[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), Crypt Family History (Virginia)[/center][hr]		Elizaveta nodded slightly. The Grand Duchess was not exactly sure how to take the words but everything that Virginia said and did seemed to be done without cruelty or disdain, so she took it as a compliment instead of anything else. Thinking for a moment she turned back to Mary. [color=a187be]"One vould think the Council vould have added us centuries ago. Unlike the other skills ve can teach our vays to vork vith your ovn. You for one could learn the Ostanavalivat'sya, you vitnessed it in the alcove of the church,"[/color] she said to Mary before turning and looking back towards Virginia, a get smile with a hint of heritage crept into her eyes. [color=a187be]"You and your brother could learn the bond between Mamushka and Tatushka, vorking together in harmony to be even more deadly."[/color] Taking a step around the room Elizaveta ran her fingers along the length of some of the silk that hung from the ceiling. [color=a187be]"They reject that vhich could make them stronger for fear of losing their pover."[/color]
	
        Mary nodded on ageeement with the Grand Duchess's assessment. She had seen some of the skills that the Rusyn people had to offer, and like the people of the Circus they were flashy, impressive, and quite effective. Though populated by Gypsies and musicians, and probably other assorted ne'er-do-wells she was told never to associate with, she foind there people to be dedicated to one another and generous with what they had. And skilled - both in Trained and mundane abilities with a high degree of proficiency. One word caught Mary's attention over the rest, though, [color=c0c0c0]"Ostanavlivat'sya..."[/color] she tried to fit the word out carefully, [color=c0c0c0]"That was the collection and cleansing of impure souls, correct? I would very much like to learn that discipline. And others. If the Graveolase could only witness what your people can do, they may understand their error."[/color]

	The thought of learning more about her family's cultural dance was enticing to her. While they traditionally sang during its performance, Virginia had never heard of Tatushka. Whenever the song itself was referenced, it too was referred to as the Mamushka. In a less dire and urgent time, Virginia would have been enthralled by the possibility of learning that bond. The Cossack Crypts were the ones that originally introduced the dance - what better way to honor them? Of course, she was filled with curiosity as to how they had come to learn it. Were they friends of the Circus? Or perhaps with the Royal Family?

	[color=a187be]"I do hope so Mary, for they haven't in the past. Perhaps in light of recent events they vill be more open minded. At least I knov you vill be and in the end your vote if the only one my people need,"[/color] Elizaveta said before looking back over towards Virginia. A strange lofty smile coming to her lips a she did. 

	[color=9999ff]"In my experience, nothing is more persuasive than a Mamushka,"[/color] Virginia said with a smile. If the Grand Mamushka that the Great Bazhooli described could not give the Graveolase a change of opinion, little else would - especially after the events at Almack's. 

	[color=a187be]"The dance of my people, from a single source. One vhich all the vonders of our skills stems. Ve are unlike the others in many vays, one being ve knov our origin. Ve knov vhere ve began. [sub]1[/sub]Yкрытие мертвых паслен."[/color] Elizaveta never let her eyes leave Virginias as she spoke. [color=a187be]"You knov these vords even though you are not avare. In your tongue it has tvo meanings. Directly it means shelter of the deadly nightshade. Yet words sometimes hold a more true meaning..."[/color] she added as she let her words fall into the air and knelt down before Virginia, resting her hand over the pale womans. [color=a187be]"These vords have meaning to you do they not?"[/color]

	While Mary was thoroughly interested in the direction the conversation was going, she felt a little like she was intruding. She had heard mention of this "Mamushka" before, but had never seen it personally. Now Mary had finally put two and two together; there might be a connection between the Crypts and the Circus. It was odd to her, though. The people of the Circus seemed to embrace every facet of raw, vital life with emotion and drama, if the strange man in charge set the example, while the Crypts (what few of them she knew) had unnatural affection for the macabre. Perhaps the competing philosophies were supposed to fit together like puzzle pieces, or come together like a key and a lock. Or maybe they were incomplete parts of a greater wisdom. Or [i]just maybe[/i], she was totally misreading the situation. So for the meantime, she sat quietly, politely listening without offering comment. 

	Virginia had become rather still, focusing on the Grand Duchess' each and every word. Just as Elizaveta maintained eye contact with Virginia, so did the eldest daughter of the British Crypts stare fixedly back at Elizaveta. She anticipated that Elizaveta would hold some information about her family and how they had learned the Mamushka - how wrong she was. It was more than simply that.  [i]Atropa belladonna[/i], the deadly nightshade - she had last seen it traced on the note her father sent through the flames, along with a message of immense importance. [i]Seek Life Elsewhere.[/i] The Carpathian Mountains were where the raven haired Crypt had appeared, according to the stories.  

	[color=9999ff]"Of course - the [i]atropa belladonna[/i],"[/color] Virginia replied, a tear sliding down her face as she understood. [color=9999ff]"The protection of the deadly nightshade - my ancestor who sold her soul to the dark forces...who sought life elsewhere."[/color] Virginia said. It was partially for Mary's benefit. Although her friend had done some investigation into her family, she doubted that Mary was aware of this tale. [color=9999ff]"Some Crypts claim to have seen her throughout the centuries, as she still draws breath, the Crypt with ebony hair...I take it that she is your source, Grand Duchess...the source of your ways, of the ways of the Circus."[/color] She had more family than she had previously known. The people of the Circus may not have the surname Crypt, yet the spiritual kinship was present. With this revelation, she felt more secure than ever with James' safety and future. He would have the Crypt childhood that she wanted him to have - the childhood that he deserved.  

	[color=a187be]"Ve are cousin, there is much to explain and for you to learn of your family. Of [sub]1[/sub]Yкрытие мертвых паслен."[/color] Elizavetas voice was calm and kind as she spoke. Rising she pulled a small silk handkerchief from the folds of her gown and held it out to Virginia.  [color=a187be]"Now, let us go speak with Baron Alexandrov and arrange for James to remain vith the Circus to train with his people. And for Adam to stay so he can remain safe for now,"[/color] Elizaveta said as she glanced over towards Mary. 

	A sense of realization came over Mary. She had spent a fair amount of time in the company of The Baron Alexandrov earlier in the day. He had been an interesting and straightforward source of conversation, inquiring into Mary's background and giving knowledge of his own, to the point of offering the benefit of his advice and experience. The young Apostolic was not a tried leader, but was polite and attentive to the words that the elder Baron had to say to her, now that the was the Arch Graveolase on the interim. Being that he had insinuated himself into her circle of counsel (likely for his own ends, at least in part), he would be a fine counterpoint to nay-sayers claiming that she was lacking in experience. [i]If[/i] he could be convinced to lend his support and counsel publicly. [color=c0c0c0]"...yes,"[/color] she said absently lost in thought. 

	Mary's attention focused on Elizaveta and her voice picked back up with strength and confidence, [color=c0c0c0]"Of course, Grand Duchess. Speaking with the Baron is an excellent idea, if he would see us. I have a related matter I wish to discuss with him."[/color] She stood with a feeling of renewed vigor and threw on her robe. Mary smoothed it out but kept the front of it open, displaying her knightly and Catholic attire, but pulled her hood up over her head and took up her Swiss halberd as a woman on a mission. [color=c0c0c0]"Grand Duchess, Lady Crypt, I thank you unreservedly for your friendship and advice. It is my wish that we may always be as we are now, regardless of what the future holds for us individually, and if I may ever be further service to either of you you have but to ask. At this moment, we each have grand tasks which require our unwavering attention. I suggest we get started, and together."[/color] 

	Virginia accepted the handkerchief and dabbed at her eyes, yet she was smiling all the same. She adored her family and would do just about anything for them, no matter how distantly related. The same blood was in all of their veins. They danced the same Mamushkas. They played the same rousing games of [i]Wake the Dead.[/i] They were different from the normals in this world and they were different from the soulless. They were Crypts - and now, Virginia had found more cousins. Any qualms she may have had about the ability of the Circus to protect James had vanished. She had no reason to doubt any member of the Crypt family, no matter how distant. 

	She had no doubt that Elizaveta and the others present would have more information about the ebony haired Crypt. She was certain that it was her father's intention to seek her out, in order to protect her family from those who would seek to subdue them. It was the Crypt way - destroy those gladly who attempted to destroy them. They danced with Lady Death. [color=9999ff]"Yes, time is of the essence this evening. For Millicent and for the Graveolase...For us all,"[/color] Virginia said, acknowledging Mary with a nod. She rose to her feet, uncertain as to where exactly the baron would be. It'd be best to defer to Elizaveta and Mary. 
	

[hider=Translation]
1 - Shelter Of The Deadly Nightshade (Direct Translation, not full meaning)

[/hider]