2025.11.05:The Midnight Garden

The Midnight Garden
Jonathan Gaunt hosts a mid-week Camarilla soiree in his rooftop garden at Millstone Lofts.
IC Date	11.05.26
Players	Gaunt, Madeline, Angelica, Daphnne, Heathen, Amelie, Oil
Location	Millstone Building - Rooftop
Spheres	Vampire, Camarilla, Anarch

Summary

Beneath the glow of lamplight and the scent of amethyst midnight roses, members of the court arrive in measured succession: Madeline with her retainer Angelica and Daphnne in tow, Oil in her hooded anarch fashion, Heathen, and later Amelie. Gaunt greets each guest with tailored courtesy, reinforcing titles and status while maintaining his persona as the cultivated gardener-host. Conversation begins lightly — music, memory, Billie Holiday, and the suggestion of personal reflections from mortal days — though beneath the civility there is constant awareness of rank, reputation, and politics.

The discussion gradually shifts toward more pointed matters. Oil teases revelations about her crew’s recent confrontation with Sabbat forces in the southern reaches of Prospect, promising a fuller report at the upcoming court while asserting that no Sabbat will survive crossing their border. Amelie ensures the matter will be placed formally on the agenda, while Gaunt briefly references charitable expansions tied to his foundation’s work in Tent City. Plans for future themed gatherings and possible musical performances emerge, with Oil offering to write original lyrics for Madeline and Amelie to perform. The evening closes with playful exchanges regarding Heathen’s “best feature,” Oil’s departure for Imperial Beach, and Gaunt escorting his clansman privately, preserving the garden’s atmosphere of refinement while signaling quieter, more serious discussions beneath the surface

Details

Madeline arrives, clad all in blue which only makes her hair more golden and her eyes sparkle in the evening light. She pases and turns her head slightly with a smile to allow Angelica to join her at her side

As per her usual, which is becoming more so as the weeks pass, Oil is wearing her hood up as she enters the garden playing host to the weekly gathering. She's no more clean now than ever, with dust covering her clothes and biker vest. Proudly by the way she walks, with a casual glance around to take in her surrounding and those who've already made their appearance before making her way towards one of the comfortable seats so she can 'drop' into it with a grunt.

Heathen arrives shortly after Madeline, hat low until they reach the roof, taking it off and setting it aside as he takes in a deep breath.

Gaunt is standing by one of the violet rose bushes near the statue of Hecate, snipping a fresh boutaineer for his lapel as the others show up. As Madeline arrives, the gentleman gardner turns towards the sound of the elevator and smiles at her arrival, "Madame du Primogen..." his arms open as a gesture of welcome to her and her escort. "Welcome to the Midnight Garden...please, do make yourself at home." Using his cane, he slowly approaches to greet Madeline more properly with a proper bow. "Welcome Clansman..." he directs at Oil and then a bow of respect for Heathen with his title offered in greeting, "Primogen..."

Daphnne arrives with Madeline's entourage, dressed in a golden gown with emerald green accents that matched her eyes. She gives a soft noise, that might be a gasp if there was air involved, as she takes in the rooftop, "I had forgotten how beautiful thus was."

Madeline lays her hand on Angelica's arm with a warm smile and inclines her golden head to their host "Bon Soir Monseiur, your invitation now as before is truly gracious. Allowing us to partake of the beauty of your garden is indeed a treat" she glances at the girl beside her "Have you met my Retainer Angelica previously?"

Sweeping in, all dressed up, Amelie appears in one of her signature formal dresses. The dark blue lace dress, made of satin, tulle, and lace has little sparkles in the shape of vines accentuating her own beauty. "Bon Soir! Oh how nice it is to be back in the gardens again, Monsieur." She begins her rounds to greet everyone who is here.

Angelica walks in with Madeline, smiling to her. She is dressed in a pair of form fitting jeans and a black turtleneck sweater along with boots. Her hair is down and wavy and her sparkling eyes shift about the area curiously

Oil, from where she's seated, salutes Gaunt, "How's it?" She asks in her American-Irish hodge podge accent. A grin splits the visible corners of her face, over scars and visible unevenly spaced teeth. How beautiful it is.. She hear's Daphnne and actually looks around herself. As if she'd not even noticed anything beautiful? "Ya mean the Billy Holliday? I met her once. Me da was a jazz fan he was. He took us to the Onyx club against me ma's wish, me'n me sister. I doubt she'd have remembered it, I weren't but twelve at the time, but I do." The petite anarch says as she leans forward, resting elbows on her knees. "Lovely lady. Changed me life."

A grin crosses hardened, horrible features beneath the shadow of her hood. With the red of her eyes casting downward towards her own gloved hands. "But I imagine you lot all got emotional stories about your loved ones and meeting them what shift the course of your life hither forth, eh? Wait now... that'd be a fun game?" A glance at Gaunt, a glance to everyone. "What's your most important, self reflective, memory from your days afore, eh? I bet we don't talk about them things very often. Let'em forget themselves in the tribulations of endlessness until we forget, like a dream you wake up from."

As Daphnee arrives, Gaunt turns his attention to her and his violet eyes flick up to the crown she's wearing to take note of its style and decoration, "Good evening to you M'lady Keeper of Prospect. You honor this humble garden with your attendance. I am so pleased that you accepted my offer to host this week's soire'." At Amelie's arrival, the gardner of the midnight roses, turns towards her to make her a bow, "Good evening and welcome Madame Amelie. I'm so glad that you could attend." His accent, occasionally tinged with the accent of his time at Oxford, is every bit the gracious host for the small gathering.

As folks have arrived, he invites them to take their ease around the center of the garden as the old phonograph continues to play music common to a post-war era in the background. Madeline's introduction of the escort beside her draws his attention and he lets his violet eyes flick from the primogen to Angelica. "A pleasure."

Heathen leans toward one of the plants, not quite touching, as he listens to Oil. "Oh going for the deep thoughts and cutting insights first thing, are we. I'm not sure I've lived long enough yet to be all that intersesting."

Madeline brushes the backs of her fingers fondly to Angelica's cheek then nods "enjoy, its a lovely place cheri" before turning to greet the others that have arrived "Monseiur Gaunt you gather a glittering assembly" she jests warmly, stepping over to Daphnne and Amelie, each receiving a kiss to their cheek and a warm greeting. The Lasombra Primogen receives a smile and a teasing jest "Well certainly entertaining" she laughs warmly and nods to Oil "Bon soir Mademoliselle, are you finding your way around Prospect well enough?

Amelie gets quite thoughtful. It takes her a moment before she takes in an unnecessary breath. "Meeting Billie Holliday would certainly be life changing. My... my sister... I wonder... " She trails off, not mentioning more. Gaunt and Madeline's greetings snap her out of it. "A pleasure as always, Monsieur Gaunt." She gives Madeline a kiss to the cheek in return. "Bon Soir, Primogen... mon ami. Isn't it lovely to be here again?"

Daphnne says, “I appreciate your gracious offer of hosting, Mister Gaunt. Thank you for having us all, and fir allowing us to enjoy your beautiful garden.”

With a gesture to the tea service by the elevator, Gaunt offers Angelica her choice of the blends he keeps on reserve as she might be one of the few who can enjoy it as it was meant to be. The others, however, could probably smell a few brews already steeping in the pots, jasmine and Earl Gray by the smell. Not necessarily to be consumed but their aroma enjoyed almost like incense for the soul.

Amelie's faint mention of a sister draws his attention for a moment, a mental note made for later reference obviously, and then he turns to Oil. "My little birds tell me that your crew had some fun the other night - care to tell us the tale?"

"I aint but a couple decades me self.. besides, I don't care what course set upon you once you were as we is now." Oil says to Heath, a grin beneath her hood, "No.. I am interested in the man you was afore. Them's the stories worth telling innit? The thing upon which we hang our hat, before we stop wearing them cus we weren't concerned about rain no more." She offers him a wink, covering one red eye as she shifts attention towards Madeline. "Aye. Much as I ever come here, which isn't much. I got plenty to keep me busy further south in Imperial Beach. Far removed from Billie Holiday and days of yester-year." She muses with that odd, disfigured, grin as she once more regards another in Amelie. Who starts to speak on the matter and pauses, "No pressure to the game, of course." She assures, hands up without raising her forearms from her knees. "It aint meant to be discomforting, so much as getting to know ones another beyond titles and politics and the trivial shite that keeps us busy while we're powdering our nose."

Sisters. Oil understands, if she doesn't even know the full story. She may would have expressed upon it, but Gaunt cuts through the matter to the crux of other matters. "Maybe." She says with a quieter voice and a shallower nod. "Thems the things that I mention afore. Busy matters whilst powdering noses, innit? Besides, I don't want to bore you lovely lot with such vulgar matters less that's the direction of conversation we wish to take?" Her reddened gaze shifts steadily, head canting, gauging desire to hear her tell what the anarchs have been up to.

Madelines soft fingers brush Amelie's wrist and she nods in agreement "oui, I should perhaps invest in more roses for my garden in Carlsbad" she smiles gently "Billie Holiday?" she muses a moment then nods thoughtfully "mmm" but beforre going on furhter with that topic the Elder Rose turns with a smile to see where Angelica is and nods "indeed the tea smells /almost/ as wonderful as the blooms your garden offers, Merci Monseiur" and steps over to investigate, though her ears are always open to listen to the ongoing conversation

Amelie blinks a couple of times, then lets out that breath she was holding. "I do hope you will share the news of goings on at Court on Friday, if you are able to make it again, Mademoiselle Oil?"

Angelica smiles to Gaunt and greets him warmly. When he gestures to the tea set she smiles brightly. She had always wanted to partake in an afternoon tea type thing. In this case it would be evening tea?

Heathen finds drifts around the garden, examining each plant as if he were some kind of expert judging them for a compition "I think 'boring' and 'vulgar' tend toward opposite ends of the spectrum. Though if I could meet a star, think I'd hope to see Stevie Nicks."

Daphnne sniffs the air gently, and smiles in appreciation, "That is such a lovely scent with roses."

At Heathen's mention of the one singer's name, Gaunt chimes in with an observation, "Though I can say that the woman has an -excellent- voice, I would not recommend that you make yourself known to her. Rumors abound that she is one of the Witches. Who's to say if they are accurate but stranger things have come true with less risk." he smiles - as though the potential 'warning' might have been something more like a joke.

But as Oil holds back her tale, Gaunt thump-thumps the tip of his cane upon the tiles under his feet and urges, "Come come now... your crew, if my little birds are correct, showed their true metal and you should be proud of their accomplishments. But I'm sure you can explain it much better than what I was told."

Madeline smiles back at the gathering as she drifts through the garden, her skirts whispering secrets as she moves but then something seems to catch her eye and the Toreador finds herself in front of th statue of Hecate where something causes her steps to halt. Smiling, the graceful Rose lifts her fingers to some blossoms she finds there, caressing one petal as delicately as if it were the cheek of a child. Leaning closer to inhale the heady perfume they present she sighs happily and carefully gathers a boquet from the arms of the statue into her own, a paper tucked into a hidden pocket of her gown (all the best gowns have hidden pockets)

"Aye. I've even a very special gift of tribute for heir Imperitor." Says Oil, conspiratory grin, "I think he'll love it." She clearly doesn't really think that, at least not in the way she says it. "Me mates may be licking their wounds, alas, so the court will have to ablige that it's just me what attends. I only hope that keeping to me word, that nay a fuckin' Sabbat will survive seeing the far side of Prospect, will suffice in a stay of execution for them of me own who are unable to attend."

Her fingers wiggle betwixt her knees. Forearms rest upon her thighs. With her hood shifting side to side unbashfully looking at those amongst the Prospect Court who out class her by scores. Falling last upon Heath, with a barking laugh out of genuine humor, "Your accuracy holds true, to that regard, mate. Sometimes the least boring thing is the most boring of all. Stevie Nicks.. I think maybe you'n me share similar upbringings in musical taste. Maybe a few years shy to one another, but I remember the 70s fondly. Adventurous time in society weren't it? So much change amongst people who had feared change so deeply afore then. Imagine if we'd paid any attention at all."

Once more her attention shifts to her clansmate, head inclined slightly. "I wouldn't want to spoil the details before court, but I'll give enough of a teaser to draw interest... keeping with me theme of 'modern culture'.." The teaser trailer. "And in light of you hosting us here, at his lovely gathering for these lovely amongst us." She bows her head and turns to others, shifting slowly. "We continue to be a bastion of security to your south. Where them of ill content mean harm upon all who reside north of their border? We cast down our staff of defiance... righteously... and say 'You shall not pass.'." She chortles at her own reference, but doesn't explain it for those too young, old, or indifferent to know it's origin. "Suffice that, as I said, I stand good upon me word."

Daphnne glances over at Madeline's bouquet, then turns her eyes curiously to Oil.

Angelica looks over to see Madeline inhaling the roses, a bright smile for her. Her eyes then shift to Oil as she speaks, her eyes widening at the word Sabbat

Heathen says, “Hey, gotta respect a woman that makes a man play lead guitar while singing about how much he sucks.”

Madeline drifts back over to the gathering with a boquet of the most exquisite Amethyst colored roses, their heady perfume accompanying her like a gentle companion. "Now what have I missed? I do apologize for being so pleasantly distracted, did I hear thehre will be a report at court, or Stevie Nicks?" she winks, is she teasing?

Amelie turns her head to see Madeline checking out the roses. "What lovely roses those are, for a lovely rose you are, mon ami." A nod to Oil, "I'll be certain you are on the agenda then. Nothing pleases the Imperator more than items on the agenda...after the last few years having scant to speak about."

"Aye." Oil says after another barking laugh. Nodding agreement to Heath, "But I think it ultimately comes down to perspective, innit?" She wonders aloud. "If the man playing guitar is listening to words spoken on the failures of men, he's not the one to whom she was addressing her discontent, were he?" The Nosferatu anarch continues to wonder. "It's a matter I've seen plenty in me time. Where the voice of the disillusioned is used as an afront against the establishment. Where I say 'this has happened to me' and them who are 'not' responsible take umbrage on dent of their existance with no evidence, aside from their own guilt, that they'd done what upon I spoke.." She holds her hands up, turned upwards, where they lay betwixt her knees. "If you don't beat a dog, aint no reason to be afeared of dogs attacking harsh owners."

Daphnne turns to the others, giving a slightky confused expression at the name, Stevie Nicks, as if she were mulling over the name in her memory. She nods her head then at Amelie's comments, "It will be wonderful hearing from you."

Oil's brief recounting of the news meets Gaunt's approval - he wanted his clansman to wet the appetites of those gathered with the details of the event without giving away the whole story. You always want to leave your audience wanting for more as they say. He doesn't seem to acknowledge or notice the roses carried by Madeline, totally downplaying their discovery by focusing upon Oil's story. Then, at Amelie's mention of agenda items, he mentions, briefly, that his foundation is working to provide additional healthcare and sanitation services to the homeless at Tent City - but this has opened up the potential for other projects throughout the community. "Things are still in development and planning stages for now but once I have something worthy of note I will definitely contact you to inform the Court." he tells the Herald.

Heathen pantomines a guitar. "Fleetwood Mac, 'Stop Dragging my Heart Around.'" and sniffs at Madeline's roses as he listens to Oil and Gaunt talking about upcoming events.

Madeline smiles "Amelie, some evening you and I should perhaps, do a duet of her music. I know it will shock some but I do actually /know/ a few of their songs. She and Mademoiselle Christine sounded utterly sublime together at times"

She brushes her nose above the roses in her arms again then listens and nods "I would be curious to hear more of your upcoming plans Monseiur Gaunt, it is well known I tend towards charity when given the opportunity"

Madeline pretends to batt Heath away from her roses but it is clearly playful

"Right." Oil says with a fractional nod. "Noted."

The anarch tries another approach.

"Back in me youth, I wrote a couple melodies of me own." Said to Melody, "Now, I aint got no skill for singing, personal, but if you were to ask and it behooves them around to listen to me croon, I might be willing to write an original jingle just for the lot of you. So's we aren't just singing what done been sung. Or I can just write it and we can hear lovelier voices perform."

She motions betwixt Amelie and Madeline.

"Suffice I would /love/ to hear me words spoken in voices what are prettier'n me own."

Angelica listens to those conversing as she quietly makes her way to the lovely tea service and pours a steaming cup of tea. She then moves to a place to sit, sipping quietly and merely observing

Heathen nods toward Amelie. "Best voice." and then toward Madeline. "Best feet."

Madeline smiles warmly "Mademoiselle Oil that is most intreiguing, I cannot speak for the Herald" she smiles at Amelie "but I would be very interested to hear your creation and if you wish, to work with her to give it voice. She being the more accomplished musician" she nods towards Amelie

Amelie bows her head to Madeline, "It would be an honor." A smile to Oil, "I would love to read, even sing your words."

Glancing towards Daphnne, Gaunt brings up the idea of potentially hosting a concert or two in the future for the weekly soire. "I know that when I was in Boston, it was not uncommon for the Toreador Primogen there to host what she would call 'theme' parties. One that I remember quite vividly was when she held a World War Two themed party on the anniversary of victory in Europe. Since that was a time period I'm quite well acquainted with, it was fascinating to see the Boston court dressed up as American GIs and Bombshell ladies. They even had what I believe would be known in this country as 'Do-whap' girls singing. It was most entertaining." He smiles and turns his attention towards Angelica for a moment as she finds a place to take her ease with the goddess of the the Earth and the Harvest.

"And what is your best feature, my good Primogen," Gaunt asks of the Lasombra.

Daphnne'seyes brighten as the discussion comes around to performances "Perhaps do a show for a Wednesday event?"

"Then it'll be so." Says Oil, to both Madeline and Amelie and perhaps to the rest of them in attendance. "I cannot promise speed in writing said lyrics, but you've me word.. at a date future to this one I shall deliver to them whose voice is truer than me own, words to be sung." She bows her head and settles back in her seat. Feeling, perhaps, she's sucked enough air out of the open gathering. She instead settles upon silence with her darkened red eyes peering out from beneath her shadowed hood.

Madeline smiles fondly at Amelie then arches a brow waiting to hear what th4e Lasombra Primogen will claim as his best feature. A she does this, the Lady drifts over to take a seat wtih Angelica, settling her skirts around her, roses in her arms - the pair could be the subject of a painting

Heathen thinks for a moment. "Versatility,"

Daphnne's mouth quirks as she sees Madeline's eyes on Heathen and his answer, ans she asks her, "Would you say that is true, Primogen?"

Madeline lifts her eyes from her roses, lips quirked with humor "It is.. a choice"

"Before you go this evening, remind me to discuss something with you privately," he addresses Oil without mentioning her name or drawing attention to her directly - just a casual note in the conversation while focusing his attention on the Lasombra for a moment. "For one of your clan to be a member of the Prince's court - I would say that versatility would be an understatement. Anyone who can bend themselves around the strictures of one's own clan and sect in such a fashion has my earnest respect, sir. Perhaps we could discuss such things another time...if you were inclined."

Amelie quirks her brow as Heathen answers. "I can think of some other words. But that is... as the Primogen said... a choice." A little shrug.

Madelines smile for Heathen is warm. They will always jest but it is clear the friendship between the two Primogen hasn't suffered

Oil acknowledges it with a flick of her wrist, but she's devolved dramatically. As if it took a great deal of energy for her to address everyone as she did, to draw that much attention to herself, and has left her drained. It's actually an easy out for her. She stands up, hands slapping her knees audibly. "Welp... long ride back to Imperial Beach. Loved chattin', sal'ways. Now's time for me to hit the road."

Angelica smiles over to Madeline as she sits, leaning over to speak to her

Heathen gives Gaunt a small nod. "Well, that does sound like it'd be an interesting conversation." smirking a bit at the answers from the other ladies. "I feel like some have differing opinions.

Gaunt stands from his seat as Oil announces that she's about to take her leave. "If you will excuse me momentarily - I need to speak with my Clansman for a moment in private..." and would lead her to the elevator and escort her down.