(1202) Ciara and Lance

[Ciara Maskelyne]

As he approaches Ciara Maskelyne and the roses she stands near, he gives the lady a courtly bow before picking his own white rose from the bushel and placing it behind his ear. "Good evening Madam Maskelyne, such an honor to see you again; a pleasure as always. You look fantastic, if it's not too forward of me to say so."

*Ciara turns away from the flowers, returning a graceful bow to Lance.* And good evening to you, Deputy Rayner. The pleasure is mine, I assure you. *She grins at the compliment, giving the Deputy her friendliest smile.* Thank you, Deputy. I must say you are cutting a rather rugged figure tonight. If you don't think me too forward for saying so... *In spite of only meeting Lance twice, Ciara was quickly warming to the striking Deputy. He was a certain bearing and way of carrying himself that she approved of.*

Or perhaps you would prefer "Aragon" tonight? *She teases the man gently, but it's clear from her tone it was all in playful fun.* And yet... *The thin Ventrue pauses, taking a moment to scan the Court. She can't repress a smile as she sees several familiar faces, but does not find a female counterpart to Lance.* No Arwen? A pity... *When she speaks again, the playful tone slips away, and Ciara certainly sounds compassionate in Lance's lack of companionship.*

I hope tonight finds you well? *She asks softly, once more turning fully to Lance and giving him her full attention.*

[SrsBsns]

"Oh it does indeed Madam." He smiles at the question "Thank you, I'm quite pleased at how this turned out. Sadly no, I have no princess to grace my arm tonight, I'm completely unattached." He does not actually sound unhappy about this. "So a little birdie told me that you and I are part of a very exclusive club." He extends his arm to the woman, offering to escort her to the dance floor so they can dance and talk at the same time.

[Ciara Maskelyne]

*Ciara raises a curious eyebrow as Lance says he's unattached. She certainly wouldn't have guessed the Deputy would have come alone to Court. But then, it really was none of her business.* Well, it certainly does make things easier to plan. *Ciara answers with a smile. She had come by herself as well..

Did it? And just what club is that, Deputy Rayner? *She ask in an interested tone. She hadn't met the young man before leaving the city, she was eager to know what the two had in common.

Slipping her arm into his, Ciara assumes a position next to Lance; but not too close. If Lance valued his independence, Ciara wasn't going to do anything to contradict that image.*

[SrsBsns]

"The Former Prefect Association of Sacramento, of course. Tell me, was the membership as dead set for slitting their own throats with you as they were with me?" Lance's tone is jovial as he walks Ciara down the red carpet to the main area of court. "If you didn't mind, I'd like to discuss what you had wanted to do with the Movement during your tenure and what convinced you to join the First Estate when you left it." He nods to the dance floor. "I fully intend to bribe you with a dance, if you were interested."

[Ciara Maskelyne]

Mmm, a very small club I'm afraid; I'm almost certain we're the only two living members... *Ciara answers with a slight wink. She could look back on her time as Prefect with a sense of humor. It's the only way she could do so without crying. She can only shake her head at his question.* There was a certain... lack of focus. But I blame part of that failure on myself. I've found it best for everyone involved if I limit myself to only directing large groups of one...

*Ciara had also come to terms with her own limitations. After all, looking out for her own best interests was what she was best at anyway...

She does raise a curious eyebrow at Lance's interest in her past objectives and her reasons for becoming a member of the Invictus. Perhaps she wouldn't be the only former Prefect joining the First Estate? She gives the Deputy a coy smile, letting herself be lead towards the main area of Court. She does drop her voice to a soft whisper however; political views were best kept to as few ears as possible in situations such as Court.*

I think I wanted what anyone would have wanted; to promote the general welfare. Once the basic needs of food and shelter are met, it eases the strains placed on a community and increases the stability of that community. I had hoped that by pooling our resources, the members of the Movement could be, if not prosperous, at least comfortable. Unfortunately those plans never came to fruition, and I was recalled back to England to deal with financial matters a short time later...

*The thin Ventrue grows silent for a few moments as she thinks back to the situations that motivated her to leave the Carthians and join the First Estate. How much would the young man beside her understand her logic in the matter, and how much was she willing to divulge of such a personal matter? When she finally does speak, it's without the playfulness of a few moments before.* But what I have come to realize is, you cannot help those that will not help themselves. You cannot provide a hand up to those looking for a handout; And I've come to believe far too many of those involved with the Movement are looking for just that.

The First Estate is arranged to help provide stability and aid to those willing to put for the effort to be successful. The Movement, with it's belief that all Kindred are equal, has an innate limitation of rewarding mediocrity. If everyone is equal, why try and exceed the base expectations? It will all be averaged out in the end.

So I chose to direct my efforts towards the Invictus. The core belief is the same; to promote the general welfare of it's members and encourage a more stable society for all. It's methodologies may be more strict than those of the Movement; but I've come to believe a firm hand is needed to keep Kindred society in line.

We are the worst aspects of humanity made immortal, Deputy Rayner. Perhaps the laws we exist by need to be that much more strict if we are to live in anything above senseless Anarchy... *Ciara lets out a soft sigh. It wasn't quite the explanation she had intended, but it was the best she could give without bogging down the polite conversation with concepts of government and self-determination. Those were discussions better left for quiet nights alone.

She glances over to Asa as Lance mentions a dance, torn for just a moment. By all rights she should save the first dance of the evening for him; but the Prince was busy with matters of State. Besides, who knew what else had changed during the time she was gone from Sacramento? No sense in denying herself, or Lance, the pleasure of a dance simply because of unfounded fears...

Turning back to the Deputy, the tall Ventrue smiles her most inviting smile, nodding her head in agreement to the offer.* The first pair on the dance floor, Deputy Rayner? My, but you are a brave one.. *She teases softly.*

[SrsBsns]

"If I had any faults, Madam Maskelyne, fear would not be one of them." It's said with a smile as the Ranger leads the woman to the dance floor, amid music suitable for a slow dance.

"It's interesting, you know," he continues as he takes her in his arms, "My reasons for joining the movement were much less... positive. It was in an all around bad position and I thought it would be possible to change its course with such a small showing of members. I didn't have any plans myself for any overarching goals but I had hoped that someone would provide some that I agreed with so I could get to the business of enacting them. Sadly that never happened. Then I was offered the position of Deputy by the good Reeve and I found my time suddenly became very precious. Since there was no one relying on me in my capacity as Prefect, I felt it best to devote my attention to the City." And if he was going to be honest to himself, after he had forced Mclean to show exactly how spineless he was by leaving the Movement when someone took Prefect from him, there wasn't much fun to be had in the position. "I believe I made the right choice though."

As the two continue moving across the floor, Lance smiles down at her. "You dance fantastically Madam, have you had professional training?

[Ciara Maskelyne]

*One thin arm wraps around Lance's waist, the other moves to place a small hand in his as they begin to dance to the music.* So it was a matter of timing and not a matter of belief? Does that mean, if you laid down the responsibilities of a Deputy, you would go back to the Movement? *There is honest interest in her voice; taking time off from something was very different from leaving it completely...

She can only smile at the compliment, and shake her head softly.* Thank you, Deputy; but no, I have no formal training. I've simply been to a lot of dances over the years. You're a fine dancer as well... *Ciara's smile dips ever so softly as she thinks back to some of those dances from her mortal days, but does not elaborate.*

[SrsBsns]

"Thank you, I certanly can't compare to someone like the Daeva Priscus, but I do try." Lance says as the dance winds down and the pair step off the dance floor. "No, I do not think so. I'm setting down roots here and there's no need for a Movement here. We aren't suffering under the oppressive heel of a tyrant, there are no Clans being forced into the Barrens just for being of the wrong blood. There's nothing to move against here, thus there's no reason to shackle myself to a group of people that refuse to understand that."

Lance brings the woman's hand to his lips as he bows at the waist. "Madam, you have been a delightful dance partner and conversationalist. If you ever wish to participate in either activity with me in the future, I will find the time."

[Ciara Maskelyne]

Well, it is never a good idea to show up a Priscus. Not in public anyway... *Ciara answers with a smile, once more standing beside Lance as they exit the dance floor.

She nods at Lance's assessment of the Domain; his words echoed her own thoughts. Perhaps comfort bred complacency within the thin Ventrue.

Ciara smiles at the kiss, returning a polite bow to the Deputy.* Thank you for a wonderful dance, Deputy Rayner. I'll be sure to to save an open spot on my dance card from now on. And I cannot help but think an evening discussing political theory would be a rather... enjoyable experience. Assuming you can find the time, of course.. *She offers Lance another small bow of the head in parting, then makes her way back to the gathered Kindred. There was still much work for Ciara to do before the end of the evening.*