(1501) David and Martha

[Martha Villiers]

Martha nodded to Asa once more and was offering a gentle gesture of greeting to Peter Baldwin when David came closer.

Nodding her respects to the Grand Wyrm she may appear a little wary, even suspicious. David seemed to have taken the mantle of Priscus without consulting anyone. It seemed unusual. Something, perhaps, the Witch Erika may have inspired...

"Good evening, Grand Wyrm. Congratulations on becoming Priscus too, sir." she offered an unsteady and almost unbalanced curtsy. Her peg leg scrapping quietly.

"I... I shall be glad to talk with you, of course, sir." Martha looked to David with a mix of obedience and caution.

Taking his offered arm, she steadies herself to be led to where he wishes to take them.

[Martha Villiers]

She nods in understanding. For a moment she was glad all the weight was not her burden any longer.

"Thank you, sir. I shall be pleased to meet with Whip Yui." a gentle smile. She wondered what plans David had now. He'd never seemed the sort to crave political power before. But, she mused, like one of those tigers in India with a taste for human flesh, perhaps there was no reversing the appetite for power once it was tasted...

"Actually, sir, it was a matter of unforeseen and great turmoil that took me away. The struggle to return was most tasking too. I am, however, glad to return and look forward to being of service to the Domain once more." she offers a sincere smile.

Now suspecting him of planning everything three moves ahead, Martha wondered if her show of obedience would coax from David the true purpose for this meeting.

[Chrisie]

"Indeed, sir." she nods gratefully. "Perhaps after the combat is concluded, sir, we can talk then?" she offers a shy smile and gestures with her cane towards the cage and duellists.

There was a moment there, just a moment, when she could have abdicated all contact and connection with the Ordo.

Start again.

Is it already too late for a fresh start?

[Cabochard]

Rina approaches slowly, wandering over after her brief conversation with the Prince. She walks over to Regan's side, nodding to Martha. "I hope I am not interrupting. I believe one of you may have said my name? On another note, I wish to talk to you, when you have the time, Priscus Regan."

[Cabochard]

Rina nods, searching around the area for Michael Travis . She finally spots him and points at him for Regan. "That would be Mr. Travis over there, with Mr. Galilei abandoning him right this moment. As to this McAllister, I am unaware of such an individual." She took a moment to search the crowd and make double-sure she didn't know who that was, then turned back to David. "Actually, that was part of what I wished to talk to you about. I have not had the occasion to meet all of the Mekhet, and wanted to ask if there were any newly arrived that I should be aware of."

[Martha Villiers]

Martha listened to the talk of Kindred she would have to make time to become aware of. Nodding a polite, respectful, greeting to Rina.

Having nothing to add and no authority to exercise, she simply listened and nodded again as David outlined her assumed interest in the direction of the Ordo Dracul.

When opportunity allowed, she tried a smile and offered David a simple and sensible; "Yes, sir. As you wish."

In truth, she suddenly found she had little enthusiasm for hearing how things were going.

She assumed the assessment would be: badly.

The Ordo and its followers hadn't heeded her advice before. She doubted any of them would change in their desire to accept it. David was now Grand Wyrm and he was welcome to the Office.

Her mental distance from the Ordo, she felt, was now growing, if not yet complete.

Many of them are now dead. The security of the Chapter House breached. Dog is impatient with our apparent inaction. David is angry at me for the death of his loved one. It wasn't as if I'd been the one with the sword at her neck! I did warn them to be careful!

The Koagion is probably still a captive.

The Witch Queen Erika apparently remains at liberty...

Nodding again, tiny Martha grimly rubbed at her mutilated thigh and glanced over to observe the soon to be combatants. The prospect of watching two men trying to murder each other wasn't as thrilling to her as it seems was expected by culture and society.

What was that line from 'The Bride of Frankenstein'?

Oh yes; a new age of Gods and Monsters...

Pouting, Martha nodded again to David and, taking her own advice, she looked around for an escape route.