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"How nice it will be to see the Princess Catherine marry her childhood friend." Odessa remarks happily, truly eager to see the girl who she watched grow up become a wife, and a mother.

"He's not right in the head!" Odessa had cried that day outside of the bank, having put herself between one seething Arthur of Caermad and the deranged Duke of Cathalon, who'd both brandished their impressive weapons. "You like pickin' on helpless women, do ye'?" Arthur sneered, advancing ever so slightly for Helton, shoving Odessa to his side for what he believed would be for her protection. Just then, the trio became surrounded by various members of the ISA, the arch-chancellor, and Helton's erstwhile beloved, Grace Romstun. Swiftly, the beast slayer and the kin slayer were separated, Odessa and Arthur being taken to the palace for questioning while Helton belligerently and desperately screeched insults in an attempt to degrade the hexer's credibility. Several days later, Helton and Arthur bumped into each other once again, though their exchange was much more amicable, and ended in a mutual understanding. Arthur had told Odessa to expect an apology from the duke in the coming days, one which would never come. _______________________________________________________________________ "Helton's dead," the Princess Amelia had told Odessa and a very drunk Joseph Azor, who had both been sat on the floor in the pantry of the imperial quarters, discussing troubling life matters just before the interruption by Amelia. "He's dead," she wept, talking through sobbing hiccups. "It's all my fault..." "Wh..." Odessa was shocked, to say the least. The things she'd been through with Helton as her most trusted confidant, and the evenings they'd spent together mulling over one another's woes so that they might be able to carry on just another day, a bit lighter. However, following the events in Helton's own life, it's of no surprise that he went as mad and became as demented as he did. Odessa understood his illness; she'd seen hundreds of soldiers return from battles with that thousand yard stare, tortured shells of the men they once were. It was for this very reason that, that day outside of the bank, she'd refused so furiously for Arthur to duel Helton. The tricks his mind played on him were not his fault, but that didn't stop the panic that grew in her chest upon each time they'd met since that day he'd held her at his dirk's point. Odessa remained there for several moments longer on the floor, motionless and holding her head in her hands while the princess and archchancellor butted heads. "He wouldn't want us to fight!" Amelia had pleaded with the archchancellor, who'd just received word that the forces were rallying at the front gates. Joseph looked as though he had something to say to the princess, but instead bid both of his friends ado to avenge his the Duke of Cathalon's death. The woman sat there alone for some time after, and mulled over the last memories she had of the Helvetti nobleman: Odessa, locked and cowering in her bakery, while Helton skulked about the palace grounds. That last day she had seen him on the other side of the bakery's gate, she wanted so badly to make amends with him and talk through their difference. But, she was scared; this was the very place he'd held her at knifepoint. and what with how volatile he'd been in the last handful of years of his life, Odessa knew she couldn't trust him. Not while she was alone and helpless. To her eventual regret, she remained hidden from her now-dead pal, and would wish forevermore that she'd had the courage to help her friend through the toughest time in his life. "Damn it," Odessa whimpered, hanging her head in shame, and sobbing into her hands without any restraint, alone on the floor in the pantry of the imperial quarters.

Odessa had witnessed the death of her newest friends, made quick foes, from a mere measure of feet away. She'd casted a hand across the mouthy Lothar's mouth when he'd relentlessly assaulted the empress, and watched in something of justified delight as he had his brains spilled on the floor before her very eyes. When it came time for Josephine's last rights, Odessa listened impatiently, eager for the woman's head to roll; since Josephine had admitted her engagement to one Konstantin var Ruthern, Odessa had found within herself an insatiable bloodlust. She wanted to make Konstantin hurt the way he'd hurt her time after time. The last rights concluded, and Empress Anastasia unsheathed her sword, Odessa close and silent at her flank. In a swift swing of the empress's swordarm, Josephine's head was separated from her body and it tumbled to the floor. In a quiet semicircle, those who'd witnessed the executions stood, as if unsure of what to do next. "Lady Odessa, prepare the body to be sent to her sister," Her Imperial Majesty declared then, after several beats of eerie reticence. "Ma'am," the Lady Chamberlain affirmed with a curt nod, and motioned for her servants skirting about the room's edge to come and assist her with the maimed corpses.

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Odessa raises her brows after scanning over the missive of her young friend. She made a mental note to visit Richard in the coming weeks to find out the unabridged story, and another sidebar to herself to ask for the same details from the boy's very own father. She smirked to herself, excited to piece together the twisted tale of Richard Leopold d'Azor.

RP Name: Odessa MacPherson MC Name: wiseacres Voted: Yes

"Finally," says Odessa, taking her copy of the etymology and putting it in a visible place for constant reference.

"We're a shoe-in for sure, my dear Richard, no need to worry." The Lady Chamberlain consoled the young d'Azor lordling as he began to worry about the upcoming election.

Odessa, after having read the declaration over her morning coffee, sat there for some time afterward, mulling over the new, yet vague and perplexing information. She had never once heard of a 'Vespira' mentioned during conversations she was exclusively privy to. Tapping her chin, Odessa thought, and thought of a way to make this right; she didn't want such a petty strike against her empress's court, nor did she want for word to travel and mar other, prospective courtiers' opinion of the Aster Court. Upon finishing her brunch, the chamberlain topped off her coffee and headed off to battle in her office, bearing a quill as her weapon, the imperial parchment the field in which she fought. Miss Vespira, I write to you with the most sincere intent, however; I must say that I'm confused by the avenue you took to address this issue. As the Lady Chamberlain of the Aster Court, I would have much preferred it if you came to me regarding the undesirable behavior of courtiers, as a punishment would have been dealt to these individuals swiftly. Instead, you put up these fliers, and humiliate the court which the Imperial Family has created? Paint me baffled, and just a bit offended, by this behavior from you, Miss Vespira, a woman whom I've never met. Though, I'm a forgiving person, and I would like to give you the opportunity to alter my perspective. That being said, I'd like to extend an invitation for you to enjoy tea-time with the empress and I, so that we might have the opportunity to talk out our differences and come to a reasonable and fair conclusion to this conflict. With utmost respect HER EXCELLENCY, Odessa MacPherson, Lady Chamberlain of the Aster Court The letter was folded neatly, and included the crest of House Novellen, and the official seal of the Empress's office.

THE ASTER COURT OF THE HOLY ORENIAN EMPIRE Aster Hall is in search of talented Orenians wishing to offer their services in pertinence to the palace's upkeep; this would include, but is not limited to: -Tidying -Cooking for feasts -Entertaining guests -Nannies -Tutors And more! Think you have a skill NOT listed above that could be of benefit to the Aster Hall? Come for an interview with the Lady Chamberlain herself! We are hiring for all positions! Benefits include, but are not limited to: -Housing on palace grounds -Unlimited viands -Unrestricted access to palace's wine cellar -Free reign of the palace's archives -An enriching experience for any individual to become part of the palace's family Signed with excitement and anticipation of meeting each and every one of you, HER EXCELLENCY, Odessa MacPherson, Lady Chamberlain of the Aster Court

"Oh, my goodness," murmured Odessa, having had to squint by candlelight in order to even be able to comprehend the missive. "How will this all unfold..." Ticking her tongue, the chamberlain doused her candle and shuffled off to bed.

SEEKING TUTORS & STAFF FOR THE IMPERIAL HOUSEHOLD Now that the imperial family has settled within the walls of their new home, the Aster Palace, it has come to the attention of the newly-founded Aster Court and its second-in-command, the Lady Chamberlain Odessa MacPherson, that there is a lack of tutors within its walls for the imperial children. With a large family, the Empress and Lady Chamberlain ask that any who are apt in a particular skill come forth with applications so they may be evaluated as a potential tutor for the children of Emperor Philip III and Empress Anastasya of Kositz. In addition to this call upon tutors, the Lady Concierge and Lady Chamberlain have seen fit to open applications for servants and palace staff in the imperial court. Housing will be given to the limited number of those who are accepted into their position. This includes, but is not limited to maids, butlers, and cooks. Handmaids are also open for applications, yet they will be to a specific princess of the imperial family, or the Empress (such can be requested, or determined upon one’s acceptance into the palace staff). We urge you to send in your credentials posthaste, due to the fact that we are bringing on a limited amount of staff. SIGNED, HER IMPERIAL MAJESTY, Anastasya of Kositz, Empress consort of the Holy Orenian Empire, Duchess consort of Furnestock HER EXCELLENCY, Odessa MacPherson, Lady Chamberlain of the Aster Court HER LADYSHIP, Evangéline Marie Halcourt de Artois, Lady Concierge of the Aster Court

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Odessa scans over the document, a smile spreading across her lips. Pivoting in her chair, she props her feet up on the polished desk, and picks up her cigar from the nearby ashtray. After taking a long pull, she tilts her head back and blows the smoke skyward, coughing a few times. "Oh, how exciting. I hope there's wine." The chamberlain snuffs out the cheroot, and adds the event to her calendar on the wall. "Damn, where'll I find a dress in such short time?" She tilted back on two legs of her chair, just too far, and ended up toppling backwards onto the wooden floor with a muted thud, and a disgruntled groan.

Adelheid of Istria’s daughter, Philippa Maria, was never called Princess Imperial. Additionally, she doesn’t know who Bertha is.

“Thrifty, we are,” says Octavia over a glass of wine, to her lifelong comrade Brog.

Octavia frowns after being delivered the news by a nameless crier, and hurries home, not wishing to succumb to the grief that overwhelmed her in the public's eye.

“How does it look?” Inquires the Baroness, fanning the page’s wet ink diligently. Her husband, the Knight Paramount, stands over her shoulder to scrutinize her lavish calligraphy. "Admirable, my love. One to make scholars tremble." Rejoinders the Grimaldi patriarch, adjusting their eldest child within his hold; hazel hues roving over the legible calligraphy with a buoyant nod of approval. The towheaded woman beams with pride, and sets her gilded quill down, sealing the inkwell for the evening. “We’ll bring it to the king at sunup, then.”

"The arrogance of some people," says the Grimaldi matriarch, shaking her head in dismay at what became of her former friend.

APPLICATION FOR THE 2ND ROYAL ARMY NAME: NOBILITY (Y/N): N if not, GENTRY (Y/N): N AGE: 18 DATE OF BIRTH (if known): 6th of Grand Harvest. PLACE OF BIRTH (if known): N/A RACE: Human. ETHNICITY (Highlander, Heartlander, etc. N/A if not applicable or unknown.): Highlander. MILITARY/COMBAT EXPERIENCE: 'Squired' to Aleksander Valovic for short period ot time. PAST LABOR EXPERIENCE: None. OOC MC name: Attic_Salt Skype: ask Do you have Teamspeak? If not are you willing to get it?: Have it

@Fireheart