03-22-2024, 11:39 PM
Colette tipped a shoulder with playful sheepishness. Adrian’s tease flirted with mockery, but Colette didn’t mind. She preferred people to underestimate her — when she kept true to the aura of a society girl, she found that she navigated those seas a little more smoothly. Plus, it was more fun.
To Adrian’s point, she did wonder about the politics at play here. Certainly, there were events that the President of the United States might attend, but a Sitting President was often too busy with official matters to do a lot of socializing. Once they were out of office, that was practically all they did, and it was quite a show of social fortitude to be friends with former presidents.
This was the CCD and the Ascendancy wasn’t the president. Colette knew all about how the government was officially run — with Patrons and Spheres and Privileges and all the power weaving in and out of them — but as far as she could tell, it didn’t seem like many of those people were here… Well, except one. Peering through the shoulders, she recognized the face of Patron Tarasovich, but other than him, she didn’t see anyone officially “government”.
“No, two!” She said to herself upon witnessing the arrival of Privilege Sulteev. He was a short man who stood as if he was two feet taller. His expression was formal and subdued even as he greeted his extended family members. She could see some resemblance now they were side by side.
Which led her to question how the power in Moscow actually worked. The Vasilievs were not a part of government, yet Edita Konstantin’s uncle was one of the most powerful members in the CCD.
Then Konstantin ascended the stairs to begin his toast. Meanwhile, Colette was in rapt attention over everything he did beforehand. The way he graciously referenced Nikolai Brandon and other esteemed guests before even addressing his wife. Then the Ascendancy’s nod in return, acknowledging the acknowledgement. It was almost as if this wasn’t government politics. It was like being amid a king and his court.
Only, the king was far more powerful than the title implied and the court was far more dangerous than the movies made it out to be.
Colette sipped her champagne, making sure to stand near to Adrian. She was genuinely curious to witness his reaction to the scene unfolding around them, as she wondered what part, however small, he played in all this.
To Adrian’s point, she did wonder about the politics at play here. Certainly, there were events that the President of the United States might attend, but a Sitting President was often too busy with official matters to do a lot of socializing. Once they were out of office, that was practically all they did, and it was quite a show of social fortitude to be friends with former presidents.
This was the CCD and the Ascendancy wasn’t the president. Colette knew all about how the government was officially run — with Patrons and Spheres and Privileges and all the power weaving in and out of them — but as far as she could tell, it didn’t seem like many of those people were here… Well, except one. Peering through the shoulders, she recognized the face of Patron Tarasovich, but other than him, she didn’t see anyone officially “government”.
“No, two!” She said to herself upon witnessing the arrival of Privilege Sulteev. He was a short man who stood as if he was two feet taller. His expression was formal and subdued even as he greeted his extended family members. She could see some resemblance now they were side by side.
Which led her to question how the power in Moscow actually worked. The Vasilievs were not a part of government, yet Edita Konstantin’s uncle was one of the most powerful members in the CCD.
Then Konstantin ascended the stairs to begin his toast. Meanwhile, Colette was in rapt attention over everything he did beforehand. The way he graciously referenced Nikolai Brandon and other esteemed guests before even addressing his wife. Then the Ascendancy’s nod in return, acknowledging the acknowledgement. It was almost as if this wasn’t government politics. It was like being amid a king and his court.
Only, the king was far more powerful than the title implied and the court was far more dangerous than the movies made it out to be.
Colette sipped her champagne, making sure to stand near to Adrian. She was genuinely curious to witness his reaction to the scene unfolding around them, as she wondered what part, however small, he played in all this.
![[Image: Colette-signature-rainbow.png]](http://thefirstage.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Colette-signature-rainbow.png)