The Petition

[Cayce]

"As you say, Senor Cordoba. Simply let me know when you would wish to meet. I will be available at your convenience." The words fell with the rhythm of artificial servility, though there was no disrespect in her voice. No, rather there was a sign of respect, for she did not attempt to fool her Sponsor into believing she would be servile outside of what propriety demanded of her.

[Cayce]

"Thank you, Senor Cordoba," the Ventrue replied, rising as well to accept his dead grasp with her own.

"I believe that we shall make the read wheat bloom beneath the stars of Sacramento like the Domain has not seen in decades. Of course, one must first till the soil before one can expect a harvest. I have something in mind to begin this," she explained, releasing the Deava's hand.

"It will become public knowledge soon, but seeing as how my intentions affect you, I believe it is only fair that you be the first to know. I intend to challenge one of your Clan to Monomacy. The Carthian, Fernandez. Though he might be kin to you, he is enemy to us both, and more than that, he has grievously offended me as well as His Grace's Seneschal. I believe he has erred one time too many...would you disagree?"

[Cayce]

"Perfectly understandable, Senor Cordoba. And I thank you for not interfering. It would be your right of course, were you to deem it necessary, but alas, I'm pleased that is not the case. For he has cast derision upon my former covenant and my continual faith, and despite his feeble protestations that he does not know what he did and wishes to atone, he has nonetheless transgressed and has performed no action to actually rectify this.

"You see," she continued, once more sinking into her seat, "he took communion during Mass. This was a false proclamation of belief and thus a severe insult to the sanctity of not only that ritual, but the beliefs behind it. No doubt he only partook for political purposes, to foster a false sense of solidarity between his deluded covenant and the Sanctified, but in doing so he attempted to transform the Mass from an activity of worship to an activity of misguided, apostate politics. Furthermore, in public conversation he has compared my beliefs to the worship of a flying spaghetti monster. Obliquely, of course, but undeniable. And, were this not enough, he has also spoken with delight of his sins, smiling in my face all the while and without even a mention of confession. In short, he has publicly mocked the Second Estate and mocked my beliefs, and I wish to teach him, as well as the rest of the domain, the price such mocking will carry."

[Cayce]

"Thank you, Senor Cordoba. I shall leave it to the Almighty to decide, though I have begun preparations to...encourage a favorable outcome."

What those were, she would not say. Not because she feared he might say anything, merely because some things were best kept as surprises. Especially for the Damned. A surprise transformed a moment of Damnation into something spectacular, and they had few enough of those to accompany them into hell.

[Cayce]

"Nothing, Senor Cordoba. Thank you, once again, for sponsoring me. I shall await your summons," the Ventrue replied, bowing her head once more to her patron.