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Post by Storyteller on Nov 27, 2021 10:11:46 GMT
I smile at Petronius, and I hold out my hand to him. "Great Arbiter, Petronius of the Lightning Eyes, it does my heart good to see you."
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Post by Sir Roland Desprez on Nov 27, 2021 16:39:52 GMT
I walk up to the group as well and bow deeply. "What a delight to see all of you gathered together."
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Nobody
Alexios Group
Posts: 1,409
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Post by Nobody on Nov 27, 2021 23:55:25 GMT
I take Roland's hand and press it warmly.
"Sir Roland, how delightful to see you this evening. Already your fame this night precedes you. We were only just feasting on the sumptuous musical delights you have brought us. A marvelous gift it is, and our thanks."
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Post by Storyteller on Nov 28, 2021 0:29:52 GMT
"Indeed, thank you, Sir Roland!" I extend my hand to him to be kissed. "The wonders of Frankish music are delightful. But I do hope that we can trouble you for a dance at some point this evening?"
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Post by Diocles on Nov 28, 2021 2:59:55 GMT
Before Sir Roland can answer, there is quite a stir of astonishment from Cainites and ghouls alike nearby, and you all turn to see the august, measured approach of the Antonian Ventrue. Their entrance is one of dignified pomp, for they walk two columns, with Caius, Emperor of the Night, standing between the two columns and just ahead of them. He is dressed in purple trimmed with gold, and he wears Roman sandals. Around his short blond hair sits a gilded laurel-leaf crown.
Behind Caius on his right stands Belisarius, Military Prefect, also a childe of Antonius. He wears his regal dignity with centuries of practice, and his deep, dark brown eyes communicate that he has seen more of the world than almost everyone here.
Behind Belisarius stands Helena the Armenian, childe of Belisarius and serving in the role of the Eastern Praetorian Prefect. She has a guarded look about her, and she is glancing around, taking stock of every face she sees, as if she is making mental notes.
Nicepherus, Caesar Magister, childe of the slain Septima Dominica, stands behind Helena. He is a kind of nephew to the brothers-in-blood Caius and Belisarius. You all remember that he was named as one of the Inconnu, but of course now is not the time to confront anyone on that score. His lip is curled, his bright gaze haughty.
Ducas, Palace Prefect, stands behind Nicepherus. He also is a childe of Septima Dominica and younger brother-in-blood to Nicepherus. He doesn't look at all comfortable in such an open gathering of Cainites, almost like he's expecting something to go wrong.
At the head of the left column stands Anna Comnena, Quaesitor and Chamberlain, and though she is young and nowhere near the blood-power of Caius or Belisarius, everyone knows she rose to power through her native political acumen. She was born to rule, and she is beautifully regal. Indeed, the only Kindred here who outclasses Anna's loveliness is Chrysalia.
Behind Anna stands Irene Stellas, Domestic Prefect. She is Anna's only childe. Irene is the most detached of all the Ventrue, her gaze turned inward, like her mind is far away from this place of festivity.
Finally, behind Irene stands Basil of Thessalonika, Western Praetorian Prefect, and the only one of the Ventrue here who is not related to any of the others. A man appearing to be in his mid-40s, his eyes hold a cruel, sadistic glint.
Petronius steps forward and exchanges pleasantries with Caius, who gives short, perfunctory responses. Zoe is introduced, and Caius briefly notices her before completely ignoring one so young and insignificant. "So, Arbiter, you have gathered quite a group for your childe's introduction to our society. I must say, I've never heard of a Sire going to quite these lengths to introduce his childe. Is it because no one would've ever believed you would've Embraced someone like... her?" And he glances at Zoe.
A serene smile spreads across the Muse's beautiful countenance. "Much is said and will be said, I'm sure, about my choice of childe, especially since she is my first after many centuries of not Embracing, but let it suffice that I had my reasons, and those reasons will become known to those who need to know."
Caius' lip curls, and Nicepherus bristles at the perceived insult, though Belisarius remains calm. "And I trust," the Emperor of the Night says calmly, "that those who will remain ignorant are not part of this conversation."
Petronius only smiles in response and gestures to his Ventrue guests to enter into the party.
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Post by Storyteller on Nov 28, 2021 3:21:51 GMT
I glide forward to meet these regal Ventrue, for it is my right as Head of the Obertus Tzimisce to move among them.
"Emperor of the Night," I say, greeting him first, for I have already met with and greeted our host. I extend my hand. "It is an honor to meet you again, out of Council, and in the presence of the Arbiter."
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Nobody
Alexios Group
Posts: 1,409
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Post by Nobody on Nov 28, 2021 4:38:22 GMT
Almost absently, I link my arm into Aida's on the one side, and Sir Roland's on the other, observing this scene with not one word, but with great and studied interest.
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Post by Sir Roland Desprez on Nov 28, 2021 16:52:42 GMT
I too am focused intently on the scene as I had not expected such tensions.
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Aida
Aida Group
In search of knowledge
Posts: 874
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Post by Aida on Nov 29, 2021 0:25:00 GMT
I lean slightly on Alexios, watching this scene unfold with careful curiousity.
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Post by Diocles on Nov 29, 2021 0:30:31 GMT
Caius takes your hand and kisses it, and he looks up into your face, betraying nothing. His face is a mask, showing exactly what he wants, and right now, nothing. Neither joy nor consternation nor desire. The elder Ventrue is carved out of marble, just as he wishes to be. "Lady Chrysalia, forgive my remissness in not yet inviting you to the Great Palace. What with the slaughter of Kindred in the city these recent nights, my clanmates and I, as imperial administrators, have been busy."
Caius says exactly what he wants to say: you all are going around killing big-name Kindred and getting away with it, no matter what mortal social and political consequences might come from your casual slaughter of immortals.
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Post by Storyteller on Nov 29, 2021 0:41:10 GMT
Of course, I am not connected with any of these deaths, except as witness to one, Gregorius', and my own House has suffered far greater losses than his own, all of which I am able to convey with the innocent, limpid gaze, briefly glazed with tears as I reply.
"There is nothing to forgive, great Emperor of the Night, for I know that only great need could constrain you, as the Antonian Ventrue are models of courtesy to all Kindred."
Which is true. They are formal, but never remiss, a model of manners ... which he failed in, and which I am pretending not to notice.
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Post by Diocles on Nov 29, 2021 23:23:30 GMT
Caius smiles easily. "Yes, indeed, Lady, for courtesy restrained me, allowing you time to grieve before accepting any social invitations." He has used your own words to his advantage, protecting himself as he acknowledges the losses the Obertus Tzimisce have suffered.
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Post by Storyteller on Nov 29, 2021 23:51:33 GMT
I lift a brow. "Only a Ventrue so courteous as you, great Emperor, would open with an apology for your own kind circumspection."
For he started with an acknowledgement that he had been remiss. He should have and knows he should, but is quite adeptly covering his lapse, but not perfectly, as if he had, he would have opened with the acknowledgement of my losses, not the upheavals.
Then I smile sweetly. "However it may be, I am delighted to make your better acquaintance here, and at such a beautiful gathering."
With wide eyes of innocence, I ask, with a shy boldness, "I have heard there are to be dances tonight. Will you, great Emperor, favor me with the first?"
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Post by Diocles on Nov 30, 2021 0:31:30 GMT
Caius bows politely to you. "You honor me with such attention, Lady Chrysalia. It would be my pleasure."
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Post by Storyteller on Nov 30, 2021 0:44:21 GMT
"Thank you," I say sincerely. "I hope that tonight can be the birth of a fresh closeness between our Houses."
I curtsey elegantly.
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