Christmas Eve at the Jackdaw’s

[Annabelle Herschel]

Annabelle entering with her usual smirk on her face, “Helen dear if you need a demonstration on how one of those can be used on something other than a horse, my door is always open.” she walks to Katherine with two parcels wrapped in purple fabric and gold ribbon holding them closed.

“A gift, as is the tradition of Christmas.” she passes them both to Katherine. “for yourself and your husband.” on closer inspection it they both have a little tag, each one named.

[Mrs K. Saunders]

Reluctantly Katherine brings out her new whip from its hiding place and takes the blind fold from Jerome. On seeing Helen lie down to sleep and possess William she feels very uncertain.

“Helen, I will not look to hurt William. I hope you realise that.” She states plainly.

She takes her position. She sighs and goes to put on her blindfold. Just as she does, in walks Annabelle.

(Where have you been? You promised to help me. You have no idea what Mathias has done.)

She takes the proffered parcel from Annabelle, “Why thank you, Annabelle” Pleased for a delay to starting the game, she opens it immediately. Unwrapping the parcel reveals a gold horse brooch encrusted with purple amethysts. “Oh thank you. That is beautiful!”

She stands up and embraces Annabelle. Then realising that this will not excuse her of the game she places it safely on a near by table and sits back down on the floor in front of William. She puts the blindfold over her eyes.

“I will play first.” She reaches out with auspex to locate William and to ensure she hits him in a place that will hurt the least. She swipes at him as weakily as she feels she can get away with, catching him on his upper arm.

[annabelle]

William chuckles recognising Annabelle’s voice “Thanks Darling. Will keep it in mind.” His tone baritone and with a perfect English posh accent.

Helen was so glad out how the party was turning to be thanks to Jerome. Who needed drugs when Katherine was around to provide such a delightful distraction for her anxiety and worries? William on his knees with a blindfold, getting whipped by a Lady was a memory she was going to show him afterwards and was going to haunt him for the rest of his life.

The lame whipping created a frown of disappointment on William’s face to be replaced by a seductive smile when he blindly took the whip in his.

With a fluid movement he whips her lightly at her bottom but hit her back in the meantime also due to the fact she was facing him. All the while shouting loud enough for Jackdaw to hear…

“Please Lady Katherine, don’t make me whip you, think about your husband! You are really bad Lady Katherine!”

[Jerome Price]

Jerome will step to one side of the whipping contest, avoiding the flying leather as it came his way.

"Ladies.. I appreciate your enthusiasm. Once you have warmed up might I introduce some rules? Lest we fall into something less dignified than the season and decorum demands." He waits until the two have finished a further exchange of blows.

"The rules are these. First we move the two of you to another place in the room and spin you around, Katherine will call "Are you there Moriarty?" and fall silent, then Helen... well William, will have a chance to move and try to strike at Katherine. If the blow strikes true then she wins, if she misses then she will have to call "Are you there Moriarty?" and give Katherine a chance to hit her. The first to strike true wins that round. Then we re position you both and start again, but this time Helen will call first and give Katherine a chance to strike."

Jerome pauses for people to take this in, "There will be a number of rounds until someone wins three rounds and that person wins, the other will have to perform a forfeit of the victor's choosing. Of course, unlike the Kine who are naturally handicapped without their sight we are somewhat gifted beyond this. And so I would suggest we have some music playing in order to distract the senses and a gentleman's, or ladies, agreement that we will play this as much as possible as the kine would."

"So, are you both ready?"

[Lady Fortescue]

Somewhere in a corner, Valeria and Jackdaw are playing Dominos.

[Mrs K. Saunders]

Katherine gets up and removes her blind fold.

“Well I would not want to prevent others from playing. I have christened the whip, therefore others are free to use it.”

She offers the blindfold and whip for Jerome to take.

[Elisabeth.BasireDuP]

Elisabeth will edge round the room, avoiding the Moriarty participants, and approach the elders. "I hope you will excuse my impertinence, but may I be permitted to join the next hand?"

[Christine Daye]

Christine looks faintly sick as the whips come out and quickly moves to where Valeria and Jackdaw are playing dominoes. She studies the dominoes lying on the table intently, humming quietly to herself.

At Elisabeth's request, she nods in agreement.

"...might I join as well please?"

[Jerome Price]

Jerome will look somewhat crestfallen at the items offered back. "Yes, as agreed you have indeed christened your gift."

Then he will look over at Jackdaw and Valeria playing their game, "But are you sure you do not wish to play just one game Katherine? It is just a little festive fun." He gestures to the dominoes game, "Even your husband seems to be embracing the festive spirit, enjoying a most hotly contested game of dominoes with your Primogen. Will you indulge us this once?" He looks up at the end smiling sweetly at Katherine.

[Mrs K. Saunders]

She looks at Jerome and thinks. Oh well, yes Jackdaw does not appear to concern by the game. Also what harm can it really do to a ghoul? It may be fun to get to rid of some tension after all.

She nods, “Alright, you may be right Mr. Price. After all, nothing ventured, nothing gained. So where are we to play this game?”

She eyes William in a predatory manner. Yes, thinking about it, this could be fun.