[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)[/center][hr]	

	This was where Elizaveta differed from my reigning and soon to be rulers. She was neutral, towards all, when it came to negotiations and business matters. It did not matter if she was dealing with her closest confidant or a mortal enemy. They were all addressed and viewed at with the same level of indifference. This made her come off as cold and insulting to some but she did not bother with it. It was how she was, how she conducted herself, and it saved her many issues that were of far greater concern than someones ego. Yet, once Mary and Virginia had left the tent the Grand Duchess did take a glance back to the Baron. [color=a187be]"[sub]1[/sub]Дякуву дуже красно,"[/color] she mouthed in the Circus' skill set of Rusyn. 

	Stepping out of the tent she caught up with Mary and Virginia for just a brief moment. [color=a187be]"This is vhere ve must separate for nov. The ring master is over by the main tent, please go to him, he will seat you with the visitors. I must join Circus and finalize preparations. I vill see you again at shov time,"[/color] she said in a soft voice before making a turn and heading towards the back of the main tent where the rest would be preparing and finalizing for the show. They had been working for months on this and Elizaveta hoped that everything would fall into place. 

        [color=c0c0c0]"Of course, Your Grace. We all have our duties tonight. Thank you."[/color] While truly grateful to Veta, endeavors of the evening seemed an exercise in politics to Mary. The concept seemed to be everywhere anymore, politics. Slowing down what needed to be done in haste. Pouring more talk into circumstances that required action. Placing those who merely pursued gain over those who actually needed. She did not like politics, but she had to wade through the muck of it, if just for a while longer. The position was hers primarily because she did not want someone with selfish desires occupying it; not when humanity was so close to toppling off of the edge. Of course, it didn't mean that she couldn't do some actual [i]good[/i] with the opportunity.  

        [color=c0c0c0]"Lady Crypt, I do not know what will transpire with this meeting, nor do I know what my responsibilities are. Nor even the extent to my authority with these people. But I have been in the presence of the Papal Court on many occasions. I know those who would speak to His Holiness or the Cardinals for their own purposes must first [i]have[/i] a purpose. If I may ask your advice? I need to approach these people with a platform."[/color] 

	It struck Virginia as a bit odd for Elizaveta to leave so quickly. She seemed to have had a vision of great catastrophe and had indicated that they'd receive an explanation. When they hurried to the Baron's tent, she had imagined it would be given then. Yet with the contractual matters dealt with and Elizaveta retreating to the business of the circus, was the supposed calamity still of great importance? She had little time to ask the Grand Duchess what had caused her such distress earlier before Mary had bade Elizaveta farewell and the young future ruler had headed towards the back of the main tent. 

	Virginia paused for a moment, refocusing her thoughts on the task at hand. [color=9999ff]"Of course you may ask my advice, Commander Hale,"[/color] Virginia said. [color=9999ff]"Yet Commander Hale, for as long as I have known you, you have never been without purpose. I have no doubt that you already have some platform in mind. Whatever agenda you decide to advance on this evening in your new position, it should be one that rings true to you and your spirit. It is perhaps a bit of a strange notion in our society, yet one that my family holds dear when it comes to negotiations and business dealings."[/color]

	Mary nodded in quiet approval of her words, marvelling (and not for the first time) over the circumstances of their meeting. Virginia was a strange one, of this there could he no doubt; an anomaly in the greater scene of London. The same might be said of Mary as well. Regardless, she gave the pale Lady's words respect and consideration as she continued.

	[color=9999ff]"Yet I also sense that more specific and guided advice could be warranted,"[/color] Virginia said with a soft, almost sleepy smile. She sometimes had the appearance of a sleepwalker to her. [color=9999ff]"With the attacks at Almack's, it is the time for action. The Russian skills likely merit their admission to the council, yet I am perhaps biased. They have a strength that could do well to increase the capabilities of those currently trained and allow us to better rise to the challenge of the Soulless. There's no reason why we should be denying knowledge of other skills and lands...Yet normals do behave quite strangely. I must confess I do not always understand their motivations."[/color]

	[color=c0c0c0]"Nor I. Though I fear that, for the purposes of this conversation I am indeed one of these 'normals', I do not understand the benefit of exclusion. I must admit, the thought did occur to seek out others like the Circus, regardless of the collective will of the Graveolase. The greater good is more important than an organization of Men."[/color] The words shocked Mary as they spilled from her lips. Was this how she truly felt, beyond obligations to the Church? Would she feel the same way about the Vatican, if a similar edict was passed down by the Papal Court? Her philosophy, as reinforced by the words of the reigning Pope Pius VII, was that God came first, the Church second. He was considered very progressive, however, the proof of which being Mary's position which was, much like Virginia, something of an anomaly; possible, but unlikely. Perhaps he knew that one day, bold, new ideas would be needed from the upcoming generation of the faithful. 

	[color=c0c0c0]"I have only the barest of ideas, Lady Crypt. Unorganized at best. And they will be considered radical. I do not believe they will be received well without incentive."[/color] Mary's face darkened and she gripped her halberd tighter, [color=c0c0c0]"Or strenuous convincing."[/color] 

	Virginia gave Mary a quizzical impression. [color=9999ff]"Mary,"[/color] Virginia began, intentionally using her friend's first name rather than her title, etiquette be damned. [color=9999ff]"You are not a normal by any means. Do you bathe in pastels and bear the name of Deborah? Do you run from the monsters that lurk in the shadows or do you greet them gladly on a level playing field?"[/color] She held unwavering eye contact with the Dame Commander. The notion that the knight imagined she was one of the sad members of the [i]Ton[/i] was alarming to Virginia. Mary was not a normal - and had Millicent been present, she would have assured Millicent as well that she belonged to the abnormal. All wonderful people were the exact opposite of normal. 

	Mary could not help but smile. Not the quiet, serene smile that she had trained herself to adopt as necessary, but a youthful, bright smile that parted her lips, showing a hint of porcelain white beneath. For all of Virginia's peculiarities, she was a good and decent friend, and her words put Mary at ease. She quietly mouthed the words [color=c0c0c0]"Thank you."[/color] as not to interrupt her speech. 

	[color=9999ff]"And if such a radical idea is one that appeals to you, pursue it. There is no point in living and serving a cause you do not believe in,"[/color] Virginia advised.  [color=9999ff]"If you cannot stake your life and feel content should Lady Death knock thrice on the door, then it is not worthy of your time. I have the utmost confidence in you, Mary - not in the Graveolase or the Church or any other such institution,"[/color] she then smiled at her friend softly. Throughout the course of their conversation, they had walked towards the ringmaster near the main tent. [color=9999ff]"Are you ready to meet the normals, Dame Commander?"[/color]

	[color=c0c0c0]"Indeed I am, Lady Crypt."[/color] remarked Mary, keeping it simple. An aura of increased confidence could be noticed from the young Apostolic, a quickening of her pace combined with eager eyes. She used her halberd as a walking staff and let her white robe flow about her, parted to show the more martial tools of her trade. Upon reaching Viktor, the Ringmaster and manager of the Russian Imperial Circus, he waved them quiet and spoke to them in barely audible whisper. "Plan is different. Graveolase meeting does not call for introduction of dramatic grandeur. More is pity. Come, I vill show you to seats, then must return to Bazhoolis."

	Quietly (a rarity for these people, usually) Viktor ushered the two women to where they would be seated for the meeting. "Lady Crypt, is pleasure. Sister-Knight, you deserve to be here. Remember this, da?" The words were short and to the point, and immediately afterwards The Ringmaster jogged his way back to the Bazhooli Sem'ya, to get the last minute preparations handled. 

	
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1 - Thank you 
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