Finding God in the Dark

[Princess]

Minnie was finally set in her intention to attend a Midnight Mass - and this Albert fellow was eager as well. Worst case scenario, they could run in opposite directions. Best case, they would witness something miraculous. She was content with these stakes.

Dressed in her 'Sunday Best' (if she had correctly remembered the explanation that Virginian had long ago offered correctly), she led the way to Mission San Francisco de Asís with a calm confidence. She created no ripples through the crowded street, a nigh-invisible presence kept visible at all solely as a means to assure Albert did not get lost. She was utterly silent - there was nothing to discuss, in her mind, until they found the Lancea et Sanctum.

[Moonfang]

This was perhaps up there in the most unusual things Albert had memory of experiencing. Maybe he did experience more but he couldn't remember. When he inquired before about finding a church open late at night, she gave the most unusual of responses about it, only to meet her at a specific location on the day of Mass and follow her. He did his best to dress appropriately in the attire for the region when visiting church. The only extra item would be his cane, his medical bag left back at his Haven.

He was finding his guide to have the quirk to just fade into the mass of faces in the crowded street even with her attempts to stay 'visible', leaving him without the pleasure to look around at his surroundings. Watching her small frame though, did leave his mind to ponder just where she was leading him.

[Yumyumcrow]

They gathered at midnight: the Sanctified and the Damned. They met under the stars in the quiet garden's and cemetery that surrounded the Mission. Palm leaves rustled in the breeze; beyond the verdant wall, a horse pulled a wagon down the street, hooves clip-clopping on the cobbles. The Sanctified did not enter the church proper; that was a place for the kine. The kindred were divine predators; theirs was the night.

There was six of them. Sister Mercedes led the little company, reading from The Torments of Longinus and the Book of Eschaton. At her side stood Don Matteo, a fresh faced boy dressed with a cool panache that would show up Herald McCoy should their paths ever cross. Tonight he held the single candle that illuminated the little congregation. Erica and Salvador stood in front, listening attentively. Erica in her widows weeds and Salvador in his shabby mix of working clothes and military surplus. Behind them, half hidden and with a confused look upon her face, was Catalina, whom Minnie recognised from the Salon.

Catalina noticed the pair first, turning her head sharply as they drew near, wiping her eyes with her right hand. A defiant look was settling on her features. Barbosa moved then - a few steps and dropping his cloak of Obfuscate. The ugly Haunt was dressed as a raggedy drum major with a foraging cap stuck to his head, clawed feet muddy and bear. His blood shot eyes were upon them as he moved, gently, to intercept them. The Ostiary was not being overly hostile but he was acting as a physical barrier Minnie and Albert would have to overcome, should they wish to proceed further.

[Moonfang]

As they approached the Church, Albert started to move on a more direct path to it but quickly diverted back when he found that their path lead to an area to the side of the building. In a way, it could be seen an poetic. Undead Vampires meeting in a cemetery. Though his attention was quickly pulled back to the group as one of them, a rather disfigured figure, put up a strong front like a gate barring entrance to the rest of the group. While keeping an eye on the fellow, Albert leaned down and spoke in a soft voice, "I do believe the frightful fellow wishes to have words with us."

[Princess]

"We have come foremost in the interest of attending mass, Sir," she replies, the southern belle accent well matched for the blouse and skirt she'd taken pains to ensure would seem appropriate for Baptist church attendance. It was clearly their damned problem if they saw anything out of place about the Han face peering out over the bleached collar.

"May we proceed?" she asks, making no move to identify herself. Must she explain everything to these people?

[Yumyumcrow]

The ugly nosferatu pauses, then nods and steps back.

"Ah. Of course. Then... Barbosa welcomes you. I am Ostiary. So I guard the door..." He pounded his chest, an act that made him look even more an anachronism.

The veiled woman leading the congregation pauses to beckon the new comers. "Please. All are welcome to hear the word of Longinus."

[Princess]

Minnie nods gently as her only response, and proceeds. She would prefer to observe with her usual inquisitive silence, and acts as though she feels entirely welcome to just watch, listen, and learn.

[Moonfang]

With Minnie leading the way, Albert follows close behind, lifting his hat off in greeting to the 'doorman'. Once they were past the Haunt, he returns his gaze forward, looking at the gathered group as he chatters on in a low voice, "A doorman for a church? Not as welcoming as I remember. And to give it to just an Ostiary? Such a low rank to entrust an apparently important role." It was clear the doctor was finding all of this rather unusual.

[Yumyumcrow]

Veiled Sister Mercedes calmly closed the volume she was reading from, laying her hand upon its surface in an attitude of prayer. "Times change and the Spear is not what it once was. Old ranks must be upheld, even when their purpose dwindles to nothing. And so the guardian of the gates can now only preserve the congregation at prayer. We ebb and flow with the tides, as it was meant to be. Here were are but a small congregation; but our parish is strong."

The two kindred at the front stirred, perhaps concerned that the reading had been interrupted. Catalina edged closer as Barbosa watched from behind.

"Good to see you again," Catalina whispered carefully. "You were quite the thing at the Salon. You missed a really moving speech..." The olive skinned Kindred sniffed and daubed at her red rimmed eyes.

[Moonfang]

Feeling that he got himself caught being rather rude, Albert cleared his throat and removed his hat as he lowered his head in a small bow. "Forgive my rudeness. Um.. Perhaps you can tell me what you mean by 'the Spear'?" He hoped that the subject change will direct away from his possibly bad first impression.