[hr][hr][center][h1][b][i][color=#9999ff]Virginia Crypt[/color][/i][/b][/h1][img]https://s14.postimg.org/o19huchjl/virginia.gif[/img][hr][color=9999ff][b]Location[/b][/color]: Russian Imperial Circus Tent City (Regent's Park)[/center][hr][hr]	James cackled excitedly at the news that the Deadly Cat (the word [i]tiger[/i] was slowly slipping from his mind or more truthfully, his attention) would be able to eat him in two gulps. Peering at Myska, he wanted to get a good look at his jaws. With enough practice, he felt confident that Myska would be able to do it in one. He then spotted the man he rode with giving a bow to Elizaveta and his sister curtseying, prompting a jolt of realization. Recalling his lessons from Alfred in etiquette, James did his best attempt at a bow, wiggling his hand about to try to do the flamboyant wave he had seen others do before. 

	To say it was ridiculous and adorable was an understatement. "It is my...my...my honor to meet you," James said carefully, with a bit of a practiced air. "Miamor," he then added at the end. He remembered, very dimly, his father saying something like that to his mother from time to time. It seemed like the type of thing you said to beautiful women - especially ones with a Deadly Cat. 

	James went back to bouncing up and down eagerly when Elizaveta asked him if he'd like to ride Myska. "Oh Ginny please! Please can I?" 

	Virginia shook her head, chuckling in spite of herself. [color=9999ff]"I suppose it would not hurt. Show respect to Myska - as you would with all creatures, little devil."[/color] If animals were treated poorly, then they would be twice as likely to attempt to turn on their masters. Such was the moral of the sorrowful tale of her father's cousin Violet. She had been trampled by her own horse. While her death was celebrated as all Crypt passings were, the general consensus was that she had deserved it wholeheartedly. 

	Guilt struck her at the mentioning of Millicent. She should have made an effort to reach out to Millicent that day, yet time had gotten away from her. With the chaos of Mosi's funeral and the threat made against James' life, she had not been as collected as she could have been. She nodded at Elizaveta, fearful that things had taken yet another turn for the worse for Millicent. [color=9999ff]"Of course. If I may secure James before, I will likely be more collected. But if it is urgent, then please, let us discuss it now."[/color]

	She turned at the Great Bazhooli's call, an honest smile on her face at his tidings. The day had begun to make her feel weary, yet the spectacle of the decapitation and well placed flattery never hurt. None of the men in London were quite this charming. While she made their heads turn, it was usually in disgust at her training or worry that she was a Soulless. [color=9999ff]"You flatter me, Great Bazhooli. The honor is entirely mine - I must thank you for allowing my brother and I to come here on such an important night for the circus. It has been too long since I saw a proper Mamushka and I cannot help but imagine the performance would lift my spirits, if I may attend."[/color]

	Of course, she had a question for the Great Bazhooli, yet it could wait. James, then Millicent, and then - if there was any time remaining - she might inquire as to her family history. She smiled slightly hearing Bazhooli's exclamation about the blood as he rushed off, before finally engaging with Mary in conversation. [color=9999ff]"I must thank you, Dame Hale, for offering aid. I know these are not ideal circumstances for you to offer assistance, with your new duties as Arch Graveolase for this evening."[/color]

	Virginia then glanced over towards her brother, who was spirited as ever. An outsider wouldn't suspect that someone had threatened James' life. He had not a care in the world. [color=9999ff]"I must confess, I do not believe I could stomach food or drink at this moment. Perhaps James may care for some water..."[/color] She then trailed off, considering for a moment how best to recount everything that had happened that day. 

	[color=9999ff]"The trouble began this morning - I rose late, though I do not quite understand why myself. The gardener alerted me to the state of the garden, as all of the plants but one had perished overnight. Eventually, the carcass of a wolf was discovered, with a blooded note in my trained tongue warning that [i]the youngest will die before the pack is slaughtered.[/i] It does not translate directly, I am afraid, but that is the meaning of the message, more or less...Understandably, I began making my own inquiries from a scientific standpoint, as well as writing to those who might be of aid. It is then that I sought your help, Dame Hale."[/color]

	[color=9999ff]"I fear I may have allowed my emotions to cloud my judgment today...But that aside, I received a message from my father at the funeral of Jeanette Crane. It came through the flames and I believe he means for me to seek out an ancestor, a Crypt who was said to have found a way to survive for more years than any mortal is capable of...Once James is secured, I intend to make way to the Carpathian Mountains in hopes of finding them. There are many pains that I could endure and become stronger from, yet the loss of James..."[/color]