Winter Solstice

[Chris Wooding]

The Circle of the Crone Farm. On the outside a simple and quiet place. Gunnar Haroldson's herd is long gone, and although every now and then there's some Kine presence, the night is still ruled by Kindred. Especially so far from downtown Sacramento. There's no public transport here, so either you need a car or you have to be able to transform into a raven to make it here in a moderate amount of time. Since the Hierophant presumed most Kindred would pick the first option, the path of small torches he set up begins at the parking area. It doesn't lead to the farm itself, nor to the greenhouses beside it. No, the path leads around the farm to a wide area behind it.

From there on it would be roughly a five minute walk before seeing more than the small lights and plain fields. There's a circle of stones, different sizes and shapes, but most of them are only waist high. With the exception of three man-sized rocks. Anyone realizing that stone circles like this are more common in South England and not so much in California could guess that the Hierophant put some effort into creating this place. Unlike those old stone circles, this one has a large stone table in the center. It seems to be hand carved, yet the surface is flat. It is obvious that it will serve as an altar. There's a large bowl in the middle of the table, around it are some other things, fresh flowers, old branches and leaves, a small cauldron, and an obscure glass container.

To light up the place a bit, torches are also placed in a wide ring around the stone circle. Only one is placed next to the altar. The small flames don't offer a lot of light, but one will notice that so far out of the city the sky is quite bright. With the new moon and many stars no vampire should have trouble seeing. Some well-crafted wooden stools are spread across the area as well, although they don't seem to be placed in such an orderly fashion that you would sit on them, as an audience.

The Hierophant himself, Chris Wooding, is already present of course. As he's rolling up his sleeves, managing things on the altar, or checking his phone, he seems to be more occupied with some things going on in his mind. Oh, and he's wearing somewhat fashionable but not too formal clothing that any young man would wear - during the summer.

[Edwin Bridges]

Edwin had arrived not long after sunset, driving straight from his haven to the farm with a content smile on his face. Tonight was a special night for him, almost the day of his embrace but more than that, more than his tiny existence, it was the most important festival in his opinion. For the occasion, the Lord had gone back to basics when it came to his wardrobe. Black, black and black.

It was his natural colour.

Perhaps the only thing out of place was the pewter brooch on display over his dead heart. Mistletoe had many symbolic meanings, especially for one of the Rotgrafen, and especially to the Second Descent. It was, after all, the instrument that would bring about the End Times.

Spotting Chris, the Skaald hailed him with a wave before striding over to join his Hierophant, the grin absolutely genuine.

"Happy Yule, Hierophant. This will be a truly awesome and awe-inspiring night. I can feel it."

[Yumyumcrow]

Dirge approached slowly from the direction of the green houses and bio domes. The Haunt moved with a slow, deliberate pace, her features completely lost in the cowl of a hooded cloak. Behind her in procession, the final dregs and die hards from the Grove King's herd struggled with with a sulky bull, dark of fur with only a curious moon shaped white patch over one eye. Another carried a a rather large knife; the last carried a tray with a pottery cup, a mortar and pestle, and some knobby looking fungi that seemed to reflect the darkness.

If she felt any discomfort as she traversed the soft, cold, ground, she did not show it.

[Chris Wooding]

Before saying anything to his Skaald, the Hierophant takes a second to look at the brooch. Nice, and interesting. 'Happy Yule Skaald. Well, I definitely hope so. It's been a while since we had a public Solstice ritual. But with the Crone on our side, what can go wrong?!' If he recalls correctly, it was exactly two years ago. So about it's time, but Chris seems to be in a best mood because of it.

Let's face it, this is all so much nicer when anyone can show up. Or just, Vivian York.

A grin appears, 'Well, hello to you too miss.' Chris playfully tips an imaginary hat while making a small polite bow. 'Why, you look great, Vivian!' He looks at her outfit, it's not often you see someone dress up like that, but it would fit no one better than the Daeva before him.

'Thank you, Happy Holidays!' Truly the easiest thing to say. He accepts the swag of greenery with a smile, and perhaps a glimpse of surprise in his eyes. It's not necessarily strange or inappropriate, the Shadow just hadn't expected to get anything like this. He turns towards the table while saying, 'I'll give them a special place. How about that.' So the candles end up on the altar between some of other stuff, while the greenery itself is carefully placed on the ground beside the altar.

Then as Chris turns to face the others again, he also sees Dirge approaching. The happy smile on his face changes into something that seems to show... a darker excitement, maybe. It's quite obvious what would happen to the bull.

'Dirge,' he says with noticeable respect, 'good evening.'

[Edwin Bridges]

Edwin couldn't deny Chris' statement, otherwise what would be the point of this evening? They had faith and even if their number was small, the ritual would bind them together and make the night a success.

Glancing around at the sound of a another, the Skaald was slightly surprised to see Vivian join them but it wasn't a nasty one. Far from it, and Edwin offered the delightful woman a welcoming grin, eyes briefly scanning the decoration. It was a beautifully significant arrangement, at least in the Skaald's opinion and he watched as Chris placed them centerpiece on the altar.

"Thank you, Vivian," Edwin said, not afraid of being informal, at least by the First Estate's rulings. If there was an issue, Edwin was soon hear about it. He glanced at his brooch with a nod, husky voice expressing itself with the faith that he held so dear.

"It's just a little something I have kept for many years now," he explained, gently pulling it from his shirt for Vivian to hold if she so wished. "Mistletoe has so many myths and legends relating to it, and not just for kissing beneath," the charming Lord chuckled easily. The grin faded slightly at the memory of when he received the piece of jewelry. "One such myth is that it is a symbol of thunder and can protect against fire and lightning."

That wasn't the real reason he wore it. Loki-trickster had many legends also, one of which was of particular interest to the Skaald.

The blind Haunt and her entourage received a nod from the Skaald. The bull was a nice touch.

[Yumyumcrow]

"Hierophant."

The cowled figure that was the Haunt stopped as she came abreast of the gathering Kindred. The small procession that followed her moved to her side with one of her Kine whispering and soothing the bull as they waited for instruction. For the moment, the beast was pacified, big liquid black eyes locked on its handler.

"We have been joined by others?" A ghost of a smile from within the hood. "Greetings, then... Vivian?" There was a little pause. Dirge was running a list of names through her head. Or perhaps reigning in the Bestial urges as they rippled through her.

"I have bought something to help our Skald. However, given the spirit of the season, I am willing to let others share in the visions."