"Perhaps" Fleur comments, "But proper research begins with proper documentation, then we can look at this phenomenon objectively."
Solomon nods to Carmen, "I thank you for your trust in my abilities, but I'm not sure that giving me a new title really affects this current situation. I understand you reticence to consider these proposals based on what you've said. But I wonder if your distrust of these archmagi might be coloring your opinion. I have been concerned by our unique status for quite some time now, and while it has served us well to this point, I do worry that it will prove to be our downfall at some point in the future. Without a tribunal to take up our cause, we could be left out in the cold should a disagreement with another covenant ever occur. At least this proposal would provide us the opportunity to shape the tribunal into what we wish it to be, vice eventually getting pulled into a tribunal not of our choosing. I'm not saying we should jump headfirst into this, but I think it is at least worth considering."
Solomon, it is much more than title or rank. The pontifici form a cabal within the covenant. True ownership. There is a separate treasury and access to vaults and much more. See, the true charter grants wide authority and discretion of assets to the pontifici. I..., it sorta ...
Not sure how to phrase it without getting everyone angry at me. Becoming pontifex grants real powers that as Master you only imagined you had. The by-laws and resolutions, these are not the charter. It is more like a contract agreement made with the members, and only what is to be shared is revealed.
Antoine's eyes had glazed over rather with the political talk. He understands its importance, and he'd like to be interested; it's just that he knows there are wiser heads than his considering the matters, and he can't see that it would likely affect him much.
A canapé is very tempting, though. Antoine engineers it that he must pass Vulcanus on his way to choose a morsel of some kind. I say, these look rather good. Can I offer one to anybody while I'm here? Vulcanus, perhaps?
Roberto glares at Guiverna then gives Blond Robert and icy stare. [color=red]Really? You need a woman to protect you? Maga or mortal, I will not raise my hand in violence against a woman unless she offers immediate danger. So go ahead, hide behind a skirt.
Fleur looks back and forth from Robert to Roberto "Do the two of you just want to whip them out and I'll measure? Not where I expected to start with my data collection, but at least I'll enjoy it."
Rika stands next to Guiverna as this exchange takes place, and she might flinch as Vulcanus bellows. He had come over and is standing on the other side.
[color=brown]Women! Hie thy tongues
Robert Vasques of Flambeau, you anger me as well. Not because of your efemminate weakness. But because your insults against the Spaniard's lineage. I am also a Knight of Seneca. Our proud societas was founded by Delendos.
I say let them fight!
Robert and Roberto seem surpised by the outburst. The look at each other and shrug, as if to both say they are getting carries away. Roberto nods his head in Fleaur's direction, and Robert smiles.
[color=blue]You wish to measure me madame? I am all yours.
Black haired Carmen, Robert's daughter, whispers to Rika. This is simple paranoia. You have no duplicate and nore does your sodale. The only thing I have in common is a name and a House, shared by your pontifex. And I am not even of Bellaquin. Just here visiting my father. I don't see anyone that resembles Guiverna or Vulcanus. The rest is superficial coincidence.
Meanwhile, outside Carmen Perez (our Carmen) continues her plea.
Look guys, I am not trying to offer you anything or bribe you. Honestly, I am asking for help. I don't want to do this by myself. It is almost overwhelming me. I honestly need your help.
It goes further. I would like to raise our journeymen up to Master. We have a shortage of officers and there are important tasks being left unattended.
Fleur takes both men in hand, making sure that each is being measured at his best state, and takes the measurement of the two, which she scratches down on a wax tablet and proclaims a winner for the contest. She the stands to where she can whisper in their ears "[size=50]Now if you wish to have a contest of stamina next, I would be happy to judge that as well[/size]"
She is expecting, given the fact that most similarities are superficial that this detail is likely one where there will not be any more similarity than one might normally find between any two men... but at least the two are proving themselves willing to be compared, which is a place to start.
Bllond Robert lets you grab him, but Spanish Roberto will not participate.
[color=red]This is lewd and offensive. I am shocked by your behavior Fleur. And not for the first time.
And like a typical feminist, you presume all matters of honor somehow have something to do with genitals.
Roberto crosses himself, and you notice a rosary in his right hand.
"Well then, we shall have to arrange some other competition that you may compete one against the other without endangering the rest of us. A foot race perhaps?"
"Paranoia and too much to drink," Frederika whispered back - rubbing the ear that had weathered the full blast of Vulcanus' outburst. "But what do I know? I have only recently joined Andorra, and I couldn't imagine making an argument against my seniors." Her face said the opposite: that she would argue, loudly, if provoked. And possibly rant as well if they were out of earshot.
Habitually, she mimed her Equanimity Restoration silently, and took a thankful breath as the stress, and headiness of her wine faded. Then she shrugged: "Whatever the reason for tonight's 'surprise' announcement, with everyone like this, I think we'll sooner end in a fistfight than in joining hands..."
Guiverna smirks at Roberto's response, then rolls her eyes at Vulcanus's outburst. When he's done, she throws up her hands in a gesture of Fine, whatever, I tried before she steps out from the middle of what appears to be an imminent melee.
She does seem surprised when Fleur proposes her measuring contest, and even more so when Robert agrees to take part. She casually maneuvers to where she can see, in case Fleur needs a referee.
After Fleur proposes a foot race, Guiverna swings by the sideboard to pick up a couple of pastries and sidles over to Acutus's side, offering him one wordlessly.
[color=red]"Why aren't you in there beating your chest with the others?" she asks quietly as she watches the shenanigans. [color=red]"I'm sure you have at least as much to boast about as they do."
Robert didn't expose himself, he just lets Fleur give him a squeeze before Roberto objected.
Roberto squeezes his rosary, trying to rein in his machismo and temper. [color=red]I need air. Excuse me...[
Robert smiles. [color=blue]Well, much better now. Valgravian, tell the servant to hurry and bring the feast!
Then he leans over to Fleur and whispers [color=blue][size=40]And afterwards we can have a private contest of our own.[/size]
Fleur smiles at Robert. "I should tell you that such activities would be limited right now, as I am on my blood month. After the next full moon, however, my participation could be much more thorough. So tell me, where lies the interest in your magic? Your house has a reputation for fire, but I'm hoping you have a more... individualized focus."
Acutus takes the pastry from Guiverna and takes a bite before responding, "I find I prefer the company of a beautiful woman to to engaging in such nonsense."
Guiverna smiles. "Talk like that will take you far," she says as she takes his hand.
"So, what do you think of our proposition?"
and
"Do you like it at Andorra? What's it like?"
Roberto comes outside where the masters are hoding their meeting. You see him breath a visibe sigh of reief as he exits the buiding.
[color=red]Hey, there's something, something wrong with the air in there. I can't identify it, but emotions are running high and now that I am outside I can feel the difference.
For those stil inside, I need to know your Magic Resistance versus Mentam, and if anyone has second sight or something similar, I need an ability check.
My MR is 10 against Mentem effects, unless they're Infernal in nature (5 against that). Per my last post, Frederika is using the Mentem spell Equanimity Restoration on herself to remain calm and level-headed! I didn't roll because it was an auto-pass even casting it without voice, but in case it matters:
8 on the d10 (Invisible Castle is down...) + CT 13 - 5 for casting without voice (Quiet Casting mastery) = 16 vs the spell's level of 3.
I don't think Guiverna has any Mentem to speak of (still working on the sheet), but her Parma is 1, so let's call her MR 5.