Avalonian Diplomats ((Attn: Mages))

Alright. It was apparent that Ekko was not capable of taking over, and Animus wasn't stepping up. She trusted Joshua, but he obviously wasn't taking over either.

That left herself.

Armstrong leaned forward, taking command of the wizards. "I can honestly say that if we were not willing to see this through, we would not be here as Representatives of our Orders." She takes her sandwich baggie with the shaving back and places it in her inner pocket. She still does not trust the Guardian, so while she was still touching it, she sent it to her Pocket Realm for safe keeping.

Spoiler:

Twist stood by her vehicle staring into it, debating over whether or not she should re-arm herself with her knives. It was generally rude to go armed in the Prince's presence- but Asa hadn't forbidden it to her yet. Also Rahyna hinted that Elle's Hound position was slightly unstable, and Twist wouldn't deny that that was one position she had always wanted. And acting like a hound was a good way to start becoming a hound.

Once her decision was made it was a quick process to slip her knives into their respective homes. A Daeva tug to her skirt and she was ready.

She made her way smoothly into the club and before she could even begin to look for someone, Olivette was at her elbow. They exchanged pleasantries briefly and then Twist followed her to the DJ's booth. A quick nock, a muttered exchange and Twist was standing inside the booth.

Twist had held a position over Asa. She had talked and laughed with him. Agreed with him on some issues and not on others. She had fought next to him. But he was now Prince and she was simply the Daeva Whip.

As soon as the DJ booth's door slid shut, Twist dropped into deep curtsey and waited.

That puts a name to one of the images, at least. "While investigating the hostel, I caught ... glimpses of some of the attack sites. I couldn't make out much detail, but they were a night club, the city docks, and a utilities facility. Were all of these attacks that you were aware of?"

Fluidly, Twist straightened and stepped closer to the glass that Asa indicated, her eyes taking in the table and it's six occupants. She gave a small dip of her head, confirming that she knew how to handle knives. She knew Erika had taken the Harpy position and was silently relieved to see that Ishani was still Sheriff. At least there was some consistancy still within the city.

She bite back her questions about who the 4 where that they were protecting Erika from, but the both her curiosity and her fighter instincts struggled against it. Instead she answered his question. Her tone was steady and even as though she were simply reading off facts. Pleasantly neutral.

"She told me of Freddrick's fall to a kindred named Eric Bethem. An elder of considerable power apparantly. As well as the death of other city notables. Shadow's ascension and subsequent relinquishment of power to yourself. She informed me of the new harpy and primogen council and the current power structure of the Daeva clan."

She paused, and a hint of acid entered her voice as she continued. "In addition to her holding the Daeva Priscus seat she has also obtained the Seneschal seat." She paused again to get her composure back. It is not a good idea to loose control in front of the Prince- especially since Asa had apparantly grown in power. Even now her beast was quietly urging her to step back from his figure. "She told me of what has been done so far regarding the Eric Bethem and I believe that was all of note."

Twist's eyes widened and she risked a brief glance at Asa's profile. He didn't look like a man pulling a prank on her. And while humor was in Asa's style, this would be closer to punishment that amusment.

Turning her attention back to the table she gathered her scattered thoughts, focusing on his last question.

"Obviously that high caution be used. He sounds like a very powerful Elder who enjoys throwing destructive tantrums. His strength is obviously great and we may need to use stealthier methods to deal with him. I would need more specifics on the attacks though to truly give you any valuable advice."

Savage's Claws, disapearing- there was a good chance that despite Bella's best attempts they would never find a haven for him. He sounded like an angry Elder Gangrel and the chances were high that he had the ability to melt into the earth, making discovery near impossible. Of course if that was the case and they did find out where he was- it also made dealing with him much easier. A large if though and not one to at all be counted on.

Twist's wounded pride was soothed at the though of three of the city's prominent member's speaking as Asa indicated, or feeling in Freddrick's case, and a small smile tweaking at her mouth.

"You can use me where you see fit. I do enjoy having a knife in hand and have the skills to handle it well. And while I lack many of the purely investigative skills of someone such as Ishani, I have often used my entertainment skills to my advantage and gone undercover. You know that my loyalty is to the city so I can play a double agent without you needing to worry of that."

She paused, "And now would be a good time to do that. Rahyna mentioned that the city was full of new kindred. They will not know me or my former status here. I had considered attempting to use such a method in catching the Gardeners but in the end it was unnecessary."

Despite Asa's smile, Twist winced. He was right- she was avoiding giving Rahyna her title because it prickled at her still. Maybe she could just avoid mentioning her altogether...

Her head dropped in a nodd, *Of course he already has a second for Elle. Foolish me. Ah well, I have been turned down before and as before I can bid my time.*

His change in topics made her pause briefly, but she was starting to realize that he did that often.

"I have considered joining before but none has ever truly called me. And I never had a need to join- with Freddrick being unaligned was acceptable and already had the Daeva Priscus position, I needed nothing more then."

Twist threw a sidelong glance at Asa, *What are you getting at Asa? The Invictus for me?*

She mulled over the idea as she watched the discussion, still unsure as to why Ishani may need help in defending Erika. At least it gave her a chance o think though.

The Invictus was a strong covenenant in Sacramento, or had been. They truly had been hit hard by the Elder's destruction to leave only Ishani, Asa and two new city members. And both Ishani and Asa were new to the covenant if memory served. That made it a risk to join- a slight shove and they could go under. Asa was correct in saying that covenants outlasted Princes, but a covenant's force in a city could also fall to the whim of one as well. But Asa was Prince and that should give it enough support to withstand the tide.

And she did need to join one. Being unaligned had worked before but between Freddrick's fall and her recent trip home to Italy, she could see the wisdom in joining.

And why not the Invictus? They were one of the harder covenants to gain rank through granted- but that was commonly due to Elder presence. Even if the two other Invictus were such, there was plenty of room for herself to make a niche. Especially since so many had been recently vacated. Besides, none of the other covenents held any lure to her. The Circle probably came the closest but if she had ever had true faith in a god, she had long since forgotten it. Sanctum, Dracul and Carthian all seemed ridulous to even consider.

And despite her comfort in the current world, she would be able to easily cope with the heirarchy of the Invictus.

"Are the Invictus currently seeking assistance in forging order?" She finally asked.

Armstrong thinks for a moment, before shaking her head 'no' at Joshua. Then she asks Miss Harpy another question, figuring that the worst that could happen was that the don't help them. "Perhaps if you could give us the locations of the other known attack sites, or any place that you know this Bethem has been, we might be able to extrapolate a pattern of some kind."

"Of course not" she said with a matching smile.

"I will consider it. Let me know when you need an answer by. We are doing well thank you. Both of us are glad to be back in Sacramento- our trip to Italy was not the vacation either of us wanted. I am sure that he is currently neck deep in the theater's paperwork." She smiled, easily picturing her ghoul frowning at what was no doubt perfect paperwork from their interim manager. He would find something to fix nonetheless, of that she was sure.

"And you and Ishani? How are the two of you doing?"

Another subject change. Honestly, by now she was starting to expect them.

"No, I haven't. I tried calling her upon my return but got no answer." Her voice was tinted with both worry and anger. "I was initially worried since when I tried it was when I also tried contacting Freddrick. Obviously he didn't answer and so when she didn't- well, I was unsettled. But apparantly she is still around and simply hasn't had a chance to return my call."

She shrugged, "I am sure with her Hound duties she is busy."

"Although, after tonight I think a pleasant visit with her may be in order" she added with a throaty laugh. After a moment she spoke up again, "Do you mind me asking who the four in the room with the Sheriff and Harpy are?"

Whatever Twist had been expecting it certainly wasn't outright rejection. Her eyes widened slightly at Asa's response but she dropped her head and shoulders in a slight bow, acknowledging that he wished to keep that to himself.

She didn't approve of it though. If you were going to ask a person to be willing to put themselves on the line you ought to at least give them some inkling of what they might be up against. The entire truth may not be necessary but at least a clue- maybe whether or not the four were potential allies, a threat on the city, hell- for all she knew one of them could be Eric Bethem.

But if the Prince wanted that to remain hush hush, she couldn't do anything about it. So instead she shifted slightly to feel the cool metal of her blades and waited patiently for either the meeting to end or violence to break out.

"Very well. Unless you have anything else to add, I feel that we have gotten as much done here as we possibly can for now. Perhaps after this situation is resolved, we can arrange meeting that are less guarded on both sides."

God she needed a drink after this. Maybe she could call Zero.

Animus quickly follows Joshua out, relaxing considerably as soon as he passes the door.

One of Twist's eyebrow's raised, *Magicians? Wizards? If it was true...*

"What reason do they have to assist us against Bethem?"

Her attention sharpened as the people- no, wizards- began to stand and leave the room. She understood Asa's hesitancy to say who they were, but now knowing, she wasn't sure, even after he did tell her, that she knew any better what she was potentially facing.

How does one fight a being who thought it weilded magic? And who was Reeve? Had he not even told Ishani? That was...dangerous.