Invictus Meeting

[Twist]

Twist wandered around the conference room of the Lily, absently straightening already straight chairs, her mind on the upcoming meeting. While she had every faith in herself, she also knew well that this sort of social game was not her strong suit.

She took a deep, but unneeded breath, and came to stand at the chair she would sit at. A thin portfolio rested on the table infront of her and as she reached out to touch it a small smile turned up the corners of her mouth.

What was she worried about? She was here, she had a plan, and she had Regina and Arnold at her back.

Letting the smile stay she waited for the rest of the covenant to join her.

Twist's Outfit

[Regina Pia]

Regina arrived early. Normally she would arrive late, as befitting an invictus elder, but Twist had called this meeting, and to not show up would be rude.

She brought a small gift. A trifle really, it had only taken a few hours in the night to paint it. But it was the thought that counted. It was wrapped in brown paper and tied with cotton string.

Nami held the door for her mistress, who entered in full regal splendor.

"Viscountess Twist." She bowed, "Un piacere vederla agian. Confido che le cose vanno bene per voi? Questo è per voi." She extends the gift to the head of the covenant.

translator

A pleasure to see you agian. I trust things are going well for you? This is for you

[Premsyl]

Arnold Culler arrives shortly after Regina. He wore the Brooks Bros suit that Michael had purchased for him before the last Court. Approaching Regina and Twist he nods to one and bows to the other.

"Lady Councilor Pia. Lady Judex Twist. I hope this evening finds you both well."

[Yawgmoth]

Just as Lord Culler was entering, so too did Mister Lazarus. The Warden did not forget to use the back entrance to the Lily as to not disturb any kine who could have observed his arrival. Dressed in his all too familiar attire of a wrinkled unwashed labcoat and office clothes, the Haunt nodded to the others as he took a seat.

"Lady Judex Twist. Lord Councilor Culler. Lady Councilor Pia." The Doctor's hoarse voice seemed to be making an attempt at being social, something he was not accustomed to. "It is a pleasure to be here this evening."

Ith Lazarus did not enjoy change and tonight the First Estate would be meeting without the former Judex, Asa Clarke. It would be interesting to observe how the Covenant's new leadership would conduct themselves.

[Konstantin Malevich]

Konstantin arrives in short order, wearing a nice-looking, new jacket atop hiking boots, black jeans and black button-down shirt.

He nods, greeting those already there. "Lady Judex Twist, Lord Councilor Culler, Lady Councilor Pia, Warden Lazarus. Good evening to you all."

[Victoria Stamford]

Victoria arrived about the same time as the others. Taking deep breaths to steady herself she just hoped that she would not screw up here too and make herself look even worse. If she could just get through tonight quickly and without making a scene further damaging herself then it would be a great success.

One thing that Victoria noticed was that Lady Pia had brought what she suspected to be a ghoul to the meeting. However, Victoria left her Servant sitting down in some seating outside the room to wait for her to finish. There he was close enough to provide mental support. He wore his usual charcoal gray 3 piece suit and blank, unresponsive expression.

She listened to the others greet those present of importance and grimaced when the majority of the people referred to Twist as a mere Lady. Against her better judgement Victoria spoke up loud enough for those in attendance to hear, yet in a respectful tone like she was making an observation to herself, "She is still a Viscount so why do they demean the woman with the use of Lady?"

She approached Twist, Regina, and Arnold stately then bowed to Twist,"Good Judex Twist, It is good to see you again. You look beautiful as always." She turned and spoke to the other two in turn bowing her head slightly to each, "Lady Councilor Pia, Lord Councilor Culler It is a pleasure."

Victoria in her Dress

Worn on Victoria's neck

[Twist]

Twist moved to greet Regina with a smile as she entered.

"Lady Councilor Pia, Il piacere è tutta la miniera. Le cose effettivamente stanno andando bene con me. Con voi pure spero?"

translation

The pleasure is all mine. Things are indeed going well with me. With you as well I hope?

She returned the woman's bow with a dip of her head and accepted the gift she held out. "Grazie. Honored."

translation

Thank you. I am honored.

Behind Regina came Arnold, Dr. Lazarus and Konstantin. Turning to each man in turn Twist made the appropriate greetings.

"Good evening Lord Councilor Arnold. The evening suits me. And yourself? Warden Lazarus, the pleasure is mine. "

A third female's voice spoke and Twist looked past the men to see Victoria Stamford. She watched as Victoria approached, giving the woman a once over, her dark eyes lingering on the woman's necklace. A smile that spoke of secrets curved up at her lips, her eyes shadowed.

"Madam Victoria Stamford." The briefest dip of Twist's head, "Thank you. You look stunning as usual. Your necklace is most suiting." Twist's voice seemed to sink a hair lower, but maybe it was just a change in the accoustics of the room with the rising number of Kindred.

[Regina Pia]

Regina nods to each man in turn, as well as to priscus, as befitting their station.

"Lord Councilor Culler." "Mister Warden Lazarus." "Mister Soldier Konstantine." "Madam Priscus Stamford."
She looks about, a slight trace of confusion on her face. Where were the underlings, the weak ones, the new invictus? They should have been here by now. Hell, they should have been here early. It did not do well for us to wait on them.

[Twist]

Glancing around the room, Twist did a quick tally of those present. She didn't much care for what she totaled to. All of the older members where present, which was good...what wasn't good was that no one else was. She knew she was breaking protocol by being at the meeting first while she was Judex, but as she called the meeting it was fitting in her mind. But that all the other older members had shown up prior to the newer...that was not good.

But then again, mayhap that was why they were still where they were.

Smoothly she moved through those Kindred in the room to the door where she softly, but firmly closed the door. Her heels made small clicks as she walked across the room to once again stand at her seat.

"Shall we begin?" She intoned, her voice carrying clearly. And showing that it wasn't quite a question, she smiled and sat at the head of the teak conference table. Her form settling into the Herman Miller Aeron chair.

[Yawgmoth]

All of the foreign language being spoken in the room was not something the Warden enjoyed; the thought of people speaking without him comprehending was unsettling. Nonetheless, the conversation seemed to be nothing more than friendly social banter based on the tone so Ith did not let it get to him.

Lazarus was among the others in noticing the small turnout of First Estate members for the meeting. From his seat at the table he looked at the others present at the meeting and the number did not impress him. Perhaps Clarke took more in his departure than we previous thought...

Mister Lazarus nodded to the Viscount's suggestion to begin. "Indeed."