[hr][hr][center][img]https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/b4c8d8bb-ce6c-4f28-ae48-5db57c8bd072.png[/img][/center]
[center][img]https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/4b/8b/f9/4b8bf9bf56e16949792ee05fe7b3e8c5.jpg[/img]
[sub][color=c0c0c0]"Go forward bravely. Fear nothing. Trust in God; all will be well." - Joan of Arc[/color][/sub]
[hr][color=c0c0c0][b]Location:[/b][/color] Almack's [/center][hr][hr]

	[i]"I fear very dark times are ahead, we must make haste, blood will flow this evening."[/i] 

	That was precisely what the Grand Duchess had said, in front of Fryor and Buckingham. A tiny flash of adrenaline shot through Mary, sharpening her senses and resolve, both. In the short time she had known the woman, Elizaveta had left an impression on the young Apostolic. She felt she could reliably believe the Russian Imperial Highness's assessment of the situation, and stood ready to perform the duty for which she was specifically trained. She was the Venator representing her Church at this event. If blood was to flow, let the wounds be inflicted by her, and only to those deserving of it. Until then, Sister Mary would stay alert yet seraphic, attending the Grand Duchess as her entourage. She was a Knight, if female and attached to the less influential branch of Christianity in London. Mary would act like one. 

	Mary bowed her head to Captain Kildragon, remaining silent to him as he was to her. Not that she took any offense to their lack of dialogue, Veta was the more important person of the two of them. It was the natural order for Royalty to speak for their hangers-on in social situations like this, unless directly addressed about something more to their area of expertise. The basics of acknowledging each other's presence concluded, Mary followed Elizaveta and took proper position, barely prior to Buckingham grudgingly announcing her as "Dame Mary Hale of the Catholic Church". It gave her a mote of satisfaction, the Grand Duchess ensuring that her Pontifically appointed title was used, especially in a place where women were not allowed to retain the title of Knight of the Realm. Well, thank God for Knights of the Church. Even if the older man didn't quite get her title with full accuracy, it was a welcome start. 

	Introductions heralded, their entrance was given notice by one of Mary's few friends in London. Deferring to social protocol for the situation, said friend gave simple introduction to Elizaveta first before addressing the young Apostolic. Mary smiled, and was just about to speak when the gentleman from earlier sought out further discussion with Elizaveta. She noted again a particular lack of acknowledgement of her own presence. Mary silently surmised that the man must be Anglican, an easy guess here in the Land of Angles. She moved the tiniest step to the side, giving symbolic separation from their conversation but still quite ready to engage or assist the Grand Duchess. 

	Mary looked to her friend and responded to her, maintaining her serene exterior and occasionally moving her eyes to take note of her surroundings (and the people in it). [color=c0c0c0]"Lady Crypt! It is a rare pleasure to see you in these environs, I must confess."[/color] Mary was good at confessing. [color=c0c0c0]"The title is purely because I am here to see to the affairs of my Order this evening, which I fear may be necessary in a less genteel manner if Her Grace is correct. I have no reason to think otherwise."[/color] Her face remained the vision of serenity. She had questions of her friend concerning the gathering so far that evening, but a minor bit of social grace wouldn't hurt before she delved firmly into business. [color=c0c0c0]"However is your very inquisitive brother, James?"[/color] 

	Small talk aside, Mary had not forgotten the reason for her presence. It was a token of societal nicety. Then again, it was hard to be taken as one of these debutantes while wielding a halberd and cloaked in the manner of a Papal Knight, even with her young face and fiery red hair. Her very manner screamed [i]professionalism[/i], even if the expectations of her gender did not; even as she spoke, Mary extended the trained sense of Tanter to the persons around her, on the chance that something might be revealed.