Of course, I have often and the emphasis on these words is unmistakable, made due and done without an Aegis. She takes a deep breath and enters the house. Ophelia will see to it that the men are well settled and then find a room for herself.
Ophelia has time to settle in. The Redcaps go in and out once the flag is put up ( meaning they are open for business). Time is spent making sure the food stocks are in place and dividing up the tasks between the Redcaps and Ophelia's Immortals ( cleaning, cooking, watching).
After several hours of this, Honorius comes by with another Tremere who he introduces as Angiola. They invite Ophelia for a walk along the Promenade.
Ophelia nods in response to the invite, saying "I think I can take time away, now that we're settled."
As they walk, "What can I do for you? Apologies for my broken Latin." She adds without an apparent self-consciousness.
Angiola smiles. She appears to be in her late 30's with blue-grey eyes, an oval face and long blonde hair in a braid. Her robe is a charcoal grey which Ophelia is learning means older magi in the House.
Pleasant company for a walk in the sun. See the wares. Meet new people. Learn new things.
Your group ( Ophelia may invite any of her men if she wishes) walk along the cobble stoned road. Pausing at various places and looking at what is offered. Very much like any Tribunal that Ophelia has ever attended. The talk is mostly idle chatter about the wares Ophelia's travel to the Tribunal. Ophelia notices that Honorius defers to Angiola although her tone suggests everyone is equal.
After a long walk the group comes to an open air tavern where groups and individuals sit and drink. There is an open area next to the tables that has 3 circles made of the smooth cobble stones on the ground. Two of the circles are occupied by magi obviously have ceratmen contests. They both seem to be lighthearted as when a victor emerges from one his opponent helps him stand and give him a hug which is returned. Both are smiling.
Angiola steers the group to an empty table within sight of the Ceratmen rings and orders some beer. Once everyone has settled in she turns to Opheila. What do you think of Laterala?
((Wow, what a weak, started out with two days of no school and Friday we ended up not having school due to the water problem. We did a quick trip to Columbus over the weekend, so I'm not too stinky...))
"Motivated and direct. I like her." A folk ken check of 11 to see if Ophelia can see what they might be fishing for.
Direct. Angiola has a tight smile. That would describe her well. Others have described her as scary but I think that comes from those who know her better. Have you had any other Lictors or Quaesitors visit?
((From Folk Ken - she is holding something back. ))
"Sometimes dangerous people are scary, and sometimes they are not." Ophelia shrugs. "No visits, to my knowledge." ((I'm unsure whether Ophelia knows that Diotima traveled with a Quaesitor for a bit, I don't recall or see anything mentioned about that in the first council thread.))
Ophelia sees one of her Immortals ( you can decide which ) scanning the crowd of the tavern and when he sees her he begins to head to the table. He has a crimson red cloth pinned near his right shoulder.
Angiola perks up. Ophelia can tell she is more interested now. Do you think she is dangerous?
"Aren't all Tremere?" Ophelia ponders her next words, "There are no dangerous weapons, only dangerous people. Almost all magi are dangerous, perhaps it is their political connections that make them dangerous. Perhaps it is their raw magical talent that makes them dangerous. Perhaps it is the eldritch knowledge they posses, or even the mundane knowledge. Perhaps it is their determination. Or take a combination of any and all of what I have just said. But when I was told that she chose to invite me to Héviz, well, I knew she was dangerous." She stares directly at Angiola, as if challenging her to answer the unspoken question, Are you dangerous?
When Pyrrhus makes it to the table, she'll inquire about the crimson cloth and introduce him to Angiola as her squad captain.
((I did not see Latin for Pyrrhus so I must assume this conversation is in Greek.))
Pyrrhus nods to Honorus and Angiola then turns to Ophelia and hands her a crimson sash and a badge. A Redcap dropped these off after you had left. I understand that they are your decoration as a Lictor for the Tribunal. The men and I were given these so other would know we are associated with a Lictor.
Angiola smirks. She seems more relaxed after your answer. Tremere tend to be dangerous only in their specialty or in a war. So you are assuming she is dangerous because she invited you or is there another reason?
"I'm not assuming. I know." She smiles enigmatically. "I just don't know the extent, yet."
Angiola nods with some satisfaction and has a good gulp of beer. In a tone that is casual, What is your opinion of House Guernicus. Angiola's eyes are not matching the tone of her voice.
Ophelia looks about to see who might overhear, "I try not to stereotype, but there was some off behavior in the last Theban Tribunal. I am unsure why a Frosty Breath of the Spoken Lie demonstrated I was laying when I killed an observed Hermetic diabolist. Was the presiding Quaesitor complicit in a conspiracy? Unknown. The prosecuting Quaesitor's motivations are unclear, but a fake Frosty Breath of the Spoken Lie suggest he was involved with the diabolist."
((If you would like I can up with some names for these unnamed magi. Since we're 30 years in the future, canonical names aren't necessary the most reliable, and I wanted to give you the opportunity to create the enemies.))
Although some mix Guernicus and Quaestitor as one when I say Guernicus I do mean Guernicus. Was the Quaesitor in your story from House Guernicus or was he from another House?
Ophelia offers a wan smile, "Of course, but not all Guernicus are Quaesitored, either. But to answer your question, yes, both the Presiding and Prosecuting Quaesitores were from House Guernicus."
We have seen more of that after Bilera' death. Honorius comments.
Yes. The Inner Council is making more mistakes because they think they can see the finish. Angiola replies but still looking at Ophelia.
So, Angiola says to Ophelia. you have seen that at least two members of House Guernicus are willing to frame a magus in an attempt to protect a diabolist. Or at least to ruin someone who found the diabolist out. What would you think if i suggested that it goes beyond two senior members in a Tribunal?
"And, I've seen good magi and magae step up and defend me. Two does a conspiracy make, but it does not, to me, suggest that the entire House is engaged in some clandestine operation. It would seem that you have information to the contrary, though. So, tell me, do I have more to be concerned about with retribution from members of the House? Does my pater?"
Angiola pauses to take a drink of beer and collect her thoughts. I do not think you need to be concerned with retribution against your House per se. Your pater is aware of the overall situation. You are another matter. I think had you not accepted Laterala's invitation, you would have found yourself harassed by...er...legal means. To the point where no one would take you in to a Covenant. You will find, when you travel outside this Tribunal, that your reputation is less that good.
"Being in a covenant had never been a goal of mine. In the Theban Tribunal it wasn't necessary, and I was making a good enough living hunting monsters with my men. But those contracts dried up, and so I knew that my reputation was being maligned. Even finding a specialist for my longevity ritual took a lot of work, and necessitated a visit so far as Iberia to Ra'am, who is himself isolated, from what I gathered."
Yes. Ra'am is a good friend of ours. We can introduce you to others that are on our side. Angiola says.
Honorius looks to both Ophelia and Angiola. I find it very odd that Konstantinos and Chrysa (( the Guernici in question)) would go to such a length over a dead diablolist. Was something suggested in the trial that would want them to cover up. Perhaps Whispers through the Black Gate?