[hr][hr][center][img]https://s23.postimg.org/h6shths5n/virginia.png[/img] [img]https://s29.postimg.org/3vyuyqcjb/virginia2.gif[/img][hr][color=9999ff]Location:[/color] Almack's[/center][hr][hr]Virginia noticed the slight smile form on the Grand Duchess' face at the mention of her surname, and she tilted her head ever so slightly. It was not something she expected to see. Why, most in England did not smile when they heard the Crypt name. At best, they were indifferent. At worst, they shared opinions similar to Mrs. Wyndham. However, when Elizaveta mentioned that she knew someone who would want to speak with her, Virginia's heart skipped a beat. There was one individual--or two, rather--that came to mind. [i]Could her parents, said to be lost at sea, have found their way into Russia?[/i] From her memories of geography, there was the prominent port in Saint Petersburg. Perhaps her parents had ended up there by some bizarre stroke of luck, and in order to return to England, fond themselves enthralled with the Russian court. The pair of them were certainly odd by modern standards, it could work....Or another fantasy came to her mind, one of amnesia, with her dear parents lost in Russia, not knowing who they were beyond the surname [i]Crypt[/i]. [color=9999ff]"How peculiar, I'd be delighted to meet them,"[/color] Virginia replied, keeping her voice calm and steady. She knew, logically, that her parents likely had already met their demise and were in a wondrous reunion with death. Yet hope was a horrible thing, and with that comment, hope she nearly had relinquished was renewed. For a woman obsessed with pain, death, and the bizarre, it was the most wretched and horrible form of torture she knew--to give someone hope. As for Mary, Virginia nodded in understanding. She had glimpsed a strange, almost mutated version of the cargast creeping towards the grounds of Almack's. For Mary to be afraid of something to occur at the event was thus no surprise. [color=9999ff]"Yes, I do believe that death will be well sated tonight...I observed something akin to a cargast nearing Almack's earlier this day."[/color] But to be truthful, the prospect of the Soulless threat did not seem to bother Virginia. Her mind was still focused on Elizaveta's words. [color=9999ff]"Oh, James..."[/color] Virginia smiled, forever proud of her little brother. [color=9999ff]"He's doing so incredibly well. I am making preparations for him to be tested tomorrow, in order for him to begin his training...He has many questions for you, from what I can recall, in regards to heresy."[/color] Fyror, as Virginia observed, seemed to be fixated on the Grand Duchess. Perhaps, Virginia pondered, he was not the solution to Millicent's dilemma. A man worthy of Millicent, Virginia felt, would not be so distracted by title and not so driven by prejudice against the Catholics. [color=9999ff]"It is no trouble, dear Mosi,"[/color] Virginia commented, as another friend approached. At her comment about the damaged presence guards, it seemed to Virginia that perhaps there would be some fun to salvage from the event at Almack's. With her dear friend Milli approaching the Grand Duchess, on the arm of such a vile and hideous man, Virginia felt that a massacre would be perhaps the only highlight of the event. Yet Elizaveta's lack of caring about Lord Rutherford brought a bit of a smile to Virginia's face. If only the Grand Duchess could help with Millicent's situation....No, there was no need. Once at home, she would discuss the options with Alfred, as to whether to send word to the usual contact for the deed that needed completion or to accomplish the task all on her own. As a necessity, Millicent would not be told. She feared her friend would be too noble as to agree. Of course, she was too caught up in her own thoughts to notice the stern gaze of Thalken. [hr][hr][center][img]https://s8.postimg.org/nvq4ksl7p/maeve.png[/img] [img]https://68.media.tumblr.com/695caaabc5d1350cd062ed8616710b54/tumblr_omszcmzsOx1w3nwrko3_250.gif[/img][hr][color=ff6600]Location:[/color] Port Annan[/center][hr][hr]Maeve frowned slightly, tilted her head at Calum. Either the lad was a real good actor, or he must not have been playing much of a part. Of course, there were some people who always were a little funny in each family. Still, with the clumsy way that he walked about, nearly getting into trouble as he [i]fuddled[/i] about. [color=ff6600]"Yer new t' this?"[/color] Maeve asked, chuckling softly. She wouldn't have been too shocked at this point if the man was an actual parson pretending to be Calum. However, there wasn't much time to waste, and he seemed to be rather focused on getting to parts he was more familiar with. Following after him, Maeve's almost motherly instincts kicked in, as she kept an eye out for her befuddled companion. From what she'd seen, he needed the protection more than she did. Truthfully, all she needed was a guide. She didn't know her way around Scotland in the slightest. Noting the way his knees moved as he walked, Maeve shook her head ever so slightly. He really did seem to be a child at heart.