Prelude: Life Begins at Night

Eve waits quietly as the two fae talk, feeling that it is most prudent not to interrupt them. When the Queen disappears, she lets out a sigh of relief. "What an ending indeed. I was having a great time until then, for what it's worth. And thank you for dinner." She smiles at Liam, then turns to his friend. "Mehdi, right? I don't believe we've been introduced. I'm Eve, from Keble. And don't worry, you will not get in trouble on my account. A lift would be much appreciated, thank you. Rae?" As they turn to leave, Eve remembers Akil. "Akil, I believe I owe you an education. Have you been to Balliol College yet?"

As the individual departs, Rae puts her hands on her hips and lets out a huff of relief as well. "Yes, not the turn I was expecting this evening. And a ride sounds lovely, thank you." Giving Eve's shoulder a gentle squeeze, she walks over to Liam and Mehdi "Good evening, I don't believe we've met, though Eve has mentioned you, I'm Rae. You are incredibly talented, thank you for providing our dinner."

Liam gives a curious smile. "No problem, though my own escaped when the autumnal wrench crashed the gig."   His tone is bitter but he gives a smile. "Eve, you chose well in your child. An impressive yet courteous specimen. Well done. Now if we may?" He gestures towards the door. 

Impressed by the ghoul's manners, Silas reaches into his inner jacket pocket and pulls out his invitation. He passes the letter to the ghoul waiting to be accepted in. The ghoul lets him in a direct him to where the gathering will be and Silas makes his way. As he enters the gathering he searches for fellow Ordo Dracul members, as to sit near familiar faces as he observes his first kindred gathering at Oxford.

Looks like these groups are not as interconnected as I thought.   As Eve turns towards Akil, he shakes his head, "I can't say that I have, I'll follow your lead but I should take some precautions first.  It will take just a moment, I'll be right back."   He walks swiftly away from the group and into an unoccupied restroom.  First wiping his face with some water to clear his head he then stares into the mirror and towards the figure looking back.  This is all happening far too fast.  I don't even know where I'm going or what I'm doing.  I just can't be rash, gotta be safe.   He first begins by taking off his jacket and hanging by the doorknob, taking his gloves out from the pockets, and putting them on.  Bumping his fists together he begins to speak in High Speech, a garbled tongue to any but the truly awakened.  He speaks of remaking, rebuilding, and renewal as a dull ache among his form grows sharper before it vanishes all-together.  This was the farthest he has pushed himself, but it was necessary.  Next he recalled the supernatural speed Eve had approached him with at one point, a minor replication of that was in order.  Pushing himself slightly in his attempt to recreate such a powerful effect, he cracked one of his knuckles the release of the gases a trigger to initiate his first rote.    In a trance he now focuses on flexing a muscle just enough to begin to cramp.  The instant a muscle begins to involuntarily contract and spasm is when the next application of his will is placed upon himself.  With the success of this rote he now takes a more direct control of his form, and the cramp begins to quickly subside.  Transitioning into his final enhancement he focuses on beyond his own capabilities: taking an arm, stretching it behind his back, and pushing it up in a simulated omoplata.  Just as the pain begins to take hold, he focuses on the application of his rote and feels his .  With his preparations complete he takes off his gloves, dons his jacket, and returns to the group.  Nodding towards the rest of the individuals and looking towards Eve, "I'm ready, and in the future I would prefer if you refer to me as Khalid."

As Mehdi walks with Liam to the door of the flat, he gives a 'Who's that?' gesture to the odd mortal, apparently named Khalid. Assuming whoever is riding will follow, he walks outside and once again climbs atop Jetty. "I'm guessing you folks have never ridden a hedgebeast before. Just hold on tight and try not to think too hard about it."

"I have no idea. Seems to be some acquaintance of Eve's. Not a vampire though, maybe her dinner?" Liam shrugs,holding the door so Mehdi can shuffle out with the amp and bass. " I try not to ask too many questions. I just want to get this night over with do I can get back to playing in nightclubs and meeting clueless freshers. You know?"  S at by the car, Liam takes the bass back from Mehdi. Removing the case he shakes his head again in irritation.  " I can't believe she did this. That was a new string." He releases the machine head, and takes a nail to loosen the screw at the other end. Pulling out the string he stuffs it into the bag. Cradling the bass lovingly, he reaches into another pocket in the bag, pulling out a new A string. He attaches the bottom end first, holding the top in his mouth as he passes it through the hole in the back, with the screw tight he takes the string, threading it carefully up through the clip, and into the machine head. He gently tightens it back up, listening carefully as he plucks the string with each twist. His fine tuned senses picking up the vibrations perfectly, he fiddles for a few seconds until it is exactly right. He tests the other strings to be sure, and satisfied, he packs the bass back away, handing the case to Mehdi to store in the saddlebag. 

"Thank you sir," the porter replies as he checks Silas's invitation. "Please make your way through to the garden quad." He gestures across the front quad towards a passage in the back left corner. In the gardens beyond, several tents have been erected on the lawns between the trees. Classical music can be heard playing in the distance and all across the grounds well dressed, beautiful people mingle and talk. It's the largest gathering of vampires that Silas has ever seen in one place. There's even a tent serving what appear to be wine glasses filled with warm blood. Back at the New College halls, Liam notices the girl who sang with him amongst the remaining students. She looks lost and confused.

A smile passes Liam's lips as he silently approaches alongside her with a natural grace. "Hey there, you were excellent on the stage. I didn't get a chance to tell you. Are you ok?" He looks at her with concern.

"Uh, yeah...," the girl replies, clearly a little disoriented. Then the compliment reaches her and she perks up immediately, blushing and fawning for Liam like he's a rock star. "Oh, thanks! Did you really like it? I'm just a bit confused... where did everybody go?" 

"Some old hag came and complained about the party, we all got kicked out. Real shame. But yeah, it was awesome, I had so much fun. We should definitely do it again sometime. You have a number I could call? What's your name?" Liam gives her a smile, all the confidence restored to him after the irritating experience. Perhaps this night can be salvaged after all.

"...Poppy..." the girl replies shyly, before giving Liam her number. "Where are you going?" She asks, her voice tinged with hope.

As Khalid walks away, Rae walks back over to Eve  "Such drama, and the night has barely begun."  she says with a smile.  "Who was that? Is he a fresher?" Once they join Mehdi and Liam outside, Rae furrows her brow at the mention of riding a hedgebeast, when all she can see is a red Camry. Focusing on the vehicle, she pierces it with preternatural perception, and the image of the car shimmers and fades away. In its place sits the gigantic purple and crimson frog, riding harness attached to its back. She squeals and laughs in excitement, running up and observing its eyes, its large horns, and the swirls of color on its back. "Just beautiful ! Do they have a name?"

Liam smiles. "This boring work thing, I have to go but it won't be fun. That's why I stopped off here, get a bit of a laugh before the drudgery of the boring stiffs. Thanks." He holds the number up and makes to walk away. "Have a nice evening, I'll call you tomorrow." He turns back. "Actually, do you need a walk home? You've had a tough night, and maybe a little too much to drink. Where do you live?"

"Why would I call you by a different name?" Eve lifts her eyebrows in question. On the way to the car, she quickly fills Rae in on what happened at the clapping hill. "So he's a mage, or, well, going to be one." She watches Liam talk to the girl, then overhears him ask if he can walk her home when they reach the car. Smiling knowingly, she says nothing. Slightly buzzed from feeding on the party goes, Eve notices nothing unusual about the car at first. "Hedgebeast? You must excuse my ignorance, I'm not very familiar with the language of the fair folk."

Mehdi laughs both at Rae's excitement and Eve's confusion. "Her name is Jetty, she's a terror toad. They're the favorite mounts of goblin queens in the Hedge." Seeing the aspirant mage standing by and looking as well, he adds "Everything from the faerie realm has a mask when here in the mundane world. Myself included."

Akil looks towards Eve after staring at the strange car for a moment, "Are you familiar with a Shadow Name?  When dealing with the supernatural I must be thought of as Khalid, lest my visions of the supernal world flow into the mundane.  At least that's what the instructors told me."   Akil's gaze returns to the car, "I thought I saw something strange about it."  Looking towards Mehdi he squints further and recognizes an aura similar to that on fairy hill and extends his hand in greeting, "I'm sorry, I don't think I caught your name?"

"Well she's incredible." Stepping around to face the terror toad, she curtsies to her "Wonderful to meet you, Jetty." Listening to Khalid as well, she takes mental note of Shadow Names and their significance. 

Jetty doesn't seem to acknowledge Rae at first, but she responds to the curtsy with a resonant croak. Meanwhie Mehdi reaches down and shakes the mortal's hand. "It's Mehdi. Welcome to Oxford." He turns around to Liam, courting the girl on the sidewalk. "Professor Liam, are we waiting here for you or should we go ahead and meet you there." he asks with a hint of impatience. "Remember what Autumn said."

"Oh! You're a professor..." Poppy remarks with surprise, clearly not entirely comfortable with that. "I'm at Merton, but that's right out of your way. I can find my way back there myself."

Silas impressed with the formality and decor of these impressive structures, unable to spot a familiar face, makes his way to the bar. He asks the bartender for a fresh drink and tells the bartender that he is new to this circle and if they could tell him about the locals at the venue.

"A... toad? a terror toad? It doesn't bite, does it?" Suddenly, Eve looks much less excited about the ride. She looks at the car again, but then answers Akil. "Yes, I have heard of Shadow Names, of course. As you will see, we tend to keep away from mages, so it doesn't come naturally. Perhaps don't bring this up at the event, your reception will be warmer as a mortal, I would think. And I'll be responsible for you, since I'm escorting you onto the grounds." It doesn't seem like she is too worried about this. She laughs at 'Professor Liam' getting interrupted by his own disciple and decides to follow Rae's example and get into the strange car.

Liam scowls at Mehdi, his back to Poppy so she doesn't catch the venom in his glare. "Thank you Mehdi, you go ahead. You can pick up a copy of Metro on your way, you might find the job pages interesting." He turns back to Poppy, a lighthearted smile on his face. "Do I look like a professor? He just finds it funny to say so. Right now I'm trying to make a go of a music career, playing late night gigs for tips, the occasional paying performance. It's tough though so I have to work alongside at the uni, just pastoral work. Honestly its no trouble. I'd be worried sick about you walking back alone."

Khalid raises an eyebrow towards Eve at her claim of mag knowledge but nods in agreement with her following statement, "I was wondering how the event would work."   Looking back towards Liam he scowls debating an attempt to save the sleeper, but thinks better of it remembering who else is in his presence.  Biding his time until the terror toad sets off he debates asking Mehdi of his mortal origins, but then quickly remembers his words about masks and remains silent.

"This your first nought week?"  The ghoul barman asks Silas with a chuckle. "By blues week you'll feel right at home. The big cliques are the old clans. Univ for Ventrue - they're over there on the lawn by the MCR. Balliol for Daeva, the hosts this year, as you know. You'll find them everywhere. Mostly on the dance floor. Hertford for Gangrel - they seem to have gathered over there by the JCR. Queen's for Nosferatu - I hear there's a bunch of them sitting downstairs at the Balliol bar. And All Soul's for Mekhet - that's them over by the stairs to the hall. The covenants tend to mingle, especially since everyone has their own clan allegiance too. So, what'll it be? I've got A, B, even some lycan blood if you're feeling adventurous!" Poppy nods and smiles, seemingly reassured by Liam's disarming manner. She lets him take her by the arm and soaks in all the things he has to tell her as they wander off towards Merton.

Mehdi replies with a mischievous grin before turning back to the others once again. “Hop on Khalid. You’re about to make the grandest entrance any mortal could wish for.” He waits for the mage to get settled in Jetty’s rigging before snapping the reigns. Jetty lurches forward and the group is off. The night breeze rushes across them... for about two minutes before the terror toad pulls up in front of Baliol. “Here we are. You guys go ahead, I’ll park Jetty and then wait for Liam.” He waits for his passengers to disembark before find a place nearby to “park” his giant mount. While he waits for Liam to arrive, he gently pets the toad and feeds her a bit more glamour.

Liam makes small talk with Poppy as he walks her home, mostly talking about music and local clubs. He keeps the pace high and she gets a little out of breath by the time he reaches the entrance to the halls.  "So, this is where we say goodnight. It was really nice getting to know you Poppy."  He leans in for a goodnight kiss, but at the last moment he pulls her in tight, kissing her passionately. He holds her there for a moment before working down her neck. He sinks his teeth in and she let's out a moan of pleasure as he draws just a small amount of blood. He pulls away and she swoons.  "Goodnight Poppy. I'll call you." 

Dismounting, Rae watches as the awe-inspiring terror toad hops off into the distance. She then turns and begins walking with the others into the college, locking arms with Eve along the way. "So Khalid, I don't believe I ever formally introduced myself. I'm Rae. Can you tell me a bit about what you do as a mage?"

"I thought I recognized you from the party,"  Khalid, while initially distracted, now turns his focus to Rae.  "Nice to meet you Rae.  To be honest I'm very much new to all of this, everything I have at the moment is what was taught to me briefly by my order, The Adamantine Arrow.  My tendencies lie towards that of the physical world mostly in respect to manipulation of life and natural forces.  I also have some minor talent in understanding and molding magical essence itself, but I personally take more to the previous two."   After his spiel he seems almost surprised how reluctantly he was willing to give this information, but then refocuses to the conversation, "Why does my world peak your curiosity?"

"Fascinating. I've just had little experience with magic, and I was curious of your specialization. It also interests me because it is part of the 'World Behind the World', as I'm very fond of calling it, and I wish to understand as much of it as I can." 

Khalid smiles,  "I'm glad to see we share the same interests.  I think there is much we can learn from each other, but it probably is best that we talk after this."  Khalid gestures to the college around them, "Speaking of.  What is the purpose of this?  It looks like a gathering, but appearances can be deceiving."

"Hello Ben"  Eve leans onto the porter's ledge and smiles cordially at him. "That's me and Rae, as usual, and her date for tonight, Khalid. How are things? The freshers not giving you too much trouble so far?" After a brief chat with the porter, Eve, Rae and Akil move through the archway and into the front quad.

It's barely a 10 minute walk to Balliol from Merton, and Liam knows it well. He left Poppy in the ecstasy of the embrace, eyes pleading with him to come inside. He reflected on how glad he was to have taken her number and not giving her his. He catches sight of Mehdi and the Camri outside the gates and, hands in his pockets gives a quick hop step over the join him. "I'm glad you've had your fun for the evening. Remember, this isn't like our usual gigs. These people are important, and even when it feels relaxed, we are in constant danger. One wrong word to the wrong person and we could be torn apart. Be gracious, agreeable and submissive. Most importantly, follow my lead, and don't try to show me up even if it seems safe and funny ok?" He doesn't wait for an answer, but leads the way through the gate. "Good evening Ben. Me and my guest Mehdi tonight."  He gives a nod to the familiar porter and leads the way in, leaving Mehdi to struggle to keep up under the weight of the guitar and amplifier.  His eyes scan the tents and paths, looking for the familiar faces. He was pushing being late and didn't want to risk disappointment, or a new bassist may be recruited in his place come sunrise. He spots Scotty, Fiona and Young Fred locked in discussion over a piece of paper behind one of the tents, he gives a sigh of relief that is more a relaxing of muscles than an exhalation of breath. Scotty, 'the talent', was the lead singer and rhythm guitarist of the band. He and Fiona, the guitarist and back-up vocalist, were both Brujah, and Knights of Somer. Much higher ranking than him, but trouble makers, they enjoyed making fun and disrupting proceedings, they wanted to climb higher in the ranks, were competitive and loved getting into fights. They had recruited him about 7 years ago, their old bassist had disappeared following an argument after a gig in Somerville college bar. Four chains and a pile of ash had been found in the quad the following night though. The drummer had become very nervous, but they had seen Liam playing and asked him to join the band. The drummer had run away not long after and Liam had actually recommended young Fred as his replacement. Despite her name, Young Fred was actually a girl. She looked far too young to be a student, having been turned at the tender age of 15, but actually she was much older than any of them. She perpetually posed as a student, and must have more degrees by now than anyone else in the world. She had been studying Liam's course at Balliol when he had been turned and they had played in bands together when he was still mortal, and since. He got on with her best, though she was actually the most dangerous, another Daeva, between them they could command a room, something Scotty and Fiona had loved. The fifth, and transient member of the band was a Gangrel named Felix, he was young as a vampire, though he appeared in his late 30s, he played keyboard and operated the mix desk when they needed it. Liam couldn't see him tonight though, Scotty may have decided he wanted a simple four piece set for a crash performance, he wouldn't have bothered to let Liam know. Playing with them was a fine line, everyone was more senior than him in the college, so he didn't dare defy their orders, but they also put him under so much risk with their actions he really just preferred to play in his other band, with the poor unsuspecting mortals. Mehdi in tow, he makes a beeline for them to let them know he has turned up, giving a quick glance around to see if his mistress is around. The last thing he wanted was to risk offending her  by not seeking her out first if she was in sight.

Sauntering across the courtyard, Rae speaks while casually surveying the area,  "This gathering is a rare occasion of something being much of what it appears. These events take place at the beginning and end of every trimester, and are hosted by a different college each time. We chat with one another, make the occasional threat, strike bargains, spot new faces, and generally intermingle amongst our various clans. That's what I know it to be, but I'm sure that Eve could tell you more than me."

Halfway to the band, Liam sees his sire from the corner of his eye. Mentally torn for less than a second he knows he can't please everyone. He changes course and stands a few feet from his Sire, waiting patiently. 

"Come on, you know I wouldn't give you shit around these types." Mehdi replies to Liam's back as they enter Balliol. He takes in the scene and he's brought back to the elite gallery openings he attended while studying in New York. The after-parties are always more fun, and he wonders if there'll be any such revelry tonight. He sticks to his boss until Liam approaches his sire, at which point Mehdi continues on to the rest of the band. "Hello hello, good to see you guys. Do we know where you're setting up? This is my first time at Balliol."

Silas ponders the bartender's offer. After a moment of debating internally, Silas says to the barkeep, "What a rarity! I've been convinced. Give me a glass of Lycan."  As the bartender finishes pouring, Silas picks up his glass and raises his glass to the barkeep,  "To many more firsts in this eternal night."  Curiosity got the best of him and he excitedly takes a drink from his glass albeit a voice in the back of his head urging him not to.

Professor Durand is right at home playing the Great Game on the plush college lawn, surrounded by the walls built for her own clan's ancestors. Barely an elder herself, she still manoeuvres and schemes for standing amongst her peers. Liam catches the woman's eye as she chit-chats with the other movers and shakers of the hour, and she nods back in acknowledgement of his presence, beckoning to him to approach. "Late as always," Durand chides, although the admonition is clearly more routine than heartfelt. A touch of French still colours her accent when speaking English. "I am finished with this," she adds, handing Liam her empty glass. "Enjoy the evening, though not too much." "On the stage under the tents. Where else, faerie-boy?" Scotty retorts with a laugh at his own joke. Fiona and Felix guffaw along with him. "Fine choice," the bartender tells Silas with a wink as he pours a glass of the lycan blood. The drink fills the elder vampire with a warmth that he isn't used to. He feels charged with the zest and energy of youth. Almost, dare he think it, alive .

Mehdi rolls his eyes but bites his tongue in response to the poor excuse at an insult. He pivots and skulks off to the back of the stage where he drops the bass and amp and takes a seat among the shadows.

Liam nods in acknowledgement. "Thank you. I hope you have a pleasant evening." He hurries away with the empty glass, returning it to the tent.  He takes a moment to adjust his hair and steady himself before he approaches behind his band, "Sorry I'm late, when are we playing? Do you have a set list?"

"I'll just follow your lead,"  Khalid remains close to his two new vampire acquaintances.  While waling among the college he focuses his attention on the other guests attempting to determine if another mage is attending.

Eve smiles at a few familiar faces and stops to chat as she makes her way to the bar. When they emerge from the passage connecting the front and garden quad, they are greeted by large, ancient trees and beds of flowers set in front of the medieval castle walls. The atmosphere is relaxed and the grass is lit by several paper lamps floating in the branches above. As they slowly walk through the gardens, introduces Rae to a few people her childe hasn't yet met, but she makes no mention of Akil, just as no vampire seems to acknowledge the human. "Would you be so kind as to fetch us two drinks from the bar, Khalid?" She finally asks him when they have arrived under one of the large oak trees in near the hall, where several small groups of vampires stand together. 

Khalid gives Eve a questioning look but nods, "Of course, I'll be back shortly."   He quickly makes his way to the bar and requests two drinks as nonchalantly as possible.

As Khalid moves off towards the bar, Rae playfully nudges her sire "So, what do we think of the budding mage?"

Scotty nods at Liam as he approaches, but shrugs in disinterest when asked about the set. Young Fred rolls her eyes when Scotty looks away and passes Liam a sheet of paper. The list is mostly instrumental pieces. Classical with a jazzy twist. Background music. "The Master wants this," she tells him with a shrug. "We're up after his welcome address. Luckily for you, he's late." Akil seems to provoke mixed reactions as he leaves Eve's side and heads to fetch some drinks. Some of the guests watch him curiously, others hungrily, and others pay him no heed at all. "Good evening," the barman greets the mage as he approaches. "What can I get you?"

Liam smiles. "So this is what he asked for, and what am I actually going to play? Felix isn't here so I'm assuming we are interpreting  it loosely?" He shrugs. "I'll pick it up from you. I could use a challenge" Despite the danger, Young Fred was the closest he came to enjoying another vampire's company. The drummer was easy going on the surface and enjoyed having fun, despite it all though, he knew she was wrapped up in the political games of Somerville college as much as Scotty and Fiona and they would all be playing some high level games here tonight, carefully undermining the right people and shaking things up for their own gain. Or for their own amusement. He would never know which it was until long afterwards.

Khalid nods towards the barman as he quickly realizes he has no idea what to order.  Looking towards others around the bar and seeing the varied drinks he returns his gaze towards the barman,  "What's on tap?"

Silas on the side of the bar enjoying his drink watches carefully as a young mortal approaches the bar asking for a drink. Curiosity piqued as Silas wonders why a human who is seemingly not compelled, due to the nature of his question, is at a kindred event. Silas steps forward to the boy and on his blood high, arrogantly asks, "Fascinating, who is your master, human?"  

Khalid waits a moment before responding and gestures to the garden behind him, "Rae, I'm her date."   Returning his gaze to the bar he waits for a few moments before returning his gaze towards Silas, "What's your purpose here?  Business or pleasure?"

Overhearing the human asks 'What's on tap?', Eve rolls her eyes at Rae. "That he doesn't belong here in more ways than I originally thought."  Clearly, he was entirely lost in high society and this must be the first formal event he had ever attended. To avoid any further embarrassment, she quickly makes her way over to the bar, lest the human she  brought offends one of the more senior attendees. As she reaches him, her fears are confirmed. It appears Akil is talking to a powerful vampire, entirely oblivious. Nervously, Eve puts on her best social smile and stands next to Khalid. "I hope I'm not interrupting? I'm sorry if my guest has bothered you, I sent him to fetch us some drinks and," she laughs, slightly embarrassed, "it seems he got a little distracted."