Jacque watched as Conner read the letter and pockets it, "Fortunately for you, when Her Grace read about the near breach by one of the Lancea agents she did not inquire any further on the matter. She only expressed her displeasure. I chose not to memorialize that falter to your name and instead wished to praise your willingness to follow instruction in service to the Domain. I know it is a hard line to walk sometimes and I hope you realize that my request for you to leave was so that you wouldn't have to come to a harder choice later that night." The Lord paused a few beats to allow Conner to digest the message, "Where I may have spared you the displeasure of Her Grace, we still must address the near breach between us. For the same term as your access to the Rack, you are to remain blushed with life at every moment of your evenings. In public, in private, in Court or in your private haven alone... Not a single moment without counterfeiting life." Another pause was offered to field questions about his terms.
The perception of bad blood was understandable, but Jacque knew the context and the discussions that occurred afterwards. "It is unlikely to happen, but should there ever be a future Regent named for Florin or any other portion of the Domain for that matter- the Prince has made it known to me that she will ensure they will not be permitted to gatekeep access to Covenant facilities that may fall under their regency." The Lord's arm gently extended in a gesture towards Conner, "I think that intent shows that the Prince does not hold ill-feelings towards the Lancea or San Francisco."
"A vast majority who did left with her," he spoke as he lightly shrugged. He pondered Conner's question. It was a simple one, but very complicated for the Lord to explain. "I had originally arrived in Sacramento unaligned with high interest to join the Dragons. My understanding was that they were a society of scholars of sorts and I wished to understand more of their work and how I might contribute in my Requiem."
"Moretti's following within the Ordo were almost entirely savages. I quietly observed the moments and interactions of Court as her spectacles became more and more habitual. I found that in tandem with her making a stance against someone or something, this group would start posturing for support from various leaders. It was honestly quite impressive with how effectively they worked in sync with each other, and there weren't many that willing to take a stand against the collective group for fear of the political consequences. The Invictus was neutral in the matters and the Crone quietly stood with her as the Hierophant was one of her deputies. The Carthians did not have a presence at the time. The Prince did not intervene as it involved other parties, until Lina started targeting Her Harpy." The Lord walked around the morgue, inspecting whatever rusted and corroded tools that might still be found as he continued, "After seeing the same movements from her crew at the sight of a new target for Lina's games, I was compelled to make a stand. I called out the hypocrisy of her actions, being a constant source of discord court after court when she could handle the matters between court officers in private."
"Needless to say, any chance of me joining vanished in that moment. It was a risk I was willing to take, since I had come to join scholars and free-thinkers. All that I had observed to that point was simply a hive mind."