Setting.

June 1780. Palais-Royale. Paris. The King and Queen's Ball. Hundreds of aristocrats and nobility dance amongst each other, some titles earned, some bought. Pale skin. Lavish dresses made of silk brocade, satin, and taffeta, layer after layer of sweltering clothing, corsets keeping women and men shapely. Powdered wigs. Fans feverishly beating, drunk on champagne, thin films of sweat hugging their pink bodies. Humidity causing the wigs to frizz and fall. Nonetheless, they danced on. The Ages of Enlightenment and Vanity were dying out. The stench of the Revolution hung in the air. Young, fresh-faced men sat in rags in smoky bars, preaching about the future. Talks of heinous things around every corner: The assassination of the King and Queen, of the young Dauphin and Delphine as well, the age of democracy spreading across the nation, even the removal of the cemeteries in the city, placing corpse after corpse, bone after bone, into the quarries of the city, each soul forever unnamed and forgotten amongst miles of the damned, marking the gateway of Hell. But what did it matter, Arienne had lived long enough to watch her city change several times. After all, it was once said by a very great man,

"Kingdoms rise and fall. Just don’t burn the paintings in the Louvre, that’s all."

...And it really was all that they cared about.

***

The white and gold carriage, pulled by three white horses pulled up to the entrance of the Palais-Royale. It should have been a black funeral carriage, considering it's contents. Pale digits, fingernails like glass held a small golden compact mirror, flicking it open with a quick movement of her wrist, bringing it in front of her face. Auburn eyes behind thick lashes. Scarlet hair in delicate curls, piled upon her head, tied together with strands of pearls, emeralds, and white and green feathers. Behind glittering, ruby red lips was a set of perfect white teeth, enhanced by a pair of menacing, razor-like fangs that were easy to conceal. Pale, preternatural skin, slightly gaunt, due to lack of blood. But she would fit right in with the crowd, even seen as exquisite by her peers, for so perfectly accomplishing what they had all tried so hard for, and her feeding time would come soon enough. The door of the carriage swung open, a white-gloved hand extended to take hers. She took it, stepping out into the street, smoothing out her dress, which was made of silk from Egypt, that was different shades of green, from emerald to seafoam, in the multi-layer dress, garnished with ornate jewels, pearls, and tiny bows. A small hand movement gestured the horseman away, climbing back upon his stool and slapping the hinds of the back horses, causing a nhey, and a gallop, as they sped away back to her home. She walked up the stairs of the palace, her tiny slippered with matching emerald slippers feet sliding softly over the runner over the staircase, almost floating, a tiny bit of silk stocking showing with each step.

"Name?" A servant asked as she arrived at the doors, holding a scroll of parchment. She turned to him and smiled.
"Mademoiselle Arienne Cosette Baudelaire-Laroque, daughter of the viscount, Monsieur Jean-Baptiste Baudelaire-Laroque III" The name was most assuredly not on the list, as she had been pronounced dead more than 25 years previous, but she said it with such confidence that he simply bowed to her and opened the double doors. A great flood of music and laughter filled her ears,the smells of blood, sweat, tobacco, liquor, and sex filled her nostrils. Thousands of candles hung high above the floor and were stuck in candelabra trailing down the staircases, stacked atop each other, wax dripping down the staircase and walls, falling onto tiny cherubs and angel statues that were molded into every spare space, staring down over the crowd, illuminating the shining marble floor, the ornamented walls and ceilings, each different shades of gold in the flickering light. Paintings of past queens and kings hung in the halls Hundreds of powdered wigs wavered in the air, skirts, white, pink, green, and pastel blue whooshed around as the gentlemen spun their partners. Young men and women huddled in corners, snorting cocaine behind fans, ducking behind the crimson and gold tapestries on the walls to kiss and fondle each other amidst their inebriation. Arienne took it all in, standing at the top of the stairs before descending...

... And she was still early. Many more people were destined to show up. After all, these galas were known to be host to thousands. And it would only be a matter of time before someone realized what she was, or one of her own kind would show up.

And tonight, she would most definitely hunt.





{{ I would love to have some fellow vampire characters, maybe even someone to play Marie Antoinette, or King Louis VXI, and definitely lots and lots of aristocrats to drink from! }}

His fingernails slowly peeled away the wood on the empty table in front of him, an act of boredom as his dark, hollow, ominous blue eyes stared off, his mind freely wandering. Long tendrils of dark-brown hair hung in his face, hiding his smooth, flawless pale skin as well as his wry grin, an expression of complete disgust and dissatisfaction. Was this how Vampires were to spend their eternity? Drinking down their booze and filling the void in their hearts by the means of endless pleasure that grew less enjoyable by the day. It sickened him, watching the Vampires degrade themselves and not make use of their time. Why even he was here was beyond him. Although, he rather liked the idea of ridiculing others, so humor mostly. Even a Vampire could use a good laugh now and again.

Sighing to himself, his eyes shifted over to the staircase, where a radiant Vampire now stood, gracefully making her way down to join the others. It was odd because she sparked something inside him, an emotion he hadn't experienced in a very long time. Lust. Oh how he desired such unmatchable beauty for his own, and tonight he planned to take it for himself, and there was no doubt in his mind that he'd fail. He was the type of person who always played for keeps, and that wasn't about to change tonight.

Rising to his feet and cracking his knuckles, he walked to the bottom of the staircase and looked up, greeting the prize with a friendly arm, "May I have the honor of walking my fair lady to a seat?" He purred teasingly, his tone very seductive but yet equally genuine. He could already taste it, the richest of blood gracing his cool throat.

Myriah_Lee wrote:Ooc: Are we supposed to just jump in?

Ooc: {Yes, please do.}





Arienne was rather shocked that she would be approached so quickly, especially by one of her kind. She had hoped to not make her breed so... apparent. It was not her intention, and tonight she would play a bit hard, seeing how she was there to hunt, not court, though she did find the fiend very much so attractive. But the smell of the youths surrounding her was as dizzying as the smell of fresh port to an alcoholic, and she was unsure of how long she could resist holding off before she would have to find a young sire or courtesan to lure behind a tapestry for a taste. It was not the time to be distracted, no matter how attractive he was. She was sure there would be time for conversation in the later hours. She looked at the gentleman vampire out of the corner of her eye, underneath her lashes, and walked down several stairs to where she was eye level.
"You may walk me to the Queen. I need to make my introduction," she spoke, like a true aristocrat, turning her eye back to the ball, noting where the fair queen Marie Antoinette stood with her ladies in waiting, drinking champagne. Oh, to taste her blood... plus, it was only proper.

((OOC: Great introduction.. I'm happy to join in ))

Ah, to be at the King and Queen's ball. Anastasie loved to be amongst the nobles. Their stunning gowns, their delicious champagne, it all seemed like a dream. Attending such events gave Anastasie power, she felt enriched to stand beside such beautiful a people, as in all reality she was just a courtesan, paid to make men and women feel happy. Her gown, just as lavish as the next lady's, held a rose hue and piped with delicate white lace. Anastasie's corset held her blessed chest tight, and pulled her waist in tighter. Her pale powdered wing was piled high accented with lace bows, and her ears adorned with a simple jewel earrings, leaving her neck bare.

The ball had already started and was sure to extend into all hours of the night, and possibly the morning. Anastasie floated around the room, pausing every now and again to look up the stairs. Anastasie was prepared to seduce a man, or woman, tonight and the best approach was to be the first woman they saw as they came down those broad, marble stairs.

As Anastasie was picking up her third glass of champagne, her green, yellow-speckled eyes found those of a stunning young woman's. And who might she be? Anastasie made her way over to the bottom of the large, marble staircase, and said, "My lady, you look stunning this evening." It was the truth. The woman's pale blue dress accentuated all the right places. I must have her, Anastasie thought.

(Will post later, sorry, have to sleep) ;_;

This young woman is breathtaking. Her blonde hair made such a bold statement, and her skin was like porcelain. "My name is Anastasie." She replied. "What may I call you, my lady?" She asked politely. Waiting until after the woman had replied with her name, Anastasie said, "So nice to meet your acquaintance!" Anastasie then wrapped her arm around the other woman's, and led her over to a servant holding a tray covered with glasses of cold, sparkling champagne. "For you," Anastasie said as she bowed slightly and handed the lovely, young lady a glass.

Ari walked past the gentleman offering his arm, suddenly distracted. It was very like her to lose attention in things quickly, especially when blood is in the picture. She walked down the remaining stairs towards the beautiful women that had just entered. Slowly sauntering past them, letting her cold, bare arm touch their hot backs. Ahh, they smelled sweet, of rose oil and hope... and heartbreak. Arienne loved the taste of fresh heartbreak, especially in a young woman. She let her arm linger on the woman with the powdered wig as she picked up a frail champagne flute, instantly getting the image of the two women down to their corsets, hair disheveled, silk stockings rolled down, passionately kissing each other, from her mind. Ari's mouth watered, the smell of their blood, oh their blood... became even more potent in the air as the women became aroused. She then moved, pretending to sip on her glass before moving away, staying within view of the two women.

"Delilah, what a splendid name!" Anastasie said as she took the flute from Delilah's hands, just barely touching her smooth skin. Before she could say more, a woman with red hair approached, not saying a word, but touching both Anastasie and Delilah as she passed. The woman seemed to leave her cool arm longer on Anastasie back, and somewhere inside her, Anastasie suddenly filled with lust for her. The lady's dress was made of fine silk and was a thousand shades of green. Anastasie was sad she'd moved away. Tonight appears to be lucky for me. Plenty of gorgeous people attending this evening makes my job so much easier and far more enjoyable.

"Delilah, tell me, what's in the air tonight here? Everyone looks so gorgeous in their gowns, their faces smiling widely. Maybe it's just the candle light, playing our surroundings. Take you for example, I spotted you at the bottom of the stairs from across the room. And the woman that just past," Anastasie said, as she stretched out her long arm, index finger extended in the direction of the new woman. "Who is she, with her vibrant hair and colorful dress? Someone seems to have invited all the lovely people of the kingdom; Very wise of them I must say." Anastasie, though waiting for Delilah to reply, never let her eyes wonder too far off the woman in the lovely green dress. I must introduce myself to her. I must learn of her name. It's hard for one to so easily incite lust in me, as in my profession, I'm usually the one causing lust to arise, Anastasie thought to herself.

Arienne floated to the other side of the dance floor, only feet away from her Queen. Her eyes did not leave the two astonishing women though, for they would be the first prey of the night. Oh, she wouldn't kill them; they were far too beautiful to slay. Instead, she would do what she did best: lure the women somewhere secluded and have a taste of their delicious life forces. They wouldn't feel a thing except a slight prick on their flesh and would be left slightly drunken and swooning. And if they came back for more, well, it was their own decisions. She took a position next to a brilliant gold tapestry, making her skin illuminate even more against the candlelight, her tall scarlet hair and emerald dress shimmering in the light. Still grasping her untouched champagne flute, she set her eyes on the two women, silently beckoning them.

"Delilah, have you made your introduction to our lovely Queen yet, this evening?" Anastasie asked before leaning to whisper in young woman's ear. "We'd be placing ourselves close to our friend, too," she giggled at the thought of the woman touching her again. "We could formally introduce ourselves to her as well."

Before Delilah could refuse, Anastasie put her arm around the bodice of her new-found friend's the pale blue dress, pulling her in the direction of the Queen. Making their way through the crowds, around dancing bodies and drunken stupors, Anastasie noticed the red-haired woman's gaze never left them. Her eyes seemed to see right through Anastasie's gown and into her soul. Does she despise of my profession? Does she even know I sleep with men and women for money and power? Does her husband, she's too stunning to be alone, know about her escapades with women?

Just inches from the Queen's elevated platform, Anastasie waited with Delilah to be summoned up to the ornate throne for introductions. The Queen was young and extremely fashionable. Her lavish lifestyle, with fresh pastries daily and her clothes made from the finest fabrics, was envied by every female, young and old, in the kingdom.

She sits near the Queen, laughing at the appropriate times, smiling when she's supposed to and sipping sparingly at her drink, but she can not help but feel out of place amongst the pale beauty of the Queen's court. Marianna Vitoria catches her reflection in one of the many gilded mirrors surrounding the ballroom and sighs softly to herself. Her skin is a dark tanned color, her long black hair curling in waves down her back, her eyes the color of the ocean waves. She thinks how ridiculous she would look in one of those dreaded powdered wigs. She has an exotic air about her compared to the pale and powdered nobles of the party.

As she's straightening out the creases in her maroon colored silk gown, she catches a glimpse of the ladies near the tapestry. She watches them curiously as they make their way to a rather pale woman in green. She fans herself quietly, only half listening to the gossip around her as she curiously watches the people around her.

[[Sorry for the OOC post, but it looks like two people have dropped out. Sweet. -_-;;]]

The thin pale fingers traced their way along the wall, touching the silky tapestry, and gliding onto the dark wood walls. The chandeliers shown dimly in the hallway leading to the staircases, but that's how Victoria liked it. A faint shadow across her deep red and creme dress, and her delicate dangerous face. Then her fingers stopped at a picture on the wall. Victoria slowly turned to face it, diverting her eyes for a second away from the stairs. It was a family portrait, not of the queen but of a relatives family. Normally families angered Victoria, when she watched them fondling in the streets, window shopping, and mothers calling in children for supper. But family portraits satisfied her in a sick way, because one, they were aristocrats, so they werent happy, just glamorous people sitting in their own filth. And two, the picture was gloomy and depressing, painted with dark colors, and ugly children. But Victoria tore her nail through it anyways as she kept walking to the balcony. As she stopped, overlooking the downstairs, her long silky black hair flowed over her shoulders and down her bust. Victoria gave a little smirk, a fang catching the light of the luminescent chandeliers. The bittersweet smell that she had come to crave and love filled her mouth and her nose. Blood, pure, innocent ,warm blood. It was enough to cast out all the other rancid trails. The taste of sweet blood on her lips, was one of the only things she lived for. Even if it only lasted a couple minutes, oh those minutes. The other thing, was chaos. She had become disgusted with the predictability of people, the same things everyday, the same actions, the same words, the same personalities. Nothing was interesting anymore. So she had to make it interesting. And that's when she felt the most pleasure, from other people's sufferings. She wasn't trying to teach anyone any lessons, she wasn't trying to make up for anything, she just loved it, bottom line. In a way it was a sick revenge on what was taken from her, but her mortal years were so far gone it had just become a hobby.

Victoria tried not too smile too much as she slowly walked down the staircase, but she couldn't help it, her piercing blue eyes scanning the people below slowly, very slowly; for targets for something interesting. And she found it, vampires. Victoria left the staircase and slowly moved her way through the crowd, locking eyes with young boys, giving them the gift of her devilish grin.

She leans over and whispers to the Queen for a moment before standing. She walked down the raised platform and into the crowd of people. She was friend to the Queen, but she could only take just so much gossip before she got bored. She straightened out her gown and began to drift around the room. Again, she sparingly sipped from her glass as she smiled and chatted with a few of the guests. Her long black hair was spiraled down her back and swayed gently as she walked. She spied a new woman who had entered. Pale as the rest. She wondered if everyone here was so pale. Her land was so full of dark features and tanned skin, it was almost bizarre to her.

She waved her fan in front of her every now and then. This many layers of dress were always hot, especially with this many bodies in the room. She accepted an little pastry from a waiter and bit into it. If nothing else could be said about the Queen, she at least had the best parties in the world.

Arienne continued to watch the beautiful women, excited when she saw how near they had become, knowing they had heard her silent summoning. A different smell wafted into her nose suddenly, one that was all too familiar, a fellow member of the undead. It seemed that these parties were becoming too much of an attraction for her own kind. It was beginning to be hard to hunt in high-society these days. Sighing to herself, she watched her descend the stairs, smiling at men in a way that was sure to dazzle them beyond cognition. She pulled her eyes away from the creature and returned her stair the the stunning courtesan in the rose-colored gown. As she moved closer she was able to scan her thoughts, learning of her position. Courtesans taste the best, anyway. Arienne thought to herself. And they always seemed to be the most willing for a short romp in a dark alley. She would make that woman her first target, seeing as the fair-haired woman in the blue gown had seemingly lost interest. Her eyes also locked momentarily with a dark-skinned beauty in a red dress, watching her converse with other guests, the smells of exotic places and spices drifting off of her warm body and into Arienne's nose. She smiled to herself. All in good time.