03.2023 | WELCOME BACK! Hello friends old and new! I'm so excited to welcome you all back to SITW! I've made some changes to the plot and added the ability to play supernatural charcaters! So come and check it out! I can't wait to jump back into this little town with all of you!
A strange history surrounds the town, it is a place where mysterious and supernatural things have been known to happen. The reputation of the town reguarly draws in visitors and newcomers alike. While some residents avidly believe in the supernatural, others are far more skeptical. What do you believe?
Invitations had been sent out to all the notable people of the town first: the founding families, coven leader, and the werewolf pack alphas. Then to the university and the high school, mainly for their art students but anyone was welcome. Then, to the general public. The Aesthete Galeria & Studios was hosting a gala for the opening of their newest exhibition. Works by her partner Giacomo Ettore , some of the studio artists in residence, and, if the rumors were to be true, then some of the art in Annika Straub's personal collection would be part of the exhibition as well.
It was a formal event with food and drink to be served, and a note at the bottom of each invitation and flyer that the event was free to attend. A string quartet was set up in the main hall where the music drifted through the gallery. Outside, the walkway to the main doors was decorated as well as the gardens behind the Galeria, normally reserved for larger metal works or nature-based art pieces.
Annika absolutely adored being able to throw galas, enjoying the atmosphere while being able to show off the artists she had collected over the centuries. Of course, it was assumed that her personal collection was amassed by family members and ancestors so who was she to correct them? She wasn't going to out her own status, nor that of her partner. But under the guise of supporting the various arts in the community, she was able to surround herself with delightful works of art and upcoming artists that were so very promising.
Dressed in a lovely black number and her purple curls done up in an elegant up-do, Annika mingled with the various attendees with a glass of champagne in her hand. She'd been looking forward to talking to some of the professors from the university to discuss possible donations to various departments. Art might be her passion but music and theater were other interests of hers so she encouraged those areas as well but not to the same degree as art.
[OOC: The following characters received direct invites (Nadine Cartier , Darcy Vance , Waylon Sanders , Jack Hollifield , Kalena Irwin, Dominic "Nico" Vanderson, and Ashley Hollifield) while everyone else either received a general invitation via their work or saw a flyer in certain shops and/or the schools. All residents are welcome to attend, just the tagged characters had invitations directed to them in their respective positions.]
Post by Jack Hollifield on May 16, 2023 18:43:39 GMT
Jack appreciated his position in society very much and was always honored when he got a specific invitation to something. He nearly always tried to make the effort to attend unless it was something that truly held zero interest for him. However, the opening of an art gallery was right up his alley and he had not yet met the newcomers who had opened it.
Dressed in a sharp, light colored suit, Jack entered the gallery that was already buzzing with people and accepted a glass of champagne that was being offered. He was not instantly greeted by the hostess and assumed she was busy entertaining her guests so he moved to examine the art in the space.
Post by Alexis Vanderson on May 16, 2023 18:53:35 GMT
When Alexis had found out about the art gallery she knew she wanted to go. Not because she was all that interested in art but because she always loved those kind of fancier events. Besides she was technically and adult now that she was eighteen and was tantalizingly close to finishing up high school. Her parents had ended up having other things to attend to that day so Alexis had decided to nag her uncle Dominic "Nico" Vanderson into letting her tag along with him so she wouldn't have to feel weird showing up by herself.
She was wearing a sparkly golden dress that hugged her curves and had little tiny straps over her shoulders as she walked in beside him. "Wow, this is nicer than I expected," she whispered to him, leaning in a little closer so he could hear her. "Especially for Sweetwater."
Post by Giacomo Ettore on May 16, 2023 20:08:34 GMT
Aesthete had had several galas over the years that had been here in Sweetwater but Giacomo was feeling particularly nervous about this one. The pieces that he had created were a little different than his typical work as he had been trying new techniques. He wasn't sure how well his work would be received and there was nothing he hated more than his art being disliked by others. He debated whether or not to even show up tonight but Annika had convinced him that it was better if he was there.
The other problem was that 1) He had never liked big crowds and 2) He has been so anxious getting ready for tonight that he hadn't eaten in a while. It was a bad idea to go into a crowd when he was hungry but there simply wasn't time. So, dressed in a stylish black outfit that had far too many frills and lace to be worn by anyone in this town besides himself, he slunk in the shadowed corners of the room, trying not to get too close to anyone as more and more people arrived.
Post by Dominic "Nico" Vanderson on May 16, 2023 20:28:04 GMT
At the request of his niece, Alexis Vanderson , Nico accompanied her to the gallery opening. Sure it took a bit of nagging, but he eventually gave in. Like he always did. Alexis was his favorite. Sure it was mean to say, but the other ones kind of got on his nerves. She had managed to have him wrapped around her finger since the first time she wanted to see Uncle Nico's ponies.
As they walked into the open gallery, Nico scanned the room. The guest list was impressive so far, maybe a few potential new business contacts. His eyes narrowed at any young male that dared to steal a glance at his niece. Oh, he did have so much fun scaring away her dates. Her voiced drew him out of his thoughts and he had to agree, this was nice for Sweetwater. "This is a bit classier than the fruit punch bowl events normally produced by this town. Do we know anything about our hosts?" he inquired. The gossip mill ran rapid through Sweetwater and Alexis was a girl.. so it made sense that she would know the gossip.
Annika only felt slightly bad for pushing Giacomo Ettore into attending but she'd built up this particular gala for him, even if that was never outright stated or even implied outside of their home. She loved his art and every new piece she was always thrilled to introduce to the world but she'd also seen how devoted he was to his latest piece so she'd begun her event planning accordingly. This was her gift for him, bringing his art out and into the open so that it was appreciated as it deserved.
As she made her way over to her newer arrivals, Annika was in her element while being very aware of just which corner her partner had taken a liking to this evening. She was the social one between them so she didn't mind making sure that the attention was on her, not unless Giacomo indicated otherwise. With a bright smile, Annika approached who looked to be the dean, Jack Hollifield.
"Good evening, I am so glad you were able to make it."
Post by Alexis Vanderson on May 23, 2023 15:19:27 GMT
As her uncle inquired on the topic of gossip Alexis grinned with delight and wrapped her arm around Dominic "Nico" Vanderson's, pressing close to him so that she could speak more easily and quietly. "They've been in town for a few years now but are still quite a mystery," she began. "As you can tell, they are a bit...odd." It was easy to see given their very unique appearances. "There are questions whether their relationship is merely business or as something more akin to lovers. Yet both seem to date around as well. Definitely a mystery." One she'd very much like to get to the bottom to, if only to be the first to relay that information to other curious townsfolk.
Post by Jack Hollifield on May 23, 2023 15:23:09 GMT
Jack was quite pleased when he was greeted by the owner herself. He returned her smile with one of his own, oozing with charm. "It was an honor to be invited. Your gallery has never failed to impress," he told @annika.
He had been to a few of these, as many as he could manage. Not only was he trying to make sure the Hollifield's accepted their invitations but he did genuinely enjoy art and he wasn't lying that he'd been impressed by each gallery opening since Aesthete had first opened their doors.
Emma Lou hadn't initially been planning on attending but it happened to fall on a free night where she wasn't the one closing down The Nook so she'd taken the time to actually find a dress that she liked. What she decided on was a nice dark green, off the shoulder number that showed off the girls a little bit. Just because she preferred her looser shirts and over-sized sweaters didn't mean she couldn't dress for the occasion.
Walking into the art gallery, she picked up a glass of champagne from a nearby waiter and drifted more along the edges of the crowd. Not hiding from the crowds but not inserting herself right away either. The woman was here to enjoy herself more than she was here to talk business. Free food and free, expensive alcohol were just a bit tempting.
Darcy had been both surprised and impressed upon receiving a personalized invitation to this gala event. It wasn’t often she received an invitation for her position in her pack. This caused quite a stir with the pack, because most had never seen their Alpha in anything other than her work uniform or jeans and a t-shirt. So the thought of her actually attending and ACTUALLY wearing not just a dress; but a gown… they all doubted she would even bother. But despite all the disbelief, Darcy knew it would be in her (and her pack’s) best interest to not snub these public events. Especially not when they were already on such difficult ground with the town’s resident werewolf pack. So, she took on the challenge of getting herself prepared for such an event.
Though most doubted Darcy could clean up this nicely; she stunned her pack when she exited her trailer in a floor length evening gown, in various shades of tan, brown, burnt orange, black, great and cream. Her dress reminded her of geodes and a lovely marbleization of the colors. Is was soft and flowy at the bottom, but with a nicely fitted torso. Darcy kept things simple with her hair in a modest updo, and very neutral make-up. Her tattoos made her feel very ‘out of place’ in such a lovely dress. She wore a pair of satin black pumps and accessorized with a matching black clutch. She didn’t even both to take offense to the jaws that dropped as she climbed into the tow car she rented for the evening. There was no way in hell she’d have managed to drive herself anywhere in this dress, not to mention the trouble she’d have trying to keep it from getting damaged just in an attempt to get into her truck.
“Thank-you.” Darcy said with a smile as she was met almost immediately with tray offering a selection of glass flutes willed with champagne, she gladly took one to enjoy sipping on as she admired not just the art, but the crowd. This was most certainly not her ‘scene’, but she was trying her best not to obviously stand out. Not many from her pack showed up, though that was mostly her fault. She had told them to avoid large gatherings if they weren’t going to behave accordingly. Lot of rebellious pups opted to stay home rather than be at some formal event.
"The honor is all ours. I am so glad that you've been enjoying the Aesthete." Her own charm was dialed up as she picked up two glasses from a nearby passing server and offered one to Jack Hollifield in return. She'd seen him a few times at prior events but hadn't been able to speak to him for one reason or another but tonight she was fixing that particular faux pas.
"What has been your favorite so far?" She took a sip of her wine and there was a moment where her eyes picked up on the entrance of one Darcy Vance from the corner of her eye and made a note to circle around to greet the woman since she had invited her by name after all.
Post by Dominic "Nico" Vanderson on Jun 8, 2023 14:31:02 GMT
He couldn't stop the grin that formed on his lips as his niece filled him in on the gossip. He leaned in closer to hear her soft voice. "Its hard not to notice their... oddness." His eyes scanned the room for the hosts of the evening. His mind wondered for a moment as he tried to put together their relationship. " It sounds like a disaster waiting to happen." He had tried an open relationship once. It did not end to pretty. He could never imagine mixing business with pleasure. He took his business seriously and left no room for anyone to potentially screw him out of money. "So that was your motive for dragging me out tonight. I can see the wheels turning in that pretty blonde head of yours." He let out a small laugh. He knew Alexis Vanderson would not rest until she got to the bottom of this mystery. " Just try to stay out of trouble."
Post by Alexis Vanderson on Jun 20, 2023 14:42:22 GMT
"It was 'a' motive, Uncle Nico, not 'the' motive," she corrected him with a sly grin. "Clearly my main motive was to hang out with my coolest uncle in a place I have an excuse to dress up," she teased lightly, her free hand taking hold of her skirt as she swayed back and forth playfully. "As for staying out of trouble...no promises," she joked as she stood on her toes to peck his cheek before releasing his arm.
She made a move to walk away only as she looked around she realized that the hottest guy in the room was, in fact, her uncle. Who was she supposed to flirt with then?!
Post by Jack Hollifield on Jun 20, 2023 14:47:22 GMT
Jack graciously accepted the drink from the hostess and took a sip of it. He was rather surprised in the quality of the wine that they were offering at no cost to their guests, it was actually rather good. At her question he looked around the room thoughtfully. "To be honest, I only just arrived. I haven't had the chance to see most of them. Which is your favorite?" he asked with a handsome smile.
Post by Dominic "Nico" Vanderson on Jun 21, 2023 12:39:08 GMT
Her innocent act made him chuckle. " The cool uncle. You are laying it on a little thick princess." He smiled as she kissed his cheek. She always knew how to get her way with him. At her last comment, he just shook his head as he watched her move forward. She would get herself in some shenanigan, of that he was sure. And he would be all too happy to step in and clean up the mess.
He moved beside her once again, placing his hand on her lower back. " Come find me when you need me." he said softly before removing his hand and walking further into the gallery. There had to be some alcohol somewhere and he was determined to find it.