<@Dreol> [London, February 15th, 1262, 9:00 PM] <@Dreol> [The whole court has gathered at the hidden building where Mithras held a meeting exactly one month ago, it is now that Mithras is supposed to hear arguments and make a decision about where the Masquerade will concentrate its resources, but there have been rumors of another announcement from the prince that will accompany that discussion tonight.] <@Dreol> [Mithras, himself, has not yet appeared in the building, but the clans have, as they usually do, segregated themselves to different sections of the long tables that fill the room. You have all just arrived.] <@Dreol> [Begin.] 06* Eliana looks around, taking quick stock of the representatives from various factions. Clearly, this is a clan meeting sort of deal, so she walks over to the Tremere table and finds herself an empty spot - or two, as she rather expects Ian to trail in at some point. 06* Ian rushes in ... notices the gathering.... and quickly composes himself 06* Ian looks around anxiously then spots Eliana 06* Eliana looks up at Ian, then tilts her head to the empty space next to her. 06* Ian strolls casually over to the empty seat 06* Moriel drifts vaguely in the direction of his clan. Since this is a somewhat more formalized meeting, he can't practice his preferred "fading into the background near a wall" routine. Instead, he takes up a chair on the edge of the Malkavian cluster. His favorite wall-hanging partner is elsewhere, anyway. Maybe Anstace will come sit with him. Or maybe she'll have to go be the Winter Rose somewhere. 06* Rolf tromps in to join his table of burly animalistic guys and dolls. Ah, his people. 06* Anstace arrived precisely on time, and rather than finding a seat based on clan affiliation, chose to hang about and simply watch. Eventually, she finds Moriel and makes her way over towards him. she makes eye contact with him. "do you mind if i sit here?" she asks flatly as she takes a seat next to him. 06* Moriel tilts his head towards the seat Anstace's already taking. The smile he gives her is faint, but his eyes are warm. "Not at all." <@Dreol> [There is much murmuring and discussing in the crowd and then Mithras finally appears from a door in the back of the room and walks to the center of the stage. "I understand that you have all met a few times to discuss possible routes for us to take as an alliance in the coming year, and I will gladly hear those arguments tonight, but before that, I have a few announcements to make." Everyone, <@Dreol> as always when Mithras speaks, gives him their full attention. Ah the power of Presence. Mithras continues. "There are a handful of you who have been surprisingly useful in recent years... We have come to depend on them, yet they work mostly in secret... Their names are Eliana Casale, Moriel MacRae, Anstace "The Winter Rose," Ysabaeu Bellamy, and Rolf..." He looks to each of you in turn and then says, "Join me on stage."] 06* Rolf rises to his feet slowly, and not just to keep from knocking anyone over as he advances over to the stage. He glances at Eliana in the 'you have any idea what's going on?' glance. <@Dreol> [Ysabeau also approaches the stage.] 06* Anstace blinks. "eight months is not a year. recent or no," she says, looking to Moriel. 06* Eliana frowns a touch before standing. She meets Rolf's gaze and gives him a slight shake of her head. 06* Moriel is fortunately prepared to hear himself being called out after hearing Eliana's name, so he rises without a shift in his expression of polite attentiveness. He pauses to back at Anstace as she speaks. "Nevertheless..." he murmurs, and walks calmly to the stage. He flicks swift glances in the others' directions to see their reactions, but then he gives his attention back to Mithras. He'll find out soon enough. 06* Eliana fixes her own eyes forward and walks to the stage with long strides, not giving Ian or the rest of her clan so much as a backwards glance. 06* Anstace watches Moriel rise and follows, her expression unchanged. she approaches the stage, her eyes locked on Mithras, remembering the last time she was put on display. <@Dreol> [Five servants appear from behind Mithras holding black cloaks with clasps that look like black roses. One stands behind each of you. If you are wearing a cloak, the servants politely whisper a request for you to remove it, as Mithras continues.] 06* Eliana turns to offer the servant a scowl back. A scowl, servant! Just for you! Eliana totally cares! 06* Eliana does, however, lower her hood to reveal a head full of long and slightly tangled stringy curls, then removes her cloak easily enough, letting it hang over one arm. <@Dreol> [Mithras raises his voice again "We need a group of kindred that are able to be a symbol of our unification to the enemy, and also willing to venture into unknown and dangerous situations, sometimes covertly, to accomplish our goals. None of the more well-known among us is able to accomplish this task, but these five have shown their aptitude in a very brief amount of time, they will be mostly <@Dreol> unknown, and therefore able to carry out the duties that we require of them. From this day forward, I hereby unite this group of kindred under the title 'The Order of the Black Rose.' As such, I grant them the status necessary to carry out the needs of their position." The servants will now proceed to place the cloaks over each of your shoulders and clasp them for you. There is much applause.] 06* Moriel maintains the same quietly polite expression through all of this. 06* Rolf looks suitably embarrassed as their cloak replaces his own, which he easily bundles under his arm before they put his on. 06* Eliana keeps scowling, though it's less severe now that she's not directing it at the servant. Her eyes scan the audience to focus on Gravina, Cyril, and even Ian. Did *you* know about any of this? she asks them mentally without any real ability to do so. 06* Ian claps politely 06* Anstace looks out at the crowd, or through it and into the space beyond, the frown she wears on the inside not evident on her stoic expression. <@Dreol> [Mithras waits a moment and then continues. "Additionally, there is a special announcement regarding one of this group. Rolf, who has led our soldiers into combat successfully against Carthage on numerous occasions shall now officially be granted the title 'Magnus Lupus.' Rolf Magnus Lupus will be showed deference from all but the highest status Kindred when on the battlefield, as he has proved himself worthy of such respect." There is more cheering.] 06* Eliana smirks at Rolf. The Great Wolf, huh. 06* Rolf blinks, then draws himself up to height. Well, it's not a bad name. 06* Moriel glances aside at Rolf. <@Dreol> [Mithras nods at the applause and it dies down. "Now we must continue on with the task at hand, but I urge you to remember that we now have a new asset to allocate with this team officially at our disposal." Mithras nods for you all to return to your seats before he continues.] 06* Moriel returns to his seat as quietly as he vacated it, folding his new cloak over his arm for now. 06* Eliana returns to her seat just as quickly as she left it, sinking in and pulling her new hood up. "That was unexpected," she murmurs to Ian. 06* Anstace squirms uncomfortably, but whether it is the dress she's wearing or the addition of yet more clothing, it is hard to tell. if only you could read her expression, but you can't because she doesn't have one. Yes.. completely unexpected <@Dreol> [Session End]