Christmas Eve at the Jackdaw’s

[Elisabeth.BasireDuP]

Lissa listens appreciatively to the carols, amused by Matthias's reaction. When there is a lull between songs she asks, "If it is permitted to make requests of the choir, would you be willing to sing 'Good King Wenceslas? I remember being told the original tale when I was still mortal, by someone very close to me". She seems to drift off slightly with her memories.

[Mrs K. Saunders]

Katherine listens to the carol for verse before letting go of Jackdaw’s hand in an irritated manner.

“Where is that ghoul, damn her?” to no one in particular, before storming out of the room.

A minute or so later, a chastised looking Ellen appears without Katherine holding a tray. She slowly walks around the room offering the alcohol laced mortal blood to everyone. She still cannot understand how another of the guests looks exactly like her mistress, and is unable to help stare them a little whilst walking around the room.

She stops in front of Lady Valeria and Jackdaw.

“Madam, Master Jackdaw. May I offer you a drink?” She suddenly realises her mistake. Lady Katherine told her that Master Jackdaw did not like alcohol. “Sorry, no Master my error.”

She looks around awkwardly for a moment before leaning in towards Master Jackdaw and whispering.

“Master Jackdaw, it may not be my place but I believe that Mrs. Jackdaw is quite distraught and hiding in the kitchen.”

[annabelle]

After her discussion with Reggie Helen thought it was time to go find Katherine. There was a worry settling deep in her stomach for various reasons. Worry and curiosity mixed together was an addictive concoction.

“Let me talk with Katherine Reggie.” She says and with that she walks around to find the hostess.

She finally finds her in the kitchen and she seems in worst condition than before.

“What are you doing now? Inviting us to the Party and then hiding? After this we need to talk Katherine…I have…questions. But for tonight let’s try to finish this party peacefully ok? Try to ditch the bullets gracefully, you did a decent job so far you can keep doing that.” Her tone serious and sober. Normally she would have thrown her more bullets herself because it was extremely entertaining but after what she’ve heard her mood dropped underground.

[Mrs K. Saunders]

Katherine looks at Helen, and nods miserably.

“I can get through tonight, it is after I fear Helen. You don’t understand.”

She follows Helen back out of the kitchen, through the hallway and renters he drawing room.

“Everybody,” she calls out, “I believe that it is time for presents.”

Katherine stops suddenly, lstening. The basket Matthias brought appeared to make a sound. She glares at it curiously.

[CFlaubert]

*CONTENT WARNING: aura reading, links to infants and ghouling*

Constance approaches the basket and looks at it. She pauses a moment and then looks shocked. Her eyes narrow, as if checking again. Then she reaches down and pulls back the linen cover of the basket to confirm her thoughts.

"It's a ghouled infant" she says with evident distaste.

She stumbles back and rights herself. "I shall need a moment" she says and turns to leave the room.

[Mrs K. Saunders]

Katherine peers at the basket and starts screaming over and over again. She collapses on the floor rocking backwards and forwards.

“Corvinus! What have you done!!.” She screams again. “Get out... get out!! Jack get Corvinus out of my house NOW!!!”

[CFlaubert]

On hearing Katherine's response, Constance suddenly realises what's about to occur. She interjects with Christine, and Reggie and asks them if they'd see her outside to get some air.

[annabelle]

CONTENT WARNING: GHOULED INFANT

There is an intake of breath. The shock written clearly on her face to be wiped out by disbelief. Looking at the basket with sorrow.

She wished she was wrong about the storm now….

She sighs heavily ignoring Katherine’s screams. Practicality was the only thing that was going to save the unfortunate creature.

With a cold calm face she goes to the basket and checks the infant. Memories of the first time she took her little sister in her arms ready to suffocate her but she holds her mind tightly together.

She takes the baby in her arms, the poor thing looking hungry and disoriented. She knew pretty well how to hold it. Years of practice with her sister.

“Ellen come here!” she shouts “Bring something that babies eat, like milk or something, and hurry like your life depends on it!”

[Christine Daye]

Christine stiffens in utter, frozen shock as the baby gets revealed, but relaxes slightly as Helen takes over. Moving stiffly, she rises and goes with Constance.

[Lady Fortescue]

Valeria is familiar with the different styles of outbursts among her Clan, not unlike a mother to the differing cries of its offspring. Quite unlike a mother, however, Valeria rises and enters the adjoining room to determine why Katherine has decided to eject a guest, and her eyes pass only briefly - curiously - over the basket and child, before coming to rest on Matthias. It pays as a rule to watch the larger threat than the lesser. She, however, is relatively unfussed with the matter of an infant, though a waste it seems to ghoul one; the problem for Valeria is whether Katherine's wishes are respected in her own haven.

She has relatively little desire to interject unnecessarily, and so simply watches the proceedings blankly. Noting the absence taken by Christine and Constance, too, she is alerted to the extremity of the emotions that this might inspire. It seems worth paying attention to, tiring as it is to be so protective over cattle. She supposes the young are close to their mortal values. Keeping the peace is easiest done when they are respected in some fashion.