Christmas Eve at the Jackdaw’s

[Annabelle Herschel]

Eyes lighting up with the beauty of the wrapping,

"Thank you Katherine" she unties the ribbon first then followed by the paper.

Holding up a beautiful golden bookmark with a horse, encrusted with garnet.

Her eyes shine with the beauty and thought of the gift.

"Oh thank you Katherine it is beautiful, I will use this always."

Jumping with glee she shows it to Mr Wolfe.

"Is it not the most beautiful thing."

[Malfice Wolfe]

Marcus took the gift graciously and carefully opens the gift and neatly puts the paper to one side. The opening the box that had been hidden in the paper he gazed at the tasteful Silver and Onyx Cravet pin inside.
“Thank you for the loverly gift. I will wear it when I next have chance as I fear it will not go with tonight’s outfit.” Those looking can tell he likes the gift even if it isn’t really something he would normally wear.

As Annabelle is exclaiming over her gift Marcus smiles and has a closer look at it. He admires the workmanship and the detail on the item and can tell that it is truly a well crafted item.
“Indeed Miss Herschel it is a beautiful piece of work.”

[Annabelle Herschel]

Annabelle still literally jumping for joy,

"It truly is."

A sudden alteration in her attention towards Jackdaw.

"Oh Jackdaw, you must open your present before I must go," she rushes to the table to bring it over to him.

"I know you are busy with your cleaning, but I do hope you like what I got you."

She stands on the balls of her feet restraining herself from jumping in her excitement, arms out with Jackdaws present in hand, eyes wide looking at him.

[Trevor Jackdaw]

Given the festive time of year he doesn't chastise her for the informality of missing the title of Elder when she addressed him. He didn't survive all this time to not have his title used. Still a minor annoyance as it is, it is forgiven with the festive joy. He accepts the package and removes the rapping. ''These are indeed a handsome pair'' he says observing the set of gold cuff links with amethyst set in them. ''Thank you Ms Herschel. These make a fine addition to my ensemble.'' (He mentally projects the image of shaking your hand into your head.) ''Enjoy the remainder of your evening.''

[Annabelle Herschel]

"I am thrilled you liked them." She claps her hands in joy.

Rushing back over to Mr Wolfe.

"And I do regret I must bid my fair well Katherine, Elder Jackdaw. I have a book for my bookmark to be placed." Smiling like a child on Christmas.

[Mrs K. Saunders]

“So soon Annabelle? If you must go, then of course. I wish you and Mr Wolfe a very Merry Christmas! I hope so you both soon. Thanks again for the beautiful presents.”

She walks with them to the door.

She gives Annabelle a friendly hug, “Thank you, for everything. I will catch up with you soon.”

She gives Mr Wolfe a slight curtesy. “Goodnight.”

After they leave. Katherine walks back to the drawing room and greets her remaining guests.

“I hope you are having a wonderful time” though she does glance at the clock.

[Jerome Price]

Jerome will follow Annabelle and Marcus as they enter the hall and the drawing room, taking his time not to intrude on the introductions and instead stopping to inspect and appreciate any decorations, pictures or any other furnishings. The group moved into the main drawing room and began a fresh exchange of gifts and Jerome ambled through the house, pausing occasionally to inspect various pieces and finally arriving at the door of the library from which Christine had been waving.

"Christine, I see you have found a quiet spot to recuse yourself from the excitement of the drawing room. Instead finding an oasis of calm amidst the endless susuras of parchment. Do you intend to stay much longer, I hear people leaving and fear the evening may be coming to a close soon."

[Christine Daye]

"...oh dear... well... I suppose all good things must come to an end..."

There's a tone in Christine's voice that leads Jerome to believe that she's not as disappointed at the party coming to a close as her words suggest.

Then, a slight moue of true disappointment.

"...I was hoping to catch you though... for more of a quiet... metaphysical conversation... alas... it seems like that cannot happen tonight... are you terribly busy over Christmas?"

[Jerome Price]

Jerome feels the unresolved cadence of Christine's tone as she transitions from relief to disappointment, turning to Christine he smiles and taps the books "No, aside from making good on my obligations to our hosts and your patron I was headed for a dismally dry festive season listening to the same music we've heard year after year and continuing to establish myself in the chantry and the city. Such things take time, so a chance at intellectual discussion with you would be welcome the distraction from the humdrum. Perhaps we could catch a show one evening and then find a cosy to talk. Was there anything that had caught your eye in the rags?" Jerome gestures to the magazines and waits, hoping his words have proved an appropriate tonic to lift Christine's mood.

[Christine Daye]

She smiles.

"...oh, we simply cannot have you stuck listening to the same music again and again! That would simply be tragic! A show would be charming... I would be more than happy to invite you to one of mine... if you would like? But it might be... well... you would be welcome to bring a guest... if they would be happy with the conversation afterwards... I fear that I can get frightfully technical on some subjects... and I would hate to bore anyone! Your very good self included!"

She dimples at him gently.

"... oh! There is a very interesting review of Iolanthe... in the Strand... it sounds quite magical! I wonder if they will tour... of if I might one day get to London to see it... but here... in Bath... um.... well... the papers say that there will be Bach's Christmas Oratorio... at the Abbey... if such is of interest?"