[hr][hr][center][b][h1][i][color=a187be]Elizaveta Romanova[/color], [color=c0c0c0]Sister Mary Ignatia Hale[/color], and [color=9999ff]Virginia Crypt[/color][/i][/h1][/b][img]https://s13.postimg.org/n1v4xwkx3/COLLAB.gif[/img][hr][hr][b]Location:[/b] Russian Imperial Circus Tent City (Regent's Park)
[b]Skills:[/b] Tretiy Glaz (Elizaveta/Passive), English (Elizaveta), Diplomacy (Elizaveta), Negotiations (Virginia), Leadership (Virginia)[/center][hr]	
	[color=a187be]"Agreed and vithout a vord to anyone outside of this tent for if any vere to catch vind of our plans it could mean true disaster for all involved. Circus vould try to top me or come vith. I do not knov vhat church vould do or council considering vhat is occuring here in London. And ve do not vish to think of vhat Rutherford vould do if vord vere to get to him before ve do. Vould he do vorse to her? Not something v should linger on,"[/color] Elizaveta said as she rose form her place and smoothed the front of her gown down. Lacing her fingers together she rested them in front of her and glanced over towards Mary. It had been just the two of them but she would not deny Virginia the chance to deal with Rutherford personally for a friend. Virginia had more right to go than they did. 

	[color=c0c0c0]"What is happening in London is happening in a lot of places,"[/color] responded Mary, [color=c0c0c0]"and when The Church honored me with my new title, I received greater autonomy. The decision to act or investigate is my own, their counsel notwithstanding, unless ordered otherwise by the Grand Cross or His Holiness. Yet I promised not to breathe a word and I mean not to, for just the reasons you have stated. I do have concern about Adam's care during this, however."[/color] 

	[color=a187be]"I vould like to suggest that young little Adam remain with Circus as vell, for nov at least. I believe he and James vould do vell for each other,"[/color] she added as she stood there. Adam was not something they had discussed but he was something that needed to be addressed. If she was going to arrange for one child to stay, why not make it a pair that could be there for each other. They would be outsiders coming in and even Elizaveta wished she had had a non-circus playmate when she was younger. 

	A resolute sigh escaped Mary's lips. [color=c0c0c0]"Of course. If the Circus will take him in, the both of them may find camaraderie with one another. No one should be alone in this world."[/color] The young Apostolic's hand dropped to the chain rosary at her belt, her fingers counting each link, one after the other. [color=c0c0c0]"We are in agreement, though after this business is done to the north I should like to hear his opinion on the matter."[/color] 

	[color=a187be]"Yes, of course. Vhen matters can be discussed freely vith him ve shall see vhat he desires,"[/color] Elizaveta said as she looked towards Mary though after what she had seen in Adams eyes she wondered if that would even be a worry. 

	Mary cleared her throat and continued, [color=c0c0c0]"It is decided. When the meeting is concluded, we ride for Gretna Green. The boys will be cared for here. Now, the Graveolase: I have my own ideas, but I would dearly appreciate the advice of a London noblewoman of standing and a powerful Grand Duchess. I am very new to this."[/color] 

	With James' safety ensured, Virginia felt a great weight lifted from her shoulders. She was calm by nature, yet the threats against her brother's life had rattled her extensively. And while she was by no means indifferent to her dear friend's plight, she was better able to focus on the task at hand, as the Dame Commander and the Grand Duchess systematically tackled each issue in turn. Her thoughts then turned to the Graveolase. She had some skill in leadership and negotiations, but there was much about the individual members of the Graveolase that she simply did not know. 

	[color=9999ff]"My advice in this matter is limited,"[/color] Virginia said. [color=9999ff]"Yet in terms of the Graveolase, it is possible that they will see you as simply a woman and nothing more. You may need to command their respect in order to be considered fairly...Not all in our society take kindly to women in positions of authority. But beyond this, I can only offer you another small piece of advice. To be brief, trust your instincts. They will act as a compass."[/color]

	Virginia's words sounded of truth, to Mary's experience. It didn't matter that she had been trained by the elite soldiers of the Vatican, nor that she possessed abilities beyond ordinary men and women and the courage to use them against the plague upon mankind that was the Soulless - to many, Mary would always only be a mere woman. She nodded and listened respectfully as the Mistress of Wenwynith reminded her of the hurdles she had to leap for having been born female.  

	[color=a187be]"You vould not like to hear my vords on the matter Mary. I have dealt vith them in the past, each time urging them to add my peoples skills to the council and give us a seat but they refuse. I try again tonight, perhaps attacks vill get them to listen though I doubt it. Tread carefully, only the Graveolase from Rome, Ireland and Japan are those vhich I would trust. Outside yourself of course Mary but then I do already trust you,"[/color] Elizaveta said as she heard a bit of a commotion outside. She could hear Constantin bellow for Vlad. Vlad would take care of matters, she could stay focused here. 

	Mary noted the call for Vladimir's aid outside of the tent, and she had to override her intrinsic impulse to rise and see to this new difficulty. Before she was fully aware of what was going on, Mary had already moved a hand to her pistol and her muscles tensed to spring from the couch, her eyes blazing with righteous fire. But she was a guest here. Taking certain liberties for herself might very well lead to a diplomatic incident, not that she was much of a diplomat in the first place. Instead, she forced herself to relax (somewhat) and deferred to Veta's lead, allowing The Great Bazhooli to handle his own affairs without Scots-Catholic interference. [color=c0c0c0]"Rome, Ireland, Japan."[/color] she reported back, using the words to ground her thoughts in the immediate vicinity. [color=c0c0c0]"Why must there be politics involved in defending humanity? We all want the same thing. Rather, we should. I do wish this "honor" had not been thrust upon me."[/color] But she took it, if only to keep it away from those who would abuse the office. 

	Virginia's hand went to the sheathed axes attached to the sides of her dress as she heard someone cry for the Great Bazhooli. The exclamation of an intruder worried her, yet her eyes flickered towards Elizaveta and Mary. The Grand Duchess did not appear to be too concerned and while she caught a hint of flames in Mary's eyes, the Dame Commander remained as well. James would be fine, Virginia reassured herself - and if the situation did turn dire, she was armed. She refocused her attention on Elizaveta and Mary, pondering Mary's words. There were many occasions when the rest of humanity puzzled her. They had manners and customs that made little sense to a Crypt. [color=9999ff]"Greed, pride, fear, self-interest...The preservation of humanity is perhaps at odds with those. But Mary, the reaper waits for no one. Who else was qualified when the Arch Graveolase went to the next adventure?"[/color] Virginia said. 

	[color=a187be]"And even if there vas one vould ve vant them to have this position? Many placed on a path by God did not vish it to be so and yet vho are ve to question his decisions? Trust in him and keep your faith Mary. He has placed you here for a reason and vould not do so if you could not do vhat is right,"[/color] Elizaveta said as she looked over towards Mary and gave her a slightly of approving nods. There was another yelp outside and a language that Elizaveta did not know spoken very loudly, yet she did not move. Myska was not there to protect her nor had Sister Sophia come barging in so she chose not to worry about things right then. 

	The rapid fire reassurance from both Virginia and Elizaveta served to bolster her affection for her friends, though did not do quite as much for her confidence in the upcoming meeting. [color=c0c0c0]"I do not question the will of our Lord, of course,"[/color] began Mary, [color=c0c0c0]"nor am I aware of anyone else qualified for such a position that I might trust to act with altruism. Particularly if they were to covet the position."[/color] Mary shook her head, ever so slightly, maintaining her serene countenance, [color=c0c0c0]"So your collective advice is to immediately command the respect of persons I have never met who will likely dismiss me immediately because I am a woman, do as I must to appoint the Russian delegation into the Graveolase despite previously unsuccessful attempts, and above all maintain faith in the Lord. The last part will come easily. I have hope that the former will follow thereafter. So, how shall we begin?"[/color] Oddly, Mary seemed in high spirits, presented with this new challenge. A small smile gave it away.  

	The shout in a strange tongue, strangely enough, was a relief to Virginia. The words did not sound like any spoken in the New World or by those who studied in Asia. Despite not speaking the trained tongue of the Talinks, she could at least recognize the difference in sounds between other languages. With the Talinks ruled out, as well as the mysterious figure who at least trained in the New World, Virginia was reassured that whatever chaos was happening outside of the tent did not concern her brother. As for how to begin - she turned her gaze to Elizaveta. Virginia was unfamiliar with the time table for tonight's events, yet she figured the Grand Duchess - given that she was hosting the event - would know almost every last detail. [color=9999ff]"If the Graveolase have already begun to arrive, perhaps now would be a moment to familiarize yourself with them - especially those that the Grand Duchess has already mentioned. Of course, I am unaware of the schedule crafted by the Circus for tonight's activities, beyond the prepared Mamushka."[/color] Her eyes had an almost icy warmth to them at the thought - she adored the Mamushka and found that the larger the group, the more spectacular it became. 

	[color=a187be]"Voman not such a problem to council. There are currently three women on the council. Lady Kirkpatrick represents Ireland. Christine Del'ataunt the West Indies. Finally, Akechi Lee Ko heads up Japan. It is youth that may be largest obstacle. All on council are older than ve three, youth can mean inexperience to many."[/color] Glancing over at herself in the mirror, she knew she didn't look as if she had the experience needed to rule a country or to head up a church, or to lead a people on the council. Yet, there she was. All of twenty-three and embarking on all three for her nation. [color=a187be]"As far as circus goes, as much as I vould like it to be that we are added to council, one must ensure ve are able bodied. That will be displayed tonight, I pray to your satisfaction."[/color]

	Mary raised a eyebrow at that last statement. [color=c0c0c0]"I am already satisfied, Grand Duchess. If this is my decision to make, this event tonight is a formality. I do wish to experience more of the skills of your people, however. I find them fascinating."[/color] Mary also found it fascinating that there were a number of female Graveolase, but refrained from comment as it appeared that Veta had more to say on the matter of the meeting.  

	Virginia was a bit surprised as well at the female Graveolase - from what she understood, society feared women in power. While she had been raised in a family that saw no difference in capability between the sexes, that was not the case for the outside world. She felt a bit of happiness learning that not all of society had fallen down some dark and horrible path - there was still hope for them. Perhaps one day they would even play [i]Wake the Dead[/i] without judgment. 

	Looking away from the mirror she looked towards Virginia and gave a soft smile. [color=a187be]"The dance of the circus, the fight of blades, birth of our people. And tonight it will be as never seen before outside of Circus."[/color] Veta took a deep breath. It would have to be more spectacular than before, more dangerous, and she would be in the middle of it. A small prayer was said that her voice did not crack for it could mean a blade missed its mark. 

	[color=9999ff]"It sounds excellent, and I am certain your ancestors would leave their graves to view it if they were so able,"[/color] Virginia said. She meant it as a compliment. She had only fond memories of the Mamushka and she was excited to see it performed tonight. Given that it was a skill, she assumed that there were differences between the Mamushkas she had danced in her childhood. This rendition would have novelty to it and she yearned to see it. Little James would have a chance to watch it as well and it warmed her heart. There was nothing that made her feel more alive than a dance with death - even if she could only be a spectator to it.