Christmas Eve at the Jackdaw’s

[Valentina Audley]

"Oh, so you call all the pretty girls Princess do you now?" Valentina is enjoying the show from a distance, catching Reggie's thoughts about both the people and his surroundings.

"And there was I thinking you had me singled out for a special pet name..." The mental image she sends this time is of herself languishing sadly on a chaise longue, her dress having slipped up enough to display a pale ankle.

[annabelle]

At Constance’s response Helen rolls her eyes. Count Constance to destroy a good joke. Bummer.

She touches her hair softly while titling her head, looking at Reggie with a gleam of humour in her eyes “Oh my Reggie, if you have to apologise then I have to apologise myself. I was quite busy these days, been away for a while. Needed to catch up with the Aquae Sulis since I never had enough time to do so. Feels great to be free and live without the fear of destruction.” He smile sweet but shadowed by the memories of her first time in Bath, alone and afraid of her shadow, rightfully so.

“Can’t wait for our upcoming endeavour. Meeting Scyla…will be…interesting. Will assist you if anything of inconvenience will occur though. I have a new sword, gift by Lunaris, need to show it you at some point, a Toreador like yourself will appreciate it. Anyway...”

She looks around and sigh, playing with a curl, taking regular sips from her drink, thinking whether is time to take her flask out and just drift into apathy again. She decided otherwise and just settles with the drink that does absolutely nothing for her. She touches lightly her thigh, making sure the strapped knife is there. Enjoying the feeling of the cold metal against her skin, not that she had any intention to hurt anyone, but a neonate had to be careful nowadays and make sure she can defend herself or others if it comes to that.

The feeling of hostility towards Reggie apparent and Helen didn’t like that. He has been more than polite that day and she didn’t understand what was the fuss about. If he was Miroslav it would have been understandable but Reggie hasn’t done anything that bad to deserve this behaviour.

Upon his question she sighs dramatically “Haven’t you gotten used the female attention so far Reggie? If I didn’t know Katherine’s devotion to her Sire I would have sworn she is into you.”

[Mrs K. Saunders]

Katherine holds her head in her hands not even moving when she hears Constance enter the room. Nobody can help her. Nobody can know. She needs to get away, think somewhere. Work out what it all means.

[CFlaubert]

Constance enters the room and can read Katherine's upset in her aura. She moves to her side without attempting to draw her attention.

"All things are resolvable. Whatever may seem to be the case right now, in this moment, you are the host of this party. You have your husband, your Clan your friends. They will help you work this through. What help I can provide is yours."

She remains silent with an arm around Katherine.

[Jerome Price]

Jerome watches Helen make her way over to Constance and Verity shaking his head ever so slightly at her eagerness to throw herself into the middle of ... well whatever political nightmare might have seeped into the room. This is definitely not going to be as dull an evening as Helen had repeatedly insinuated, then again - when the lady doth protest too much...

Intrigued at the idea that Durham might have an artistic side, Jerome takes Helen's advice and stands and moves to engage the Prince and Christine, "Ladies, might I ask for a teaser of young Durham's work? It sounds like it has already piqued your interest, I look forward to hearing more."

[Reginald Verity]

“Ah yes Helen, now I realise that perhaps you speak sense. That would explain her gaze and that of her potentially jealous betrothed. Maybe the lady does indeed hold unrequited feelings for yours truly and isn’t unable to reconcile them with her current station. She certainly seemed unable to contain her excitement upon my arrival and now has had to leave to calm her nerves.

Oh no though Helen, I feel like a player in one of the bards tales for alas I fear I will disappoint the lady as I do not hold similar feelings, and fear that such rejection may be too much for her to contend with. What am I to do?”

(And to Valentina “Darling, this is just too amusing. I fear I may be in need of your sartorial ministrations after all. And your curiosity is most compelling. As I tried to explain earlier, Helen is an actual Princess and I refer to her title whereas you are MY princess. There is a significant difference.

And I am greatly relieved that your most delightful of ankles has recovered. Francis is indeed and dutiful physician. But now that you are on the mend may you be in need of further attention later to confirm it’s able return to duty?)

[annabelle]

Helen tries to supress a giggle and it immediately transforms into a sad sad frown “A letter Reggie…a letter is the best way to explain pleasant or unpleasant feelings. You can write one now and leave it under the tree. That way she won’t have to face the rejection and you will be clear with her. I wrote one recently, it is much easier that way I assure you.” and with that she taps his hand with sympathy.

[Valentina Audley]

"I think I'm actually having knee trouble loverling. Perhaps you are as good with knees are you are ankles?" The dress is rising slowly up Valentina's leg in the mental image.

Then a laugh. "If you do write a letter I could help you compose it!" Valentina laughs aloud then covers her mouth with her hands lest her ghouls hear and coming looking to see why she's giggling.

[Erika Leroux]

Erika, both amused and appalled by the behaviour towards their hosts, after a swift and heartfelt greeting to Valeria, returns to Jerome's attention.

"I'm uncertain that such an unveiling would be quite lost on a night such as this. Instead, perhaps, a little song to soothe the spirits?" She turns to Christine, and effortlessly conveys a nod, a gentle nod that says everything and nothing. Music, my love, it calms the soul. Let us see if we can settle some of these ill feelings, if possible. And if not, then we have the basis for a comedy opera right here.

[annabelle]

Katherine was gone for too long. Did they take it too far? Nothing bad had happened and she usually wasn’t the only to run away. With her curiosity winning like always, she whispers something to Reggie and closes her eyes. She out for about 10 minutes. Unmoving like in a peaceful nap, one without dreams and worries.

Her face when she wakes up though a frown of confusion. Her teasing mood gone and vanished. She looks around with wary eyes and doesn’t say anything. Instead, she takes a sip of her drink and stretches without the worry leaving her features.

“Reggie, scrap the letter suggestion. Not a good idea right now. A good idea is maybe make amends meet. Talk with Jackdaw perhaps? Fix any differences you might have? Is that even possible?”

The sudden change in Helen’s demeanour odd but she wasn’t going to explain further.