[hr][hr][center][h1][b][i][color=#9999ff]Virginia Crypt[/color][/i][/b][/h1][img]https://s14.postimg.org/o19huchjl/virginia.gif[/img][hr][hr][b]Location[/b]: Russian Imperial Circus Tent City (Regent's Park)[/center][hr]	Virginia was touched that Elizaveta offered protection for James. In her experience, it was an unusual person who offered shelter to a stranger. The members of London society were far more likely to turn someone away than to render them aid. Her earlier encounter with the Talinks was an example of London's lack of selflessness. And while some may have been unnerved at the protection of the circus after the projectile guillotine beheading that happened moments before, the Grand Duchess of Russia was kept safe on these grounds. James would be safe as well. 

	[color=9999ff]"Thank you - I hope that I can repay you one day for this kindness,"[/color] Virginia said earnestly. [color=9999ff]"The Crypt Family is in your debt."[/color] 

	James giggled bashfully at Elizaveta's compliment of him. He figured that with such a great response, he must have done it properly. He was thrilled - and proud. And a little bit hungry. He felt a spiritual kinship with the Deadly Cat as it wolfed down a piece of meat. "Pah...ty...chky?" James tried to say. The words felt a little bit funny on the tongue, but he only knew English. Any other language would feel a little bit odd for him to say. 
	
	"Thanks!" James then added as Adam offered him one. Before he started nibbling on it, his eyes locked with Elizaveta's and he froze. He didn't know exactly what was going on, but she seemed to have gone into some sort of trance. Figuring that it would probably be bad to break it, James held his breath and kept his eyes open, refusing to blink, until Elizaveta muttered something in the strange language. 

	"What's that mean?" James asked, filled with curiosity. He wanted to know what she had said - and also, what the trance had done. 

	[color=9999ff]"I would not mind at all,"[/color] Virginia said. She had a good feeling about James and Adam. James didn't often get to play with children his own age. At either rate, Adam would certainly be able to handle James' near endless energy better than poor Alfred could. Her interest was piqued when Elizaveta mentioned the connection to the Carpthanian mountains that the circus had. 

	[color=9999ff]"I would be very interested in any information you have,"[/color] Virginia replied. She found it curious how many connections her family appeared to have to the Russian Circus. Perhaps as the rider mentioned, her family had once been rather close to either the circus or the Russian Royal Family. She was intrigued, to say the least. 

	In the midst of their conversation, Virginia heard the now slightly familiar burst of compliments from the Great Bazhooli. He seemed to be as skilled in flattery as he was in blades, as he used one to tip his hat and then continued to twirl the knives as he spoke. Virginia had hardly even considered the matters of the [i]ton[/i], being so focused on her brother and his safety, as well as the message from her father. Yet she was glad that he asked, as it reminded her of another matter of importance and announced another promotion for Mary. She beamed hearing Mary's title of Dame Commander. In her opinion, the [i]ton[/i] tended to understate Mary's talents and position - hearing Mary be recognized lifted Virginia's spirits. 

	[color=9999ff]"You have my congratulations on the promotion, Dame Commander,"[/color] Virginia said, before providing her own title. [color=9999ff]"The Lady Virginia Margaret Crypt, Mistress of Wenwynith and Adviser to the Interim Arch Graveolase...I must apologize, Great Bazhooli, as I have just recalled an unfortunate circumstance I must alert you, as well as others, to...The Talink family may very well intend to cause harm to James or myself. If they come, please do allow me to wield my axe and nullify the threat."[/color]

	She did not wish to ask for the Circus to handle with dealing a fatal blow to the Talinks. It had been her error that created this business dispute and she wished to set the matter to rest personally. Though as she reflected on the manner in which Thalken had stared at her the previous evening, it seemed likely that the Talinks had already made plans to kill either her or her brother. 

	[color=9999ff]"James, little devil, please play with Myska and the other boy,"[/color] Virginia instructed him, kneeling down to James' level. She hardly cared if the fabric of her dress brushed up against the ground. There was a grave seriousness on Virginia's face, enough to stop James' squirming for a moment. [color=9999ff]"Do you remember the gaunt girl from earlier? She was a Talink. If you see her or any other Talink, you must run and hide in the tent city...If that is not an option, remember your lessons in the foil with Alfred and kill them."[/color] She smoothed James' hair and smiled at him fondly, before rising back to her full height. She was not certain if James would be able to take on a Talink in combat. In fact, she found it rather unlikely. 

	[color=9999ff]"Of course. Privacy in these matters would be welcomed, should there be a place available to us,"[/color] Virginia said to Mary. She did not wish to impose on the Circus or give them any reason to dislike her. If what Virginia's musings were correct, perhaps this is where the Cossack Crypts originated from - the Russian Circus. 

	James was beaming at the other boy, having tasted the Patychky. He wasn't exactly sure what type of meat it was, but he truthfully didn't care. As he swallowed his latest mouthful, James extended a hand to Adam, a little bit of meat juice running down his chin. "M'names James. What's yours?" James asked, having abandoned the pomp and ceremony he used with Elizaveta. While Elizaveta was a beautiful princess of the night, Adam seemed to him to be an equal. 

	"How fast do you think the Deadly Cat can run?" James then asked with a wicked grin.