[right][sup][color=eed7aa][color=ff1500]𝓣[/color]𝐢𝐦𝐞[/color]  [color=slategray][color=530000]✦[/color] Around 9:40 𝒜ℳ[/color][/sup]
[sup][color=eed7aa][color=ff1500]𝓛[/color]𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧[/color]  [color=slategray][color=530000]✦[/color] The Grand Hall at the Island [/color][/sup]
[sup][color=eed7aa][color=ff1500]𝓘[/color]𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬[/color]  [color=slategray][color=530000]✦ [/color] All vampires[/color][/sup]
[sup][@TootsiePop][@GhostMami][@Hoekage][/sup][/right]
[center][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/190519/3a45d947f7d382e593ca07b76de53a10.png[/img]
[img]https://i.imgur.com/AJpwmqg.png?1[/img]
[img]https://i.imgur.com/jo82lA8.gif[/img] [img]https://i.imgur.com/xGboynr.gif[/img] [img]https://i.imgur.com/LpcbcIg.gif[/img]
[img]https://i.imgur.com/YpC8pZw.png?1[/img]
[img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/190519/0aeb24ec6fba59907171499a720e3964.png[/img][/center]
[indent][color=slategray]With a thin paper cigarette between his lips —  lips that were made for kissing — Emiliano Esposito strode to the left of Niklaus Tepes, while Octavius Zeno took to the right. A friend of young royals, it seemed. Any other day, his shirt would be pressed and tucked in. Any other day, his hair would be slicked and combed. Any other day, he wouldn’t look like walking death. 

Today was not that day.  

While his eyes were a well of jet black ink, showing little to no soul, his token jester smirk never faded. Last night was eventful in the sense that, yes, he did have a good fuck, but boring because — no one died. At least not on the island. It was unfortunate that the only real thing that brought him pleasure nowadays was violence and blood. Without it, what was the point of living such a long, tedious life? He hadn’t even hit one hundred and fifty yet, and here he was: bored out of his mind and giving zero fucks. 

A small trail of smoke slithered out from the corner of his mouth as it coiled its way to the wood ceiling. He recalled a conversation with his father the day prior, before he got intoxicated with some random vampiress, whose name he purposely chose to forget. A conversation that led to a manila envelope filled with his new assignments being turned into ash in the music room fireplace. Jobs that surrounded a few faces that he needed to [i]investigate[/i]. For the family, but truly? For the Mob. [i]Always remember, burn after reading.[/i] That was neither here nor there. He was famished and he could imagine his friends were too. With a side glance, he silently observed their expressions, as they continued onward to the meeting hall.

At the center of the trio stood the youngest Tepes royal, looking much more like the prince of drunken regrets than one of a vampiric legacy. The gods only knew why his father had gathered them all on this island, might as well enjoy it before shit got boring. Or weird. Probably a little bit of both, knowing daddio’s crusty-ass traditions. While he might look like he just rolled out of bed from a one night stand, the [url=https://i.imgur.com/cwOcAQq.png]clothes[/url] he wore were designer and cut slim in all the right places. If you asked him, the wrinkles and slightly dishevelled appearance added a certain amount of mysterious sex appeal.

His nose twitched at the scent of smoke as Niko turned his mismatched gaze to his left. [color=AA91D2][b]“Filthy habit…”[/b][/color] He said judgmentally, clearly feeling a bit grumpy from his hangover. [color=AA91D2][b]“Makes you smell like ass, bro.”[/b][/color] After adding insult to injury, he turned his eyes to Tavi and smirked. [color=AA91D2][b]“Any bets on why my kingly father has gathered every vampire and their mother here?”[/b][/color] Bets were a common theme among the three, as they were all gambling men. What better way to pass the endless time than to feign taking risks?

The oldest of the Trio of Perpetual Regrets could only supply a boyish smirk as he glanced over to the bitching prince on his left. A chuckle left Octavius’ lips as he slung a lazy arm over Niko’s shoulder, [color=ebb000][b]“Lighten up, pretty boy, it’s not our fault you can’t hold your liquor.”[/b][/color] The tease was light and aimed at his obvious sour mood as a fat cheek was pinched and Tavi was dancing away to dodge any rich boy limbs thrown his way. 

With stretched arms overhead, the disheveled designer shirt from last night lifted over the waistband of his equally wrinkled, [i]and expensive[/i], jeans. The party last night was everything the gluttons for all things sinful could have ever hoped for, that much was evident in the way all three of them trudged down the hallways in all their ‘hot-mess’ glory. The French doors to the dining room were before them, and Octavius found himself already searching through the glass panes for the [i]princess[/i] he had snuck away with in the close of the wild night. Instead his green eyes found the unamused face of the missing part of the Tepes family disappointment duo. 

[color=ebb000][b] “My bet is on our favorite little Princess knowing [i]something[/i].”[/b][/color]

[color=683e3e][b]“That’s gay, dude. That bitch always knows something.”[/b][/color] Milo scoffed at the vague, open-ended ‘guess’. [color=683e3e][i]Tavi, my man, you can do better.[/i][/color] Blowing smoke enthusiastically, and on purpose, in front of Niko, just so he would walk right into it, the Italian Dog shrugged, [color=683e3e][b]“Watch. It’ll be something with becoming more cordial with humans, since, y’know, they’re our greatest resource.”[/b][/color] 

With a deadpan glare, he reached for the knobs to open the door for the princes (or well, throw it open),  [color=683e3e][b]“How much you want to bet we’ll have to educate them and make them ‘less afraid’?”[/b][/color] The most recent years Dmitri Tepes, also known as ‘The King’, and his council had revised the treaty, so it wasn’t unlikely that this meeting focused on the weaker race.

[color=AA91D2][b]“Nah…”[/b][/color] Niklaus dismissed the notion whilst shaking his head. He continued as Milo dramatically flew upon the doors. [color=AA91D2][b]“He’d never want that.”[/b][/color] Niko confirmed under his breath, as a subject matter expert on things that Dmitri Tepes did not want. Speaking of which, if looks could kill, Niko would have a spear between his eyes from his father’s disappointed gaze. Ah yes, just another day in paradise, disappointing daddy… business as usual. Klaus proudly made his way to the seat reserved for him beside the rest of his timely family and kissed his gorgeous looking sister on her cheek before sitting down.

The King’s eyes weren’t the only ones that settled on the rebel prince and his band of merry men. The whole damn room was watching the spectacle, and all of the combined centuries and millennia worth of vampiric judgement sitting around the table weighed down on the boys. Among these elders was a french ebony-haired [url=https://i.imgur.com/D6O2bCh.gif]femme fatale[/url]. Béatrix de la Croix sipped at a steaming mug of blood-spiked coffee — it’s the only way she could stomach the human beverage — her icy gaze watching Niklaus. It was bad enough that his insensitive father decided to have this particular meetup long after the sun had risen, but of course the prodigal son had to show up tardy as well. No consideration for the Turned, even if they could be twice the age and thrice the wisdom of Purebloods. The heavens only know why she was called here in the first place, surely Dmitri would move on now that the delinquents had arrived.

While the ice queen assessed the trios’ etiquette, beside her with crossed legs, a slim fit [url=https://i.pinimg.com/564x/74/63/52/74635290284a2dff3e0cba0240e01037.jpg]floral blazer jacket[/url], that had a crisp pattern as well as the finest premium, polyester-cotton, [url=https://i.pinimg.com/originals/5b/ad/d5/5badd5045e2db9e83e507cb19a63d109.gif]Sebastian Tepes[/url], one of two brothers to Dmitri, scrutinized their [i]presentation[/i] and [i]mien[/i]. Intentionally, he lifted his shades to look them up and down. Their physiques. Their walk. Their attire. 

For those who did know Sebastian, he was the Madonna of the vampire world. He did what he wanted, he said what he needed to, and he looked good while doing both. He may be ancient, but he was fine as hell. Octavius looked like he was a frat boy on spring break, Emiliano looked like he was roadkill, and his nephew, well, at least he was wearing Chanel. Still, for two princes and their trusted, future consultant, they were: [color=46D85F][b]“Rubbish. Absolute [i]trash.[/i]”[/b][/color] Sebastian was never one to be quiet about his opinion. [color=46D85F][b]“Was it forgotten that as Royals, and as associates to the leading families, that their faces not only affect themselves?”[/b][/color] He wasn’t asking anyone in particular.

Rolling his eyes in annoyance, while his sunglasses dropped and covered his eyes once more, he reached for his blood induced Mimosa and lifted it up toward a most respected Tepes princess, [color=46D85F][b]“Thank you, Kasania, for being the true beauty this morning.”[/b][/color] [/color][/indent]
[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/krioM6R.png?1[/img] [img]https://i.imgur.com/C33Ui2w.gif[/img][img]https://i.imgur.com/krioM6R.png?1[/img][/center]
[indent][color=slategray]Kasania’s eyes hadn’t moved from the trio since they made their lesser-than-grand entrance, [i]unfashionably[/i] late. Whether the three of them didn’t care, or were just idiots, [i] she had her bets on both[/i], they only added insult to injury in their unbecoming appearances. The warmth and playful island breeze of their location seemed to have inspired Octavius’ and her own fashion choices, though in [i]very[/i] opposite ways. Octavius looked the part of a tourist, while [b]she[/b] looked every bit the princess in a [url=https://i.pinimg.com/originals/c4/5d/d9/c45dd945e1baf6dfb60213432c1fe660.jpg] white chiffon dress [/url] that garnered the high praise from the King of Fashion beside her. 

The judgemental gaze had finished its trip over the ‘Tourist’ and shifted to the last, and very much not the least, [i]he’d remind you of that[/i], to enter the dining room. The first thing she noticed was the cigarette in his mouth and exhaled an audible sigh, [b][color=e6e8fa]“Seeing as how you were already late, you didn’t think to perhaps take an extra few minutes to look more put together?”[/color][/b] The question was aimed at the three of them but she couldn’t help the amusement that pulled at the corners of her mouth at how [i]bad[/i] Milo looked, [b][i][color=e6e8fa]“You look like shit.”[/color][/i][/b] she mouthed out of sight of Dmitri’s clearly annoyed gaze. Milo chose to respond with a shrug. He was given a day off for once, of course he was going to look like shit the next morning.

[color=AA91D2][b]“It’s more than faces that matter, [i]Uncle[/i].”[/b][/color] Niklaus retorted to the sassy elder turncoat. Sebastian preferred the pretty as a picture ideals of the Artois enough to turn away his own family. Niko might be a rebel, but at least he wasn’t a blood traitor. What did the words of such a man mean anyway? Nothing… [color=AA91D2][b]“But if they did, I think mine looks just fine.”[/b][/color] Clearly it meant enough to inspire a salty response, though…

It did but Sebastian bit his tongue to refrain from disrupting the morning peace, or was incapable of opening his mouth. He immediately darted a glare toward his brother, Viktor. [i]That bastard.[/i] Almost [url=https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/darkuniverse/images/c/cd/Johnny_Depp.png/revision/latest?cb=20170523162207]criminal[/url] with how powerful and cruel he looked, Viktor Tepes strode from the bar, holding a brandy, and with prominent steps, made his way to the podium, disregarding the three boys as he coldly passed them. With his back facing the crowd, he leaned in close to the King and whispered something inaudible to anyone else. The two men looked at each other knowingly and then Viktor proceeded to stand to the side of his brother, facing the others, composed and calm. A [i]mysterious[/i] wind forced the doors closed, locking everyone inside. All those that couldn’t make it would be dealt with personally, later.   

The unamused gaze of Dmitri lingered on the table where his youngest children and poor choice of friends sat before scanning over the rest of the room. There were vampires from all over New York City in attendance this morning. If the time and size of this particular private island had allowed, he would have called on a more expansive crowd. But for the sake of this experiment, the vampires of New York would do just fine.

A cleared throat precursored the deep booming voice of their King as he finally addressed them all. 

[color=0095b6][b]“Good morning, I must first extend my gratitude to all of you for making time in your busy schedules to accept my humble invitation. From the way [i]some[/i] of you look this morning I can assume the festivities last night were more than enjoyable.”[/b][/color] Dmitri’s mouth pulled into a slight grin that did not reach his eyes, an expression Kasania was all too familiar with and knew she would hear all of his complaints later.

The King stepped around the podium and gestured to the room, [color=0095b6][b]”As you all know, I ascended to the throne after successfully negotiating terms for peaceful coexistence with the humans. A change that was not won without long days and hard fights, and still faces some [i]issues[/i] today, but has since greatly benefited our society. I am aware of the influence my family, and the other two royal families, have on the success of our children and the children of our loyalists. While no parent ever wants to see a child of theirs struggle, and definitely not in the case of an endless life, I see great potential in allowing one to learn from their failures. As such, I have gathered the blessings from the elders and current leaders of the houses to present you all with this challenge. Starting from the time you leave this island, whether it be tonight or sometime tomorrow, you will no longer reap the benefits of the luxury you were born into. Instead, you will be building your own houses as potential rulers, attracting your own followers and navigating through your failures and successes. I am not a man to ignore the achievements of another, as such, the house that hosts the most impressive achievements shall be recognized as a true household and have a place among the Royal Houses. The laws and traditions of our society have remained mostly unchanged for millennia, I was the first to enact a change, and now I extend the chance to you all. Create partnerships, teams, alliances amongst yourselves and with whomever you believe will help pave the way to success. I look forward to seeing all that you will come to accomplish. Now, please, enjoy your breakfasts and the rest of your time here. I have business I need to attend to, thank you.” [/b][/color] The King gave a short bow to the silent room before making a brisk exit, leaving them all to digest the information. Viktor followed after. 

[color=683e3e][b]“Waht.”[/b][/color] Milo dropped his cigarette into a glass of water, trying to comprehend not the information that was given, but his personal dilemma. He was literally given a set of new assignments yesterday. Did they expect him to do this and that without a place to crash at?! His phone vibrated, as if someone was reading his thoughts but it was just his fuck buddy. 

[quote]To: [color=ec3b83][b]Whore[/b][/color]
[color=683e3e][b]Busy.[/b][/color][/quote]
Soon after, he received another text, on his other phone, his business phone, from his father which indeed confirmed he was homeless, he still had to work for the Mob, getting a monthly allowance, and that this was his opportunity to make changes. 

[color=683e3e][b]“Ah fuck me.”[/b][/color] 

Niklaus had been leaning back in his chair luxuriously as his father went about giving one of his token monologue-esque speeches. While he was doing a good job of giving off the air of not giving a fuck, he was very much so listening. Once King Dmitri got to the climax of his point, Niko’s back stiffened. His eyes shot wide in shock, meeting with his sister’s, giving away that in the grand scheme of things… he was just a child. A spoiled child. [color=AA91D2][b]“Even… [i]us?[/i]”[/b][/color] He whispered, his tone cut with the pain of the abandonment he’d always feared. Did he just get cut off? Where was he going to LIVE?![/color][/indent]