Meeting of The Ancients (Crimson)

[Anime]

Nicole Galaston typed the pass-code into the security device and stepped into the American clan hall.

Large, marble columns lead to the cavernous ballroom straight ahead, while the hallway itself contained several, eloquently-decorated wooden doors. In between each door, a tapestry for each of the main families hung.

She followed the crimson carpet down to the ballroom, making sure everything was ready for this evening. Off to the right side there was a series of long, rectangle tables set up for the buffet-style dinner with dozens of circular tables filling up the rest of the right side of the room. At the far-end on the right side of the ballroom, another rectangular table sat facing the rest of the tables, which was meant for the heads of main families.

There were place-cards on each table to mark where each family would sit--the closer to the front the more important and powerful the family. While, the table set for the heads of the main families had a place-card in front of each seat--the closer to the center of that table the more important and powerful the family with the family hosting the meeting seated in the middle (regardless of their overall standing). However, when she or the Head of Abel's family hosted the meeting, both leaders sat in the middle, to ensure the peace was kept.

While, the left side of the room was left empty for mingling and dancing once dinner had ended. These meetings weren't just about business, but served as a function to form connections between families, either through romance or business arrangements. This had been determined many centuries ago to ensure the bloodlines of the ancients.

Satisfied that everything was in order, Nicole glanced at her pocket watch, noting Abel's leader should be here at any moment.

[CrimsonMoon]

As if on que, there was the rapid tapping of feet from the entrance of the hall and a rather... Unseemly looking girl popped in calling," Oh thank God! I'm glad I left early, traffic is horrible!" She held a pair of white flats in one hand that looked as clean as freshly fallen snow, the girl also wore a summer dress(also white, how typical) with long, light sleeves. Her hair was an unruly mess of tawny locks but of course... It still looked cute.

The girl slides her flats on as she walks over to the center of the tables, her bright hazel gaze sweeping each name tag in case one was wrong, switching two if they were out of place," Sorry about keeping you, family business, you understand, yeah?" She flashes Nicole a sweet smile," My name's Nausicaa De Vienna, it's nice to meet someone part of the family!"

[Anime]

Nicole turned to face the girl, unconsciously assessing the girl as she approached. "It's no matter--this is after all Los Angeles--traffic is always terrible." She stopped about five-feet from Nausicaa. "And if your family is anything like mine, family business is a 24/7 deal."

"I am Nicole Galaston." She was a rather short woman that appeared to be in her late-twenties. She had her short hair spiked and colored a blue-gray, which nearly matched her eyes. She wore a pair of dark-gray slacks and a light-blue, linen shirt with the sleeves rolled up. "We should move this to a quieter location. The band is about ready to set up and the food should be delivered any minute."

She motioned for her to follow, heading towards a door on the far-left side of the room. She placed her hand on the security scanner until it buzzed open and held it open for Nausicaa to enter. It was an office lined with tall bookshelves with a rosewood desk at the back of the room and a small sitting area off to the left-side.

[CrimsonMoon]

Nausicaa follows, humming cheerily beneath her breath, she couldn't be more then 18... But alas, looks were deceiving. After all, she was representing Abel. The girl glances around, her gaze falling a bit at the utter darkness that seemed to cover this whole room,"... Huh," was allshes ays

[Anime]

"Please, make yourself comfortable." She gestured to a number of seating options that the room offered. "I, too, was running a bit late due to family business because of my idiot bother."

She walked over to the desk, picking up a wooden tray and walked over to one of the chairs on the left-side. She picked up a cartilage chain earring and putting it in her ear. The tray itself was covered in an array of earrings, one necklace with her family seal, and a variety of rings. "Please pardon the lack of professionalism."

She continued arranging her jewelry, as she spoke. "For what I have gathered, their is only one problem we could run into tonight. The Esau (grandson of Abraham and son of Issac) family heir has been pursuing the same woman as the Peter (of the twelve apostle) family heir. They have been on friend terms for years, but this might cause of rift, which might or might not play out at tonight's meeting." She paused for a moment to roll her eyes. "I've increased security to accommodate."

[CrimsonMoon]

" the family of Samuel(the great prophet) has a daughter who fancies the Easu boy, I sat them next to one another and The Peter-to-be on the opposite of the center," Nausicaa waves her hand dismissively, settling down on a plushie chair and sighing," I put families that they have close relationships to together as well about half way betweene each couple, if the ally families bond, the marriages will soon follow. Next."

[Anime]

"Ham's (Noah's son) heir has a pitch to present about some charitable event they would like us to help fund. It has something to do with green technology and harvesting wind as energy to help poor countries all over of the world gain electricity." She pulled a flyer from the table next to them. "This has details on the organization. I think more than a couple families are interested in helping. However, as the heirs of Cain and Abel, we are expected to have the biggest contribution."

She puts the empty tray aside and crosses her legs--not mentioning any number of the people trying to pursue her as a romantic interest. It was a rather common occurrence that had becoming more persistent lately. Nicole had been expecting it for awhile, since she hadn't had a known romantic partner in a millennium.

[CrimsonMoon]

" I support it, of course, I just wish it was for make those communities independent so they can thrive in their on beautiful way... Hmoh, maybe it is, no matter what, I support," Nausicaa throws her arm over her eyes and lies down, her legs hanging over the armchair," And you?"

[Anime]

"I am offering them a few of my company's engineers for the project, in addition to a sizable donation." Nicole answered. "I've spent many years living in those desolate communities. I support anything to improve their standard of living." She leans back in the chair. "I have my nephew Tanner, the vice president of my corporation, presenting my contribution."

"Most of the other matters, we are already informed on." Nicole commented, skimming the list. "They are pretty standard affairs." She ponders if their is anything else for a few minutes. "Are their any families or individuals that mean to harm you or your family at this time. I've already given a list to security about my concerns, although I don't see any of them being real problems."

[CrimsonMoon]

" I honestly say minimize security or atleast conceal them better then last time... That freaked out some of the gentler families," Nausicaa frowns but continues eventually," I can send plenty of workers, the Salvation Army wants to thank me for their financial rescue a year ago so... That'll do. I actually had a proposal myself but i'm positive it'll start a little uproar,"

[Anime]

Nicole frowned. "I will talk to my brother, Hale, he was the host in Tokyo, as I was unable to attend--as I am sure you remember." She picked up her tablet and typed a memo to herself. "As per usual, my guards will be dressed in regular attire and either be concealed or placed within the crowd." She looked back over at Nausicaa. "You met the head of security at the door, who will be standing as the greeter tonight--just give him your list of names."

"As for your proposal, we could have it towards the end of the night as one of parting announcements." She suggested. "At that point, people will be relaxed and most other matters figured out." She glanced at her watch, making sure she wasn't about to be late for her lunch meeting. "If that works for you, you can start discussing your final arrangements with whatever parties you find necessary."

[CrimsonMoon]

" Alas, the only party I need to discuss this with is already here," She slides her arms slightly up so one hazel eyes could peek at Nicole," We need to talk, my dear Nicole."

[Anime]

Her interest piqued, she arched an eyebrow at Nausicaa. "Well, you have my attention." Sending a message to her guard to show her guest to her main office on the main floor of the mansion, if she was not finished with business down here.

[CrimsonMoon]

Nausicaa stares at her for a moment, much more serious then the girl who had literally bounced into the banquet hall before murmuring," Our families need a bond, or we'll just end up at one another's throats again... Nicole.."

She pauses and frowns," We need a bond by blood,"

" We need a marriage."

[Anime]

"A marriage? Between the children of Cain and Abel?" Nicole held back her laughter. "And, who would the couple be?" She asked, her head reeling. "None of the direct descendants in my family (myself among them) have ever married. My bother and I have never even publicly announced any of our romantic partners. The only reason people know he has had romantic partners is that he has had children." She rambled. She didn't mention the fact that she'd never had any children of her own, as it was common knowledge.

[CrimsonMoon]

Nausicaa sits up slowly and says in a quite yet strangely cold voice," This was a proposal, mind you, The rest of my family agrees with me, there are a few willing to try... Talk to them, propose to your family... We can try," Nausicaa stands slowly, elegantly, staring at Nicole with a mask like gaze," Ready to hear your options or is this just another joke to you?"

[Anime]

Nicole considered Nausicaa's words for a moment before gesturing for her to continue. "No matter my personal feelings on the matter, hearing this through would be in the best interest for both of us. Regardless of my final answer, as the first and only heir to the Cain family up until this point, I will consider the proposal with the amount of respect it deserves."

[CrimsonMoon]

Nausicaa looks slight relieved, once again sitting back down and leaning back," There's Adison whose 21, she's been with the Salvation Army for nearly four years, she's kinda like the lovable hippy of the family," She muses quietly before continuing:

" There's Donovan, he's nearly 28, he's the British Ambassador to North Korea. So... As you can guess, he's quite clever.

Then there is Kianna, about 19, she's getting a scholarship to some schools over seas for Ancient Languages and Philosophy...

Marco, my brother is nearly 25, he's the head of our corporation.

Then... There's me,"

Nausicaa crosses her arms as if challenging Nicole to make a move

[Anime]

Nicole listened carefully, taking down the names as Nausicca spoke. "You have obviously put a lot of thought into this. Did you have member of my family in mind?" She asked, trying to place their position and role in Abel's family to figure out how important the powerful of a family member she would have to offer.

She started to gather a list of names in her head, making another memo to herself to have them stay at the mansion to night in order to present the idea at a family meeting tomorrow--maybe a joint meeting tomorrow--depending on the answer she received from Nausicca.

[CrimsonMoon]

" No but I must warn... We're all straight... about as straight as a stick of that gross red licorice," Maud snorts at her own joke but shrugs