Illuminata walks assuredly up to the front desk of the Casino, dressed in the 21st century equivalent of flapper-chic, a cigarette hanging out of her mouth in a long black holder.

"Yes, dear, could you please tell mister Arturo that Miss de Borbón-Sicilies is here to see him? There's a doll," she smiles as she leaves an extravagant tip in the reception desk.

The receptionist, a peppy young thing who gushes over anyone who tips her will point Illuminata right to the private lounge and wont even attempt to spell her name for any of the guest records...

The private lounge is hosting some minor event tonight. Lots of self important looking people mill about at the tables and propose toasts while looking down on the rest of the casino.

Illy will spot Thomas at the corner of the bar, apparently taking a break from his hosting. the party must be winding down as he has lost his jacket and wound up with rolled up sleeves.

He is speaking lowly with a well dressed Russian man behind the bar...

Illy walks up to Arturo, looking for all the world as if she belongs here, a long black designer dress adorning her curvaceous, attractive form.


"Thomas, my old friend. We must talk. My hometown has become such a bore, I decided to come for a visit to your wonderful city" she says, throwing a disdainful glance at the company arrayed around him.  

--Last edited by Illuminata de Borbón-Sicilies on 2008-08-27 11:31:08 --

Whoever Thomas was talking with, some of the less than notable help no doubt will immediately recieve the brush off. Thomas shoos them away with one hand, even though its likely Illy will prefer to converse elsewhere.

'A pleasure to see you again my dear.' Thomas greets her with a very chaste kiss as he always has. His eyes roam beyond her for a moment, seeing her without her sire or an associate is odd indeed...

'But from what i hear Atlanta has become anything but boring...'

His tone lowers, hard to tell if its concern or fear in his voice...

Illy kisses him on both cheeks in the traditional European style.

"Well, you are right, of course, my dear. I have much to tell you about these last weeks."

She smiles as he shoos the help away. "Would you prefer to adjourn to somewhere perhaps a bit more private," she asks, lighting up another cigarette as soon as the one she was smoking is done.

'I would.' Thomas agrees. Her news and arrival easily supercedes any plans he had for this evening. Thomas will signal for Alexi to keep an eye on things in his place while he and Illy retire to one of the private rooms.

Any one of them except room four. They are probably still cleaning it after Christines tormenting imprisonment.

The rooms are all laid out the same. This one decoreated in more lavish old western style than the lounge. Like the place an oil tycoon would retire with a half dozen of the frilly dressed bar wenches to spend an evening.

Half the room is surrounded by adjoined seating with a low table in the center. One wall dedicated to a plasma screen Thomas would spend a decade learning to operate...

The lighting is dim, the atmosphere only needs a little smoke to make it perfectly authentic...

And smoke she will provide, more than enough for two.

"Oh Thomas, this is so kitsch! I just love it!" she exclaims as she takes in the Old West decor.

She sits delicately at the table and looks up at Thomas.

"Things are dire in Atlanta, old friend. I'm afraid this classy rat just fled that ship."

'A wise decision im sure. I wish i could tell you were were free from Sabbat problems but that is not the case...'

Thomas takes a seat across from Illy. He knew many of the kindred from Atlanta, and might even be upset to hear that some of them didnt make it...

'Tell me a story love, is the storm really as bad as they say?'

Illy sighs and lights another cigarette, taking a long drag before beginning to speak.

"Well, they've had us under siege for quite a long time now. Prince J. Benison is barely holding on to his power, much less his sanity. His wife, the blue blood, did you know her?" She looks at Arturo's face for signs of recognition. "Eleanor, yes, well she fell before the siege was truly established. A sneaky affair, that. Her fall did warn us that bad things were afoot, though," she muses.

"The Tremere are still hanging on, and very helpful in fighting off those bloody Sabbat. They have taken some losses, but the Chantry still stands."

She smiles. "No one has seen the Nosferatu, but then...that's not too unusual of them, now is it?"

"Your own clan still fares as well as it can, under the circumstances. Marlene has done an excellent job of pulling them together, though if the city falls, very few of them will survive it."

She frowns and lights another cigarette, puffing away in thought.
"Clan Brujah is all but wiped out. Thelonious, bless his heart, led the first charge. I believe his sacrifice and that of his clanmates to have been instrumental in allowing the city to last even this long."

"Things are not good, Thomas. The ranks are thinning at a terrifying rate, and the most capable fighters have been killed, with the exception of the Warlocks whose magics still stay strong. Our most powerful elders, including my sire, had mostly fallen to the deep sleep before the siege began, and I fear that without their help, Atlanta will soon be Sabbat territory."

"But how fares your own city? You say you have problems with those filthy bastards here as well?" she asks, sitting back in her chair, watching Thomas's reactions to what she has just told him.

Thomas has always found it odd that every Domain in Georgia was headed by a Malkavian. But if nothing else Mad princes tend to afford the otehr clans less predictable opportunities than your run of the mill ventrue autocrat.

Thomas nods recognition of Elanor. He was never fond of her, but he knew of her.

'Dire news indeed. The sabbat have just recently begun to make incursions into this domain. They had us encircled for a few months but something broke their approach and they started being more direct.'

Thomas sighs lightly. 'The Toreador and Brujah Primogen have both fallen. And this domain doesnt have a reserve of Brujah or gangrel we can throw at the oncoming horde.'

If Thomas had his way he would just send the rest of the sniveling neonates to their deaths regardless of clan but its never really that simple anymore.

'Sanfield has become the light in the dark i fear, We have survivors coming from Atlanta as well as the Port City of Lussuria...'

The grim news just keeps stacking. The normally dapper Thomas almost seems morose, but a seige will do that to anyone whos blood would be a high prize for sabbat diablerists.

'But im glad you have made it here. Traveling even short distances these days is dicey buisness. The Regent and our Prince will want to hear your news as well im sure. Our court is gathering tommoro night in some new location. Can i offer you temporary lodgings and the safety of my domain until you are able to present youself?'

As if he really has to ask, Thats ahlf the reason shes here Thomas is sure. But at least he enjoys her company, most people would be a burden and these days Thomas wouldnt offer his domain lightly...  

Illy lets out a soft whistle between her teeth, then pauses to light yet another cigarette.

"Two primogen already? It would appear they are employing similar tactics here, then. That is a shame, a shame indeed."

Pensive, she continues. "If your fighting forces are low, it might behoove your Prince to allow the Rabble and the Outlanders to embrace more into their clan. Though untested, those would at least have an edge. But that just seems so...Sabbat, really, this concept of cannon fodder. But it could prove useful at a time like this."

Her eyes twinkle at Thomas's mention of Port Lussuria. "Oh, my dear, I have heard the kindred from Port Lussuria are quite special. I hope they aren't causing any trouble," she laughs. "I would like to see who has come here from Atlanta, though. I may be able to provide some sense of their...reliability."

Putting out and lighting another cigarette, the ashtray already quite full, she continues. "Yes, I am certainly glad to have made it here in one piece. I couldn't have done without my two girls, delightful creatures that they are. Others in the city are far less fortunate in their choice or, well, their sad lack of servants."

She smiles at Thomas's offer. "Oh how simply fortunate that I have made it here just in time for a gathering at Elysium. I would be quite pleased to accept your hospitality, my dear, it's so lovely of you to offer. It will be nice have an opportunity to meet your Prince, of whom I have heard much, as well as to see my friend the Regent again."

She frowns a bit, finding the request she has to make of Thomas a bit distasteful. "Now listen, Thomas, I hate to have to ask this favor of you, it's just distasteful, but it protects my lovely hide."

She looks intently at Thomas. "You are aware of the arrangement I had with Marlene in Atlanta, yes? The Prince and the Elders knew of my unconventional heritage, but we kept the rest of the city in the dark, and Marlene treated me as one of her family when around younger kindred. Neonates can just get so bent out of shape when they hear certain words."

She sighs. "Well, I do hate to impose upon your already generous hospitality, but perhaps we could come to a similar arrangement, Thomas?"

She looks forlornly at her empty cigarette holder, then reaches into her purse and pulls out another one, lights up, and waits for Thomas's answer.  

--Last edited by Illuminata de Borbón-Sicilies on 2008-08-30 22:10:19 --

'It would be an honor to introduce you as a member of my clan, Illy.'

Thomas smiles. Its also an honor to already have her deep in his pocket. But whats a few boons after decades of getting along.

'I fear i may be forced into the position of Primogen soon. I have avoided it for two months since ours fell... a tragic loss, that, Marcus was much more suited to titled leadership than myself.'

Thomas is more the manipulative, favor trading type. Or maybe he just prefers to hob nob about his casino and spend his nights smothered in blood dolls rather than listen to the endless complaints of Neonates or have people other than a few close friends actually expect something from him...

Illy chuckles abit.
"You know, my dear, if they do force you into that position, I would be quite willing to help you with the little...details," she waves her hand dismissively.
"It's the least I could do," she smiles.