"The Emperor is due to arrive soon so if everyone could take a seat and make themselves ready we can begin earnestly." The Ancient Ventrue spoke with all the fanfare one might expect as he looked out across the room.

Ulbrecht politely bowed his head submitting to the command of the Ventrue being sure to take a seat that was most likely to be out of sight of the emperor while Romeo gestured for Selene to lead on. The others found their way to their seats as well.

The Blood Rose, secretly grateful for Mondaego’s call to order, kept herself proper, offering a brief nod as everyone began to take up positions. She passed by Romeo, casting him one of her indescribably expressive looks in such a way only he could see before making her way to rightful seat. Hopefully it’d keep him in check throughout the meeting.

As she sat down in her chair, Selene too looked toward Xaver, seeming as of late to always know when and where he was.

The ancient Khabit, watched the entirety of those in the room. He almost cracked his typical stoic facade when he saw the Lady Giovanni look directly at him. He shifted, crossing his arms over his broad muscular chest, the inky living tattoo silently hissing in anticipation.

He wouldn’t make himself known to all until the Emperor Giovanni so wished it.

The doors swang open and two Knights stood at each flank of it and Haloise strode past fhem. The Knights closed the door and the Emperor overlooked the room taking account of the attendants and a subtle smirk on his face. He then began his walk to his own place at the table, the charisma he radiated grabbed the attention of all those in the room. He made it to just behind Selene's chair before coming to an abrupt stop.

"My Lords, it is with gratitude that I thank you for heeding this summons for us to discuss matters most important to the Empire." His words addressed the room but Selene could feel the heat from his gaze upon her. "We have gathered to discuss the matter of the upstart Priest, Gavin Giovanni, who seeks to become Dark Father of the Lancea et Sanctum but he insults all of our character by demeaning our own efforts, this insult shall not go unanswered." His words were stern with an underlying sense of ferocity. He then continued his seat at the head of the table.

"Lord Chancellor, please appraise us of the events which have lead us to this most provocative situation."

"Your Majesty." Fernand addressed Haloise although he twisted his own arm in saying the words, "since the rise of the Empire and your own coronation, Cardinal Gavin Giovanni has continually undermined our efforts to establish order throughout Europe, the first peace of evidence in this has to do with rebellious activity in the former Kingdom of Poland when the former King Casimar Jagiellon attempted to divide the Empire."

"Furthermore he encouraged the activity of the Carthian Movement in these territories which set the framework of the Red Crown Rebellion lead by the King of Britain, George Ernest. There remain pockets of rebellion of rouge Invictus supporting upstart Firebrands which have received aid both directly and indirectly from Gavin Giovanni or his representatives." Fernand laid out the charges sternly and concisely.

Selene silently chastised herself to be a woman of unrequited etiquette for the duration of this meeting. Haloise had appointed her as Prince of their fair city and more recently, as Queen of France. He hadn’t given them to her (well, perhaps the Princedom), but she’d earned her status well over.

She listened with keen intensity, looking to Mondaego as he spoke.

Selene was here as Queen Giovanni, not as Haloise’s wife.

"More recently, Excellency, Gavin has sent the vast bulk of the Second Estates fighting force the Crusaders in to the east where they are clashing with the Ordo Dracul which is locked in its own internal conflict, he has also sent his forces against the Circle of the Crone. While the Crusade has meet with limited success I suspect there to be a more dubious reason for the Crusade, the Cardinals which will be electing a new Dark Father will have little in the way of allies to call upon." The Nosferatu spoke and his eyes and ears were everywhere.

"Gavin is likely to call upon his own Retainers, the Dragons Eye, to secure the Cardinals. In effect the strongest force of the Second Estate has been sent away leaving Gavin with his own personal army we must account for." He concluded.

"That is the bored as it is set and the game stands before us." Haloise acknowledged the information that was presented. "Through tanacity and guile I am confident we can rise above our adversaries." He looked out across the assembled Kindred in the room.

"Fernand, you will go to Warsaw, deal with the Carthians, see to it that Gavin cannot call upon their service and that they will not otherwise intervene, Gerard you will return to London and complete the scourging of any Red Crown Rebels. Nikolas, you and your Knights shall aid Fernand in his task, Alexander you and the Legion shall do the same for Gerard." Haloise spoke assertively and left no doubt for who was in command as he coordinated his machinations.

"Selene, we will be sending you on a diplomatic mission to Venice to convince the Doge to support our cause, I trust in your ability to see this done and leave the designs of your retinue up to you, although given the martial strength of the Empire is being stretched as it is I will send Xaver with you to see to any matters which might arise." He spoke sternly but took a subtly softer voice with Selene.

"As for myself I will be conducting back channel negotiations with Desponia Nikadimos to ensure she keeps out of this affair. With that said I open the floor to you all." Haloise offered and inviting gesture.

As Gerard interjected, the Giovanni Prince shifted her naturally piercing gaze to him.

The news that both Haloise’s coterie mates brought forward were dire indeed. She already had her instructions from his Majesty, but she wasn’t concerned for herself. He’d already made it abundantly clear that Xaver was to accompany her, but she still thought it wiser for the guardian to journey with the Master Giovanni.

She’d actually lost track of the stoic Mekhet, but could sense he was in the room still.

Selene nodded at Haloise’s instructions, her eyes focusing upon him. She didn’t miss the gentle note as he addressed her, which made the corner of her lips pull into a smile.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:47, Thu 21 Dec 2017.

"Divide and conquer." The Nosferatu spoke assuredly "Venice presents an opportunity for many clandestine negotiations, I believe representives of the New World will be in attendance possibly even queen Julia Morrel who my contact in her court advises me is close friend with the Doge." Gerard offered some input on Venice.

Only momentarily Haloise went wide eyed at mention of the name but swiftly returned to his focus.

"This information may prove valuable and be an opportunity for us to strengthen our connection with the New World. Selene, on several occasions in my long ago past knew the queen, she is cunning and strong willed." The Emperor noted, his mind already playing through the various scenarios this presented.

Xaver was too surprised as the mention of Julia, as he had shared fragments of history with her.

The Khabit subtlety made himself known to the emperor was a specific caress of darkness, something that would be nigh impossible for even the loyal elder Ventrue to detect as Xaver himself kept himself within defense of the Blood Rose.

Selene only nodded in response, absorbing the information and sorting it out as it’d be most beneficial to the Emperor and his means. The lot of these machinations were an elaborate puzzle in her mind and it was crucial to get each and every piece fitted correctly to achieve the goal of unification and peace.

She knew she was capable of accomplishing the tasks set before her, but the pressure was on.

"The tasks stands before us and you all know what must be done." Haloise spoke calmly content with the information that had been presented and with a clear vision for what he wanted done. "Go to the main room, I will join you shortly." Haloise dismissed the meeting.

A subtle smile came over the Emperors face acknowledging the cold kiss of the shadows.

Prologue - Scene 2: The Emperors Side

The conference room began to clear and the masters of the Empire made their way in to the mustering area of the secret basement where the various subjects awaited their orders. As Selene was about to exit the room Haloise raised his hand saying "a moment of your time." Fernand then was last through the door looking over his shoulder before closing the door behind him. Xaver was left in the room hidden in the shadows with the Emperor and the Queen.

Xaver hadn’t missed the smile, but now that the room had vacated, he revealed himself in a silent but grandiose flourish of shadows. His inky tattoos shifted back into place upon his skin as his obfuscation ended, the darkness immediately dispersed to all its rightful areas.

The Blood Rose, unsure of if anyone remained outside the door eavesdropping, or if this call was professional in nature, ke-t her poise, turning fully to face her Sire. She bowed her head in as low a curtsy as she could manage given the tight skirt she wore.

“Your Majesty?” The words stumbled out, still feeling correct, but unnatural upon her tongue.

Haloise was her husband first, her Sire second, and then Emperor to the Requiem last, but that sequence mattered little to everyone else.

A deeper smile came upon the Emperors face at the appearance of the Mekhet followed by an inquisitive if somewhat amused expression.

"There is no need for such formality." He waved his hand in a casual manner. "I wanted to take the opportunity to talk to both of you about this issue as well as some other matters if I might have your time." He spoke rather casually a break from the seriousness of the prior conversation.

The Khabit chuckled and grabbed a seat, pulling the one next to him out for Selene to follow suit.

“What specifically is plaguing you now Haloise?”

Selene’s shoulders relaxed briefly, but she still felt tense.

“I’ve reserved the entirety of my night for these discussions, so I’ve nowhere else to be.” She feigned a smile, taking the chair offered by Xaver.

"On the matter of Venice what's needed to be said has been said although I am certain other opportunities will open up to us once things begin and I will leave that to your judgement to look in to." Haloise spoke somewhat slowly as he stood up and walked to them leaning against the table.

"In the events things do not go as planed, I have set up several means of escape to see to our travel to the new world, if only as a precaution." His voice grew slightly more serious but not entirely dire. "These are things we just need to keep in mind depending on how events play out."

“Escape... to the new world?” Selene felt cold at the words, “Do you believe it could come to such a end?”

She swallowed nervously, unsettled by the notion of forcibly leaving home.

"Nothing is impossible, Gavin is a cunning foe and such plans are necessary." He conveyed his words in a somber way "This makes our current scheme all the more important, we must call upon every advantage that we can." His words grew more energetic "I have no intention of losing this game, we will set the bored for our triumph, but should the worse play out we will be ready, but we are savvy ourselves and our cunning will see us through." A righteous charisma came over the emperors voice, he was confident.

Xaver couldn’t help but smile. He knew the situation had the power to become dire with but a single misstep, but this branch of the Giovanni- his family was clever and knew how to well outmaneuver their opponents no matter who they were.

“We shall be triumphant.” The Khabit stated matter-of-factly.