An Informal Gathering

[Edwin Bridges]

"Come on, free candy? How much more reverence do you need?" Edwin chuckled, joking around. "I've got nothing against Halloween itself, grew up with the tradition even if I view it differently now than I used to. Still, a good Halloween party will get everyone talking, and from what I've seen in the Domain, people do like to use their imagination when it comes to outfits."

The thought of spandex entered his mind.

"It would also make a cracking way to remember anyone we know that we have lost. The symbolism must not be lost in the revelry."

[Chris Wooding]

There's definitely no reason to be anxious, for Chris simply smiles. Although he is a bit disappointed that his fellow Acolytes would think he just wants to party. And that a simple idea that just came to his mind is responded to with a growl. 'I think I just said I wish to include symbolism.' He arches an eyebrow, he learned to get to know someone or something better before he judges. Other would be wise to do the same.

He relaxes, 'So please don't get me wrong, if we host a party it doesn't mean that we rule out the possibility for our veneration of the Goddess. We can even have a separate celebration, before or after any public event. That is what I wished to brainstorm on... unless the idea of how people celebrate Halloween an sich is what opposes you?' He asks to Sinead and Notaku, in a way that he would respect their opinions.

'Then we can always think of something else, we have plenty of time.'

[Djinn]

The blonde sighed softly as she looked to the Hierophant with an expression of concern.

"My concern about the celebration is the costuming that is liable to occur," Sinead explained clearly and honestly. "I do not trust my temper around Samhain celebrations when what I see are half-clad women dressed in mockeries of period pieces, or those in other bizarre garb. Samhain is about monsters. It's about demons. It's about the dead and horrors and concealing oneself on the night in which the veil between life and afterlife is thinnest...

"I hardly care if it is a happy celebration or not, people will take different things as they will. Even funerals are not always solemn. It is... the costuming that I have distinct concerns about. However, if this Circle makes a decision on the matter, I will do my utmost to not act on the displeasure."

The same displeasure she was doing her best to curb in dealing with Edwin. Candy? Parties? Talking? Were those his priorities? She was open as it went to a wide variety of beliefs, in fact she often tended to encourage it and inquired as to others' beliefs out of curiousity and a desire to learn... but there were those who clearly did not hold the same reverence for their beliefs as she did. She respected their beliefs, as well, strongly. That was always the point, to her, believing in something was preferable to wasting away into nothingness.

... a deep breath led to another soft sigh as she rested her hands in her lap. "If we can manage to create an event wherein we can show the true meaning of Samhain to other Kindred, I think I would be at peace with the notion." Or, at least, she would try.

Did the majority of this Court even know how to shed their beauty and become something truly frightening, if only to behold?

She was certain the Prince knew. And what of the other lovelies of the Court? Could they turn their beautification rituals into a moment to expose their true natures?

[Edwin Bridges]

A part deep inside of Edwin reared its ugly head. He tried not to let himself be controlled by pride but sometimes, other people appeared to question his beliefs.

"Well, in all due respect, you should care," Edwin said, attempting to smile, his husky voice holding true. "We are still a small group among powerhouses in this domain. The Invictus controls all with the Dragons well respected. It has only been a month or two since anyone represented the Circle has shown themselves," he states, glancing to Gunner with a nod, "no disrespect intended, Grove King." He looked back to the group, focusing on Sinead. "But my point stands. We must be careful. From what I have seen, this domain enjoys a good party and dressing in finery and disguises. Halloween is a great time to spread our beliefs but in a way that won't cause the domain any concern. Once we have settled, grown solid roots that go deep, then we can hold an event that can really express what we are about. Besides, we have only just met and decided on a Hierophant within a few weeks. What do we truly know of each other?"

He let the question hang, the burning in his dead heart still alight as he expressed himself.

[Chris Wooding]

The tension in the room is rising, and Chris can't say he likes it very much. He's not sure what Sinead and Notaku hope to prove, that they are better acolytes, spending every second of every night to the worship of the Crone? That is exactly the extreme picture the Hierophant doesn't want to share.

'What you don't understand is that if we don't give a party, but invite everyone to a serene celebration of Samhain - no one will show up. What Edwin says is entirely true, about how the Domain is built on social events. All I intended to do was host one of those social events, and show everyone that the Circle of the Crone is not all about praying and doing rituals, we can have fun, as one Circle, as one family...' He looks at Sinead, only moments ago she felt good and comfortable. Had he ruined that? By proposing a plan?

'But this only seems to be a reason for conflict between us. I will not hold a celebration for others with the absolute certainty that no one will come - Halloween is a big thing in Sacramento, I can know it. So if anyone feels that we are mocking the Crone by wearing costumes,' Chris sighs, he tries to stay neutral, but he feels like Edwin understands the Domain, while Sinead and Notaku should be open for a more modern approach to celebration, 'then nothing will happen. As your Hierophant, I will respect all of your opinions. But if we make a good appearance as a covenant, the domain will remember it for months. Unless we don't care for appearances - but I do, which is why I started this topic to begin with. I trust that we can make this work, that we can make sure that the people we invite have a good time, while at the same time we find opportunities to show what Halloween is truly about. Then if the Domain knows who and what we are, they might consider visiting more serious rituals. The Crone knows how we feel, she can see our true intentions. I don't feel like I will be mocking anything sacred - so I'm not. Besides, you don't have to wear stupid costumes if you don't want to. Then see this as an opportunity to meet new people, but within our own scenery. '

To be realistic, even the simplest rituals garments will appear as a costume to most people. Ah well.

Chris looks around the table, inviting the others to speak with a simple gesture. They can say one more thing before he makes a decision.

[Djinn]

Sinead's expression grew concerned as she looked at all of those gathered, before sighing heavily to herself. "Please, please, be at peace Brothers," she stated quietly as she rose to her feet, her gaze settling on each of them in a nearly stern manner that came across rather maternal - as though the ghost of one's mother were chastizing a child worriedly. "We are all family here, we needn't fight over something such as this... there is no hostility required.

"Please allow me to clarify," her hand rested gently on Notaku's with a kind smile of gratitude before she addressed her concern.

"I am not opposed to costumes, nor celebrations. When I say I hardly care if it is happy or not, I mean that making a happy celebration of such a thing doesn't bother me. I do not require solemnity from an occassion - as I said, even funerals can carry happy tones with them. In fact, tradition dictates of Samhain that we do dress in costume," she explained for Notaku but didn't look at him as she did, not wanting to make anyone feel as though they were on the spot. "The idea is to dress as monsters, ghouls and ghosts, deathly creatures, horrifying creatures on the night that the veil between life and death is the thinnest. This is to confuse those demons who may cross over into the realm of the living for a time into thinking that there is no prey here, for we are all monsters...

"I believe that all Kindred can understand this concept. We parade around similarly with the kine, do we not? We dress in a lamb's attire so that we appear to fit in..." Her gaze turned to Chris Wooding gently. "What I propose is to make certain that the costumes are thematically appropriate. Make the domain aware that the costumes we wish to see are those of monsters and demons. What I ask is that we avoid having the costumes that would, in fact, be more of a mockery than anything be used. It defeats the purpose if the costumes are pretty and do not show any edge, or any level of horror to them."

Sighing softly, she shook her head, looking to Gunnar for a moment as though she was lost, before her expression cemented itself and she looked around the table once more. "Samhain is a tradition, not exclusively a ritual, and I believe that we can make it a fun and enlightening experience for everyone - even those who are not of our Circle or our Faith. That is what I hoped to propose here, I was not intending to cause any level of conflict at this gathering, and I apologize if my intent was misconstrued for hostility."

Slowly sinking into her seat, Sinead looked at her hands a moment as she contemplated the situation. Had they truly misunderstood her so strongly? She wished to be inclusive of everyone... of course she did. Unity. Family. Those were the things that kept them from being naught but predators in the night. How had this gotten so twisted?

[Yumyumcrow]

Even as the voices grew louder and the tension rose, the Grove King remained unruffled. At first he seemed to have nodded off, dosing, as it were. The his blue eyes flicked open. They fixed on Sinead, then drifted over Edwin and Notaku in rapid succession; not unsurprisingly, they dwelt like heavy weights on the Hierophant, flicking but once back to the Haunt as she sat once more.

For a moment it looked like Gunnar might add something. But he stopped himself. The cryptic half smile remained.

[Edwin Bridges]

When Notaku stood and seemingly attempted to threaten him with his posturing, Edwin locked eyes with the Savage and wondered if he should make the giant forcefully leave or simply cause him to attempt to open his dead bladder.

Because that would definitely make Edwin chuckle about now.

The smile had vanished. It was always present, a part of him that made him somewhat likable to others. The fact that he had already riled the large Gangrel was starting to annoy him. First Roderick, now this jackass? Seriously?

A sigh as Notaku finally retook his seat. When Chris spoke, Edwin's appreciation of the Hierophant grew immensely. At least he seemed to understand the dynamics of the Domain, something that the Lord was quickly learning. It was a survival thing.

And then the freak decided to step up again and just make her point, trying to placate the shit she had started. For Hel's sake, why don't she and Notaku just get there shit on and then the tension could move on. It didn't even need to be serious. Just get some and be happy.

Another sigh.

"You know, I've said my piece, and it seems whenever I say anything, it seems to do nothing but piss folks off. Halloween, great idea. That's me done."

A pause.

"Also," he added, looking towards Notaku, leaning forward in his chair, "Don't ever threaten me. I really don't appreciate it."