Scene #2362: Into The Mouth Of The Beast

Owner	Pose
Yuuki Kuran	It's just past the full setting of the sun, and a grand ballroom has been set aside in a palatial residence in the middle of a very London-like city in the world where Yuuki and Zero called home. The grounds of the area are huge, and the three-story structure is placed in the center of a massive garden area, surrounded by a tall hedge and dotted with fountains and small sitting areas. In some places telescopes are set up, and in others, private nooks and crannies for Activites to take place. At the front is a two-lane entrance with a large gate and guardhouse outside where invitations are checked. All the modern conveniences of high-speed rail, and lovingly maintained vintage-looking cars are available to ferry people to the front door of the gated palace and grounds, though you can take your own vehicles. Security is present and watchful, mostly dressed in suits with black domino masks on to denote the 'help'. Past the gates and the grounds is a massive cream white building with stately columns and Victorian elegance, screaming two things: 'I have more money than God' and 'I decided to throw it at a huge off-white status symbol'. More guards are at the door, checking people for weapons. There are some people without the domino masks here, these individuals instead wearing red bicep bands with the insignia of the Hunter's Association on them and /all/ of them bear weapons openly or somewhat concealedly. Inside, and flitting around, are people - men and women - in dresses, suits, gowns, and other such outfits, all with snow-white masquerade masks of varying styles. These are, for anyone in the know... The Vampires. As for you all... There was a generous amount of invitations from the Kuran Family to Psyber (Plus Lots, Yuuki arranged extras if needed), Harry Dresden (Plus Four), and of course, the whole Hunter's Association was invited. But it wasn't Yuuki's name on the envelopes, sealed in red wax. It was the Vampire King, Kaname Kuran. And as you were admitted into the grounds, it was looking like a pretty interesting party. Yuuki, ostensibly, was already inside.
Harry Dresden	OH GOOD AN INVITE TO A PARTY. FROM A VAMPIRE. And Harry Dresden is here, and... uh. He's shown up with all of his gear. Like, visibly, he's magically loaded for bear. Staff, Rod, Rings, the whole works. He did this once before without that stuff and he's going to be damned if he's caught off guard again. And until such time as one of th guards insists he disarms himself, Harry Dresden is over at a snack table, eating cocktail weiners or the foppy rich equivalent and glaring at people.
Inga Freyjasdottir	Even if she couldn't quite read the invitation, she knows by looking at it that this is an event to dress up for. Inga wears her best dress that still allows her to carry all her various gear, that being the long hangerok style overdress of soft red wool and a good linen underdress, pinned at the shoulder with her silver brooches. At her woven belts rests the usual charms of bones and iron, along with her knife, and of course her staff is in hand. She's had her hair braided intricately with a touch of red ribbon. The woman arrived with Harry and is currently standing by his side, poised on a knife's edge but trying to look calm, watching everyone with slightly pursed lips and intense eyes. She's like to relax, but Harry's strung tighter than a bowstring and she can't help but feel his anxiety. She knows what happened last time he attended a party like this one.
Guest Psyber	Psyber is here! Psyber is wearing the suit that can be viewed on his wiki page picture. Dressed to look like somewhere between a mortician and a contract killer, Psyber has a blue band around his arm but seems to be mostly unarmed. Though, for Psyber, this is a misconception as people that know him can see a pad of paper tucked into the inside pocket of the long coat he wears. If drinks are available, he'll aim for a neat Scotch, probably single malt and as old as he can get given to him. He nurses that enjoyably and takes in the sights of the party.
Riva Banari	Riva's here, and she's loaded for bear too. 5rWell, bear... ish. She decided to arrive in her Templar uniform, the white-cross on red insignia letting people know that she's doing this Old School. Her weapons aren't present, but she does bow to the festivity by wearing a Venetian-style mask in white porcelain with a red plume. Also Templar colors, coincidentally. That's a lie, that's not a coincidence at all. The only break in the color scheme is the blue armband she was provided by the Hunter's Association. What it means, she has no idea, but she's wearing it. She has no weapons (unless you count her paintbrush-shaped Abstractum, Daemon, which rests in a side holster), but a cursory magical scan reveals that she has an array of protective charms on her, circulating power through her voluminous, brilliant central store of Anima. That life energy sure looks super tasty, doesn't it. She looks strangely relaxed for being in the middle of a huge pile of vampires and vampire hunters, the poofy-feathered Riva glancing around and sizing up the many luminaries present. They're here for a reason. She'll look into that while she's going to try to enjoy the completely odd feeling of attending a banquet and dance put on by vampires. It feels kind of like a cow giving a ballet recital at a steakhouse.
Zero Kiryu	Zero Kiryu was here ahead of time. He was here ahead of the main bulk of the guests, and probably before some of the hosts to boot. He's unhappy about this, more so even than he is unhappy about his baseline state of existence. This place is worse than a pit of vipers, it's a den of beasts. The majority of the upper crust here are sociopathic murderers who keep their crimes under the table, and the ones who aren't complete garbage are still subject to a society that permits such behavior. He is dressed for the occasion, complete with a fancy dark red cravat tied neatly around his neck. His mask is silvery, with a raised swirling pattern along its surface. Bloody Rose is suspended in a shoulder holster underneath one arm like always. Like all of the other Hunters, Zero has a red armband visible on his left arm. Unlike the other Hunters, he isn't actually doing very much in the way of active guard duty. He lingers at the edges of the gathering, along one of the upper floors overlooking the bulk of the party below. A balcony lies to his rear, with great off-white columns rising up at regular intervals along it. His expression is hard and focused. There is a goal to be accomplished here, but he has a job to do as well. It would not do to let the vampires present run amok. Not to mention, Zero considers, he has a need to keep an eye on Yuuki. She doesn't understand her predicament, and never has.
Yuuki Kuran	Inside the massive building, the first floor is dominated by a massive grand foyer lined with tables of food that Harry Dresden has begun to avail himself to, as well as at least a hundred - easily more - vampires in various states of officous dress, wearing masquerade masks and chattering amongst themselves, or glancing at the blue-armband'ed people. Much like Riva noticed, it was /kind/ of like the cow doing the ballet in the steakhouse floor, but though this was a pit of vipers... They were very well-behaved vipers. Many muttered and whispered darkly to one another, moving about in a sort of very pretty, if very generic sea of faces and masks and pretty clothes, fabrics and grace moulding together into a melange of derisive whispers and low moments of laughter. Interspersed here and there are people of a different flavor. Beyond the masses, there are the elites. Extra-pretty people. Some people wait in the wings, others wait in the periphery, people who sort of radiate power in their own ways. But the main attraction is off, at the back of the room, dominated by two chairs. One of them, obviously the seat of the King, sits a rather bored looking man who is visually only around 20-25, and is gorgeous like a schoolgirl's idle fantasy. A japanese schoolgirl, obviously, if anyone's savvy to that sort of thing. Kaname Kuran sits in a chair, while the paired chair, smaller and a bit lower to the ground sits empty. Yuuki is off doing Other Things. The party seems to hum and move, and Hunters are generally given a wide berth, most of them steely-gazed and all business. Kaname stands up, tinking his glass. "Hello, everyone." He begins, with a sort of affected, tired warmth. "Thank you for coming to this function. This is the first time those from outside our world have graced us with their presence. Welcome, travellers." He offers, sweeping out his glass to gesture to Harry, Psyber, Inga, and Riva. "I would also like to thank the Hunter's Association, for so... graciously providing security for this. We have a few guests who are late, but please, enjoy." He glances up at Zero, a strange look being traded between the two men. It seems the floor is open! Hunters move around in the rooms, making sure everything is on the level, and up on the third floor, on a balcony, is a main room that had been occupied early, and was looked over by a few /vampire/ bodyguards in suits. Hargrave doesn't seem to be here... yet.
Harry Dresden	Harry's hand grips a bit as the KING OF VAMPIRES addresses the crowd, and for a moment he feels a little less like the kine the Red Court considers him. Or, likely these folks either. The blue armband at least feels like a shield of some sort, as he shuffles around the room. The base of the staff click taps a bit as he walks, ringing out into the air with a solemn noise. Harry looks over at Riva and Inga, and pulls something from his pocket. It's his rusty trust dowsing quartz. He's pretreated it with a fine puree and wash of 'That Awful Bit Of Hargrave', and is quietly focusing his power into it, letting the magical compass lead him in a general direction.
Guest Psyber	'I haven't seen this many life-sucking ghouls in the room since the last time I was forced to testify at a Congressional hearing.' The thought foremost in Psyber's head as he sips at his scotch. When Kaname indicates him, he nods his head a bit and raises his glass in greeting to acknowledge the host. Best to mostly be polite and mingle. He's still on guard, though, and part of him worries about a fight breaking out. The other worries about Kaname finding out about what Yuuki has him covering up. Overall, he mostly looks uncomfortable at a fancy gathering. He's also thinking about an unrelated mission happening later.
Zero Kiryu	The exchange between Zero and the Vampire King is a telling one. Anybody who has eyes on the Hunter can tell that there's some sort of intense resentment there, although the exact nature of it is unclear from the exchange. There is something resembling a working business relationship there, but it can't be called "friendly" in the least. These two men have tried to kill one another before. It probably won't be the last time it happens, although in the present circumstances this rivalry is extremely tertiary. There is no reason for them to come to conflict. As a matter of fact, at the moment Zero wants Kaname's influence around so he can use it as a cudgel against Hargrave's masters. If he's to be used, then there is no trouble with using Kaname's influence in turn. Considering the circumstances, he doubts that it will even be taken as an affront or a problem of any kind. The action taken by Harry seems to instantly draw Zero's attention to him. In a sea of vampires, his supernatural signature is muted but distinct. But he can still tell that -something- is going on there that doesn't resonate with the talents of anyone else present. Several other of the Hunter's Association members pick up on it too, and start watching Dresden very, very closely. As for Zero though, he abandons observation after a moment to check the time on a pocket watch tucked into his coat. He closes it back up with a rather forcefull click of the lid. Yuuki is still faffing around with one of her friends, so he doesn't have to worry about her for a while. So, he begins to trail Dresden from the upper floor, following the edge of the balcony to keep watch over him.
Riva Banari	Riva has a glass of wine (She thinks it's wine, anyway) in her hand by the time the King begins his address. She doesn't seem to notice the sass from the Generic Asshole Vampire Gallery, instead giving a formal bow. "It is a pleasure to be here, Lord Kuran. I hope that this meeting allows us all to gain a greater understanding of each other's cultures, overcome the setbacks inevitable with encounters of this kind, and find a way to live in harmony." She raises a glass. "Long life and grace to you, Lord Kuran." At that, she takes a drink. God, she's always wanted to do that. At this point, she sweeps her gaze to the empty chair, and when she gets a moment, elbows Inga. "Hey." She whispers. "I don't see Yuuki anywhere. Harry, got any leads yet? I'm going to go case the floor." Riva steps out onto the floor, looking around at the various vampires and considering. Prettiness seems to definately be an indicator of stature here. She'll have to home in on one of the mid-level ones hanging around if any of them look promising and engage in DIALOGUE TREE SURFING. Whoever she picks, she'll approach and open up with a pleasantly neutral, "Hello there. Are there events like this often?" She asks with a smile.
Inga Freyjasdottir	Inga takes Harry by the arm as he begins to move, the pair of them both with their staffs. Inga is looking to Kaname, once again thinking about how men seem to be so /pretty/ around here and how weird that is. Yet girls stare with such longing! She supposes he's nice to look at in his way but...really, it was a sad day when beards went out of style. Inga's eyes are moving then, watching people--or often, through them. Her expression remains carefully neutral, only the most adept at reading people would notice the small changes in eye movement and other subtle body language cues that indicate she may be seeing things others do not. Indeed, being in a room with this many people is a dangerous place for her to be. Inga takes a deep breath and turns as Kaname stands and addresses them. Inga gives him the most graceful curtsy she can manage, leaning a bit more on her staff as she does so. "Indeed, we are grateful for your hospitality. I have never seen such a magnificent feast Lord Kuran," she compliments. It's true, too. This is really something. He must be a powerful man. To Riva, she grunts. "Mmm, good luck," she says. Such darkness in the room, dressed in glitter and lace. Inga leans in toward Harry. "Suggestions on what I should focus on?" she asks quietly.
Yuuki Kuran	The crowd erupts in a quiet bit of open laughter at Riva when she wishes Kaname long life and grace. Kaname himself gives a kind smile, raising his hand slightly as the barest ripple of... Something... Fills the air. Like a change in air pressure. The vampires very immediately go quiet. "Thank you very much, Miss... Banari, was it?" He wonders, before sitting back. The Hargrave crystal points to movement, aimed towards the second floor and moving slowly, but it's hard to tell. There's a lot of spiritual energy here. Lots. On the top floor, Yuuki emerges from the master room, and starts moving in a giant ungainly train dress down to the first floor. It'll take her a bit! But the guards don't move from the door. Kaname favors Psyber, then Harry (and his accoutrements) and Inga. "Do you have any questions? Surely you have come far. The Hunter's Association has promised absolute security for this engagement, but if there is something I could do to make the party... more enjoyable...? Also, those are strange weapons for a hunter, mister... Dresden, yes? I did not know they made wooden staves." Things seem to be moving, a dark apprehension of bad things unfurling before Inga's Seer Sight. Something Bad will happen tonight. Something Extremely Bad. It has the potential to see most of the people in the mansion dead... Or threatened.
Harry Dresden	Harry Dresden blinks a bit as he's being addressed. Hunters? The magic of the spell dissapates for a moment as he gets his information and the crystal goes slack. The wizard looks up to Kaname, and straightens up to his full height, not slouching like usual. He's still a scruffy hobo looking fellow. "Harry Dresden, that's right." He puts a bit of force behind those words, looking at the vampires in the room. Some of them are likely from Hargrave's crowd. He's surely been spotted by now and information is getting out from toadies to masters. A lip curls a moment under his scruff and he taps the base of that cane against the ground. And then Harry Blackstone Copperfield Dresden bows to Kuran. Like a full on bow. He's mustering all his Wizardly Gravitas right now, standing out like a sore thumb that's been beaten repeatedly with a hammer. "Harry Dresden of the White Council of Wizards. I come on troubling circumstances, to be sure. One of your number brought forces to my home in aggression and assaulted me. Invaded my home. Forced me to act in self-defense." Clack. The staff taps again. "I do not come in retribution, but for information. I want the whereabouts of." "Simon." "Hargrave." He channels all of his Force into that name, hoping to invoke something out of this crowd. This is not a Happy Wizard.
Guest Psyber	Psyber smiles pleasantly at Kaname and says, "Ah, my apologies if I'm douring the mood. I am always rather uncomfortable in these situations. Like a hawk among falcons or perhaps a tiger among wolves. It is a difficult feeling to describe," The essence of being an Apex Predator transposed amidst other Apex Predators, so to speak. Harry handles the questioning, so Psyber doesn't have much to put forward there. He swirls the Scotch in his hand a bit and continues to smile. It's a hollow smile and mostly for show as Psyber looks around the room, "Mm. It seems my associate is ahead of me in this particular matter. I have little else I could request of you with that placed on the table."
Zero Kiryu	The fact that Bad Things are coming doesn't seemed to have hit Zero beyond his usual paranoia around vampires. He skirts the edge of the balcony, heading in the direction of the staircase that Yuuki is taking down towards the ground floor. He's faster than her because he is a man, and therefore allowed to wear clothes that make some kind of reasonable sense. In a short enough time he comes alongside her and reaches out to tap her on the shoulder, trying to slow her up and get her attention. He'd rather not have her in the thick of things when Dresden's demand starts causing... Well, the sort of backlash this will inevitably cause. "Has your friend left yet?" He asks her, genuine concern heavily masked by irritation. This isn't a place for ordinary humans, least of all the sorts of visitors that Yuuki was entertaining.
Inga Freyjasdottir	Inga lets go of Harry's arm as she looks up toward Kaname. Her hands tighten on her staff slightly. Suddenly, her breath quickens with her heartbeat. Something dark is moving in the periphery of her Sight. Looming. Looming is the proper word. But Harry moves forward and introduces himself with pride and righteous anger. The corner of her mouth twitches in what threatens to be a smirk, but she soon has her expression under control once more. Inga looks back to Kaname to introduce herself, even though Harry has cut to the quick, but that turns out to be a mistake. A mistake, or maybe what will save them. Inga's eyes rapidly dialate, darkness swallowing her irises, spine straightening and muscles tensing as if trying to resist some outside force. That unnerving gaze is focused on Kaname Kuran, her eyes seemingly wide with horror. % For a moment, her eyes flick toward Yuuki. Despite having seemingly not noticed her entrance, Inga knows exactly where she is now as the young princess is pinned by the Seer's gaze. Hands shaking, clenching her staff in a white knuckled grip, Inga looks away and closes her eyes, focusing on her breathing. In, out. Slow. Inga reaches out toward Harry again. She does not wish to create a panic here. "Hargrave is here...but it is not necessarily him we should worry about," she says, gripping him tightly. She needs something solid. Then, she pulls him down to whisper in his ear. "We are all in danger. I have seen this room painted with blood." Inga looks to Kaname again, taking a deep breath. "A dark doom surrounds you Kaname Kuran...we all walk a thin line tonight. Be careful," she says, very quietly.
Yuuki Kuran	Kaname quirks a brow, as Harry Dresden makes himself Known and Heard. He seems mildly interested, in a dispassionate, detached sort of way, that gentle sort of affected warmth still visible as Dresden pulls every FUCK YOU, I'M GANDALF measure before the Vampire King. He looks at Harry, and speaks. "... of the White Council of Wizards? I'm very... sorry that you experienced that. The Vampire Council is very clear on the rules governing Vampires attacking humans. The judgement is summary, and usually handled by the Hunter's Association. Have you lodged a complaint with them?" He asks, diplomatically. "A moment, then." Kaname finishes, gesturing towards one of the elites, who... Disappears from the croud and appears, Ninja-like, next to him. She whispers in his ear, as the crowd around Dresden begins to violently shy away, the combined effect of his Power and his Demand - of the King, no less... The ninja - Seiren - ninjas off to find a guest list. Yuuki, up on the second level, shakes her head. "No, not yet. Once the party clears out, she'll be escorted out. I've got some of our family's retainers guarding the door, and there's a Hunter in there with her. She'll be fine!" She offers, gesturing at the door up past the third floor balcony. Which has no guards at it. Yuuki squints at the door. "Huh." And then every vampire in the entire party goes deathy silent, as eyes begin to light up. Zero also knows. It's the scent of blood.
Yuuki Kuran	There is a small mutter, as Inga speaks of blood, and like a prophecy, blood lingers on the air. Vampires - especially vampires from this world - have an INCREDIBLE nose. They all look on in Horror at Inga whose mysterious powers of Dramatic Timing... Harbinge this party's rather dramatic 'ending'. Hunters are already reacting, drawing weapons and readying to put down the monsters. Because most of them are getting REALLY ANTSY. Super ultra antsy. "Why?" Come the voices from the crowd. "Fool! Foolish human!" come others.
Harry Dresden	The change in the air is tangible, and even Harry Being Gandalf and read the tea leaves as they were. Inga helps in that regard as well, the doomsaying catching his attention first. The Wizard looks to the King, and murmurs. "Hargrave has something that he stole and if he dies, th knowledge of its location dies with him. But." Blood. Energy. Harry's stomach lurches as he has a sudden image. Hells bells. "That may be too late though. I think Mr. Hargrave has done something /stupid/."
Zero Kiryu	The scent of blood is alarming enough in itself, but the fact that Yuuki's guards are no longer present is enough for Zero's irritation to be completely justified. He breathes a heavy sigh and departs from Yuuki's company, his hand falling into his jacket and coming out again with Bloody Rose at the ready. He does not recognize the scent of the blood, so it's not Yuuki's friend. Who must it be? He manages to suppress his own hunger and prevent the glow of his eyes, but it does give him a nagging longing to drink. It'll have to wait. Even the pills will have to wait. "No one is to be permitted to leave until the situation is resolved." Zero calls, not merely to Yuuki, but to the Hunters and Vampires at large. A rapid flurry of movement commences among the Hunters, who move to create checkpoints at possible entrance/exit points. Even if this small amount of order gives the Hunters something to do in the short term, it won't keep them busy forever. There's bound to be a confrontation over it. In the meantime Zero continues his advance, approaching the indicated door along the third floor balcony, keeping Bloody Rose aimed towards the ceiling for the time being. What is the situation inside? There are wounded. Are there dead? Does he have time to figure it out before entering? No. Zero puts his shoulder against the door and PUSHES, without even troubling to get moving start. He doesn't need one to knock down something as petty as a door. No, not even one here.
Guest Psyber	Psyber still holds his Scotch in his hand, swirling it a bit and sniffing the amber-colored liquor as he stares around the party. At the moment, he's mostly serving as a watcher and oversight for the entire event. This changes, though, as the entire party becomes on edge. The half-angel holds his glass and then looks up towards the top level as Zero calls out that no one can leave. His own eyes flash red as they track. The half-angel stares at the mansion to watch Zero's progress, but more than that to try to see if he can track any unusual movement. There's a lot of background noise in a place like this, so he's unsure if he'll be able to. But it's worth at least trying to give it a look and check for unusual supernatural movement. If he CAN spot unusual movement, he'll immediately relay it over some method of communication (probably radio) to Zero to help his pursuit.
Inga Freyjasdottir	"So it begins," she mutters, then sighs. Well, that was /fast/. Vision didn't give them much warning that time. Will it be enough? She'd tried to keep it quiet, but something has happened upstairs and suddenly everyone knows it. For a moment all eyes on her, some hissing at her like it is her fault it is happening. She raises her chin slightly, ice in her gaze. Her grip tightens on her staff, but she does not reach for her knife. Blood magic at the moment seems like a really terrible idea. Inga sticks close by Harry, giving him a meaningful look. She doesn't care what Zero says, they will be leaving if they have to.
Yuuki Kuran	Zero burts through the room, revealing a rather grisly sight... One hunter, a female, with her throat slit and her weapon almost readied. Next to her, is a twitching near-corpse of a man in a very nice suit, who is slowly bleeding out from a heart-wound from a piece of wood from the bannister lodged into his heart. He wears a nice suit, and has a horrible set of festering boils across one whole side of his face. He holds a bloody knife, which was used to stab the hunter. There are no other occupants of the room. Hargrave is gasping weakly, but he's not got long for the world. It'd be pretty easy to rush up there for everyone - the hunters aren't giving a second glance to those with blue armbands. Psyber's rush spots a strange shadow crossing the otherwise starry night out into the countryside, but it's only in passing as he sees out a window. It's probably nothing
Harry Dresden	Harry is tall, he is lanky, and he is a runner. He's also not leaving Inga behind. At the noise upstairs, he grumps, hands her his staff, and hoists her up, making a break for the stairs. It's not easy princess carrying someone at high speed up two flights of stairs, but Harry manages not to biff Inga into a railing. He does plant her feet back on the ground and get his staff back though, heading for the room... A crime scene. Dammit. "Hells bells. This is not what I needed. Or you." He looks at the blood all over and the vampires getting froggy. This isn't good.
Riva Banari	Riva was going to do this COVERT STYLE but we forgot that Harry gets all GANDALF up in this shiz, and Harry is no conjuror of cheap tricks. Except when they're not expecting it. Riva's abortive attempt to schmooze her way into the information she was looking for leads to a burst of speed as Riva augments her movement with Anima, rushing up to the room where, surprise surprise, the man of the hour happens to be bleeding out. "Well damn. Look what you did to yourself, Hargrave. Or maybe someone did to you, I can't tell." She says, quickly kneeling down next to him. she can't do anything for that wound. Or the boils, but that was all him. "Can you talk? What happened here and why?" She can smell a scheme in the air. It smells kind of like blood and douchebaggery.
Yuuki Kuran	ALSO IN THE ROOM: Two dusted piles of dead vampire goons and a two nice suits and black domino masks.
Yuuki Kuran	Hargrave looks up, his lips moving, trying to say something, but he's not really capable of talking. In fact, he looks like he's strong enough to speak, even as he bleeds out from the heart-wound, but when he 'speaks', only air comes out. Words are totally beyond him. There is something acting on him, some compulsion forcing him not to act. The room is tossed, beyond that, and there are some signs of a light struggle, something human in the cold, clinical state of the room. Two dead vampire retainers. One dead Hunter. One dying, and mute, Hargrave. As Yuuki, Seiren, and Kaname approach, bringing up the rear of the group, it takes almost all of Yuuki's composure to force a strong face. Kaname gestures to Hargrave. "I'm sorry, Mister Dresden." He offers. "I'd have offered his life to you, but it seems someone got to him first. Under the auspices of my hospitality, no less." There's a pause, as he turns to Yuuki. "Wasn't your... friend here?"
Zero Kiryu	Zero has to think very quickly to determine what to do in this situation. The first observation he makes is that Yuuki's guest is not present, which means she either left or was taken from this place. The second observation he makes is that there are two deceased vampires -- presumably the security -- that don't appear to have actually fought significantly. No holes on the suits they left behind. They could've been hit in the head, that's always a possibility, but most likely there would be at least a little bit of a sign of it. Their masks aren't even touched. There's plenty of back-up in this room. Time to get clever. He storms out of the room and barks to Yuuki, "Get over to Hargrave and do what you can to help. No time to explain. Just do it." For now, Zero trusts to Yuuki to know what she -can- do to help. He hates the idea so much he doesn't even want to suggest it, but he's certain she'll come to an appropriate conclusion all on her own. Then, he comes to the edge of the balcony and gazes down into the crowds below, and starts barking orders to the Hunters below, "All guests are to be divided into groups according to family affiliations and grade of entity. All Purebloods are to take positions at the foot of Kuran's throne. All nobility are to assemble in the center of the room. Formerly human vampires and human associates of attending families are to gather by the entryway. Sub-divide each group according to family and known affiliation." "Once everyone is in place, take a roll call from the guest list. Identify all missing parties and inform us of who isn't present." Zero pauses for a moment, and then adds, "Summon the entire facility staff that is not otherwise engaged in assisting with these tasks to shelter in one of the adjacent unoccupied rooms. No one is to be unaccounted for. Anyone found roaming without a purpose is to be detained by force."
Riva Banari	Riva frowns at the croaking. "Damn." She tries to think of something. He wants to talk, but he can't... And then when the King walks in, Riva's eyes brighten up behind her mask. "Lord Kaname, he looks like he's been told not to talk, can you override it? Inga! Can you keep him alive?" She pauses. "At least a little bit?" He needs to live long enough to spill if he can, at least. Harry will probably know what to do better, he IS a detective after all.
Guest Psyber	Psyber draws his handgun as he spots the form retreating against the starry sky. He braces his feet on the ground, grips the gun in both hands, and tries to squeeze off a quick trio of shots out behind it. He doubts he can stop it from fleeing or take it down. But as the streaks of silver shot cross out into the night sky, he might be hoping just to wound it a little and create a trail they can follow. "Something fled the premesis. I couldn't tell what," He says to Zero seriously, holstering the gun after he takes the trio of shots.
Harry Dresden	Harry... growls at all of this. "It's alright, Lord Kuran. It's not as if I expected him to... well. Much of anything at this point. He was a wanted man. But now I'm suspecting he was not the one pulling the stings on this." That much is clear, Dresden. Zero's rounding up suspects. Good. That gives Harry a chance to do his thing. He nods Inga over towards the dead Hunter and murmurs. "Send her on her way, Inga. See if her heart's blood has anything to tell you." Damn. The Wizard pulls a piece of chalk from his duster, and starts to draw a wide circle around the fallen Hunter. He's sealing her off from outside influence. If Hargrave is geased, this poor girl's spirit might be too.
Yuuki Kuran	Kaname looks to Riva, mildly surprised, and then nods. He looks to Hargrave, and takes a very Particular tone with him. "Your king commands you - speak." Hargrave gasps. "It... It wasn't me! He told me to do it... to kill the hunter, and then... he stabbed me." He blurts out, like a flood, before he gasps lightly. "Then he said for me to speak no more..." He sighs, starting to slouch and slump even in his sorry state. Yuuki looks at Zero, and his suggestion, and after a brief moment - almost too late - goes 'oh!' and nods, biting her own thumb, hard, before pressig it into Hargrave's mouth, a small trickle of her blood falling into his mouth. Hargrave proceeds to stabilize, rapidly and miraculously, his breathing steadying as the Blood of Kings fixes him right up, rapidly - especially as Yuuki pulls the stake from his heart after feeding him a little blood. Kaname looks curiously to Harry, and then Inga. "More of your... ah... wizardry? This man was ordered by a pureblood to an action. He is still yours to handle, of course."
Yuuki Kuran	Around, the hunters nod, and thankfully - there are no other Purebloods here tonight to be WILDLY OFFENDED at being ordered around by 'The Lapdog of the Kurans' or 'Bloody Kiryu' or other epithets, one or two vampires who don't know better simply trying to leave. Thankfully, since this is Kaname's party, members of the old Night Class - after Kaname nods down to them - begin herding people around, saying it's 'Lord Kaname's wishes' and such, to get the vampires to dance to Zero's tune. Then, the hunters start getting the Guest Lists - Seiren ninja'ing off to do her lord's wishes. There is a lot of grumbling and hateful eyes up at Zero, but... Hahaha when did Zero care about nameless Vampires. He barely cares about his adoptive sister and her horrible superbrotherfiancee.
Inga Freyjasdottir	Inga steps into the room gingerly, shaking her head at the scene. Traditional investigation she will leave to Harry and others for now, there are other areas where she can be useful. The blood of the recent dead can be quite helpful to her in finding out what happened here, as can leaving herself open to further visions. Riva suggests she heal Hargrave and Inga's brows rise. "Do you really think that wise? To spill more blood in the presence of vampires poised to give in to bloodlust?" she asks. It would seem as though Yuuki has that handled anyway. Inga watches the miraculous healing Yuuki's blood offers and thinks perhaps they were not too late. Inga looks to Harry then, and nods. She moves to the dead Hunter and kneels beside her. She reaches over to close the woman's eyes and compose her into a more dignified position, then says a prayer over her body. "Odin recieve you into his grand hall of Valhalla, warrior, if that is your desire. There you will feast with your brothers and sisters until the foretold battle is come. May your ancestors embrace you. Watch over those you leave behind...before the valkyries take you, there is revenge to be taken. Will you speak with me?" she asks, reaching forward to dip her fingers into the bloody wound, wetting her fingers then bringing them to her own forehead, closing her eyes as she begins to draw a runic symbol. When her eyes open, they are distant, staring into the spirit world. "Thank you, for speaking with me. No...no you did not fail. You did your job. It was your job to lay down your life if needed, yes? Don't worry, I am quite sure you will have revenge. Go now, you will be honored," Inga says, assumably to the spirit. After a few moments of breathing to bring herself back, Inga turns toward the others. "It happened quickly. She says she saw 'some kid in a top hat'. She is angry with herself, believing that she failed."
Riva Banari	Riva stands and looks to the others. "Well, looks like your instinct was right, Harry. This was a setup..." She pauses. "This was meant to cause a huge breakout in the middle of the party. A Vampire and a Hunter dying in the middle of the party, tensions are already high. Things could have become a huge bloodbath." She looks to Harry and the others, and Inga provides some more information. "Anyone know anyone of that description? If that's the case, maybe we'll have our culprit after all."
Harry Dresden	Harry... just takes this all in, and then looks over at Hargrave and the others. He sighs and kneels down next to Hargrave, looking right into the vampire's eyes. He does not blink. He does not waver. "Simon, were you ordered to take the vial?"
Zero Kiryu	For a brief time, Zero remains outside on the balcony, overseeing the herding of vampires below. It galls him that Kuran's approval is required to get it in full swing, but he doesn't have the time to stew on it. He stows Bloody Rose, turning his attention towards Psyber and nodding simply. "It's probable that our target was never formally a part of this event to begin with. If that's the case, there's not much to be done about it. We'll see what the search below turns up by the time the night is over." He glances out towards the windows, his sour expression becoming even more sour. The conversation going on in the nearby room doesn't escape him. Hargrave was given orders by a Pureblood... who has since fled. There are no Purebloods in the crowd below, so either no Purebloods were in attendance or one slipped away before the lockdown began. Taking a deep breath, he concentrates on his sense of smell, and his Hunter'se senses. Is there anyone moving out there? How fast? Where? But even if there is... there's a chance they would be non-corporeal or otherwise in non-human form. That could be troublesome to detect, much less track. Especially if the girl is folded into it.
Inga Freyjasdottir	Inga looks toward Harry, confused for a moment--then, her eyes widen. Will that even work?
Yuuki Kuran	Kaname gives a very slow nod. "Yes. There are many who dress like that, though I can think of few foolish enough to attack me so openly like this. It would be suicide, and furthermore, war." Kaname can, unfortunately, think of a few. One he had to personally beat the piss out of, and semi-recently. Hargrave, as Harry asks him a question, looks distant. His eyes, when locked, are scared. And the soulgaze doesn't take. Hargrave was a Noble, vampire-born. He looks mildly terrified, his once cool and businesslike eyes dialated and fearful. "The vial... he wanted the vial. He said I could have some, if I brought it to him, but he was impatient." Hargrave looks down at his blooded chest. A nearly immortal man, empowered by the taste of pureblood power, and he's cowed and fearful of powers. "I'm dead." He mutters. Kaname's mouth is a think line as he listens. The vampires, below, mill about, the few stragglers run down. The perpetrator, long gone, on a sea of shadows. The barest scent of another Pureblood /is/ here, but... Dark, and gone.
Harry Dresden	There's a snarl of /anger/ on Harry's lips, and he draws the blasting rod from under his coat. The tip is suddenly pressed up and underneath Hargrave's throat, the base of the rod near Harry's hand sparking and sputtering fire in the runes. That heat is flowing up the shaft, slowly. "How does it feel, PHAGE? That taste of mortality?" His lip curls, and Harry's eyes narrow into hateful slits. "You were a dead man the moment the Hunters got wind of this. The moment you made that deal. Think about that, the next time. If there is a next time." The rod smoulders out and Harry steps up and away. "He's yours, Zero."
Yuuki Kuran	ULTRA BELATEDLY - the shadowy form that Psyber saw, dark against the starry and bright night sky, has a trio of shots that sail towards it, but the shape is fast, and hard to track. It was barely a hint in the corner of Psyber's eye to star with! But for his quick work and quicker eyes, only smoke and shadow, or really, nothing at all is hit. If this were some sort of MURDER MYSTERY BOOK, the shots would drop some clue, or maybe some tophat. But no, all that's there is to it. It was heading in a certain direction though. Perhaps that's a clue?
Yuuki Kuran	Back in the Crime Scene - Kaname nods. "Well. If you don't want to question him further, for crimes against humanity, the sentence is quite clear. Zero, if you would - as a representative of the Association?" The Vampire King requests, coldly.
Guest Psyber	Psyber finishes holstering his gun. It was a pretty futile effort to shoot at something that far out, but he couldn't resist trying. Mostly a waste of silver, though. He heaves a sigh and then moves to walk along with Zero, grumbling at the figure getting away, "It looks like it was heading out towards the countryside," He gestures in the direction the fleeing shadow had gone. "Assuming it's directly fleeing back to its home area, what's out that way?"
Zero Kiryu	Zero seems to contemplate Kaname's request. He regards Hargrave distantly, his desire to do away with predators such as these wrestling with the cold, factual knowledge that a vampire ordered by their Pureblood to carry out an act is almost categorically incapable of resisting. His own ability to power through such commands is essentially unheard of. He turns his gaze towards Yuuki, "Order him to answer my questions honestly." It is, perhaps, noteworthy that Zero does not demand the same of Kaname. He'd rather not ask Kaname for anything, if he can avoid it. In response to Psyber, Zero answers, "Wild country and the Touma estate. Nothing else of note on this landmass." He seems entirely unsurprised by this information.
Inga Freyjasdottir	Inga watches Harry as he only barely keeps his temper. She frowns gently, a line of worry creasing her brow. When Harry backs away and Kaname passes sentence, Inga reaches to place her hand gently on Harry's arm, hoping to soothe him with her presence. See? She's unharmed. Inga glances to the dead Hunter who's spirit she spoke with. "Your vengence will be taken," she says quietly, then looks back to Hargrave. She feels pity for him, but she won't speak in his defense, either. There is one thing she can do. Inga gestures to him, lips parting to softly chant for a moment. She reaches to her belt, detaching her finger bone charms. These she waves toward him.... and the curse she'd cast is lifted. He'll die pretty.
Guest Psyber	"It would be worth investigating the Touma estate then, wouldn't it?" Psyber asks to Zero deferringly, not actually sure what the rules are like for society around here beyond people having to listen to Yuuki when she commands them. "I mean, from the logical standpoint. Last known heading and all."
Yuuki Kuran	Hargrave flinches, the rod under his chin. "If you had just gotten it to me, none of this would have happened... No attack! No party... no dead hunters, no..." He trails off, going ashen white at Kaname ordering his execution. Yuuki, off to the side, nods, quietly, still shocked. She's acting stiffly, her calm face a fractured mask, as something very horrifying has happened to her, personally. Her /only/ human friend was in this room, and has been abducted. By another pureblood. "Uh... Simon Hargrave, answer the questions truthfully." She intones. Hargrave gives an expression like he was punched in the face, and then his eyes sort of glaze over. Thankfully, his boils are gone!
Zero Kiryu	"Were you complicit in the orders given to you, or did you resist to the best of your ability?" Zero demands of Hargrave. He nods towards Psyber and says, "That is where we'll be looking next. Our immediate next step is identifying any other Touma loyalists who have been present on the grounds."
Yuuki Kuran	Hargrave shakes his head. "No. I wanted some of the blood for myself. You know - you've tasted it. I can smell it on you. And now, I tasted it too... the most exquisite flavor, the rush of power. I /wanted/ just a taste, and if everything had gone to plan..." He shivers, his glazed eyes distant too. "I can thank you, for getting the Princess to feed me herself... heh... heh..."
Zero Kiryu	"Identify the individual who issued orders to you in as much detail as you are able to offer us. I want to know all routes of escape and all hiding places that you are familiar with." Zero responds to Hargrave, his voice growing exceptionally cold. He hasn't drawn Bloody Rose yet, but that's probably not much of an indicator of what he's going to do. His entire body language changed instantly when Hargrave gave his answer. The man is tense as a spring, if not quite VISIBLY restraining himself from lashing out immediately.
Harry Dresden	Harry Dresden... does not move. Does not flinch at the mocking voice of Hargrave. Certainly not with Inga's hand on his arm. A number of vaguely Latin words are right there on the tip of his tongue though. Something also smells like fire.
Inga Freyjasdottir	Inga rests a hand casually on the knife at her belt. "I'm just going to mention that he doesn't necessarily need to be alive to answer questions." Inga rolls Intimidate.
Yuuki Kuran	Hargrave opens his mouth as if to speak, and then shakes his head. "I can't. I can't... remember." He intones distantly, the overriding command of Yuuki still active, but Hargrave incapable of answering. "They left... out the window. Gone... Gone with the girl." He shudders. Kaname shakes his head. "Since Yuuki..." He gives a rather tender look to the breaking pureblood princess. "Gave him some of her blood, her power is very strong in him. And the Kuran line is that of the King. No lesser vampire can deny us, except a thrall under the direct control of another." Yuuki moves back to lean against the doorframe, hugging her arms around herself, and closing her eyes. She's a double wreck on confirmation that Probably Touma has her friend. Her Human friend. Hargrave seems to think for a moment. "Maybe if you... give me more blood... I can think better. Aheh... heh..."
Yuuki Kuran	Kaname frowns, asiding to Psyber. "Touma... Mmm. He may have a grudge against us. The younger one, at least. I had... words with him. He not to long ago attacked Yuuki, when she was touring the families. I had to... discipline him." He answers. "I had thought that matter handled."
Inga Freyjasdottir	"So whoever is responsible is as powerful, or moreso, than Yuuki?" Inga asks of Kaname. Seems like they may have entangled themselves in what might become a house war. Figures.
Zero Kiryu	Zero reaches back into his jacket and draws out Bloody Rose. He doesn't point it at Hargrave, instead allowing it to settle, pointed towards the ground and at his side. Vines begin to sprout from it, metallic and thorned, winding their way up his sleeve and piercing his body. He tilts his head slightly towards Hargrave, but it's clear that he's already made up his mind what to do with the noble vampire. "Bloody Rose, take back what was given." He commands the weapon. The vines sprout outwards more rapidly, burying themselves in Hargrave where his legs and arms meet with his torso, immediately rendering the limbs useless and preventing any immediate possibility of escape or reprisal. The man behind the weapon glowers down at Hargrave with disgust, not merely at Hargrave's own actions, but also at the fact that he is quite right. In an effort to secure information, Zero did effectively give Yuuki's blood to this filth. In vengeance for Hargrave's actions, and his mockery, Zero simply has Bloody Rose drink him until there's nothing left.
Yuuki Kuran	Kaname shakes his head, to Inga. "No. Whoever is responsible simply used him, and then tore the memories from his mind." He mutters, before turning to leave. "I'll send someone up to clean up. I have to make sure everyone downstairs is..." There's a very cold look that flashes across Kaname's face. "Comfortable." With that, he's gone, leaving a screaming and swiftly silenced Hargrave (in a giant pile of steely vines). Leaving the room with a corpse, two piles of dust, a smear, a shellshocked princess, Harry Dresden, Inga, Riva, Psyber, a livid Zero... And a fistfull of clues that all point to one person, with a missing girl hanging in the balance.
Harry Dresden	The smouldering smell fades from Harry's personage as the ending begins. He sighs and slumps a little bit, the I Am Gandalf routine having taken it out of him. It's hard to maintain that sort of thing for a guy whose primary resting state is Curmudgeon. He grumbles, and pats Inga's arm. "Parties suck, why do I go to these things?"
Inga Freyjasdottir	"Because you like to look at me when I dress up," she suggests to Harry, taking his arm. "Come on, lets go."