InsaneJournal

WHO Roddy Bonniman, Kat Nakashima, & Felix Vinter
WHERE The Church of the Immaculate Heart, Brooklyn
WHEN Christmas Eve, Evening (Pre-Dated)
RATING PG
SUMMARY A heartfelt gathering in the midst of this unseasonal killing spree.
STATUS Complete


The days leading up to Christmas have been warmer. Far warmer than the year before, when feet upon feet of snow were being dumped on the city. It's almost a big enough difference that Felix feels like he could just walk around in a hoodie and be okay, but then when night hits, the temperature drops, and it feels more like the end of December. Christmas Eve is no exception. It's not cold enough to see his breath on the air, but at the same time, it's way too cold to be underdressed. Felix is - a little. He went with the hoodie thing, thinking he'd be okay, since he drove over, and the ride home won't take very long. He's the first at the church, which makes sense, since he set it up. he's got a backpack full of lighters and candles, which he's set gently on the pews of the Church of the Immaculate Heart, waiting for people to come.

He waits quietly, talking a little to the people who filter in. It's perhaps not as many as he'd hoped. Probably organizing something like this is dangerous. It's a lot of people gathered at once. If the killer did decide to do a large sweep, they're kind of sitting ducks here. Yet people still have come, and Felix is relieved. The "ceremony" (if it can be called such) has mostly been a 20 minute, silent vigil. Felix had figured people would express their grief and condolences and hopes for the dead as they will. Sadness is often a private thing, but at least, no one here is alone with it tonight. Everyone knows what's happening. Everyone can feel the fear, uncertainty, and loss. That's what's important. If their feelings can reach the dead, or maybe even sway the heart of the killer...

It would be beautiful, if it weren't for the reason for the gathering. The church is lit by nothing but the slim, white candles, softly illuminating the faces of the mourners. It gives the old church a quiet, gentle glow. For once, it probably really does look like a proper church on Christmas Even. Felix ponders this, as well as various other questions more pertinent: why is this happening, who's behind it, and how can they stop it? The questions no one is quite sure what the answers are, though, he thinks. If anyone had a really good idea, probably they'd be on it.

When 20 minutes have gone up, Felix moves - candle still in hand - to the front of the church where the old altar stands and looks over the "congregation" gathered. He sort of smiles, but not quite. He's not great with these things, but he tries. It's not a smiling time, but it's just a natural reaction to him, so he gives the audience a kind of thankful, unsure little smile. "Now, if any of you would like to talk about anyone who's died, or if you want to express your feelings about what's going on, please come forward."