[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) Front Gate -> Main Tent
[color=firebrick][b]Skills:[/b][/color] [i]Fal'shbort[/i] (Passive), [i]Tretiy Glaz[/i] (Passive), English [/center][hr]

	Guard duty was not the forte of The Great Bazhooli. More specifically, acting as guard/escort to persons he would rather just treat as a threat to his family, extended or otherwise, was not his forte. Perhaps it would be the forte of the next Alexandrov that bore the title of The Great Bazhooli, but not the present one. Vladimir would rather be celebrating with his people. Drinking, dancing, singing; congratulating the performers and making plans with Veta and The Baron about their future. Their very near future and the unexpected turn of events which brought them to their current state of affairs. But yet again, this would have to be put off because of the interruptions of outsiders. 

	Outsiders spent money. They visited. They spoke their collective "oohs" and "ahhs" at the wonders that the Circus could show them, and finally (not to mention most importantly) they [i]went away[/i]. Just as soon as they did, the members of the Circus let loose and acted with the surety and comfort of people within the confines of their home. This place was indeed that; their home. Be it one that packed up and moved quite often, it was just as much their home as the great palaces of their mother country were to the royals, yet the Tent City was ever greater preferred among these people. 

	So as Vladimir and a cadre of Rusyn trained guards escorted a now unarmed Talink from the Front Gate to the Main Tent, it was done so with the slightest amount of barely perceptible disdain. The gate guards understood their duties had very recently began, but the others were missing their due celebration time and were anxious to get back to it. Anxious, but not stupid. Hands remained at the ready near or on various implements of potential bodily harm and eyes stayed sharp. The astute listener might have caught snatches of the same song following them as they made the short stroll to the tent, though played or sung from different sources as they picked their way past the sights and small crowds in the grounds, from violin music to the occasional pitched vocalization, to the plucking of stringed instruments and rhythmic clapping. It was quiet, comparatively. One could still easily hold a low conversation over the sounds of Russian joviality, but there was a certain unnerving quality when one understood that the music was there for the procession accompanying The Great Bazhooli; as soon as they left an area, those musicians ceased playing, even as others seamlessly picked up the tune. [i]As if the music was there for a targeted reason.[/i] 

	Within a short amount of time, the group had made their way to, and into, the Main Tent. There was still a formidable amount of foodstuffs at the ready toward one side of the open area, several armed guards had filtered in upon the orders of the persons in charge who all seemed a little confused but nonetheless determined to see to their duties, and of course, Ludwig Zimmer with his metaphorical cartfull of piping hot, frothy instability. As he understood it, young James Crypt was to be present as well, though he did not see the little scamp, nor his friend Adam, the boy that Sister Mary had brought in with her. It was probably for the best. This was a meeting for business. Boys were rarely there unless they were filling a wine goblet or learning how to rule. 

	Vladimir raised his voice not only to announce their presence, but because he hadn't in almost five minutes and it was widely rumored that he had a quota to fill. [color=firebrick]"Peoples of Circus! Sem'ya! [i]My[/i] peoples! Blood of my blood, family, those who vould do [i]anything[/i] needed for to protect our own! Subjects of The Baron Alexandrov and Russian Empire! And, ov course, guest from German Delegation, Master Ludvig Zimmer. Ve are fortunate for having audience vith Thalken of family [i]Talink[/i]. Master Zimmer? For please, floor is yours."[/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]

	The somber and forthcoming intonations from both Virginia and Elizaveta were matched with the steadfast manner of Mary's resolve to continue this next phase of their journey. That is to say, the young Apostolic was eager to get started. There was the question of supplies for the journey, of course, though their route took them upon a populated corridor of travel. Yet, evem as they would ride hard across the countryside, they would be setting out when most people, and certainly all respectable vendors, would be closed. Mary did, as her title implied, put her trust in God. Perhaps it was this providence that led her to pack her saddlebags with water and wine and several strawberry based pies that morning. One of the pies had already been given over as a gift that day, but there were many remaining. It was funny how things tended to work out that way sometimes. The quality might be some lesser by the time they got around to them, owing to the hard ride ahead of them, but nothing insurmountable with a fork and a little patience. 

	 There was a sense of relief as the paperwork concerning the apprenticeship of James was handed over to Veta, and by extension Virginia. And in English, too. Sister Sophia must have worked quickly and in a steadfast manner, denying herself the company of others and missing that show to have completed the task. It was a common practice among their calling, self-denial. Especially as it meant helping others. The young Earl would be safe and happy, not to mention have access to part of his family's ancestral skill set. 

	Elizaveta expressed her curiosity as to her and Virginia's ability to ride. Apparently, both their actual skill in the act and the propriety of their present clothing while doing so. Mary gave a quizzical look before offering a knowing smile. [color=c0c0c0]"I am a skilled rider, Your Grace. I cannot match the pure and true ability of your people's trick riders, but I have taken training with a horse from a militant standpoint."[/color] It was true, she was very comfortable on horseback. What she had seen of the Brivaldi riders of the Circus was very impressive; something that she would likely never be able to accomplish herself. Given a proper horse and the need to travel quickly from one place to another, or to ride into combat, Mary was up to the task. And she did have a fine horse on the grounds; Cassius. 

	As for the second part of Veta's concern, that being her attire for travel, Mary was forced to voice partial disagreement. It was understandable, given the circumstance, and it might even be a good idea for Mary to change her clothing anyway for practical reasons. Nonetheless, she responded by sliding off her white robe, revealing the general attire of her work as a Venator. A gilt-edged cassock, true, but the Dame Commander was also dressed in breeches, riding boots, and a tough shirt of black material. Her clothing was designed to show her allegiance to the Church and act as functional knightly attire. [color=c0c0c0]"If there is to be a confrontation at the end of this journey, which I highly suspect, then I should wish to be attired as I am now, Your Grace. I would not turn down a change of clothing for the long ride ahead of us, if it please you."[/color] It might even be a novelty for her, to dress in the manner of the Circus (so long as it was not too immodest) or that of Russian royalty, even if it was simply travel clothing. [color=c0c0c0]"And I agree heartily with you, Lady Crypt."[/color] she said, switching attention to Virginia, [color=c0c0c0]"We must make haste."[/color]