Snow had fallen, snow on snow

[Christine Daye]

Snow!

Christine couldn't resist it. As the first word of it came through on the whisper network of the theatre, passed from the lips of stagehands to chorus members to orchestra musicians, excitement was thick in the air. Until, like an avalanche, one flake knocking all the rest, and the youngest members of the theatre company piled out into the street in front of the theatre, whooping and hollering.

It wasn't long before an impromptu snowball fight broke out. Christine watched it, eyes bright, singing to herself quietly.

"...snow had fallen, snow on snow... snow on snow... in the bleak midwinter... long ago..."

"Watch out!"

The call came too late as the rogue snowball arched out of the sky to smack Christine in her shoulder. She blinked in surprise, temporarily speechless while Thomas ran up to her, apologising profusely.

She watched his lips move carefully as he apologised, an expression of confusion on her face. Then, slowly and calmly, she gathered a handful of snow, and threw it at him.

She missed, and burst out laughing.

Thomas laughed too, and was promptly creamed by his co-usher William.

And so, battle was joined!

[annabelle]

Accompanied by her ghoul William, Helen left the carriage and stared at the theater. William was a tall lean man in his 40s. His attire and general presence were revealing he was a highly educated man. Not especially handsome but the way he carried himself could have perceived as intellectually attractive by some tastes.

Snow...

She hasn't seen snow in such a long time. Her gaze, one of wonder, but tired regardless.

Of course the bed was luxurious and comfy, as expected from the host, but Helen was suffering the consequences of her endeavours in the elysium. No matter how soft the bed was or how unexpectedly delightful her bath came to be, the effects of the opium were apparent in her gaze. Having Violet around was definitely a assistance for her gruesome mood but chatting instead of resting was not a wise choice.

She sat there for a while, looking at the sky, feeling the softness of the snowflakes, bathed in wonder and surprise. The contrast of the white snowflakes in her auburn curls foreign.

William was standing next to her, his gaze focused on her like his life was dependent on this. He hasn't seen her for a while afterall, the reason for his sole existence was back.

Laughter echoed in the other side of the theater. She knew that laughter, the joy of a queen of ashes. A wide smile marked her features and she walked fast towards the sound.

Christine and a joyful snowfight!

Helen's eyes gleamed with happiness, the sight of Christine's beauty a gentle soothing touch in her mind.

She looks at William wickedly and meets his dissaproving gaze.

"Willbur, you should loosen up and that's not an order. Your students are not around."

With a chuckle she takes a chunk of snow and with fast movements she aims for the kill, throwing her ball at Christine.

"Ops." she says and laughs harder.

[Christine Daye]

The snowball catches Christine in the upper back, splatting against her green cape.

"Oh! Jimmy! Just you wait until I get you!"

She wheels and lets fly with the snowball in her hand. It goes wild, flying nowhere near Helen, but instead landing with a wet sound, right in the centre of Helen's ghoul's chest.

Christine's gloved hands go to her mouth in shock.

"Oh! I'm so sorry!"

She suddenly looks frantic with worry.

[annabelle]

William looks at the snow on his jacket and doesn't say anything. He stands tall and looks at Helen.

Helen smiles at him tap his arm playfully.

"Wilbur we need to make you faster my dear."

William nodes at his mistress and then gives a polite bow towards Christine. His gaze focused on the redhead malkavian and with a raised eyebrow he says.

"My lady I am honoured to be hit by your gracious snowball." his voice deep but gentle, smiling warmly at Christine.

Helen grins "You seem on a good mood Christine, had fun last night?"

[Christine Daye]

Christine's expression softens, her gaze dreamy.

"...yes... it was lovely... "

Her gaze sharpens again and she giggles, casually dusting snow off her gloves.

"I had a lovely time... did you? Oh! Would you like to come in? Into the warmth? The snow is beautiful... but so cold!"

[annabelle]

"Cold... Is welcomed nowadays. " she says drily.

"But if you prefer the warmth my dear then let's go inside. It's my first time visiting the Theaters, I am curious to see the interior."

She looks thoughtful for a minute while following Christine inside.

"It was definitely a night of shenanigans and hard realisations. We have new members in the court and it seems a lot has happened since I left... Congratulations for your mentor's position by the way. It was nice to see Francis stepping down so graciously. We have enough worries in this court really, I find politics and internal fights pitiful. We have more serious issues these days than personal and ridiculous ambitions. We are stronger united. That's what I am trying to communicate to Mr Knox but he doesn't seem convinced." she says with steady voice. Her posture straight but her eyes tired. Her quiet demeanour reminding nothing of the one of the previous night.

[Christine Daye]

Christine shows Helen to a comfortable parlour, at the front of the theatre, near the office. It's decorated with old playbills, and is cosy, if a bit bohemian. (The bust of Beethoven on the shelf is wearing a red sponge nose on a string.)

It features several comfortable armchairs however.

"I shall have to take you on a tour, later."

Christine flumps onto one of the chairs and rubs her hands together for warmth.

"...brrrr.... yes! How quickly one yearns for the other extreme when temperature is involved! I am glad to see you, and even more glad to have the chance to talk properly! Elysium is always so frantic!"

She smiles happily at Helen.

"...you are quite right! I very much hope that we shall have a period of stability now! Oh! But how are you? How was your trip back? I did love your gown! All the pearls were quite magnificent!"

[annabelle]

Helen observes the surroundings with a subtle smile. The change of the temperature not bothering her or pleasing her at all. She doesn't sit but keeps observing the surroundings while speaking not looking at Christine directly.

"It was certainly an eventful trip.. . Thanks to Mr Corvinus, it was a successful one too. It's good to not fear for your life for once.

I saw my sire...it was certainly...interesting...How do I phrase it... It was an eye opening trip. Did I felt anger? I was busy fearing for our lives and didn't really paid much attention to him. I really thought we will die Christine..."

There is a trembling in her voice but she keeps walking around not looking at her.

" I had no idea about this plan to go there. I tried to convince him to not go but he didn't listen to me. Hell... I tried to make him sick of me and that wasn't working either. What a stubborn man really. I have no idea how we've made it out alive."

She suddenly withdraws and the trembling dissapears.

"Glad you liked them. I got the pearls and the dress from Constantinople. Quite frankly I used to wear these and more everyday. It was refreshing to remember my roots. I quite forgot who I were for a while. My roots was the reason of my loss so I suppose I wanted to keep a distance... But denial is not the way to move forward nor opium... "

She coughs a little bit
" Working on it... But quite frankly... Everyone was so willing to taste my delightful drink... And it was so amusing. In the end I had to use some... How to say...hmmm... Blue magical lights methods to save Katherine from herself. "

She chuckles bitterly.
"I don't have regrets really, my tasty poison was the only way to survive the night."

She then grins.
"At some point I went foolishly to a group of kindred and told them my sire kept me as a trophy war not a war trophy. And what they've heard was trophy whore. Joy! "

The grin turns into a loud laughter.
"Won't correct them. You see it's a norm in the court to be promiscuous so I might as well keep the facade. Need to fit with the crowd even if it's a lie, for now, don't you think?"

[Christine Daye]

Christine watched as Helen paced around the room like a caged lion.

Show no weakness. Show no fear.

Her voice is calm, soothing.

"...well, I am very glad to see you again... dripping in pearls or as a war trophy or whatever! One day, if you want to, you can tell me about your sire, or Mr Corvinus... or your travels.

"Or I can show you a hollow tree where you can hide your secrets. Or bring you to a place where you can bottle your memories and send them floating out to sea... whatever you desire."

She rolls her eyes at the mention of Katherine, repressing a shudder, but says nothing.

Then, a snigger, which turns into a peal of laughter.

"Oh, no! Fear not! For from that game of Prejudice, it seems that I am the most promiscuous in the Court... which I find deeply ironic..."

Christine sighs deeply. Almost without thinking she says:

"I have only ever kissed three others. And one of them is now dead... neither eat nor drink the food of faerie, they say... but more perilous still is the taste of a faerie woman's lips... to kiss her is to love her beyond madness or reason..."

She shakes herself, looks confused for a moment.

"...I'm sorry... what were we talking about again?"

[annabelle]

Helen smiles softly at Christine and sits on a chair opposite to her. She slowly caresses the armchairs with her fingers…focusing on them….lost in her thoughts. There is an odd expression, unnatural for her youthful face.

“Where is that place Christine? I’ve been keeping them confined and protected for such a very long time. I gave them power over me…so much power….such a rookie mistake really.”

Her gaze drifts away from the chair and back to Christine. There is an odd smile now and her gaze is stone cold.
“I am taking control this time haunted Fae. All around me the world is waking now and I cannot go back. The good thing about mistakes is that you know what doesn’t work. Really useful knowledge if you ask me. Life requires strategy and good luck favours the ones who are prepared to receive it.”

She then grins “Let me know where I can find it. I won’t bottle up anything though, I will spread all in the salty vicious wind to be taken away once and for all and laugh at their face.” And with that she laughs and is a dark dangerous laugh.

“Let’s hope the Queen of Shadows and the Fae Lord will stay alive because we all need them. Lucky creatures to have been given your blessings and sometimes madness and death are a fair prize for pleasures as such. You are wise keeping your dangerous kisses for few Christine…we don’t want a whole court drifting into madness, don’t we?”
She tilts her head to the side and winks at her.

“…Although…that would have been highly entertaining…and speaking of entertainment… When do you advice to bring a new acquaintance in the Theatres? A new member of this court, need to show them hospitality and the best Aquae Sulis has to offer.” and she grins this time, it’s more of a playful grin but the dark edge is still somewhere there lurking in the shadows.