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Post by Diocles on Dec 20, 2021 15:06:12 GMT
I lean in. "You can count on it. I've got big plans."
I plan to get the witch hunters involved in taking care of the Carrion and doing Alfonzo a favor. They're destroying his domain, too, since he runs the Latin Quarter.
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Post by Sir Roland Desprez on Dec 20, 2021 15:52:49 GMT
Indeed? Just be careful. Remember what happened last time they 'helped'. The were not very discriminating in their choice of targets.
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Nobody
Alexios Group
Posts: 1,409
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Post by Nobody on Dec 21, 2021 2:22:37 GMT
I overhear this little exchange.
None too happy with the Latins, eh, Sir Diocles? They certainly have their uses, though they bear us no good intent. I'm not entirely certain that their menace to our fair City is fully appreciated. How very astute of you to have noticed. Of course, in your case, it is hardly to be wondered at. Still, be cautious, my friend. I think that, were you to ask them to vacate, you might find them profoundly disinclined to acquiesce to your request. A pity, really. How very rude of them. How typically ... vulgar.
To all outward appearances I may have just smiled at some private quip, or merely at the evening's festivities.
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Post by Storyteller on Dec 21, 2021 2:29:21 GMT
On 9 April 1197, the third night of the Tenth Council, the Triumvirate take the dais once more. There are more Kindred here even than the night before, for the rumor of the coming of the Triumvirate has brought out those who disbelieve.
This disbelief cannot endure as that magnificent trinity of vampires, Methuselahs all, seem to materialize out of the air on the dais.
It is Michael who speaks first, or that is the impression, for all three originate the words. "This day Mesopatamities took the throne from Alexios Angelus. The ruler of Byzantium is now Michael IV--me."
There is silence that follows on this astonishing pronouncement, and then it is Antonius whose will brings the words that all three Triumvirs speak.
"We have come to this our city to rule it, to put our house in order, and part of that order is to create Grace. We take from our Clans, for we must raise up emissaries of our will."
The Dracon's will is deep and seems to come from beneath the stones as his words are spoken by the three. "The Lady Chrysalia, General Belisarius, and Pakourianis the Dove are to depart the City, to be given Graces sufficient to make them emissaries of our will."
The three Kindred so named step forward then, and the Clan Head of each house lays his hand on the head of the one who represents his Clan, Michael his childe Pakourianis, Antonius his childe Belisarius, and the Dracon the Lady Chrysalia, childe of ... whom?
It is done, and the three emissaries depart the City...
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Post by Diocles on Dec 21, 2021 2:32:23 GMT
I bow my head out of respect for the three Graces who have departed. May they guard Byzantium well when they return!
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Nobody
Alexios Group
Posts: 1,409
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Post by Nobody on Dec 21, 2021 2:42:16 GMT
I too bow, pondering the meaning of all these things.
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Aida
Aida Group
In search of knowledge
Posts: 874
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Post by Aida on Dec 21, 2021 2:48:12 GMT
I look to the departing trio of Emissaries and bow my head, never taking my eyes from them until they are out of sight.
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Post by Sir Roland Desprez on Dec 21, 2021 3:55:30 GMT
I am surprised by this but don't show it on my face. I am left to simply wonder at the import of their departure.
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Post by Storyteller on Dec 21, 2021 5:03:41 GMT
On 10 April 1197, the fourth night of the Tenth Council, the Triumvirate of vampires appears as marble statues on the dais, but suddenly, that of Michael takes living color and breath and moves.
"Sir Roland of the Courts of Love, knight in the service of Queen Helene la Juste, step forward. Alcibiades of Athens, childe of Julius the Wanderer, Michaelite Toreador, step forward."
The vampire who steps out in obedience to the Patriarch's call is quite breathtakingly beautiful, in a traditional Greek style, with thick, black curls and glowing dark eyes. He is slender, but with lithe, catlike muscle, and the way he moves denotes a soldier.
But the words that Michael speaks are not of war.
"To you, Sir Roland of the Courts of Love, I offer the position of Muse of Performance in my court. To you Alcibiades of Athens, I offer the position of Muse of Painting in my court. Do you accept this honor and its concomitant duties?"
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Nobody
Alexios Group
Posts: 1,409
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Post by Nobody on Dec 21, 2021 5:11:37 GMT
Flabbergasted, I look on, my anticipation mounting by the moment.
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Aida
Aida Group
In search of knowledge
Posts: 874
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Post by Aida on Dec 21, 2021 5:21:53 GMT
I look from Michael to Sir Roland, a small, but proud, smile creeping on my face. Sir Roland to be The Muse of Performance!
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Post by Diocles on Dec 21, 2021 5:24:11 GMT
I, too, stand in my position of authority and watch, eager not only to see if Roland will accept this honor and responsibility but perhaps later to make the acquaintance of this long-torpor Cainite, Alcibiades of Athens, of whom I have heard report but never met. He is ancient, and his Sire is illustrious.
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Post by Sir Roland Desprez on Dec 21, 2021 12:34:11 GMT
I come forward and immediately drop to one knee. "I do accept this honor and its concomitant duties. I will strive to bring The Dream alive in the hearts and minds of many through performance and am honored to represent the Courts of Love in such a way."
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Post by Storyteller on Dec 21, 2021 13:37:06 GMT
Michael glances from you to Alcibiades of Athens, who moves forward with a grace that you, Sir Roland, note as belonging as much to a dancer as to a warrior.
He kneels elegantly. "I am in the hands of the Archangel," he says. "If his fiery eyes see worth in my art, how shall I presume to differ? Make me a Muse, if it please you."
Michael declares, and the statues on either side of him, of Antonius and the Dracon, seem to echo with the voices of those Triumvirs in union with Michael's, "So be it. I have made Muses of you. Now make beauty in this our City."
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Post by Diocles on Dec 21, 2021 13:38:52 GMT
I approach Sir Roland with a smile. "Well, congratulations, Muse of Performance! You will excel in the role, I am sure."
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