(1812) Sanctuary 22

[Winter]

He shot up from his seat to greet the Moros councilor, "Campanella. Sit with me, will you?", just then two members of the jock society entered the Cathedral.

"Hmm, the Fit Beta Kappa", he said with a grimace.
Alastor had his ways of doing things, and although the Guardian respected the straight shooter, it still grated on his nerves to be pulled by the collar, so to speak.
"Tougher than yours, that's certain", was the Guardian's salacious quip to the Arrow.

Thankfully a host of new arrivals broke the empasse, chiefly Aurora among them, impeccable and pitch perfect as always. He greeted the Shaman with a respectful nod, politely declining the cup. Phoenyx was of the party. Good, professional as always, the Guardian mused.

The new girl Gemini, was dressed with enough taste and common sense to not attract the deadly ire of their silent enemies. Shodan however, seemed to follow in the footsteps of their now gone Necromancers, talk about impractical dressing. The Guardian did a double take to be sure. "Jesus Christ", he said with grim abandon, was this Zoolander?
He turned back to the ensemble he was now a part of. "The Arrow has challenged each one of us to a duel for the position of Hierarch. Was this the day?"

[Kaze]

Kaze watches over the gathering for reactions, general and specific as well as keeping an eye on the entrance. He nods and smiles at the new folks and Phoenyx.

[Aurora]

Blue eyes take in the guy, and his, eh, outfit. That was quite the statement, quite loud if you asked her. But, whatever worked for him she guessed.

Still, she smiles, “Aurora, Thyrsus and member of the Mysterium.” Her tone upbeat, “Pleased to meet you.”

Nodding to Campanella, “Sure!” and pours him a cup and hands it over. And the duel discussion came up again. It had been on her mind, her heart and mind pulled in different ways.

At the whisper from Phoenyx, she smiled and nodded. “How are you?” she asks.

Winter mentions the duel as well, but she keeps quiet for now. Wanting to hear more before saying anything.

Did Alastor just call her Master Aurora? Well, she supposed it fit, she technically was a Master. But it was still weird.

“Sure, here you go.” And she hands him a cup as well.

Then takes a deep, unsure breath, “I’d like to talk about that actually. I’ve been giving it a lot of thought, and I’m thinking of throwing my name into the ring.” There, she said it. Would it be shot down? Would they think she would fail as Hierarch? This was a big thing for her, one that filled her usual confident body with fear and second guessing.

[girlwonder]

Wrong account, sorry!

…

[Campanella]

Campanella raised an eyebrow.

"Indeed?"

He looked between Alastor and Winter as they spoke.

"Its not something I'd like to do of course, but if there is no other option..." He sighed, straightened his shoulders. "I am a First Degree Master and for too long I've sequestered myself in my own world, pursing my own projects. I will accept your challenge, Alastor, although I stand by what I said earlier. I'd rather see an Arrow as Hierarch until this temporal conflict can be satisfactorily resolved."

His weighty stare was for the Arrow alone.

"I hope this will not sour our relations. This is simply something that must be done."

Campanella smiles graciously when he receives a coffee from Aurora . Cabal Mates do not need words - the look on his face was sufficient to convey his thanks.

He drank from his cup, surveying the gathering. There was a new face, one he vaguely recognised Gemini girlwonder . Making excuses to the Guardian and the Arrow, the Moros Councillor moved across the floor.

"There is currently no Councillor for the Path of Scourging, scions of the Realm of Pandaemonium. You might speak with Alastor for he shares your Path. Or I could answer some of your questions?" He spoke to Gemini .

"If you are one of the Mighty, I would suggest seeking out Sand deltadream . She is your Councillor." Campanella added to Shodan as he passed. "Or perhaps I can help?"

[Phoenyx]

The Obrimos' eyes widen slightly at Aurora's question. "Fine?" she replies, startled. "Um. How have you been?" The response is a little stilted. Small talk. You can do this.

After watching the exchanges for a while, the Mighty speaks up."You issued the challenge, Alastor," Phoenyx's voice comes out firm and clear. "The longer we delay, the longer we are without direction. Waiting again is postponing a necessary act. Any who wish to be here are here, to meet your challenge or see it played out." She inclines her head to the Mastigos Councellor. "As Campenella says, this is something that must be done, and any that wish to face you have had a month to consider."

Her words done, she sips on her coffee, silently grateful for Aurora and her thoughtfulness.

[Winter]

Good. The Guardian thought. With Campanella and Aurora stepping up, the Damocle's sword hanging above his head had been averted. He'd have to thank the Arrow for that.
"All's well that ends well. Good job, Arrow", now the Guardians could be free from the Game of politics.