[hr][hr][center][h1][color=9e0b0f][b]Российский императорский цирк[/b][/color][/h1][/center]
[center][color=9e0b0f][b](Russian Imperial Circus)[/b][/color][/center][hr][hr]

	The guard shrugged, apparently disinterested with the news that their would-be guest would be hanging his hat at the main entrance for the foreseeable future, or until he gained an audience with this "Crypt" person. He waved to one side of the path leading up to their post, requesting, "If vould, [i]пожалуйста[/i], eh... 'For please', yes is word. If you vould vait, for please take steps to von side ov path. Vhen are having to tell others there is no admittance, vould be bad manners to block the vay. Da? I thank you."

	He resumed his initial position just inside of the main gate. The two obvious guards did not ignore the presence of the insistent man, nor did they do anything to initiate conversation. Their orders were clear. 

	Further back into the more public parts of the Circus and the Tent City, the muffled sounds of steel ringing against steel could be heard, seemingly in tune with masterfully played music and heavily accented singing in English. Whatever was came to its crescendo, it certainly sounded like a joyous occasion. The smell of food being prepared was carried by a light breeze onward, promising sweet and savory dishes alike for when the guards rotated. In the meantime, the shadowy areas inside of the Circus proper showed illumination from torchlight and braziers, snatches of music from time to time, and quiet movement from its inhabitants. 

	Getting back to their initial conversation from before the stranger requested entrance to a closed show, the one, more talkative guard addressed his watch partner, "Вы собираетесь на вечеринку позже?[sub]1[/sub]"

	And received a response of, "Нет, я могу спать.[sub]2[/sub]"

[hider=Translations]
1	=	"Are you going to the party afterwards?"
2	=	"No, I might sleep instead."
[/hider]



[hr][hr][center][h1][b][i][color=firebrick]Vladimir Alexandrov[/color][/i][/b][/h1][img]https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/3068ada6-2525-4e47-b1a8-14d98dfb6177.jpg[/img][h3][color=firebrick][b][i]"[u]The Great Bazhooli[/u]"[/i][/b][/color][/h3][/center][hr][hr][center][color=firebrick][b]Location:[/b][/color] Russian Imperial Circus Tent City (Regent's Park)
[color=firebrick][b]Skills:[/b][/color] [i]Fal'shbort[/i] (Passive), [i]Tretiy Glaz[/i] (Passive) [/center][hr]

	This was a surprise. Very much so. They had practiced and practiced for months on end, an entire year to get this show just right, to time every throw and every grab. They could do this again with their eyes closed. As a matter of fact, that would be an [i]excellent[/i] way to do it, were they to demonstrate the Grand Mamushka again. Or on fire! Yes! As per one of his most classic quotes, as was the quote of many Great Bazhoolis before him and very likely many afterwards, "Let us do the same trick... [b][i]ON FIRE!!![/i][/b]". That would truly be a spectacle to behold. Already, Vladimir's mind was racing with ways to reassemble the act; taking away pieces from the whole and put them together into a string of blindfolded, flaming mini-events that would lead up to a thing that would delight audiences, yet was not the classy grandeur of the Grand Mamushka. That was reserved for only the most important of occasions. 

	But that wasn't surprising. What made Vladimir give a second look was the appearance of another, standing with his Elizaveta. She had a stately and statuesque look, along with a air of confidence that she belonged there. True enough, Vlad thought he had seen her before, though from where he could not say. And Elizaveta did not seem to be nervous in the least. Quite the opposite, they appeared to be very comfortable with each other's presence. And when she turned to address the Circus, Vlad was [i]positive[/i] that he knew her somehow. 

	Though he was still on his knees in the center of his ring, Vladimir bowed to the raven haired lady. He took the opportunity to gather up his blades the moment that she turned back around and spoke in the direction of the Graveolase, specifically intoning something in Latin to Virginia. Vlad did not speak Latin, but it was fairly distinctive against the tongues that he did know. Mary should know. Perhaps he would ask her later. In a strange way, this new woman reminded him of the Sister-Knight. Almost as a negative copy, really. They both looked to possess a similar confidence, a similar look of outward serenity, and they both spoke Latin, though this one was garbed in purest ebon while Mary was a vision of militant holiness with her fiery red hair and white robe. Very strange. Perhaps they would speak. 

	But this should not be his biggest concern right then. Veta was not in danger, and he had to deal with the chaos after the show. Plus, there should be ample time to make a social appearance. He did promise his people a party, and they sure as hell earned it tonight, regardless of the decision of the Graveolase. His eyes were still drawn to the captivating lady in back, but his feet began to shuffle with his people toward the back of the tent regardless. Just before he got to the tent flaps, Vlad was stopped by a perimeter guard runner who pulled him aside, briefing him on the situation elsewhere. Vladimir responded, [color=firebrick]"You have orders, yes? Good. Rest of guards know? Also good. Vill handle here; you go."[/color] 

	Apparently, there was more to be done this night. 



[hr][hr][center][h1][color=c0c0c0][i][b]Sister Mary Ignatia Hale[/b][/i][/color][/h1][/center]
[center][img]https://i.pinimg.com/474x/82/54/0d/82540d6136ce1f6f809735b7e793127b--redhead-makeup-molly-quinn.jpg[/img]
[sub][color=c0c0c0]"In that renewal there is no longer Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and free; but Christ is all and in all."[/color][/sub]
[hr][color=c0c0c0][b]Location:[/b][/color] Russian Imperial Circus Tent City (Regent's Park) [/center][hr][hr]

	Mary was suitably impressed with the performance. Being in the position she was, she could not very well leap from her seat and give thunderous applause for all she had just seen, but a good part of her wanted to. They were good. Very good. Trained skills being put to use as entertainment was highly impressive, and it served to demonstrate their abilities very well. Even the skill set presented that was not directly related to Russian Training was impressive, as decent circus performers were supposed to be. The blending of the two, though, was massive. She wanted to act in the same manner as the German fellow, ad was likewise a little depressed that it had to come to an end. They were good. Very good. If they didn't have her endorsement before, they would have gotten it then. One could only hope that the others felt the same way. 

	Courtesy dictated that she give some response to the performance, however. With as much class as she could muster, Mary rose from her seat and wordlessly began to clap. It was not the pitched, vigorous slapping of hands that she might have felt, but it was solid and polite. Her face remained with its usual serenity, except for the slightest of smiles. She nodded to Elizaveta, Vladimir, and Constantin in turn, hoping that they might understand her restraint. Mary would have to make sure to express how impressed she was later. For now, she was the Arch Graveolase. Propriety and objectivity had to be maintained. But she was suitably impressed. 

	Mary viewed the other members of the Graveolase with her periphery only. She did not want to ruin the moment for them by making them feel self conscious. She did risk a glance over to Ludwig and Adam, however. Until papers were signed, the boy was her responsibility. But he looked quite content, as did James. Virginia... Mary looked from her to the pale, dark haired woman that appeared. She had not seen this lady before, but she did understand her words. These were words that her friend had spoken in her presence before. Perhaps they were of relation. Everyone here seemed to have some kind of connection; Mary was the odd one out yet again. This one seemed important somehow. 

	As the louder of the audience began to quiet, Mary cleared her throat and addressed Virginia as politely as the situation would allow. [color=c0c0c0]"Lady Crypt, do you know this person?"[/color]