The Dragon Monk follows Heinz's lead and sits in the back as well, keeping as much distance from him as the man is keeping with the Seneschal.
As Wooding conducts the ceremony, Teodor pays careful attention for any bits that he could gleam about what the pagans were drawing from inspirationally as well as for their brand of blood magic.
Occult 4suxx
ooc
The sudden burst of rain makese Teodor look up, a small frown of curiosity creases his brow.
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Before anything happens next, there is a looong pause. The Hierophant's gaze lingers over all present Kindred, then he closes his eyes.
We need a positive change! Goddess, when has Sacramento's Circle lived with small numbers long enough?
'In a few minutes the evening will become the night. In this subtle passing of minutes, every second, we make choices. Every choice is important, for us and for the Crone. She has given us power...' his voice trails off, Chris listens to the heavy rain. Then he steps behind the altar to pick up a small cage. Two large rats are in it. The altar doesn't show a lot of culture specific attributes, anything Teodor would recognize could be traced back to different religions. Most signs show common paganism, but it is almost as if the Temple doesn't show typical elements of any religion.
'We are given power, but we must decide what is right and wrong.' He takes a step towards the Kindred again, carrying the cage with the chain. 'A single decision can mean the difference between life and death.'
Chris puts the cage on the ground. The rats are frightened by the Beasts but not more tense than usual. That is, until Chris takes a couple of grapes from the altar and folds them between his hands above the cage. He closes his hands while pressing his hands together. "We Choose between Right and Wrong." A mix of grape juice and blood drips down and the rats suddenly start acting very strange, desperately looking for a way to escape first.
'A subtle change I make can result in Death. Be aware of this, be aware of everything you do and all you have done. Only then we are worthy of our Requiem. If you choose to do what you think is Right, then join hands. Those at the sides, lift your arms towards the Altar. We are the Circle of the Crone, but we wouldn't be a complete Circle without including the Crone.'
After saying that he turns his back to the others. He holds his arms up. This way three half circles would be formed in the Temple. Meanwhile... the rats have racked their teeth by gnawing on the cage. After a mintue they look at each other, almost bloodthirsty.
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"We chose between right and wrong."
Dr. Swift continues the call and response, though his voice is a touch quieter, and a touch more subdued. Do we? We chose, at least that is true. The Iamedai declared his a year of confusion. It seems he was right. What are you up to Chris?
Swift watches with both interest and trepidation as the Heirophant continues to demonstrate the blood rites of the Circle. In retrospect, the addition and dramatization should not surprise the doctor. Chris was always much less subdued than David. Still, he can't help but question the wisdom of such an open display. Certainly it will help drive home the point that the Circle possesses more knowledge than simple neo-paganism, but somehow the openness of the ceremony seems....dangerous.
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"We choose between right and wrong," James called back, simply going with it. The Taifa was curious what his coteriemate was building up to and looked forward to seeing its fruition.
Don't hesitate to carry on without me... James will just be calling back the lines from this point on.
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*Max listens intently as Chris goes through the rituals of the Crone, smiling a little as he recognizes some of the symbols used tonight. His interest is raised by the two rats, wondering where the Heirophant was going with the creatures in the cage.
The morality of his fellow Shadow's speech was certainly interesting. The Order seldom gave thought to whether what they were doing was right, only if it was necessary and productive. Max wondered what Chris would make of some of the things he had done in his decades-long Requiem. If anything, it would prove an interesting topic of discussion one night...
The ritual with the grapes brings Max back to the here and now, his attention focused on just that dark miracle the Heirophant would invoke next. The change in the rats behavior was both unexpected and intriguing. He wondered if Chris would let the two rodents fight to the death, or if there was yet more symbolism to be played out tonight...*
There was a fair bit of irony to Teodor's mind that pagan, possibly devil worshipping Crones acknowledged the importance of morality in executing change more than his own covenant. Of course more than a few Dragons felt the significance he put on ethical choices placed him outside the order. Such was the difficulty of being the voice of prudence and wisdom.
As the rats' behavior changed a feeling of conflict rose up in Dragon. The display of blood magic was facinationg to watch, the power it placed on its targets and the change it caused. On the other hand, a display of it in tribute to a heathen deity was revolting. In a labritory under careful observation and measurement, a far more wholesome and proper usage.
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I'm closing the scene. I have no concentration enough to write anything smart... and there's a bit a lack of active Acolytes at the moment anyway.
Sorry :(
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