Eclipse's Party

6pm arrives at Eclipse's home.

Eclipses driveway is lined by flickering lawn torches that, as the evening goes on, cast more shadow than dim light on the front of the house. The bottom floor has been decked out for the party, including a particularly large living room that has been filled with tables and chairs, as well as a sumptuous catered buffet set in one of the corners and an open bar in the other. Soft music plays from unseen speakers. Banners are hung from the walls that illustrate the precepts of the Silver Dream - Blood, Thunder, Diamond, and Star, with a banner in the center of them displaying a grandiose Silver Ladder emblem.

Anyone who should, for any reason, find themselves wanting to venture upstairs find themselves coming against a solid ban, courtesy of Provost Dee.

Lyle is working furiously, the poor kid, making sure everything is going off without a hitch. He can be seen scampering from place to place, adjusting this and checking that.

There are a few people here already, some the ever present obscure faceless mages of the city as well as a few who seem to have come from out of town to attend Eclipses party. They mingle about, chatting genially with one another.

Eclipse is moving throughout the room, greeting those he knows and introducing himself to those he does not - seeming to remember everyone's name. He wears a classy black tuxedo and bow tie.

A lovely woman in a revealing white dress and silver heels moves around the party, greeting people and troubling Lyle to assure her that everything is in order. She lives here, with Eclipse but the relationship is all business and she wants everything to be perfect for him.

Eclipse grasps Tug's hand firmly.

"Why thank you, Tug. I'm Eclipse. I remember you from the funeral. What a fine example of Adeptness with Life you showed. Bravo to you, it's always good to see someone so proud of their gifts. It's a pleasure to meet you."

Eclipse places a reassuring hand on one of Tug's big shoulders. "Rest assured, my friend. I'm well aware of the dangers that have come to plague this city. Exactly why I'm all the more pleased to have representatives of the Ungula Draconis in attendance tonight. Our Orders have ever been close allies."

Eclipse follows Tug's gaze over to Mirage, and he smiles at her as their eyes meet briefly as she moves through the room.

"Her name is Mirage. Beautiful, isn't she?" He turns his attention back to Tug "She is my assistant. She's well versed in both Sleeper and Awakened law. She is an invaluable asset."

Noticing that Tug and Eclipse were looking her way, Mirage dismisses the group she was greeting and walks over to them. "Good evening Deacon Eclipse. Mind introducing me?" She asks with a smile.

Eclipse smiles "Why, not at all." He gestures to Tug. "Mirage, this is Tug - of the Adamantine Arrow. He was in attendance at the funeral, remember? He was the one who made such a splendid showing of the Life arcana." He notices Andrade enter. "Excuse me, Mirage. Tug it's a pleasure to meet you."

He approaches the Hierarch and Starling, inclining his head a bit to Andrade. "It's good to see you, Hierarch. My thanks for finding the time to attend. It's my pleasure to host you." He extends a hand to Starling, smiling warmly "And greetings to you as well. My name is Eclipse."

Falx walks in wearing dark blue jeans and dark coat. Seeing one man talking he waits until addressed. He's never really been sure how the Ladder works other than its political and they try to make sure things run smooth. And a lot of smoothing could happen about now.

"Well, thank you." She replies sweetly. Eager to meet the new arrivals she tells Tug,"I hope you enjoy your time here, let me know if you need anything." Then goes over to Eclipse and begins introducing herself to the others when its her turn to speak.

Orphan arrives after many guests had already arrived. He'd been torn about attending at all, given all the things that had been happening, but he'd decided he might as well attend in order to meet some more of the local mages and because if something happened like what had occurred at the funeral, it would be good to have a larger Arrow presence. He was concerned about looking out of place, though, since he only wore one suit, and he wasn't in a hurry to wear that one again after the funeral. So, he dressed in his usual, very casual attire, save that along with his work boots and leather jacket he wore a button-down workshirt and comfortable jeans in place of the usual t-shirt and fatigue pants. He wore his pistol under his jacket, holstered in back, and since this was a formal Mage affair, he also arrived wearing his daisho, as was customary among members of his Legacy.

He just hoped he could get past the help in his outfit. "If not, I can always go back to the Circle of Creation and train some more," he mumbled to himself.

Animus arrives at the party, surprised at the sheer number of guests already there. Parties still aren't his idea of fun, but he is not about to miss an event hosted by a deacon. Almost immediately, he spots Eclipse talking with Andrade and Starling, and immediately heads toward them. He waits to be recognised, rather than breaking into their conversation.

After a brief exchange with the Hierarch and Starling, Eclipse walks over to Animus extending his hand to shake.

"Good evening to you, sir. I'm Eclipse. So glad you could make it."

Orphan managed to get in without a problem. He felt comfortable enough, but he as aware that he didn't exactly fit in. He was surprised to see how well Tug cleaned up. He noticed West and Zilker and several others he knew, and he wondered which of these other people was the Deacon.

Nothing better to do, he decided to just mingle and listen to the flow of the conversation, trusting Fate would eventually lead him to the party's host.

Animus returns the handshake. "I'm Animus. I wish we could have met under more more positive circumstances."

Orphan looks over Falx, who he thinks looks fine.

"Ah, give him a break. Me, the only suit I own is the one from the funeral. I thought wearing it today would be tempting Fate, and besides, I ripped out some seams doing my running stunt and haven't had time to repair it."

Orphan indicates his daisho, strapped across his back. "In the legacy I follow, the only mark of status is one's swords. Some of the Wavemen dress nicely, some not so much." He shrugs. "My mentor used to show for Concilium meetings in flip-flops and a Hawaiian shirt."

Looking over Tug and Brutus, he adds "Gotta say, though, you two look sharp."

Falx shrugs. "I'm not going to risk getting anything on that suit. It's nice, really nice, nice like I don't want to wear it when I half expect more stuff to happen." He opens his coat and the butt of a pistol can be seen. "I also wanted something that would let me hide that."

Falx nods. "Sounds good. I wanted to talk with West and the rest of us arrows as to what we think we should do. What ever it is, it shouldn't be just sitting around not paying attention." He looks at the door and then around. "Its not the door that I am worried about, this person doesn't like to be close. Its the windows, but that means no where is safe basically. Which is Not something that needs to be known."

"Nonsense. I'm just glad to have met you. So you're Animus. Fantastic work dealing with that obelisk situation. Thank you for coming. I'm trying to get a feel for what kind of Thearchs we have living in Sacramento. So far I have been a bit surprised but not displeased. Someday soon you and I will have to talk more about the Ladder's movements in this city but until then just enjoy the party. Excuse me."

He casts a glance over at the group of Arrows whispering together, and smiles somewhat knowingly. He walks by Mirage, whispering something in her ear. Then he begins to mingle again, opening himself up to anyone else who wants to introduce themselves to him.

"The person had the balls to shoot at mages at a funeral. I wouldn't put anything past them. And paranoid? Maybe but if its being paranoid or being caught with my pants down. Ill be paranoid and wear a belt to make sure." Seeing that Eclipse isn't talking to someone. "Sorry, I'll be right back I want to introduce myself."

He walks over to Eclipse. "Hello I'm Falx of the arrows."

Eclipse turns and smiles "It's good to meet you, Falx. I'm Eclipse. I remember seeing you at the funeral. Ugly bit of business, that."

Seeing Eclipse move on, Animus wanders over to where Joshua is talking with the Arrow Magister.

Falx nods. "Ya....there is something to be learned from it though." He pauses for a moment. "One thing, I am sorry if this is rude or if I have broken any sort of rule but" He opens his coat and shows the butt of a pistol. "I didn't want to be left with nothing to work with after what happened at the funeral."

Eclipse nods confidentially, drawing close to Falx and softly gesturing he re-hide the gun. "You've done nothing wrong. After all, what is a dragon without it's claws? It does raise the question, however, of who else could be bearing arms. I trust you and your fellows are remaining vigilant as always?"

"That just came up over with them." He motions to the other arrows. "We will be soon enough, if West doesn't show up I'm gana figure something out."

Mirage nods to Eclipse as he walks by and turns away from him, picking Andrade out of the crowd. She walks over to greet her, full of confidence. "Good Evening Hierarch Andrade. I hope you're enjoying yourself. I'm Eclipse's assistant Mirage. I wanted to thank you for welcoming us your city." She's smiling, truly grateful of Andrade's attendance.

"West? The Arrow Magister, correct?"

He gestures across the room to where West was talking with Zilker.

"I'm not sure, but is that not him over there?"

Falx looks over and stops himself from face palming. "Hah........" He shakes his head in bemusement. "Ah well apparently I could do to be more social couldn't I Would it offend you if I went over to talk with him right now? I'm not sure what passes as acceptable but I'd rather talk with him and get things set."

Eclipse seems to be trying not to wear too bemused an expression, though he thinks it odd that the man was asking for his position to speak to the leader of his own Order.

"By all means. It was a pleasure meeting you."

"Same, I hope sometime we can all get together and not have to be worried."

He walks over to where West is standing and stops a few feet away.

Falx steps closer. "I am wondering if you have any plans for this party or if we should just mingle and keep an eye out."

Mirage thanks Andrade and excuses herself. She wonders when the last time she saw Lyle was...he's Eclipse's problem now, I'm not dealing with it. She wanted to get he name out there, she couldn't let herself rely on Eclipse's status. She greets a few of the nameless crowd on her way over to Animus. Eclipse had brought him to her attention as another Silver Ladder and she wanted to introduce herself. "Hello, Animus I believe? I'm the Deacon's assistant, Mirage. Welcome." She's still all smiles.