Christmas Eve at the Jackdaw’s

[Trevor Jackdaw]

At Kathrine's words he moves to her and puts an arm around her. (Please calm yourself, a moment then I shall do as you ask.) He turns to the child but sees Helen has it under control. Good. There are few somethings that turn his stomach, one is injury of infants. He will then turn to Matthias. ''Your invitation to make merry in the haven of myself and my wife is rescinded. Do respect the tradition and importance this fief places on Haven and leave before you break it.''

[annabelle]

Ellen surprisingly was able to bring milk, how she founded it in a kindred house was peculiar. Her next steps are mechanical and perfectly orchestrated like she is dead inside…well she was.

Carefully she gives the baby to Ellen, drilling into her mind to evaluate whether she has previous experience with infants. She seems reassured with what she finds and Helen summons William too. She gives them both a set of strict orders regarding the creature and then she focuses her attention on Jackdaw and Matthias trusting William and Ellen will take the baby in another room and feed it, away from all this chaos.

Her posture alert, soldier like, her eyes focused on Jackdaw for any signs of initiating combat.

His diplomatic reply bringing a sense of relief and appreciation of Jackdaw but she stays still regardless, waiting for Matthias reply without leaving Jackdaw from her sight.

Hating herself was a familiar feeling afterall.

[Elisabeth.BasireDuP]

Elisabeth freezes in panic as Mrs Jackdaw collapses. She starts to head for the baby as it grizzles, but stops as Helen gets there first, and starts to thank God under her breath when she realises that the child is going to looked after, at least in the short term.

Not knowing what to do next, she follows the ghouls with the baby, hoping she can help in some way.

[Matthias]

The glass of intoxicated blood is sipped at delicately as chaos descends upon the room and as the scene unfolds before them it is watched calmly with a faint smile. There is a very,very faint tilt of the head to Valeria as she watches, two old monsters quite aware of the other, especially as they weren't within Elysium.

What is left in the glass is finished as the Mister of the married couple speaks and put down before rising to their feet gracefully and smoothing out the creases in the purple silk of the dress.

"Of course Elder Jackdaw, thank you for the hospitality of your Haven." she replies with a polite smile. "Ellen, my coat, hat and gloves please."

"I had thought this year to save one innocent soul from an inevitable death through wanton neglect Mrs Jackdaw." she says sounding a little disappointed in the hostess as she moves to leave. "The child last ate about two hours ago and save for some small amount of mal-nourishment is otherwise in good health. That is nothing the attentions of a good wet nurse wouldn't be able to rectify however if you decide to keep the gift. The Vitae it has been given should provide some small protection and robustness for a while and save for illness or accident beyond that the boy should grow quite well if cared for appropriately."

Once dressed appropriately for the winters eve (if Ellen doesn't get them she'll get them herself with an amused smile) she smiles pleasantly to the remaining guests.

"It seems that I will get to listen to the carols and take in the mass at the Abbey after all. Good evening and wish you all an enjoyable Christmastide."

And with that, she turns and leaves, the first few notes of Good King Wenceslas been hummed as the door shuts behind them

[Mrs K. Saunders]

“STOP!!! Someone stop him leaving looking like me, he’ll destroy my mortal persona! He can’t go to church like that.” Katherine pleads to anyone around around her.

She stands up quickly, almost falling back down. Partly on hands and knees she scrabbles towards the door.

“Someone help. He could break the masquerade.”

[annabelle]

Helen’s posture relaxes immediately and she rolls her eyes on Katherine.

"He is an Elder of the Camarilla you fool and one with Dominate. He won't break anything, now collect yourself and come with me to check how is the human." her voice frozen cold with hints of annoyance.

Without caring to hear her answer she goes around looking for William and Ellen with the infant.

She finally finds them in one of the rooms, Elisabeth with them.

“The boy will be fine Elisabeth. It will be well taken care of, I promise. Maybe the boy was actually lucky after all…” she pauses for a minute “Your Sire left.” She says without any colour in her voice and sits in one of the sofas in the room with a tired sigh.

Staying there and observing the Ancillae with a bitter smile.

[Elisabeth.BasireDuP]

Lissa looks relieved at Helen's words, "He said that he wanted to give them a family. I told him they might not see it that way, but he just smiled and said it would be fine. I can find it a good home I'm sure, it is an innocent in all of this!"

The tension in her seems to snap, and she collapses into the sofa next to Helen, her head in her hands. "I think I made a mistake coming to find him, I've changed so much over the last few decades, but he has just got to be more of what he was. He always thinks he knows what's best, even when it really isn't." There is a pause as she centres herself, and she looks at Helen, unshed tears in her eyes, "Maybe I should just return to my seclusion, I think I no longer know how to function in our society"

[annabelle]

Helen is listening at her fellow Ventrue with an odd expression while Ellen is playing with the little human who actually seems relaxed and happy.

Her youthful face unmoving and frozen, oddly calm. She is fantasizing of digging her nails in her own face and scratching everything out while screaming in frustration. The window looking oddly appealing, feeling the need to just jump from it and escape this madness once and for all. All sorts of needs but as dear Cylon told her recently, she is not insane…yet.

“It’s hard in the beginning, adapting that is. I woke up after a 400 years of Torpor, I understand. You will feel like you don’t belong in this world, unable to fit, confused with your own self and your choices. In plain terms…a mess.“ Her voice gentle but distant.

She taps Elisabeth’s hand comfortingly, an odd smile forming.

“Do you only have 2 options in this life? You are an Ancilla not an unreleased fledging. Is it either isolation or being drugged around by Matthias? He is not for the faint heart, trust me I know so you either harden to handle him or you keep a safe distance and you crave your own path. If you ask me, there are benefits and drawbacks in both choices but you don’t need to hurry to make a decision….”

She shifts uncomfortably in her position and there is a face of defeat replacing everything else.

“The past six months was a total chaos for me and I predict it will be a total chaos for you too…”

She sighs again heavily, the whole scratching her own eyes out, a pleasant fantasy she was entertaining internally.

“We have a trip soon. I’ll be there if you want to talk more about it. I understand your situation more than you may think. And fortunately or unfortunately I sympathise…“

And with that she touches her hand and squeezes it lightly for comfort while looking at the window briefly and feeling like jumping from it.

[Trevor Jackdaw]

Moving this a practised ease quick steps barely making a sound he goes to Kathrine. He goes to his knees and draws her up into an embrace. ''Kat please don't shut me out. I want to help but please don't shut me out. You need to let me help you. You are my world. Tell me what you need.''

[Mrs K. Saunders]

She takes down the block temporarily, (I need you to love me no matter what. No matter what I do, whoever I become. Promise me).

She stands up and using her husband for support. Looking around dazed. She brushes herself down, attempts some composure and says,

“Apologies everyone. I did not intend to be the entertainment. Shall we forget that incident and move on? Time for the other presents I think.”

She looks into Jackdaw’s face lookin for reassurance. (I love you and always will. I am not sure you will always love me).