"Well.. she's still a shrew it appears. I don't recall seeing her invitation to Olympus, tho." Mal regarded the woman of indeterminate age and stunted social grace for a moment before replying. He put on his best condescending smile, then thought better of it and put on his "Holy" face...
"Madame Mnemosyn, what I 'have to do' at this particular juncture in spacetime is first to be a courteous guest. I have no idea as to your 'druthers'."
He then rose, and turned towards Reynard Gull, bowing briefly as he spoke.
"Pope Leonardo, I would first like to thank you for your hospitality this day. I welcome you as a Pope of the Church of Eris Esoteric. If Ambassador Holliday were here, I am certain he would echo that sentiment on behalf of the TAZ, so consider it 'echoed'.
"I would be honored to bless this marvelous vessel, sir, in the hopes that she will be a lasting home for you and yours in the coming New Era. Would everyone please rise?"
Mal bowed his head in contemplation as the others rose. He offerred a silent prayer to Goddess for inspiration, and began.
"Brothers and Sisters in Eris, we gather here today to bless this vessel, its' crew, and its' inhabitants.
"Long ago, when Episkopos Hagbard left Earth's gravity well aboard the Lief Ericson, he sailed into the unknown without hesitation, knowing that Eris was at his side. Today, She is still at our sides, keeping watch over us as we sail into yet 'another' unknown, a new period of Verwirrung.
"As Episkopos Prime of Her Church, and in Her Holy Name, I Bless this ship, the ISS Leonardo. May she sail well and true, guided by the Five-Fingered Hand of our Goddess, and protected by Her Esoteric Powers."
He lifted his arms and face upwards, beginning the final Incantation of Bike/Trike:
![[Image: malsig_alt1.png]](http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o108/Shamus_FL/malsig_alt1.png)