All Soul's Day- November 2nd, 1888

[valdemars]

Date: November 2nd, 1888
Time: 10:00am - 10:30 am (service- characters may stay for longer, though)
Location: The chapel
Characters: Everyone [OPEN/CLOSED]

Summary: The household gathers together in the chapel for a short All Soul's Day service.
Warnings: None.


The Valdemar family are not, by and large, particularly religious. "My faith," proclaimed Lady Valdemar once, to the horror of her husband's parents, "lies while science and science alone. If God should have a hand in that, so be it. I couldn't care less either way."

Yet here they were, gathered together in silent prayer before the altar and the glassy purview of King Solomon and a host of angels, huddled in the dark pews at the front as if in collective repentance- not that Her Ladyship seems particularly repentant. From the slant of her shoulders to her poker-straight back to the upward jut of her chin, all of her bearing is far too proud for a humble servant; she watches her husband take to the lectern with an almost feline boredom, thin lips pursed. Even a servant watching from a second floor balcony might note the smear of carmine on them, as if brushed on for the sole purpose of better expressing her disdain.

"The righteous perish, and no one ponders it in his heart; devout men are taken away, and no one understands that the righteous are taken away to be spared from evil." Lord Valdemar seems uncomfortable with so many eyes upon him, and he studiously avoids his wife's stare. He dabs at his brow with a handkerchief before continuing. "Those who walk uprightly enter into peace; they find rest as they lie in death."

His voice, though low and quiet, echoes throughout the space with a new importance that could only have been built into place by a canny architect with an ear for dramatics. A Madonna relief rolls her eyes piously to the ceiling; a spider inches its way down her shoulder and drops onto the organ, silent for years now.

The final stretch now. "I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite," he finishes- and, the bible closes in a dusty thump. With another mop of the brow, he murmurs something pleading about feeling faint before bolting for the hallway wearing a martyred look.

Lady Valdemar sniffs. "A migraine," she informs no one in particular, rising from the pew. She makes it sound like an accusation. "His health is so tenuous these days."

But for all of her snide comments, that she is the one left rather than her husband does allow for a little breathing room. If anyone should want to light a candle or speak a silent prayer of their own, now is the time.


[This is an open post for all of the household. Threads may either take place during, before or after the service. Lady Valdemar will also be available to speak with, assuming your character is either of the right station or has an excuse to do so- say so in your post's subject line if that would interest you.]

Comments

[loosethedogs]

Misaya cares little about religion, and even less about the dead, so it's no surprise that she has already made her way outside when Kiritsugu exits the chapel. Her lips purse together when she takes note of him. He's one of the few—perhaps only two—members of the staff that her sharp eyes do not skip over as though there were mere scenery. Setanta is her possession; Kiritsugu is a liability.

...But, allowing him to catch her had been her mistake, so she can do nothing but monitor him and make sure he has no reason to give her away. For now, this means staying in his good graces. "Good morning, Kerry," she says, a charming smile fixed on her face by the time she addresses him. "I hope you didn't find the service too torturous."

[failedprotagonist]

Kiritsugu lowers the pipe he was in the process of taking out, then lowers his head respectfully. There's nothing to fault in his manner. "Good morning, Miss Valdemar. A pleasure to see you today." One of the house's treasured young mistresses. This one is interesting, and in a way he's not sure he likes. He's seen her viciousness first hand, and it's not difficult for a man of his experience to tell when someone takes real pleasure in killing. Not the sport of hunting, but the kill itself, the suffering and death of another living creature. He had had the delightful experience of seeing her at work. He wasn't squeamish; a man in his line of work couldn't be. It wasn't the sight itself, but the intent in her actions that had given him pause. Not that his current bearing gives away any hint of what he's thinking, though he's well aware that she knows that he knows. It's something of an understanding that they have.

"Ah, no, it was mercifully brief, but I'm sure it was good for my immortal soul." He believes no such thing, but he smiles. "And yourself?"

[loosethedogs]

"Well, that's what they'd have you believe." They're alike in that respect, at least, and from her tone an outsider could almost mistake that reply for friendly banter. She can't exactly give a candid opinion on the sermon, much less to Kiritsugu, so she simply says, "It was passable."

[failedprotagonist]

"Who am I to second-guess the divine?" He says this cheerfully enough, none of his sarcasm evident in his tone. "Yes, a rousing sermon on his Lordship's part." He seems to be referring to Lord Valdemar's uninspired delivery, followed by his sudden departure, though it wouldn't do to appear disrespectful. "I do hope he recovers shortly."

[loosethedogs]

"Mm," she hums, sounding non-committal. In truth, she only feels so much concern, but she is capable enough of going through the motions. Her demeanor sobers. "Well, with luck. He is getting up on his years."

[failedprotagonist]

"He should be fine for a while yet," says Kiritsugu. "He's more resilient than he looks." He's no doctor, but he has an eye for the health of animals, and are people so different?

"And are you planning to go out hunting today, Miss Valdemar?" His tone is completely light. There is no way to read anything into it other than politely friendly curiosity, although Kiritsugu does know what for her "hunting" tends to take at its end.

[loosethedogs]

"I suppose you'd know better than I would." She shrugs a shoulder, telling him, "I'll trust your judgment." The ever-present confidence in her tone makes her sound as though she believes he should feel lucky that she has deigned to do so. She probably does.

For a second, her expression falters at his question, and then she meets his friendly curiosity with a friendly smile. "I'm not sure yet. I don't care much for this weather."

[failedprotagonist]

"Generous of you, Miss. I'm no doctor, but I know the man." Not well, but he's spoken with him about the all-important topics of sport and meat.

He notes Misaya's falter, but his own expression remains serene. "You'll have to tell me if you'll be needing me." He does go along on hunting parties, or with individual hunters, to advise and reload, though he knows Miss Valdemar likes her privacy.

He looks up at the sky at her words, the Yorkshireman in him stirring as he considers the weather. "Aye, it's been bad lately. Looks like rain, but I don't know if this storm will break. Might not rain until tomorrow." Having lived in the area all his life, and having lived much of it outdoors, weather is another area of his expertise, though like any folk forecaster, he has his off days.