2026-03-21 16:31 - 16:32 PST
Written by Jackal’s player
January 18th, Night after the Gala
The night began like any other. The setting of the sun saw the ushering in of Corabelle and Ariadne. Corabelle made for the window, opening the drapes and letting the light of the stars in. Tonight the Moon was new and well hidden away from sight and so its radiance was not added to that of the stars. Ariadne, meanwhile, was the chalice bearer waiting dutifully at the side of the canopy bed where a Kindred slept, arms folded across his chest, and now began to rouse.
It starts with a small movement, the simple fluttering of eyelids. Then the curling of lips into a thin smile. The Kindred rose, sitting up in the luxurious bed. He was a beautiful creature, emerging from sleep with languid movement. His skin was as pale as porcelain and as smooth as silk, without any sign of scar or blemish across its entirety. The Kindred’s hair was of similar quality, its color was as white as snow and it was lengthy to the point it would fall to his waist had he stood at full height. His eyes too were of similar color to his skin and hair, as pale as moonstones and with an unexpected sense of kindly melancholy.
Ariadne stood ready as the Kindred sat up upon his bed. She extended the chalice to him and he accepted, drinking the chilled blood within to soothe the hungry aches that came from waking from daysleep. When he finished, there was no stain upon his lips and he returned the chalice to Ariadne who carried it away.
Twisting, the Kindred brought his legs to the floor and stood. The routine actions of the night continued, Corabelle guided him to the dressing screen in the corner of the room with Ariadne returning shortly after to help the Kindred to change out of his dayclothes and into more proper attire. This process sees its end with the choosing of cufflinks for the suit that the Kindred had been changed into, the final selection being those reminiscent of bird skulls.
Changed into proper dress, Ariadne and Corabelle guided him over to a large mirror and dresser where the Kindred then sat. He gazed briefly at his reflection, illuminated by the stars of the opened windows before Ariadne brought over a candle and a set of letters. The Kindred murmured a word of thanks to his cousin, before opening a drawer and removing a silver letter opener.
Whilst he attended to his mail, his cousins continued their preparations brushing and attending to his hair in preparation for its cutting and styling. Each night, the hair returned to the same length it had been upon his Embrace and each night the sisters attended to it, styling it as appropriate to whatever occasion the night would hold.
The Kindred cut open the first letter with precise grace. His pale eyes quickly pouring over the flowing letters written on the parchment within. It was one he had been expecting, a returned message from a Rose in Europe whom the Kindred considered a penpal. With a smile, he resolved to write his reply soon. Folding the letter back up, he returned it to its envelope and placed it aside before reaching to the next.
This one was marked with the wax seal of the Family. The Kindred made another cut, opening the letter and removing its contents. His reading started ponderous, though quickly grew frantic and frenzied as he read further. When he finished, his hands were shaking, crumpling the fine paper at its sides where he clutched it with an iron grip.
Slowly, he loosened his grip on the letter. The paper fell from his grasp, drifting to the floor. He raised a hand, indicating for Corabelle and Ariadne to cease their preparations. His cousins responded quickly, making only a small series of final trimmings for the sake of propriety before backing away and allowing the Kindred to rise from his seat.
The Kindred made his way with purposeful strides to the door of his room. He hesitated for only a moment, his gaze turning back to look out at the stars through his window. And then the moment passed and Jasper Ernesto Rosellini-Milliner fled from the room.