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Alexandras White Oak The Treaty Of Venice 250304
In the mystical atmosphere of the Supernatural History Classroom at the Spender Arts and Wellness Center at White Oak, an enthralling discussion unfolds, centered on the obscure and powerful Treaty of Venice. Alexandra, steering the conversation, brings to light the significance of this treaty amidst the backdrop of the supernatural's hidden existence from humanity. Despite the students' varying familiarity with historical events, the discourse dives into the intricacies of supernatural politics, touching upon previous accords and the pivotal reasons behind the treaty's creation in 1584. Amidst this exchange, Castiel, a mysterious figure, enters, observing quietly yet with a palpable presence.
As the class delves deeper into the mechanisms of supernatural concealment and governance, diverging views surface among the students, highlighted by Siofra's challenging questions and Gabriella's curiosity. Alexandra guides the discussion towards understanding the necessity of oaths and hospitality within the supernatural community, hinting at a delicate balance of power and secrecy maintained to prevent a crisis. In a surprising revelation, Castiel, who had been an observer, shares his identity as a member of the powerful Council of Venice, sparking intrigue and prompting further queries from the students. The session evolves into a candid dialog about the subtle battles and the supreme stakes of keeping the supernatural world veiled from humanity, hinting at the broader conflicts at play across the globe. This complex narrative weaves together elements of ancient lore, politics, and the perennial struggle for survival, leaving the students with more questions than answers as they ponder the true nature of the forces that govern their hidden world.
(Alexandra's [White Oak] The Treaty of Venice)
[Mon Mar 3 2025]
In the Supernatural History Classroom of the Spender Arts and Wellness Center at White Oak
The walls here are adorned with faded tapestries depicting ancient, mystical symbols and enigmatic, otherworldly figures, adding an air of intrigue and mystique to the dimly lit, wood-paneled room. The musty scent of aged books and ancient parchment permeates the air, intermingling with the hushed whispers of students.
It is about 50F(10C) degrees.
"Impending doom and the apocalypse are not going to stop me from trying to start a family," Alexandra informs Gabriella as her grin gets a little bigger, but she does not go into details about it. "Recently had our anniversary too," she adds before letting out a little wistful sigh. But with at least a couple of students present, she clears her throat and says, "The Treaty of Venice." She paces a few steps back and forth at the head of the classroom, then asks, "What even is it? Did it end a war or something? Why isn't it in any history text books in the public schools of America then?"
"Babylon!" Siofra cries, like the name will solve all of these things.
Making his way in quietly, Sam takes a seat somewhere at the back, offering Alexandra a pleasant nod, not really speaking a word otherwise.
"Not sure what Babylon has to do with anything, but the previous treaty before the Treaty of Venice was called the Byzantium Accords," Alexandra says regarding Siofra's interjection. She shakes her head then and asks, "The Treaty of Venice was signed in fifteen eighty-four. Where do you think it was signed?" She looks over the class, raising one eyebrow and folding her hands together behind her back. Those with any sort of military background would recognize it as an at-ease posture.
"I think I've seen some email on our mailboxes asking teachers no to tell us all about those things teacher- I don't need to know about anyone's mating habits, specially from my teachers!" Gabriella complains to Alexandra, but she might be joking. She then smiles at Siofra's cry, and upnods towards Sam.
Siofra does her best not to make a sarcastic show being stumped. "..Venniiccccccce."
"Venice is correct, but why would we need a new Treaty, given the Accords existed already?" Alexandra asks of the small class that has gathered, letting her blue eyes drift across each individual. She does not react to Gabriella's comments about emails and mating habits however. One of her eyebrows stays raised as she watches and listens.
It would seem that Sam is mostly sort of observing: Both the class, and Siofra and Gabriella. He does not answer, but merely nods slowly, seemingly approving of whatever is said so far. His eyes are shaded behind those sunglasses of his.
"But who said we need one? Isn't what we've got working? It has been working for centuries so far..." Gabriella asks Alexandra, putting her phone away to pay better attention to class and understand what is going on.
Siofra's student participation award, which surely exists like a secret menu, slowly out of reach as she broadens her answers more and more. "They were shite and weren't doin' what they wanted. Ehh... Were it the Understanding, or was that earlier?"
Gabriella ooohs with her mouth, finally realizing what Alexandra meant, all thanks to Siofra's comment. "Oh, yeah well, what they had before, they weren't really hiding much, were they? They even had to do the whole new thing in order to... like, agree for the gods and fae and whatnot not come back here to earth again and unsettle things... right?" She looks a bit confused, perhaps she doesn't know history as well as she thought. Which probably proves the point to her being here, of course.
"Exactly," Alexandra says, pulling out one hand from behind her back to point at Gabriella. "During the height of the witch trials, we had lots of rather bloody results from being open about the supernatural, so," she says, trailing off with a rolling motion of her hand. "They basically said 'we should probably hide all this from mundane humans, because they have enough numbers to make it difficult to control them if they are aware of that control,' and thus we needed a new agreement," she explains to the trio before slipping her hand back behind herself. "We also needed a framework to potentially work together and trust each other under circumstances that were notably hostile. Thus, we came to have Oaths and Hospitality codified in those agreements. What are those all about?" she then asks, seeing if anyone in the assembled crew actually knows any of this already.
The smile on Sam's lips shows that he is fully aware of the information provided, but he does not seem to speak up, instead looking between Siofra and Gabriella, occasionally sending a discreet text off, though his phone is both quiet and not vibrating. He just nods slowly, as if in agreement with Alexandra.
Siofra raises her hand, but isn't all that patience to ask, "Why did the Temple cede to such oaths? Do the Destined Host, or Sapphire Martyrs- who only have to gain from breakin' such rules, follow them still?"
Seemingly searching, Castiel glances within the entry - spares a look at each face, but his eyes and attention are spared across the lecture room with poorly veiled interest. His steps carry him along to one of the seats at the back, quietly, almost unassumingly, where his arms are set over a desk on the seat he deigns to take for his own - and the slowy descent of his gaze eventually lands upon Alexandra with its oft casual intensity. Narrowing to weigh his interest on her, and the lecture happening.
"That's a very good question. To answer it, we must look at what was happening during that time," Alexandra says toward Siofra with a shrug of her shoulders. "Most of Europe was divided between The Hand, the Order, and the Temple. The Dynasty was busy in Asia and not really able to do much. The Host and Martyrs only very recently came into existence with the apocalypse looming, so I do not think they really count in this discussion," she explains before watching Castiel for a moment, raising an eyebrow toward him, but otherwise not commenting on his presence. "The Spanish Inquisition took place just before all this, and Temple controlled Spain at the time. All of this is not a coincidence. But if the Temple did not agree to the Treaty, what do you think would have happened to them?" she explains then asks of the classroom, giving a small head shake as if to suggest the Temple may not have had much choice in the matter.
Siofra turns sideways to gather the identity with this new entry, who elicits more of same rictus dimpled smile.
"Divine retribution."
Quiet at the back, Sam offers a nod to Castiel as he enters, but otherwise, Sam attention shifts between Alexandra, Siofra and Gabriella, seemingly observing both the lecture and the reactions to it.
"Essentially, yes. The Order and the Hand would have come together to crush them. It would not even be the first time the Temple had basically been crushed like that. And with the Temple gone, it would have been easy for the Treaty to conceal the Supernatural at that point, and never have to deal with those like the Temple again," Alexandra says with stern seriousness in her countenance as she ods to Siofra while explaining the exact measures my which that particular decision would have gone. "What else might the Temple have gained by signing this particular Treaty, aside from not getting destroyed?" she asks to continue the point.
"I mean, I don't even get the question to be honest" Gabriella tells Alexandra, "like... weren't the Temple the ones who won the most? After all, if all the supernatural remained, you know, in the open, what would they do? Crank the which trials and burning everyone guilty or not just in case until there was no one left to be burned?"
"No, Miss Savoy, the fervor of the witch trials got more innocents killed than guilty, so it would have ultimately have hurt the Temple's credibility to continue that way too," Alexandra says, shaking her head at this. But then she lifts one hand with a finger pointed to the ceiling. "If less than one percent of the population is supernatural, then only two percent of the population needs to be protected, from the Temple's position. Conversely, if everyone knows about the supernatural, then -everyone- needs to be protected. It would be a major strain on their ability to actually perform that activity, which would have ultimately rendered them ineffective as well," she declares helpfully before clearing her throat. "Why include Oaths and Hospitality in the new agreement?" she asks to change subjects to avoid dwelling too much on Temple-centric ideas.
Maybe it was the nature of this lecture, but Castiel is drawn to it. There isn't a single hair displaced on Castiel after his entry - not a muscle moved, not a blink made while those eyes in their molten hues cast a very real heat and weight in their watchful gaze laid over Alexandra. Their inspection, from the man that is akin to a fire molded and twisted in the impeccable visage of a human but yet belies everything far from it, warms the room by simple existence - And Castiel only affords a smile. Something faint, perfect, yet one that haunts the edge of his mouth, drawn out after Siofra speaks of divine retribution.
"A seat at the table, as well." Siofra 's hands drum her desk thoughtfully. "Truly, there are some societies on Venice that just feck abowt without purpose like that Phalanx and its bath parties. I don't know, personal Haven politics make a mockery o'it."
"After all, if a little ponce can sit pretty and do nothin but shoot spitballs at others at the table, what exactly does Venice serve to do?"
Gabriella could have been interested in Alexandra's questions, or inclined to attempt to replies to those, but what Siofra says catches her most imediate attention, and she reaches for her phone to search something with it.
Siofra says "Peace in our time is the lie of a cute hoor with the apocalypse, isn't it? Holdin' to our deadly little lies until 'tis impossible."
"Isn't it always like that?" Gabriella asks at Siofra latest question, "like... cold war - a semblance of peace when in fact everyone's planning to do anything but? Like... I bet most want to avoid the apocalypse, but I don't see many wanting -real- peace."
"If you think Venice can only shoot spitballs, perhaps you just do not understand the sheer power involved in those that hold sway on the council," Alexandra says toward Siofra, with a shrug of her shoulders. "Who do you think is on the Council of Venice?" she asks of Siofra, before glancing toward Castiel. She clears her throat and adds, "For clarity, very few know who are actually on the Council, specifically. But I mean, what are the sorts you think would be on the Council?"
Softly, Sam exhales, and his gaze fixes on Siofra as she speaks. He ticks hsi tongue against his teeth, just once, but does not comment. Instead, he looks over to Gabriella, his eyes flitting between Alexandra and Gabriella.
"A cat diddler named Lenny, a bath nightwalker named Lily, a little girl that sat on Harriet's stool in The Order." Siofra lists absently. "Incomptence. Sure- fer every one of them ye' have a President Phisher, ye' have an uhhh... An Elias, a Hell's angel..." The musing tone stops with a shrug.
"There are children at the table with giants, and they are humored for who knows why."
Siofra says "Venice has pressed The Hand and The Temple together this month. I wonder why. 'Tis almost as if it perpetuates a system where no one is to get what they want until we all die."
"Ancient and powerful beings, with power beyond those any of us have seen in Haven?" Alexandra offers as a starting point for exactly what -she- at least believes would be on such a Council. "The direct descendants of gods, fae, and demons?" she suggests as the next option before crossing her arms under her chest. "The sorts that view most of the activities of day-to-day life uninteresting and not worthy of their attention. But who, when moved to give attention to something, could utterly destroy countries with a mere nod of their head," she offers as a continuation of what she is speaking about. "The Council is not here in Haven. They are all around the world. What happens herei in Haven is ... a Mexican standoff of sorts, not a full blown war."
"The Phalanx are a singular dissident. The equivalent of a corrupt chapel that has set itself to be one to curry financial aid and protection from the larger force- that being this elusive Venice." Castiel notes, with a slight glance at Gabriella, one that wanes back to return upon Alexandra. "The Oaths and the Hospitality exists to separate them from savage animals, where the larger and stronger devours the lesser to inflate their ranks.." After Siofra's list, however, Castiel adds, with a slow smile that spreads over his lips - larger than before, yet all the same tamed. "I am on the council, as I lead a force of my own," But that smile is like a blade, one that turns upon Siofra, sharper in one breath of spoken word. "I am not a hell's angel, but I am the one that subdues it."
Gabriella glances towards Siofra from her phone. She frowns, confused, and she seems certain of something at first, but then... she poses it as a question to Alexandra. "It's not them, is it? I mean, Haven chapter leaders of the societies that are around here, they don't have a seat there, right?"
Gabriella turns to take a good look at Castiel, then. "You - you sit at the Council?"
"Most unlikely," Alexandra says to Gabriella with a nod, though she glances toward Castiel curiously with the comment about being on the council. Her eyebrow perks a little, but she leaves it alone for the moment. "That is exactly why Oaths and Hospitality exist," she does recognize with a nod however.
"I do not hold The Hand's seat on the council." Sam speaks, in response to Siofra, giving a nod in agreement to Alexandra, then he nods to Castiel, seemingly a little impressed, though perhaps not surprised.
Sam's comment takes what little faith Siofra has in the world right out of her eyebrows. All that's left is the smile that plays around with Venice's fun little game of pretend. "Well, sure look! 'Tis all a grand craic of moving, broken parts, then. At least Haven is singular in its absurdity."
Siofra says "After all, were the rest of world so impotent and incapable of keepin' satyrs and manticores out of its forests, hypnotists would have to work overtime."
"Outside of Haven, the kid gloves come off. There's no need to use amnesia, because those that break the rules die," Alexandra explains to Siofra simple and serious, the sternness in her tone emphasizing the last four words especially.
Siofra says "Not if ye' kill or enslave yer victims."
Siofra says "Though, I see how ye' mean. Cold war and all."
Siofra says "Tree falls in a forest, no one hears? No forest fallen."
Gabriella glances towards Siofra, looking like she doesn't quite understand the coed, and in any case that glance does not take long - soon enough she is looking back at Castiel. "So, hm- Sir, I... think you have us in disadvantage." She's speaking for herself, of course - at least Sam seems to know well whom the sculpted person is. She glances towards Alexandra, and speaks on her behalf, cheeky, saying "I don't think the teacher would mind if you would want to tell us who you are and what you do in Venice..."
Alexandra holds her hands out to her side in ambivalent indifference before giving Siofra a small nod. "If everything is happening within the three percent I suggested earlier, all is still well on the cold war front," she explains with a little wink of encouragement. She folds her arms back under her chest and says, "If they wish to identify themselves, they may. I think I've gotten as far in this discussion as we will manage to productively do today..."
"Well I've learned a lot Miss Harris!" Siofra leans forward, eyes rounded. "Why, is it not the duty of the college to correct me misunderstandings? I am quite sorry that I have a great deal o'them."
"In Haven, Sanctuary offers some leniency. If you fuck around, though, Venice can and will lay down the law. The societies will gladly retract Sanctuary for that purpose." Sam speaks, gaze fixing on Siofra. "Breaking Venice is more serious than people take it within this town."
"You're mistaken." Castiel tells Siofra, simply put - and his words add to Alexandra's. "There are open wounds across this earth, places that lead into darker, more dangerous ones. The spill of monsters and their ilk are prevalent everywhere, you only need to look. And if a mortal should chance upon them, they do not make it out of these elusive mists as often as they do in Haven. The only option, then, is to leave, flee for safety beyond closed doors if they do not want the ire of a greater being."
When his eyes, after his words, land upon Gabriella - the smile is all but gone, and he does not say anything initially. Not before he gives them a fuller look, one as intense as it ever was directed anywhere else. The smile growing touches his eyes this time, fuller yet faint, almost forlorn. Still, each word is soft-spoken, however carrying far. "I am Qaspiel, in Heaven - Castiel, now, on Earth. I've had many names and bore many titles, none you should worry for."
"Misses Harris," Alexandra gently corrects Siofra, ensuring that the wedding ring on her left hand is visible. She does nod to Sam though at the comments about Venice in the limits of Haven though. "Indeed, they should be taken more seriously, but I suspect some people's reaction to apocalyptical overhead is to disregard rules and literally live like there is no tomorrow anyway," she offers as a suggestion for why people might relax their otherwise strict adherence to such rules.
"Sanctuary." Siofra repeats, a common recurrence of discussion that holds the same connotation to her as, 'paradise,' or, 'eden.' An apple not bitten, a future withheld by the cold reality. "Is there a better way to ensure our gas game of secret is kept? I'll.. Mayhap I'll ask Malcolm."
Castiel repeats something Siofra has said, with some humor.
"There is a way. Divine retribution."
Didn't Gabriella asks Castiel to speak to the class about Venice, that Alexandra wouldn't mind? Well, now that Alexandra has said there's little more to learn in class, Gabriella might have agreed because, despite her listening to Castiel's words, and nodding a bit at his introduction, she then moves to start to stand up. "Well, hm.." she mutters, and checks the time on her phone. The hour isn't over yet, but... "...if the class is over now, I... suppose I better be going, I need- well, other classes to take care of", she says.
"Mmm." Siofra drums her fingers, leaning back in the chair and to the heavens above- ending with a brief wave to Gabriella. "Sooo.. How do those four stand on Venice? The Golden Shadow, The Flame and what not?"
"The part I think I can successfully manage and maintain is over, yes," Alexandra says to Gabriella with a small smirk and a nod. She gestures then toward Castiel and says, "If Castiel wishes to share more of his perspective on the matter, who am I to get in the way?" She slips her hands down and back around behind her back then says, "It may be a good opportunity for you to learn something a bit more directly about the Council. Which obviously, I only have limited knowledge of, given how elusive they are." She then looks toward Siofra and says, "They are obviously enemies of the Council of Venice, as they are not even remotely attempting to adhere to the Treaty."
"They keep themselves somewhat hidden, because they, due to their nature, are pretty much kill on sight." Sam looks to Siofra. "They are not our allies, they are not our friends, they are the Enemy."
"Shite... Then our enemy sure succeeds in a lot of their enterprises as Venice has us pick monthly colors in a war against ourselves. Shite-" Siofra 's laugh is dry. "I never see them ploy against another. I daresay they've managed to be more organized than Venice is."
Castiel's attention fades from others. It seems to be collected on Gabriella, now - with the sort of distraction that borders on unwise to break. There isn't a smile, this time around - but his head moves to track her, while he still hasn't blinked even once throughout the whole class. "I cannot say." His explanation is curt, towards Alexandra and others. Instead, he leaves his seat - with an efforted slowness that tells it is difficult, or disdainful for him to move at the regular pace of a person as opposed to whatever lens he perceives the world from. His words are towards Gabriella, "Do you wish for someone to walk along with you? I would assist, I have not explored much of this place beyond your chapel."
"When you only need to organize yourself, it is much easier than organizing dozens of individual groups into some sembelence of order," Alexandra offers to Siofra with another casual shrug of her shoulders. "I may need to revisit this topic in another class," she mentions mostly to herself.
"Their goals are diametrically opposed in many ways." Sam looks over to Siofra. "I've seen the Destined Host attempt to collect a painting owned by the Golden Shadow, and I've seen the Martyrs move against the Black Flame." Sam tilts his head aside. "In the end, we all want the end to be prevented. That seperates us from the cultists."
"Venice is a way for us to cut a piece of the cake, without going into open war. Because open war would destroy us, as well as this world."
The list of 'things to do' piles behind Siofra 's eyes in a slow widening before they're rounded to burst and she hops out of her desk. "Well, Sound fer yer correcting me own ignorance, Missus Harris and class." A brief cross of one leg behind the other is the lazy afterimage of a curtsy. "I've got to put owt more Flames and chew on some Martyrs, I suppose."
"Venice only has the goal of keeping a masquerade." Castiel divulges more towards others, broken from that single-minded, near obsessive look spared on Gabriella. Amber eyes, like molten slags of fire, drift from face to face. "It's main purpose is not to reign you in - it's purpose is to keep you fighting with each other long enough that you are distracted enough and diverted from total chaos. In Order made, we are not alerting the greater threat humanity could pose. The world is not as it once was - the elevated are scarcer in numbers, and no matter how much power you have, even if you can cripple millions, they are billions, and their tools for war have only developed over centuries. In a battle of attrition, we would all be doomed - and this is not preferable."
"I... wouldn't want to put pressure on him" Gabriella comments, moving a bit too hurriedly, hitting with her thigh on the corner of a desk as she slides out of the student seats.Not trying to do much to give Castiel a chance to start a class with her still around or something of the kind, she - barely limping - walks out.
"And with that, I'll say class dismissed, for my part anyway," Alexandra says, before gesturing toward Castiel. "Do continue as you like, but I have the best husband waiting for me back at home," she says, giving a quick nod to defer to him for further discussion. But then she gives a wave to the other students and prepares to depart herself.
Gabriella seems to want to walk out - but not to walk out with Castiel. No, she just heads on, and... hopefully without veing followed.
Perhaps good for someone that she chose to run out when Castiel is distracted by others. He doesn't give chase, as he perhaps would, but the sterner look he offers to others wanes after Alexandra' words. "I am not a teacher, and my intention was not to divert the nature of your class, or replace you. I merely wandered by to listen." There is a deferential dip of his head - and given that there is nothing more to listen, Castiel glances at Siofra, and Sam in turns, then slowly turns. That slow turn, however, ends with his non-existence. Castiel is gone from view, leaving only a swirl of displaced class-room materials in his wake with the sheer, untrackable speed with which he's left.
Perhaps good for the girl that she chose to run out when Castiel is distracted by others. He doesn't give chase, as he perhaps would, but the sterner look he offers to others wanes after Alexandra' words. "I am not a teacher, and my intention was not to divert the nature of your class, or replace you. I merely wandered by to listen." There is a deferential dip of his head - and given that there is nothing more to listen, Castiel glances at Siofra, and Sam in turns, then slowly turns. That slow turn, however, ends with his non-existence. Castiel is gone from view, leaving only a swirl of displaced class-room materials in his wake with the sheer, untrackable speed with which he's left.
As the class delves deeper into the mechanisms of supernatural concealment and governance, diverging views surface among the students, highlighted by Siofra's challenging questions and Gabriella's curiosity. Alexandra guides the discussion towards understanding the necessity of oaths and hospitality within the supernatural community, hinting at a delicate balance of power and secrecy maintained to prevent a crisis. In a surprising revelation, Castiel, who had been an observer, shares his identity as a member of the powerful Council of Venice, sparking intrigue and prompting further queries from the students. The session evolves into a candid dialog about the subtle battles and the supreme stakes of keeping the supernatural world veiled from humanity, hinting at the broader conflicts at play across the globe. This complex narrative weaves together elements of ancient lore, politics, and the perennial struggle for survival, leaving the students with more questions than answers as they ponder the true nature of the forces that govern their hidden world.
(Alexandra's [White Oak] The Treaty of Venice)
[Mon Mar 3 2025]
In the Supernatural History Classroom of the Spender Arts and Wellness Center at White Oak
The walls here are adorned with faded tapestries depicting ancient, mystical symbols and enigmatic, otherworldly figures, adding an air of intrigue and mystique to the dimly lit, wood-paneled room. The musty scent of aged books and ancient parchment permeates the air, intermingling with the hushed whispers of students.
It is about 50F(10C) degrees.
"Impending doom and the apocalypse are not going to stop me from trying to start a family," Alexandra informs Gabriella as her grin gets a little bigger, but she does not go into details about it. "Recently had our anniversary too," she adds before letting out a little wistful sigh. But with at least a couple of students present, she clears her throat and says, "The Treaty of Venice." She paces a few steps back and forth at the head of the classroom, then asks, "What even is it? Did it end a war or something? Why isn't it in any history text books in the public schools of America then?"
"Babylon!" Siofra cries, like the name will solve all of these things.
Making his way in quietly, Sam takes a seat somewhere at the back, offering Alexandra a pleasant nod, not really speaking a word otherwise.
"Not sure what Babylon has to do with anything, but the previous treaty before the Treaty of Venice was called the Byzantium Accords," Alexandra says regarding Siofra's interjection. She shakes her head then and asks, "The Treaty of Venice was signed in fifteen eighty-four. Where do you think it was signed?" She looks over the class, raising one eyebrow and folding her hands together behind her back. Those with any sort of military background would recognize it as an at-ease posture.
"I think I've seen some email on our mailboxes asking teachers no to tell us all about those things teacher- I don't need to know about anyone's mating habits, specially from my teachers!" Gabriella complains to Alexandra, but she might be joking. She then smiles at Siofra's cry, and upnods towards Sam.
Siofra does her best not to make a sarcastic show being stumped. "..Venniiccccccce."
"Venice is correct, but why would we need a new Treaty, given the Accords existed already?" Alexandra asks of the small class that has gathered, letting her blue eyes drift across each individual. She does not react to Gabriella's comments about emails and mating habits however. One of her eyebrows stays raised as she watches and listens.
It would seem that Sam is mostly sort of observing: Both the class, and Siofra and Gabriella. He does not answer, but merely nods slowly, seemingly approving of whatever is said so far. His eyes are shaded behind those sunglasses of his.
"But who said we need one? Isn't what we've got working? It has been working for centuries so far..." Gabriella asks Alexandra, putting her phone away to pay better attention to class and understand what is going on.
Siofra's student participation award, which surely exists like a secret menu, slowly out of reach as she broadens her answers more and more. "They were shite and weren't doin' what they wanted. Ehh... Were it the Understanding, or was that earlier?"
Gabriella ooohs with her mouth, finally realizing what Alexandra meant, all thanks to Siofra's comment. "Oh, yeah well, what they had before, they weren't really hiding much, were they? They even had to do the whole new thing in order to... like, agree for the gods and fae and whatnot not come back here to earth again and unsettle things... right?" She looks a bit confused, perhaps she doesn't know history as well as she thought. Which probably proves the point to her being here, of course.
"Exactly," Alexandra says, pulling out one hand from behind her back to point at Gabriella. "During the height of the witch trials, we had lots of rather bloody results from being open about the supernatural, so," she says, trailing off with a rolling motion of her hand. "They basically said 'we should probably hide all this from mundane humans, because they have enough numbers to make it difficult to control them if they are aware of that control,' and thus we needed a new agreement," she explains to the trio before slipping her hand back behind herself. "We also needed a framework to potentially work together and trust each other under circumstances that were notably hostile. Thus, we came to have Oaths and Hospitality codified in those agreements. What are those all about?" she then asks, seeing if anyone in the assembled crew actually knows any of this already.
The smile on Sam's lips shows that he is fully aware of the information provided, but he does not seem to speak up, instead looking between Siofra and Gabriella, occasionally sending a discreet text off, though his phone is both quiet and not vibrating. He just nods slowly, as if in agreement with Alexandra.
Siofra raises her hand, but isn't all that patience to ask, "Why did the Temple cede to such oaths? Do the Destined Host, or Sapphire Martyrs- who only have to gain from breakin' such rules, follow them still?"
Seemingly searching, Castiel glances within the entry - spares a look at each face, but his eyes and attention are spared across the lecture room with poorly veiled interest. His steps carry him along to one of the seats at the back, quietly, almost unassumingly, where his arms are set over a desk on the seat he deigns to take for his own - and the slowy descent of his gaze eventually lands upon Alexandra with its oft casual intensity. Narrowing to weigh his interest on her, and the lecture happening.
"That's a very good question. To answer it, we must look at what was happening during that time," Alexandra says toward Siofra with a shrug of her shoulders. "Most of Europe was divided between The Hand, the Order, and the Temple. The Dynasty was busy in Asia and not really able to do much. The Host and Martyrs only very recently came into existence with the apocalypse looming, so I do not think they really count in this discussion," she explains before watching Castiel for a moment, raising an eyebrow toward him, but otherwise not commenting on his presence. "The Spanish Inquisition took place just before all this, and Temple controlled Spain at the time. All of this is not a coincidence. But if the Temple did not agree to the Treaty, what do you think would have happened to them?" she explains then asks of the classroom, giving a small head shake as if to suggest the Temple may not have had much choice in the matter.
Siofra turns sideways to gather the identity with this new entry, who elicits more of same rictus dimpled smile.
"Divine retribution."
Quiet at the back, Sam offers a nod to Castiel as he enters, but otherwise, Sam attention shifts between Alexandra, Siofra and Gabriella, seemingly observing both the lecture and the reactions to it.
"Essentially, yes. The Order and the Hand would have come together to crush them. It would not even be the first time the Temple had basically been crushed like that. And with the Temple gone, it would have been easy for the Treaty to conceal the Supernatural at that point, and never have to deal with those like the Temple again," Alexandra says with stern seriousness in her countenance as she ods to Siofra while explaining the exact measures my which that particular decision would have gone. "What else might the Temple have gained by signing this particular Treaty, aside from not getting destroyed?" she asks to continue the point.
"I mean, I don't even get the question to be honest" Gabriella tells Alexandra, "like... weren't the Temple the ones who won the most? After all, if all the supernatural remained, you know, in the open, what would they do? Crank the which trials and burning everyone guilty or not just in case until there was no one left to be burned?"
"No, Miss Savoy, the fervor of the witch trials got more innocents killed than guilty, so it would have ultimately have hurt the Temple's credibility to continue that way too," Alexandra says, shaking her head at this. But then she lifts one hand with a finger pointed to the ceiling. "If less than one percent of the population is supernatural, then only two percent of the population needs to be protected, from the Temple's position. Conversely, if everyone knows about the supernatural, then -everyone- needs to be protected. It would be a major strain on their ability to actually perform that activity, which would have ultimately rendered them ineffective as well," she declares helpfully before clearing her throat. "Why include Oaths and Hospitality in the new agreement?" she asks to change subjects to avoid dwelling too much on Temple-centric ideas.
Maybe it was the nature of this lecture, but Castiel is drawn to it. There isn't a single hair displaced on Castiel after his entry - not a muscle moved, not a blink made while those eyes in their molten hues cast a very real heat and weight in their watchful gaze laid over Alexandra. Their inspection, from the man that is akin to a fire molded and twisted in the impeccable visage of a human but yet belies everything far from it, warms the room by simple existence - And Castiel only affords a smile. Something faint, perfect, yet one that haunts the edge of his mouth, drawn out after Siofra speaks of divine retribution.
"A seat at the table, as well." Siofra 's hands drum her desk thoughtfully. "Truly, there are some societies on Venice that just feck abowt without purpose like that Phalanx and its bath parties. I don't know, personal Haven politics make a mockery o'it."
"After all, if a little ponce can sit pretty and do nothin but shoot spitballs at others at the table, what exactly does Venice serve to do?"
Gabriella could have been interested in Alexandra's questions, or inclined to attempt to replies to those, but what Siofra says catches her most imediate attention, and she reaches for her phone to search something with it.
Siofra says "Peace in our time is the lie of a cute hoor with the apocalypse, isn't it? Holdin' to our deadly little lies until 'tis impossible."
"Isn't it always like that?" Gabriella asks at Siofra latest question, "like... cold war - a semblance of peace when in fact everyone's planning to do anything but? Like... I bet most want to avoid the apocalypse, but I don't see many wanting -real- peace."
"If you think Venice can only shoot spitballs, perhaps you just do not understand the sheer power involved in those that hold sway on the council," Alexandra says toward Siofra, with a shrug of her shoulders. "Who do you think is on the Council of Venice?" she asks of Siofra, before glancing toward Castiel. She clears her throat and adds, "For clarity, very few know who are actually on the Council, specifically. But I mean, what are the sorts you think would be on the Council?"
Softly, Sam exhales, and his gaze fixes on Siofra as she speaks. He ticks hsi tongue against his teeth, just once, but does not comment. Instead, he looks over to Gabriella, his eyes flitting between Alexandra and Gabriella.
"A cat diddler named Lenny, a bath nightwalker named Lily, a little girl that sat on Harriet's stool in The Order." Siofra lists absently. "Incomptence. Sure- fer every one of them ye' have a President Phisher, ye' have an uhhh... An Elias, a Hell's angel..." The musing tone stops with a shrug.
"There are children at the table with giants, and they are humored for who knows why."
Siofra says "Venice has pressed The Hand and The Temple together this month. I wonder why. 'Tis almost as if it perpetuates a system where no one is to get what they want until we all die."
"Ancient and powerful beings, with power beyond those any of us have seen in Haven?" Alexandra offers as a starting point for exactly what -she- at least believes would be on such a Council. "The direct descendants of gods, fae, and demons?" she suggests as the next option before crossing her arms under her chest. "The sorts that view most of the activities of day-to-day life uninteresting and not worthy of their attention. But who, when moved to give attention to something, could utterly destroy countries with a mere nod of their head," she offers as a continuation of what she is speaking about. "The Council is not here in Haven. They are all around the world. What happens herei in Haven is ... a Mexican standoff of sorts, not a full blown war."
"The Phalanx are a singular dissident. The equivalent of a corrupt chapel that has set itself to be one to curry financial aid and protection from the larger force- that being this elusive Venice." Castiel notes, with a slight glance at Gabriella, one that wanes back to return upon Alexandra. "The Oaths and the Hospitality exists to separate them from savage animals, where the larger and stronger devours the lesser to inflate their ranks.." After Siofra's list, however, Castiel adds, with a slow smile that spreads over his lips - larger than before, yet all the same tamed. "I am on the council, as I lead a force of my own," But that smile is like a blade, one that turns upon Siofra, sharper in one breath of spoken word. "I am not a hell's angel, but I am the one that subdues it."
Gabriella glances towards Siofra from her phone. She frowns, confused, and she seems certain of something at first, but then... she poses it as a question to Alexandra. "It's not them, is it? I mean, Haven chapter leaders of the societies that are around here, they don't have a seat there, right?"
Gabriella turns to take a good look at Castiel, then. "You - you sit at the Council?"
"Most unlikely," Alexandra says to Gabriella with a nod, though she glances toward Castiel curiously with the comment about being on the council. Her eyebrow perks a little, but she leaves it alone for the moment. "That is exactly why Oaths and Hospitality exist," she does recognize with a nod however.
"I do not hold The Hand's seat on the council." Sam speaks, in response to Siofra, giving a nod in agreement to Alexandra, then he nods to Castiel, seemingly a little impressed, though perhaps not surprised.
Sam's comment takes what little faith Siofra has in the world right out of her eyebrows. All that's left is the smile that plays around with Venice's fun little game of pretend. "Well, sure look! 'Tis all a grand craic of moving, broken parts, then. At least Haven is singular in its absurdity."
Siofra says "After all, were the rest of world so impotent and incapable of keepin' satyrs and manticores out of its forests, hypnotists would have to work overtime."
"Outside of Haven, the kid gloves come off. There's no need to use amnesia, because those that break the rules die," Alexandra explains to Siofra simple and serious, the sternness in her tone emphasizing the last four words especially.
Siofra says "Not if ye' kill or enslave yer victims."
Siofra says "Though, I see how ye' mean. Cold war and all."
Siofra says "Tree falls in a forest, no one hears? No forest fallen."
Gabriella glances towards Siofra, looking like she doesn't quite understand the coed, and in any case that glance does not take long - soon enough she is looking back at Castiel. "So, hm- Sir, I... think you have us in disadvantage." She's speaking for herself, of course - at least Sam seems to know well whom the sculpted person is. She glances towards Alexandra, and speaks on her behalf, cheeky, saying "I don't think the teacher would mind if you would want to tell us who you are and what you do in Venice..."
Alexandra holds her hands out to her side in ambivalent indifference before giving Siofra a small nod. "If everything is happening within the three percent I suggested earlier, all is still well on the cold war front," she explains with a little wink of encouragement. She folds her arms back under her chest and says, "If they wish to identify themselves, they may. I think I've gotten as far in this discussion as we will manage to productively do today..."
"Well I've learned a lot Miss Harris!" Siofra leans forward, eyes rounded. "Why, is it not the duty of the college to correct me misunderstandings? I am quite sorry that I have a great deal o'them."
"In Haven, Sanctuary offers some leniency. If you fuck around, though, Venice can and will lay down the law. The societies will gladly retract Sanctuary for that purpose." Sam speaks, gaze fixing on Siofra. "Breaking Venice is more serious than people take it within this town."
"You're mistaken." Castiel tells Siofra, simply put - and his words add to Alexandra's. "There are open wounds across this earth, places that lead into darker, more dangerous ones. The spill of monsters and their ilk are prevalent everywhere, you only need to look. And if a mortal should chance upon them, they do not make it out of these elusive mists as often as they do in Haven. The only option, then, is to leave, flee for safety beyond closed doors if they do not want the ire of a greater being."
When his eyes, after his words, land upon Gabriella - the smile is all but gone, and he does not say anything initially. Not before he gives them a fuller look, one as intense as it ever was directed anywhere else. The smile growing touches his eyes this time, fuller yet faint, almost forlorn. Still, each word is soft-spoken, however carrying far. "I am Qaspiel, in Heaven - Castiel, now, on Earth. I've had many names and bore many titles, none you should worry for."
"Misses Harris," Alexandra gently corrects Siofra, ensuring that the wedding ring on her left hand is visible. She does nod to Sam though at the comments about Venice in the limits of Haven though. "Indeed, they should be taken more seriously, but I suspect some people's reaction to apocalyptical overhead is to disregard rules and literally live like there is no tomorrow anyway," she offers as a suggestion for why people might relax their otherwise strict adherence to such rules.
"Sanctuary." Siofra repeats, a common recurrence of discussion that holds the same connotation to her as, 'paradise,' or, 'eden.' An apple not bitten, a future withheld by the cold reality. "Is there a better way to ensure our gas game of secret is kept? I'll.. Mayhap I'll ask Malcolm."
Castiel repeats something Siofra has said, with some humor.
"There is a way. Divine retribution."
Didn't Gabriella asks Castiel to speak to the class about Venice, that Alexandra wouldn't mind? Well, now that Alexandra has said there's little more to learn in class, Gabriella might have agreed because, despite her listening to Castiel's words, and nodding a bit at his introduction, she then moves to start to stand up. "Well, hm.." she mutters, and checks the time on her phone. The hour isn't over yet, but... "...if the class is over now, I... suppose I better be going, I need- well, other classes to take care of", she says.
"Mmm." Siofra drums her fingers, leaning back in the chair and to the heavens above- ending with a brief wave to Gabriella. "Sooo.. How do those four stand on Venice? The Golden Shadow, The Flame and what not?"
"The part I think I can successfully manage and maintain is over, yes," Alexandra says to Gabriella with a small smirk and a nod. She gestures then toward Castiel and says, "If Castiel wishes to share more of his perspective on the matter, who am I to get in the way?" She slips her hands down and back around behind her back then says, "It may be a good opportunity for you to learn something a bit more directly about the Council. Which obviously, I only have limited knowledge of, given how elusive they are." She then looks toward Siofra and says, "They are obviously enemies of the Council of Venice, as they are not even remotely attempting to adhere to the Treaty."
"They keep themselves somewhat hidden, because they, due to their nature, are pretty much kill on sight." Sam looks to Siofra. "They are not our allies, they are not our friends, they are the Enemy."
"Shite... Then our enemy sure succeeds in a lot of their enterprises as Venice has us pick monthly colors in a war against ourselves. Shite-" Siofra 's laugh is dry. "I never see them ploy against another. I daresay they've managed to be more organized than Venice is."
Castiel's attention fades from others. It seems to be collected on Gabriella, now - with the sort of distraction that borders on unwise to break. There isn't a smile, this time around - but his head moves to track her, while he still hasn't blinked even once throughout the whole class. "I cannot say." His explanation is curt, towards Alexandra and others. Instead, he leaves his seat - with an efforted slowness that tells it is difficult, or disdainful for him to move at the regular pace of a person as opposed to whatever lens he perceives the world from. His words are towards Gabriella, "Do you wish for someone to walk along with you? I would assist, I have not explored much of this place beyond your chapel."
"When you only need to organize yourself, it is much easier than organizing dozens of individual groups into some sembelence of order," Alexandra offers to Siofra with another casual shrug of her shoulders. "I may need to revisit this topic in another class," she mentions mostly to herself.
"Their goals are diametrically opposed in many ways." Sam looks over to Siofra. "I've seen the Destined Host attempt to collect a painting owned by the Golden Shadow, and I've seen the Martyrs move against the Black Flame." Sam tilts his head aside. "In the end, we all want the end to be prevented. That seperates us from the cultists."
"Venice is a way for us to cut a piece of the cake, without going into open war. Because open war would destroy us, as well as this world."
The list of 'things to do' piles behind Siofra 's eyes in a slow widening before they're rounded to burst and she hops out of her desk. "Well, Sound fer yer correcting me own ignorance, Missus Harris and class." A brief cross of one leg behind the other is the lazy afterimage of a curtsy. "I've got to put owt more Flames and chew on some Martyrs, I suppose."
"Venice only has the goal of keeping a masquerade." Castiel divulges more towards others, broken from that single-minded, near obsessive look spared on Gabriella. Amber eyes, like molten slags of fire, drift from face to face. "It's main purpose is not to reign you in - it's purpose is to keep you fighting with each other long enough that you are distracted enough and diverted from total chaos. In Order made, we are not alerting the greater threat humanity could pose. The world is not as it once was - the elevated are scarcer in numbers, and no matter how much power you have, even if you can cripple millions, they are billions, and their tools for war have only developed over centuries. In a battle of attrition, we would all be doomed - and this is not preferable."
"I... wouldn't want to put pressure on him" Gabriella comments, moving a bit too hurriedly, hitting with her thigh on the corner of a desk as she slides out of the student seats.Not trying to do much to give Castiel a chance to start a class with her still around or something of the kind, she - barely limping - walks out.
"And with that, I'll say class dismissed, for my part anyway," Alexandra says, before gesturing toward Castiel. "Do continue as you like, but I have the best husband waiting for me back at home," she says, giving a quick nod to defer to him for further discussion. But then she gives a wave to the other students and prepares to depart herself.
Gabriella seems to want to walk out - but not to walk out with Castiel. No, she just heads on, and... hopefully without veing followed.
Perhaps good for someone that she chose to run out when Castiel is distracted by others. He doesn't give chase, as he perhaps would, but the sterner look he offers to others wanes after Alexandra' words. "I am not a teacher, and my intention was not to divert the nature of your class, or replace you. I merely wandered by to listen." There is a deferential dip of his head - and given that there is nothing more to listen, Castiel glances at Siofra, and Sam in turns, then slowly turns. That slow turn, however, ends with his non-existence. Castiel is gone from view, leaving only a swirl of displaced class-room materials in his wake with the sheer, untrackable speed with which he's left.
Perhaps good for the girl that she chose to run out when Castiel is distracted by others. He doesn't give chase, as he perhaps would, but the sterner look he offers to others wanes after Alexandra' words. "I am not a teacher, and my intention was not to divert the nature of your class, or replace you. I merely wandered by to listen." There is a deferential dip of his head - and given that there is nothing more to listen, Castiel glances at Siofra, and Sam in turns, then slowly turns. That slow turn, however, ends with his non-existence. Castiel is gone from view, leaving only a swirl of displaced class-room materials in his wake with the sheer, untrackable speed with which he's left.