Familiar Faces

This evenings events have been, interesting. Not at all what I expected from a founding family ball. I guess we added an element of chaos within the mixture of politics and politeness. Between the ever threatening reach of the empire and the return of the revenant, the upper class didn't know where to look... or should I say hide. It all seemed a little unreal though, the way everything was treated as a spectacle. Any outburst, any slight variation of the expected behaviour was taken note of, stored for later. I don't miss it. The politics. Although the founding families seem to take these political tactics and increase their absurdity tenfold.
 
My father use to lecture me and my sister about politics. Often comparing it to a simple game of chess. Manoeuvring your opponents into a position at which they are at your mercy, not caring about what pieces you have to sacrifice. Simply fixating on the victory of crushing your enemy into nothing more than dust. A name lost to time. I don't believe Alaric is any good at chess. However, the delegate from the empire should know how to play this game, but I feel as if he has begun poorly. Playing the tune of equality to his upper class audience. But this may be another tactic, a warning of change to come. From my brief conversation with him, he spoke of the nature of the empire and my first thought was of the stark contrast from the founding families that they possess. I can't see the future, but I can guess that this take over will not be a peaceful one.
 
The masquerade didn't only serve as a reminder of the sour face of politics. It also served as a playful reminder that I am being watched. That little shit of a shadow, Kerin, almost got me into a lot of trouble. Forcing me into situations I would definitely have avoided, but even so, I still had a great time. I really like him, as mischievous as he is, he has already shared with me so much I did not know about. Bringing my benefactor that little bit more into the light. The fact that Kerin is here to help has distilled a slight confidence in my actions, that I am doing the right thing. At least in his eyes. His intentions still very much remain shrouded to me. But I have faith for the first time in a long time.