Reginald drove her to a warehouse and parked the car, stepping out to open the door for her and handing her a mask that covered the upper half of her face. He himself donned a similar mask.

 Hers was adorned with gold and glitter while his was plain white. (had she been a little less ancient, she would have noted that it was the upper halves of Tragedy and Comedy spliced together) "This is a masquerade... not the facade of the Camarilla, but a true Masquerade. Trying to pry into someone's identity here is considered rude and revealing one's identity here is an insult. If you fail here and they attack, I will not assist you. It is important to learn the ways of Kindred should you ever wish to lead them. Consider this a "trial by fire", so to speak.

 That said, it's always fun to guess. Just keep your guesses to yourself and do not mention what you see here. If you wish to gain power and influence, you need to be able to keep a secret and you need to be sure that others will keep yours. Once we are inside, seperate from me. There are many activities that will keep you entertained.

 Enjoy yourself and make acquaintances but keep your tongue on a tight leash. For tonight, you shall be known as Reine and I as Pandora. Any questions?"

Nefertiti looked out the window as he drove to a new place.  She had no idea where she was or where he was taking her but when the car stopped she looked at the building.

She placed the mask on and smiled as her lower portion of her face was showing. "I'm new in town and not that many have met me so I think I may be low on many list. she smiled to him.

"Would using my Powers inside be considered bad? for she knew that she had the means to know anyone there but it would be very risky.

"Oh Pandora, such a sweet name for Chaos. she waited for a reply about using powers and then she was ready to enter into the warehouse.

 Reginald chuckled. "Using powers upon other guests is likewise looked down upon. I'm not going to tell you not to. Just be aware that, if they find out, that you have effectively given them permission to do the same to you... and what I said earlier applies here. If you break decorum and one of them dominates you, I won't interfere. If you're going to be devious, then you need to learn to be covert about it."

 He headed to the door and they were let inside. Unlike the last party she went to, the Kindred here were not hiding that they were vampires. Even though they kept up their masks, they fed openly.

Nefertiti smiled to Reginald's reply.  She never thought of herself as being devious but she never thought herself as becoming a Vampire with a Divine status.  So many changes in her life and so many more will occur she is sure of but for now she will have to play the part of being a sweet newbie in town.

"Understood. was all she said as they walked inside.

Her eyes gazed around at what was happening so openly, something that didn't quite bond well with her and she was pleased that she has already had her evening meal from her followers.  Her own little herd has been quite useful in more ways than one.

Nefertiti moved around the warehouse taking in all that she could and she left the side of Pandora moments ago.  Now she wanted to get a better feel of how the members of the Sabbat were and who she might find useful as allies.

 True o his word, this was a masquerade ball. No one was without a mask, but no one pretended to be human either. Unlike the Camarilla, the Sabbat dispensed with the veneer of humanity and embraced their nature.

 It was surprising how well a simple mask concealed one's identity. She could not tell who anyone was and quickly lost track of Reginald. The band played and many kindred danced (some with the very humans that they fed upon). All were dressed nicely.

 "Enjoying your evening?"

 A young kindred approached from behind. He was well groomed and well dressed.
This message was lightly edited by the GM at 01:11, Thu 04 Aug 2022.

Nefertiti found a nice spot to stand and watch all that was happening, she needed to find out more of how this Sabbat would impact her new life and she also needed to make sure that she was able to avoid the members of the Camarilla to discover her looking into joining a new Sect.

She watched as many danced but it seemed that she was surely out of place and not knowing these dance steps.  Letting out a soft sigh as she can now remember she needs to learn a lot of things.  As her mind was dreaming of how she was to learn, a voice brought her back out of her thoughts.

Turning to face the gentleman "Good evening to you as well.  Such a lovely one it is. she replied.

 The vampire (for he was not hiding that he was one) simply smiled. "You look uncomfortable. I can understand that... but pretending to be something you're not wears on you. It may not look pretty, but reality seldom does."

 Looking at him, he was holding a glass of what seemed to be wine at first but, upon closer inspection, was most definitely not. He took a deep drink but kept his eyes on the party. "Do you dance?"

Nefertiti turned to look at the man "Uncomfortable? she replied.

"No, I just feel out of place.  Not really my kind of thing and I must admit that this is not the sort of dancing I'm familiar with. then she smiled to him allowing her own fangs to show.

"I'm new in town.  Seeing what sort of parties you have here.
she said as she looked out at the people dancing.  She watched closely and wondered if she was able to learn it.

 The man offered a touch of a smile then offered her his hand. "Well then, would you like to give it a try?"

Nefertiti’s smile did linger as she gently took the man’s hand and allowed him yo lead them to the dance floor. “One must learn to enjoy and learn all that is placed before them. she softly said as her mind was remembering a recent conversation with Sariel.

“I’m Reine

 The man touched the black feathered mask upon his face with a finger. "Poe."

 He took her hand and began going through the motions of dancing. She stumbled at first but he quickly caught and corrected her movement. It took her roughly 5 minutes to pick up the steps and, by the time the second musical piece was done, she had managed to learn well enough not to embarrass herself.

Nefertiti repeated the name "Poe as she nods her head.

As they are out on the floor she tried to make herself look as elegant as possible without too many mishaps.  The way that they were moving was a style and rhythm that she was unaccustomed of knowing.  Once she was able to get things under her knowledge she was pleased and continued to dance with Poe.

"What is this dance called? If you don't mind she asked as she was being spun around ever now and then.

"This is my first masquerade party I been to in years.  But the first of this kind.  Do they have them often? she asked as she looked around once to see how many vampires might be here and if any looked striking to meet with.

 "This is a Waltz. It has been out of style for quite a while, but it remains one of the most elegant dances mankind has ever developed. Masquerade balls happen occasionally but this is the first Masquerade ball of this kind to happen in a few centuries."


 There were many kindred around with which to meet if you wished to leave Poe, but they were all engaged in activities of some kind or another (viewing art, drinking, or having a chat in a small circle). There were some wallflowers, but most were engaged in the party.

Nefertiti nodded her head when she was given the name of the dance.  "I will have to make sure I get a chance to learn more from you.  It seems that you miss the old days. she smiled.

"May I ask what is the reasoning for this ball?  This is my first one.

 Poe smiled when the dance was finished and he led her off the floor. "The idea here is to relax and be yourself. The masks are to let you do that without social repurcussions."

Nefertiti listened and then wondered more about this mystery man that came to sweep her off her feet for a dance.

"Would you be different toward me if we met outside of this ball? she smiled "If so, that would be such a shame for I might not of learned this wonderful dance. she held still onto his arm.

"There are a lot of people out tonight for this grand gala?  I do hope that there will be more

I don't have to wait centuries to dance with you again.

 Poe became somewhat solemn at the mention of being outside the ball. "I suppose it depends on the masks we wear. This ball is the closest thing many of us have had to be ourselves and simply enjoy our unlives in centuries.

 I too hope there will be more balls like this in the future, for I would very much like to dance with you again."

 However, with that, he took a bow and took his leave. It seemed that mention of what was outside the ball was taboo.

Nefertiti's eyebrow arched slightly as Poe gracefully leaves her standing there alone.  She now understood that mentioning anything outside of this event was forbidden and may cause some sort of alienate yourself from others.

She then started to walk around the place again, but this time she was more interested in those that were being drained of their blood and possibly their lives.  It felt a bit odd to watch it done so freely or that there is no artificial blood being offered.  It seemed that the city was starting to regain its status in population and more humans will be there for the plundering.  She had been given 12 to be followers, so they were now her property and under her care.

She knew she would need more and if any of those that was left here could become saved.

Moving about she looked for any females Kindred that might catch her attention.

 As Nefertiti looked, she noted that nearly all of the humans being fed upon bore the same symbols of the cult that the other 12 had belonged to. Further, no matter how much was taken, the cultists did not seem to die from it.

 There were several females among the Kindred at the ball. Some were feeding. Some were dancing. Some were making conversation, but all were engaged in the event in some form.

Nefertiti was peeked to see that the humans didn't die no matter how much blood was taken from them.  Was this something that the followers in her herd possessed as well.  She didn't want to risk killing any of them so that test will have to wait.

This ball was very interesting even though she knew no one here she did want to get to mingle with a few so that she might be able to understand more about the Sabbat.

OOC: Are the conversations in a low tone or loud enough for someone who might be standing near to hear?

 Nefertiti found that many of the conversations were hushed, but just as many weren't. However, the ones that weren't were about the party itself and the opinion was generally quite positive.

It seemed that every female was already bust in conversations that either were private or personal which didn’t give Nefertiti a moment to speak to them. It was a bit disturbing for she wouldn’t be able to discover if any were members of the Circle. A lost opportunity to mingle with them.

Allowing herself to gather her thoughts and she looked around for Pandora.

Hoping to find him.

 Nefertiti found "Pandora" on the second floor of the ballroom, overlooking the party. She knew he'd seen her approach but he did not react until she'd gotten close. "Is the party not to your liking?"

 He didn't look at her, instead choosing to watch the festivities. "Remember that parties like these will be vital should you hope to rise in the ranks of kindred society."

Nefertiti smiled to Pandora "It is more than what I'm used to but if you wouldn't mind. I would like to take my leave.  she looked down at the festivities "I'm sure if all goes according to plan, there will be more of these and I will make sure that I'm here sooner than later.

"The females here seem to be most wanting.  Not one of them was without company.  I was a bit jealous. she giggled slightly.  "I'm not well verse in this yet.  But soon I will be.

She looked around for the nearest exit "I hope that you don't mind me leaving.  I have to play my part with those that may be a nuisance.

 Pandora inclined his head. "If that is what you wish. Remember that my door is always open should you need my aid. You have need but to seek me out."

 With that, she was free to leave the party unbothered.


 It turned out that one of the Elysium of the Camarilla was within walking distance of the ball.

OOC: To "In the wake of Ragnarok"