Christmas Eve at the Jackdaw’s

[annabelle]

Helen raises her eyebrows, tilts her head with a subtle smile and looks at Jackdaw with curiosity.

"Right...Of course...That's...considerate of you...Does that mean I am invited in your house tomorrow?"

[Trevor Jackdaw]

He thinks for a moment. ''Perhaps the day after. I would not wish to inconvenience you. It's Christmas after all.''

[annabelle]

Oh yes! She had plans indeed. Hopefully, the Christmas Party the next day was going to be uneventful and peaceful unlike this one. Surprisingly, she really needed some peace and quiet with friends for once.

"That's right, the day after then. Thank you." she says with a smile "Will go find Mr Price now. I fear I neglected him tonight. At least one of my plus one(s) behaved tonight though."

And with that she heads towards the drawing room with a guilty smile.

[Jerome Price]

Jerome will turn from his conversation as Helen enters again, smiling and waving her over toward the sofa. "I believe we are still giving out presents, are we not?" He reaches down to the small pile of presents and pulls out a cylindrical package wrapped in green paper like a Christmas cracker with red ribbons at each end with one hand and a small black book wrapped up in alternating red, green and gold ribbon and a sprig of holly caught up in the bundled ribbon on top.

"Maestra, a little something that I picked up in Italy for you and your songbird of a ward." He passes the green cracker present to the Prince, "and for dear Princess Helen, something quite ... unbecoming of a Princess". He offers the book to Helen, a wicked grin spread across his face.

[annabelle]

Helen grabs the present under the tree for Jerome and sits next to him. She already had her presents for Erika and Christine prepared for the next day.

Her mind drifting to the other gift she’d send but she kicks it violently at the back of her mind. She couldn’t allow the anxiety ruin her first Christmas. No, she couldn’t. So instead she smiles, gives Jerome a small dark blue package and opens the package he gave her.

She stares at the cover of the book and raises her eyebrows, she turns the book from the other side and reads the description.

“Not fit for a Princess? I beg to disagree, knowledge is always a good fit. I look forward to read the adventures of Justine…” She opens the book to smell the familiar paper scent. But she notices pieces of papers inside the book, she takes one and inspects it with a smile. She places it back in the book carefully and closes it with a chuckle of pure amusement.

“That is wonderful, I despise boring gifts and yours is definitely not boring Mr Price. Will start reading it tonight and will let you know what I think of it. I find opinion sharing on books delightful. Now mine I am afraid is not that…hmmm….interesting like yours.”

She taps the small package.

“This is a lucky charm to wish you good luck with your new start in Aquae Sulis. We call it the Eye or Nazar in the East. We keep it in our pockets to protect us from evil spirits and evil eyes. Thought you needed one after our last discussion. Keep in mind that it doesn’t hurt the owner regardless of…how to say…their Ethos. They are mostly for all the other wicked forces.” and she gives him a side grin.


(Image of the lucky charm: )

[Mrs K. Saunders]

Katherine continues to stare at Constance, this time in a pleading manner. She starts to go after the nurse.

“Please stay Constance, please. I need you to stay, need your advice... on the child.. yes what it needs.”

[CFlaubert]

Constance pauses and then stops.

"Very well. I shall help you if I can. I can at least tend to its medical needs"

[Mrs K. Saunders]

Katherine turns to Helen, “Well I hope you do not find our gift to you boring. I hope you find it both asthetically pleasing and also practical.”

She hands her a medium parcel and also passes a smaller oblong one to Mr Price.

“I hope you find this similarly pleasing Mr Price.”

[annabelle]

“Let’s see” says Helen with a smile and opens the package revealing a pewter and opalescent glass hip flask.

She looks at Katherine with appreciation.

“I was going to st…buy one! That’s great…Oh!” she notices her initials on it “It has my initials, thank you Katherine! Perfect!…erm…my present to you is not boring…so I guess that’s good.” And she gives her a huge grin which obviously is bad news.

“It’s under the tree. Big red package. It has multiple…uses. Up to…your taste...I guess...”

[Mrs K. Saunders]

She eyes Helen warily but reaches down to pick up the present. She sits down next to Helen on the sofa and carefully unwraps it. The gift is revealed as horse whip, an extremely expensive one at that, the top of the black leather handle is gold and studded with diamonds.

Katherine looks at Helen for a moment, she appears to be trying consider what her correct reaction should be.

“Why Helen, thank you, it is beautiful...” she pauses and looks her straight in the face, “Can I assume that you are suggesting that some of its uses could that of which you spoke of in the desert? Well.. “

She blushes in embarrassment, her humanity still overwhelms her at times, as she reverts in her actions to the mortal she used to be.

“I....Erm.. thank you. It is very very generous.” She quickly hides it away from sight. Katherine is unsure what Jack’s reaction would be to such a gift from Helen, especially with the implications of use.