Prelude, By C.J. Ruby

Spring 1990:  Gabriela Emmanuelle is not a star.  She is a hard working entertainer performing in major cities along the gulf-coast, from Houston to Miami.  She sings in lounges and sometimes opens for Headliners.  She was trained in the classical style at Julliard's, but now sings more of a pop jazz mix.  From time to time she has played small roles in operas and musicals.

Jacksonville is where it happened.  It was there in a nightclub club that she first noticed something odd about the world.  During her second to last song she felt a lurking presence and spotted what appeared to be demonic creatures in the audience.  She faltered in her singing, something that never happens to her.  She finished the song and asked for a glass of water.  When she resumed the presence felt even more threatening and the entire crowd changed into hideous demons.  Somehow she finished (she's a professional after all; maybe someone had just dropped some acid into her drink).  She nearly bolted from the stage and went to her dressing room to have a stiff drink and splash a little water on her face and neck to calm her nerves. 

Even in her dressing room she sensed an ominous presence and felt compelled to flee.  She flew out the back door and down the ally to the main street where she nearly ran over a tall handsome gentleman, his very presence seemed to calm her and she was able to compose herself and catch a cab to her hotel.

There she called her agent, Gary, and told him she was sick, and that she would have to cancel her remaining nights at the club.  She also asked Gary to schedule a morning appointment at a clinic, cost didn't matter.  She thought she might be coming down with something bad. 

In the morning she went to her appointment.  In the waiting room she felt that someone was watching her again, but she toughed it out (it's just this virus, she thought).  In the exam room she thought she saw some weird things, but when she looked again things were back to normal.

The Doctor examined her and after he looked into her ears he took the scope and placed it near a tiny black vial, she could swear that she saw an image of herself transfer from the scope to the vial - her image appeared to be screaming in terror.

He wrote out a prescription and left the room.  He also left the glass vial and scope.  Gabriela put both items in her purse and got out of there as soon as possible, and then she had Gary put her on a plane to Atlanta (where she lived at the time). 

She examined the scope at home, it seemed normal, but the vial had strange markings on it and if she caught the light just right something seemed to be moving within.  Holding it also gave her a feeling of relief and safety.  Shortly there after she had a jeweler fashion a necklace to hold it so she could keep it near her at all times.

Her career began to take off and she was now opening for even bigger acts.  In 1992 she was set to perform before "Sting" at the half-time of the Sugar Bowl on New Years day in the New Orleans' Super Dome. 

There she had a prescient vision where she saw bats and demons flying above her in the stadium.  They swooped into the crowd and rent people to shreds.  It was so real she thought it was actually happening. 

A knocking on her door brought her out of the trance.  Someone had delivered her a beautiful bouquet of flowers.  A note was attached that said, "These will keep your Demons at bay".  The card was unsigned.  They smelt and "felt" so good and right that she pinned one to her black dress that had been designed for her by Paula Civello (a famous fashion designer in New Orleans).  When Paula was fitting Gabi's dresses they fit her perfectly, as if by magic.  Paula hardly had to do any alterations and Gabriela thought she only did those for show.  Paula gave her two dresses to wear, a black one for the performance and a red one to celebrate New Years night in.

After her performance while she was exiting the field she spotted a familiar face in the crowd, it was the man she had bumped into in Jacksonville outside of the nightclub.  He was wearing the same flower that she had on.  She noted where he was and tried to make her way through the bowels of the Super Dome to find the entrance to his section.  She got lost and because of her petite size (4'11") she was being jostled by the crowd and sent in the wrong direction.  She steeled herself and let loose a loud tra-la-la-la-la in her best voice.  Everyone stopped around her and then a path seemed to open before her to the correct entrance.

She made her way to the handsome gentleman; there was an empty seat beside him.  He introduced himself as Shelton - no last name simply Shelton.  He asked her to take a close look at some of the people in the crowd and to her amazement they appeared dead (who knew the undead were such big football fans).  He told her they were vampires, but they wouldn't bother them as long as they ignored them.

Then she felt the malicious presence, in the tier of stands overlooking where she and Shelton where sitting she spotted the Doctor.  Shelton said they had better leave.  She noticed that the black dress was not fitting as well as before.  In fact it just didn't feel right at all, she asked Shelton if she could change outfits first.  He said it would be alright, but that she should hurry.  The red dress felt much better, it was weird, but it felt "stable" to her.

Shelton hailed a cab and one stopped immediately.  Things like that continued to happen throughout the night during the celebration of the New Year. 

Shelton explained to Gabriela that he was a Mage, one of the Cultist of Ecstasy, and that she was as one well.  He told her of Magic and that the Doctor was a Marauder, a very powerful, but insane Mage.  Gabi cringed at the thought that he had touched her during her exam.  Shelton didn't explain what the vial was, but he warned her to keep it safe and on her person at all times.

Over the next few years Gabi's training and career took off.  She made wise investments and she became extremely wealthy.  With the Spheres of Mind, Time and Life, she found that she could sense the audience's mood and she picked the perfect songs to sooth or impassion them. 

She fell in love with an Italian Renaissance structure in Tampa Florida.  In Ybor City (pronounced Ebor City, emphasis on the E) to be exact; it was the former Hotel Napolie.  She bought it and had it remodeled.  On the street level she made space for four shops or boutiques to be rented or used by her.

A gardened courtyard and extraordinary fountain greet those who enter the main residence proper. A spiral stair leads to the 2nd floor; there is also an old fashioned elevator nearby. 

The second floor ballroom and theater were restored and the enormous kitchen was updated.  Now Gabi throws fabulous parties here.  Her invitations are a coveted item.  To receive one means you're In the "In Crowd".  Some are invited just so she can keep a closer eye on them (keep your friends close, but your enemies closer).

The third floor is her recording studio and offices for her employees; there she produces records for up and coming talents.  Her awards and gold records are displayed here. 

The fourth floor has rooms for guests and a large dinning space, as well as a conservatory.  Here she holds more intimate gatherings with close friends.  The inner sanctum if you will.

The fifth floor is her personal space:  a library, gym, giant bedroom, luxurious bathroom, and a meditation chamber are all located here.

The roof has an aviary, herb garden, and greenhouse. The building has vines climbing its façade. An enlightened person will notice the vines grow in patterns of welcome to Cultists.  There are balconies on every level; those on the 2nd floor are used during festivals. Many beaded necklaces have been tossed from these terraces.  The others have beautiful gardens on them.  One will notice colorful birds flitting about the foliage. 

Inside there are plants and flowers everywhere and on the residential floors birds have open cages to reside in.  Parrots, parakeets, and song birds of all types reside here.  When some guests come to stay with Gabriela (those that are allergic or just can't abide fauna) she moves them to the aviary on the roof.

Her constant companion is a bright yellow parakeet name Figaro.  He perches on her shoulder or head, and when he's sleepy or afraid he hides in her pocket or in a fold of her clothing.

Gabi has opened two businesses of her own; though she has others manage them for her.  They are Adagio Music and Figaro's Curio Shop.  The two shop spaces on either end of the building are free right not, but she foresees a tattoo parlor and a bookstore occupying them shortly.  Gabi is good at seeing things in the future or the past.  You could say time is a pastime of hers.

Gabriela is highly respected among Mage society and her voice carries weight.  She believes in creating something of lasting value in this world.  She also sees the value of traditionalism; this may be why she carries influence in Mage society.  She notices that most Cultists are live for today types, and other Traditions don't take them (the Cultists) seriously. 

Now Gabi knows how to have a good time.  Her parties are becoming legendary among other Mages and the entertainment community she associates with: Sex, drugs, and rock-n-roll (why be in the biz if you don't enjoy these things, right?).

Her music is also becoming more focused.  She believes she can aid the coming of the Ascension and the downfall of the Technocracy by awakening and touching the emotional centers of the sleepers.

Gabriela's music label is "Destare Records" (Arouse in Italian); its offices are located on the third floor of her home, it is not connected to the music store. 

Adagio Music sells instruments (new and used) and music: CDs and vinyl (Gabi still loves vinyl), as well as sheet music.  Most of the used instruments have been pawned by those down on their luck whom Gabi cares about (some may be Cultists).

Figaro's Curio Shop has unusual (mostly mundane) items from around the world.  A lot of it is folk art.  It's a bit of a "Head Shop" and non-magical magic shop, although a Verbena potion may get sold here from time to time.  Occasionally, Gabriela disguises herself and reads fortunes in a back room of the shop."d.lr mundane) those down on their luck.