Post by Valerie on Dec 4, 2014 0:24:39 GMT -8
Floating Lantern
Seattle's Anarch Free Press since 1986 • floatinglantern.bloodspot
Seattle's Anarch Free Press since 1986 • floatinglantern.bloodspot
Party Crashers
12.3.2014
Just over a week from today, a Masquerade Ball will be held honoring Prince Orleans and his recent appointment of a new Seneschal, Wit. This is going to be a rather formal affair, from what I understand - costumes, a posh theme, visiting dignitaries, prestigious entertainment, invitations on actual paper made from dead trees, having to present said dead tree invitations at the door to gain entrance to the festivities, etc.
Of course, in grand tradition, there’s also risk involved.
I’d never say that the Kindred existence is free from risk, especially if you’re braving the big city instead of living in a log cabin and feeding off of squirrels. Things have gotten pretty rough around here in the past couple months, however, and this makes the Masquerade a much more interesting proposition. So many new concealed faces combined with so many reasons for residents to be on edge means taking extra care has jumped from being an act of wisdom to an act of necessity.
What’s been happening? For starters, a couple of weeks ago there was a small fire in the upper hall of Elysium. Almost before it was confirmed to be extinguished, I heard Sabbat being mumbled about with quite a bit of gravitas. Whether this was an isolated incident, a personal grudge against the Keeper or the first salvo of some new war… who knows.
Not long after, the Prince asked a newcomer to the city whether said newcomer would allow his arms to be chopped off in order to prove his loyalty to the Camarilla. (Because, you know, it’s gory and it hurts but they grow back. NBD.) I’m grateful that the questioning didn’t come to blows after all, but it’s been a long while since formal introductions made such violent demands.
The big, bloody cherry on top of the danger sundae comes from a sharp increase in both the presence and brazenness of anti-Kindred activity within the Domain. Recently, a large quantity of propaganda has been posted to utility poles and otherwise distributed throughout the city. The nature of these documents differs slightly but they all seem to point towards a website with information about how to “kill vampires”. Unlike many of these websites, what this page has on offer is both fervently dedicated and partially true.
I admit this may be hard for some of you, but let’s set all this fearfulness aside for a moment. I am absolutely positive that for every dandy or debutante who’s absolutely bursting at the seams to for the opportunity to wear that fancy costume they commissioned sixty years ago, there’s at least one total jerkwad who’s just waiting to use this as an opportunity to really stick it to someone. Our hypothetical subject waits in the shadows, rubbing her hands together and practicing her insults like a second-grader who has finally committed to making this - THIS - the day they will tell their mother she is ugly. With so many big names gathered together in one room, won’t this be the absolute best opportunity to show your rivals who’s the baddest bitch in town?
No. Absolutely not. Stop it.
Big bad things happen at parties because too many folks are trying to make little bad things look like big bad things. Sometimes the enemy of your enemy is, also, your enemy; I don’t think I’ve met a single Kindred who thinks that human beings dedicated to hunting us down and killing us are great for spicing things up a bit. Even the most dedicated Anarch jarheads have cause for pause when facing down a hunter who wants to eradicate our kind with an enthusiasm so overwhelming it looks like they’re being possessed by the Holy Spirit on national television.
As the event draws near, let’s keep things in perspective. Being unable to escape a distasteful conversation with the Prince of major European city or brushing up against an Independent in the hallway really isn’t the worst thing that could possibly happen to you at a Masquerade Ball. Remember that if you consider bitching about the seating arrangement.
Valerie