I dreamt I dwelled in marble halls

[Mrs K. Saunders]

Katherine's anger flashes in her mind but she pushes it down along with her awakened beast. There is no point in arguing this point with Christine anymore. With her back turned to leave, she sighs and decides to return to her nearest thing to a true friend.

"Christine, of course I do not want to go. I have no business more important than you and your friendship. I am so sorry that I have upset you so. I did not realise that Thomas was an important part of your haven. I will never do such a thing again. I am sorry if touching you was unwanted, I meant it kindly."

She pauses.

"But please do not change your voice in my prescence, it affects me. I do not know what it does as I never remember but I know it cannot be good. Please let us put this whole horribleness behind us. I certainly do not wish for you and Erika to be unhappy with me. Please Christine, if you and I are no longer friends then I do not know what I will do."

She reaches into her handbag, and brings out a small parcel wrapped in green paper, and holds it out towards the harpist.

"Here I brought this for you to celebrate your new show, I knew that it would be an overwhelming success."

[Christine Daye]

....you have rows and rows of angels lined up on your picture rail... and all of them are smiling at you... they could tell a tale... does it feel good... is it real?

Christine's expression softens at Katherine's apologies.

"...oh, Katherine... oh, do not fret so... of course you are forgiven! And I must apologise too... Maestra says I am always highly strung after a performance... I forget sometimes... and I apologise for snapping at you..."

She pulls a dismayed face.

"...of course we are still friends... I know your touch is meant kindly... but I am feeling very... well... twitchy... I think is the best way to describe it... ever since Egypt... and the... you know... the river... and it didn't help that Mayweather insisted on feeling my wings without my permission at the ball! That was quite, quite horrible!"

She shudders.

"... um... you say my voice changed...? ...was it... a man's voice? Only... I have been having... problems..."

She looks worried, but brightens at the prospect of a present. She takes the parcel gently, as excited as a child.

"...oh! Oh, you didn't have to do that! But thank you! Can I open it now?"

[Mrs K. Saunders]

Katherine smiles broadly. Internally she beats away the last pieces of her beast which rallies against Katherine stepping down and apologising. She soothes it saying that there are better battles with others elsewhere.

"Of course! You are meant to open it now. I had it made for you, I hope you like it."

[Christine Daye]

Christine unwraps the box carefully, and opens it.

"...oh! It's so beautiful! Thank you Katherine!!"

She stares at the golden harp brooch encrusted with emeralds and diamonds in awe for a long moment before looking up and smiling at Katherine.

"You are too kind! Thank you so very much!! It's beautiful, and so perfect for me! You have such exquisite taste!"

[Mrs K. Saunders]

"I am so glad you like it Christine. So, what shall we do now? How should we celebrate your success? Did you say that Maestra would be able to join us?"

If Erika were to apppear, that would be wonderful thinks Katherine. Her newly found friendship with the nosfetatu was blossoming and maybe be of much use in the near future.

"Shall we go to your dressing room? I had initially attempted to meet you there."

[Christine Daye]

"My dressing room isn't really set up for more than a quiet tete-a-tete," Christine responds absently. "...and it's a bit of a state again..."

She smiles happily at Katherine.

"I know where we can go and be comfortable! And Maestra might already be there... or will be soon enough..."

Christine leads Katherine past the rest of the boxes and to a large office, furnished with desk and also a comfortable sofa, meeting table and chairs. The walls are lined with bookcases and the occasional prop. A bust of William Shakespeare wears a tricorn hat at a jaunty angle. Old playbills decorate what wall space is left bare.

"Come...make yourself comfortable! How are you keeping? You're looking very well indeed!"

[Mrs K. Saunders]

She selects a chair and gracefully sits down.

"Am I? Oh thank you. I am feeling a little exhausted if to be completely honest. In Jack's absence I have completely thrown myself into the decoration of my new house and also the acquistion of staff. Ellen of course has been incredible with everything. She has discovered all the best cabinet makers, builders and designers, to fit out our new home. Well I say, our, mine really at least for some time to come. Jack needs to be known as my husband in mortal society before he can be seen there."

She looks suddenly shocked.

"But my dear Christine you have yet to visit my new house! You must come at your earliest convience!
Tell me you now have some time, surely the horrendous schedule of rehearsals has relented?"

[Christine Daye]

Christine's eyes light up.

"Oh, of course I shall come to visit! I would be completely delighted! And, oh, how thrilling! You must be so excited to have your house finally... you simply must tell me all about it! What colours have you chosen? Is it near a park? Oh, how exciting!"

[Mrs K. Saunders]

"Well it is not directly on a park but it is close by. It is one of best addresses in Bath so I cannot complain. Of course there will be some purple in some rooms but I may not allow it to dominant quite as much as perhaps Jack would like. Of course it will mainly be a show home for mortals and my herd, I am not looking to move from the clan house just yet. There are many things I would need to acquire before I can make it a decent haven. Talking of the house, are you looking to visit it again soon? Did you get an opportunity out to meet our new residents Annabelle and Sebastian? I realise how busy you must have been during the ball."

[Christine Daye]

"Oh, that sounds simply marvelous! I would love to visit - let me know what time would suit, and you can give me a tour..."

She smiles happily.

"...yes... I met Miss Herschel... and Mr Sebastian... at the ball... but only for a few moments... I was so terribly busy! They both seem very nice though... and I look forward to making their acquaintance properly... are they nice? What do you think of them?"

She hums quietly to herself for a moment.

"...there were several interesting new faces at the ball, weren't there? That new Nosferatu, for instance... and the dashing Tremere... oh... the House? Oh yes, I shall be visiting again, perhaps for several days... I have a sudden urge to investigate the Library for new... or should I say old? ...music..."