(2408)The Prince and Verity

[Alessandra]

Verity and the Prince will continue here so the whole thing can move smoothly and get handled within the time frame

Verity Carmen Alessandra

[Verity Carmen]

The booming voice cuts through the cut and thrust of the manoeuvring kindred and inspite of herself, and all she had planned for of course it makes the Daeva wince in fear, who would not when something so deadly had its displeasure aimed at them.

Priscus Jacque will not get his explanation.

Nor will Priscus Baker, the kindred she had stood up for to start all of this.

Vincenzo's childish whining does not get the boon or apology he demands out of nowhere.

Because when the prince says now it means now. And Verity sticks to her guns of total and exact obedience, it was one of only two options that a show like this allowed for. This was expected, why else make it at formal court unless a show was going to be made. It does not make the approach any easier, or feel any safer. But approach she does as demanded of her, as steady as she can until she stands before and notably beneath the great predator bowing low at the waist for the time as would be expected to convey respect.

The prince had a certain in skill in making very hard to know if a question should be answered or if it was rhetorical by how obvious the answer would be to all present. Still better safe then sorry and she had been asked a question. "I understand your grace. Of course not, I have no such want or intention." For more reasons then just even the gall of the Daeva would not stretch that far. Something valuable in the Prince's chastisement stood out but it was not the time or place to dwell on that.

The when, the where, the who the what. She had adhered exactly to what the prince had commanded of her. What choice did I have better to be pulled apart for this, then to have deviated and risk being punished for disobedience. Because at the end of the night all options boil down to those two approaches. Total obedience or risk disobedience. And that is how she endures the slights, this is what she had expected and prepared for, what came after she did what was commanded would however be entirely unpredictable.

When told to turn she does so without hesitation, facing the court, aware of the mighty Beast standing above her, in a way more so of the hellhound the hot breathe against her skin an all to physical reminder of how this could end, the anger in each a almost a tangible sensation, every breathe speaking to its proximity. In many ways not being able to see, only sense the possibility of a violent impending death made tings just that much harder. Something things no matter how well you predict you just can't prepare for the reality of. But to falter or attempt to flee now surely meant certain and final death, the only way was forward despite of the deep desire of her own beast to tear from the room howling, with an effort she pushes that feeling into the back of her mind and embraces the only path she has from this point forward tonight, the spotlight, come what may.

She addresses the room. "On the first of the night of the month of July, and in front of the kindred present in the court that night, I failed to heed the wise warning of prince Antinori to mind my tongue and through careless words and thinking I knew better then the respective wisdom of the clans cast collective and unfair judgements on the Priscii of Sacramento, in doing so implying them to be negligent and inept in their duties." Scholars might pick apart the formatting sure, but she was not holding back. Now addressing specific kindred within the room. "To Priscus Verity Carmen of clan Daeva." It had been commanded but she could offer no bow of the head to herself. "To Priscus Albert Baker of clan Mekhet." The kindred is given a bow of the head that would show proper respect for his station. "To Priscus Jacque of clan Venture. " A notably deeper bow of the head as one of his station in society would expect. "To Seneschal Jennifer Hazelton Priscus of clan Nosferatu." A bow of her head slightly deeper then one for Jacque as the haunt did hold domain office. "And to Prince Antinori Priscus of clan Gangrel." Turning to give a bow at the waist to the prince but not daring to look, maintaining the image the prince cast of threatening superiority, before turning back around to rise. "Before the entire court, I Priscus Verity Carmen of clan Daeva unreservedly apologise for the disrespect I have shown, the judgements I have made, the slander I have given and offensive I have caused." Making sure to not to phrase any of it as a question or possibility. "I understand each Priscus is the leader of their respective clan, and it is for their clans alone to judge their worth and effective in their roles and performance of their duties. Not for me to do so." It had been a debate, promising not to do so again sounded good but would only matter if given time to be shown and opened her up to being tripped by others, so she had gone with showing the lesson learnt instead.

Now it was just a matter of waiting for the shoe to drop.

[Alessandra]

The Savages face remains neutral as Verity speaks.

Cain doesn’t move, he has no reason to move, he wasn’t given an order to move. He remains where he is, at attention, waiting for a word, an order, muscles tense, knowing his Master is not happy.

But Ale lets Verity say what she is ordered to say. Listening to each word, wanting to hear that the Daeva knew what she was apologizing for, if she didn’t, then this was a waste of the Princes time. And she didn’t like having her time wasted. The words sounded genuine, but any Kindred worth their years knows Kindred words are often hollow and without meaning, it was to be expected.

Verity had done as Ale had ordered.

“Priscus Carmen, thank you for taking ownership of your words and the judgements you mistakenly cast upon others. It shows growth when you are able to do that, and I commend you.” Ale’s words were genuine. Should Verity prove her words to be false in the future, Ale will deal with it then. For now, she was content with the apology. Was it a compliment? Well, it was as close as one could get to one from the Italian.

“Remember your words and the weight they carry, I do not wish to speak with you on such matters again, I will not be so forgiving.” A warning, yes. But this was the Davea’s chance to redeem herself. Would she? Time would tell.

“Now, you should speak with the Seneschal about your disrespect towards her and smooth that away. As well wipe that grin off your Cousins face before I decide to do it myself.” Her eyes don’t leave Verity’s, “Please enjoy the rest of your evening Priscus Carmen.” The Prince seemed content to remain where she was standing. Cain, well, he is just there, he doesn’t move. Ale’s dark eyes return to the room at large, making eye contact with Jennifer Hazelton and Jacque .

[Verity Carmen]

To most it would seem the situation unfolds in a perfectly natural series of events. The moments are small, tiny ticks of the clock, singular grains of sands against the eternity given unto them. Yet when uncertainty looms and things hang in the balance even these normally briefest moments of fleeting time can stretch, not counted by her heartbeat she is not blushed tonight, just left to hover in the void of not knowing, for the tiniest of stretched moments.

And when the shoe falls it is entirely unexpected, not something she had even considered to contemplate as an outcome. Shock registers. Commend. Words that sound all to close to praise even. She turns bowing low at the waist once more. "Thank you your grace. I shall remember." The briefest moment to wonder if Juliette had really comprehended what Verity had tried to warn her about when she told her cousin of the impending punishment, being tied to her Priscus tonight was inescapable. "The matters will be handled immediately." Only now standing The prince's eyes not leaving her own misty green's. "Thank you, your grace, I shall. A very pleasant rest of the evening to you." With one final bow, held respectfully long she will heed the dismissal.

The Daeva will leave the presence of the prince to handle the remaining matters of the evening.

Continued in (2408)Formal Court...