(1011) Eternal Court VIII

[West]

As Jillian retreated, Asa looked at Martha and slowly turned to where Ciara had retreated, an idea forming.

He gestured to Ciara, beckoning her to return.

[Ciara Maskelyne]

*Ciara had kept a perhaps more then generous distance from the Prince, having seen such displays lead to violence in other Princedoms. She dips her head as he beckons, keeping her eyes lowered once she was back in conversational distance. She had a feeling this was business, not pleasure.* Yes your Majesty, how may I be of service?

[Martha Villiers]

Martha has been very quiet since the Prince took her by the arm and asked for her report on events. Nodding respectfully to Ciara, nervously Martha stole a quick glance at Ciara's shoes...but didn't say anything...simply watched The Prince and Ciara closely.

[West]

Asa regarded the two women for a moment.

Ciara, demure but spirited, who wanted to be the social conscience of the domain. Martha, eager and naive, but equally possessed of a sense of protocol and non-partisanship.

"Miss Maskelyne, would you object to relinquishing your duties as Keeper to Miss Villiers and becoming my Harpy? Likewise, Miss Villiers, would you have issue with Keeping Elysia rather than being Harpy?" Asa asked the two women

And maybe we can dispense with the Torpid mannequins as Court decorations.

[Martha Villiers]

Martha visibly perks up, wide eyed and excited! The role of Harpy, as defined by The Prince, was not one she now felt she could perform adequately. A view The Prince clearly shared...the last 10 minutes had taught her that hard lesson.

Swapping roles with Ciara seemed a fine solution...after all, Ciara probably knew everyone anyway...she would easily, in Martha's obvious and excited opinion, make a superior Harpy. Martha offered The Prince, if possible, a deep curtsy.

"Thank you, Your Majesty! Thank you! I should be most happy to accept, sire - if Miss Maskelyene is willing to conform to your intentions also, of course!" she enthuses, within sensible volume, all wide eyed...she knew she had failed the Prince's acid-test, but was wiser for it...she planned to make a suitable annotation in her notebook upon this...would learn by this and think about asking for near immediate advice from Ciara.

[Premsyl]

Arnold addresses Conner "I simply wanted to inform you that the results of the meeting between the Regent and I were satisfactory and to thank you for your involvement in the matter. I also wanted to assure you that I have not forgotten your interest in the Invictus and that I hope that we may be able to move forward on that sooner than later."

[Ciara Maskelyne]

*Ciara smiles slightly at the idea, bowing her head once more.* As you wish, your Majesty. I have no objections to the transfer of positions. *Her mind was already switching gears; from the running of Court to the upcoming social events of the city. Perhaps a little cultural exposure would do the Kindred of the city some good...

And of course, do those due a little social humiliation...*

[Victoria Stamford]

"Oh? Apparently I missed something interesting." Were they in private he may have subtly pointed out that she had personally been involved in a fair bit of the chaos that he had seen in Court during his time in Sacramento, though hardly in any accusatory faction, he simply found the statement slightly ironic coming from her. Though to do so at Court would not quite be proper.

Still, some people seemed to have forgotten those stirs already. To send a Kine to fetch the Harpy while she was speaking to the Seneschal seemed...rude, to say the very least.

"I suppose it is simply that even our kind get impatient from time to time. Then it is a fairly simple matter for emotions or haste to get in the way of better judgment." He pauses briefly, looking out over Court. "Are there any particular occurrences, tonight, that you were referring to?"

"Oh a few," Victoria said looking Erika and Culler. "That little bit with the Gangrel earlier I suppose, but honestly what can you expect from savages?"

Turning her attention back to Wilhelm she continued, "At least we should get some entertainment I suppose. Looks like things are wrapping up over there."

Victoria had noticed the fact that Culler and Conner seemed to be rather chummy, however, she chose not to acknowledge it at the moment.

[West]

Asa returned Ciara's smile, and his thoughts ran in a similar direction. Not, however, the same intent. He was curious to see if she would be able to resist the temptations of the position, and there was more than enough rope to hang herself. In her own way, she was just as polarizing as the previous Ventrue beauty who had held the title.

"I'll leave you ladies to discuss the juxtaposition, and then disseminate the news," he said with an easy smile. "I will let the Seneschal know immediately, though. Good evening, Keeper, Harpy."

Asa slipped away, moving towards Victoria and Wilhelm.

"Good evening, may I have a moment with the Seneschal, Priscus Von Schusten?" he asked.