since last spring's shows in New York City, I believe. How have you been?" She held out her arms to embrace Selene and give her the kiss of greeting on each cheek.

"Those last dresses you put out onto the catwalk were absolutely gorgeous. How ever did you come up with the inspiration for them? Wait, no - don't tell me." Victoria smiled. "Trade secrets, eh?"

Tobias gave Alice a brief nod as she withdrew. "Of course," he said. His warm smile faded somewhat as he studied her, his eyes momentarily becoming extremely penetrating. The moment passed as quickly as it had come and he continued, gesturing to his sire. "I'm sure you'll do just fine in Andrea's company."

Great, he thought. This fiasco taking place with new kindred in the city. As a he took a step back into his original position at the base of the ornate stairs leading to the balcony seats, he scanned the crowd and noticed several others waiting to speak with him. He cleared his face once again, wearing a welcoming, but otherwise empty, expression.

Alice hoped that she had done nothing to offend the Prince as he was a clan member and to be respected. He seemed to be doing a good job so far as she could tell. That toreador messed up in front of the whole city and he made sure the city knew it. That's how a good business is run. She was very deep in thought tonight and was hoping to meet more of the city.She wore a look of deep thought on her face as she turned to walk away.

((i forgot whether you said Victoria was a painter or not...so I will edit this for the proper greeting once that's confirmed))

Selene smile her charming, high society smile. It was practically a requirement for any worthwhile Toreador, a good smile could get you almost as far as a few well placed words...almost.

"Victoria!" she gushed giving the kiss of greeting and the schmaltzy embrace expected with it.

"You know I can't tell you how I do it!" she said in mock dismay. She gave a small lilting laugh and stepped ever so slightly closer to the head of her Clan. "You know, if you grow any more radiant Victoria, you'll be the final death of everyone in this room," she said with almost genuine adulation.

After a moment of comfortable silence, Selene glanced pointedly at the doors to the auditorium. She wouldn't need to ask any questions outright, not of Victoria anyway. She was sure there was at least one Nosferatu about, since their head of Clan would likely be in attendance. She gave them no more thought than that, it made her uneasy to think of them always listening and knowing.

"I couldn't help bit overhear the new Prince putting you on the spot earlier. How dreadful! Do you suppose she'll be staying in L'enfer after embarrassing herself like that?" she asked quietly. Selene was careful that her face displayed only mild curiosity and that her voice carried an aloof tone; as if she might be inquiring about an unimportant matter like the weather.


Internally, she was dying to see how the head of her Clan answered.

No one paid any mind to the silly Malkavian in hir extravagant and extreme clothes. Ze knew they thought ze was an empty headed, if whimsical, creature. Despite hir flamboyant appearance and hir tendency to mentally wander off, Harley was aware of much more than many vampires gave hir credit for; and ze knew it. Ze might not be as clever as some of the older Nosferatu (what delightful creatures they could be!), but ze heard and saw things ze knew weren't meant for hir to see or hear.



Ze heard them whisper about hir when they thought ze wasn't close enough to hear; though perhaps some had made sure ze had heard. One never could tell with such a crafty lot. The joke was on them, of course. Harley had been around longer than a good lot of them, and would be long after.



Harley wasted no time in approaching the new Prince quickly. Ze bowed deeply, flourishing hir pink cape. Ze stood back up immediately and smiled lopsidedly, thought it was a genuine grin.



Ze extended hir hand and said jovially, "Good evening! I hear congratulations are in order. Harley Weaver, at your service my Prince,"



Such were the thoughts that gave the ostentatious Kindred a smile of purest joy. None of them could truly guess what ze was about, and it tickled hir that they cared.

Andrea swept a graceful bow to Tobias and cocked his eyebrow in just the right manner to signal to the Prince that he would like to have a word with him later on in the evening. Without pause as he rose from the bow, he caught Alice by the elbow and turned to walk with her away from the Prince, guiding her around the room.

As the two progressed around the room in a calm and leisurely manner, he quietly pointed out the names and clans of the Kindred gathered to her. He gestured to the flamboyant character who had approached the Prince after they left, saying, "And that would be Harley of Clan.. Malkavian, I believe."

"Do you, my dear, have any questions perhaps?" He asked with an indulging and contented smile. He enjoyed the small stir they were causing as the other Kindred watched and wondered just who he was strolling with.

"I don't see how she could be bothered to stay, honestly." Victoria pursed her lips in what appeared to be mild annoyance. "After the trouble that she's caused, I'm sure not a few of the elders of the clan will suggest to Elizabeth that she make her haven elsewhere." She shrugged as though she were indifferent to the matter. "Anyways, I wouldn't worry about it if I were you." Victoria smiled at Selene. "The matter will be settled one way or another."

Jonas had been watching the performance from the very back. He had stayed silent throughout, not a clap nor a tear nor a smile came from him. it was though he had been completely unmoved by the performance.

When the performance was over he just blended in the best he could with the others here. Slouching down a bit and loosening up his walk so he didn't stand out. It wasn't that he didn't want his presence known. He just wanted to make a delivery before the heirarchy of this city noticed him. He would of course speak to the prince... in his own time. But Tobais was a little preoccupied with others at the moment. It gave him time to speak with someone else first.

After Alice had stepped away from the prince, Jonas began to slide through the crowd towards her. His movements were sure to attract the attention of those more attentive in attendance. He moved with the grace of a dancer, each step precise, almost as if he had planned this route years ago.

When Jonas came upon her he would stop just short of half an arms length of her. He reached into a pocket inside of a very bulky trench and pulled out an ornately carved, exquisitely detailed red pendent. He held behind her at precisely her eye level and spoke.
" I believe I know a beautiful lady who is looking for this. Perhaps you could help me locate her?"

Alice was getting comfortable with Andrea and had therefore relaxed a bit from her normal controlled stance. She was enjoying the attention from an elder it made her feel important. As he pointed the Malkavian out she glanced in that direction slightly. "Who are the members of the hierarchy? I would like to meet them very much. And where is a good place to stay for the day? I haven't been able to establish a haven as I just arrived tonight."

She was giving Andrea a warm smile and started to lean in when she felt HIM behind her. "Hello Jonas, I wondered when you would get here. Andrea, this is an old friend. I would like you to meet Lord Jonas Raynerk. And thank you Jonas for returning it to me, it got lost in France a while back. How did you find it?"

Alice stiffened back up to her stoic stance when she turned to address Jonas and introduce him to Andrea. She didn't seem to show any emotion either way to Jonas.

Tobias lifted an eyebrow as the next kindred approached an introduced hirself. "I appreciate your sentiments, Harley," he began, a conservative smile parting his lips. At your service, he thought. That could be useful indeed. "It is a pleasure to meet you," he said, inclining his head.

He was pleased; it seemed as if Alice would be a good fit for the clan within the city and he was relieved to see that she maintained the proper decorum as befitted one of Clan Ventrue. Andrea did, however, make a mental note to speak to his childe about his behavior, even considering the fiasco that was the Clan Toreador's unrestrained bitch. Perhaps he could take a lesson fro-- .. The thought was interrupted; he felt Alice stiffen next him to him and instantly became aware of their surroundings, blood pounding furiously throughout his body as he prepared for combat.

He shifted from one foot to another. A smile crept into place. And, ever so slightly, with a touch of control, did he incline his head to the Kindred who had made his presence known to them.

"It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. It was very gracious of you to return such a splendid item to Alice here." Unsure of Alice's relationship to this Kindred, Andrea wrapped an arm around her shoulders in a protective gesture, as if to subtly say that if she required it she would have the clan's backing.

And we must find her a haven, he thought to himself. Something secure.

Not a speck of emotion crossed Jonas's face as he made a minute turn of his head towards Andrea. Jonas had noted the shift in weight, shifting ones weight without moving the rest of the body is the sign of an experienced fighter, and to top it off he was cocky.

Making sure to keep his voice down even though any humans in here would likely be made to forget if they some how managed to overhear." Ah, Andrea. It is good to see another well known Elder besides Lady Alice and myself. That pendant was a gift from the only Gargoyle to ever hold praxis in Ireland. It was his gift to her when she claimed Dublin as her own.

As for your... defensiveness of her. It is unnecessary. I would miss our encounters were something to befall her. She is safe with me.

Throughout the entire conversation, Jonas's face and body language as well as his tone had remained devoid of emotion. He hadn't even moved when Andrea had shifted. Jonas had made it known that he know whom Andrea was, time to see if Andrea was as well informed.

If his heart were still beating it might have skipped a beat - in excitement, surely, and not with a moment's twinge of worry. Ah, intrigue! He knew of the Prince of Dublin, an Alice, and while she had not mentioned it, this Alice surely fit the description. But, and there was always a but, this Alice had said nothing of being the Prince of Dublin - in fact, she had in all ways held herself as an experienced but still young Kindred - and if she had made no mention of it then he would not do so either. There'd be some reason for her to not have claimed the status, rights and responsibilities due to her and he'd respect that.

Andrea inclined his head but made no move to withdraw from Alice's side; this Jonas.. he was a known factor, oh yes, but here in his own territory, Andrea was not willing to sway or bend. Not just yet. He had taken to this woman in a favorably and her cool demeanor that was so unlike Jonas' frigid demeanor.

"Ah, my friend, tonight we wine and dine in the Elysium!" Andrea flashed a grin that was pearly white and full of fang. "This is not the time nor the place to speak of who is safe with who for together we find peace this evening beneath the ever watchful eyes of the Elysium."

"Alice, dear," Andrea spoke softly, as he looked down at Alice beside him, "Do you recognize this pendant?"

Alice stood there as still as deer in headlights. Her expression became confused as Jonas talked. She was looking between the two men and once Andrea was done talking Alice stood there a moment, gathered herself quickly, and put a elegant smile on her face in a few seconds time. "Andrea, this pendant was a gift from a Toreador in France. I don't think I have ever met a gargoyle nor have I been to Ireland let alone was I prince of it." Alice laughed and it sounded like small bells ringing. She smiled at Andrea with a pleasant smile. "Lord Jonas, you must be mistaken. Maybe there is another Alice who just looks a lot like me." This is a celebration let us celebrate the new Prince Tobias and the company of each other."

Alice was very confused, but outwardly she held up her demeanor so as to not let anyone know that she was doubting her words as she spoke them. Could I be this Alice that Jonas is talking about? I don't remember doing any of these things. I hope that Andrea can find me a place to stay so that I can find out.

Jonas had already quirked his head ever so slightly before Alice had even spoken, almost as though he knew what was about to come out of her mouth. Jonas knew for a fact who he was dealing with. The very slight curves of her body and the contours of her face were unmistakeable. As well as the voice. The confidence in her voice and the force behind every word, it was signature Alice.

Before she had finished talking he had made up his mind on what to do next.
Then since it seems you have forgotten many things perhaps you would humor me and allow me to give a history lesson of Ireland. You know, as well as I, that most outside of Ireland, with the exception of Mithras never knew what happened there beginning in the mid 1200's
Jonas gestured towards the prince and began to walk slowly and talk In the late 1200's Ireland had managed to get itself a gargoyle as a prince. Protoculous. He made a decision to begin peace talks with the other supernatural creatures in the area. First the Lupines, followed by the mages, fae and hunters in the immediate area.

Jonas paused for a moment and leaned his head towards his audience again making sure no mortals were paying attention. Then he continued with the same complete lack of emotion he had shown all evening so far.

Now of course this version is very, very, abridged. After just a short few months he had used his natural charisma to be befriend most of them. The lupines of course were a very wary ally. After he had set this in motion he began on a national scale. Amazingly enough this took even less time to get started. With Mithras having a hold on Belfast It was easy to convince even the hunters of the benefits of presenting a united front against all outside forces. Once Protoculous had established the basis for his Imperium, he handed Dublin to Alice on a silver platter. At this time I was the left hand of the prince, as I had been for every prince before him, and as I remained even for Lady Alice. Within 50 years time. Ireland was nigh impossible to penetrate, Lady Alice had successfully pulled a hardline negotiation with Mithras, taking Belfast and placing all of Ireland's Kindred under The Imperiums control....... I will finish this history lesson later, as we are approaching the prince.

He stopped and looked to lady alice and spoke again very softly before turning to the prince and bowing gracefully.By the way, Lady Alice, How is your husband... I believe his name was Cyril?

Jonas knew that giving so much information so quickly would like cause Alice a bit of distress. He was ok with that, the two had never exactly been good friends. And someone of her status deserved to know who they were.

Alice never showed any other expression than the friendly face she had on. She listened to Jonas' story as though she were anyone else here hearing it for the first time, because she was. "That was a very interesting story that you just told Jonas. I just don't remember that life. I have already had the pleasure of meeting Prince Tobias. Alice turned to Andrea with the same friendly smile. "Andrea, can we go meet some of the others here? Lord Jonas it was nice to see you again."

Alice very subtly pulled on Andrea's arm. She keep up her Ventrue face and waited for Andrea to make a step away from Jonas.

((I know it doesn't really belong here, but I wanted to let you all know OOC that we three will be back this coming Tuesday...things have been chaotic))

Andrea listened carefully to the tale that Jonas spun for them and committed most of it to memory; if this was indeed the Alice that Jonas thought she was then it'd be valuable information to have. As it was, however, Alice had clearly said her peace and was ready to move on from this conversation to another. He glanced around the room looking for someone to introduce Alice to and spotted Victoria speaking to one of her clan members. Well.. at least Victoria could hold a conversation and it was wise to know a wide base of people.

"Of course, dear Alice." He turned her to face the general direction of Victoria and the other Toreador. "How do you feel about meeting the primogen for Clan Toreador? She's a lovely woman in a precarious position at the moment." He asked as they began to walk away from Jonas and the nearby Prince.

Andrea was careful to turn his head over his shoulder and give a little wave to Jonas. It was a pleasure to meet you, of course!" With that they disappeared into the crowd through no unnatural means other than the ebb and flow of the crowd.

Alice was very grateful to be done with the ridiculous conversation and on to more important business. She never showed anything outwardly about this. Alice continued to keep her "ventrue" face on and moved gracefully with Andrea over to meet Victoria.

"Thank you for being here to introduce me to all these people Andrea, it is most kind and generous of you."