Il Palazzo Di Villafranca looked like something out of a lavish fairytale. Everywhere possible, flowers of the finest Italian florists peaked out. Instead of lights, fire burned where every bulb should be. The gala was outside tonight, behind the Palazzo. It gave way to a beautiful lawn, covered in tables, bars and lavish decorations. Guests would arrive on the front lawn and be escorted by members of his staff to the Gala area, where they would find themselves on the most beautiful decorated lawn in Italy.

In the middle, stood an ice sculpture that reached higher than should have been possible. Waiters and bar staff absentmindedly moved around, checking last minute tables, adjusting the dance floor and making certain that everything was up to the Count’s standards.

And he stood at the top of the stone garden stairs that led down to the lawn, watching his masterpiece unfold. Everything was going perfectly.

Guests had started to arrive: foreign delegates, Ministry officials, Quidditch players. Anyone and everyone were on their way to what would prove to be the most fascinating ball in the world and most of it was due to him.

People were innately curious about the young Count. Who was he? Where had he come from? Why had he decided to make his appearance into London society now? But those were all questions that added to the mystery of the Count of Villafranca and that mystery would unfold all in due time. For now, he was simply concerned that his guests have an evening they wouldn’t soon forget.

He took the stairs quickly, tapping his cane against the stones as he moved into his own party, prepared to mingle with the crowd, but keeping a careful eye on those guests that he was most looking forward to seeing.

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The Palazzo
Decorations
Decorations

Kurt hated balls of any kind, though he couldn’t help the mild intrigue in this one. The Count had seemingly appeared out of thin air and the man was curious to know more about him. The other reason for his intrigue was his hope to see a certain blonde witch that had snared his attention. It had been a long time since he had eagerly hoped for a woman to show, but it seemed that Hannah was quickly becoming just that.

Taking extra care he readied himself, making sure to look professional but still himself. That proved to be a bit more challenging, though at the end of it he managed. Apparating to the front gate, Kurt took a steadying breath before entering, beginning the walk up to the front. The place looked stunning, definitely creating stellar views. The front was extensive and elaborate, fitting of someone who used the title of Count. Making his way up the stairs the man was happy to see people milling about already, smiling formally to one another. He followed suit, use to dealing with people at the Ministry, making the occasional small talk.

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Demetria had been invited to the Gala which was being hosted by this Count of Villafranca, she knew almost nothing about him, but she decided to go anyways. She had chosen to wear her mother's dress to the Ball, getting ready to go was not a difficult task seeming as Demi had already decided on what to wear, she was ready in no time.

When Demi arrived at the venue the Palazzo Di Villafranca, she was escorted by what she took as the Count's staff to the back of the Palazzo. Demi blinked at the lavish decorations, the flowers were lovely, her mouth opened slightly, she had not been at a Ball for years now and this was the most lavish Gala she had seen.

The flowers looked very lovely where they were, and  instead of lights, fire burned where every bulb should be, this was truly the most beautiful garden she had ever seen.

Demetria was one of the first few guests to arrive, she stood by a table alone not really knowing anyone and those she knew she preferred to stay away from. She looked around the garden, avoiding looking at the people, she noticed the huge statue in the middle.

Demetria licked her lips, she was slightly nervous, but for what reason she did not know. She decided to walk around a little bit, which would help her let go of some of her nervousness. She took a few steps and was about to take another step, when she noticed the Count coming down the stairs. This made her stop in her tracks, she observed the Count, He's quite handsome Demi thought, offering the Count a smile as he walked into the garden, not that she had any hopes of getting to talk to the Count. 


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Daiyu and Guang always arrived on time. They were punctual people, it was their nature. And even when so many preparations had to be made, they were there when they had to be. Their day had been hectic enough, what with their usual work, overseeing the preparations of the Chutne's staff and then also getting themselves ready. But they hd managed it, of course, as they always did. Their life was always perfectly under control, because otherwise it could very easily descend into chaos. Being Death Eaters was not something one usually got away with, although various had, and if anyone found out it would mean the disgrace of her family name.

Luckily, they always had everything under control.

Daiyu held on to her husband's arm as they arrived at the Palazzo. He'd been there earlier as he oversaw the catering staff's arrival, so he knew the way. They were headed over to the @cip. It was his ball, after all, and they would greet him first. Manners were important.

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Guang was rather pleased with the way things were going today. Everything had been handled properly, everyone was in their stations ready to work as they usually did -or maybe even better as they were receiving a hefty bonus for today- and he himself was making over 200 Galleons more than he usually did. In a single night. For his troubles, although to be honest he gloried having more to do. He was a writer, a historian, and a restaurant owner. In all of those professions he decided his own hours, which tended to give him the opportunity to have... nothing to do. Unlike his wife, who was busy enough between the bank and the school.

Not that he was bored. He found all sorts of things to busy himself with, studying things, finding things. There were many different topics for him to investigate, and he kept busy. Out of necessity because otherwise he was sure he'd do something not so peaceful merely out of boredom. And that would bring them many more troubles than they cared to have.

With his wife on his arm, he made his way over to the count and held out his hand to shake. "@cip, good evening." After shaking the man's hand he introduced Daiyu. "Might I introduce my wife? Daiyu Mao."

The Mao name was hers, he had taken it when they got married. Yet somehow people always assumed otherwise.

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His bright eyes scanned the gardens, looking for those who were on the forefront of his mind. There was a pretty blonde who had waltzed in with the air and social graces of a woman who knew what she was going, but the Count did nothing more than offer her a nod as they passed one another. She wasn’t who he was after this evening. He also recognized Kurt Finnegan, the Head of the Improper Use of Magic Office. Cip had made it his personal goal to known and recognize a vast majority of Ministry officials in case he should need them and so far, his studying had proved up to par.

He continued to walk through the lawns, nodding his head at those who had already arrived, before he perched himself once again near the stairs from which he had entered. The Count instantly recognized @guang from his restaurant. After all, it was his employees who were now serving drinks to the people who had begun to mill around the garden. “Signor Mao.” He said, pressing his cane into the ground for stabilization. “I trust you received your deposit?”

He was eager to introduce his wife, @daiyu , though the Count had little recollection of what it was she did. “Signora Mao,” The Count said, taking her hand and pressing his lips against her fingertips. “Welcome.”

He knew better than to be rude, especially to such a well-known family. “Many thanks again for your staff. They have proven themselves to be quite helpful. I hope you are having quite the experience so far?” He asked, adjusting the lapels of his ornately decorated cloak.

The man was able to switch his roles in an instant and he loved that he had the ability and skill to do that. Even if he couldn't play Quidditch anymore and he had an aversion to serious relationships, he could still switch between both of his jobs Instantly. Theo didn't succeed in a lot of things and he knew he was certain to be reminded of that this evening but he would just take it in his stride.

Arriving at the venue, the wizard looked up at the impressive villa and his eyes widened. He, like a lot of the guests he supposed didn't know too much about the count. The man was a rather big mystery, Theo told himself realising full well just how much it sounded like a cliche. Unfortunately being a celebrity news reporter meant he used cliches on a near daily basis. But that wasn't his fault, the rich and famous of the magical world all seemed to have a penchant for repeat behaving, whether that be hooking up with the same person repeatedly or behaving unruly in public.

Really, this evening Theo was able to kill two birds with one stone, report on any celebrities who attended tonight and more importantly catch up with family members, who he was sure he would be attending the gala. Checking that his cufflinks were aligned as he wanted them to be he nodded to his boss @guang before he set to work on preparing drinks at the bar for the guests to enjoy. He was glad the count had decided to serve both muggle and magical varieties of alcohol as choice was best at these types of events.

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"It was received this morning. My thanks, yet again."

Guang nodded pleasantly. Everything about himself was completely calm and in control usually, and so he had no problem being the rich and wealthy man with too much time on his hands that people usually considered him to be. It was mostly true. Although he knew his staff thought of him differently, rather as a walking threat -he didn't just correct people when they made mistakes. Two mistakes meant getting fired- and tonight he would be both. They were in attendance because it was expected of them, and also because his staff needed someone to oversee them. And he couldn't expect @milo to do it all by himself, even if he had been appointed his representative in the restaurant recently.

He watched as the count greeted his wife. She wouldn't do more than nod, he knew, as she had been raised to do. Their culture was a much more constrained one, and if he was there then he was to do the talking. Her role in their family was a strange on. She was the head of the household, yet they also kept to tradition towards outsiders. And tradition stated she would not speak before a male stranger. Magical China was still... restrictive.

"My wife is the loan-shark for Gringotts Bank. She's also part of the Board of Governors of the School." He clarified. She didn't work at the Ministry and thus he was almost certain she'd been invited as part of an arbitrary list of their society's wealthiest members. "The experience is wonderful, and I am glad I could assist in the making of it. But we will not keep you from your guests any longer, excuse us."

He and Daiyu half bowed in goodbye, as was their custom, and left. He caught the eye of his bartender, @theodore , if he wasn't much mistaken, and nodded in polite greeting. They went to one of the tables as he motioned for one of the servers to fetch him and Daiyu their usual drinks. They had them enough at the restaurant, it was common knowledge among the staff.

Gala. It was a word that Andromeda had hated for as long as she could possibly remember. Galas were not something that she normally enjoyed. She never had. There were too many reminders of all of her parents, "galas" that she had had to attend when she was young. Galas had a habit of not ending well in the Black household. Tonight though, with the current political climate being what it was, and she being a pureblood, and a prominent one in society at that, she had to make a point to attend. There were plenty of people that she knew that were going to have to be there, but that didn’t make her want to go any more than she had too. She wasn't good at small talk and the political games. That was Narcissa's forte, but Andi had no doubts that her sister would not be making an appearance here tonight.

Pinning back the last of her curls she spun on her heels to face @colin. “Well?” She asked as the fabric of her dress swayed loosely around her legs. At least she had chosen a dress that wasn’t terribly heavy, and she had freedom to move around in. Stifling was one word that she hoped she wouldn’t have to use tonight. “What do you think?” There was a part of her that was glad for the distraction tonight. Yesterday had been hard, like it had been for the last seventeen years, but tonight was a break, even if it came in the form of a gala, and tomorrow Teddy would be home. Looking forward to tomorrow, even if not the hours that would stretch between now and then Andi took Colin’s arm as he led her out of the house and then promptly whisked them away.

Gathering herself, having never been a fan of side-along apparation, she smiled up at Colin as he led her, escorted by a member of the Count's staff, across the lawn. Andromeda had to admit that whomever had decorated the place had done an amazing job, it was incredibly beautiful in here after all. "I have to say it is rather pretty." She commented on it before collecting a drink from a passing server and swirled it once in her hand before taking a drink of it and offering the glass to Colin. “Why do I see this being just the beginning of an incredibly long evening?”

The Dress

Jared always looked forward to huge, elaborate social events, always had in fact. So when the Count's invitation had arrived he'd read it and dropped it in @viriette 's lap on the way to his rooms to plan his outfit. As had always beem their custom, he would accompany his sistef to the event, but that didn't mean he'd leave with her. Usually he had... other plans.

And now here they both were, making their way up towards the back of the Palazzo led by a member of staff- Jared didn't bother asking their name- and soon he turned to his sister with a catlike smile.
"Have fun." He said lightly, winking as he turned on his heel and walked off. It was good that there were already people here- the vampire never made a habit of turning up anywhere early, not even his own club. His riding crop sat in the side of his boot and his gloved fingers came up to adjust the lapels of his white jacket. Eyelinered eyes travelled over the guests and staff and he flashed a smile at @cip as he caught his eye as he passed. "A very nice set up you have tonight..." He commented jovially, then he turned his attention away again to see just what the gala had to offer.

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