Plotlogs
Light Of The Silvery Moon Sr Deacon 240301
In a Victorian-era home in New Orleans, an eclectic mix of guests gathered for a unique celebration led by SRDeacon. Among them were individuals with connections to the paranormal and supernatural realms, including Caelum, Angelique, Autumn Lynx, Meridith, and Tabitha. The evening's events unfolded with a display of ancient and mystical rituals involving the consumption of a Chupacabra's beating heart by Deacon and the unveiling of specially consecrated bones. The rituals were meant to lift a curse placed upon Deacon as a punishment for his grandmother's actions, restoring balance and marking a homecoming for him.
As the rituals progress, Angelique demonstrates her displeasure at not being called upon for a crucial part of the ceremony, instead, it was Autumn who had the honor. The atmosphere grows tense with the arrival of other powerful beings; Agwe, the Sea Sovereign, and another Loa, whose presence shakes the very foundation of the house and plunges the gathering into darkness.
In the chaos, Caelum protects Tabitha and Angelique from the effects of an explosion caused by the arrival of another spirit, referring to himself as the embodiment of death. The lights return, revealing the elderly figure known as Legba, followed by another figure, similar in appearance to Deacon, introducing himself as Agwe. Their presence, along with the spirit embodying death, signifies a moment of great supernatural convergence and revelation, culminating in the restoration of light and a shift towards a more celebratory atmosphere.
Despite the occult undertones, the gathering morphs into a festive occasion, with the community and guests mingling freely. Angelique engages in business discussions with a member of the Beaufort family, Meridith observes and learns quietly, Autumn shares her stories and draws interest without forming deeper connections, and Tabitha finds herself dealing with the emotional aftermath of the evening's events.
The story concludes with the guests each experiencing a mix of intrigue, opportunity, and somber realization as they interact with the spirits and members of the local community, all while grappling with the implications of the rituals and the bargains they've struck with the supernatural powers present.
(Light of the Silvery Moon(SRDeacon):SRDeacon)
[Fri Feb 23 2024]
In a spacious living room
This is a large, spacious living room that dominates much of the space on the first floor of this old Victorian-era home. With tall ceilings, this room is furnished with a mixture of old and well-worn pieces of furniture. A couch that looks like it's been time-traveled directly from the 1960's sits along one wall, and an old tube television sits catterwall to it on the other wall. A couple of singular chairs join it around a coffee table but otherwise the room is open and empty. The entire ambiance of the house screams 'grandmother' from the wallpaper, to the slightly old-person smell that permeates the entire place.
All of the furniture has been pushed out of the way to leave the space almost completely open. While bereft of decorations of any true sort, the smell of good home cooking can be detected wafting in from the kitchen deeper within the home and the sound of brass horns resound throughout from a group of local players somewhere on the street nearby.
It is about 50F(10C) degrees.
SRDeacon says "Waiting on maybe 1 more. Feel free to RP arriving in NOLA however or via Deacon pathing. This house address provided! It resides in the poorer section of the city."
// Angelique is so sorry, will be back asap.
Once more - People will arrive here either their own power or via pathing with Deacon (who is here and not here since I didn't want to double toon) this house is in the poorer section of the city here in New Orleans. The house itself is a large Victorian era home, well-kept but keeping that kind of run-down look that permeates this entire segment of the city.
SRDeacon says "Yes, outside "
A thick, dark crimson mist the color of blood seeps into the area. It stretches out, pooling underfoot as if with a will of its own, like it's about to devour, consume and wither anything in its path. The lawn that it chooses to manifest thickens in its shadows, the foliage distorted, leaving way to something else far within -- and eventually Caelum is spilled out of that disturbing path before it fades away. Back whence it came, like it never was. When he's left there, carried by clearly his own path outside the Victorian era homa, Caelum unbuttons his sleeves, and begins to roll them up to his elbows in quiet, momentary silence.
If Deacon has provided anyone their ride here, he'll soon be leaving the group at large to enter the home. There the door is left open in clear invitation for those when they're ready or when they arrive. Here, the home seems normal and natural and yet there's a sense of something more. It's not the home that carries it but the ground, those sensitive to the energies of such things can feel the power underneath their feet even. This house was built here for a reason, and any arcanist would know exactly why.
Arriving from Deacon's path, Autumn steps forth from the gate to outside the house and turns to find Caelum. "Nice seeing you here," she tells him with a small nod before she pulls out her phone. Her eyes squint before she slips it back into her coat pocket.
Angelique arrives, probably on someone' arm to make as big of a show of everything as she usually does, though there's a beaming smile for Caelum, and an amused look over toward Autumn. "Order chooses to support Deacon? This is fabulous," she coos, and then her eyes shift to Meridith. "Oh look who it is. The girl that thinks she can badmouth my family, -all- of my family, in one fell swoop and not have any sort of consequences. Pero," she does admit, "This is Deac's night. So we will chat another time, Meridith Walker."
Angelique arrives, probably on Deacon's arm to make as big of a show of everything as she usually does, though there's a beaming smile for Caelum, and an amused look over toward Autumn. "Order chooses to support Deacon? This is fabulous," she coos, and then her eyes shift to Meridith. "Oh look who it is. The girl that thinks she can badmouth my family, -all- of my family, in one fell swoop and not have any sort of consequences. Pero," she does admit, "This is Deac's night. So we will chat another time, Meridith Walker."
Meridith sticks her hands in her pocket. "Me and Tomas cleared our shit. I don't have anything bad to say about you, or the rest of them. Let the hatchet be buried, yeah? For both our sakes?" She has some contrition in her expression, but her words suggest a bit of a bite. "I don't even know who you are," she admits. Oof. Well, easy to presume she's much talent for the politics. She offers a nod to the others and makes her way inside.
Tabitha has had her own means of travel, stepping away from a young woman after a fond embrace. The woman simply, after a moment, fades from sight. Mists enveloping her as she steps back onto a path. She approaches the small group standing outside of the Victorian with a wan smile. "Evening," she greets them all.
Tabitha shivers some, though it is likely -not- from the chill air, but something more.
A low-look is cast out from Caelum, at Autumn, and the smile he offers is faint to say the least. When Angelique beams that smile though, he beams one back, to the point his fangs make for that keen, sharp display that they always do when he's especially happy. That brief back and forth between Meridith and Angelique, he wisely stays out of it, and instead looks over at Tabitha, to nod, and greet in return, "You should've told me to pick you up if you were coming along." Then he adds, "Both of you," towards Angelique as well. Not at all minding Deacon in her arm.
The group begins to arrive one at a time, first with Caelum and Autumn, followed by Meridith Angelique and Deacon as it seems a veritable posse of supernatural characters descend on this house in the evening hours here in the coastal city of New Orleans. Now a soft light has come on, slowly spilling out from the doorway that's been left open. "Come on in, when y'all are ready! We'll get started" the voice come floating out of the door and past to reach the ears of those gathered. That familiar Cajun drawl comes with a sense of excitement that's not always present. Despite that, there seems to be no real hurry to that voice that comes. The night is young and the moon above wans, but still hangs fat in the sky with a bright light.
"Deacon does owe me one," Autumn turns her head to tell Angelique. "I had helped him couple times before, and I intend to see through it to end without any bloodshed involved tonight. Besides, one shouldn't leave demon hanging." There is a a small grin on her face as she turns to walk inside.
"Hola bella," Angelique greets Tabitha with a note of fondness, though she doesn't cross the path to offer the usual cheek kisses to the redhead. In fact, she seems to be studying her a touch pensively in that moment. Maybe even showing signs of discomfort. "Caelum, guapo," she coos over to Caelum. "Do tell Ms. Walker who she is dealing with, won't you?" As for what Meridith says, there's no comment at all and merely a lifted brow and brief nod. In all consideration, given the vixen's cool, fixed smile, that might be a good thing. She finishes by telling Caelum, "Si. Next time I will. I did not know you were to come, tonight." But that might be said for every one of the people here. The door opens, and she takes the invitation, swaying inside in designer clothes entirely not right for a house of this social class. "Demons, mm?" she wonders to Autumn.
Tabitha snorts softly beneath her breath at Autumn's comment.
Tabitha tilts her head at Angelique for the lack of her usual European cheek kisses. For a moment, the little bitty smile she'd put on falters but returns. "Hi, Angelique. I have been trying to catch you the last few days for that chat.." She eyes Meridith a moment, curiousness overtaking her own pensiveness.
"It is muse," Autumn clarifies to Angelique, letting out a wry laugh. "I'm demon-blooded, and demons are known to make bargains, is it not?"
"I did, she wouldn't hear it." Caelum offers Angelique, not an ounce hindered in the smile he returns to her gushing." I believe the words I used were, 'You're fucked, Meri.'." Though he kept himself out, he clearly has a side he supports in this. Not to linger on it when Angelique moves on, so does Caelum. Only lagging in his path towards the house to linger beside Tabitha, quirk a brow in an unasked question, and offer his arm to walk with her inside. "It's not like you to be so broody, Tabs."
Meridith leaves it at that, ignoring her comment to Caelum, other than to give him a look of utter disdain for but a moment. She flits into a smirk soon after then looks over at Tabitha. "Hello, we had a poor encounter, I think you might have the wrong impression of me," she offers with a shrug. Then she nods to Caelum and grins brightly. He's got it, clearly.
While the group continues to converse without, the night settles in. For Tabitha, the ground underfoot vibrates, and if she could see the energy it might be like some kind of acid trip. The strength of the cities' energy runs along this line and it seems to be a very direct kind of connection. Still, - beyond that things seem very peaceful tonight. Up above that moon is occasionally framed by passing clouds that seem to perfectly create almost gothic, picturesque scenes up in the night sky.
"Si, and we should have it," Angelique says to Tabitha, trying to link arms with the redhead after abandoning her partner. She'll either try to steal her, or share her, with Caelum. "Tomorrow? It seems that lately our paths have just not crossed." Then, she gives a soft laugh to Autumn and says, "I think that is a stereotype for those of us merely of the blood. Pero... a good deal is delightful," the entrepreneurial influencer does have to admit. "I am Angelique Da Rocha Inigo," she finally says to Meridith, her chin lifted and eyes narrowed when Caelum doesn't obey that demand himself.
Tabitha takes Caelum's arm when it is offered to her, pulling herself in. The hairs on her arms, covered as they are, likely stand with the passing electricity through her, power, magic. "Oh ... you know me, it will all pass." She kisses Caelum's cheek for his gentlemanly ways. There is a suddden laugh from her, when she is taken by Angelique with her other arm. She jokes to the two, "I'm not going to start singing that we're off to the see the wizard, I hope you know. She gives Meridith a light little nod. "Perhaps we have. I was not quite sure what it is I had walked in on." She asks them, and Autumn, "Shall we?""
Tabitha takes Caelum's arm when it is offered to her, pulling herself in. The hairs on her arms, covered as they are, likely stand with the passing electricity through her, power, magic. "Oh ... you know me, it will all pass." She kisses Caelum's cheek for his gentlemanly ways. There is a suddden laugh from her, when she is taken by Angelique with her other arm. She jokes to the two, "I'm not going to start singing that we're off to the see the wizard, I hope you know." She gives Meridith a light little nod. "Perhaps we have. I was not quite sure what it is I had walked in on." She asks them, and Autumn, "Shall we?" (fix)
"Meridith Walker, of course you know, but it's always polite to exchange names in person," Meridith does a rather extravagant curtsy to Angelique. Perhaps hard to tell if she's trying to give deference or tease her. She nods to Tabitha. "We can clear any misconceptions another time," she offers, as she mostly tags along.
Caelum gives Angelique an apologetic smile, when he seems to have misinterpreted the demand. It's a livelier one when Tabitha kisses him on the cheek, and he's content, entirely to share her with Angelique, walk with the two of them up the stairs. "It better. He only adds to her comment of it all passing,"
Caelum briefly pauses to look over his shoulder at Deacon and give the man left dameless a cheeky grin in passing, but hurries up a little faster up the stairs after to stay in pace with Angelique and Tabitha.
"Who is the cowardly one?" Angelique wonders with an amused smirk of Tabitha and Caelum, though there's an actual laugh as she sees the exchange that Caelum makes with her boyfriend, abandoned alas! "We should see this party, si? I've not been to one in far too long and... I do not feel I will be in town for Samantha's, tomorrow..."
"Of course..." Autumn simply replies to Tabitha with a slow nod of her head. She turns to follow the group at the back, hands inside the pockets of her cost as she trails up the stairs. "No need for bad blood to boil, I guess."
"Should I have dressed up more for the occasion? I could have my friend shoot me back home." Tabitha says, finally taking a look over Angelique's outfit, then Caelum's. "I am woefully underdressed."
As they all begin to enter the house, things are mostly as they should be. The space has been cleared away of course, and as the last of them begin to trickle in through the front door, they can hear the sounds of new cars arriving! Apparently, they won't be the only guests tonight! Soon enough, the likes of Angelique, Autumn and Caelum will recognize some of the faces that will come. Beauforts, Lacroix's ... these same people were poised as Deacon's bitter enemies only a few short weeks ago, and now they're arriving with pot-luck contributions in hand. Each shuffles through to the kitchen to provide their offering of local cuisine before shifting into the living room. Five ... more than a dozen people will soon enough be milling around that living room! The kitchen carries a full on cultural explosion of all things Creole. Crawfish boil, jumbaliaya, Gumbo, beneights(sp), crab cakes, catfish. All of it seems home-cooked, nothing purchased from the store.
Meridith seems somewhat surprised by the atmosphere of the place. She plays wall flower. Not seeming all the uncomfortable or awkward but disentangled, eyes open. She's doing her best to blend in, and...maybe try some food.
"It's fine, you're hot as fuck." Caelum reassures Tabitha in a hushed tone, "I'm wearing jeans for Christ's sake." and grins with that remark. A half-step, still within the link of Tabitha's arm in the mutual hold with Angelique quietly sets him slightly out of the trajectory of all that would begin to file in. All that food, he can't help but feel a little left out, apparently, because he makes a wistful little sigh. "I suppose I will have my fill soon enough.."
Meridith would snort if she was in that conversation, dressed in a graphic t-shirt and sweats. Perhaps she fits the intimate gathering better as a result, but if so absolutely by chance.
Catching the aroma of food, Autumn turns to follow the scent and walks towards where the crab cakes are. She examines them, sniffing more as she raises one hand to pick one. "I've never seen these before back home," she comments.
Tabitha's nose crinkles up just ever so slightly when Caelum brings up the bargain, and the means to seal the deal, dampening the moment that his compliment has caused her to stand proud and crack a little smile. She breaks away from Caelum since this is not the food he is looking for, letting Angelique lead the way off to where Autumn is already sampling. "I miss summers back home. Clam bakes right there on the beach..."
Apparently Angelique is left out of whatever Tabitha and Caelum know, for she says, "Soon enough?" to the fellow, and looks surprised by the redhead's reactions just as much. No interest in the food from her quarter, she releases her hold on arms, and lets Tabitha go, too. "I feel as if I do not even remember what the foods of summer taste like," she confesses wistfully.
For newcomers and outsiders, it can be a bit over-whelming. However, some of these people definitely would stand out in normal society. Almost everyone who's shown up is some manner of Cajun or black Creole, and it's almost unavoidably clear that they are practicers of Voodoo. Not just in the sense of using the arcane practice, but the religion of Voodoo, the culture. THIS is the community that's shown up for this tall, light-skinned man who's slowly moving to take center stage of sorts within the room at large. His hand reaches out to gesture at Autumn, Caelum, Tabitha, Meridith, Angelique. "Thank you for coming with me tonight. This should be a good night, and a celebration for us all. A home-coming for me, and a return to the balance that is demanded" he says, these words directed more toward the crowd that comes with. He smiles genuinely, and it's clear that despite those bitter ties these people might as well be this man's family of a sort. For those sampling - everything is made with the skill of recipes handed down for generations, and none of it poisoned! For Autumn, the crab cake is interesting. Pressed together like a patty it's been breadedf and cooked over open flame. The smell of it hints at real crab and other seafood options, with breading and some kind of binding. Bits of green betray the presence of vegitable matter of SOME kind. Chives maybe.
Meridith makes a fist and raises it in some kind of meek support of this business. Letting out a quiet, yet sincere, 'woo'. She breaks a small playful grin. It's good enough even if it had been poisoned she might take a moment on whether or not to continue eating.
Angelique just slants Deacon a look, as he gestures toward them. It's a look she often gives, slightly playful, a hint affectionate, and mostly as business-like as ever. But she gives in, and after Meridith's cheer presses her fingertips to her lips to blow the man a kiss. Then she's on her way, moving through the crowd to seek out the big man, Beaufort(?), whom she's had graveside confrontations with in the past and offering a mild, "Hola. A pleasure to see you again."
Being released in that manner makes Caelum pauses, bite his tongue. It leads him to rest his back to the wall in relative silence, to play his part of being the wallflower, as well, in that momentary pause. Half-lidded eyes in their venom hue seek out the voodoo practioners that file in, take their place, even as Deacon speaks centerpiece. "You'll see, probably.." The half-whispered, hushed explanation remains cryptic when he gives it to Angelique still in the vicinity of him. A somewhat wan smile offered with it to her. From one who cannot enjoy the pleasures of food to another, he chuckles lowly at her wistfulness and slowly folds his arms, instead, when she too leaves to mingle with the crowd. Whereas he does nothing of the sort. Deacon gets a smile for his speech, a slow, respectful dip of his head maybe, but that's it.
As she turns to face Deacon Autumn bows her head with a small smile before she takes a bite of the crab cake. Her eyes widen and she eats more of it. "Mmm, this is damn good," she murmurs in a hushed tone, her gaze kept on the man.
There's a faint smirk of recognition in that man's face as Angelique offers him a greeting. Caelum may recognize him too, a large almost as tall a man as Deacon, last seen charging them down at the graveyard! Caelum's remarks cause a few eyes to cast his way of course, probably in recognition of his presence as his unnatural stillness keeps him almost out of the mind's eye purely by virtue of that ability to remain very quiet, very still. Tabitha will recognize similar practitioners to herself here, those who weave the warp and weft of darker magics, and there are some murmurs and nods of respect in her direction. "Tonight, I take the last steps to lift the curse placed upon me, punishment for my grandmother's sin.!" The room goes quiet, now. From the coffee table, SRDeacon gathers a covered tray, classic silver with a domed lid. He gestures toward Autumn, "Do the honors, if you would?" He offers her the platter, encouraging her to open it and reveal what it holds.
oopses
Meridith shifts, almost like a deer noticing the crack of a branch. She moves to the edges of the room slowly, trying to melt towards an exit. She keeps her gaze upon the show, ready to pretend to be anything but ready to bolt.
"We should talk sometime, senor Beaufort," Angelique purrs at the smirk that's given. "Because this? It is to last the long term," she says with a gesture toward someone. "And I am always keen to make deals that stretch beyond Haven, si?" So much for what she'd told Autumn just moments ago. "I think we can be great friends." Her words are soft, but there's pressure behind them, a coaxing sort of urge to open up those gates of his mind.
But then Deacon is speaking to Autumn, and for a moment the Inigo vixen just looks -pissed off-. Why? It might be assumed by those that know her well, but she says nothing, and only glares at the pair.
"We should talk sometime, senor Beaufort," Angelique purrs at the smirk that's given. "Because this? It is to last the long term," she says with a gesture toward Deacon. "And I am always keen to make deals that stretch beyond Haven, si?" So much for what she'd told Autumn just moments ago. "I think we can be great friends." Her words are soft, but there's pressure behind them, a coaxing sort of urge to open up those gates of his mind.
But then Deacon is speaking to Autumn, and for a moment the Inigo vixen just looks -pissed off-. Why? It might be assumed by those that know her well, but she says nothing, and only glares at the pair.
Tabitha returns a few of the nods, caught red handed as she makes herself a small plate of the wonderful assortment of food. "Soon, Angel, you will taste all the wonderful things life has on offer." She smiles, wan as ever, at Angelique and then makes her way back to Caelum. She stands beside him, eyes on someone then traveling across the room, meeting the eyes of others who feel the same coursing of power, once more.
"Me?" Autumn places one hand towards her chest as she turns to face the tray. "Alright then." She slowly walks towards the tray while she devours the rest of her crab cake, freeing her left hand as she leans forward to lift the silver tray with her other hand. The hand that dons her rune-carved bracelet is readies and the Autumn looks down at what is revealed.
Tabitha returns a few of the nods, caught red handed as she makes herself a small plate of the wonderful assortment of food. "Soon, Angel, you will taste all the wonderful things life has on offer." She smiles, wan as ever, at Angelique and then makes her way back to Caelum. She stands beside him, eyes on Deacon then traveling across the room, meeting the eyes of others who feel the same coursing of power, once more.
Caelum meets those few eyes cast his way, each and every one of them. Unbridled stillness, vehemence that has bled into his narrow gaze. A silent observer of an unnatural nature, so far removed from the normalcy and life that is vibrant within the house, now, with or without the party, but there nonetheless in all of his presence. It's broken only by the smile smile he directs at Tabitha when she returns to stand beside him, while he still doesn't move - and evidently, doesn't breathe, either. The customs for cooking being as they are, there is likely too much garlic that even if others can't pick up, he can, and for it, detaches his senses from the equation. Deacon's offer to have the crown jewel of what he has an idea of what it might be to be unveiled by Autumn has him glance at Angelique -- then promptly shake his head to himself. Whatever comment he has of it, he doesn't say it.
If anything, partaking of the food seems to earn the guests here points rather than the opposite, and as Autumn raises the domed lid of the platter - a heart is revealed. This one is animal in nature, and Autumn will surely remember the hunt to track the creature it came from down. This heart lies on the silver plate, fresh and bloody as the day it was harvested, indeed it still BEATS with a soft rhythm. "The beating heart of a Chupacabra" he claims out to the gathered crowd, now. Eyes cut toward Meridith as she kind of sets herself with an easy chance for escape, almost as if her actions draw attention to her rather than shy it away. He lifts the heart off of the platter with his hand and blood drips down the man's arm, down the length of his forearm and dribbling from the crook at his elbow while he holds the thing aloft. "A heart rare, and pure." With these words, the man takes a breath and then bites deeply into the flesh of the organ, ripping out a healthy bite and beginning to consume it. Another bite .. another.
Meridith steadies some, she offers warm smiles to the room. Relaxed even as she studies the thing. Perhaps she expected worse? Or perhaps she knows the worst thing to be amidst predators, is doe-like. She watches with a kind of morbid fascination, unease easy to read but not disgust or terror.
Caelum chuckles aside, quietly. The sight of the unveiled heart, nor the decree of Deacon, and definitely not what he does with it earn a rise out of him. No, the uncanny, inhuman creature only chuckles again when the heart is devoured, piece by piece. "Nice." He huffs, under his breath, amused.
Her lip curls with an expression far too much like disgust. It's definitely displeasure, and those cool green eyes fix on Autumn and someone firmly, until after that first bite is taken. Then, sliding a hand into her clutch, Angelique pulls out a business card and tucks it lightly into someone' pocket. Patting it, she purrs, "Let me know when you'd like to meet, si?" and turns to slip back into the crowd, her back now to the display that she's been left out of, as if she's got absolutely no care in the world for what's going on.
Her lip curls with an expression far too much like disgust. It's definitely displeasure, and those cool green eyes fix on Autumn and Deacon firmly, until after that first bite is taken. Then, sliding a hand into her clutch, Angelique pulls out a business card and tucks it lightly into someone' pocket. Patting it, she purrs, "Let me know when you'd like to meet, si?" and turns to slip back into the crowd, her back now to the display that she's been left out of, as if she's got absolutely no care in the world for what's going on.
Her lip curls with an expression far too much like disgust. It's definitely displeasure, and those cool green eyes fix on Autumn and Deacon firmly, until after that first bite is taken. Then, sliding a hand into her clutch, Angelique pulls out a business card and tucks it lightly into Beaufort's pocket. Patting it, she purrs, "Let me know when you'd like to meet, si?" and turns to slip back into the crowd, her back now to the display that she's been left out of, as if she's got absolutely no care in the world for what's going on.
Autumn gazes down at the beating heart with familiarity and steps back to watch Deacon eat it. She turns to head back to the crab cakes section at grabs another one to indulge on. "Interesting that it was still beating after few months," she speaks.
Whatever bite Tabitha had intended to take is left untouched, her nose wrinkling up as the heart is bit into and the blood continues to course not only down Deacon's arm to drip on the floor, but along the corners of his mouth.
Perhaps foor the benefit of Angelique, she hasn't been asked to participate in this part of the occasion as it doesn't get any less messy from there as the tall Cajun continues to consume that heart, still beating and all until it's gone. A cloth napkin is produced from one of the other gathered people, snowy white which the soldier begins to use to clean up his mouth, his arm before discarding the thing. Now he points to Tabitha and Caelum, unable to stop long enough to offer any explanation or condolence to Angelique in the moment at hand. He's gesturing them forward and turning to bring forth another plate, covered This one is made from simple wood. "The pair of you, if you please."
Meridith just covers her mouth and shakes her head slightly. It isn't in disapproval, perhaps just a quiet comment left unspoken to herself.
Meanwhile, that large man takes Angelique's card speaking quietly. "I'll do that" he says, deeper bass of a voice coming to bear as he continues to watch the spectacle at hand.
The man does pocket the card close, rather than dismissing it while the others wait for Caelum and Tabitha may come to offer their part.
After Deacon gestures for them, Caelum turns his attention on Tabitha. Another smile, while he unfolds his arms and pushes away from the wall. Gesturing for her to go ahead with an open palm, he nods, "After you," with every intention to follow her along to and set himself on the opposite side of the next plate's unveiling.
Unfortunately for Deacon, that look goes unnoticed. Squared shoulders, head high, Angelique peruses the food on display like she's actually interested in the delicacies that taste like ash and cardboard in her mouth. She doesn't take anything though, other than a glass of wine if such is there on the table. Perhaps there's some expression of pleasure or at least satisfaction when she wins Beaufort over to later discussions, but that's about it. Pride flares and with it, anger. At least this Inigo's anger is quiet, unlike her brother and uncle.
Tabitha sets the now untouched plate of food that she'd made for herself down onto a table for someone else to nibble upon and weaves her way though the crowd, casting her eyes on those who cast them upon her, head aloft and posture perfect, to approach Deacon and that covered wooden tray. She nods to Caelum, seeking to likely lift that lid together. A silent count of three?
On the opposite end of the tray, Caelum's hand reachs out along with Tabitha's. A silent count of three it is, he nods to her, then does count, in his mind, of course. To unveil what's hidden beneath the lid at once and together with her, slowly, for the grand reveal.
While she eats and enjoys, Autumn turns to watch Caelum and Tabitha do the next reveal. Her gaze lightens and she relaxes before finding herself some wine to drink down.
The lid comes aloft, and this time it's the bones that were taken, by them all in a Graveyard only a few miles from this very house. "Bones of the dead, gifted by the dead. By the power of the dead" The words are intoned and the bones are revealed. White and clean, they all seem to be there, but for a single finger bone that SRDeacon takes from the tray. "A connection from those wronged." He grimaces, but the man swallows the small bone whole, dropping it into his mouth and gulping it down. All the while, those watch on and some begin to murmur and speak in whispers, others seem awe-struck or curious beyond the normal about the ritualistic kind of presentation taking place. "Return them" he offers softly, nodding at Caelum and Tabitha to present the bones to the Beauforts. In this case, it's that tall man standing nearby Angelique that represents them here, tonight.
Meridith studies the interactions in the room with quiet interest, Angelique's politicking, Caelum's brooding, Autumn's kindred behaviour. The whole show seems of interest to the young woman. She looks uneasy as the bones are revealed, but the visage passes, back to neutral, calm.
That smile on Caelum turns to a brief smirk at the reveal of the bones. Even more so, when the soldier picks up one to swallow. His attention set on Deacon doesn't waver at all while the finger disappears. Only then, at his request, he looks ahead at Tabitha. On another silent count of three, he's prepared with a hand placed underneath the tray to carry it alongside Tabitha, all the way to the representative Beaufort in the room.
Tabitha takes hold of the tray aside of Caelum, an astonished look given Deacon for the man's devourment of a full finger bone. That's going to hurt coming back out... She smiles though, weakly to the Cajun, and turns to make her way back through the crowd, by Autumn, Meridith and Angelique, to finally stand before Beaufort. To him, her eyes lower, away, down, in silent respect. The tray is held out and it looks as if she might also give a formal sort of curtsey, though she does not.
"Could have been worse," Angelique says idly. "Could have ground them all to flour and made him eat a loaf." But she's pissy, and right now that echoes in her voice, even as she stands by the man whose ancestor she's suggesting be turned into food.
Next, SRDeacon reveals from the table full of needs, a knife. It's simple, but there's a ginger way he handles it - careful not to touch the blade of the weapon with any part of his bared skin. "Now, Tabitha may be the first woman in my new town to put the squeeze on my heart, literally! But Angel is the one who's captured it. I've taken, and I've given back. Now I have to give freely" he holds the weapon out in his palm, turning his voice and his body toward Angelique. "Blood to water the ground."
Tabitha smirks a bit at Deacon, once the bones have been returned to their owner. "A well deserved squeeze." she admits, lowly.
There's no denial of that from SRDeacon, there.
needs to remember to not do that.
Angelique eyes Tabitha a moment at that claim from Deacon and the redhead's response. It doesn't seem like it does the woman any favors in the Inigo's eyes, but nothing is said at all. In fact, for a long moment it looks like she's going to leave her partner high and dry in his unspoken request, but eventually she turns and heads for the tall Cajun, and reaches out to curl her perfectly manicured hand around the hilt of the knife. She assesses him for a long moment while she holds the blade and perhaps she's considering something far more vicious than need be. But eventually, with a sigh, she reaches out to slash his palm with the sharp edge, unless she's otherwise directed. Either way, there's no remorse, and not a hint of concern or 'doing it gently' invovled.
Meridith covers her mouth to cover some coy amusement at the fireworks on display.
That rough slash comes across the palm of Deacon, and there's an involuntary hiss and growl of pain that comes from the man as the flesh aroudn the cut seems to grow blistery red and swollen far beyond the normal measure of such a thing. His blood wells and begins to trickle out of his hand and onto the ground as well. He clenches his fist tight, the blood trickling between his fingers, squeezing out between his palm his hand bloody for the second time, his arm shaking slightly from the pain and the suffering may be like a sweet shot of juice for those who possess demon blood. However, there's a ... sense of heaviness that seems to come over the room and the lights flicker and then go out! They flicker and return a short moment or twwo later, and the man himself is gone!
Tabitha explains lightly, with still a half cocked smirk. "He broke into my home, and I gave him a little heart palpatation." Though this probably does not help to lighten Angelique's mood, or explain fully what exactly had happened.
Meridith shifts back, warily. She immediately keeps several feet between her and occupants. Impossible, perhaps, to do so casually, but she tries.
In his place again, of course, silent in the return with Tabitha without giving another look aside to the rightful owners of the bones he so happily tore out of their grave - Caelum simply waits. In kept silence, and quiet, directed at someone and Deacon to watch the spectacle continue. Tabitha's light interjection to explain has him only smirk without looking away. Then lights flicker, and the man is gone by their return. It only adds to his smirk, the weight of his narrow eyes, watching.
In his place again, of course, silent in the return with Tabitha without giving another look aside to the rightful owners of the bones he so happily tore out of their grave - Caelum simply waits. In kept silence, and quiet, directed at Angelique and Deacon to watch the spectacle continue. Tabitha's light interjection to explain has him only smirk without looking away. Then lights flicker, and the man is gone by their return. It only adds to his smirk, the weight of his narrow eyes, watching.
"Ooo," Autumn speaks in almost a muse, grinning as she looks between Angelique and someone. That grin soon fades into a smile while she watches the blistering cut on the tall man's man. "No steel blade could make flesh blister like that, unless..."
"Ooo," Autumn speaks in almost a muse, grinning as she looks between Angelique and Deacon. That grin soon fades into a smile while she watches the blistering cut on the tall man's hand. "No steel blade could make flesh blister like that, unless..."
"Well mierda," Angelique purrs, and the pleasure that drips from her voice almost counteracts the concern about her partner disappearing on her like that. She looks at the knife in her hands, smiles at it like a lover itself, and if nobody stops her from doing so, tucks it into her clutch. She's not one for swearing, so the weight of that single word might be telling, but she turns and sashays through the crowd and back toward those she'd arrived with, giving Caelum and Tabitha's closeness another knowing smirk. To Autumn, she merely muses, "Si."
The man himself suddenly vanished, well out from the kitchen comes a new figure. Hunched over with a stoop, this black old man has white wisps of hair and he leans on a singular crutch or cane to walk. He's nibbling on a bit of crab cake himself with a pleased, amicable expression resting on his wisened and wrinkled face. As he shows himself - there's a hush that washes over the room. Everyone here that's from the local community has grown silent, in awe and respect.
Meridith may be some kind of wrecking ball when it comes to social niceties but she reins it in. Her gaze is low.
"Welcome friends, and children" the wrinkled old raisen of a man speaks, and his words are full of sincerity and care. A man who is loved by his community and has much love for those who gather around him today, it seems.
Caelum gives a small, simple nod in silent, return greeting to the elderly's arrival.
Tabitha falls to the same silence that others of Cajun decent have fallen to, giving the old man the level of respect in which the community she is only half part of for her training in dark arts that he deserves. She is, however, looking around the room as if to see where Deacon may have gone, or if anyone else might have that very knowledge.
Meridith also gives a polite nod of her head in his direction. There's a sincerity to the reverence even if it was just by osmosis.
Having scan the room for any sign of the vanished man, Autumn notices movement and turns to find the old man. She opens her mouth, ready to say something, but then she shuts it and instead gives him a small bow before finishing her second crab cake.
Angelique says nothing, but that's sort of been her modus operandi since stepping into the building. Instead, she idly gazes at a bit of blood that's spattered onto her hand, and casually wipes it away. Turning cool green eyes onto the old man, she curves her lips into that perfect smile of social politeness, one that nobody could find fault with - unless they -really- know her.
Deacon remains absent from the proceedings, now. Intentional almost certainly, although whether of his own accord remains to be seen. Angelique slips that blade away and wipes her hand and the very tall man next ot her in the Beaufort protector gives a formal-like salute toward this old man. That seems to be some kind of tradition or cue, because the old man turns to regard the crowd at large. "Let this service begin. I have been called by a dear friend, but none here tonight." Then, another man enters. He looks not unlike Deacon actually, mulatto and light-skinned with black hair and light almost viridian green eyes. A ready smile, but those similarities carry as much differences, and it's only that first glance that might mistake the two. However, Angelique, Autumn, Caelum definitely, the recognize this face almost certainly. "My friends! My children! My people" he says, addressing everyone from Meridith trying to lay low, to Caelum standing apart while standing with everyone, to the crowd. "My sincerest thanks, Legba. Tell Ghede his time will come soon." These words are directed at the wizened old man; who simply nods and takes out a small pipe from his pocket, to tamp with some tobbacco.
"The sexier twin," Angelique says, the soft words a clue perhaps to that still simmering frustration with someone, whether merited or not. Her cool eyes take in the stranger dressed in the same skin as her partner, and then she tips the slightest of smiles his way. To someone, in the same mildly curious tones she wonders, "Who's Ghede?"
"The sexier twin," Angelique says, the soft words a clue perhaps to that still simmering frustration with Deacon, whether merited or not. Her cool eyes take in the stranger dressed in the same skin as her partner, and then she tips the slightest of smiles his way. To someone, in the same mildly curious tones she wonders, "Who's Ghede?"
"The sexier twin," Angelique says, the soft words a clue perhaps to that still simmering frustration with Deacon, whether merited or not. Her cool eyes take in the stranger dressed in the same skin as her partner, and then she tips the slightest of smiles his way. To Beaufort, in the same mildly curious tones she wonders, "Who's Ghede?"
"Death" that tall man's bass voice intones to Angelique quietly, with a sense of a man trying not to be overheard speaking church.
Speaking IN church.
Tabitha folds her hands before her, standing with silent reverence for Papa Legba.
Meridith gazes upon him with a smile. Something about being welcomed so on the periphery of a community she is a stranger to but not aver to understanding warms her, it seems.
Autumn stands silent, almost still as a statue as she faces Legba. She glances at the other man before looking back.
With their potential chagrin, that mulatto man is now turning his attention toward Autumn, and Meridith. "Lambs? Wolves? You do not know me, I am Agwe. Sovereign of the Sea. The eel! The Tadpole" he intones each with a broad grin, punctuating each new moniker with a grand gesture of his hand as he all but performs for the crwod in front of him now. Legba now named, only smiles while looking on. For him, all seem to revere and love the man, but none seem too keen on getting too close, either. Agwe on the other hand finds a more affable kind of response, some here seeming to know or recognize him and perpahs they should, living on the water as they do. "I have chosen the nature of your absent companion. WE have chosen. Three faces of nature that cannot be denied. You. You, you!" A slender finger points to Caelum, to Tabitha and Meridith, to Angelique. "Will you deny me? Will you deny us? But this is cause for celebration. He is returned to us, this night. Returned home." Now, the air grows tense. Everyone loves Legba. Agwe has friends here it's true ... but the Loa's presence is intense, and violent like the chop of the ocean.
Meridith tips her head politely. "Meridith," she offers with respect, but smiles softly. She has no clue, and does not really terribly care about the energy in the room of these strangers, those friendly earn a smile. She isn't sure if such a question is meant to be answered, she tries to catch the gaze of Tabitha or Caelum.
"I am Autumn Lynx," Autumn speaks with a nod towards Agwe. "Good to meet you, Sea Sovereign Agwe." She looks at the man and then she turns her head towards the rest of the group.
"Angelique Da Rocha Inigo, Agwe." Her answer is soft, but her voice carries, one whose used to the public eye. The smile on her lips lingers, but her eyes -they say it all. She knows what sort of power she's dealing with here, and she holds herself with the confidence that belies any attempt to take advantage. "What could we deny you? If you are like the others, you take what you wish," Angelique concludes, her tone almost teasing. It's not irreverent though, this claim from a woman whose family is absolutely infamous for dealing with demons. It simply suggests she knows her own value.
"Caelum Cross." Caelum replies with his own introduction, when others seem to introduce. His is in withheld mirth, in held - anything, everything. His relative silence and the imposing nature of his vehement wait is here to stay at the incredible pressure of the man simply pounding against his skull with the weight of a Loa. From one creature teetering on the fine line between the dead and the living, to another, Caelum simpl dips his head. Otherwise, he stays, watching, with his arms folded and attention unwavering.
"I am Tabitha Matheson, Agwe," Tabitha supplies for the man, head falling to a dip of her chin, in a silent greeting to the spirit now made to flesh. She, too, understands the power that is before her, surrounding her, and in some respect, inside her. She casts a small smile, scooping her hair behind an ear.
Before this spirit can offer further, a broad smile even more prevelant on the Loa's face at Angelique's words but then there is a THUNDEROUS boom that resonates outside of the house! The windows that come across that near wall of the living room come shattering out of their frames and sprinkles of glass go flying across everyone. There are screams of surprise and alarm as the lights go out and the power seems to short-circuit. The darkness is too dark, not natural in the slightest. Nobody can yet see, but everyone can feel the presense of a newcomer. The air grows noticeably colder, the smell of pipe tobbacco harsh and acrid trails through the room.
Meridith gets low, crouched in the dark. She mapped out the room and if the lights turn on she might be embarassingly crouched behind an end table or other such thing for cover.
Angelique doesn't scream. She's far to prepossessed to do such a banal thing, though she stumbles on her high stilettos and has to reach out to grip onto something strong and steady to support herself - Beaufort himself. "Quien es?" she asks, tone low, perhaps a bit more anxious than she'd like to sound. There's no point looking for her companions in this dark - her colorblindness makes darkness hell on her vision.
Tabitha's hand fumbles out in the sudden darkness, finding the cold hard flesh of Caelum in that darkness, or at least whom she thinks may be Caelum. For all she knows, she is grasping onto Agwe.
As soon as the explosion resonates, the boom shatters glass, and sprinkles it the jagged projectile's across, Caelum moves. Incredibly quick, in both the shift of his body that gives his back to the window in shield of Tabitha, as well as the sudden and abrupt gesture that extends to Angelique across the room with his hand. Whatever it is, that force simply encroaching pulls her through the crowd as well, right into to his position with Tabitha before everything truly descends into darkness and nothing. He's a wall, and he'll act like it, in defense against whatever comes.
Autumn flinches as the lights go dark and uses her fur cost to shield herself from any incoming glass her way, before squinting her eyes to try to look around the darkness. She rests on hand on the table where the food is at, if that really is near her as she stands still in in a defending position.
Another boom comes, and it rattles the bones of the house. Then there are candles. Each of the visting Creole and other guests pull forth candles from their pockets. Stubs, thin tapers, anything as a flame here there, dots all across the room until the together provide a soft glow of illumination for the room, now. Standing in the doorway of the front door stands a new tall figure. In a long coat, smoking a cob pipe that smoulders even now. A floppy-brimmed hat that covers his face, borne with a feather. The smell of the Grave follows him. "My time is now" comes a raspy voice. It's an interesting thing, the clothing the look of this new figure, now. Angelique's seen Deacon wear something like it before.
Tabitha is happily using Caelum as a meat shield as another boom rattles the room. She clings to him, the candles slowly illuminating the area, and as her eyes adjust, she is focused on the new figure standing in the doorway. Blue eyes bright and wide.
Meridith stands up, brushing herself off gently. Hanging back as if she wasn't just crouched behind a chair or something else. She admires Autumn's dedication to protecting the food. Her eyes lock on this stranger.
There's a sound. It's not a shriek, but it's definitely startled as Angelique is yanked from her spot and pulled toward Caelum. Only when she feels the presence of the vampire does she recognize it for what it is, reaching out to squeeze his arm in a gesture that falters when lights start to flare. The being in the door has her standing a little taller, once more the entrepreneur, the woman that can't be shut down in deals or online, the woman that shows no fear, no matter what she's feeling behind that calm, cool and collected beauty she wears like a shield. "Why?" she asks, stepping not in front of, but beside Caelum, to study this newcomer.
The second boom rattling may as well shake off the hanging bits of glass that have torn into Caelum's back - but he stands firm still where is. Not an ounce of reaction to the pain. Tabitha and Angelique are both kept from the worst of whatever may happen. The light that shines all across in candles bare sight to him - one hand taking support from the wall, stretching his shoulder, and even before Angelique stepped aside from the protective stance of Caelum, his head is tilted over his shoulder to stare at the new(?) individual at the door. The venomous poison of green eyes, in the subtle clench of his jaw, entirely descent into quiet vehemence kept still, uncannily still, in wordless glare.
Jumping at the second sound, Autumn reaches one hand into her pocket before she turns to face the figure. She keeps silent and with a wary gaze, straighting herself and adjusting her coat.
"Because my time has always been and will always be. A touch, in each of you" Comes the deep-toned answer of this man. His tone is raspy and gravelley as well, but he seems to hold a sense of honored reserve here as well. "A touch. For now" that man adds. But then he's moving to join the other two spirits that have come to complete the triad of these three faces of nature. The meeting of the spiritual and the physical. Death, and the vastness of Life. "Now is not the time for why. Only for the revelation" come more vague terms but the three once together - they seem less threatening. Just three old friends who've known each other since time immemorial. And then ... the feeling changes again. "Each of you have borne the blood of our blood forth to be returned home. Each of you is owed gratis, each of you will be marked!" A clap of his hands, and the lights return!
Now the mood is in full swing - those gathered split off and begin to eat food in earnest, listen to the band outside. The three spirits themselves even now, begin to mingle amongst those here. For all of that invocation - that seems ot be that there's no sense of affectation to those claims, for now. Conversations can be heard though, and these spirits continue to speak of things to come. That tall man of the Beaufort clan turns to the guests that have come with Deacon tonight. "Herveaux will be returned, unharmed of this I am certain. You should relax, and speak with these people. They will come to their own designs in their own time as they always do."
That keenly predatory, and prepared for violence expression slowly becomes perplexed. Caelum's eyes follow the newest addition to the party, clearly without recognition of any sort. It persists, even at the final words, even when they clap to bring the lights, the life to the party back. He simply leans down while everyone else goes on and about to mingle within the festivity, while he, in a half, hushed whisper, asks Tabitha. "Hey, Tabs.. Explain to me like I'm unaware - What the fuck?"
Meridith nods slowly as if she has begun to understand the tapestry she is a part of. She eases some and moves, though not so bold as to strike up a conversation, she easedrops politely as she can, flitting amongst the guests.
As things progress now, some folk will occasionally begin walking up to Caelum, even going insofar as to interrupt his conversaion, to offer a small conversation. A time and a place, or similar. Once, twice, ... half a dozen times but thankfully no more at least for this evening. Meridith finds herself blissfully left alone for the most part, Autumn drawws the attention of some of the community here as well, questions thrown at her about her origins, her experiences on the other sides of the Gate and her own blood. Angelique will find plenty of conversation with the Beaufort, and some of ther other memebers of his family, the counterparts to the Herveauxs in this entire endeavour throughout.
"Gracias, Caelum," Angelique offers after-the-fact to Caelum for his help in protecting her from the dangerous shattering windows. Then, as he turns to Tabitha for explanations, the Inigo's amusement becomes visible again, as she looks between the two of them. Gradually, she eases away to leave them to their conversation, and engages back into that business talk with the Beauforts.
A corpse couldn't possibly have glared as Caelum does to all the folk - all respectively influential within their positions and hierarchy, that come to interrupt Caelum. He has to tilt away, stop leaning on the arm that puts him above and shielding of Tabitha and partially Angelique, to turn in regard of them all. Though, he brushes off the glass from his arms, his shoulders, at times, he still remains polite save for the stark severity of his expression. Quiet agreements, corrections, but for his part, Caelum makes sure no one that approached him goes without an agreed time and date - some even together, at the same time, in groups. Angelique gets a look that can both translate between 'save-me' and 'don't leave me alone', while he's taken away from Tabitha and the Inigo to be assaulted by the half a dozen individuals vying to complete their bargain first.
OOC: This is now a small opporthnity for those here to speak to individuals in the community or to interact with Loa spirits more directly for themselves. This is a good social chance for People to mingle in a Plot setting and generate new story hooks and contacts to weave into their own stories! Ask and I will generate specific NPCS amongst this communityh as needed beyond those already outlined through these plots! Another 20 or so and I will want to wrap up though, to keep this from being a marathon for everyone!
OOC: Okay! I'm gonna wrap up now, so that people can get their passes without waiting too long! Go ahead and getr some wrap posing
"Well, Hell is where I was born of its influence," Autumn answers to the questions of those coming to her. "Lots of demons there. I lived in forest villiage with my brother, who also has demon blood. To us, suffering of others is like sugar, and I get happy when I get it from around me..." And then she continues talking before she grabs a couple crab cakes to take home.
Caelum is out for the time, presumably, lead away further by all the interruptive people to meet the prospective soon-to-be-corpses. He's content in his relatively small conversation, out of sight and out of earshot of others explaining certain things, likely the general state of being as he is, and spending his time to get to know just who exactly he would soon damn out of heaven for an eternity.
Meridith enjoys the ambiance, she gives smiles and nods, and joins circles and does her best not to rock the boat here. She's all eyes, all smiles, ears opened. Now that the excitement has levelled out, and she's taken stock, she seems at peace in it.
Angelique makes the time to separate with the Beaufort man, and soon enough their conversation will draw them from the room as they arrange more business-like arrangements. Meridith is slipped a business card to a small curio shoppe here in New Orleans, not quite the party promised of a sort there's a name written on the back: Poppy. Caelum is kept on edge from the interruptions and Tabitha has to deal with the fallout emotional from watching these people taking and taking from the man, piece by piece that he's bargained away. Autumn is engaged with many in conversation but finds no true connection with any of them, all out for something to gain these kind of leeches are no stranger for a woman who grew up as she has.
As the rituals progress, Angelique demonstrates her displeasure at not being called upon for a crucial part of the ceremony, instead, it was Autumn who had the honor. The atmosphere grows tense with the arrival of other powerful beings; Agwe, the Sea Sovereign, and another Loa, whose presence shakes the very foundation of the house and plunges the gathering into darkness.
In the chaos, Caelum protects Tabitha and Angelique from the effects of an explosion caused by the arrival of another spirit, referring to himself as the embodiment of death. The lights return, revealing the elderly figure known as Legba, followed by another figure, similar in appearance to Deacon, introducing himself as Agwe. Their presence, along with the spirit embodying death, signifies a moment of great supernatural convergence and revelation, culminating in the restoration of light and a shift towards a more celebratory atmosphere.
Despite the occult undertones, the gathering morphs into a festive occasion, with the community and guests mingling freely. Angelique engages in business discussions with a member of the Beaufort family, Meridith observes and learns quietly, Autumn shares her stories and draws interest without forming deeper connections, and Tabitha finds herself dealing with the emotional aftermath of the evening's events.
The story concludes with the guests each experiencing a mix of intrigue, opportunity, and somber realization as they interact with the spirits and members of the local community, all while grappling with the implications of the rituals and the bargains they've struck with the supernatural powers present.
(Light of the Silvery Moon(SRDeacon):SRDeacon)
[Fri Feb 23 2024]
In a spacious living room
This is a large, spacious living room that dominates much of the space on the first floor of this old Victorian-era home. With tall ceilings, this room is furnished with a mixture of old and well-worn pieces of furniture. A couch that looks like it's been time-traveled directly from the 1960's sits along one wall, and an old tube television sits catterwall to it on the other wall. A couple of singular chairs join it around a coffee table but otherwise the room is open and empty. The entire ambiance of the house screams 'grandmother' from the wallpaper, to the slightly old-person smell that permeates the entire place.
All of the furniture has been pushed out of the way to leave the space almost completely open. While bereft of decorations of any true sort, the smell of good home cooking can be detected wafting in from the kitchen deeper within the home and the sound of brass horns resound throughout from a group of local players somewhere on the street nearby.
It is about 50F(10C) degrees.
SRDeacon says "Waiting on maybe 1 more. Feel free to RP arriving in NOLA however or via Deacon pathing. This house address provided! It resides in the poorer section of the city."
// Angelique is so sorry, will be back asap.
Once more - People will arrive here either their own power or via pathing with Deacon (who is here and not here since I didn't want to double toon) this house is in the poorer section of the city here in New Orleans. The house itself is a large Victorian era home, well-kept but keeping that kind of run-down look that permeates this entire segment of the city.
SRDeacon says "Yes, outside "
A thick, dark crimson mist the color of blood seeps into the area. It stretches out, pooling underfoot as if with a will of its own, like it's about to devour, consume and wither anything in its path. The lawn that it chooses to manifest thickens in its shadows, the foliage distorted, leaving way to something else far within -- and eventually Caelum is spilled out of that disturbing path before it fades away. Back whence it came, like it never was. When he's left there, carried by clearly his own path outside the Victorian era homa, Caelum unbuttons his sleeves, and begins to roll them up to his elbows in quiet, momentary silence.
If Deacon has provided anyone their ride here, he'll soon be leaving the group at large to enter the home. There the door is left open in clear invitation for those when they're ready or when they arrive. Here, the home seems normal and natural and yet there's a sense of something more. It's not the home that carries it but the ground, those sensitive to the energies of such things can feel the power underneath their feet even. This house was built here for a reason, and any arcanist would know exactly why.
Arriving from Deacon's path, Autumn steps forth from the gate to outside the house and turns to find Caelum. "Nice seeing you here," she tells him with a small nod before she pulls out her phone. Her eyes squint before she slips it back into her coat pocket.
Angelique arrives, probably on someone' arm to make as big of a show of everything as she usually does, though there's a beaming smile for Caelum, and an amused look over toward Autumn. "Order chooses to support Deacon? This is fabulous," she coos, and then her eyes shift to Meridith. "Oh look who it is. The girl that thinks she can badmouth my family, -all- of my family, in one fell swoop and not have any sort of consequences. Pero," she does admit, "This is Deac's night. So we will chat another time, Meridith Walker."
Angelique arrives, probably on Deacon's arm to make as big of a show of everything as she usually does, though there's a beaming smile for Caelum, and an amused look over toward Autumn. "Order chooses to support Deacon? This is fabulous," she coos, and then her eyes shift to Meridith. "Oh look who it is. The girl that thinks she can badmouth my family, -all- of my family, in one fell swoop and not have any sort of consequences. Pero," she does admit, "This is Deac's night. So we will chat another time, Meridith Walker."
Meridith sticks her hands in her pocket. "Me and Tomas cleared our shit. I don't have anything bad to say about you, or the rest of them. Let the hatchet be buried, yeah? For both our sakes?" She has some contrition in her expression, but her words suggest a bit of a bite. "I don't even know who you are," she admits. Oof. Well, easy to presume she's much talent for the politics. She offers a nod to the others and makes her way inside.
Tabitha has had her own means of travel, stepping away from a young woman after a fond embrace. The woman simply, after a moment, fades from sight. Mists enveloping her as she steps back onto a path. She approaches the small group standing outside of the Victorian with a wan smile. "Evening," she greets them all.
Tabitha shivers some, though it is likely -not- from the chill air, but something more.
A low-look is cast out from Caelum, at Autumn, and the smile he offers is faint to say the least. When Angelique beams that smile though, he beams one back, to the point his fangs make for that keen, sharp display that they always do when he's especially happy. That brief back and forth between Meridith and Angelique, he wisely stays out of it, and instead looks over at Tabitha, to nod, and greet in return, "You should've told me to pick you up if you were coming along." Then he adds, "Both of you," towards Angelique as well. Not at all minding Deacon in her arm.
The group begins to arrive one at a time, first with Caelum and Autumn, followed by Meridith Angelique and Deacon as it seems a veritable posse of supernatural characters descend on this house in the evening hours here in the coastal city of New Orleans. Now a soft light has come on, slowly spilling out from the doorway that's been left open. "Come on in, when y'all are ready! We'll get started" the voice come floating out of the door and past to reach the ears of those gathered. That familiar Cajun drawl comes with a sense of excitement that's not always present. Despite that, there seems to be no real hurry to that voice that comes. The night is young and the moon above wans, but still hangs fat in the sky with a bright light.
"Deacon does owe me one," Autumn turns her head to tell Angelique. "I had helped him couple times before, and I intend to see through it to end without any bloodshed involved tonight. Besides, one shouldn't leave demon hanging." There is a a small grin on her face as she turns to walk inside.
"Hola bella," Angelique greets Tabitha with a note of fondness, though she doesn't cross the path to offer the usual cheek kisses to the redhead. In fact, she seems to be studying her a touch pensively in that moment. Maybe even showing signs of discomfort. "Caelum, guapo," she coos over to Caelum. "Do tell Ms. Walker who she is dealing with, won't you?" As for what Meridith says, there's no comment at all and merely a lifted brow and brief nod. In all consideration, given the vixen's cool, fixed smile, that might be a good thing. She finishes by telling Caelum, "Si. Next time I will. I did not know you were to come, tonight." But that might be said for every one of the people here. The door opens, and she takes the invitation, swaying inside in designer clothes entirely not right for a house of this social class. "Demons, mm?" she wonders to Autumn.
Tabitha snorts softly beneath her breath at Autumn's comment.
Tabitha tilts her head at Angelique for the lack of her usual European cheek kisses. For a moment, the little bitty smile she'd put on falters but returns. "Hi, Angelique. I have been trying to catch you the last few days for that chat.." She eyes Meridith a moment, curiousness overtaking her own pensiveness.
"It is muse," Autumn clarifies to Angelique, letting out a wry laugh. "I'm demon-blooded, and demons are known to make bargains, is it not?"
"I did, she wouldn't hear it." Caelum offers Angelique, not an ounce hindered in the smile he returns to her gushing." I believe the words I used were, 'You're fucked, Meri.'." Though he kept himself out, he clearly has a side he supports in this. Not to linger on it when Angelique moves on, so does Caelum. Only lagging in his path towards the house to linger beside Tabitha, quirk a brow in an unasked question, and offer his arm to walk with her inside. "It's not like you to be so broody, Tabs."
Meridith leaves it at that, ignoring her comment to Caelum, other than to give him a look of utter disdain for but a moment. She flits into a smirk soon after then looks over at Tabitha. "Hello, we had a poor encounter, I think you might have the wrong impression of me," she offers with a shrug. Then she nods to Caelum and grins brightly. He's got it, clearly.
While the group continues to converse without, the night settles in. For Tabitha, the ground underfoot vibrates, and if she could see the energy it might be like some kind of acid trip. The strength of the cities' energy runs along this line and it seems to be a very direct kind of connection. Still, - beyond that things seem very peaceful tonight. Up above that moon is occasionally framed by passing clouds that seem to perfectly create almost gothic, picturesque scenes up in the night sky.
"Si, and we should have it," Angelique says to Tabitha, trying to link arms with the redhead after abandoning her partner. She'll either try to steal her, or share her, with Caelum. "Tomorrow? It seems that lately our paths have just not crossed." Then, she gives a soft laugh to Autumn and says, "I think that is a stereotype for those of us merely of the blood. Pero... a good deal is delightful," the entrepreneurial influencer does have to admit. "I am Angelique Da Rocha Inigo," she finally says to Meridith, her chin lifted and eyes narrowed when Caelum doesn't obey that demand himself.
Tabitha takes Caelum's arm when it is offered to her, pulling herself in. The hairs on her arms, covered as they are, likely stand with the passing electricity through her, power, magic. "Oh ... you know me, it will all pass." She kisses Caelum's cheek for his gentlemanly ways. There is a suddden laugh from her, when she is taken by Angelique with her other arm. She jokes to the two, "I'm not going to start singing that we're off to the see the wizard, I hope you know. She gives Meridith a light little nod. "Perhaps we have. I was not quite sure what it is I had walked in on." She asks them, and Autumn, "Shall we?""
Tabitha takes Caelum's arm when it is offered to her, pulling herself in. The hairs on her arms, covered as they are, likely stand with the passing electricity through her, power, magic. "Oh ... you know me, it will all pass." She kisses Caelum's cheek for his gentlemanly ways. There is a suddden laugh from her, when she is taken by Angelique with her other arm. She jokes to the two, "I'm not going to start singing that we're off to the see the wizard, I hope you know." She gives Meridith a light little nod. "Perhaps we have. I was not quite sure what it is I had walked in on." She asks them, and Autumn, "Shall we?" (fix)
"Meridith Walker, of course you know, but it's always polite to exchange names in person," Meridith does a rather extravagant curtsy to Angelique. Perhaps hard to tell if she's trying to give deference or tease her. She nods to Tabitha. "We can clear any misconceptions another time," she offers, as she mostly tags along.
Caelum gives Angelique an apologetic smile, when he seems to have misinterpreted the demand. It's a livelier one when Tabitha kisses him on the cheek, and he's content, entirely to share her with Angelique, walk with the two of them up the stairs. "It better. He only adds to her comment of it all passing,"
Caelum briefly pauses to look over his shoulder at Deacon and give the man left dameless a cheeky grin in passing, but hurries up a little faster up the stairs after to stay in pace with Angelique and Tabitha.
"Who is the cowardly one?" Angelique wonders with an amused smirk of Tabitha and Caelum, though there's an actual laugh as she sees the exchange that Caelum makes with her boyfriend, abandoned alas! "We should see this party, si? I've not been to one in far too long and... I do not feel I will be in town for Samantha's, tomorrow..."
"Of course..." Autumn simply replies to Tabitha with a slow nod of her head. She turns to follow the group at the back, hands inside the pockets of her cost as she trails up the stairs. "No need for bad blood to boil, I guess."
"Should I have dressed up more for the occasion? I could have my friend shoot me back home." Tabitha says, finally taking a look over Angelique's outfit, then Caelum's. "I am woefully underdressed."
As they all begin to enter the house, things are mostly as they should be. The space has been cleared away of course, and as the last of them begin to trickle in through the front door, they can hear the sounds of new cars arriving! Apparently, they won't be the only guests tonight! Soon enough, the likes of Angelique, Autumn and Caelum will recognize some of the faces that will come. Beauforts, Lacroix's ... these same people were poised as Deacon's bitter enemies only a few short weeks ago, and now they're arriving with pot-luck contributions in hand. Each shuffles through to the kitchen to provide their offering of local cuisine before shifting into the living room. Five ... more than a dozen people will soon enough be milling around that living room! The kitchen carries a full on cultural explosion of all things Creole. Crawfish boil, jumbaliaya, Gumbo, beneights(sp), crab cakes, catfish. All of it seems home-cooked, nothing purchased from the store.
Meridith seems somewhat surprised by the atmosphere of the place. She plays wall flower. Not seeming all the uncomfortable or awkward but disentangled, eyes open. She's doing her best to blend in, and...maybe try some food.
"It's fine, you're hot as fuck." Caelum reassures Tabitha in a hushed tone, "I'm wearing jeans for Christ's sake." and grins with that remark. A half-step, still within the link of Tabitha's arm in the mutual hold with Angelique quietly sets him slightly out of the trajectory of all that would begin to file in. All that food, he can't help but feel a little left out, apparently, because he makes a wistful little sigh. "I suppose I will have my fill soon enough.."
Meridith would snort if she was in that conversation, dressed in a graphic t-shirt and sweats. Perhaps she fits the intimate gathering better as a result, but if so absolutely by chance.
Catching the aroma of food, Autumn turns to follow the scent and walks towards where the crab cakes are. She examines them, sniffing more as she raises one hand to pick one. "I've never seen these before back home," she comments.
Tabitha's nose crinkles up just ever so slightly when Caelum brings up the bargain, and the means to seal the deal, dampening the moment that his compliment has caused her to stand proud and crack a little smile. She breaks away from Caelum since this is not the food he is looking for, letting Angelique lead the way off to where Autumn is already sampling. "I miss summers back home. Clam bakes right there on the beach..."
Apparently Angelique is left out of whatever Tabitha and Caelum know, for she says, "Soon enough?" to the fellow, and looks surprised by the redhead's reactions just as much. No interest in the food from her quarter, she releases her hold on arms, and lets Tabitha go, too. "I feel as if I do not even remember what the foods of summer taste like," she confesses wistfully.
For newcomers and outsiders, it can be a bit over-whelming. However, some of these people definitely would stand out in normal society. Almost everyone who's shown up is some manner of Cajun or black Creole, and it's almost unavoidably clear that they are practicers of Voodoo. Not just in the sense of using the arcane practice, but the religion of Voodoo, the culture. THIS is the community that's shown up for this tall, light-skinned man who's slowly moving to take center stage of sorts within the room at large. His hand reaches out to gesture at Autumn, Caelum, Tabitha, Meridith, Angelique. "Thank you for coming with me tonight. This should be a good night, and a celebration for us all. A home-coming for me, and a return to the balance that is demanded" he says, these words directed more toward the crowd that comes with. He smiles genuinely, and it's clear that despite those bitter ties these people might as well be this man's family of a sort. For those sampling - everything is made with the skill of recipes handed down for generations, and none of it poisoned! For Autumn, the crab cake is interesting. Pressed together like a patty it's been breadedf and cooked over open flame. The smell of it hints at real crab and other seafood options, with breading and some kind of binding. Bits of green betray the presence of vegitable matter of SOME kind. Chives maybe.
Meridith makes a fist and raises it in some kind of meek support of this business. Letting out a quiet, yet sincere, 'woo'. She breaks a small playful grin. It's good enough even if it had been poisoned she might take a moment on whether or not to continue eating.
Angelique just slants Deacon a look, as he gestures toward them. It's a look she often gives, slightly playful, a hint affectionate, and mostly as business-like as ever. But she gives in, and after Meridith's cheer presses her fingertips to her lips to blow the man a kiss. Then she's on her way, moving through the crowd to seek out the big man, Beaufort(?), whom she's had graveside confrontations with in the past and offering a mild, "Hola. A pleasure to see you again."
Being released in that manner makes Caelum pauses, bite his tongue. It leads him to rest his back to the wall in relative silence, to play his part of being the wallflower, as well, in that momentary pause. Half-lidded eyes in their venom hue seek out the voodoo practioners that file in, take their place, even as Deacon speaks centerpiece. "You'll see, probably.." The half-whispered, hushed explanation remains cryptic when he gives it to Angelique still in the vicinity of him. A somewhat wan smile offered with it to her. From one who cannot enjoy the pleasures of food to another, he chuckles lowly at her wistfulness and slowly folds his arms, instead, when she too leaves to mingle with the crowd. Whereas he does nothing of the sort. Deacon gets a smile for his speech, a slow, respectful dip of his head maybe, but that's it.
As she turns to face Deacon Autumn bows her head with a small smile before she takes a bite of the crab cake. Her eyes widen and she eats more of it. "Mmm, this is damn good," she murmurs in a hushed tone, her gaze kept on the man.
There's a faint smirk of recognition in that man's face as Angelique offers him a greeting. Caelum may recognize him too, a large almost as tall a man as Deacon, last seen charging them down at the graveyard! Caelum's remarks cause a few eyes to cast his way of course, probably in recognition of his presence as his unnatural stillness keeps him almost out of the mind's eye purely by virtue of that ability to remain very quiet, very still. Tabitha will recognize similar practitioners to herself here, those who weave the warp and weft of darker magics, and there are some murmurs and nods of respect in her direction. "Tonight, I take the last steps to lift the curse placed upon me, punishment for my grandmother's sin.!" The room goes quiet, now. From the coffee table, SRDeacon gathers a covered tray, classic silver with a domed lid. He gestures toward Autumn, "Do the honors, if you would?" He offers her the platter, encouraging her to open it and reveal what it holds.
oopses
Meridith shifts, almost like a deer noticing the crack of a branch. She moves to the edges of the room slowly, trying to melt towards an exit. She keeps her gaze upon the show, ready to pretend to be anything but ready to bolt.
"We should talk sometime, senor Beaufort," Angelique purrs at the smirk that's given. "Because this? It is to last the long term," she says with a gesture toward someone. "And I am always keen to make deals that stretch beyond Haven, si?" So much for what she'd told Autumn just moments ago. "I think we can be great friends." Her words are soft, but there's pressure behind them, a coaxing sort of urge to open up those gates of his mind.
But then Deacon is speaking to Autumn, and for a moment the Inigo vixen just looks -pissed off-. Why? It might be assumed by those that know her well, but she says nothing, and only glares at the pair.
"We should talk sometime, senor Beaufort," Angelique purrs at the smirk that's given. "Because this? It is to last the long term," she says with a gesture toward Deacon. "And I am always keen to make deals that stretch beyond Haven, si?" So much for what she'd told Autumn just moments ago. "I think we can be great friends." Her words are soft, but there's pressure behind them, a coaxing sort of urge to open up those gates of his mind.
But then Deacon is speaking to Autumn, and for a moment the Inigo vixen just looks -pissed off-. Why? It might be assumed by those that know her well, but she says nothing, and only glares at the pair.
Tabitha returns a few of the nods, caught red handed as she makes herself a small plate of the wonderful assortment of food. "Soon, Angel, you will taste all the wonderful things life has on offer." She smiles, wan as ever, at Angelique and then makes her way back to Caelum. She stands beside him, eyes on someone then traveling across the room, meeting the eyes of others who feel the same coursing of power, once more.
"Me?" Autumn places one hand towards her chest as she turns to face the tray. "Alright then." She slowly walks towards the tray while she devours the rest of her crab cake, freeing her left hand as she leans forward to lift the silver tray with her other hand. The hand that dons her rune-carved bracelet is readies and the Autumn looks down at what is revealed.
Tabitha returns a few of the nods, caught red handed as she makes herself a small plate of the wonderful assortment of food. "Soon, Angel, you will taste all the wonderful things life has on offer." She smiles, wan as ever, at Angelique and then makes her way back to Caelum. She stands beside him, eyes on Deacon then traveling across the room, meeting the eyes of others who feel the same coursing of power, once more.
Caelum meets those few eyes cast his way, each and every one of them. Unbridled stillness, vehemence that has bled into his narrow gaze. A silent observer of an unnatural nature, so far removed from the normalcy and life that is vibrant within the house, now, with or without the party, but there nonetheless in all of his presence. It's broken only by the smile smile he directs at Tabitha when she returns to stand beside him, while he still doesn't move - and evidently, doesn't breathe, either. The customs for cooking being as they are, there is likely too much garlic that even if others can't pick up, he can, and for it, detaches his senses from the equation. Deacon's offer to have the crown jewel of what he has an idea of what it might be to be unveiled by Autumn has him glance at Angelique -- then promptly shake his head to himself. Whatever comment he has of it, he doesn't say it.
If anything, partaking of the food seems to earn the guests here points rather than the opposite, and as Autumn raises the domed lid of the platter - a heart is revealed. This one is animal in nature, and Autumn will surely remember the hunt to track the creature it came from down. This heart lies on the silver plate, fresh and bloody as the day it was harvested, indeed it still BEATS with a soft rhythm. "The beating heart of a Chupacabra" he claims out to the gathered crowd, now. Eyes cut toward Meridith as she kind of sets herself with an easy chance for escape, almost as if her actions draw attention to her rather than shy it away. He lifts the heart off of the platter with his hand and blood drips down the man's arm, down the length of his forearm and dribbling from the crook at his elbow while he holds the thing aloft. "A heart rare, and pure." With these words, the man takes a breath and then bites deeply into the flesh of the organ, ripping out a healthy bite and beginning to consume it. Another bite .. another.
Meridith steadies some, she offers warm smiles to the room. Relaxed even as she studies the thing. Perhaps she expected worse? Or perhaps she knows the worst thing to be amidst predators, is doe-like. She watches with a kind of morbid fascination, unease easy to read but not disgust or terror.
Caelum chuckles aside, quietly. The sight of the unveiled heart, nor the decree of Deacon, and definitely not what he does with it earn a rise out of him. No, the uncanny, inhuman creature only chuckles again when the heart is devoured, piece by piece. "Nice." He huffs, under his breath, amused.
Her lip curls with an expression far too much like disgust. It's definitely displeasure, and those cool green eyes fix on Autumn and someone firmly, until after that first bite is taken. Then, sliding a hand into her clutch, Angelique pulls out a business card and tucks it lightly into someone' pocket. Patting it, she purrs, "Let me know when you'd like to meet, si?" and turns to slip back into the crowd, her back now to the display that she's been left out of, as if she's got absolutely no care in the world for what's going on.
Her lip curls with an expression far too much like disgust. It's definitely displeasure, and those cool green eyes fix on Autumn and Deacon firmly, until after that first bite is taken. Then, sliding a hand into her clutch, Angelique pulls out a business card and tucks it lightly into someone' pocket. Patting it, she purrs, "Let me know when you'd like to meet, si?" and turns to slip back into the crowd, her back now to the display that she's been left out of, as if she's got absolutely no care in the world for what's going on.
Her lip curls with an expression far too much like disgust. It's definitely displeasure, and those cool green eyes fix on Autumn and Deacon firmly, until after that first bite is taken. Then, sliding a hand into her clutch, Angelique pulls out a business card and tucks it lightly into Beaufort's pocket. Patting it, she purrs, "Let me know when you'd like to meet, si?" and turns to slip back into the crowd, her back now to the display that she's been left out of, as if she's got absolutely no care in the world for what's going on.
Autumn gazes down at the beating heart with familiarity and steps back to watch Deacon eat it. She turns to head back to the crab cakes section at grabs another one to indulge on. "Interesting that it was still beating after few months," she speaks.
Whatever bite Tabitha had intended to take is left untouched, her nose wrinkling up as the heart is bit into and the blood continues to course not only down Deacon's arm to drip on the floor, but along the corners of his mouth.
Perhaps foor the benefit of Angelique, she hasn't been asked to participate in this part of the occasion as it doesn't get any less messy from there as the tall Cajun continues to consume that heart, still beating and all until it's gone. A cloth napkin is produced from one of the other gathered people, snowy white which the soldier begins to use to clean up his mouth, his arm before discarding the thing. Now he points to Tabitha and Caelum, unable to stop long enough to offer any explanation or condolence to Angelique in the moment at hand. He's gesturing them forward and turning to bring forth another plate, covered This one is made from simple wood. "The pair of you, if you please."
Meridith just covers her mouth and shakes her head slightly. It isn't in disapproval, perhaps just a quiet comment left unspoken to herself.
Meanwhile, that large man takes Angelique's card speaking quietly. "I'll do that" he says, deeper bass of a voice coming to bear as he continues to watch the spectacle at hand.
The man does pocket the card close, rather than dismissing it while the others wait for Caelum and Tabitha may come to offer their part.
After Deacon gestures for them, Caelum turns his attention on Tabitha. Another smile, while he unfolds his arms and pushes away from the wall. Gesturing for her to go ahead with an open palm, he nods, "After you," with every intention to follow her along to and set himself on the opposite side of the next plate's unveiling.
Unfortunately for Deacon, that look goes unnoticed. Squared shoulders, head high, Angelique peruses the food on display like she's actually interested in the delicacies that taste like ash and cardboard in her mouth. She doesn't take anything though, other than a glass of wine if such is there on the table. Perhaps there's some expression of pleasure or at least satisfaction when she wins Beaufort over to later discussions, but that's about it. Pride flares and with it, anger. At least this Inigo's anger is quiet, unlike her brother and uncle.
Tabitha sets the now untouched plate of food that she'd made for herself down onto a table for someone else to nibble upon and weaves her way though the crowd, casting her eyes on those who cast them upon her, head aloft and posture perfect, to approach Deacon and that covered wooden tray. She nods to Caelum, seeking to likely lift that lid together. A silent count of three?
On the opposite end of the tray, Caelum's hand reachs out along with Tabitha's. A silent count of three it is, he nods to her, then does count, in his mind, of course. To unveil what's hidden beneath the lid at once and together with her, slowly, for the grand reveal.
While she eats and enjoys, Autumn turns to watch Caelum and Tabitha do the next reveal. Her gaze lightens and she relaxes before finding herself some wine to drink down.
The lid comes aloft, and this time it's the bones that were taken, by them all in a Graveyard only a few miles from this very house. "Bones of the dead, gifted by the dead. By the power of the dead" The words are intoned and the bones are revealed. White and clean, they all seem to be there, but for a single finger bone that SRDeacon takes from the tray. "A connection from those wronged." He grimaces, but the man swallows the small bone whole, dropping it into his mouth and gulping it down. All the while, those watch on and some begin to murmur and speak in whispers, others seem awe-struck or curious beyond the normal about the ritualistic kind of presentation taking place. "Return them" he offers softly, nodding at Caelum and Tabitha to present the bones to the Beauforts. In this case, it's that tall man standing nearby Angelique that represents them here, tonight.
Meridith studies the interactions in the room with quiet interest, Angelique's politicking, Caelum's brooding, Autumn's kindred behaviour. The whole show seems of interest to the young woman. She looks uneasy as the bones are revealed, but the visage passes, back to neutral, calm.
That smile on Caelum turns to a brief smirk at the reveal of the bones. Even more so, when the soldier picks up one to swallow. His attention set on Deacon doesn't waver at all while the finger disappears. Only then, at his request, he looks ahead at Tabitha. On another silent count of three, he's prepared with a hand placed underneath the tray to carry it alongside Tabitha, all the way to the representative Beaufort in the room.
Tabitha takes hold of the tray aside of Caelum, an astonished look given Deacon for the man's devourment of a full finger bone. That's going to hurt coming back out... She smiles though, weakly to the Cajun, and turns to make her way back through the crowd, by Autumn, Meridith and Angelique, to finally stand before Beaufort. To him, her eyes lower, away, down, in silent respect. The tray is held out and it looks as if she might also give a formal sort of curtsey, though she does not.
"Could have been worse," Angelique says idly. "Could have ground them all to flour and made him eat a loaf." But she's pissy, and right now that echoes in her voice, even as she stands by the man whose ancestor she's suggesting be turned into food.
Next, SRDeacon reveals from the table full of needs, a knife. It's simple, but there's a ginger way he handles it - careful not to touch the blade of the weapon with any part of his bared skin. "Now, Tabitha may be the first woman in my new town to put the squeeze on my heart, literally! But Angel is the one who's captured it. I've taken, and I've given back. Now I have to give freely" he holds the weapon out in his palm, turning his voice and his body toward Angelique. "Blood to water the ground."
Tabitha smirks a bit at Deacon, once the bones have been returned to their owner. "A well deserved squeeze." she admits, lowly.
There's no denial of that from SRDeacon, there.
needs to remember to not do that.
Angelique eyes Tabitha a moment at that claim from Deacon and the redhead's response. It doesn't seem like it does the woman any favors in the Inigo's eyes, but nothing is said at all. In fact, for a long moment it looks like she's going to leave her partner high and dry in his unspoken request, but eventually she turns and heads for the tall Cajun, and reaches out to curl her perfectly manicured hand around the hilt of the knife. She assesses him for a long moment while she holds the blade and perhaps she's considering something far more vicious than need be. But eventually, with a sigh, she reaches out to slash his palm with the sharp edge, unless she's otherwise directed. Either way, there's no remorse, and not a hint of concern or 'doing it gently' invovled.
Meridith covers her mouth to cover some coy amusement at the fireworks on display.
That rough slash comes across the palm of Deacon, and there's an involuntary hiss and growl of pain that comes from the man as the flesh aroudn the cut seems to grow blistery red and swollen far beyond the normal measure of such a thing. His blood wells and begins to trickle out of his hand and onto the ground as well. He clenches his fist tight, the blood trickling between his fingers, squeezing out between his palm his hand bloody for the second time, his arm shaking slightly from the pain and the suffering may be like a sweet shot of juice for those who possess demon blood. However, there's a ... sense of heaviness that seems to come over the room and the lights flicker and then go out! They flicker and return a short moment or twwo later, and the man himself is gone!
Tabitha explains lightly, with still a half cocked smirk. "He broke into my home, and I gave him a little heart palpatation." Though this probably does not help to lighten Angelique's mood, or explain fully what exactly had happened.
Meridith shifts back, warily. She immediately keeps several feet between her and occupants. Impossible, perhaps, to do so casually, but she tries.
In his place again, of course, silent in the return with Tabitha without giving another look aside to the rightful owners of the bones he so happily tore out of their grave - Caelum simply waits. In kept silence, and quiet, directed at someone and Deacon to watch the spectacle continue. Tabitha's light interjection to explain has him only smirk without looking away. Then lights flicker, and the man is gone by their return. It only adds to his smirk, the weight of his narrow eyes, watching.
In his place again, of course, silent in the return with Tabitha without giving another look aside to the rightful owners of the bones he so happily tore out of their grave - Caelum simply waits. In kept silence, and quiet, directed at Angelique and Deacon to watch the spectacle continue. Tabitha's light interjection to explain has him only smirk without looking away. Then lights flicker, and the man is gone by their return. It only adds to his smirk, the weight of his narrow eyes, watching.
"Ooo," Autumn speaks in almost a muse, grinning as she looks between Angelique and someone. That grin soon fades into a smile while she watches the blistering cut on the tall man's man. "No steel blade could make flesh blister like that, unless..."
"Ooo," Autumn speaks in almost a muse, grinning as she looks between Angelique and Deacon. That grin soon fades into a smile while she watches the blistering cut on the tall man's hand. "No steel blade could make flesh blister like that, unless..."
"Well mierda," Angelique purrs, and the pleasure that drips from her voice almost counteracts the concern about her partner disappearing on her like that. She looks at the knife in her hands, smiles at it like a lover itself, and if nobody stops her from doing so, tucks it into her clutch. She's not one for swearing, so the weight of that single word might be telling, but she turns and sashays through the crowd and back toward those she'd arrived with, giving Caelum and Tabitha's closeness another knowing smirk. To Autumn, she merely muses, "Si."
The man himself suddenly vanished, well out from the kitchen comes a new figure. Hunched over with a stoop, this black old man has white wisps of hair and he leans on a singular crutch or cane to walk. He's nibbling on a bit of crab cake himself with a pleased, amicable expression resting on his wisened and wrinkled face. As he shows himself - there's a hush that washes over the room. Everyone here that's from the local community has grown silent, in awe and respect.
Meridith may be some kind of wrecking ball when it comes to social niceties but she reins it in. Her gaze is low.
"Welcome friends, and children" the wrinkled old raisen of a man speaks, and his words are full of sincerity and care. A man who is loved by his community and has much love for those who gather around him today, it seems.
Caelum gives a small, simple nod in silent, return greeting to the elderly's arrival.
Tabitha falls to the same silence that others of Cajun decent have fallen to, giving the old man the level of respect in which the community she is only half part of for her training in dark arts that he deserves. She is, however, looking around the room as if to see where Deacon may have gone, or if anyone else might have that very knowledge.
Meridith also gives a polite nod of her head in his direction. There's a sincerity to the reverence even if it was just by osmosis.
Having scan the room for any sign of the vanished man, Autumn notices movement and turns to find the old man. She opens her mouth, ready to say something, but then she shuts it and instead gives him a small bow before finishing her second crab cake.
Angelique says nothing, but that's sort of been her modus operandi since stepping into the building. Instead, she idly gazes at a bit of blood that's spattered onto her hand, and casually wipes it away. Turning cool green eyes onto the old man, she curves her lips into that perfect smile of social politeness, one that nobody could find fault with - unless they -really- know her.
Deacon remains absent from the proceedings, now. Intentional almost certainly, although whether of his own accord remains to be seen. Angelique slips that blade away and wipes her hand and the very tall man next ot her in the Beaufort protector gives a formal-like salute toward this old man. That seems to be some kind of tradition or cue, because the old man turns to regard the crowd at large. "Let this service begin. I have been called by a dear friend, but none here tonight." Then, another man enters. He looks not unlike Deacon actually, mulatto and light-skinned with black hair and light almost viridian green eyes. A ready smile, but those similarities carry as much differences, and it's only that first glance that might mistake the two. However, Angelique, Autumn, Caelum definitely, the recognize this face almost certainly. "My friends! My children! My people" he says, addressing everyone from Meridith trying to lay low, to Caelum standing apart while standing with everyone, to the crowd. "My sincerest thanks, Legba. Tell Ghede his time will come soon." These words are directed at the wizened old man; who simply nods and takes out a small pipe from his pocket, to tamp with some tobbacco.
"The sexier twin," Angelique says, the soft words a clue perhaps to that still simmering frustration with someone, whether merited or not. Her cool eyes take in the stranger dressed in the same skin as her partner, and then she tips the slightest of smiles his way. To someone, in the same mildly curious tones she wonders, "Who's Ghede?"
"The sexier twin," Angelique says, the soft words a clue perhaps to that still simmering frustration with Deacon, whether merited or not. Her cool eyes take in the stranger dressed in the same skin as her partner, and then she tips the slightest of smiles his way. To someone, in the same mildly curious tones she wonders, "Who's Ghede?"
"The sexier twin," Angelique says, the soft words a clue perhaps to that still simmering frustration with Deacon, whether merited or not. Her cool eyes take in the stranger dressed in the same skin as her partner, and then she tips the slightest of smiles his way. To Beaufort, in the same mildly curious tones she wonders, "Who's Ghede?"
"Death" that tall man's bass voice intones to Angelique quietly, with a sense of a man trying not to be overheard speaking church.
Speaking IN church.
Tabitha folds her hands before her, standing with silent reverence for Papa Legba.
Meridith gazes upon him with a smile. Something about being welcomed so on the periphery of a community she is a stranger to but not aver to understanding warms her, it seems.
Autumn stands silent, almost still as a statue as she faces Legba. She glances at the other man before looking back.
With their potential chagrin, that mulatto man is now turning his attention toward Autumn, and Meridith. "Lambs? Wolves? You do not know me, I am Agwe. Sovereign of the Sea. The eel! The Tadpole" he intones each with a broad grin, punctuating each new moniker with a grand gesture of his hand as he all but performs for the crwod in front of him now. Legba now named, only smiles while looking on. For him, all seem to revere and love the man, but none seem too keen on getting too close, either. Agwe on the other hand finds a more affable kind of response, some here seeming to know or recognize him and perpahs they should, living on the water as they do. "I have chosen the nature of your absent companion. WE have chosen. Three faces of nature that cannot be denied. You. You, you!" A slender finger points to Caelum, to Tabitha and Meridith, to Angelique. "Will you deny me? Will you deny us? But this is cause for celebration. He is returned to us, this night. Returned home." Now, the air grows tense. Everyone loves Legba. Agwe has friends here it's true ... but the Loa's presence is intense, and violent like the chop of the ocean.
Meridith tips her head politely. "Meridith," she offers with respect, but smiles softly. She has no clue, and does not really terribly care about the energy in the room of these strangers, those friendly earn a smile. She isn't sure if such a question is meant to be answered, she tries to catch the gaze of Tabitha or Caelum.
"I am Autumn Lynx," Autumn speaks with a nod towards Agwe. "Good to meet you, Sea Sovereign Agwe." She looks at the man and then she turns her head towards the rest of the group.
"Angelique Da Rocha Inigo, Agwe." Her answer is soft, but her voice carries, one whose used to the public eye. The smile on her lips lingers, but her eyes -they say it all. She knows what sort of power she's dealing with here, and she holds herself with the confidence that belies any attempt to take advantage. "What could we deny you? If you are like the others, you take what you wish," Angelique concludes, her tone almost teasing. It's not irreverent though, this claim from a woman whose family is absolutely infamous for dealing with demons. It simply suggests she knows her own value.
"Caelum Cross." Caelum replies with his own introduction, when others seem to introduce. His is in withheld mirth, in held - anything, everything. His relative silence and the imposing nature of his vehement wait is here to stay at the incredible pressure of the man simply pounding against his skull with the weight of a Loa. From one creature teetering on the fine line between the dead and the living, to another, Caelum simpl dips his head. Otherwise, he stays, watching, with his arms folded and attention unwavering.
"I am Tabitha Matheson, Agwe," Tabitha supplies for the man, head falling to a dip of her chin, in a silent greeting to the spirit now made to flesh. She, too, understands the power that is before her, surrounding her, and in some respect, inside her. She casts a small smile, scooping her hair behind an ear.
Before this spirit can offer further, a broad smile even more prevelant on the Loa's face at Angelique's words but then there is a THUNDEROUS boom that resonates outside of the house! The windows that come across that near wall of the living room come shattering out of their frames and sprinkles of glass go flying across everyone. There are screams of surprise and alarm as the lights go out and the power seems to short-circuit. The darkness is too dark, not natural in the slightest. Nobody can yet see, but everyone can feel the presense of a newcomer. The air grows noticeably colder, the smell of pipe tobbacco harsh and acrid trails through the room.
Meridith gets low, crouched in the dark. She mapped out the room and if the lights turn on she might be embarassingly crouched behind an end table or other such thing for cover.
Angelique doesn't scream. She's far to prepossessed to do such a banal thing, though she stumbles on her high stilettos and has to reach out to grip onto something strong and steady to support herself - Beaufort himself. "Quien es?" she asks, tone low, perhaps a bit more anxious than she'd like to sound. There's no point looking for her companions in this dark - her colorblindness makes darkness hell on her vision.
Tabitha's hand fumbles out in the sudden darkness, finding the cold hard flesh of Caelum in that darkness, or at least whom she thinks may be Caelum. For all she knows, she is grasping onto Agwe.
As soon as the explosion resonates, the boom shatters glass, and sprinkles it the jagged projectile's across, Caelum moves. Incredibly quick, in both the shift of his body that gives his back to the window in shield of Tabitha, as well as the sudden and abrupt gesture that extends to Angelique across the room with his hand. Whatever it is, that force simply encroaching pulls her through the crowd as well, right into to his position with Tabitha before everything truly descends into darkness and nothing. He's a wall, and he'll act like it, in defense against whatever comes.
Autumn flinches as the lights go dark and uses her fur cost to shield herself from any incoming glass her way, before squinting her eyes to try to look around the darkness. She rests on hand on the table where the food is at, if that really is near her as she stands still in in a defending position.
Another boom comes, and it rattles the bones of the house. Then there are candles. Each of the visting Creole and other guests pull forth candles from their pockets. Stubs, thin tapers, anything as a flame here there, dots all across the room until the together provide a soft glow of illumination for the room, now. Standing in the doorway of the front door stands a new tall figure. In a long coat, smoking a cob pipe that smoulders even now. A floppy-brimmed hat that covers his face, borne with a feather. The smell of the Grave follows him. "My time is now" comes a raspy voice. It's an interesting thing, the clothing the look of this new figure, now. Angelique's seen Deacon wear something like it before.
Tabitha is happily using Caelum as a meat shield as another boom rattles the room. She clings to him, the candles slowly illuminating the area, and as her eyes adjust, she is focused on the new figure standing in the doorway. Blue eyes bright and wide.
Meridith stands up, brushing herself off gently. Hanging back as if she wasn't just crouched behind a chair or something else. She admires Autumn's dedication to protecting the food. Her eyes lock on this stranger.
There's a sound. It's not a shriek, but it's definitely startled as Angelique is yanked from her spot and pulled toward Caelum. Only when she feels the presence of the vampire does she recognize it for what it is, reaching out to squeeze his arm in a gesture that falters when lights start to flare. The being in the door has her standing a little taller, once more the entrepreneur, the woman that can't be shut down in deals or online, the woman that shows no fear, no matter what she's feeling behind that calm, cool and collected beauty she wears like a shield. "Why?" she asks, stepping not in front of, but beside Caelum, to study this newcomer.
The second boom rattling may as well shake off the hanging bits of glass that have torn into Caelum's back - but he stands firm still where is. Not an ounce of reaction to the pain. Tabitha and Angelique are both kept from the worst of whatever may happen. The light that shines all across in candles bare sight to him - one hand taking support from the wall, stretching his shoulder, and even before Angelique stepped aside from the protective stance of Caelum, his head is tilted over his shoulder to stare at the new(?) individual at the door. The venomous poison of green eyes, in the subtle clench of his jaw, entirely descent into quiet vehemence kept still, uncannily still, in wordless glare.
Jumping at the second sound, Autumn reaches one hand into her pocket before she turns to face the figure. She keeps silent and with a wary gaze, straighting herself and adjusting her coat.
"Because my time has always been and will always be. A touch, in each of you" Comes the deep-toned answer of this man. His tone is raspy and gravelley as well, but he seems to hold a sense of honored reserve here as well. "A touch. For now" that man adds. But then he's moving to join the other two spirits that have come to complete the triad of these three faces of nature. The meeting of the spiritual and the physical. Death, and the vastness of Life. "Now is not the time for why. Only for the revelation" come more vague terms but the three once together - they seem less threatening. Just three old friends who've known each other since time immemorial. And then ... the feeling changes again. "Each of you have borne the blood of our blood forth to be returned home. Each of you is owed gratis, each of you will be marked!" A clap of his hands, and the lights return!
Now the mood is in full swing - those gathered split off and begin to eat food in earnest, listen to the band outside. The three spirits themselves even now, begin to mingle amongst those here. For all of that invocation - that seems ot be that there's no sense of affectation to those claims, for now. Conversations can be heard though, and these spirits continue to speak of things to come. That tall man of the Beaufort clan turns to the guests that have come with Deacon tonight. "Herveaux will be returned, unharmed of this I am certain. You should relax, and speak with these people. They will come to their own designs in their own time as they always do."
That keenly predatory, and prepared for violence expression slowly becomes perplexed. Caelum's eyes follow the newest addition to the party, clearly without recognition of any sort. It persists, even at the final words, even when they clap to bring the lights, the life to the party back. He simply leans down while everyone else goes on and about to mingle within the festivity, while he, in a half, hushed whisper, asks Tabitha. "Hey, Tabs.. Explain to me like I'm unaware - What the fuck?"
Meridith nods slowly as if she has begun to understand the tapestry she is a part of. She eases some and moves, though not so bold as to strike up a conversation, she easedrops politely as she can, flitting amongst the guests.
As things progress now, some folk will occasionally begin walking up to Caelum, even going insofar as to interrupt his conversaion, to offer a small conversation. A time and a place, or similar. Once, twice, ... half a dozen times but thankfully no more at least for this evening. Meridith finds herself blissfully left alone for the most part, Autumn drawws the attention of some of the community here as well, questions thrown at her about her origins, her experiences on the other sides of the Gate and her own blood. Angelique will find plenty of conversation with the Beaufort, and some of ther other memebers of his family, the counterparts to the Herveauxs in this entire endeavour throughout.
"Gracias, Caelum," Angelique offers after-the-fact to Caelum for his help in protecting her from the dangerous shattering windows. Then, as he turns to Tabitha for explanations, the Inigo's amusement becomes visible again, as she looks between the two of them. Gradually, she eases away to leave them to their conversation, and engages back into that business talk with the Beauforts.
A corpse couldn't possibly have glared as Caelum does to all the folk - all respectively influential within their positions and hierarchy, that come to interrupt Caelum. He has to tilt away, stop leaning on the arm that puts him above and shielding of Tabitha and partially Angelique, to turn in regard of them all. Though, he brushes off the glass from his arms, his shoulders, at times, he still remains polite save for the stark severity of his expression. Quiet agreements, corrections, but for his part, Caelum makes sure no one that approached him goes without an agreed time and date - some even together, at the same time, in groups. Angelique gets a look that can both translate between 'save-me' and 'don't leave me alone', while he's taken away from Tabitha and the Inigo to be assaulted by the half a dozen individuals vying to complete their bargain first.
OOC: This is now a small opporthnity for those here to speak to individuals in the community or to interact with Loa spirits more directly for themselves. This is a good social chance for People to mingle in a Plot setting and generate new story hooks and contacts to weave into their own stories! Ask and I will generate specific NPCS amongst this communityh as needed beyond those already outlined through these plots! Another 20 or so and I will want to wrap up though, to keep this from being a marathon for everyone!
OOC: Okay! I'm gonna wrap up now, so that people can get their passes without waiting too long! Go ahead and getr some wrap posing
"Well, Hell is where I was born of its influence," Autumn answers to the questions of those coming to her. "Lots of demons there. I lived in forest villiage with my brother, who also has demon blood. To us, suffering of others is like sugar, and I get happy when I get it from around me..." And then she continues talking before she grabs a couple crab cakes to take home.
Caelum is out for the time, presumably, lead away further by all the interruptive people to meet the prospective soon-to-be-corpses. He's content in his relatively small conversation, out of sight and out of earshot of others explaining certain things, likely the general state of being as he is, and spending his time to get to know just who exactly he would soon damn out of heaven for an eternity.
Meridith enjoys the ambiance, she gives smiles and nods, and joins circles and does her best not to rock the boat here. She's all eyes, all smiles, ears opened. Now that the excitement has levelled out, and she's taken stock, she seems at peace in it.
Angelique makes the time to separate with the Beaufort man, and soon enough their conversation will draw them from the room as they arrange more business-like arrangements. Meridith is slipped a business card to a small curio shoppe here in New Orleans, not quite the party promised of a sort there's a name written on the back: Poppy. Caelum is kept on edge from the interruptions and Tabitha has to deal with the fallout emotional from watching these people taking and taking from the man, piece by piece that he's bargained away. Autumn is engaged with many in conversation but finds no true connection with any of them, all out for something to gain these kind of leeches are no stranger for a woman who grew up as she has.