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undergrounds2017-04-21 10:41 pm
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Magical Innovation Centre: The Grand Opening
It's evening in Richmond and the grand opening of the Magical Innovation Centre is about to begin. Doors open at 6.30pm with the event closing at 10pm. This is a black tie event, so get out your evening gowns and tuxedos. You won't be allowed in if you're wearing trainers or jeans.
Fae are forbidden from entering. Any fae who wish to sneak in must do so under a glamour and are likely to be discovered and kicked out if they linger for too long. Alternatively, they could pretend to be in service to one of the witches attending the event, if they have any witch allies willing to do that. Fae already in service to Circle Daybreak are the exception to the rule and this will be the first Daybreak event where a number of witches in attendance will be accompanied by their familiars in various forms. Ever since Samantha took her crown as Mother of Witches with a certain cat on her lap, familiars have started to become fashionable again.
Order of Events
6.30-7pm: Doors open
The first half hour allows time for guests to arrive and mingle. There's strict security around the centre: everyone who enters must sign in and get a name badge at the reception desk.
7-7.30pm: Samantha's speech
Standing on the staircase in the foyer, the Mother of Witches will address her audience with a speech to announce the opening of the centre.
7.30-8.30pm: Tour of the centre
During this hour, guests can join a tour of the centre. There will be three tours of around fifteen minutes each. Guests will be shown the following:
• Starting in the main foyer, the tour guide will give a brief overview of the centre's purpose.
• Next, the Potions Lab, which looks very much like any modern lab except that the bottles on display are magical rather than chemical.
• Then, the Pentacle Room which is an empty classroom with several intricate pentacles drawn on the floor. Cabinets along one wall hold shelves of herbs and charms that are used to strengthen or protect the pentacles, as well as shelves of spellbooks. An empty iron bird cage sits on one of the cabinets. This room is where witches can work together to perform powerful magic or to summon fae from the Other Realm.
• Then, the Botanical Garden which is what it sounds like. Herbs and plants of many kinds are grown here, and there are tables where witches can cut and dry the plants to prepare them for use in spellcraft and potion-making.
• Finally, the Magic Lab which looks very much like the Potions Lab except that there's more space. This is where witches will experiment with creating new spells.
The tour is guided and guests may only spend a limited amount of time in each room. They can't go back to the rooms after they're closed; security is tight and anyone trying to sneak around will be quickly spotted.
8.30-10pm: Networking
The rest of the event is open for mingling. There are information stands in the main foyer where witches are handing out leaflets outlining the purpose of the centre and inviting witches to join. If you're not a witch, you can still look and ask questions, but you can't register your interest to work or study at the centre. There's also a screen playing an artfully shot video of Samantha and several young witches looking alternately mystical and windswept on a moor, then clever and industrious in one of the laboratories. Tradition meets the modern world.
Coffee, champagne and canapes are all available, and are served by handsome fae waiters dressed in sparkly blue tuxedos. Despite several setbacks (none of which will be mentioned by Samantha or any of the staff) including the recent loss of Croydon to the Seelie and Unseelie Courts, it seems that Circle Daybreak is still intent on portraying an image of success. The Daybreak fae here are tame, well-mannered and subservient. Everything is under control.
NPCs
Samantha Okeke
It's a big day for Samantha. This is the day she promised to Circle Daybreak when she first became Mother of Witches and she's proud to make good on her word so soon.
She addresses the audience from the middle platform of the staircase and she does look rather good if she says so herself, elegant and poised in her high heels and satin dress. Mogget is at her feet, the cat hunkering down on one of the steps to observe the guests below.
Her speech starts with a number of thank yous, praising the witches who worked so hard to make this happen. She gives a potted history of the events leading up to tonight's grand opening. Tonight, she is pleased to declare that the Magical Innovation Centre is open for business. Then she lifts her chin, the ring of passion in her voice.
"Creativity. Excellence. Innovation. These will be our guiding principles as we work with magic old and new to find ways of bettering the lives of witches across the country. We will use the latest scientific methods to research and test new potions and enchantments. We will fund long-term studies to explore and deepen our understanding of the supernatural. And we will share our knowledge with the wider community, giving you greater freedom and greater control over your craft. I want the work done in this centre to be for everyone. That means it has to be open to every witch in Circle Daybreak. No matter what your background is, no matter what walk of life you come from, we are looking for talent, passion and dedication. If you think you have what it takes to make a difference, please talk to one of our representatives."
"This place, this building, is the realisation of a pledge that I made to you when I accepted the honour of becoming your Mother. But the full realisation of its potential can only be achieved by all of us, working hard, working together. I can't wait to start."
She smiles, pausing for a moment before going on. "The creation of this Centre has been made possible through the generosity of our sponsors at the Night Council. Thank you all. And its continued development can only be made possible with your help. That's why tonight we're also asking for donations. Whether you're a member of Circle Daybreak or not, whether you're a witch or not, you can sponsor our project and help make this dream into a reality. If you'd like to make a pledge, please go to the reception desk or approach our representatives. Every donation, no matter how small, will be gratefully received."
She goes on to say that there will be the opportunity to take a tour of the centre and that more information is available at the stands for anyone who wants to know more about the project they're sponsoring. Finally, she closes with a reiteration of her belief that every witch should have the opportunity to realise his or her full potential. That's her promise as Mother of Witches, and she intends to keep it.
"Thank you."
And that's it. She descends the staircase with regal grace to a round of applause. Behind her, Mogget transforms into a white-haired man in a white suit and follows, joining the party in human shape. Time to mingle.
If you're rich or important, she wants to talk to you and she likely will approach with a glass of champagne in hand, a smile dimpling her cheeks. "So, what do you think?"
If you're neither of those things, she doesn't give a shit. But she'll play nice if you approach her, because this is a public event and she has to look good at all times. Lucky you.
Others
The werewolf alpha Katherine Moore is here and so is almost every witch on the Elites list, so let me know if you want to grab any of them! The one notable exception is Sylvia Redbright, who claimed to have other commitments. She will not be attending the event.
Samantha
He's wearing full black tie: a double breasted tuxedo with satin lapels and patent shoes. When it comes to dressing appropriately for an occasion, Cesare does not mess around.
He smiles at Samantha and takes a couple steps towards her, lifting his glass a little.
"It's all very impressive, isn't it? And that was a good speech. It could almost sway me."
no subject
Cesare, though, Cesare might be different. She knows he has ambitions of his own; last they talked he'd expressed his disappointment at not making it to Vampire Representative. And despite whatever Jean-Claude said, he seems willing to talk to her.
She lifts her glass in return. "Almost? Tough crowd." Her eyes flick over his attire. "Nice tux."
He looks good, even if he does turn out to be a spy. But is he here on behalf of Jean-Claude or does he have his own agenda? That's what she wants to find out.
no subject
"A proper occasion needs a proper suit," he explains. He doesn't comment on her appearance, thinking it improper at her event, while he's trying to be respectful and professional. But the way he allows himself to look over her gently makes it clear that he finds her pretty easy on the eye.
"And that's pretty good for an Islington Nest member, isn't it? I'm not permitted to think any other way." He says permitted with a wrinkle of his nose and a slight roll of his eyes. For someone who seemed so keen on keeping things fair and diplomatic, everything Jean-Claude has done so far seems a lot like a dictatorship. Cesare doesn't exactly approve.
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"I've heard about that," she replies, and the look on her face makes it clear that she doesn't approve at all. "It came as a surprise when I did have Cooper's support. I thought for sure he would have the ear of your leader but I guess I was wrong."
Getting Cooper on her side hadn't translated into support or at least neutrality from the Islington Nest. There's something going on there. Perhaps Cesare knows what.
no subject
"Perhaps vampires just react poorly to iron fists," he says, making it very clear how he views Jean-Claude's leadership. "We're old. We've formed our own opinions and can be difficult to manage." Cesare knows he definitely is, for one thing.
"His girlfriend is a witch." And a whore. But he'll miss that fact out. He has no doubt that Samantha already knows anyway. "Perhaps that swayed him a little."
no subject
She taps her mouth thoughtfully. Yes, she does know who Cooper's girlfriend is and Nancy is not a Daybreak witch so her influence is limited there. Perhaps he agreed to the proposal because he thought it would please his girlfriend. She wonders what the Nest thinks about that.
"What about you?" she asks, turning her eyes up to his. "You seem the type to make the rules, not follow them. Am I wrong?"
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Samantha
When Samantha finishes,Lydia smiles and claps along with the other attendees, and as the woman makes her way down the stairs, she pushes through the crowd.
"Excuse me, Ma'am? I just wanted to introduce myself. I'm Lydia. Bennet."
The Lydia Bennet. She smiles confidently. "And you were just wonderful."
no subject
She has no idea who Lydia is.
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"I've just moved down to London. I've just joined… We're quite well known in Hertfordshire, actually."
no subject
There are many covens in Circle Daybreak. She doesn't know every witch personally, especially not those who have recently come to live in the city. She's guessing that Lydia is a student and that's why she's moved here. Even though they've suffered some hardships lately, London is still an attractive prospect for young witches across the country and outside of it too.
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"Well, it's not that I'm not interested, but… well, I've not been here that long yet, and…" She smiles sheepishly. "I dare say you can point me in the right direction, can't you?"
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Didn't she get asked to help out a young witch who had recently moved to London a few weeks ago? Something about this situation is ringing a bell, but that must have been resolved by now.
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Samantha
She will no doubt be wondering why he is here when he has made his opinion of her quite clear. Perhaps it is an olive branch. Perhaps he has come to spy. Perhaps she will just have to speak to him and find out for herself. Vampires can be very hard to read, indeed. Especially vampires as old as this one, who do not wear their hearts on their sleeves as some of the others in the Nest are known to do. Is he worried that there might be trouble? Not really. This is a peaceful event, and he's brought some discrete backup that's milling around in the crowd behind him, should things turn south.
He inclines his head at her, his dark blue eyes cool and assessing as he speaks up to comment, "The Night Council certainly have been generous, have they not."
(ooc: let me know if it breaks continuity to have him attend here, but otherwise i look forward to this!)
no subject
"The Night Council understand the value of what we're doing here," she replies, equally cool. "I'm very grateful for their support. But from what I understand, I don't have your support. So why don't you tell me why you're here before I have you thrown out."
Her own security guards are nearby and watchful, in case of any trouble. And this looks like it could be trouble.
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He shoots a pointed glance aside at her guards before back at Samantha herself. "You may have your men stand down. I do not intend to cause a scene." He tilts his head at her. "Am I not allowed to be curious?"
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He's here to police them as well, he's said as much, and Samantha guesses that most if not all of them are here to spy anyway. So she won't have her men stand down. They're going to keep a close eye on Jean-Claude the entire time he's here.
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"Some of my vampires are young enough that they never experienced slavery first hand. It is both a blessing and a curse that we are not all so fortunate." He meets her gaze steadily. He was born a peasant in a servant's class. He grew up a whipping boy. He sold his freedom to his maker so that his lover might live. He knows a thing or two about being on the other side of ideas like yours, Samantha. That is why he opposes them.
no subject
What a bizarre non-sequitur. No one is enslaving any vampires. The Night Council has given the Islington Nest their special protection back, so they're sitting pretty. And is he implying that he was a slave? She would not have guessed that.
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Samantha
He waits until Samantha approaches him, his black suit making him look more like he's ready for a teenage prom than an event such as this. There's an easy smile on his face as he takes her in. "Impressive. You've accomplished a lot in a short amount of time." Something that Cooper himself had done and could respect.
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"Thank you. I'm glad you think that way at least." She puts the faintest possible stress on the 'you'. He can probably guess who else she's referring to.
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JC would lead the Nest in the direction that he wanted it to. Cooper, with the streak of loyalty inside him, would never overrule his leader's direct orders. If he started questioning Jean-Claude, that would lead him down a slippery slope that he didn't want to think about.
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She isn't trying to hide her disappointment. To her, it's as if the Nest has taken a U-turn in its attitude towards what she's trying to do, and she can't help but wonder if that has anything to do with the sudden ending of funds from the Night Council.
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His face goes brittle and hard, revealing the old man inside the teenager. "And I didn't know when I voted it would provoke such a strong response from him." Was he implying that he didn't exactly agree with JC's proclamation? Perhaps, but Cooper had learned to guard his tongue when speaking of leaders of the Nest in the past. He wasn't going to start saying things that could get back to him now.
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He's dead weight then. A puppet speaking Jean-Claude's words. That's a shame. She's guessing that it's because Jean-Claude wasn't happy with Cooper's earlier vote that he's so wary of having his own opinions. Vampires have never been democratic. Why start now?
She shakes her head, her expression softening. "I'm sorry. That must have been hard. I didn't know I'd be putting you in such a difficult position."
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