(This is Nienna's RP I am merely moving it! So all credit goes to Nianna!)<br/><br/><br/>(Neianna)<br/>London, 1810<br/><br/>â€œPeople often say that life itself is priceless...that it is a gift so precious that one could never set a price upon it...I wonder what those same people would say when they are confronted with the horrible truth of today. Yet, even when it is so visible, all seem to be completely blind to what is right in front of them, caused of course by time and adjustment. When things are never questioned they often are thought to be normal or right...â€<br/><br/>Written by one who has observed and found the immaculate truth.<br/><br/>---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br/><br/><br/>It was one of the greatest assemblies of the season, all of society had gathered for this. After all the Thorpeâ€™s were widely known and Stone was a name that made even the most well bred and established people grovel and humble themselves. This was a power match, one that will secure the London Society for the coming few years. Crowded rooms filled with the finest mousseline dresses and suits in all of London. People we engaged in conversations, dancing or simply helping themselves to some of the drinks and appetizers that were set ready for them. The gardens were lit and firework had started the greatest ball of probably this century....<br/>As the Carlingtons arrived Sophia looked around, she could not deny that it all seemed so grand, so incredibly astonishing. The table decorations alone were more expensive than any she had ever seen before. Large bouquets of flowers set up strategically mainly consisting of roses as a display of the great love of this marriage. Sophia wondered how true their love actually was and whether it was not just love for money and station. Belonging to Londonâ€™s Society one had to marry within it to maintain their position in it or be forced to become outcasts.<br/>She fanned herself due to the heat caused by the large amount of people. If one needed to do business it was here...at times like these old hatreds were forgotten, slights were overlooked and people tolerated each other because that was expected of them. As she looked around she noticed her sister who was Mrs Cuthbert now, standing next to her husband and some of their acquaintances. Seeing that her parents had once again disappeared she decided the wisest thing to do was to stay close to her relatives. After all one could get positively lost in this place.<br/><br/>Only a room away sat Vincent, or rather; Sir Vincent Rickard Cayne, sipping from his bourbon observing the humans as they passed. Some of the lovely ladies giggled upon seeing him, blushing brightly and hurrying along. Perhaps tonight he would entertain himself with one of them and of course it had been awhile since he had drunk from the fine bouquet that was maidens blood. He would have to select carefully or simply take one of the servants...though they werenâ€™t as interesting of course. He sipped his bourbon again as he continued to watch the crowd.<br/>It would of course be something if he decided upon the soon to be Mrs Stone...that would raise all sorts of speculations and he always had the perfect alibi....Yes perhaps tonight was the night for a finer wine to drink...<br/><br/>The Remulovs arrived late, wearing their famed jewels they were quickly to find themselves in the company of the Stoneâ€™s after all they were business partners and diamonds were growing more and more popular, though pearls stayed in favour of many considering their market value. Aleigna yawned behind her fan, business was not something that interested her. Her father however relished in it nothing gave him more pleasure it almost seemed. She looked around, she had not expected her debut to be like this...Her coming out was something she had been looking forward to, after hearing the stories of her older friends and her mother. Now it all seemed very exciting but frightening as well. This was Londonâ€™s society, if she was to do anything wrong her name would have been set, she would always be remembered as the girl from the....She took a glass of wine, she decided that a little bit of it should calm her nerves. She observed her parents, standing between their human friends. If she didnâ€™t know any better she would say they were exactly the same...<br/>But as she knew they were not, in fact they couldnâ€™t be more different. But that was a secret that she would need to keep for the rest of her life...her father intended for her to marry well and preferably keep the whole thing a secret from even her future husband. It hurt her at times, being unable to speak or converse about it, but there was little choice...she knew. Her father had often told her of the terrible hunts on their kind and that they would be no safer in a pack. No it was time for the wolf to put himself in his sheep attire and pretend...Only that would be their salvation.<br/><br/>---<br/>(Phantom)<br/>Kevin walked up the steps to the grand house. This was the finest party of the year, it was probably the finest party Kevin had been to! Kevin was excited and looking forward to the night. He had spent the last month working and he deserved some fun time. The lycans were causing trouble and keeping the hunters busy. Some of Kevinâ€™s friends were coming tonight, including the beautiful Elenar Rose. Kevin had a soft spot for her. She was a huntress and on the job she was fierce. Though all of London society knew her as a proper lady. Kevin grinned; Elenar had spirit and a smart mind. She was wealthy too, meaning every eligible man was after her too. Her dance card was probably full; Kevin would have to move fast to secure a dance with her.<br/><br/>Kevin walked through the large doors and was greeted by the family, a few pleasantries were exchanged and Kevin moved further in. The decorations were stunning and very expensive, no expense was spared, it seemed like they went out of their way to pay more for everything. It was grand and Kevin tried to take it all in. He saw some of the guys from the hunt talking with some pretty girls, other were at the card table playing a game of hearts. And there in the back of the room stood Elenar Rose. She was dazzling as always but she had really out done herself. Kevin made his way up to her and took her gloved hand and kissed it. She smiled at him, â€œKevin glad to see you here.â€<br/><br/>â€œWouldnâ€™t miss this for the world.â€<br/><br/>â€œIndeed? I thought you would have been too busy to attend such a tedious party. Work being so demanding. Hunting wolvesâ€¦ I am surprised you tore yourself away.â€<br/><br/>Kevin grinned, â€œWell it was a hard choice but the wolves were easily taken care of leaving me free time to kill. Now if your dance card is not already full would you perhaps dance the minuet with me?â€<br/><br/>Elenar thought for a moment, â€œYes I believe the minuet is free and I would be happy to dance it with you.â€<br/><br/>Kevin bowed and walked away to get a drink. He saw Beren MountCastle dancing with a pretty girl already. Kevin couldnâ€™t stand the vampire. But there was nothing he could do about it. Beren was well respected and his family held a strong position in society. And their vampire lord wouldnâ€™t like it if there was a war between the Allethenâ€™s and MountCastleâ€™s. Kevin would stay away from him if possible. Kevin could see his family mingling with the guests, his mother was busy talking with the ladies while his father was talking politics with some men. His two brothers were busy flirting and playing cards. His sister was talking with a young man. Everything was going smoothly. Kevin smiled, he wouldnâ€™t think about vampires tonight, tonight he would enjoy himself and talk with Elenar.<br/><br/>--<br/><br/>Beren sat in a large chair near the punch stand, it was a good place to sit and watch new guests come in. He was impressed with everything here. It was the finest party he had been to and that was saying a lot because he had been to some very splendid affairs. Beren took a sip from his cup, the punch tasted very fine. His eyes took everything in. There were many pretty girls. He wondered which one he would ask to dance. As of yet he had no woman in mind, so today he would have to hunt around. It was a shame, he had hoped to have a girl by now but he couldnâ€™t find the right one. He shrugged. It was no big deal he had plenty of time to choose a wife. The room smelled good, there was one girl close to him that smelled particularly good. Beren tried to make it a point not to drink the blood of a woman, he was after all a gentlemen. It was a good thing he had his fill not a few hours ago. He knew he would be tempted here so he had gone down to cheap side and found himself a vagabond. Not as good as a woman but enough to keep the thirst away. Beren also made it a point not to kill anyone he deemed innocent. He had his morals; compared to vampires he was very good. He had even helped Scotland Yard once, though they didnâ€™t know that. Scotland yard had a mysterious killer on their hands and Beren hunted the killer down and had him for dinner. Easy enough, Beren saw no need in killing people he deemed innocent. His father had instilled in his son some very high standards.<br/><br/>Beren saw Kevin Allethen walk in with his family, Beren frowned some. He knew that Kevin and his father would be here but he didnâ€™t like it, but knew he would have to put up with it. They were hunters and they were fierce. It was a miracle there wasnâ€™t an all out war between the families. Beren wasnâ€™t sure what kept them at peace but whatever it was seemed to be working so Beren ignored themâ€¦ if he could. He saw another young pretty girl, she seemed nice enough to Beren so he walked up to her and asked her for a dance.<br/><br/>The two of them stepped out onto the dance floor, it was crowded. Beren and the girl took their place and began. It was a slow dance and the girl danced well. Beren and the girl whose name was Margaret, exchanged some small talk and after the dance Beren took her to a seat when another gentleman walked over and asked her for the next two dances. Beren bowed and left.<br/><br/>Seeing Vincent Beren walked over to him and took a seat next to him. â€œWell it has been a little while since I last saw you. How have things been on your side?â€<br/><br/>---<br/><br/>(Neianna)<br/>"Ah if it isn't the goody two shoes..." Vincent replied with a smile keeping his lips together in order not to display his fangs before he chuckled. "I am sorry Beren...my humour gets the better of me..." he said as he hinted to one of the servants. "Something for the young gentleman..." he ordered as he sipped from his bourbon waiting for the servant to go and get his drink. He looked at him with an amused smile.<br/>"Ah to pretend, it is a fate that belongs to our kind Beren...after all we don't want everyone to know now do we? Of our nature...I can only speak for myself of course but you get used to it after a while...drinking and pretending..." he said as he eyed his bourbon.<br/>"But things on my side have been tedious and ever continuing...what I wouldn't do for some sport, killing hunters...yet ever since I made the pact with that damnable human I have done what I must to maintain this peace for both our sides...Us and them..." he said before he waited for a moment since the servant returned and placed the wine in front of Beren.<br/>"Look at all the delicious food here...more luxurious and sweet than you've ever tasted before in your life...I know you are not that kind of vampire, but it is truly a shame...I could tell you stories...about my younger years when I took them down one by one...delicious blood Beren...so full of life and lust..." he stated as he nodded to a couple of girls looking at them.<br/>"Take it from me my friend find yourself a pretty one and take her...and if you play your cards right, she will beg you to do it..." he laughed softly at that sipping his bourbon again before his eyes scanned the room.<br/>"Yes I think you should, but who I pray...Who will be the lucky young woman to share with you a most breath taking kiss? Ah what about her?" he said finding a picture of perfect loveliness. "Gorgeous features, emotional eyes, rose petals as lips, yes that one would be perfect for you...so innocent..." he stated as he pointed to Miss Sophia Carlington. "Wealthy family good connections...what more could you wish for...and when she bores you...you simply move on..." he stated with a smug smile.<br/><br/>---<br/><br/>(Phantom)<br/>Beren rolled his eyes, "You do the devils work well. I am practically drooling." Beren grinned. "I am sure the best meal of my life is right here before me but.... I am not looking for fine foods." Beren took a sip of his wine it was very good, "You intrigue me though with your talk, I will think about it, the smells are very fine indeed. If I were to do it though I would savor every moment.... the only thing standing in my way is him over there." Beren gestured to Kevin Allethen, "You want good hunters to sport on there you go. Trust me when I say f I were to ever indulge myself he would know about it and the uneasy peace would be over. I don't know what is holding the peace together but part of it is that the MountCastle's aren't allowed to dine in certain places. Not sure what their end of the deal is though.... to be honest I don't care. But your Miss Sophia does does catch my eyes.... so if you would excuse me I think I will go speak with her." Beren smiled and took his leave, it was true, Sophia was a picture of exquisite beauty. Beren imagined her and him and the taste of her, the smell came over him and something very strange happened, he felt desire. Beren frowned a bit, he gained control of himself, for now he would just speak with the girl get to know her and see what happened.<br/><br/>Beren walked up to Sophia and bowed, "Why Miss Carlington you are looking very fine tday, if I may be so bold to say so." Beren smiled, he could be very charming if he wanted to be. "If you are not otherwise engaged may I ask you for the next two dances?"