[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]"When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom."[/color][/sub]
[hr][color=c0c0c0][b]Location:[/b][/color] Almack's [/center][hr][hr]

	Talink. It was just a word to Mary, but obviously one that the impetuous man in front of her thought would carry weight. Maybe it was even a famous name in certain circles of London, but the Hale Clan was native to more northern latitudes. Further, the infamy of the brazen person's surname had not reached her ears during her lengthy time in the Vatican, training with the Holy See and Swiss Guard. No, to Mary this was yet another entitled child of nobility, hoping that the mention of a name a handful of threats would be useful in cowing those they thought lesser than themselves. 

	She took particular note of the quieter histrionics of Thalken's speech. Mary had heard similar bits of conversation, usually while on assignment someplace rural or in a slummier part of a grand European city. An attempt to intimidate and impress simultaneously. Difficult to pull off in a mixed crowd; most opted for one or the other. It was to be expected from some people, and if Mary's own, very recent experience here at Almack's Assembly Rooms was any indicator, then the broad umbrella of "some people" extended to cover The Ton, and many who obstinately considered themselves noble. Including that disreputable, puffed-up Earl(?) Of Whatever that attempted to relieve Mary of her weapon during the fray. Admittedly, it left an even further displeasing color over the night's events; the hubris of some people who believed the circumstances of their birth gave them moral immunity. 

	Whatever this man actually was, Mary saw him then as just another lesser nobleman who got an invitation to the Big Nobleman Party and insisted upon pushing his personal agenda upon a good friend of hers during an emotional moment. This upgrade in status was only after she decided that he wasn't another Soulless. But she did hit the nail on the head with her suspicions of having an ulterior motive. 

	[color=c0c0c0]"I must confess to my unfamiliarity with the line of Talink."[/color] stated Mary, voice unmoved from its polite, seraphic manner. The firearm remained as it was, even with the rosary swinging lightly back and forth from her wrist, and her eyes held their sharp warrior's gaze. [color=c0c0c0]"Though I should hope it is not the custom of your people to prey upon the grieving for personal gain or curiosity. I would advise an act of atonement following an apology for such monumentally crass behavior. If it is truly your wish to help, there are other earthly vessels that require transportation. This person is spoken for."[/color] Her eyebrows raised, shifting the contours of her face to resemble a schoolteacher, patiently trying to explain a simple lesson to a child who had failed several times to comprehend it. [color=c0c0c0]"Action to the contrary is foolish, especially if one wishes to present one's self favorably."[/color] Her eyes narrowed again as she coldly added, [color=c0c0c0]"And I do not suffer fools, sir."[/color] 

	Her other hand, still in rear fencer's position, surreptitiously found the hilt of one of her short blades. [color=c0c0c0]"The Lady Crypt and I have a labor to finish, if you would be as kind as to excuse us?"[/color] 



[hr][hr][center][img]https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/6db984d3-4c29-457c-84f7-fd720c6f3470.png[/img][/center]
[center][img]https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/3068ada6-2525-4e47-b1a8-14d98dfb6177.jpg[/img][/center][hr][center][color=firebrick][b]Passive Skills:[/b][/color] [list][*] [u]Fal'shbort[/u] - You are tougher, stronger, more Russian! [*] [u]Tretiy Glaz[/u] - An ability that gives a person a sixth sense into the future. Unpredictable and random.[/list][/center][hr][hr][center][color=firebrick][b]Location:[/b][/color] Almack's Assembly Rooms[/center][hr][hr]

	Vladimir accepted the permission of the younger Thalcona with the tiniest amount of gracious pause. [color=firebrick]"Absolyutno. I thank you vor opportunity, madame."[/color] The seasoned Master Alexandrov took to the quick and uninvolved task of looking deeply into the her eyes, staring as if witnessing a sight unavailable to others. The parting of a veil into one's very essence, reading fragments of Self as they formed together, not unlike the steady formation of ice crystals. When enough facets found each other, images could be glimpsed. It was the ability to see into this crystalline images and interpret what one found therein with accuracy that gave this legendary ability of the Rusyn Cossacks the reputation it had back in the Empire. Vladimir was a man of experience, but even so, the images were not always clear. Such was the unpredictability of the Chteniye Dushi. 

	[color=firebrick]"Pain and darkness, molodoy. Pain and darkness on one side, and you on other side of scale. You are in set ov two, but you know this. Forever you vill be chained to darkness, unless one of set leaves. Or dies."[/color] The charismatic Russian had considered giving her the standard, pseudo-clairvoyant brushoff of "Oh, bright future, many kids, happiness in the future, blah blah blah...", but this young woman had honest issues. And he guessed that her earlier behavior was because of a lack of social experience beyond a narrow explanation of how the world operates. But that was not revealed in the vision, merely an assumption based upon something he had witnessed. [color=firebrick]"Ah, chert... Do not listen to ramble. Maybe if vant, you can help vith ceremony? The Grand Duchess can keep dead from raising as Soulless. Rusyn gift, like Chteniye Dushi. Ve vill need all dead closeby. Unless you have other duty now? Shh, but vith quiet, da?"[/color]