Christmas Eve at the Jackdaw’s

[Mrs K. Saunders]

Katherine wandered from room to room checking, double and triple checking that everything was in place. This had to be perfect. She had been irritable the last few days, snapping at Jack. It wasn’t his fault that he did not fully understand how important this was to her. It was the first time in her life that she could properly prove herself socially. Yes she had had many a successful soirées at her new home with the mortals of Bath society but this was different.

She walked into the the richly decorated drawing room and saw the giant pine tree alight with candles. They gave off a pretty gentle glow. She wondered how many guests would be surprised that she could tolerate it. Very few truly understood her derangement. Anyhow too many other fears currently crowded her mind. After tonight though, she reassured herself, there will be one less as it will have been a year.

“Ellen, they should be here momentarily. Will be the food be ready shortly after there arrival?”

Ellen rushes in looking slightly flustered. “Yes Madam.”

Katherine studied her demeanour, “Are you quite alright?”

“Yes of course, just excited for the festivities. It is a shame that your husband does not seem to share in the Christmas spirit.” Glancing back into the study where Jack was reading.

“Ellen, not tonight.” She says sternly.

A knock at the door, makes Katherine jump. Someone is here already?

Ellen goes to the door to discover a group of eight carol singers, part of the entertainment for the evening.

Katherine tries to calm herself and checks her outfit in the mirror, purple, of course. She considers all of her guests, the possible problems. She takes a deep breath and says aloud to herself.

“Let them come. Do what they will. I am ready.”

[annabelle]

The carriage stops outside Katherine’s house. Helen escorted by Jerome Price and her ghoul William, exit. They decided to arrive fashionably early. William, shadowing them with a stoic face not showing any discomfort for all the presents he had to carry.

The young Ventrue pauses to observe Katherine’s new house. Thoughts are running in her head and an odd smile is forming.

“Have you been to any party here in Aquae Sulis Mr Price? They are rather peaceful. In this one, the guests are all friends and acquaintances without any angst or vendettas among them. It will be a lovely gathering Jerome!” Surprisingly Helen manages to keep a straight face while saying this.

“We might have arrived too early, you see I don’t want to miss any fig…entrance I mean.”


They both enter the building. Helen gives an angelic smile to Ellie and whispers something to her that seems to have strange calming effect for Ellen. She looks around the living room with appreciation looking for something until its fixated to a beautiful sofa. Another odd smile is forming but is replaced by a huge grin at the sight of Katherine.

“Katherine, my dear, Elder Jackdaw.” Her courtesy a perfect example of Victorian etiquette.

“Your house is magnificent Katherine! Thank you for your invitation and allowing me to extend it to Mr Price. I have some gifts for you, should I leave them under the tree?”

[Christine Daye]

The Prince and her ward walk together arm in arm, conversing in low, intimate tones. Under one arm, Christine carries a large, squishy parcel, done up in purple paper and ribbon, which clash quite astonishingly with not only her green gown, but also with Erika's rich burgundies.

Christine smiles brightly at all present.

"Dear Katherine, and Mr Jackdaw, thank you so much for inviting us! Mr Price, how lovely to see you! And Helen..."

Her smile turns impish.

"...been in any good snowball fights recently? That was so much fun!"

She giggles, high pitched and fae.

"...oh... yes... presents... um..."

She deposits the package under the tree, and steps back, staring at it, with a puzzled expression on her face.

[Erika Leroux]

Erika takes in the surroundings, and once Christine has greeted the others, she takes her turn to do so, starting quite naturally with her host and hostess.

"As Miss Daye says, thank you so much for inviting us. And how lovely a place this is!" That's directed at Katherine, with an enchanted smile. Then, to Mr Price and Helen. "I am delighted to see you again."

There is a tiredness in her expression. For once, let this be about simplicities, let the niceities be simply that, she thinks, knowing all too well that this is unlikely. It is rare that she drops her guard these days.

[Mrs K. Saunders]

Katherine smiles broadly at the arrival of Helen and Mr Price. Glad that she managed to successfully, in the end, negotiate between Helen and Jack, the complexities of the Ventrue attendance and her associated escorts. Who knew how difficult things could become? But she needed Helen there. She was important to Katherine, almost some kind of mentor now.

“Thank you so much for coming and yes please put the gifts under..” trailing off when she notices the arrival of the Prince and Christine.

“Your majesty,” she curtises, “and dear Christine! I am so glad that you were able to make time to come to our little soirée. Please make yourselves comfortable.”

She notes Christine’s confusion.

“Does something perplex you? Is it the tree?”

[Jerome Price]

Mr. Price returns the greetings politely and then hands his hat, coat and a small suitcase to Ellen before placing a small bundle of neatly wrapped presents under the tree.

"Elder Jackdaw and Lady Katherine, thank you for your hospitality. It is truly an honour to be able to celebrate the season's festivities in such pleasant company."

Mr.Price turns to the other ladies and bows slightly stiffly, "Your Majesty and Lady Christine. A pleasure as always, I do hope that we might join in voice again a little later and add a little festivity to proceedings."

[Christine Daye]

Christine refocuses abruptly at Katherine's words. She looks a little upset.

"... I forgot to bring an offering for the tree... oh botheration!"

She frowns as she looks around, then looks at the tree again.

"...I don't wish to offend it...."

At Price's words, she favours him with a bright smile.

"...I should like that... Do you think that the tree will approve?"

[annabelle]

“Your Majesty, Christine, glad to see you again.” Helen greets both ladies warmly and chuckles a little bit upon seeing Christine’s fixation with the tree.

Slowly, she walks towards Christine and stares at the tree “What kind of offering you need Christine? An animal? A flower? A Ventrue? Just name it.”

“Katherine, do you provide any drinks? I arrived sober today just for you. Big sacrifice if you ask me.” Her tone casual and a little bit catatonic while admiring the Christmas tree.

[Mrs K. Saunders]

Looking for reassurance from the Prince, Katherine carefully approaches Christine.

“My dear, the tree needs no more than your presence and perhaps if you are in the mood also a beautiful song? “

She turns to Helen.

“It would be a terrible lapse in hospitality for me to not offer some refreshment.” She walks towards the door and calls to Ellen. “Could you bring the wine through please?”

Then to all that are gathered, in a slightly conspiratorial tone, “I had small celebration for mortals earlier, mostly composed of local Peelers, and honest tradesman. A thank you for their hard work you understand. They in turn gladly made a contribution to our party.”

Ellen returns with a tray of exquisitely cut crystal glasses and offers them around. The blood is obviously that of an intoxicated mortals.

[Jerome Price]

Jerome moves to Christine's side, "I suspect the tree will favour us well enough if we sing O Tannenbaum, an old Germanic song. But perhaps we should wait until everyone is here before we consider starting up any carolling."

Carefully taking one of the glasses, Jerome will smile warmly at Katherine asking "Are we expecting many more to join us tonight? Princess Helen was somewhat... enigmatic about the actual number expected."