[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): Main Entrance
[color=firebrick][b]Skills:[/b][/color] [i]Fal'shbort[/i] (Passive), [i]Tretiy Glaz[/i] (Passive) [/center][hr]

	Vladimir raised an eyebrow at the younger man upon the ground just outside of the fortified encampment. There seemed a little presumption in his voice, as a sense of pride that hadn't quite been stamped out by unfortunate current events. There was the barest hint of sympathy in the corner of Vlad's mind, not that it would affect his demeanor in the slightest. The man was a Talink, and due to circumstances, was considered an enemy of his people. The fact that he was not hostile and out in the open, not having unduly entered the sanctity of Circus grounds allowed for his continued survival, though a matter did have to be addressed. There was no reason they could not be civilized, after all. 

	[color=firebrick]"Lady Crypt is in meeting vith Sister-Knight Mary and others. I vill not interrupt. May speak vhen done. Understanding two things: For start, you are not velcome on grounds, yes? Any talk you have vith her is happening outside this place. For second, the Lady Crypt does not make rules here. Is not deciding fate ov anyvone. Ve are like ambassadors and this..."[/color] he held his arms wide, as to signify the grounds around him, [color=firebrick]"...is like tiny piece of Russia."[/color] He wasn't 100% on the legality of that assertion in this country, generally other places respected their boundaries in this regard, and they [i]were[/i] run by Russian nobility, albeit lesser in rank. Plus there was the matter of the Grand Duchess's presence. [color=firebrick]"Vill talk [i]after[/i] important peoples are done. For now, vill be a vait. I hope you are bringing snack."[/color] 





[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): Big Top [/center][hr][hr]

	What seemed to be a smoothly running conversation concerning the admittance of two additional parties to the Graveolase was unraveling like a cheap sweater. The initial reaction of Ludwig, though repetitive in nature, gave off an impression that he was willing to have a short discussion about himself and his people, hopefully to allow Mary to get to know more about the German delegation and the application of their Trained skills in combat and non-combat situations. Unfortunately, there seemed to be no room for Mary to respond to the assertions of the man before the conversation shifted far away from the reason they were all present in the first place. The whole experience was highly unexpected, breaking the serenity of Mary's visage if only for a second before it could be repaired. 

	But when Elizaveta spoke, it was close to heartbreaking. It was a masterful show, and while Mary knew next to nothing about the actual history or practices of the Graveolase outside of their reputation for fighting against the Soulless and the immense political power they had at their disposal, she had to admit that the words of the Grand Duchess fit the situation. Were Mary not in the position she was now, Russia may very well have been declined, [i]again[/i]. Still, to hear those words leave her mouth while she sat in the position of authority to make the unjust situation right, not to mention the reactions of the Graveolase after the fact, gave her a profound sense of sorrow. 

	Maintaining what neutrality she could in her face, her voice told a different story altogether. [color=c0c0c0]"I cannot express how disappointed I am to hear this. Ludwig, I obviously do not speak for the whole of the Graveolase when I say this, but please accept my apology for your treatment this evening. For myself, I only wished to hear of the logistics of your organization before giving an official nod. But you do not know me. You and your people have dealt with this council for a very long time and I fear that politics have overly colored the proceedings. Today is my first day in an official capacity. Yesterday, sir, I was merely a woman representing the Church and their Knights here in London. Tomorrow, my position will be highly uncertain. So it would befit me to make the most use of my time tonight before attending to other business."[/color] 

	Mary was not accustomed to giving speeches. Her discourse so far had been rather raw and off-the-cuff. Nor was she accustomed to speaking from emotion. She was a creature of discipline and formality when in public, but this required more than a simple logical observation. Turning to the Graveolase and guests assembled (and she would get back to the issue of [i]The Amazing Teleporting Orphan[/i] later, just you wait), she gave her voice an admonishing tone and continued, [color=c0c0c0]"The level of disrespect shown here is disgraceful. The organization of the Graveolase was founded to protect humanity from the threat of Soulless worldwide. We each have areas of our Training that lack, which others of differing origin have traditionally filled these gaps with their own abilities. The teachings of Rome, for instance, present difficulties when dealing with disembodied Soulless. Yet we have a vast network and the ability to communicate over great distances. The Vatican is organized and powerful. But we will ever require assistance with Cargast, which may be provided by Jerusalem or the New World's teachings."[/color] 

	Indeed, speaking with tact was not her forte. [color=c0c0c0]"Yet the Graveolase would deny this man's people because he is ...what, peculiar?"[/color] Mary motioned to Ludwig, eyes still on their other guests for the evening. [color=c0c0c0]"The Graveolase would deny Russia, and the God given miracles they can achieve for purposes I cannot fathom, shy of pride and politics."[/color] Mary shook her head. [color=c0c0c0]"No. This will not stand. The sword of Damocles hangs above us all, suspended by a single horsehair. The threat is real, and the Graveolase cannot afford to be exclude anyone who might stand with us. Mankind needs capable and positioned warriors to fight for them."[/color] 

	[color=c0c0c0]"To that end, two details: One, the offer of membership remains open to both Russia [i]and[/i] Germany. They have but to accept. Two, we have many nations that consider themselves civilized, my native British Empire included, that yet deny half of the population the means to fight for themselves or make decisions for the good of their people. I would have it that women, at least of Training, have access to the rights of Inheritance and Succession, to be supported by every country within the influence of the Graveolase. Too many people who would be our allies have been denied or subjugated for long enough. I despise politics. Greatly so, I fear, yet here we all are. This is about the continued survival of humanity, period. Everything else is secondary. When the Graveolase does these things, we will increase our effectiveness and draw from a whole new avenue of dedicated, grateful, and potentially influential soldiers. If we remain exclusive, we will, and I repeat [i]will[/i] be overrun. As a whole or piecemeal."[/color] 

 	[color=c0c0c0]"We are warriors, all of us, and we owe it to ourselves and the world to remember that. We stand together or we die. This will be done."[/color] 

	The words of the Mad German resounded in her ears. Particularly the last bit he spoke to Veta, stating outright that there were many more groups of similarly Trained people that he had encountered, people that the Graveolase had rejected time and time again. With those words lingering in the air, Mary gave an accusatory look toward the rest of them in attendance (except for the Scandinavian as he seemed to be the lone dissenting opinion among the group, to whom she merely nodded), then looked back to Elizaveta and Ludwig. [color=c0c0c0]"Master Zimmer, I see now that you and your people have knowledge that our people have tragically forgotten. I wish to be your friend, if you would have me."[/color] 


[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]

	Meanwhile, the two guards from the Main Gate followed the instruction of the Master of the Bazhooli Sem'ya, weaving a path to the main tent. They spread word of the occurrences at the front to those who had not heard it using the colorful verbal shorthand of Circus Rusyn, who in turn spread it outward like ink hitting still water. One drop of color hit and spread, followed by another and another until the message hit the outer boundaries, where the guards had already gotten the information and confirmed it. 

	The pair found their way to the canvas surrounding the surprisingly eventful meeting of the Graveolase, unwilling to interrupt the event and so standing at the ready for the instant that the woman described as: [color=firebrick]"A woman of pale, moonlit beauty with piercing eyes and noble bearing, the eccentrically exquisite friend of the Scary Catholic Lady with a melodic voice and upper class London accent. You cannot miss her."[/color] As well as they probably could not miss her, it was likely far easier to pick her out as the one who was not of the Circus nor the Graveolase who spoke native English and was not Mary. Luckily, they had the name Crypt to work with.