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It was with a chuckle that the woman gave a soft shake of her head at the sight of cash falling to the ground. The same individual came to give her the same amount, Aurelia holding up her hand and giving a shake of her head to show she didn't need or want it. "Sorry, he's not really fond of being touched." She apologized for the elder before they continued on to the next person.

Her fingertips curled into the skirt of her dress as she crouched down to pick up what had fallen, straightening it out before she stood and tucked a few strands of hair behind her ear. "Was ist falsch?" She asked, the German easy on her tongue before she frowned. It wasn't that she was frowning at him, but the fact he wasn't enjoying himself. "Did you decide to leave the home for a while, get out?" The woman felt her lips twitch, a nod given.

"Thank you. You look handsome, too." Aurelia knew what he meant and she didn't mind it. The term was correct, either way. It was simply old-fashioned. Her blue eyes moved over the guests and she silently hoped that they were all there, in the building. That there weren't any that were glimpses of the past. An older couple flickered out of sight, proving her wrong as she looked back to the man and continued to quietly hum along with the music.

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The gentle rattle of bottles drowned out the merriment in the other room as Ari stood, arms crossed, as she watched the the catering and bar staff handle the stock that had been brought in for the event. Since receiving the order, Ari had kept quiet about how much of what had been ordered, and by whom, but she had made absolutely sure that all of the wine and champagne ordered were from the top of her top lines, and ready before the doors opened. It was only her perfectionism that held her back from joining the other guests. Still, needs much, and it would be a shame for such a prominent business women to be absent from such a high profile affair.

Since no expense had been spared on the guests for this event, Ari had seen no reason to spare expense on the gifts that she had brought for charity. Harper Rock had been good to her, and she saw no reason not to give back when provided with the opportunities. Finley assisted her in bringing the packages and setting them under the tree before Ari dismissed him to oversee the remainder of the distribution and repackaging the leftover bottles.

Overall, the room was too... gold for her taste. The brunette was unsure if she was over or underdressed in her black and white gown with her simple hairstyle. She entered during carols, with elves running around and tucking coins in pockets, and trays of snowman accessories strategically positioned throughout. Amidst the glitz and gathered crowds, she managed to pick out a few people she recognized, and she smiled a little as she saw Kaelyn in a dress that she'd sent the young lady.

Opting to take it slow for now, Ari decided to keep a low profile and headed over to the bar. Ordering a whiskey on the rocks, she half leaned against the bar as she observed the gathered populace and started running profiles.

The killer forced his stetson lower, tilting his head against the bitter wind whistling through the city from the west. It was the night before Christmas, and the streets were deserted. A few last minute shoppers scurried about like cockroaches in the light, but by and far the sidewalks were clear of all. Likely most families were gathered at home, children tucked into bed, mom decorating and baking, while dad cursed out toy manufactures, and the words ‘some assembly required. No doubt in a few homes, mom and dad were under a mistletoe, trying to get one more quickie before the reindeer hit the roof, while a few lonely souls were just curled up alone. It was not often the massive male let his mind wander, especially with all that was going on in the city lately. Fae spawned wendigos appearing within the city limits, siren mutated experiments inhabiting the labyrinth complex to the north, Fools like that damn actor prancing around singing “I am a vampire, love me.” For a moment tho, his thoughts rolled over his family and friends, reaching out delicately touching their minds to see their well- being, tracking their locations to know all were safe. kennedy was ensconced in the apartment, it had been over a year since she had last been awake, there were times he wondered if she was ever going to wake. Pru’s mind was an open book, visions of Nathaniel danced in her head, no mistletoe needed.. His children, were spread throughout the city, some sleeping like kennedy, some hunting, all safe. A small smile quirked the corners of his lips as he reached out towards the colorful gypsy, stat was his self styled ‘little sister’. The smile grew as he felt her apparent happiness and cheer, before a chill ran down his spine and he jerked upright. Her location… was the Mayoral mansion. Why oh why did she go to that trap. The killer had spent many nights sitting in the Necropolis, with its diminutive owner as she explained how it had been. Then, before, the last time humans ‘discovered’ vampires, and now history was repeating itself because too many assholes ignored it, committing the rest of us to relive it. A gathering of humans and vampires, in a mansion. Mordechai drew the shadows around him, and disappeared in a burst of speed, a single word transmitted across the city, arriving at the mansion barely seconds before he slipped inside the walls himself, “Zo”

He really hadn't intended to be late, well, not THIS late. Jude had gotten home from work on time, gotten his son fed and tucked into bed with reminders of Santa watching, and still had time to get himself ready. It had all been going according to plan, he was on schedule and pretty proud of himself. Well, until Sterling decided that Jude should be just five minutes late. Of course, that five minutes had stretched into an hour and left the dark haired man scowling at his scruffy partner in the mirror as he tried to get his hair to sit just right. "You're being the cat again, Sterp." Jude calmly informed the man, referring of course to the smug kitty who'd got the cream and sat there after licking its chops. By the time he got himself together and got dressed in his party attire, an embroidered gold jacket worn over a crisp white shirt, paired with black slacks and shoes sheened to a high polish, he was bordering on rudely late. There was something of old Hollywood glamour in his outfit, not to mention the swagger that went with it thanks to his last minute confidence boost from a certain troublesome Texan he'd be leaving at home. Sterling was working a pretty heavy case, and while it was good to see him working Jude couldn't but worry about him. It was a rough world out there, and though the Paladin could handle himself there was no shortage of nasty surprises. Perhaps it was why his goodbye kisses often lingered, and why he allowed himself to be dragged back to bed for just five more minutes more often. What he wouldn't have given for five more minutes with his wife in the months after her death, and now Jude was determined not to waste any of the time he got with his boyfriend. "I'll be back around midnight, ok?" Sterling grinned, the wink he offered as response making Judah develop a rosy blush as he bustled out the door.

Arriving at the Mayor's mansion he had no real expectations. Of course he'd heard about the event, and agreed to come along after Alaric and Aurelia mentioned they'd be making an appearance, but his lack of forethought about what it would entail left him wide-eyed and full of wonder as he walked into the party. It was fairly impressive, even to a man who had grown up in grand ballrooms surrounded by laughter, who had spent years attending and later hosting grand parties. How on earth would he even find his relatives in here? The first stop was to the trees where presents were piling up for the less fortunate, Jude having brought three neatly wrapped presents in a beautifully glossy red paper, each topped with a golden bow and little note of merriment. One each from himself, his son August and Sterling.

It took him some time of wandering around, a grin on his face and a champagne glass in his hand before he finally spotted two very familiar faces. Alaric was looking stern and hassled, though clearly comforted by the presence of a relative whereas Aurelia appeared the more composed of the pair. She was, as ever, radiant and it was with great pride that he approached them both, his family. "Alaric and Aurelia, it's awesome to see you guys made it out!" He greeted each with a hug, Alaric's a formal embrace and Aurelia's accompanied by a fond kiss against her temple. "You both look great! This is, uh..." He laughed in disbelief, hands lifting to gesture around him, "Really something, huh? Here I was thinking that our parties at the Manor could be kind of over the top. I mean, duuuude. I would've been happy with a couple of trays of party food and a little music to dance to. Oh,... And wine." Though the last was added as an afterthought it was quite clear he viewed this as important, raising his champagne glass in salute and knocking back a large sip of the bubbly substance. Who said a man of God couldn't enjoy a night of socialising and a drink or two? Jude reasoned that, after all, this event was about bringing the community together that was a huge part of the work he did as Pastor. It was a night to network, to get out on the dance floor and meet a friendly face or share a little holiday cheer. As long as he was home at a reasonable hour and ready to face an excitable seven-year-old boy in the morning he was golden. Pastor Jude would let his hair down for a few hours, and he hoped the Elder, and his darling cousin, would join him.

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Doc looked from Lizzie toward Chub, also known as Kaelyn, “She’s the one with the blonde bouncy curls, standing with ****-for-brains main squeeze Tia-something.” He looked back at Lizzie, “I would introduce you but I am in a good mood, and I have no desire to see it end.” He paused, thought a moment and then added, “Because of that other person.. Not Chub. I like Chub.”

He then smiled, “When you do get introduced to her.. Brace yourself. She is .. high energy and can be very intense over the strangest things. I have given up on trying to understand how her mind works. I just go with the flow, until she crosses a line,...” Again he paused, then stopped and abruptly changed the subject. “So.. you have plans to go England. You mentioned it before, but time and unforeseen work has always seemed to step in before I could get any details. Planning to be gone long?”

Snagging a drink, off a passing server’s tray, he sipped it. There was more he wanted to ask her about her trip. He was more than curious. But Lizzie’s life was her own, and as much as he might want to know; Doc knew ultimately that.. If Lizzie wanted him to know she would tell him. Therefore he kept his question short and to the point. He would be able to tell from her answer, whether or not she wanted to share the full details with him. Well, except that they were in a public place. She may not want to even speak if it here. Yet, there again, he would be to understand more by what she didn’t say, than by what she did.

Having finished the newly acquired second drink, and having been dissatisfied with it as well. Doc looked at beverages being served here at the bar, by which he and Lizzie stood. It was all wine and champagne. If there was a wine bar, there had to be a liquor bar. Looking around the very crowded room, he spotted what he was looking for. Much to his surprise, there across the room, at the liquor bar was Ariadne. He was pleasantly surprised. For months she had locked herself away, and now here she was, out in public .. no.. in the ‘human’ public. He was inordinately pleased to see her. He would have to go speak to her.