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*Max nods to Martha, sweeping his arm out to allow the visiting Kindred to follow behind Martha before following behind them. He wasn't sure what was going to happen in a few moments, but he had a feeling it wasn't going to be pleasant.
And as for Anton, the only acknowledgment he gives the Priscus is the largest shit-eating grin he can muster before following behind the others.*
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Martha takes the Envoys to the Court meeting chamber. The meeting room set up for clarity of purpose without the distractions of the other office chambers. Martha opens the door to the room and steps aside with a gentle gesture to invite the Envoys within. She waits for Max to enter.
Nodding to acknowledge Conner's role as sentry as he follows.
Closing the door behind her, Martha leans on her cane and speaks to the Little Girl. "Welcome to the Domain of Alder Prince Clarke, Emissaries of Prince Janzen. I can offer immediate refreshments of ginger ale, Coke Cola or water. If you require more...vital refreshments, then I shall be glad to make provision thereof after our meeting." she hoped the girl would understand the symbolic nature of the initial offer, even if it lacked practical effect. A smile is offered as she studies the Little Girl, her legs and shoes before nodding in approval of her attire and gestures for those within to sit at the meeting table. "Before we commence, might I ask, please, for your Letter of Credence, Your Excellency? Did Prince Janzen provide you with credentials...a letter of bona fides?" Martha leans on her cane, her tone brighter and friendlier now.
Her aroma of lavender strong in the chamber. The decoration of the room is modest.
"His Majesty the Honorable Prince Janzen Provided me with his signat ring and this." The Girl snaps her fingers and the injured Geisha, still showing stoicism, reaches inside the folds of her kimono and takes out a scroll with a dragon Signat ring around it.
Upon opening it Martha finds a written letter signed with a Seal to match the signat ring. It does indeed validate the authenticity of the Little Girl and her servant.
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*Max brings up the rear, closing the door and making sure it is secured. Once assured the meeting would remain private, Max takes place behind and slightly to the side of Martha. He knew diplomacy wasn't his specialty; instead leaving it to his fellow Mekhet and Dragon to do the talking for the moment. He tries to remain concentrated on the conversation at hand, his Auspex enhanced sight making it an easy read even from his distance.
Still, a small part of him couldn't resist reflecting on the sudden reappearance of this particular ghoul and the choice of Prince Janzen to send such an odd envoy.*
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Martha accepts the offered scroll with a respectful nod and studies it carefully. Hooking her cane under an arm to allow herself to fully read the scroll before handing the scroll to Max to read whilst she gestures to the envoys to sit, she remains standing.
Martha has concluded that this envoy is all business; unlikely to be amused by the usual decoration of diplomatic words and has shown scant respect for the Office held by others, so she decides to get to the heart of the issue: "Thank you, Your Excellency. As Herald, I extend the welcome to you of the Domain of Alder Prince Clarke as the Emissary of His Majesty, the Honourable Prince Janzen." she smiles happily enough, "I hope that by this encounter our two Domains can begin to mutually prosper and be advantaged! I must ask now: what is the nature and purpose of your visit, Your Excellency? Why are you here?" Martha tries a smile. Her hopes about mutual advantage are sincere...she leans on her cane and trusts that Max has her back while she studies the Envoy and the escort.
"My purpose is to warn you." The Little Girl says with a giggle in her voice. "The City of San Francisco has recently gone through a bit of chaos you see. Prince Janzen has recently repelled a coup d'ιtat you see. Many kindred lost there lives." A look of glee rolls across the little girls face. "We are here to advise you to be aware, Some of those insurgents may be coming here to try again."
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Martha shares a glance with Max at this worrying news, then nods respectfully back to the Little Girl. "Ah! A timely warning then! I see. The Domain of Alder Prince Clarke extends its gratitude to His Majesty, the Honourable Prince Janzen for his kindness of thought and alacrity in taking care to report this grave matter to us. That is most valuable intelligence, Your Excellency. Thank you. Might I ask, please," she says, getting down to the business now at hand and of immediate concern, "...how are these insurgents characterised? Are they easily recognised? Do they follow the teachings of a particular Covenant, or heretical branch thereof? How many are estimated to have survived their attempt upon the Domain of the Honourable Prince Janzen? What are their tactics, strategy, preferred weapons and approach of assault? How did you quell them and who is their leader?" another look to Max, then the Girl, she nods as she adds, "Given your experience of dealing with these ruffians, Your Excellency, your advice and insight would be welcomed." Martha nods again to the Little Girl and hobbles a step back, nodding to Max to allow him to take the lead should he wish to. Martha offers to take back the scroll with a silent hand gesture, if he has finished with it.
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*Max takes the scroll, examining it in silence before handing it back to Martha. Once the Emissary begins speaking, he turns his full attention of the child-like Kindred, turning over her words in his head. Whatever he thought of her claims, he keeps his face even and calm; taking in her words but at the same time trying to study her. Something just didn't seem to add up with what she was saying; but any questions would wait until the visiting Kindred had finished her story.
Martha was already voicing the questions that were coming to his mind, Max instead trying to connect the disparate ideas flooding his mind.*
"Well" she says with a tee hee, "You are a curious one arn't you. It is a trait of the young they say."
"As Far as who they are or what they follow, We do not know you see, we simply delt with the problem." Her voice is high and musical, like that of a child, not the predator she is. "You see we have many vampires in San Fransisco. It must be nice that you have such a small population. So easy to control!" She says again with a tee hee.
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Martha shares a brief and puzzled look to Max before turning a smile upon the Envoy. Matching the Girl's tee-hee with a sweet smile of her own. "I am inquisitive, that is true. Yet, regardless of whether that is a trait characteristic of youth, in the absence of a crystal ball, I find my questions may advance the security of this Domain and are therefore vital. It would be negligent to fail to ask such queries. I am glad that you emerged victorious from the coup, Your Excellency. But...surely you must know something of your foes? Quite simply: surely you weren't engaged in a potential struggle for survival without having at least the most simple notion of your adversary! To come here and alert us is most kind. But, Your Excellency, you succeed only in confounding us. We are left more puzzled by your message and warning than informed. We would be grateful for more information about the potential threat, Your Excellency. Was the enemy so mysterious that you do not know the identity or any basic details of even one or two of the vanquished?"
Perplexed, to say the least, Martha's tone of voice remains respectful, bright and friendly while remaing alert to the activity and demeanour of the Envoys. She also privately hopes that Max is also paying attention for...well...anything she's missing.
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