"A little bird told me."
The Etiquette represents the interests of Faux Pas outside of the Agency's usual jurisdiction. Multiple branches exist, though most are found in cities along the West Coast, where Faux Pas has spread their wings. Opportunistic locals view the Ring as way of getting in contact with the Agency without stepping into their territory proper. Traditionally, a branch of the Etiquette takes the form of an Ambassador and Warden pair, handpicked by the Courtesy and given the discretion to carry out their duties in whatever way they see fit.
No one is entirely sure when the Etiquette arrived in Chicago, nor why they've chosen Chicago specifically - though plenty of rumors whisper about their relationship with Sterrenhemel. Working primarily through proxies across all walks of the Symphony, they keep eyes and ears on the city for anything that might even remotely interest their LA patrons. This new generation of the Chicago Etiquette has brought more than just their usual duo, no doubt in response to the murder of their previous representatives.
PATRON: Faux Pas | TYPE: Ring | AGENDA: Inquisitor | STATUS: Active
owned by @dualscepters
Previously entrenched in the depths of Hollywood, one of the more infamous districts in Faux Pas' territory, Blackbird's previous Cover was unmade in a clash between angelic and demonic forces. By the convenience of his unfortunate availability, he was reassigned to Chicago to put his skills as a counterintelligence specialist to good use in the emergency circumstances. He has been tasked with picking up where Miss Lapwing had left off - and investigating her murder on top of that. From reorganizing her array of pawns to hunting for signs of a demon named Harbinger, he has his hands full - which suits his viciously workaholic mindset just fine. Cold, focused, and intolerant of indolence, he holds himself at arm's length from anything that might get in his way, and loathes distractions he cannot get rid of. Perhaps it should be alarming that this is the second Ambassador specializing in the destruction of information sent to Sterrenhemel's territory... but what happens between Agencies of such reputation, stays between them.
Compared to their assigned partner, Cardinal is far more measured, lacking the sharp undertones of Blackbird. Impressions can be deceiving, however, and the demon is familiar in the ways of subversion to get the upper hand. For most of their time with Faux Pas, Cardinal worked as security in the Promenade, staying in headquarters more often than not. Their reassignment to Chicago had been a surprise, though upon reflection they can understand the Courtesy's motives. There are few people Blackbird can stand to work in close, constant proximity with for an extended period of time, and vice versa. And yet, despite Blackbird's uptight standards, they have somehow managed to win his respect. At least part of this can be attributed to the two belonging to the more serious and less overtly hedonistic individuals of their Agency, as Cardinal takes to their allegiance with a surprising intensity for someone who cares little for the pomp and circumstance of it all.
Once a dirty cop in the Chicago Police Department, Alex had the misfortune of being included in a stack of files provided by Mr. 3D to one Elliot Deveraux. Kidnapped and traded to Faux Pas as a "volunteer" for their 2022 Summer Games, he was presumably sent to his death by violent gladiatorial combat. Except he's still alive, isn't he? It's hard to gauge what exactly happened to him, but the experience certainly hasn't made him a better person - though he's at least gained a name and some kind of membership in Faux Pas for his troubles. The stigmatic has been sent back to Chicago as part of the new Etiquette's retinue, giving Mr. Blackbird more hands to work with as the repopulated Ring settles back into the city. Perhaps the biggest irony is that he was always destined to work for the Etiquette one way or another, as Miss Lapwing had been in the midst of recruiting him as a unwitting pawn when he was mysteriously removed from Chicago.
The much less known and youngest Dancer sibling, though its an entirely intended effect as far as he's concerned. Accidentally turned into a stigmatic during a car wreck at 16, Marcelin has done quite well for himself by learning to keep his head down and subtly influence those around him to pay him no mind. He’s an expert at not standing out while simultaneously not fading into the background. His underachieving is purposeful, systematic, and present throughout nearly every aspect of his life in order to preserve his perfectly average situation, though it wasn't enough to spare him from being caught up in the Etiquette. He isn't a fan of his new employers and frequently finds himself terrified of Mr. Blackbird, but at least they pay him and arent harvesting his organs, right? He is completely oblivious to his status as a Sleeve Integrator, though his employer certainly isn't.
Ambassador Lapwing has dutifully served in her position for decades, getting to know Chicago as thoroughly as she does her hometown of LA. A coy individual, she's polite in a way where she's clearly up to something. On the surface, she only has her Warden and herself at her disposal, outside of what money and gadgets her patrons can spare. In reality, she always seems to have something more up her sleeve. Having long since mastered the art of negotiation, she tempts the mundane and supernatural alike to just do one little, tiny job for her, and another, and another. Luckily for her pawns, she's the type to keep her word; she has no need to cheat her employees when she's already ten steps ahead.
She was found dead on February 11th, 2023, in an Etiquette-Sterrenhemel safehouse.
Warden Iridium, by all accounts, is an easygoing individual. While they often leave the speaking to Lapwing, they're affable when approached - though, keen conversationalists find that their pleasantries are as guarded as one would expect from someone in their position. Still, if not for their association with Lapwing, few would assume they're affiliated with Faux Pas at all. Their loyalties are more to the Ambassador herself, and they prefer their "vacation" in Chicago over their previous work at headquarters. They rarely stray far from Lapwing, considering her safety and her work of the utmost importance - both as her on-and-off suitor and as her Guardian.
They were found dead on February 11th, 2023, in an Etiquette-Sterrenhemel safehouse.