Christmas Eve at the Jackdaw’s

[Trevor Jackdaw]

''Indeed. The numbers suddenly swelled.'' (Kathrine felt under pressure to allow people to invite along extra guests and Constance just showed up no warning with Verity. My apologies for no forewarning on the swell. It would have given you the opportunity to avoid the unpleasantness of all these people. I am however glad to see you.) ((Also I told Val in my reported all position changes.))

[CFlaubert]

[Mrs K. Saunders]

She beams at Verity in the most convincing manner she can muster. She is absolutely delighted to see Valeria arrive. An excuse to leave Verity and a pleasant one at that. There are few kindred that Katherine feels safe with, but Valeria is one.

“Lady Valeria, Jackdaw and I am so delighted to see you. I was unsure if you would be able to make the time.”
(I’m sorry if this is not as you expected.)

“Please have a seat. Can I get anything for you?”
(I did not invite Primogen Verity, I am most put out by his presence)

She smiles one of her first genuine smiles of the evening.

[Lady Fortescue]

'How was she pressured?' Valeria's mind sharpens, a thought of Leverson and blood theft flashing to the fore. Her eyes linger on her Whip as he continues; to the comment on Constance, there is no immediate thought returned. Valeria is used to the young entertaining poor taste in friends. Constance, especially, is unfamiliar with etiquette. And sanity.

'It is a shame Verity is so wanton. He and Beauclair seem almost...' she casts around for the word. 'Tolerable. For Toreador. In the past we would castrate such unfortunate mongrels. It helped them focus.'

Valeria spikes a slightly odd look towards Constance. She's seen where absolute trust has gotten people. Let alone with an Elder; and Valeria is certain Verity cannot share her own Path, which makes his wrong. What interests the male whore has in the ancilla is notable enough to put some investigation into. Valeria is sure that Lunaris has nothing to do this month, for all the wandering around the countryside he does.

A cool bubble of inertia expands around Katherine's mind. 'If they have not sent word of their presence then it is no fault on your own part, Childe. This is your home, and I presume you have registered it with our new Prince. If not, I would recommend doing so upon this night. These individuals are not cattle, and this is no pen for them, to wander into at will. A Primogen should know better. It is amusing that a Toreador, and even a Ventrue, have so little to do with their time. What is this inane business of escorts? Is the city unsafe again?'

"Thank you," she murmurs aloud and takes the offered chair. "I do not labour any immediate needs. Are you well?"

[annabelle]

Helen tries to supress a manic laugh when she sees Constance and Reginald. She notices his smile and she gives him a dazzling smile back. But she was slightly annoyed. She had to make all these discussions with Katherine to bring her plus one…well plus two..three…whatever.

And look at Constance now! Bringing Reggie without asking. Not that she wasn’t happy Reggie was there, of course she was, but she could have avoided all these conversations with Katherine. Suddenly, she regretted from bailing out drugging the food of the party. She should have moved on with her plan but no! She felt bad for Katherine. Now no drugs, no nothing. At least Jerome was entertaining and a great company.

Do not get angry.
Do not get angry.
Take a deep breath.
You are a civilised Ventrue.
Yes, you are.

“Mr Price, I need to talk to Verity, you can join me if you like to, although I see there is a discussion about a possible play that might be of interest for you. I happen to know the plot and is brilliant.” She gives Christine, Erika and Jerome a warm smile and after gulping the rest of her drink she heads towards the table in the rear of the room where Reggie and Constance are sitting.

She pauses in front of Matthias and Elisabeth and gives them a polite smile. She tries hard to not get distracted by Katherine’s 2 face. All sorts of thoughts swirling in her mind and she gives herself a mental slap and manages to keep a decent unemotional expression.

“I have presents for both of you but couldn’t bring them because William was unable to carry more gifts. I’ve send them both in your address Matthias, if you are still living in the same house they will be there when you return home today.” She gives them a polite courtesy and continues towards Reggie.

However, she pauses again when she hears another presence in the room. The Malkavian Primogen was sucking the air in the room. Helen felt intimidated by the power she was radiating, whether it was real raw power or simply her presence, Helen didn’t know and she wasn’t sure she was in the mood to find out either. Or was she?

After taking another drink and sniffing it for any vampire blood she finally manages to reach Constance and Reggie. She gives them both a sincere smile, her spirits lifted a little bit. Reggie was the one she could share a good joke with and there was a great joke in the room right now. A hilarious one. She makes herself comfortable and with a giggle she asks both of them.

“Now tell me, who do you find more attractive? Katherine? Or Katherine 2?”

[CFlaubert]

[Mrs K. Saunders]

“I am well enough Lady Valeria. Excuse me one moment.”

She goes quiet for a few moments, staring into the Christmas tree, her thoughts elsewhere.

“I am sorry, I will return shortly.” She says politely and almost overly carefully to Valeria.

She walks towards the door of the drawing room, smiling at everyone as they catch her eye. As she reaches the exit she slightly stumbles and grabs the door frame for support. She gets through to the hallway and rushes into the next room. This so happens to be the dining room. She sits down heavily on one the chairs at the table. She needs to think. She wants to be alone, though that appears to be impossible.

[CFlaubert]

On seeing Katherine's stumble, Constance rises and quickly moves after her. A look of concern on her face.

[Matthias]

Matthias returns the Malkavian Primogen's greeting with a similar one of their own and introduces Elisabeth in a suitably polite and respectful manner. Once the other Primogen has moved on their demeanour and expression goes back to one of faint amusement and makes themselves comfortable again.

If there was one thing to dislike more than anything else about the current societal situation was the blasted fashion. Whoever decided that restrictive clothing was the in thing should be taken out back and maimed. Still, it certainly helped with ones posture so every cloud and all that.

Katherine smiles fondly at Helen and replies "That is very kind of you, I look forward to seeing what delights you have found for us both." before letting her move on to speak with Constance and Reggie.

She glanced at the still covered wicker basket and smiled to herself. As long as there were no overly loud noises it would keep until later on and the gin wore off.

[Reginald Verity]

Comfortable that his momentary slip with the punch had gone unnoticed, Reggie refocuses on the matter at hand which is no small task given the gallery of indecent thoughts and images that Valentina was relaying.

“Helen, you look radiant Princess. I trust the evening finds you well. I am delighted to see you here and apologise that we have not spoken since the Quintessance. That said, I am looking forward to your joining me the coming month and to reintroduce you to Scyla. I’m sure a good time will be had I’m sure. That said...”

He paused momentarily looking up and for a second was aware of multiple pairs of eyes resting on him - Katherine, Jackdaw himself and yes...even Valeria. What was that they found so fascinating, he wondered. Then again the cut of his slacks was quite remarkable he concluded - the material had been shipped from Monsiour Jacques in Paris before being adapted by the master seamstress herself at the Thimble. And, looking around the reception room, whilst the decor was an admirable attempt it was hardly Versailles. Perhaps he’d overdressed again.

Turning to Helen, “Have you noticed people looking in our direction? I wondered if it was my trousers,” he twirls like a marionette “but maybe I’m mistaken. Do you think it’s...something else?”