Midnight Mass: Return to Form

[Conner Wells]

Sacramento plays host to all kinds of strange and wild things. Some go bump in the night; some prey on the weak or wicked.

And some go to church.

The Moore House was once a funeral home, renovated by the Lancea Sanctum as a place of worship when the Domain was young. Since then it has had many caretakers and adherents under its roof until abandonment and decay claimed it for many nights. But tonight, the House is open. Though the windows are boarded up, the door looks as if it's been recently fixed up with a simple bronze knocker where a gaping hole had been before.

Upon entry, for the door is currently unlocked, visitors find themselves in a lobby lit with battery-operated candles on wall sconces. A guest book sits open on a pedestal just off-center in the room, its pages full of names of past caretakers and Lancea acolytes who'd called the place home. Just beyond it there are two paths: a hallway to the right that is currently cordoned off by CAUTION tape and an entryway just behind the guest book that leads into a sanctuary. Standing just astride the guest book is Conner Wells. The Shadow is dressed formally in dark shades of blue and a skull-patterned tie set under Lancea vestments: a robe set with the Covenant's cross and skull symbol on the neck. He looks at the door both as greeter and sentinel, awaiting to see who will attend tonight's Midnight Mass.
Alessandra , Jacque , Connor OBrien Helen Kingsley Albert Baker Adeline Martin Edward Heinrich Jennifer Hazelton

[Connor OBrien]

Connor arrives at the Moore House with a few minutes to spare, announced by the roar of a V-8 engine. He strides through the unlocked door with his normal air of confidence wearing a charcoal suit with a black shirt. Before approaching the guest book, the haunt takes a quick look around the room, his approval of the décor showing plainly on his face. Finally, he approaches the guest book and the pastor.

"Pastor Wells, thank you for the invitation. The Moore House looks wonderful." ​He says as he signs his name.

[Jacque]

The Lord had smiled upon receipt of the invitation. He wasn't necessarily keen on the Sanctified's beliefs or the context of the sermon itself. No, this evening represented progress and growth within the Domain. He'd seen many spit and curse over the years about a suppression of the covenants, but unsurprisingly all that could be found were the complaints and none who would step up and even try.

No, this man had no thirst that needed quenching yet he was still here. Here for the doer's when others were content to voice dissent.

He pulled up in his Roadster, dressed in a black suit with no jacket. The light would reflect a blue sheen from the waves of his outfit. His tie had a simple amethyst stud pin to keep it in place and of course his Rolex would be found around his wrist. Tucked inside his vest was his copy of the Testament of Longinus.

Upon entering, he greeted the Sentry and Pastor. "Good evening, Priest Wells" as he looks around at the features of the once abandoned building. He noted the caution tape, well aware of the maze that was the building without guidance, "You've been quite busy." He had seen so many come through the Domain and declare themselves the Bishop of Sacramento. He wondered to himself if he chose to build himself upwards through action instead of an absence of competition.

[Edward Heinrich]

It had been a long time since Conner raised the idea of Mass to Edward, and here it was. The church was always of interest to Edward, bound as they were by a strong but very different ethic than the Knights that introduced him to the world of the night. Stepping out of the car, Edward briefly wondered if he had gotten the wrong place, due to not sensing any Beasts. But no, there was Conner, this was the right place after all.

Edward had opted for something less formal than usual, although he tried to keep is classy. He greeted Conner with a smile. "Good evening, Mr. Wells." Edward signed the guest book, "is there a manner of address you'd prefer during Mass?"

Edward was new to this, and so felt no shame in asking.

[Conner Wells]

The roar of an engine hits Conner’s ears and unconsciously his posture shifts, his back straightens and his fists tighten. DEFEND! The monster screams until the sound gives way to footsteps and Conner relaxes. Tonight is a night of expected guests, not a siege. Conner gives O’Brien a welcoming nod as the Haunt approaches and adds his signature to the book. “Welcome, Mr. O’Brien. And thank you. It’s been a lot of work, but I think I’ve gotten the building on the road to its former regality.” Even if that regality was in a humble exterior and a covert interior.

The Seneschal enters and Conner gives a low bow at the waist out of respect for the man who literally handed him the keys to the Lancea’s home in Sacramento. “Thank you for being here, Seneschal. And yes, there’s been a lot of work poured into this place. And more still to do over time.” He follows Jacque’s eyes to the CAUTION tape as he believes the two of them were the only ones aware of the building’s layout, at least as it stands now. “I hope you’ll find the renovations up to the Domain’s standards.” No sign of the Prince yet, and he knows based on earlier communications that Priscus Hazelton and Baker will be absent, so that leaves the Seneschal as the highest ranked Domain official here. The biggest mind to impress.

Edward is given a friendly nod. In all honesty, seeing him in more relaxed attire gives Conner some relief that this isn’t in fact a major event with an excess of standards to trip up on. “Thank you, Mr. Heinrich. ‘Pastor Wells’ or ‘Priest Wells’ will suffice for these premises.” He appreciates the Daeva’s curiosity, if indeed that’s it.

Conner gestures towards the sanctuary. “Please feel free to take a seat in the sanctuary. I’ll be waiting for just a moment longer before the sermon begins.” The monster protests inwardly at having its back exposed. But Conner pushes the impulse down. These are friends…or as close as friends that Kindred can have on a good night.

The sanctuary beyond Conner is a reflection of the transformed state of the lobby. Floors re-carpeted for soft footfalls; pews, sufficient for about 50-60 individuals comfortably, scrubbed clean and carrying a residual smell of cleaning solution; and a pulpit adorned with a fresh red cloth. Each pew is equipped with copies of the order of service found in the invitation letter as well as bound copies of the Testament of Longinus for individual use.

Unless any new arrivals appear, I’ll begin with the official sermon after the next round of posting is done!

[Connor OBrien]

At the sound of Jacque's familiar voice, the haunt folds into a bow. While this isn't court, respect is still due. "Good evening, Seneschal Jacque."

"I can tell you've put quite a bit of work into preparing for tonight. I have no doubt you've done the same for tonight's Sermon, I can't wait to hear it." Connor says with a smile to the Pastor.

As Mr. Heinrich had not greeted him, Connor chose to return the favor. Instead, he made his way into the sanctuary at Conner's gesture. He chooses a seat somewhere near the middle, showing neither commitment nor dismissal, and reads over the order of service offered at the pew.

[Jacque]

"Good to hear," the Lord responded to the promise of much more to come. "Thank you for the invitation."

His beast rattled at the arrival of Heinrich. Steel eyes traced as he made his own salutations.

He nodded to the acknowledgement, "Good evening Mr. O'Brien."

Hearing the desired prefix to his position for the evening, he made his way into the sanctuary. He scanned over the decor before finding a seat near the back- a vantage point to continue to observe all details of the room without the disruption of him ferreting.

[Edward Heinrich]

"Thank you, Pastor Wells." Edward answered, smiling politely, and then stepped by and through the threshold. By some reflex he couldn't name, he bowed his head as he entered.

There were two inside. Connor was already sitting, and Jacque was taking his seat. Edward, operating on a similar logic to Connor, took a seat on a middle, unoccupied, bench. As he passed the row Jacque had settled into, Edward gave a silent bow to the Lord.

[Conner Wells]

As the Kindred gathered enter the sanctuary, they take in the humble yet esoteric trappings found within. The windows are decorated with stain-glass designs that look recently touched-up. One of these designs does picture Christ on the cross at Golgotha; but depicts a Roman centurion looking up, mouth open as blood drips into his mouth. The other designs depict this same centurion transforming into a human soldier to a Kindred scholar and apostle. The man turned Kindred, Longinus; founder of the Lancea Sanctum and primary author of the Testament of Longinus.

As the last of those gathered take their seats, Conner waits a moment longer to take in any possible stragglers before turning and with a dangerously human sigh of anticipation, entering the sanctuary himself and closing the doors. Like Noah closing off the ark from the chaos of the world around him. Conner walks the center aisle and stands behind the pulpit at the far end, positioned underneath the stain-glass relief of Jesus and Longinus. Just before the pulpit is a closed coffin. Though the more perceptive might notice the lid has been altered to include...air holes? The Shadow coughs, both as a measure to attract attention and to steel his nerves, and looks over the congregation.

"Good evening."

There's a confidence in those words spoken. Conner can't quite put his finger on it, but the words seem to please the predator inside. Make it feel at home.

"Welcome, fellow Kindred of the night. We are gathered here today in worship of the God of Creation; in whose providence He saw fit to bring us terrible and purposeful creatures into existence. He who, though the blood of His Son offered salvation to some and damnation to others. To this end please rise as I read the word of the Testament." ​The invitation to rise and listen is by no means an intimidation, but an invitation. It's clear though the words flow through Conner as rote they carry meaning to him. What follows is Conner reading the first chapter of the Testament: the origin story of Longinus the Centurion. A man of many vices who served a cruel empire; a man who, on the hill of Golgotha, pierced the flesh of Jesus to ascertain his death; a man who inadvertently consumed the blood of God descended to Earth and was cursed for it. With this chilling finale, Conner ends the reading of the Testament. "Now please join me in recitation of the Testament, that we might write this word upon our hearts though they beat no more." What follows is a recitation of a slightly later point of the Testament: an encounter between Longinus and an archangel at Christ's tomb, where the archangel relays God's Curse upon Kindred-kind. With the recitation ended, Conner nods. "Please be seated." There's a brief shakiness in his voice on this last command, as if reading all of this aloud has refreshed exactly the full weight of what it means to be the monsters they are. But it's dispelled as Conner adjusts the papers on his podium, and speaks.

"What you have heard and read today is the beginning of Longinus, founder of the Lancea Sanctum. A piece of Kindred history as solidly as Adam is to Man's. And like Adam, the beginning of our kind had a great fall. A fall born of human greed and ambition. But even in this fall there is hope. Purpose."
"Some in Kindred history have compared their lot to that of Cain. Fools There is some merit to the comparison: for Cain's descendants are credited for the earliest creations of civilization, music, art, and craftsmanship. And even in Cain's folly, his children were gracefully allowed to flourish. Not in spite of God's grace, but because of it. The skills born of Cain's children would create the bedrock of the empire that would later host God given flesh."
"Similarly, though God has indeed cursed us Kindred beyond mankind; for that is something none of us can debate, with the Beast we exist with night after night; He has also given us...and I do mean us in this room...grace beyond what we cursed creations could hope for. We exist in a Domain that has known peace for so many seasons. Shielded from the onslaught of Hunters, or other forces that would deny us our God-given purpose of being Sin manifest for Mankind and its cousins. United in care and defense of our home and of each other, even as the Beast compels us to reckless competition and self-predation. Make no mistake, these things are a gift that other Domains would wish for."
"But grace should not motivate us to complacency, but obedience. Just as Paul exhorts the Christians of Rome not to 'sin so that grace should abound', so should we be motivated to action in response to the gifts we have been given. Out of obedience to the one who has given it. As God blesses our Prince and Court with peace, so we should make use of that peace in maintaining our Domain and safeguarding the Masquerade that protects it. As God keeps our Herds stocked and our Havens safe, so we should be moved to continue our vigilant hunts in the shadows to ensure that Mankind is properly chastised by our predations."
"And so, fellow Kindred, remember the faithful example of Longinus. Given purpose beyond damnation, he was not idle in wandering but put his dark gifts to use in service of a higher calling. Make the most of the peace and grace given to you. For in these nights, every moment counts."
Sermon completed, Conner's shoulders lift and lower in measured, stolen breath. He then steps from behind the podium and towards the coffin. ​"Tonight, it is my privilege to offer you Communion in the tradition of the Lancea Sanctum." He opens the coffin, revealing an unconscious man gagged, bound, and blindfolded inside. Conner lays his hand on the coffin and shadows part, revealing his personal broadsword where it had been Obfuscated on the coffin lid. Taking the blade and raising the man's arm with his other hand, Conner runs the blade across the skin creating a crimson trail. "Come. Drink. And be united in fellowship and purpose as Kindred. Hunters of Man. Scourges of Creation. Creatures of the Night."

[Adeline Martin]

Adeline snuck in as quiet as humanly possible and took a position amongst the gathered, she came in just in time to hear the beginning of Priest Wells Sermon. She cured the mortal instruments that caused her lateness, but Kine business waited for noone, and she was swamped with it. This is what happens when you switch coasts. She was dressed in a tweed suit with a white colored button up shirt with french cuffs, complete with pearl cufflinks. Some trendy bracelts, and a pair of black ankle boots completed the outfit.

She mouthed a sincere 'sorry' to Priest Wells, her crystalline blue eyes brimming with sincerity and clasped her hands neatly, showing she was ready to listen and absorb the Sermon.