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 Posted: Tue Nov 27, 2007 5:18 pm
  The Official Giovanni Clan ThreadChapter One: A Giovanni Affair.
Chapter Two: The Masquerade.
This thread created with Meeki's permission.Giovanni Council Announcement As of April 26th, 2008;
If you intend on being a part of this event you must be active! If, by the time this event is over or nearly over, you have not posted or are very inactive, your Kat will no longer be acceptable and will not be embraced into the clan. We see your activity here as a sign of your commitment to the clan and we don't want you here if you don't want to be here. If you are inactive for unavoidable reasons, please, feel free to contact K i n u and let her know what's going on. Sincerely, - The Giovanni
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Posted: Tue Nov 27, 2007 5:29 pm
 Giovanni
The Giovanni are respectful, genteel and well-mannered. Affluent beyond imagination, Clan Giovanni traces its roots back to before the Renaissance, to a family of merchant princes. The clan still maintains its original home in Venice, in a thousand-year-old loggia just outside the heart of the city. No other clan makes such a spectacle of humility and propriety as does the Giovanni. And no other clan hides its blasphemous secrets as well.
According to tales whispered in Camarilla salons and Sabbat esbats, the Giovanni's money spoiled the family, and the Venetians turned to nigrimancy out of perverse boredom. Surprisingly enough, the family demonstrated a great aptitude for trafficking with the dead, and their newfound abilities caught the eye of a forgotten Antediluvian. The vampire Embraced the head of the family, Augustus Giovanni, and brought him into the world of the Damned. This particular Antediluvian, the legends say, had a profound interest in death, and the Embrace of Giovanni and his family was intended to further the vampire's knowledge of what lay beyond the wall of mortality.
The Ancient's plan worked better, albeit differently, than he'd intended. Augustus, a cutthroat and mercenary merchant, saw the opportunity to seize his doddering sire's power and did so, hunting and killing all of the Antediluvian's descendants as well. After drinking the Ancient's blood, Augustus became a member of the Third Generation and founded his own clan, the Giovanni.
Other vampires reacted in horror, and, for a century, the "Devil Kindred" Giovanni were rooted out and destroyed wherever they went. Finally, the Giovanni sat down with the newly formed Camarilla and formed a mutual truce. This truce guaranteed the Giovanni would not participate in the Jyhad and would leave other vampires to their affairs. The Giovanni agreed, thus averting the genocide they surely would have otherwise met.
Taking advantage of other vampires' lack of involvement with them, the Giovanni quietly continued to amass wealth and power, practicing their Discipline of necromancy all the while. Few believe the clan is engaging in either practice for altruistic purposes, and recent global movements by the Giovanni have many Kindred worried. With all that money and all those harvested souls, something is on the horizon; it is an ill wind that blows out of Venice.
Members of the Giovanni clan are also members of the Giovanni family, and those not Embraced often serve their Kindred relations as ghouls. This familial tie - members of the clan are related by blood twice - ensures complete loyalty on the part of the Giovanni. While concentrated primarily in Europe, the Giovanni have recently been expanding into, the world market, and the clan seems to be more prolific in recent nights.
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Posted: Tue Nov 27, 2007 5:35 pm
"Welcome one and all." Came a rather dark, smooth voice from the stairwell of the entrance hall, silencing the roar of noise rising rapidly from below. The whispers, the rumors and the general chit-chat of those who were long over-do for a catch up ceased immediately and all eyes turned upward. The powerful looking Giovanni remained above the throng of familiar faces and the heat of the main body. Holding his head high with a rather enticing smirk dancing across his lips. They knew something was going on, if they knew what they were clever indeed. For only the closest, most trusted members of the family knew its dark secret. And even those select few hardly ever tasted the sweet wine of immortality.
"It is both a pleasure and an honor to see you all together under one roof once again, it has been far too long. I trust the trip here from your.. respective homes, wasn't too cumbersome?" His sharp claws clicked against the solid, gold trimmed marble railing, in fact, the entire manor was loaded with Giovanni wealth. The family was sickeningly rich and they displayed it without shame or hesitation. Though this was only the Manor, the Mansion itself was where the Clan gathered, but it wasn't safe to keep the mortal family lingering around the 'den of secrets' for too long. One way or another someone would sniff something out and need to be dealt with. Before the rumor spread and things became chaotic. They were all hungry for power in one way or another.
"Michelina and I would like to personally thank you for joining us on this most magnificent evening and for such a considerable occasion. Though, I don't see why we can't mingle more often. Then again, if we're all in here who's out making our wallets plump?" He smiled, a rather handsome if not wicked smile which invoked a wave of laughter through-out the sea-like crowd. Ah yes, they melted so easily. It was like heating butter or molding clay. "So, please continue your conversations and forgive my ramblings. Though do remember the Formal Dinner this evening, there will be a little surprise for a special few that attend. And no, we Giovanni are above mere door prizes my dear." He glanced a giggling female in the crowd who was being jostled by her cousins and piped up with her guess. "We can surely do much better, do you not agree?"
A simple tug on the fishing pole, setting the hook. He knew he had them as soon as the whispers began. Ah yes, true Giovanni. "Enjoy your afternoon, relax and feel free to make yourselves at home. For now, you truly are home." The male descended gracefully and as soon as his face was out of view he looked disgusted, like he'd just finished an hour-long bought of wretching. Strands of his ink colored hair falling into his comely features, the instant his paws touched the marble floor below and he was visible once again his expression melted back into that of a proper socialite. At least they were Giovanni.
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Posted: Tue Nov 27, 2007 5:40 pm
The 'Chosen' guest list and those under consideration.-Your most honorable hosts-Amadeo Giovanni {-Owned by Kinu}
Michelina Alessandra Giovanni {-Owned by AnimeChickie-}
Shyam Giovanni {-Owned by Chinchillie-}-The Chosen-Thane Giovanni, owned by Ruriska
Nalleme Giovanni, owned by Nessariah-Pending-Tejina Giovanni, owned by YourDarkLover
Knuvxy Giovanni, owned by Roddy McMay/Manic
Cry Wolf Giovanni, owned by [Recyclable]
Remember, you are Giovanni, make us proud and reap the sweet fruit of your labors. Either that or kiss up in a.. Giovanni way and you'll move up the ladder. If your not found out. No-one likes an obvious a** kisser darlings. -Rules and Regulations-
1. Obey the rules of the Masquerade at all times, no exceptions.
2. Make sure you follow all Gaia and Faekat rules as well.
3. You are only allowed to reveal yourself to those being embraced at the time they are to be embraced. No others.
4. If you have not been invited to this event via PM, please, DO NOT POST. This event has a purpose and place and disruptions are really not appreciated. Unless you're Malkavian, no event should ever be immune to a prank or two. Why the hell not?
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Posted: Tue Nov 27, 2007 5:42 pm
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Posted: Tue Nov 27, 2007 6:03 pm
{-A note to the roleplayers who will be participating. The events of the former thread are still valid, this is not a restart. Merely a new day and new chapter. Today the Masquerade is taking place which means everyone will be gathering in the ballroom for the main event. However, you will be singled out during or after the dance for a sneak peek at what makes the Giovanni truly, unique.
If you don't know where to start, pick up where you left off and we'll take care of the rest.-}
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Posted: Wed Nov 28, 2007 2:17 pm
The Giovanni really did love to entertain. When they put on a party they didn’t skimp on anything. For someone who had spent most of his adult life in the forest, having to mingle with his extremely large family was not a particularly enjoyable experience. At least today was easier to handle than the shock of yesterday; he seemed to have succeeded in learning the art of passing through the crowds.
Amaro came downstairs early, his red and gold feathered mask fitting snugly over his face and cutting a handsome figure. His steps were light and almost soundless on the tiled floor of the main foyer. Nobody tried to talk to him. He was not well known within the family, and if they had known his name their sniggers would have followed him for the rest of the night. His father had managed to make his life difficult without even being there.
Having been unable to find his mother Amaro had accepted the fact that this was going to boring, pointless and lonely. But he would not leave. The family had asked for his presence so he was here until they decided to end the party. Wandering into the grand ballroom he found himself a shadowy spot where he could watch the proceedings and prepared himself for the long night ahead.
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Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2008 5:09 pm
Amadeo had risen early from his rather robotic slumber routine to the sound of guests moving about within the womb of the Giovanni estate. The firelight was low and reluctant, another hour and nothing but smoldering ash would be left to mark it's existance. Closing his eyes, a little girl, pale and meek in appearance, hurried over and rolled a waiting log into the fire. As soon as it flared, rather violently one might add, she gave a squeak of fright and disappeared into the wall. Amadeo's approach was silent, his body rigid as he rested an outstretched paw along the thick, darkly laquered wooden shelf which hugged the wall over the fireplace and held an assortment of oddities. All timeless italian works of art from both well known and long forgotten masters of the craft. But these went unnoticed. The Elder had been plagued as of late. Troubling visions. Dreams of the future weren't uncommon among the Giovanni, even mortal family members were often 'sensitive' to the otherworld, but these visions, these visions caused a ripple of disorder and possible chaos. A dangerous chain of events which could unfold rapidly once set into motion. Such dangers required careful attention and study, he felt relief knowing they did not pose an imminent threat. The Giovanni had time to prepare. His eyes, slowly opening to reveal pools of the darkest, richest brown, illuminated unnaturally in the lively firelight. Reaching out a paw he felt no warmth, he felt nothing but the action of moving itself. It was time.
Amadeo's body glided with unearthly ease, the doors to his armoire cast aside to reveal an assortment of clothing which even royalty might have appreciated for quality and style. The males tastes tended to wander into costly territory. He spared no expense, the Giovanni curse. Penny-pinchers in business but lavish in the home. The armoire, a large, sturdy, yet beautifully crafted piece of furniture from the time of his fathers, fathers was carved and lined with gold. It had survived time and element to arrive here, of course it was unlikely that this would be it's final resting place. From within he selected a black suit, simple yet dashing upon his form. It wasn't new, yet so well kept was this particular suit that it appeared as new. He remembered the day he'd comissioned it. They had a very talented tailor in the family, Amadeo's own uncle, this was many years ago and the Kat had long since passed. But there was no question in anyone's mind that the work of this Kat was legendary. He was known throughout the world for his unmatched skill and expert eye. A shame he was never embraced. Slipping into it, the suit complimented every portion of it's wearer. Amadeo was already darkly handsome but this added an amazing enhancement to every curve and shape his body had to offer. He gave a sigh, tilting his head to the ceiling slowly, remembering the last event he'd worn this suit to. What an evening. His paws adjusted the collar which he left open slightly, adding a note of casual charm and eased propreity to his appearance.
Amadeo turned his attention to the mask sitting on his desk, it was old, almost as old as the Giovanni and transported from Venice Italy. An heirloom from the old home where the Council resided. It was half a mask, covering one side of the face. There was a second piece but it had yet to be uncovered. Somewhere and for some reason a Giovanni had decided to hide it. A big conspiracy and topic of much wonderment among educated family members. Where as this mask was obsidian with silver around the edges, the eye, mouth and around the outside fringes. The other was a mirror opposite, being silver with obsidian edges. It looked calm and serene, almost as though it had seen far beyond what any mortal or immortal should. He'd wear it tonight. Clasped in one paw delicately yet with such strength as to discourage any cheeky behavior, he placed a firm paw upon the gothic inspired door handle and entered the hallway. He had a mission. The first Kat to see the otherworld had been decided upon. And he'd do the honors himself. With a handsome smirk he bowed his head to a trio of passing ladies who giggled, one bravely waving at him as they shuffled by, all frills and lace. Tonight's splendor would surpass any other in Giovanni history, and in more than one way.
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Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2008 9:23 pm
In her quiet wanderings, it has seemed almost as if the lovely Nalleme had taken the soul of the opulent home and made it her own. In the lights of the ballroom, she was all flash, all light, all beauty. There was a timeless grace to her movements, which was, of course, carefully rehearsed in deepest privacy. A delicate mask in black lace, contrasting her predominately blue gown, was graced with matching feathers and a few very delicate jeweled butterflies.
The symbolism was not lost. She was as gay and lovely as those butterflies, but still, the dark soul lived in her. That lust for power, for position, for wealth. It covered the heart of every Giovanni, and she was thrice-tied into the family through an interesting union within the family.
But one never admitted to such things.
Her keen blue eyes, beaming out from behind the mask, had noticed Amaro lurking in the shadows. She would have been a fool to not notice such a thing. But she paid him no heed, searching instead for bigger prey.
Head of the family prey.
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Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2008 11:56 am
The empty sound as his paws met the floor, his sharp yet well tended claws sliding over the banister as he surveyed the ballroom, the dark outline of his form against the shadows of the upper level, all syncronized in an unusually striking manner as he melted into being over those below him. Amadeo always made an impression., always. He'd been bred to this life, all imperfections fleeced from the wool. Or so appearances suggested. Everyone had some flaw, Amadeo was just better at hiding any he might possess. A sweet refrain lilted from the dance floor, the sigh of a violin striking up as the band, imported direct from Italy, began their first set of the evening. Closing his eyes momentarily he inhaled the nostalgic scents of the mansion, the amount of familiar fragrances struck him as almost cloying. The Family never changed, in many ways they remained relatively the same, he'd witnessed very few Giovanni mannerisms change in his lifetime and he doubted the sameness had shifted at all before his birth. And after so many years surrounded by them one tended to notice such small, almost minute details that accompanied the Giovanni. It was hard not to notice.
His dark eyes snapped open, lips parting softly as he prepared to speak and the band died down, sensing his presence and granting him the floor. Words were his gift, well, one of them anyway. He'd become an Elder by using any and all talents he posessed, but the strongest of them kept him in power. His ability to judge a persons character, to read them as easily as one might a book. A crucial talent, especially in the Vampiric world where not everything was as it appeared and deceit was common-place. Being smart was one thing, but even the most intelligent could fall easily were he blind to those around him. Amadeo was never blind. He trusted no-one.
"Good evening. I trust everyone is in good spirits, for the night ahead holds grand promise." He paused, his posture perfect, giving him an air of command as he spoke. "If you're not in good spirits you soon will be my friends." A ripple of laughter echoed from the mass of guests below, some were startled, not having noticed him until he'd spoken but warming to his voice with remarkable ease. He was as a snake charmer amidst a pit of vipers, manipulation was simple with the right finesse. His eyes slid across the bodies below and paused but a fraction of a second upon Nalleme, marking her position and moving on. Good, she was present. Punctuality was appreciated. "That being said, dance, drink and be merry my kin. Let us remind the world of the exact reason they envy The Giovanni. It shouldn't be too difficult." The family applauded, shameless, yet well played flattery, always won over the superficial affection of the Giovanni. As his words ended the band began. A light, high spirited tune to lift the mood of the participants and prepare them for the coming festivities. Amadeo had vanished from the banister, making his way slowly down the stairs, almost gliding, but pausing before he reached the final step. He stood for a mere second or two before stepping forward and allowing the mass of dancing, chatting guests to swallow him. Now came the hunt.
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Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2008 4:25 pm
The dark haired Buck made his way down to the ballroom with a lack expression that worked well to hide his annoyance at having to attend. Family gatherings had never been his thing, but they of course had to be endured. And at least they gave him a chance to meet up with old companions. He pushed past a red furred male regular on the way inside, giving a snort of annoyance that anyone dared be such an eyesore.
Amaro opened his mouth to give the rude Buck a piece of his mind and then thought better of it. With an annoyed grumble he turned and expertly blended back in with the crowd.
Thane continued to barrel his way through the milling family members, completely unmindful to the angry kats he left behind. It wasn’t long before he found who he was looking for and finally gave the hint of a smile. “Georgina, I have to tell you about the runes our family has me studying.” The usually reserved Buck proceeded to talk non-stop about the runes he lovingly decoded as required by the Giovanni.
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Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2008 1:00 pm
Amadeo wove his way through the crowd with little hindrance from his guests, he did, of course, have to stop several times at the request of an aunt or nephew and engage in meaningless conversation or return a hearty handshake before politely excusing himself. He had somewhere to be. Laughter echoed across the hall, the clink of glasses following swiftly on its heals as waiters drifted slowly but keenly through the crowd. No glass went unfilled, no Kat left wanting. He politely declined a drink, raising his paw to signal this and the waiter veered off for an elderly Kat waving around her empty champagne glass and hollering over the heads of several others. But all of this was pushed from the Elder's mind as Amadeo spotted another candidate, Thane. The male was entertaining young Georgina, their conversation obscured by the many guests surrounding them. His approach was swift and silent, his expression hospitable. Thane was doing great work for the Giovanni, so good was he at his job that the Giovanni were not, by any means, looking forward to his death, he was too valuable. With a little fleecing he'd be a perfect addition.
He appeared closely behind and to the right of Georgina, like a shadow. His demeanor, while certainly non-threatening at the time, instilled a kind of primal warning in the guts of the most spiritually attuned, alluring as he was. The handsome male made to catch Thane's eye and initiate small talk before inviting him for a drink, or two. Even Amadeo was interested in the work Thane was involved in as it had much to do with the, well, it was better not to say what precisely. It seemed he was busy trying to impress the female with said skill and by the look of her posture she appeared interested enough. Hopefully Thane was not too loose of tongue, while easily managed, it could prove troublesome. Then again, mortal family selected for important works were never fully privy to the details of exactly what they were doing unless fully trusted. It was simply safer. "Thane, am I correct? I've heard much about you, it's a pleasure." He inclined his head forward an inch in greeting, he usually refrained from handshakes unless presented them. An old habit and one he preferred to keep.
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Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2008 4:52 pm
Georgina probably couldn’t understand a half of what Thane was talking about her. Though she was certainly interested in runes and the like, she had only a quarter of the Bucks knowledge; which was exactly why he was decoding and understanding everything the family could throw at him. “It’s amazing. There’s an area that I’m even having trouble figuring out.” His words trailed off as the overpowering presence of Amadeo arrived.
Georgina looked at the powerful male that appeared at her shoulder with both admiration and a hint of fear. She gave a polite hello and then melted her way into the crowd when it was obvious Amadeo’s attention was not on her.
“Lord Amadeo.” He acknowledged. Thane bowed his head in deference to other male, and then brushed away a lock of his dark hair that had fallen from place. He was rather pleased that Amadeo had heard of him and had gone to the trouble to seek him out. The Buck didn’t seem inclined to offer his paw for a handshake.
“I hope your pleasure at meeting me means I’ve been doing well. The runes you’ve got me on are difficult.” Thane grinned. “But wonderful. I haven’t had quite this much fun in a while.” Never before had he been this close up the Amadeo, and he had to admit the guy was a little intimidating. There was an air about him.
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Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2008 4:19 pm
Amadeo politely inclined his head in Georgina's direction as she departed, though most Giovanni men were known to be very sexist it served no purpose at the moment. Lord? My, my, it was refreshing to see manners exhibited with such ease from a candidate. The Council wasn't known for making mistakes in their choices and with his knowledge Thane would fit right in, Agustus willing he survived the Proxy Kiss. That was the biggest concern when embracing new members, it wasn't uncommon that when death visited the Giovanni family a few were victims of the Proxy Kiss. Amadeo couldn't help but chuckle, a deep, exotic sound that seemed to echo through flesh and bone. His eyes shone with both a sincere interest in the topic at hand and a lingering forboding. "You have much to be proud of, The Giovanni Elders have nothing but good things to say on your behalf. Your work is well known among many important, powerful members of the family."
The band finished their first set, moving gracefully into the second which proved to be a rather high spirited song Amadeo recognized as a classic renaissance piece and one he was personally familiar with. "Speaking of your work, there is a business matter I'd like to discuss with you." His attentions had been drawn to the band and his eyes slid fluidly from them back to the Buck. "My office is directly up those stairs, third door on the right, near the end of the hall." His gaze rose to the stairs, his voice, while hospitable was serious and calm, for Thane's ears only. "It is difficult to miss. Meet me there at seven and we shall discuss these matters in private. I have a proposition I'm sure will peak your interest." Seven was only thirty minutes from now and Amadeo had much to do in that short time. The Kats eyes fixed upon his guests, eyes which had seen history unfold and sampled the visual delights of realms long forgotten. "Until then." And with an inclination of his head he moved on through the crowd, his disposition shifting back to the ever pleasant host as he grasped an outstretched paw firmly and gave it a shake. "Uncle Daggio, time has been good to you, old friend."
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Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2008 5:48 pm
It wasn’t everyday one of the more important members of the family paid you this much attention. Some of the more cynical kats out there would say that any attention was bad attention, but that didn’t stop Thane’s lips from tilting up in an unmistakable grin of satisfaction. The runes that he worked on so passionately, so much more so than any of those other idiots who couldn’t decipher what punch in the face meant; that work was finally paying off. The already prideful Buck lifted his head that little bit higher.
“I’m glad.” He purred out. Crossing his arms across his chest he watched the kat before him, gaze never quite managing to meet the others for long; a fact that rankled him quite a bit. Nobody he had met had ever intimidated him in quite the way this one did. Their gazes only met when Amadeo made sure they did, and that after he had extended his invitation.
Thane gave a nod of acceptance, though to be honest, even if he hadn’t wanted to go; there was no possibility of saying no. As it was, he was excited. Perhaps there was something even more important and exciting for him in the future. “Yes, until then.” The Buck watched Amadeo sweep away and then grabbed himself a glass of wine from a passing server.
It was three minutes to seven and Thane was standing in front of his ‘future’. The Buck wasn’t sure if Amadeo was in there or not yet, but he gave a quick rap on the door. He wasn’t nervous at all. A few glasses of wine had solved that problem.
Ooc: I wasn’t sure if you wanted him up there yet… xD
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