Mekhet Christmas Gathering

[Cryotic]

There would've been a time, perhaps forty or so years ago, the numbers get a little hazy after a while, that Daniel would've comfortably had a smoke in front of this place. Simply appreciating the minor irony of smoking in front of a cathedral. Now the concept of putting any open flame, no matter how small, near his face was unthinkable. Without the actual flame in front of his face, he'd definitely say if he wanted to he'd smoke. It'd be perfectly fine too. Hell, he was already dead, there wasn't much more cigarette companies could put into a roll to hurt him short of concentrated sunlight.

Regardless, Daniel walked his way up to the edge of the crowd in warm clothing, looking about for a figure that'd send his beast snarling or quivering. At least until he remembered that any respectable Mekhet would make sure to keep the Mask of Tranquility on at all times, extenuating circumstances excepting. It'd take a few minutes of looking to spot the face of Brother Teo.

Approaching the man, Daniel would offer a hand to shake and greet "'Evening, fine night for a choir preformance no?" It wasn't exactly his first pick on things to listen to, but when you've potentially got the rest of eternity to deal with, it's the little things you gotta appreciate.

[Martha Villiers]

The air is cold and somehow it sharpens the light shining from the festive decorations all about.

Martha didn't miss the snow...she knew it would make life hard for her...but she did miss the smell of roasting chestnuts and way gas lamplight made it all somehow...was civilized the word? Certainly she felt things seemed less crass in gas lamplight than under the bright lights of a shopping mall.

She approaches the church with a lightness of heart. It had been sometime since she was there last...it was one of the last times she had seen James when they sang songs together.

But there she stands; pretty, meek and sweetly attired in an English school uniform: a black 'winter pattern' felt broad brimmed cap of the Edwardian English school fashion and of the traditional winter design...the small embroidered cap badge seems to be of some heraldic crest and matches that of the embroidered badge on her neat black blazer. A pair of scholarly wire-framed spectacles are perched in an odd mix of earnest playfulness on the end of her nose.

She wears a modest black gymslip which shows her remaining slim leg to mid calf. Her ash blond hair is tied into two long neat twin tails. Each twin tail is tied with a large red silken ribbon bow.

Martha wears a white kneesock on her trim and athletically slim flesh leg and a pair of carefully polished black Mary Jane shoes. The kneesock on her C-Leg has rolled down to her ankle joint...she doesn't seem to have noticed yet.

Martha is wearing her C-Leg this evening, but all the same, it is obvious to even the most casual glance that she has had a high level amputation of her left leg. A crisp white blouse is obvious where the gymslip reveals it, as is her red necktie which is tucked neatly into her gymslip. A satchel hangs over one shoulder and she clutches a simple and modest metal walking cane.

"Good evening and Merry Christmas to you, Good-Father!" she offers cheerily to Teo as she spots his vestments and posture of greeting.

A gentle nod of respectful greeting is offered then, smiles follow as she sees the others. Greeting them in turn; "Good evening to you, Mr Regan...and to you too, Mr Whitfield! What a joy to see you all in the holy season of Advent!" she smiles again, clearly happy...if looking a little cold from the chill night air.

-1 Vitae for Blush of Life aided by her use of Enliven the Face

[Aileen McFarlane]

While she hadn't been a Kindred for a long time on their scale, Aïleen already felt a distanciation to her mortal life, an estrangement she hadn't anticipated. As she walked toward the Cathedral, she experienced a sore reminder of it as she further internalized two truthes.

First, the coat she was wearing was all for decorum. And second, she hadn't gone to a mass of any kind since she had left her parents following her Embrace, nor felt the inclination to. She had been tormented, but never had it crossed her mind that a "mortal mass" would answer her questions. What kind of future would it forebode if she already felt so... different ?

Drifting around the beautiful building, her recently enhanced sight and hearing made it all the more enticing, and yet, alien... the small Mekhet nearly decided to leave on the spot, lest she would be further unsettled by the evening, but she then spotted what could only be her Cousins. And if she had spotted them, odds were, she had been spotted too. No choice now but to move forward.

She walked toward Brother Raluca, Daniel, David, and Grand Wyrm Villiers very slowly, breathing with each step to soothe her nerves.

When she's lightened by a sidelight, she even stops to put a smile on her face and wave to gain a few more seconds before resuming her walk for the last few yards.

Good evening, good evening. Miss Villiers, Br Raluca, David, and Mr Whitfield. she addressed each one.

[Cryotic]

Daniel simply shrugged at Teodor's reply, it was a true point. The moment passed and another face came to Daniel's attention. The Carthian would give the man a civil nod and a quick "'Evening."

And as it started with Mr. Regen, it ended with Ms. McFarlane, with one Herald inbetween. Daniel would greet the rest with the same quiet nod he gave to Mr.Regen, and perhaps a small, almost sheepish smile at the last part of Ms.Villiers greeting. And to think we're all technically family. Daniel thought to himself as he glanced between those assembled. Shadows take many shapes I guess. Daniel mentally shrugged.

"Right, uh, are we waiting on anyone else?" He asked the group. Catherine had decided to skip town for some reason, shame really, but he didn't really know the headcount of the domain off the top of his head yet.

[Chrisie]

"Thank you, one and all! Miss McFarlane too! How splendid! Good evening and merry Christmas!" she chirped merrily while making a show of rubbing her hands together against the cold.

"I say! It promises to be a most splendid evening of song!" bright eyed, she certainly seemed enthusiastic...and she snook a very swift glance to Aileen's shoes before adding;

"Hmm, it occurs to me that if things follow the pattern as they do in England, I suspect there may be a call upon the congregation to offer donations to a collection for the needy of the parish. In case there is, fear not, I shall gladly and happily donate on behalf of all." she added quietly. She knew that David was just starting out in the Domain and might be one of the needy in question...it was worth the chance to show willing and spare the blushes of those who came without preparation for that eventuality.

[Aileen McFarlane]

If Aïleen's spirit had been somewhat down after her bittersweet thoughts, the greetings she received from her Cousins at least helped uplift it a bit. She replied to each with her kind, demure smile "Merry Christmas to you too".

She could remember some former familiy gatherings, and knew of many who weren't present. But if they had left on their own, or had met an ill-fate by Sacramento's midnight, she couldn't know, and honestly barely cared. Instead the petite woman refrained from shrugging, and easily turned her toughts back to Cathedral's inside, from where voices and lights were coming. She had brought her own money, and quietly shook her head at Martha's kind offer. The brunette instead looked at David, who may need it though, and may find it easier to accept coming from her. She raised an eyebrow in a silent question, but otherwise didn't move or talk.