The weary world rejoices

[toolongdidntrejoice]

WHO: OPEN
WHERE: The Church
WHEN: From today and onto the New Year!
WARNINGS: Kirei.....
SUMMARY: Rejoice, Cityzens! The Church is hosting an event for the holiday season: accepting donations and offering dinner for all those in need during this harsh December! Donate yourself or take part in some free food. You don't have to worship to take part, but you may get a priest breathing down your neck about that.
FORMAT: Whatever you please!


Even in this day and age, certain tired methods of communication remain. A Church flyer is a old tradition and the City has had several passed by hand, or stapled onto walls. They are all advertising open invitations not just for worship but for food on behalf of the City's generous inhabitants -- regardless of beliefs or credo. On top of that, there is a certain tagline which appeals to the City's imPorts:

Be a Hero to one less fortunate than you this holiday season.

It's a sticky, blatant piece of baiting; hamfisted and obvious. Of course, no Church has ever really excelled at subtlety. Guilt is a powerful motivator, especially this time of year. That shows in the turn out: there is quite a few natives already participating, which leads to generous spread.

The Church is welcoming all without distinction -- however, you'll only get to taste wine if you're one of the faithful.

Comments

OPEN with some specific prompts but feel free to prod him whenever

[toolongdidntrejoice]

[ General Mingle ]

[ Kirei isn't a constant presence. Truth be told, the majority of this event isn't in his hands. There is a community among the faithful and volunteers who take care of most of the busywork. He will pry, every so often, when he feels like there is some entertainment to be gleaned. Given the time of year, his status here is especially glorified, and the amount of sycophancy to be felt and abused is obscene.

With the slightest prodding, one will feel guilty over anything; even taking food that is intended as free. It's amusing, and most company takes his amusement as mere holiday cheer.

Surprisingly enough, Kirei Kotomine can cook. It's talent bred from years spent with his late wife, when her illness made her rely on him more and more. It's nothing spectacular, but one will be able to pick his work out of the crowd when they taste it: it's anything that is unnecessarily and intensely spicy. ]

[ Christmas/New Years/Church service general ]

[ He will, of course, be performing the services and offering confession shortly after. Christmas is an event, but his true performance is the New Years mass. It's thrilling how much influence one speech has, and how in one night he can ruin two years: filling listeners with regret and guilt for the prior, and dread towards the one coming. Kirei Kotomine is a man of few enjoyments, and this is one of them. ]

[ December 28th ]

[ However, in between those dates, there is some difference -- although it's hardly noticeable. There are few in the City who would know of his date of birth, and Kirei does not intend to advertise it with any real significance. He does take a moment outside, dressed to guard against the cold -- and eating food hot enough to warm him from the inside out. ]

Christmas service

[hackeralastair]

[while he should be at his club, overseeing the 'fuck Christmas' crowd that has nowhere else to go but out dancing even on a holiday, Alastair takes time out for one very small thing. And lingers near the back, standing, so that if he feels like it, he can take off and disappear into the night and no one would know any better.

The last time he tried this was his first Christmas in the City, three years ago. Why he's trying it again, he doesn't know, but there he is, trying to reconnect to anything from his Croatian roots. He slips among people easily, wrapped in a long coat, and tries not to make eye contact, but often fails.]

[toolongdidntrejoice]

[ It's Alastair's obvious anti-social aura, the desire not to be noticed, which actually makes him noticeable. Considering the season, most of the congregation are happily mingling and being overtly affectionate. Alastair's brooding figure stands out to him, and Kirei singles him out with a smirk. ]

Hello. You're Alastair, aren't you? I believe we spoke on the Network.

Did you enjoy the service?

[hackeralastair]

Y-yeah... [he peers a bit, and then it definitely clicks] Right, we have. Hi. [he shrugs a bit, finding it hard to muster his usual sarcasm and snarky bluster] It was okay. I haven't been in a long time.

[toolongdidntrejoice]

I see. [ His smile spreads and he neatly folds his arms behind his back. ] Has something in particular kept you away?

[hackeralastair]

[oh boy, kindly priest, totally intimidating]

Just. Kind of stopped believing.

[or started believing in an Atlantean sorcerer who could back up his threats with actual magic, technically]

[toolongdidntrejoice]

[ just you wait ]

That is common enough. If that's the case, why did you come this year?

Christmas service

[gandere]

[ Rin's a good girl. She always has been by appearance, so it should come as no surprise that's here at the church services on another Christmas Day. The year before she spent her time arguing with Archer and volunteering at a soup kitchen. Now she's in a healthy relationship with her Servant and so she must play the part.

Her eyes never leave him even when he drones on in the same sermons she's heard years prior. She's obedient as the perfect daughter should be. ]

[toolongdidntrejoice]

[ Kirei knew she would come. Even with all that passed between them, there was no doubt in his mind that he would see her -- although she is painting a very different image than before.

When the service ends, he of course goes to meet her. ]

Good evening, Rin. You certainly dressed for the occasion.

[gandere]

What's that supposed to mean, Kirei?

[ That dangerous aura to match the tone her words are laced in is foreboding enough. ]

Can't I dress nice as a woman should without it being made into a spectacle?

[toolongdidntrejoice]

It's simply a change; you've always worn your hair the same since the day I met you.

[ In fact, he reaches out, lightly touching one long, loose lock of hair. ]

You look much older, like this.

[gandere]

[ She has, hasn't she? Always with those childish pigtails as if wearing them could bring back her father. If he were to show up in the City, would he be able to recognize her without them?

It's an immature fear, but one that grips her unlike any manner Kirei would hold her in. Her eyes dart to watch his hand, cautious even now of the man. ]

I told you I was older. In a couple months I will be nineteen years old and then what would you do?

[toolongdidntrejoice]

That is a fair question. [ He seems unhurried and not bothered by the idea of lingering, slowly letting her hair slip from between his fingers. ] I suppose my position as your guardian will be no longer necessary.

I doubt you'll have any further need of me.

[ It's a light bit of goading. She should have no reason to want his company, not after the several trespasses he has made against her, yet he wonders if guilt will still compel her. ]

( general )

[thanatophobias]

[Cole comes by often, when he finds nothing else to do with his day. It's a safe haven - the dead never visit him when he's in Church.

Cole passes by the various foods, hands kept to himself, gaze searching everywhere else. He may be wondering if he gets to try one of those treats...]

[toolongdidntrejoice]

[ Given that Cole is here without any hovering guardian at his side, he begins to stand out among the crowds. Kirei approaches him, remembering his face from the Network. ]

It's Cole, isn't it? [ His questions indicate concern, but his lips are smiling. ] Are you on your own?

[thanatophobias]

[He's only sightly startled, as though he was caught doing something wrong and is ready to be scolded. He wasn't expecting to be approached. People are used to leaving him alone, for the most part.]

Yeah. Did I do something wrong?

[toolongdidntrejoice]

Not at all.

[ Kirei doesn't act like another adult might; he does not kneel in attempt to make himself level with Cole, to remove the intimidation of his height. He stays standing tall, and glances towards the table that Cole has been wandering past. ]

Are you hungry?

[thanatophobias]

A little bit, [he nods, after a pause, looking back at the food.] But I'm not supposed to take any, am I.

[toolongdidntrejoice]

Quite the opposite; that's what it's here for. [ He makes a gesture towards the tables. ] You may take whatever you like.

Desserts should wait until afterward, however.

general mingle;

[withamask]

[ Renee harbored her suspicions when she learned that Kanaya wanted to volunteer at the church over which Kirei Kotomine presided, but she dismissed her unease for the time being. Besides, this visit provided a good opportunity to verify whether her doubts are valid. Ever the detective, after she helps set the food out for the upcoming dinner, she explores the area. ]

[toolongdidntrejoice]

[ He had hoped he would see her again, but he didn't expect Renee to actually show at the church herself. When he spots her, he smiles, and he moves to greet her properly. ]

Hello, Detective Montoya. What a surprise this is.

[withamask]

[ Renee nods. ]

Father.

[ She wonders if he'll be more receptive to conversation than last time. (Not like she's one to talk, though.) ]

[toolongdidntrejoice]

I did not know you were among the faithful.

[ A very purposeful pause. ]

Ah, unless there's something else bringing you here?

[withamask]

I came to help volunteer.

Though, I have been meaning to talk with you.

[toolongdidntrejoice]

How very generous of you, Detective. You're setting quite the example.

Have you? What about?