Invictus Meeting

[Thomas Connor]

Thomas rose from his seat and offered a respectful bow to the Good Judex, his sponsor, who had called him to speak. His body settles into a formal version of the At Ease position almost without a thought as he addresses the masters of his fate. "Thank you Good Judex Twist." He pauses for a moment and continues in his normal tone of voice, just maybe with a bit more resolve to it "I wish to be counted among those who uphold the virtues of Duty and Honor, those who have the will and ambition to guide and protect Kindred society. I have come to the realization that these are the values I want to base my Requiem on and that these ideals are only taken seriously by the First Estate."

He takes a second and remembers what was asked of the other potential members. "I believe that I have shown flashes of ability since my arrival in the city and I know that with the assistance of the First Estate I will be able to eventually reach my full potential. I offer the Invictus my service to its Noble Ideals and goals." The Whip of Shadows began to feel tingle where his right hand had been, and would hopefully soon be again. The result of the night that caused his reawakening.

[Asa]

Asa listened to Thomas and waited to see if Cassandra would give him similar treatment; when she did not, he was left to wonder if it was a result of her earlier efforts or if she had something against Greyson.

Or something for O'Conner?

Or maybe she just wasn't going to question Twist's opinion.

And here I might have been the last person silly enough to do that.

Asa took a moment to look at Thomas, then Conner. Together, they filled a need nicely, and would be excellent examples of the more martial competencies of the Covenant.

[Twist]

Twist waited, expecting words and questions to fill the silence but when none came she simply waited a moment more before straightening in her seat.

"With no objections then..." The door swung open silently and three of the escorts from earlier entered, each one moving to stand behind the three petitioners, "I welcome you to the First Estate Mister O'Conner, Madam Donovan and Mister Greyson." As she spoke the words, the escorts silently placed upon each petitioners head a laurel wreath made of thin wrought iron branches. Made with the skill of an artisan, each wreath was a work of art with the detail poured into the replications of the leaves. Over the matt black of the wrought iron frame and base, a top coat gave shine and when hit in just the right angle by the light there was a sheen of purple that covered over the black. Once each wreath was settled, the escorts stepped back and silently dissappeared through the door.

Twist smiled, letting the moment be enjoyed to the fullest before settling back to business.

"At this time, I would also like to welcome back to the First Estate Alder Prince Clark." Smiling she turned to Asa, "It is good to have you back amongst our number." Glancing around, she waited for a moment to see if any would challenge her words about Asa return. She doubted it but sometime surprises could happen.

[Thomas Connor]

As the wreath touches him there is a split second where Thomas flashed back to France in August of '44. The Mayor's Office of a small town turned into a Regimental HQ, a full bird Colonel holds a piece of silver in his hand that looks like a section of railroad tracks. The CO pins the piece of silver to his collar, offers him a warm smile, a handshake and a kind word. A picture is taken, Thomas still has it with him, sometimes he takes it out of where he hides it and stares at for few minutes.

The split second ends and Thomas is back in the room. He keeps his face as stoic as he possibly can but his eyes reveal a certain pride. The Mekhet realizes that he's made the right decision, that the painful introspection and examination of his Requiem had been worth it. The Good Judex announces that the Prince will be rejoining the First Estate and the Whip of Shadows permits himself a single thought on the topic, a simple thought that would probably fit nicely in the minds of any in the room. Maybe even more of a personal revelation than a thought.

Why would anyone wish to be anywhere else. Tonight, for the first time in many years, Thomas O'Connor, Mister Thomas O'Connor, felt like he had a place in the world.

[Asa]

"Thank you," Asa replied to Twist, smiling a genuine smile rather than the charming, public smile he often used. "It is good to be back."

And it was. Like a favorite pair of shoes, or comfortable jacket. Except better. Like a sports car or woman that you knew intimately, that understood you; and you, them.

Standing, he reached into his jacket and withdrew small oblong boxes. Gifts, in accordance with the Invictus' long and distinguished history of gift giving. Starting with Twist, then Victoria, then Cassandra, he laid them down.

"Kipling once wrote of sixty seconds in the unforgiving minute," Asa said, moving back to his seat. "Likewise, the Unconquered's standard of excellence is equally unforgiving. Please accept these tokens of my regard to honor your excellence, and as small reminders that our eternal Requiems are made of unforgiving minutes."

Looking at the new faces in turn, Asa spoke again, "Each of you will also receive one within the upcoming days."

Although the same watch, Twist's bracelet is also white gold rather than satin.

[Victoria Stamford]

Victoria smiled as Asa was welcomed back to the First Estate. "It is good to have you back Alder Prince, or perhaps I should say welcome home," she said honestly.

At the gift she opened up the case and inspected it gently before carefully setting it down in a manner and care one might give a treasured possession a place of honor. Smiling she looked up at the Prince and spoke.

"It is a lovely sentiment and I will take good care of it. Thank you very much."

The Seneschal avoids wincing as Cassandra draws attention to the large white elephant in the room. Victoria wasn't entirely certain what all the Judex wanted to have addressed in this meeting, but there was one thing she was certain about. The Judex, likely had not wanted this topic addressed in such a manner.

"Perhaps that wasn't the best way to address that," her smile slipped into a neutral expression as she replied quietly to Cassandra without glancing at her, and then waited to see how it would be handled.