SEPTEMBER MASQUERADE BALL---------- vampires only!

[lucyloo]

DRESS and MASK

She lurked in her own home, waiting for the limo to show up. She never really went to one of these before, but why not give it a shot now? It took some major persuading to make her even think about going, luckily someone was better at it than she expected. She tapped her foot, turning her head abruptly toward the clock hanging on her wall. Holding her mask in one hand, and opening the curtain a tad with the other, she saw her limo some to a stop in front of her house. She checked herself in the mirror one last time before heading downstairs. She knew that no one would see her face until midnight, but she still had to look good now. Her heels clicked against her hardwood floor of her living room and to the door. Opened, closed, and locked. She threw the key under the mat, and stepped down the front stairs. A juvenile thing to do, but it worked most of the time, anyways.

She walked herself to the back of the limo as the driver stood, prepared to open her door. “Miss Lucilia Kartreight?” She nodded, and said a mumbled “yes”. She never really did like her full name, but she had to get used to it. The driver nodded and opened the door. She ducked down and sunk into the back seat. He closed the door behind her, making sure her train was in the vehicle and not hanging out the side of the door. One reason why she hated wearing dresses like this, with long trains. If she ever was to get married, she knew she would eventually flip, having to wear that kind of a dress all day. She placed the mask on her lap and watched out her window as they started to take off down the New York City street. It wasn’t that long of a drive, so she hoped. She fiddled with one of the ruffles on her dress and kept running thoughts through her mind. She didn’t know anyone there, then again, wasn’t that the real point of the whole operation? Whatever. She just hoped that she wouldn’t run into Rose. Didn’t want to start a big brawl in front of everyone.

She heard the driver from the front of the limo, “Almost there, Miss.” She picked up her mask and held it over her face, not tying it around just yet. She pulled out a mirror that was in the back, in a compartment. She didn’t look all that bad, really. She just hoped she didn’t look like a total idiot. Most of the women would have feathery and glittery masks. She didn’t like either of those things, really. But what big option do you have with a masquerade mask? She shook her head, removing the thought and placed the mask closer to her face, bringing the strings toward the back of her head. She tied them in a bow, hiding most of it in her hair. She picked up the mirror with both hands, and held it at level with her face. She analyzed herself for a while, consuming what she was going to be showing to everyone. She touched the mirror slightly and felt the vehicle come to a stop. She was there. She placed the mirror back into the compartment and heard the front door close, awaiting for hers to be opened.

She saw the night sky illuminate the seat and roof of the limo. She stepped out, with hold of the driver’s hand and held her train up, making sure no dirt or grime got on it whatsoever. She thanked the driver, and watched him drive away, back the way they came. She turned toward the ballroom, seeing a crowd of people gathered at the near entrance. Good, she wasn’t late, nor early. She hated being either to an event like this. She held her train up and wandered into the ballroom, passing by one of the individuals gathered in the group. And it stank. It was Rose, she could smell her from a mile away. She wasn’t surprised, unusually. She expected someone like her to be at one of these things. She pushed it aside, not letting it get in her way of an evening like this. Her heels clicked against the floor of the ballroom, echoing slightly through the entire room. She admired the whole landscape and atmosphere of it, invigorating.

She paced through the entire room, finding a door at the further end of it. She opened it slightly, squeaking out as if she was never there. She closed the glass paned door, leaving only the thud of the locks pressing against one another. Her train was now left alone. Being somewhat drug behind. There was no dirt or grime where she was walking, that could get caught into it. She smiled slightly, having the moon illuminate her delicate features, not hidden by the mask. She led herself toward a fountain, and a big one at that. She liked them, the soothing sound they created. It ‘centered’ her, so to speak. She walked up to it, pressing her palms against the basin of it, leaning over it slightly. She caught her reflection in the water, the moon seeming to be right beside her. She smiled and laughed slightly. The moon was technically her best friend. She turned around and maneuvered herself to a thicker part of the basin. Long and thick enough for someone to sit on. She lifted herself up lightly, and scooted to the middle of the ledge. She hoped that no one would scare the living shit out of her, causing her to fall back into the fountain. That was the worst thing that could happen now. She shifted her gaze from the path she had came from, to another path leading a different way to where she was. She started fiddling her thumbs, keeping herself occupied until someone met her acquaintance.

[*Kane & Abel Westin]

The two stood on each of her side as they walked up the stairs. Kane eying the man on his side viciously as he gazed at Aubrey in disbelief that someone could be so beautiful. If he didn't have to be nice tonight he would have tore out his eyes and made him eat his own sockets. That would have made the evening a bit more interesting of course. Still, Aubrey had given Abel permission, and of course he had to be on his best behavior. After all, his last punishment was not a good punishment, and usually he or Kane weren't so bad. Some things were just pushed out much more than usual.

They entered the large room after pressing through a short entry hall, music chimed in the air and Kane, as usual, indulged in the comfort of a beautiful atmosphere. Abel didn't really give a flying fig because all he could think about was tearing the place assunder to make it a mit more likeable. A little blood here and there, a few bodies hanging over in the distance, perhaps a couple of dabs of bone and limb by the fountain. Yes, that would be splendid.

They pushed forward, neither brother slipping free of the woman. Kane had let his gaze roam around the room, scanning for faces in the crowd. It was so horrible, the way no one there could even compare to a class that they were in. Even though they had been Aubrey's pets, they were her go to guys when it came to protection and siezure. She needed something done, they made it happen, and they made sure someone ended up where they damn well belonged.

Some bloke had approached, greeting her with a respectful bow. Dare his lips try to touch her hand one of them if not both would surely remove that fat head of his. After a moment of reflections he had dismissed himself. Knowing that a crowd around them wasn't the best thing. But those of great power approached to pay respects to her, thoughts, aggressive thoughts, had remained pushed aside for now, but Kane had turned his head and caught a look by one certain blond who he had heard about through Judge. Not that they shared hot cocoa one night in the kitchen and caught up on old days before they had gone to her, it was a random thing thrown out in question when he had found an abandoned picture.

Then the woman turned her head and he caught her eye. What an interesting specimen. Vampire, not human, his eyes darted toward them as if he were furious and both snobbish, cutting eyes away and cursing brittish words in his head. Abel had smirked, turning his head to look and view before turning back to lean in and whisper to Aubrey. "It seems as though you have some admirers." Of course they didn't see the point in going over there. They weren't really the type who should be in a place like that, but then again, a few other strays had roamed about the herd of lambs, if only they were aloud to silence them, it would make for a rather good turn out.

Both boys chuckled as Abel let the images be thought of in his head. Trying to hide their smiles through forced sternness. "Would you like anything?" Both asked at the same time in low voices that magnified slightly higher as if one person were talking. Both smirking after. Both turning eyes to honey eyes and porecelain skin. The mask was bugging Abel. He didn't want to look at her with a hidden face. Far too beautiful for that crap. Everyone could have worn a paper bag and looked better, but her, his Aubrey, their Aubrey, was not to be hidden behind anything that would hide her beauty. She was a walking Goddess plain and simple.

Eventually this thing would end, and when that happened they were going to do something incredibly horrible to these guests. Kane and Abel had known things about every guest that was in that room, or had yet to even show up. Highly skilled in their line of work, the masterminds were already hating the smell of them. Putrid scents and flavors balled into one petty little room. It was like lounging in a dumpster in an alley somewhere downtown.

It was going to be a smash. Feeding currently suppressed appetites and hurting someones feelings in the process. Not just one, but three people. They didn't like the idea of those wretches being around their addressed sister. That's how they saw her, as their sister. They didn't even like it that she had even been in that dreadful state let alone that country. America stunk like hot garbage and used condoms. A place where people came to be trashy and murdered.

America the great? Not ruddy likely.

[aubrey]

It was their presence that kept her going along with the charade of having a pleasant evening while being in New York. Even though they both held resentment for coming Aubrey would not have attended without them. It would have been boring and intolerable, even aside from the faces that she had thought to recognize. In all honestly they bored her, most of the higher stated vampires and elders. They were majority of men and thought less of her, at least until she had to go out of her way to simply prove a point. Now that a few games had been played there were those that were beginning to treat her in a way that was pleasing.

Still, none of it mattered. A few familiar faces here and there, the familiar presence of one that she had not been expecting to attend. In fact, since his last visit to England he had seemed to slip from her mind completely. There would be no look in his direction simply because he was something that should be handled with delicacy and poise and now was not the time, especially with the way grips were tightened against her arms.

"It seems as though you have some admirers."

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Aubrey hummed in a soft amused way, letting fingers dance against the soft skin of their hands as she let her face turn back up to glance at both of them. “Admirer’s would be the wrong word my love.” Past flame, more than a fling. Aubrey had loved him-even if it had only been for a moment, but that had faded long before they had come to their final reunion. It had never been hard for her to let go of something until him. I was nice while it had lasted, but once it was over it was exactly that. Completely over. Faded and fleeting emotions would always remain, but that was only natural and they held nothing that anyone should be concerned about.

"Would you like anything?"

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A smile burned at the corners of lips, feeling that rare flare of warmth as she stared up into two different pairs of unfairly brilliant orbs. “I would like to be able to share what runs through your minds that keeps the two of you constantly smirking.” If Aubrey could have anything it would be the chance to share into the bond that the two of them shared, occasionally it would drive her mad, but for the most part it fascinated her to watch them with one another, watch the contrast of their eyes and facial expressions switching back and forth without a word being spoken.

There was someone though, catching her eye as she turned away from her boys. A snarky grin spread across lips at the sight of him. Dark, tall, and always dashing even aside of his crudeness. Hyde had been at one point nothing more that one of many unquestioning goons that she had held in short disregard. But she had heard that he was currently doing things for himself and that put him in a better favored position. Perhaps she would at some point speak with him a bit; it was Rose that she was more interested in. Conversations with her never lasted too long and remained pleasant. Pity that Rose couldn’t keep her little paws off Schuyler or they could have formed something nice.

“Do you see her loves?” chin lifting slightly as her attention was directed to the small pixie-like woman in the white gown, golden glittered paint covering over such a familiar face. “No matter what you have planned for this evening, she is not to be touched in a way that I would disapprove of.” Aubrey spoke softly, knowing that once was all it would take and they would know their stance on her. At one point, much like the boat that Shaden had been in, while she was torn between who she was becoming Ali had been someone that she would have considered a friend, and it hadn’t been too long ago that the small vampiress had come to her seeking advice and possible future aide. There had been nothing that Aubrey was willing to do for her in the end, but she would not allow her boys to bring shadows to her. No matter what her preference was.

“Now that we’re here…is there something that either of you would enjoy doing? Something that would not be frowned upon by our host, that is.” Aubrey knew better than to leave that small part out. Kane and Abel were devious little things and would snake through at any chance that she gave them.

[*Kane & Abel Westin]

That hum in her throat had always made them want to grin and lift cunning eyes in her direction. Almost as if she had somehow turned them on without trying to. “Admirer’s would be the wrong word my love.” Both eyes shifted at the same time to view them once more. Clever little things they were. Maybe they could be treats afterward. Thing one and thing two taking their victims and grabbing them up by their ears, leaping into the magical hat and taking them along for the ride. It wouldn't be Wonderland, oh no, no. There was no assistance in the matter, unless it had been marked as forbidden.

“I would like to be able to share what runs through your minds that keeps the two of you constantly smirking.” Their heads were far from turned moments ago, glances given toward her with split lips taking in cool slices of air. They were always doing it, even at a good distance they could see and hear what the other was thinking. Feel what the other felt, which was why stimulation toward one had urged on the other. Everything was shared, and if it hadn't then it was pity on them.

Kane

"A little bit of fun love."

Abel

"A redecoration of sort yeah?"

Kane nodded in his brothers direction and both sets of eyes looked toward her.

Kane

"I mean it's really...

Abel

Quite boring ya know?"

Kane & Abel

"Sods, all of em."

Two voices carried in her ear like a lovely song sung but a voice that had yet to exist. Aubrey had cautioned her eyes toward the bar, no doubt letting golden eyes shed over the one who looked the most out of place. He had been clean shaven now, but how about earlier? Had he not still wreaked of booze from across the room, he could have smelled a bit better than he had.

Then she had wandered about as the boys took a gander, viewing everyone else they had missed when six eyes had moved back over to the three chatting about. The ex lover with his side arm piece of candy and the vanilla pop talking to them. Now she was something to have a gander at. Not that she was extremely pretty or even beautiful, but she looked like she was putting on a show of a bad girl, when all that lay deep within had been nothing but warm delights.


“Do you see her loves?” How could they not? Both women there had stood out in those dresses. Twins hummed at the exact same time and let fingers roll over the skin of her soft and delicate hands ever so lightly. “No matter what you have planned for this evening, she is not to be touched in a way that I would disapprove of.” Now who had been reading minds? Two frowns matched over mouths, pouting and feeling as though they had seen a special toy and now they weren't allowed to play with it.

She would have made a nice bit of company in Kane's playroom. Wanting to purr up to Aubrey like soft baby kittens and feel as though somehow they had been bad and desired her permission even more now that they had been denied. Such a shame.

“Now that we’re here…is there something that either of you would enjoy doing? Something that would not be frowned upon by our host, that is.” At first their relief had been piqued, that is, until she drew in the last bit. Heads could have fallen in defeat with that last part. A constant wave of denial over and over again, but the boys had promised to be on their best behavior.

Mouths moved close to each ear, whispering throatily while breaths perched her lobes. "Play with us in the garden, dancing nude under the stars." Spoken as if they had tried to persuade her to do something naughty. Knowing full well she would not. Not there, not then. Maybe later. Oh that would make their night. The two of them were absolutely horrible when it came to their seductive ways, knowing it was hard to resist them, but when she had it had only riled them up more than they were.

They both chuckled, eyes flashing a calm gray with silver inlets. Blinking a couple of times after moving away from her. Feeling tired of all the drones therein. Layabouts. Cattle. Flies stuck to tack paper. Why she had agreed to show was beyond them, but they wouldn't allow her to go with anyone else. Even if she had full control over both brothers, they always kept an eye on her whether she liked it or not.

[Rose Decumbry]

The full mask could get tedious after awhile. No longer able to kiss the cheeks of many. But merely greet them with her eyes, the stunning feature they were. The two vampires closest to each other, seemed to be a couple. What a pretty one too. Her heart sank, at the disappoint of not seeing her love yet. Perhaps he wasn’t coming. The disappointment wasn’t seen in her eyes, or her body. Maybe they weren’t meant to be. These things only happened to her. No one else, only her. Everyone else could find a love, the love that made their heart thud. Even if it was a dead one, it beat. She couldn’t take it anymore. The relationship wasn’t going to work, that much was obvious. She’d right him a note as soon as the company didn’t need her. "Hello." His eyes met with Rose’s, and he didn’t seem much like he cared at the thickness in her eyes. Cold hatred. She paid no heed to it. Her eyes turned to the woman in beside her, stroking the man’s hand. A couple, obvious now. "How do you do." Rose tilted her head to the side, acknowledging the woman. She was beautiful with that red brown hair, and the dress complimenting her skin. Truly a good ‘pick’ for the male. “I’m doing fine this evening, yourself?” The question and answer was out of her lips before she thought. A soft, chiming bell escaped from deep in her throat. “Forgive, I was rude. I’m Rose.” Perhaps they wouldn’t recognize her, because of the full faced mask she wore. A relief in itself. “If you’ll excuse me, I have to do something...” That something was righting a wrong. Writing to Tyson why thing had to end. Why it couldn’t continue.

It’d surely leave her in a mess, just like Anthony’s death had. Mathieu’s disappearance had. Hyde being her sire had. She turned, with a slight nod of her head, and left. Her hands found a paper and pen, from behind a quiet bar, and she scribbled an apology, floated down, and asked to have it mailed to the given address. A shuddering breath was taken in, and her hands ran along the finery of the dress, hues closing. Why was this happening? But she wouldn’t lose her confident heir no that would be bad. As she was lifting her gown off the floor, she caught two, no three rememberable scents. Lucy, Anthony, and Aubrey. Two of them she hated with a dying passion. Lucy and Anthony. Aubrey she held nothing personal against, just the fact of Sevanni was what had done it. Now if she could just place the bodies with scents, she would make any unconditional mistakes. Easily she found Lucy, the blond hair, frame, and that hideously white and plain dress.

But where was Anthony. She was almost near the couple she had been mingling slightly with earlier and stopped. She stared at him, or more his back. Clenched teeth started to heart, skin prodding. “’Rule number one: When at a formal event, be as civilized and polite as possible.’” She quoted what one of her finishing school mistresses had said. A lesson about manners. And now of course, she’d have to abide by them. She would not dance with that man tonight. She would avoid it at all costs, no matter what. Darted eyes found Aubrey, with twins on each side of her. Interesting. Hands floated over her dress, fixing invisible wrinkles and such. Thoughts of Tyson floated in the back of her mind, what would the tabloids say now? Orbs flashed a paper on her doorstep, a headline reading in bold print ‘Rose dumps boy toy, want to find out why? Read here!’ Behind the mask, her upper lip curled. Calm Rose, calm. The wildflower scent, mixed with a more masculine filled her nose.

The happy couple themselves. Her head turned to find Ali, looking as beautiful, and glowing as radiantly as she had in forever. In a dress that shamed her own. Ali’s skin shown, against that color brisk white. Rose’s faded in. Was she loosing herself? No. Not now. Please not. She just needed some of that reserved strength of hers, to help her forget what was happening. More punishment? Her eyes lifted to the ceiling, blinking slowly. She couldn’t blame anyone but herself, could she? Pushing morbid thoughts out of her head, she watched Ali and Victor float onto the dance floor, envy coursing through her. Another morbid thought pushed away.

She needed to mingle, that much was obvious. Distract herself. Ali dancing, leaving the lovely couple on the other side along, not even questioning talking to Hyde or Lucy, or that vampire in the black dress, so she’d talk to Aubrey. If Aubrey would acknowledge her. Rose only had interest in Schuylar for one reason, she’d wanted to make a vampire. The boy was much too young looking for her taste, the look of a mere child. Not that she herself had much room to talk; she resembled the look just as well, if not perfect. Aubrey looked stunning in the gold dress, the brown bow, the overlapped skirt. Matched her mystifying eyes as well. Rose felt plain compared to her, and right now, she was feeling plain compared to everyone who was attending. Even the door hop. Her hands gathered small bits of the fabric in her hands, walking elegantly over to the trio. “Good evening Aubrey,” She smiled, and then realized it couldn’t be seen. Silly her. “You look breathtaking as always...” A trailed off statement, that was true.

There were certain people in the world. People who cared about how they looked, how they were presented, and the people who didn’t. Aubrey and Rose were one of the extremely careful people, making sure they looked their best, before they even thought of stepping out. And then people like her cousin, who just threw on whatever. Comfort, was it? Beauty was pain, and she’d been continuously trying to get Ali to see and experience that. But no luck yet. And she was sure never. “So how have you been?” She dared to strike a conversation, knowing that the ones with Aubrey hadn’t lasted forever. Or even past a few sentences.

[Ellie]

Lars puffed on his last cigarette as the city lights slowly spaced themselves out farther and farther apart. His mask lay on his lap while doing so, his face staring out the window for the moment a light smile on his face. He was more than pleased that the invitation brought them to New York. It was the best excuse to stay for longer than the night the ball was held. Check up on things he hadn't kept track with for two years.

It was only fair he have time with his city, he was totally willingly attending this ball. That was the deal. He have a good time with a smile on his face.. not protest to a suit or any other of the festivities. Totally do-able. After all this time with Giselle the task seemed menial compared to other things he'd been forced to endure. Maybe in time he'd actually learn to enjoy these, when he finally knew the vampires who actually attended. His young self was just being dipped and familiarized into the community itself.

A sigh escaped his lips as the driver of the large sized car announced they'd be arriving shortly. Lars stubbed out the nearly finished cigarette into the ashtray that rest inside a compartment on the car door, his weight shifting on the black leather, moving his perspective from the window and to his lover beside him.

The ride had been relatively quiet, the couple just making short talk on their expectations for the night, not to mention reminiscing about the last ball's incident. With any luck this would be more relaxed. With any luck no fucking idiot would bring a small human girl to a ball full of vampires. Talk about lack of parenting skills. Hopefully the poor girl had found herself a better home, surely.

Not that last ball wasn't frightfully entertaining. Giselle liked drama, that was a sure thing. Lars had always been taken up with the stuff, so he might as well slap his happy face on and learn to enjoy it too rather than keep trying to ignore or deny its existence. That may have been easy and ideal living in England with simple friends with simple tastes, but now it was a whole new ball game.

His attire matched in little ways to hers. The purple of her dress being the only real similarity, his tie and simple leather mask holding the hue. Her own mask was more extravagant, which was fine by him, not many purple masks were made for men's face shape or style so to speak. He had excitedly picked out a bat mask off the website in which Giselle first looked to order their masks from, seeing as a full showcase of masks was.. hard to come by... but Giselle promptly proceeded to laugh at him, claiming she wouldn't be seen with him if he actually did wear it. So with a small growl and grumble, showing his own distaste for her disapproval, he gave her the permission to just pick out the damned things herself. Needless to say, they were lucky to find the smooth tinted leather one that was being risen to his face by tattooed hands now. His fingers blindly tied the strap behind his head, knotting it fixed into his dark gelled hair. It wasn't slicked back, however, just loosely moused to fall where it naturally did, his bangs falling to the right side of his face, no where near long enough to ugliness block his eyes or vision, just pushed to the side and gelled to hold.

Once it was fully on he turned his head to her with a grin, "Got a mirror? I'd love to see how retarded I look right now."

[/color] Truly, he felt almost silly. To think that these creatures of the night, these murderous being dressed up in fucking masks and ballroom danced for fun really made his insides lighten up into laughter of their own. How bad ass was this? Really. But he had no objection to playing along with it. It wasn't hard to see how it would be appealing to a vampire. In some ways masks were very sensual.. like themselves, sensual in the fact that it created a little flutter of mystery and excitement towards the unknown. That was not anything surprising, but yet, still when you took yourself out of the masks and looked at it from the outside.. it was almost ridiculous.

The car finally came to a halt in front of a large stone building, mansionous, with many windows however. It didn't look very residential, more-so that it was made solely for events such as these.

The black car door opened swiftly by Lars's own means, not willing to wait on assistance form the driver. He launched himself out of the Air Conditioner and into the humidity of the New York summer air. A hand extended to the inside simply, figuring a formal event required formal manners. Although Lars would have liked to consider himself a 'romantic' he could certainty trust in Giselle to open doors for herself and such, requiring no assistance from the likes of him in such menial tasks, or large ones. He thought it absurd for her to be always expected to be aided by man, he had always thought that. A small salute that he believed in her, having no doubt of what she was capable of he supposed. Not to say he didn't treat her like a princes sin his own way on a regular basis, but there was no need to overdose on the chivalry.

But as aforementioned, there was a time and a place for everything. And so Lars extended his arms out for her to grasp, his broad shoulders upright, holding himself high as they made their way up the steps and into the open doors already moved by the reader doormen.

How nice. He could hardly be surprised, living where he did with Giselle now... and having already expected as much with events such as this. His nose immediately picked up the first scent, that of the fountains most likely, then the bar littered with the stinging smell of alcohol, and finally faint wisps of individuals he'd come into contact with in the past... very few, that was, unless they were at previous balls, and only his subconscious would remember the familiarity.

He looked once more towards Giselle, more or less expecting her to carry them where she desired, seeing as this whole formal ball thing was her cup of tea more than his own. "Where to?" he asked lightly, leaning into her as he spoke so his words came out clear against the hum of all other voices, orchestra above them, and other background din.


[/blockquote]

1106 words after and with a long listen to alkaline trio not to mention an outfit like this all I have to say is, finally! but jeez, so long !

[Giselle Audley]

Giselle smiled meekly and dug out her mirror. Holding it in front of Lars, she protested his latest statement, "Darling, you look absolutly ravishing." She took the mirror back and looked herself over for a last time. After smoothing a stray hair back into a bed of gentle red waves, she clasped the mirror shut and returned it to her bag. Sighing, she turned her face to the window. Wasn't long now until they arrived...

When the invitation for the ball came in the mail, Giselle couldn't help but show a little reluctance to forward their compliant RSVP. Lars, for some unusual reason, wanted to go. He voiced not a single complaint, which baffled her. If he didn't want to go, then she would've had no problem denying the invitation. But he did, so she wasn't going to gripe about it. She wordlessly nodded her head and well, off they went.

Giselle loved balls next to blood. Her current attitude was bizarre, to say the least. She hadn't talked about it with Lars, but her grouchiness might have clued him in that something was up. She had her suspicions that behind Lars's smile was a grimace. Or she could be completly wrong, and he was nothing but smiles for this affair. Maybe he was doing this for her, for lack of better judgment. Or he was sincerely becoming a changed man.

Either way, the whole thing seemed a little too husbandly for her. His consent for the ball wasn't the beginning of this. Her Lars wasn't the cheeky rebel she used to know. Now he had certain priorities before he could be that person again. He was so much more responsible. He might not realize he was becoming this sort of man, but Giselle knew exactly what this meant. They were full speed ahead to the height of their relationship. Once there, a proposal was the usual follow up. She was anxious, and especially moreso because she knew how he felt about marriage. Once they reached the peak, a crash landing was absolutly possible. Dependant on him, the one person she trusted the most in her life, she still felt a pull between dread, and excitement.

So now that she was headed to this sophisticated ball with her eager, not-uaually-so-sophisticated lover. She was internally freaking out. Husbandly rang in her ears defiantly. She was proud Lars was molded so well to somewhat enjoy her usual lifestyle. Nonetheless, he was frightening her. The same thing happened with Jack. He grew accustomed to her lifestyle, envied and adored it, but instead of marrying her to live a happy life, his only ambition was to secure her money, then destroy their relationship. Lars was... possibly headed to marriage, but this didn't guarantee he and Giselle would be happier. On the contrary, it could ruin everything.

The chauffeur announced their arrival suddenly. Giselle jumped in her seat, startled. Panic flitted in her stomach, and she began voicing second thoughts, "Lars, I..." but he was already scooting out of the car and leaping into the night. Giselle pursed her lips. Lars extended his hand. Giselle stared at it, contemplating what she should do about this. She'd much rather perform the simple task of stepping from the car herself. Lars wasn't making this easy for her. A lump formed in her throat. Through her mask she gave him an exasperated look, however doubtful he could see it. The simple chivalrous gesture was making her head spin. Husbandly continued to echo mercilessly.

Hesitantly, she accepted his hand. She allowed him to pull her up from the car, and then latched herself onto his extended arm. Long, plum purple nails adorning her fingers bit into his tux coat as she throttled his appendage. He moved up the stairs with an impressively straight back. His courtly posture irked her, so she presumed his usual slumped shoulders. Her deep purple taffeta gown rustled as she all but dragged herself to keep up with Lars's slow, deliberate pace. To her dismay, they finally made it to the actual party.

Giselle scrutinized the room crowd. Definitely her type of gathering. A few vampires smelled familiar. The four vampresses in foofy cream or white bridal gowns irritated her. Bride look-alikes were the last thing she wanted to see tonight. There was only one vampire in black showing some leg. Then a vampire wearing what resembled fish scales was the only one in gold. Being the only one in plum pleased her, she preferred to stick out.

Lars was giving her that look. Giselle fixed her scowl into a small smile after he spoke predictable words. He was letting her decide. It comforted her to know he was maybe feeling a little awkward in this scene. At least he was doing something she was more accustomed to -- allowing her to take the lead. She lowered wine colored lips to his ear, "It's a little crowded in here," an obvious lie, the party was by no means hopping. "What do you say we take ourselves a walking snack, which I'll let you pick," she nodded toward one of the many humans roaming about and offering their wrists to vampires, "and go in the gardens," the wide open doors leading to a cobblestone trail into the depths of the dimly lit gardens seemed welcoming enough. Fresh air sounded wonderful. All the undead in the room was suffocating. Besides, she didn't want to drink from a glass tonight, and preferred she didn't have onlookers while she fed the correct way.

the count was 916 and she's wearing this and [url=http://www.masksofvenice.co.uk/products/popup_image.php?pID=256

&osCsid=f8f9550c6ac6f16c2db33d9aef40dc9c]this

[/url] and also, someone should totally come talk to us =D.[/center][/blockquote][/blockquote]

[Ellie]

Lars glanced around, taking note that the room wasn't really... crowded. But the night was obviously still young, the festivities just taking beginning to take place. His face was still turned toward Giselle though, as his eyes glanced around once quickly.

The gardens seemed nice, from what he could see. He was sure the open space would soon be littered with people soon too as well as the ballroom itself. The fountains seemed inviting to him, but he knew Giselle wouldn't care for them. He was fine with that, he guessed, he wasn't the one wearing the makeup that may get ruined if their face was buried into someone's neck. Considering Lars was almost positive Giselle wouldn't settle for a little sip via a wrist. He'd remind her once they got out there that she couldn't drink the poor soul dry.

"Right,"

[/b] he said with a nod, his eyes looking at the individuals in black, waiter-like attire. Only they wore no white cuff-lings, for obvious reasons. Blood stained of course, so their whole ensemble was just blackened. The women though, wore simple black strapless dresses, nothing more, so every live commodity was easily picked out among the crowd.

It always puzzled him why any human would give themselves to be fed off of willingly. How much did they pay those mother-fuckers? Really. He supposed they, someday, wished to become one of the immortal. He couldn't say for sure. He could proudly announce he wouldn't do such a thing if he had the choice when he was human. Not that fucked up in the head, thank you very much.

But since they made themselves so available... and he really had fed during the night, his head was cocked lazily, his shoulders loosing their straightness as he tried to pick their prey. The whole proper charade, although he wanted to impress Giselle, was not something he did naturally. He had to be thinking about it at that moment to recognize he had to.. and at the moment.. well he wasn't. Giselle was still latched to his arm, however, and he came back to her after a few moments.

"That one,"[/b] he whispered finally, the arm that Giselle clung to pointing off in the near distance to a young man who appeared to be in his early twenties, dark haired, average build, but definitely taller than himself or Giselle. "I'll have to stand on my fucking toes but oh well!"[/b] he said quietly to her as he began walking towards the man. It obviously didn't take much to have him following them back through the doors to the garden, seeing as this was his job. Just a mere bit of eye contact and nod of head was all it took.

Lars lowered his arm once they got out there, he stopped himself in the middle of the stair leading down to the courtyard, the young human traveling the rest of the way and turning around, silently waiting. Lars shoved his hands into his pockets as he stepped back from Giselle, allowing her to have her taking first. His hazel eyes looked at her, seemingly inspectingly, the rimmed orbs the only thing truly visible on the top half of his face. With the look in the mirror minutes prior, he had decided he really didn't look half bad with half of his face covered, considering it made his eyes pop, or rather, the only things of interest, and he'd been told on more than one occasion they were one of his best features, so what the hell. Not to mention it made him look like a fucking super hero. He could deal with this.

But Giselle, she'd been acting off ever since he didn't protest going to this. Honestly, he just wanted to be back in New York. Being there just lightened his mood, to know he was back in the city he knew too well. To be home. He was looking forward much more to the days to come, when he could get back into New York's true colors, away from these formalities. He was just content to get this done and away with firstly, so that no haughty ball was looming in the future. Plus, he thought a good face about this was what Giselle wanted of him... but maybe it was too drastic a change for her to be comfortable with. The thought made him smile to himself.

He let her do what she would with the male, but spoke as she did, "You know I'm just cooperating with all this to make it fun for you,"[/b] he said, the little smile still on his uncovered lips, "And because it's good to be home,"[/b] a corner pulled up tighter then, his feet gliding down the last few steps closer to them, his eyes noticing a short haired female not far off occupying a fountain, adorned in a white dress that almost matched her platinum blondness.

He licked his lips, subconsciously his mouth watering with the expected drink. Turning his attention back to Giselle he spoke, "I just thought it'd be nice to act out of the ordinary, a masquerade especially. Just to fuck around with it for the fun."[/b]

[/blockquote]

900 words after and with a long listen to marilyn manson not to mention an outfit like this all I have to say is, I concurr!

[Giselle Audley]

Giselle arched a brow when Lars chose his desired human. The mortal was a skyscraper. Standing next to him, Giselle might reach just below his shoulder. "Uhm... okay then," she consented reluctantly. Getting the boy to follow them was disgustingly easy. She preferred her prey to be a challenging capture, but here wasn't the place for that. She didn't care for these humans who got paid for allowing vampires to drink their blood. Giselle found it both degrading to the vampire, and the mortal. It was a matter of pride, to hunt your own meal. That pride was something you didn't get when humans willingly handed themselves over on a silver platter. Humans needed to fear vampires. Vampires seriously weren't something to take so lightly. Giselle had her dignity about her. But this was better than the alternative: fountain blood. Yeah, they offered human, but it wasn't nearly as fresh, and Giselle preferred something she could sink her teeth into. Having fangs made it a nuisance to drink from a wine glass anyway.

Lars's first cuss of the night eased her discomfort. His impeccable behavior was alarming. She felt better knowing the brazen Lars was lurking around. Giselle loosened her vice like grip on his arm as they stopped on the stair landing. Giselle's drink went on ahead to wait for one of them. The vampires communicated silently through glances, Lars was letting her at the mortal first. How quaint of him. She nodded, gave him her purse to hold, and left to join her victim.

The mortals countenance was scarily blank while Giselle gave him the once over. She felt not a trace of fear from him, which irritated her to no end. Other than being much bigger than himself, he was a good, healthy looking pick. The mortal offered her his naked wrist. Giselle shook her head and pointed to his throat. The human lowered himself to his knees graciously. She rolled her eyes, this was just too easy. In an attempt to frighten him to some extent, Giselle grabbed a fistful of his hair and roughly jerked his head sideways. Holding his head away from her body, she leaned over, brandished pointed ivory incisors, and stabbed them into his throat. Giselle took three long droughts of blood, then pushed him away with careless ferocity as Lars approached.

She drank neatly, only the corners of her mouth were drizzling blood. The human was back on his feet woozily with an askance look on his face, much to Giselle's satisfaction, and offering her a napkin. She snatched it and cleaned her mouth as Lars started speaking. She gave him a slanted look while he explained himself. So she'd gotten herself all worked up for nothing -- but worked up nonetheless. Giselle closed the distance between them and wrapped her arms around him in a tight embrace. "Hon, if you wanted to go home, you just had to say the word. You're not my prisoner," Giselle locked lips and kissed him urgently.

Parting slightly enough to speak, she murmured, "If you didn't want to come here, I wouldn't have objected. You don't have to impress me and put on this nobleman façade. I love your obnoxious mouth too much," Giselle grinned, "and you were starting to scare me. Start acting like yourself now?" Giselle turned to view their human. She stared at the mortal sadistically. "I saved you some. Go ahead while I fix my make-up," Giselle took back her purse and went to work fixing her blood stained lips, leaving Lars to do whatever he pleased with their human.

the count was 586 and she's wearing this and [url=http://www.masksofvenice.co.uk/products/popup_image.php?pID=256

&osCsid=f8f9550c6ac6f16c2db33d9aef40dc9c]this

[/url] and also, I edited some stuff. If you've already read my post from before, re-read! *sigh* and I still think someone should come chat with us!.[/center][/blockquote][/blockquote]

[*Phoenix McKenzie]

Statement
Dress

Oh yes, the vampires were going to absolutely love this. She had went to Sevanni and told him that she wanted to go, so he and Darien decided to come along as well. She wasn't coming to this ball because she was glad to be a vampire, she wasn't. She hated what Sevanni had turned her into. She just wanted to get the hell out. And who knew? Maybe she would see Ali or Rose here. Though, unless she could scent them, she wouldn't know they were around until after midnight when the masks come off.

She had used Sevanni's card that he had given her to buy her outfit last night, because she had been planning on going with or without Sevanni. She had also been planning on a normal mask... But when she found the mask that she was currently wearing, she couldn't resist. The wolf mask was perfect, too bad it wasn't white though, to match the color that her fur had at one point been. She could only imagine that she would have a few vampires staring her down for this, but she didn't care. She had been a lycan up until very recently, and she had never been ashamed of that fact. And now that she had been forcibly turned into a vampire against her will did not mean that she would start to be embarrassed by it now. She was proud of having been a lycan, and if the vampires didn't like that fact, then they could all bend down and kiss her pretty white ass.

She didn't know what Sevanni thought of her choice in a mask, and she really didn't give a rat's ass what he thought. She was extremely pissed at him, and had been ever since she woke up. Though she didn't come right out and say it, he knew it. The only time she had actually said anything out of the way to him was that first night. She had pretty much avoided him after that, trying to at least accept what she was now. She couldn't just walk out into the sun, her self preservation instincts were too high for that.

The vehicle pulled up and Phoenix stepped out, getting out last. She really hoped that she seen at least one of her friends here... But she was also worried about just that same thing. None of them knew what had happened. This was really her first time out where she would have even the slightest chance of running into them since Sevanni had forcefully taken the wolf out of her and turned her into a vampire. She would have to explain things to them... And she wasn't sure that she could stomach having to explain out loud, but she would try. First, she had to leave her new born baby girl in Paris with her best friend Katra Maguire, and then almost immediately after, her wolf was taken away from her and she became something that at one point in time she had completely despised. She had grown up, learned to see that not all vampires were evil... But that in no way meant she wanted to BE one.

She shot Sevanni a hateful glare while his back was turned to her as she walked into the ballroom, looking around at the beautiful decorations. She looked at everyone in the room, taking in the scents. It would take her a few minutes to distinguish scents and try to find one that fit her memory. Though it would be difficult. Yes, she could remember what her vampire friend's scents were, but things had been so... dull compared to how they were now. She wasn't entirely sure of her capabilities to recognize the scents that were now so much stronger than they had ever been before, even when she was in her wolf form.

She began walking around the edge of the room, looking for anyone who smelled even remotely familiar, leaving Sevanni and Darien back at the doors. She had no problems with Darien, not really, she just didn't really know the guy. Never really took the initiative to learn anything about him or really even to speak to him. She might have to change that, since they were living under the same roof and all... She was just glad Emiste hadn't come along.

[HIDDEN EVIL]

Attire
Mask


Oliver had been unheard of for months, and in the short amount of time it would take to muster up a mask, well....that was the worst of it. A suit would be easy, he had one sent over as Nixie changed. Coming in the way she had and wanting to go to the ball that he swore he was not going to.....well, that in it's self was a bothersome feat.

He had opted to have Darien accompany him simply because he thought Darien should be around his own form of people. Vampires. Nixie of course, he was sure that she wanted to show her vampire friends her new sense of self. Changing from mutt to mortal then forced to be vampire all in a spance of one night was a bit much to take, but she had proven to be most up and up about herself. Not that she dismissed her feelings for him of course, what he had done to her was a horrible thing that he really didn't want to do, but there was no other way. He had to have her as a vampire or let her go.

Darien had changed in his room whilst Sevanni changed in his, the late car pulling to the front to bring them all to this sordid affair. A horrible thing really, being around those he knew so well, some whom had a mutual like and dislike. Other leaders and dictators, members of the board, coven leaders. He'd spend all night out int he garden if it meant keeping away from them all.

Sevanni had met them out in the hall, apparently it had been such a time managed activity that met at the exact time out in the open, eyes folding over the two as a lurking smile approached. She was defiant the whole way there. Not speaking. Throwing shifty looks.

"You're to both be on your best behavior tonight....no exceptions." The same thing he had told PsiChi who had been given permission to attend, should he so managed to actually get there. He had the option of taking the car, but it was little too late for the first car came and went.

When the car pulled up the door was opened for them, all piling out like clowns in just a larger sized car. Sickening. Steps were taken toward the entrance, and as soon as the view was made and music and people chatting about were heard, Nixie had gone about her own way. She was lucky she wasn't marked as a slave, or she'd find herself in a very compromising position later on.

"She ought to be grateful for the body I've given her." He said rather aggravated toward Darien. Then Sevanni had let him have free reign. No collar wrapped around his neck, it had been taken off moments before he went to his room to change, humility wasn't a good feature on him, so Sevanni had opted to be nice for the night. not that he wasn't already, he was enjoying his alone time with Darien very much, and since his wounds were fully healed, there was no reason other then some hatred towards a few of the people in attendance.

[Victor Ambrose]

"Of course. When have I ever turned dancing down?"[/i]

The answer was never, but he just had to ask. After all, they were in a ballroom, and it was only etiquette to ask.

He held out a hand, and Ali rested her hand on his. The touch of her skin was just… electrifying.

He walked her to the dance floor, hand on hand still. When they found a spot, Victor turned to face her, holding her hand and kissing it as he did a small bow, and then got into position for what seemed to be the waltz. Arm wrapped around her, hand resting on the lower of her back, extending his other arm that had her hand on his. Slowly he counted the beat.

’One and… Two and… Three and… twirl… One and… Two and… Three and… twirl…’

It was a slow beat, but it was the perfect tempo.

He smiled as he locked his eyes with her eyes. It was a shame he really couldn’t see much color… He would have loved to see her in all her splendor… But just looking at her was perfect…
He took a step to the right with his right foot, and then met the left with the right, but took it with a small angle so the next step they took would make it seem like they were turning.

’One and… Two and… Three and…’ Every step he took, she matched it fluidly… as if they were meant to dance together…
’Twirl…’ He removed his hand from her back and placed it to keep him slightly balanced as he twirled her and took a small angled step. The dressed lifted off the floor a little as she twirled, a chuckle barely audible escaped her lips, and that just made his day.

’One and… His hand returned to the back of her spine, continuing the steps that were set in the dance steps.
’Two and… As they danced, Victor continued to think about all that has happened..
’Three and… All that had taken place in the short time in his life recently…
’Twirl…’ And all the events that lead up to that moment…

The song ended quicker than Victor anticipated, but as the final notes played out, Victor took a step back, and bowed down once again.

[Ali Ambrose]

Everything was perfect. The lights, the dance floor and being here with her husband. Sure she still had to correct people and tell them it was Ambrose now instead of Shadings. But she loved her life and how it was turning out. Everything seemed to be falling into perfect place. When she tried to recall a time she had ever been this happy she could only find fleeting moments. Little snips of things. Such as the moment she had met Rose at the bar and then back at the coven house. The time she met Nix. She had been set as her bodyguard and that hadnt worked out well. Both of them had far to much spirit to actually watch over the other.

No Nix and her had been more like sisters once they finally got to know each other and Nix had gotten over the whole vampire thing. Was her only happy moments the ones where she met her friends? No...she also had a happy moment when she was six and with her family. She could remember those days back in Paris. Their large home and the warmth and comfort there. But now that she was older, she was truly happy here in Vics arms. Forever with him. And now that he was like her, forever was a very large possibility.

Twirling out on the floor she felt like a princess in a story. Where her prince was there and dancing with her until the night was gone. Or maybe she was Cinderella and she only had till the clock striked twelve. In a way, she realized it was true. At twelve all the masks would come off. There were some people here that she couldnt identify because she had probably never met them before, but the others she could pick up easily. Ali was amazing at remembering scents and faces that went with them. She had been an informant for Tarus's coven. She had to be good at that. And she was also very good at listening.

But for now, she had no concerns and no cares. All she wanted was to have fun. Have her troubles float away for one night. And with each twirl and spin Vic did she felt like she was more carefree. She chuckled each time she spun, not really able to help herself. She was a bit of a childish girl. But you couldnt blame her. Having been turned at fifteen. She had that innocent mind frame. As the dance came to a close she smiled as he bowed at her and she curtsied back to him, her smile radiant and large. And then suddenly, a scent hit her.

She pulled back up from her curtsy and her eyes scanned the room. No it couldnt be. There was no possible way. Not unless she was here to crash the party. But she doubted anyone would let her in. And there was something...different about the scent. Almost like Vics had changed slightly. That cold burn smell, the death smell. But there was still a bit of life clinging to that smell as well. But there was tha vanilla scent. The one scent she knew belonged to her friend. Could it be?

And then she spotted her. It was her all right. She knew it from the way she held herself. Always prideful to the end. And of course, her blonde hair that shone under the lights of the ball. And those eyes. If anything else, she would have known her by those eyes. A beautiful moss green. This was Nixie. It was her. But what was wrong about her. Her skin looked pale and her scent was different. And she had a bit more..grace to her. Nix wasnt known for her graceful tactics. She was one to just go.

Finally, it all sunk in. Pale, different scent, grace, and actually here. Oh god. No it couldnt be. She had to be mistaken. She was seeing things. She had been thinking about it before, and now her mind was making an illusion of her. But no, this was no illusion. Who else would wear a wolf mask to a vampire ball. None other then Phoenix Mckenzie. Her jaw dropped and her eyes widened in shock and she didnt know what to do. But then she lifted her skirts up from the ground, and raced over to Nix. "Nixie!!" She wanted to be wrong. Oh she wanted to be wrong, but deep down she knew she wasnt. Vic was probably staring at her in confusion. But he would follow her gaze and make the connections himself. He was a smart boy.

When she got close to the girl she almost tackled her, but instead threw her arms around Nix's middle, clinging to her for dear life. And now Nix could take the strength of a vampires hug. "Oh god! Nixie!" She said and looked up at the taller girl. She could smell Sevanni in the area. He was the one who had done this to her. She should have known.

[*Phoenix McKenzie]

She ought to be grateful for the body I've given her. She heard Sevanni's comment to Darien and she simply ignored it, her moss green eyes scanning the room as she walked further away from the both of them. She wasn't going to argue with him tonight, she wasn't in the mood. For the first time in a long time... She was actually in a somewhat good mood... Which was odd, considering the circumstances. Maybe it was just where she was actually out of that damned house, and the thought of possibly seeing one of her friend's here. She hadn't spoken to Rose or Ali in such a long time... She wondered how they would react when they see her. She was actually graceful now! Before, she had been one hell of a klutz, but now she didn't have to pay attention to where she walked... She had even put on a pair of heels. Something she had never dared to do before now.

She glanced over towards the dance floor just as a floral scent reached her nose, stopping her dead in her tracks. She looked at the couple dancing together, and she knew the woman immediately. Small, petite, almost child like. And she knew that scent, so much more enhanced than it had ever been before. It was Ali. But who was the guy she was dancing with? Had Ali found herself a new guy? If so, he had better hope he passed her inspection, because if Nix didn't like him, she would make that very clear. She was very protective over her petite best friend.

When the song ended, Ali glanced over towards her, and Nix knew immediately that Ali had managed to recognize her. Nixie!! Ali yelled, lifting the skirts to her beautiful dress and running over to her, wrapping her arms around Nixie's waist and clinging to her tightly. In the same instant that Ali began to cling to her, Nix wrapped her arms around Ali's shoulders and hugged her just as tightly.

Oh god! Nixie! Ali looked up at her and Nix did her best to give her friend a reassuring smile. "I was hoping I would get to see you here. I've missed you so much! And... As you can tell... A lot's happened since me and you last saw each other..." She said, loosening her grip on Ali to motion to her body, now much paler than it had been before, and also bringing attention to her un-beating heart. "Sevanni." She said in explanation, her eyes flashing with simmering anger before that emotion disappeared, buried once again.

She finally looked up at the man who Ali had been dancing with, he had quickly followed after her when Ali came running to Nix. At first, Nixie had been planning on giving him a hard time, just to see if he could be able to handle having Nix as Ali's best friend... And then she looked at his face, seeing his eyes behind the mask... She knew those eyes... One green one blue... She had seen those eyes nearly every day of her childhood. She had been the one to turn him into a werewolf, for crying out loud... And now... The differences in him were the same as hers... And she understood... "Vicy..." Her moss green eyes darted back and forth from Victor to Ali, finally noticing the wedding band on both of their left hands... She grabbed Ali's hand and Victor's as well, pulling them back away from everyone into a small corner where she could talk to them privately. People could still see them, but they weren't so much out in the open.

"You... You... You two got married?!" She asked in a quiet whisper for only the two of them to hear. Her eyes studied Victor, taking in his new vampire form. "Was it your choice?" She asked him, knowing that he would know what she was talking about. Sevanni taking the lycan blood away from him and turning him into a vampire. If it was his choice, she would be happy for him... If not... Oh boy. She would be one pissed off newborn.

[Victor Ambrose]

It all happened so fast, and so unexpectedly… A new scent came into the room, and the scent was very familiar… and it triggered a small memory he was hoping he didn’t have to remember…

---

There he was, lying in the hospital bed just coming to. The doctor looked at him and was surprised, as if he saw a ghost…
”How are you feeling?”
Victor was a little confused as to what was going on, but answered the doctor with a nod.
”You’re a lucky person Mr. Ambrose. If that wound was any deeper, you could have been paralyzed… I’m not going to bore you with the specifics, but my name is Doctor Jared Bruen. I’ll be coming in from time to time to check up on you. But for now, you have a guest… And with that, I shall take my leave.”
The doctor walked out of the room and told his guest that I should be okay for having them… but he didn’t feel like it…
And that’s when the scent kicked in… That vanilla… and it was Nixie…
They had a talk and somehow she just left… Victor as stubborn as he was, got out of the bed, pulling out the IV and the EKG pads, chasing after her… But the hospital staff held him back… And by the time he was out… He couldn’t find her… All he had left to remember her by was that guitar… that guitar that she gave him as she disappeared from his life that one day… And it happened to him again…

---

His thoughts were cut short at Ali’s yell…
”Nixie!!! Oh my god, Nixie![/i]
"I was hoping I would get to see you here. I've missed you so much! And... As you can tell... A lot's happened since me and you last saw each other..."

He followed Ali every step of the way… Surly enough it was her… He could tell you it was Nixie from a mile away… And the wolf mask was a dead giveaway… Only Phoenix McKenzie would be brave enough to do that…
But what surprised him even more was the scent that came along with the Vanilla… and it’s a scent he knew all too well… Sevanni Black…

”Sevanni.”
Ali apparently was thinking the same thing…

After Nixie and Ali had their moment, she looked up at him. It took her a while to figure out who he was.
”Vicy…”
“How are you Pup? It’s been a while…”
He saw something in her eyes. It looked like confusion. He then realized what it was that triggered the confusion. Last they saw each other, he was a werewolf. He shouldn’t be here unless he was a Vampire. That was the first thing. The second would be the fact that she didn’t know Ali and Victor knew each other. And it didn’t help the confusion when she saw the wedding rings on their fingers.

She pulled them to a small corner of the ballroom, and asked a question that made him smile.
"You... You... You two got married?!"
He smiled and wrapped an arm around Ali. “Yes Nixie… We are…”
And then she asked a question that brought a hint of sadness to him…
"Was it your choice?"
“Yes… It was…”