2 Daeva. 2 Invictus. 3 Kindred.

[Twist]

The small back room was simply decorated for the evening's meeting. A small assortment of seats scattered about, the pattern facilitated for casual conversation. Small lamps created a soft but well lit air. The rug covering nearly the entire floor muting but not entirely muffling the sounds of a theater's backstage.

Twist had every faith that Kalos had taken care of everything, but she couldn't help herself as she wandered through the room to see for herself.

Her curiosity was a thread that undercut ever step.

Of all the things that she had expected Edward to do, requesting a meeting with herself and Jennifer in regards to swearing a separate oath was not one of them. She was curious as to what Jennifer would say about it. Curious to what Edward got out of the arrangement. Oh, the illusion of safety, to be sure. But that was all it would be. She was still his Priscus after all.

And still the Hound.

Well, she would soon find out. Kalos was waiting in the lobby even now to escort the two down upon their arrival. And so she smoothed the wrinkles from her clothes and waited.

Seryna Jennifer Hazelton Edward Heinrich White

[Jennifer Hazelton]

Jennifer arrived wearing a simple black A - line dress and a champagne colored silk scary pinned over her latex covering over her neck. She brought her case, what she associated with the tools of her job.

She greeted Kalos with a nod, respecting that he was an associate of the Archon. She follows him to the meeting area quietly. At seeing Twist, her resting bitch face brightened somewhat. She bends into a respectful cutsey, holding it for several beats of a mortal's heart.

"Your Grace." She greeted upon rising. "Thank you for reaching out regarding this meeting. I am a bit... surprised." She emphasizes that word.

[Edward Heinrich]

The first person Edward saw was Kalos. He nodded to the Ghoul and allowed himself to be escorted.

And there was Twist. Edward wasn't sure when he sent the letter if she would attend, her presence brought mixed feelings. It was a layered matter, however much Edward wanted this to be a pure covenant affair, life wasn't so clean. His issue with the sections pertaining specifically to the Prince hinted this may be a Domain matter. And, of course, there was the issue of blood.

"Duchess Judex." Edward bowed deep.

Naturally, he was also aware of Jennifer, but it was a bit like being aware of a planet's gravity while being pulled into a black hole.

"Lady Notary." A small bow.

He would have remained silent, but recalling all the times Twist indicated annoyance at his passivity, Edward pressed on: "upon your pleasure, we shall discuss the wording and then I will sign. I don't wish to impose on either of your valuable time more than necessary."

[Twist]

Twist smiled in greeting as Jennifer arrived, and then chuckled at her statement.

"As am I. I very much look forward to hearing what Mr. Heinrich brings." And as though the utterance of his name brought him forth, he was there, bows offered in appropriate order and depth.

"Mr. Heinrich," she said returning the greeting. As he started right away in on the purpose of the meeting, she moved to indicate that all three of them were welcome to take a seat. She herself took one, settling in to listen.

[Jennifer Hazelton]

The Nosferatu nodded to the Daeva's words. "I am a bit curious as to his intentions."
She gives Mr. Heinrich a minute nod, to the letter of his standing in the Domain. He no longer enjoyed additiona respect as a member of the First Estate.
Jennifer settled into her seat and studied Mr. Heinrich for a beat. Two beats. He seemed to be genuine on the desire for the Oath. Yet she remained uncertain on if he would follow through.
"Let us discuss the wording. I am curious - what is the intention behind the Oath? Have you seen this Oaths sworn, to have a solid grasp on the theme?"

[Edward Heinrich]

Jennifer stared at Edward, so he met her stare, waiting. Twist, as was her right usual strategy, waited and listened.
My intentions? It was strange, just last year Edward would have recoiled at the idea of discussing his intentions. Maybe if he had gotten over his aversion sooner none of this would have ever happened.

Or maybe it would have only hastened the fall.

"It would be my pleasure to elucidate, Lady Notary." The past and its changes aside, Edward was not recoiling today.

"The members of the First Estate will naturally have a low opinion of my character. I am not here to combat that impression. What I am here to combat is any impression of planned or actual subversion. I may be a fool, but I am no traitor."

"Should memory serve as a guide, when you educated me and Ms. Black, you spoke of Oaths that could prevent certain actions. I beg forgiveness for my ignorance, it is entirely possible I have in mind an oath which cannot be sworn."

"Regardless, that is the kind of oath I have intent to sign. I wish to swear to keep the secrets of Sacramento's First Estate and to not use any fact or plan I have garnered through the various gatherings I have been in attendance for to bring harm to any of Sacramento's Kindred of Quality."

"I recognize the, perhaps excessive, specificity. However, while I may be weak, I have no desire to exacerbate circumstance by leaving myself wholely defenceless should I enter into an altercation with a Kindred of Quality. It is my sincere hope you understand."

[Twist]

Naturally have a low opinion of him?

Twist kept her face smooth as Edward spoke, but the words were surprising. Oh, she would not go so far as to say any one had a high opinion of the man. But she wasn't entirely certain low would have been correct either.

Although... with the First Estate and a noted member of the domain, perhaps they were one and the same.

Glancing to Jennifer, she waited to see what the Notary would say. This was her area of expertise after all. Was there an oath that could be sworn to such an effect?

[Jennifer Hazelton]

"I am glad that some of my teaching has been retained. You speak of Oaths of Avoidance." Jennifer replies to Edward in her serpentine Voice, regarding him closely.
The Notary listens for any sign of displeasure from the Duchess as she continues.


"I would not wish you to leave yourself defenseless should you come into an altercation with a Kindred of Qaulity. Are you in any conflict with a Kindred of Qaulity presently? My role in the First Estate is based on honesty. If I am presumed to twist the truth, I can lose my position as Notary. So as I speak to you, I assure you that these words are as honest as words from a Kindred can be. "
It was a bit of a twist of the blade for Jennifer to detail this. As a member of the First Estate, she presumed Mr. Heinrich would already know this.

"You state '. I wish to swear to keep the secrets of Sacramento's First Estate and to not use any fact or plan I have garnered through the various gatherings I have been in attendance for to bring harm to any of Sacramento's Kindred of Quality."
I presume you mean that you shall not share information with other Covenants, or other Unaligned Kindred of the Domain. Are you currently considering joining another Covenant? I do need to drive home the point that sharing any information on the Blood Oaths would be diasterous. They are the skeleton of the First Estate. Ironically, the type of Oath this would be would be the exact same Oath as during the Oath Swearing Ceremony. A Blood Tell Oath. Upon activation, we would be made aware of the Oath being broken instantaneously."


Dark brown eyes study Edward's face.
"Do you wish to continue? "

[Edward Heinrich]

Edward's only outward reaction to Jennifer's words was to nod as she mentioned 'Oaths of Avoidance.' None of her subtle disrespect bothered him: he was no longer a member of the First Estate, and therefore not entitled to more respect. At least to his thinking.
"I am not, Lady Notary."

"I have neither interest in nor plan to join another Covenant, Lady Notary."

"I wish to continue."

[Twist]

No existing conflict. No intentions to join another covenant.

A small feeling that she was missing something tickled at her, but she didn't have anything else to go on aside from that.

Twist glanced to Jennifer, "If you need anything for the swearing, please let me know and I will have it brought."

After participating in the ceremony, she had a better idea of what all was required and it had been a simple matter to procure the items to have on hand.