[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), Sleight Of Hand [/center][hr]

	Vladimir came strolling up to the back of the main tent. It was not a walk, nor a saunter. It was a the stroll of a man full of smug satisfaction, positive that he had just performed one of the greatest exhibitions of his career. Between that and his performance at Astley's the previous evening, he was fairly certain that The Great Bazhooli and the Russian Imperial Circus would be the topic of many a conversation in London for a long time to come, regardless of the recent unpleasantness with the Soulless. His own experience with the inky black, tentacled, flying thing that had Veta had him quite disturbed, yet as ample evidence of his own belief in the unbridled awesomeness of his Circus, the performance had made [i]him[/i] feel a lot better since the attack. 

	He was not a stupid man, though. It hadn't left his thoughts entirely. In fact, the whole incident left a sense of profound confusion in him. Most Soulless by their very nature, were once living, Soulled people. That creature didn't look like it had ever been human. And the powers it exhibited? If it was Soulless and not some kind of demon, it was truly a horrifying fate for any living, mortal man. He shuddered at the very thought of it, and was doubly glad that Elizaveta was safe. Not just safe! Oh no, his little Veta was assertive and strong, leading the Circus's presentation as if she was born to it. It was a short matter of time until she took her rightful place as Tzarina of the Russian Empire, ushering in a whole new era and new opportunities for the Circus, and Alexandrov line. He would deal with the monster from this morning at a later time. There was celebration to be had. If the Graveolase did not accept them now, then to hell with them all. 

	The feeling of utter satisfaction in himself and his people remained flowing and undaunted as he strolled (yes, still strolling) to the gathering of his people at the back of the Main Tent. He did not see the two guards that he ordered to the tent. Perhaps they were waiting around at the front entrance; after all, the Lady Crypt was not Circus nor was she part of the Grand Mamushka. Yet. It made sense to wait for her there. 

	As it was, Vladimir happened upon his fellow performers just as Elizaveta was finishing up what he assumed was a congratulatory speech to everyone assembled. He smiled a broad, charming smile, ready to take part in giving warm, cheerful regards alongside the Grand Duchess. Then she dropped the news of what actually happened during his absence. The part where the Graveolase offered them a seat at their table, and immediately following, the part where Veta [i]declined[/i]. Powerful emotion welled up in The Great Bazhooli, spilling out a scant moment after the area went deadly silent. 

	[color=firebrick]"HA!"[/color] he roared, a single syllable of laughter escaping into the otherwise quiet scene. That barrier broken, he allowed himself another bout of utter amusement. [color=firebrick]"HA HAAA! [i]That[/i] is our little Veta! HA! Who needs Graveolase?"[/color] Vladimir had a little difficulty enunciating that last word, owing to his preference toward speaking the Slavic tongues. But he got the point across. In truth, the news didn't bother him so much. If the Graveolase denied them again, then very likely he would find himself in a place of dejection and rage, but this? It just didn't matter so much to him. And Veta's decision (for reasons totally unknown to him) struck him as something done from a position of strength. Being part of the Graveolase was secondary [i]at best[/i] when compared to putting on a performance of epic magnitude. And tonight they put on such a performance. 

	[color=firebrick]"Yes! Yes my friends! I am having pride, like never having pride before in every one of you! Our goal - goal of Circus vas as it always has been: Put on show! Ve put on the grandest of shows this night! And ve have succeeded. Ve have done everything asked ov us, and ve remain [i]strong[/i]! Bazhooli Sem'ya is strong! Circus, strong!"[/color] He whipped his hat off of his head and snapped the fingers of his other hand loudly, prompting a blade to appear in his hand seemingly out of nowhere. With both, he made grand, sweeping gestures to those assembled. His powerful gravelly voice rang out in support of Veta's [color=firebrick]"You know vhat this means, brothers and sisters of Circus? Da, you [i]know[/i] what this means! Ve make own table! Build own Council! Ve raise our people vith strength of own arms!"[/color] 

	[color=firebrick]"Tonight, ve [i]celebrate[/i]!"[/color] He waved the performers along to the food areas, eager to start the festivities himself. Before he joined them himself, he looked to Veta with seriousness in his eyes. The unspoken message seemed to be, [color=firebrick]"I hope you know what you're doing."[/color] but the actual words were, [color=firebrick]"Vhere is Lady Crypt and little Earl James? Talink is outside gates. Man ve met at Almack's. She needs to be varned. Guards know, are doing as ve planned."[/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]"He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant – not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life."[/color][/sub]
[hr][color=c0c0c0][b]Location:[/b][/color] Russian Imperial Circus Tent City (Regent's Park) [/center][hr][hr]

	Mary stood with her usual, practiced serenity, watching as the members of the Graveolase left the Main Tent in varying degrees of disbelief or irritation. Mary gave them the attention that they deserved upon their departure. Technically, she was their host even if the meeting took place in the Circus, a place where she held no influence other than the friendship she had forged with some of the people who lived there. Certain formalities needed to be observed nonetheless. As they left, she extended various well-wishes upon their departure, with tidings of [color=c0c0c0]"God bless and keep you on your journey"[/color] and [color=c0c0c0]"I hope our next meeting bears more positive fruit."[/color] She disliked politics, but it was no reason to burn bridges or make more enemies right then. There was even one or two [color=c0c0c0]"Thank you for your support,"[/color] and [color=c0c0c0]"Please be in contact. Allies are important in the fight to come."[/color] It was mostly just being polite, but she did wish to extend honest thanks to the representatives from Scandinavia and Japan. She had no idea what the problem was with the lady from the West Indies, but she was not curious enough to attempt to find out right then. There were more important personal matters at hand. 

	The invitation to return to Veta's tent was a welcome one, though she felt that she might need to remain a little longer in case of some issue or another involving her new station. The indecisiveness was quickly dismissed, owing to the fact that she had already given her word on the events which would follow the meeting. She had much to get together before their departure. Everything else that has happened over the course of the day were areas that she had little experience navigating. But this little expedition involving overland travel, a mission for the greater good, hunting down evil and (hopefully) protecting the innocent? This was most assuredly within her sphere of competence. Above all, she was a Knight. Even if no one else in this country recognized it, this was her duty and her pleasure, especially as it meant going on a mission with two good friends, equally suited to danger as herself. 

	Resolute in manner, Mary returned to her friend Virginia. [color=c0c0c0]"Lady Crypt? If you would please give me the honor of your company, I would like to discuss other business."[/color] and then in a quieter voice, [color=c0c0c0]"Are you ready, Virginia? Please let me know if I can help you with anything before we depart."[/color] Mary was beginning to get eager to depart. It had been quite some time since she had set foot upon her native Scotland, and she wasn't sure how she felt about it. As long as she could help someone, especially a friend of her friend, it was very much worth the journey. She knew her horse was well fed and well rested; they had taken great care of Cassius at the Circus. Maybe he was as anxious to get back into the action as she was. 

	[color=c0c0c0]"With your leave, Lady Crypt, let us return to Her Grace's private quarters."[/color]