(Temple of the Crone) Autumn Equinox {Open}

[Swift]

At the moment when dusk turns to true night:

As the last rays of the dusk finally fade, a stirring occurs in the earth in what was once the lichyard of a small, abandoned church. The ground still contained the bones of worshipers from long ago, but the church no longer played host to the living. It did, however, still act as a place of worship. The old church, now known as the Temple of the Crone, had been found and re-purposed some time ago to act as the center of worship for the local Circle of the Crone.

Tonight, the sun sinks past the horizon directly and perfectly to the west, and as it does so the stirring in the ground resolves itself into a figure. First a hand, and then an arm, and finally an entire body drags itself out of the soil. Dr. Swift, Hierophant of the Circle, pulls himself free of the soil and brushes the worst of it from his coat. He had chosen to sleep here the past day so that he could be present for the first moments of true night. Tonight was the Autumnal Equinox, and while his Circle was not large enough to celebrate in full fashion (and he wasn't certain he'd wish to do so if they could), he would observe the principles of the evening.

He spares only one glance around to see if any others had decided to try and make it in time for the beginning of the hymns, but he suspects that if anyone has, they will be arriving a bit later. After all, the timing of this rite was by far the most difficult aspect.

Standing outside, in the shade of the church itself, the Hierophant begins to sing. He is not a creative man, nor one with any particular talent for song, and so his melody is simple, childish even. The tune is possible stolen from half forgotten memories and the words are clumsy at best, but few would realize for he sings not in English, but in Greek and in Latin. He sings of the sun and of Apollo's chariot, railing against the daily scourge brought across the world. He sings of the spirits of the native land, to Father Sky for allowing the sun to traverse his world, scouring the Kindred from the face of Mother Earth each night. And he sings of the gentle Night, of Nox and of Tenebrous, pleading that they remain and fight against the day.

[Michael Redfill]

Michael has been busy with his studies for a while, but he can always find time for a celebration with the Crone. Even though he is of different faith himself, he understands the concept of general principle manifesting in a multitude of forms: each a source of wisdom and inspiration.

The Autumn equinox is definitely a cause for celebration, so Michael has prepared properly: washed and waxed his Porsche, put on his best suit, and spent a fair while thinking about an appropriate offering. Finally he has settled on something both thoughtful and expensive. Carrying a somewhat prolonged wrapped package under his arm, he arrives at the church and follows Hierophant's voice. He doesn't interrupt Swift, but listens to the chant, recognizing the language, but not understanding anything.

Instead he thinks of how far those ambitious and persistent enough have come in the Domain.

[Claire Edmonton]

Claire arrives, dressed for comfort rather than ceremony, to check in on her former affiliates. Her coiffure is a perfect mane as always, and the blush of life is played up by her minimal use of color in her clothing. She'd do nothing of a religious nature here, of course, in part from personal lack-of-belief and in part to maintain her clarity of intention to join the Invictus.

Seeing two men she imagined did not care for her much, one more expected than the other, she makes sure her polite smile is at just the right level when she approaches them. When it does not appear as though she will interrupt Swift's chanting, she greets them, "Good evening, doctors. I hope you are both well tonight?"

And I hope someone more genuinely intelligent arrives soon. Perhaps I can run some numbers with Redfill if all else fails.

[RebornSeas]

Kassidy arrives at the Circle, unsure of what would happen tonight. He was still new to the Circle's practices and the scene before him with Doctor Swift singing did not fill in many blanks. Of course, the presence of the two other Kindred hadn't been expected either.

His dark fingers brushed through his blonde hair and began braiding sections of hair loosely. "Hello."

[Swift]

Dr. Swift notices as each newcomer arrives, pleased at the turn out already. He gives each a small nod of acknowledgement and tries to smile at Kassidy when he arrives, but he doesn't break his song - not yet. He curiously wonders if any will feel the urge to join him.

[Swift]

After some time Dr. Swift's song comes to a close. The night was truly settled in and the sun long gone, it had taken perhaps 15 or 20 minutes to sing the sun down, and he was pleased with his efforts. It was all ritual, of course, but somehow quite satisfying.

He turns and nods to the few who had come to witness the first rite of the evening, pleased to have them. He had not anticipated many would arrive so early in the evening, and so any at all was a pleasant surprise. "Good evening, to all of you," he says with a smile. "Welcome to our celebrations. It is still some time yet before the feast, so please let us speak and enjoy ourselves in the early hours of the evening."

A formal greeting out of the way he turns a smile to Kassidy, one of his newest Acolytes. "And a good evening to you, Kassidy. How are you tonight?"

I plan to let some time for socializing before moving on to the feast, which is scheduled for a couple hours after dusk.

[RebornSeas]

"Well enough. Feeling just a bit lost, though." And perhaps like he should have joined into the song, even if it was humming. He still wasn't sure what was personal and what was expected as a group. "Looking forward to - well, good things." A Feast, Longer nights, learning the practices.

[Swift]

Dr. Swift's smile broadens. "Then you already understand tonight's purpose. We look forward and we give thanks. We recognize change in the world and anticipate that it can be good just as it can also be unfortunate."

He sweeps his gaze around the newly dark world. "Tonight is not about obligation or requisite ritual. All things tonight are done at your own choice and will, out of thanksgiving for the night and the bounty the season promises. My hymn was a farewell to the sun, reminding it that even it too can wane once more. Needless to say, I do not think most of us have a cordial relationship with the sun."

[Claire Edmonton]

"Funny should say so, we just met for drinks last weekend. The Sun is considering diversifying her funds." Anyone who just listened and didn't look at Claire might think she was serious, but a physical inspection made it obvious she was being a smartass.

"But everyone does seem rather terse tonight, don't they, Doctor?"

[Swift]

ooc

My apologies for my continued sparseness, work has not let up like I expected yet.

Dr. Swift smiles briefly at Claire's feeble attempt at a joke but does not laugh. He continues to speak with his guests until the appointed time and then spreads his hands to include everyone. "The night moves on, shall we head inside and prepare for our feast?"

---

9 pm

Inside, the normally bare church hasn't exactly been transformed, but it has been sparsely decorated. Dr. Swift had found the old wall and altar dressings in a storage room and pulled the red and golds generally reserved for Pentecost, Easter, and Christmas and had put them up. The lights inside have been turned on to their lower settings, giving a distinct glow to the place, making the gold cloth sparkle ominously and the red take on a deep hue, almost like blood seeping down the walls. At the center of the room a long table has been set up, with a large, white (though obviously relatively cheap) table cloth. The table is set with all manner of late summer to autumn harvestables: grapes, apples, oranges, avocados, lemons, and other local fruit; corn (maize), squash, gourdes, and a couple large pumpkins. All the food spills from a whisker cornucopia onto the table, which is set for at least ten with plates and goblets. A keen eye - and one that still remembers food - will see that all the food is fresh and appealing, but that no meat graces the table.

Two additional items grace the room and lend a distinctly ominous tone to the otherwise festive harvest meal. The first is a series of ropes that dangle from the rafters. An eye tracing them up will find a simple set of pullies and tackle secured to the rafters. The gear had been simple enough to hang, along with the cloth decorations. Even a raven is capable of lifting a couple dozen pounds at a time when they are Kindred. The second item is alive and happily squealing. A farm pig, about the size of a lab, is tied via rope to a nearby support column.

Dr. Swift opens his arms and declares, "Welcome to the Autumn Equinox feast. Normally I would invite any of our Kine guests to have a seat and partake, but we seem to be without such guests tonight. Shall we move on, then?"