26 Dec 2024, 17:04
Holiday Happenings
Soon to get a Merry Christmas Eve with @AngelFyre McCubbin
London welcomed Simon home from holiday break with sparkling lights and Christmas decorated store windows. He was greeted by rain but a promise of a cold spell meant that there would be at least some snowfall for Christmas. He was away from Hogwarts and yet everything around him, in this city that he loved, seemed so magical during this time of year.
Simon made it home from Hogwarts the day before Christmas Eve. He was able to hang out with his rat pal Rascal and have a nice dinner with his amazing Aunt Maggie and Uncle Mark, while Mark's dog Porter sat nearby waiting for table scraps that were sure to come. They always did. Simon offered to do the dishes, as Mark did the cooking. They both wanted Aunt Maggie doing as little as possible since she was due to have her baby in a month's time.
They talked into the night, catching one another up on everything that had gone on with school, the bakery/bookshop, the restaurant, getting ready for the baby, and the logistics on how it could work so that Simon could make a trip home to meet her when she came. While it was technically Simon talking with his aunt and uncle about the arrival of his new baby cousin, it was actually Simon talking to his parental figures about the coming of his sibling-figure. Aunt Maggie had been his guardian since the age of three and no, he wasn't just gaining a cousin. He didn't feel like some sort of outsider in this soon-to-be growing family but rather as one of the happily expecting members. They were as cohesive of a warm family as one could get and Simon knew how very fortunate he was.
As he left late into the evening to wrap his Christmas gifts in his room, Simon was reminded of how fortunate they all were that year. He had a supportive and loving girl who set his soul on fire, he had discovered his career path goal, his grades were good, he had so many friends that he was grateful for, he continued to strengthen his relationship with God, he was working on - well, whatever it was that was going on in Babilstow, and had health and happiness.
Christmas Eve held tradition. He met up at lunch time with his muggle crew back in London: Gabe Evans, Oliver Harris, Olivia Dalton, Mia Anderson, Henry Stewart, Lily Halifax, Charlotte Fletcher, Alexis Carmichael and so many others. They talked so much and laughed even more and it was good to reconnect with them. Their lunch eventually faded to a make-shift football game and then met up at the church for an early supper. They would be doing their Christmas Eve tradition of caroling through the streets of London. When finished, they would gather back at the church for their unofficial, but oh-so-important, Hot Chocolate Social and continue to hang out until Midnight Mass.
It was there at the church where he'd meet up with AngelFyre and no one loved chocolate more than his girl so meeting up with her at the Hot Chocolate Social was a fantastic scenario. He was looking forward to seeing her, grateful they'd get to spend some of their time together that Christmas unlike the past one.
"I mean, I'd say she's not real, Kincaid, but I've met her. A girl like that though - you sure you're still with her? Better yet, what I mean is - you sure she's still with you?" Simon's friend Gabe taunted him playfully when they arrived back to the church and headed back to the Youth Room.
Be kind to one another. (*iNPC is Miles Thatcher)
1 Jan 2025, 00:57
Holiday Happenings
For Unto You A Child Is Born – Isaiah 9:6;
Words You will Hear Often, @Simon Kincaid, But Not Quite Yet
Christmas Eve - 2024
As she and her family entered the open doors of Westminster Cathedral, AngelFyre felt her heart begin to race. The last time she had been here was March, and that was to see Aunt Maggie get married. As beautiful as the bride and the whole wedding had been, she had had a hard time taking her eyes off of Simon, proudly escorting his Aunt down the aisle to her future's greatest happiness. AngelFyre could not remember a time she had ever seen his smile so wide or so luminous. His smile almost distracted her from the sight of him in a pink suit, but even that Simon managed to pull off with stylish aplomb.
That was all back in the Spring though, and the Cathedral was not as beautifully decorated then, even for a wedding, as it was on this evening. It was nothing short of stunning. Simon had told her a little bit of what they would see, but he had kept it understated because he had wanted the splendor to speak for itself. They were to meet him and Aunt Maggie and Mark at the Cathedral for midnight Mass. AngelFyre had never been to a midnight mass before, so she was excited to get to experience a part of Simon's faith with him in his home church. The wedding had been beautiful, and quite long, actually, but they had not been together during any of the ceremony, so she and her non-Catholic family were a little uncertain at times what they should, or should not, be doing.
This time would be different. She would be by his side, through all of it, and that thought just curled itself up in her heart and rested as easily as a road weary traveler coming in from the cold and settling before a warm fireplace might. She knew her father loved Simon, but it was an impediment that he was Catholic... at least at first. AngelFyre was pretty certain both he and her mother thought AngelFyre and Simon would have long ago parted, but that clearly was not looking to be a possibility anytime soon, so her parental units had come to accept some things that were simply not in their control. What she knew was most important to both of them was that Simon was a young man of deep and abiding faith. Of that, neither had any doubt.
Iain McCubbin had made great strides in confronting any number of things since Simon had entered their lives, and AngelFyre struggled to figure out just how much more the man could deal with, because there was more. More than even her brilliant father could fathom he would need to digest when it came to his daughter's soul mate. There was, of course, the fact that the two intended to marry as quickly as they were able after AngelFyre's graduation from Hogwarts. That she knew would send both of her parents over the edge. It was assumed, she knew, that she would go to University and get her advanced education, maybe even a post doctorate.
Her father had taken her on tours with him to Oxford, his alma mater, a number of times. It was plain why, and she would be a liar if she were to say that part of her did not desperately wish to further her own education as Simon chased after his, so there were rustlings of uncertainty even within her own soul on the subject. But she knew with a bedrock certainty that if it came down to her ever having to choose Simon over Oxford or the Wizarding world's equivalent, Simon would win each and every time.
Still, marrying so young would be the least of Iain and Annene McCubbin's issues when it came to their future son-in-law. AngelFyre marrying at 17 would be nothing but a small grain of sand on the world’s largest beach compared to learning that their daughter would be marrying a dhampir. She was not sure her folks even knew what a dhampir was. It was a puzzlement to consider how to break the news, exactly, that Simon was a dhampir. How much time should she give them to get used to the idea? It was not like there were any self-help books or magazine articles in the Muggle world that gave advice on how to break it to them, and it certainly was not anything she could go to Reverend Galbraith to discuss. Maybe she could find something at Diagon Alley before she left for home.
She was drawn from her thoughts when her mother exclaimed how beautiful everything looked. “It really does. You two go ahead. I am supposed to meet up with Simon and his friends for a hot chocolate social before the Mass. We will find you before it starts. Save us a place. Aunt Maggie and Mark are likely in the Kitchen if you want to find them.” She leaned over and gave each of them a hug and peck on the cheek. She was in heels, but even out of them, it took a lot less tippy toeing to reach her father’s cheek these days.
“Either you are growing or I am shrinking,” he groused as he wrapped her in a hug, before letting her go. That merited another peck to his cheek and she teased, “I like that you think they are mutually exclusive events. Both are probably true,” and she chuckled. But when she stood before him, she did not want to leave him with a teasing comment, not on this holy night. "The truth is, Daddy, you will always stand taller than other men in my eyes,” and she squeezed his hand before turning to leave them.
They left, walking down a hallway headed to the north, but AngelFyre took the hallway to the east, just as Simon had instructed her to do. She gave her parents time to be well out of hearing range, before whispering the activation word for Simon’s binding mark, knowing he he already had it on right then. Truth was, they both kept it on most of the time, but she loved saying it anyway. The word encompassed everything they felt for, and about, one another. Uttering it now would deactivate the open connection, yes, but repeating it shortly thereafter would turn it on again immediately. She loved saying it, honestly, so he was going to have to put up with a little playful indulgence on her part. She did not take advantage often, so she thought he would not mind too awfully much. She would land on keeping it open, however, as she had discovered she actually loved hearing him in her head.
“I am here, love. I am just now starting down the eastern hallway as you told me to do. I cannot wait to see you. Even 24 hours is too long to be away from you. You are going to have to instruct me how to find you though. Your church is a labyrinth compared to mine back home.”
She had no sooner finished that sentence than she came to a dead end, and was left with only one way to turn, so turn that way she did. And when she did, she came face to face with the most beautiful display of Christmas trees lining the flagstones, walls and flooring alike.
It was the arches that would have truly set it all off, but even those were outshone by Simon, standing there, waiting for her, smiling from ear to ear as he reached his hand out for hers. Without saying a word... well, not one that anyone else could hear anyway... he invited her to join him on the Christmas Tree Festival Trail, which would culminate at a nativity scene. Smiling back at him and grasping his offered hand, squeezing it three times, she nodded. "Where you go, I will go...."
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ReducioOOC: Simon and AngelFyre's writers have longstanding permission to godmod one another's characters.
The magic is real.
15 Jan 2025, 14:17
Holiday Happenings
Christmas Reflections with @AngelFyre McCubbin
Together they walked through the church corridors, dozens of decorated Christmas trees lining the walls. Each tree itself was a little different from the one next to it and each one decorated differently as well. Yet they all still were gathered in that one Church for one reason, much like the Congregation itself. Simon smiled over to AngelFyre. She was of a different type of the same religion but still had that same reason for worship and faith that he held. They were two different trees who, now since finding one another, stood next to one another - decorated a little differently - but occupied that same journey of life.
"Almost magical, innit?" he asked and instantly realized that the Cockney came back fast and strong so he smiled. "It's almost magical, isn't it?" he grinned widely. Oh, the accent was still there alright but he didn't have to talk as if he didn't know grammar - especially not around his exceptionally intelligent girl. Besides, he had always did strive to talk a little more eloquent; perhaps influenced from the classic books he had grown up reading: Ernest Hemingway being one of his favorites, Arthur Conan Doyle, Charles Dickens.
Together they weaved through the different rows until they came to the nativity scene where they stood, looking it over. Some looked at a nativity and saw just that - a simple nativity; a scene in which depicted Jesus's birth. Simon knew there was so much more within it though.
There was the stable to him represented the messiness of life and that God meets us where we are, no matter how messy or broken our lives may be. It was also a simple start, a humble start. Greatness could come from the most unexpected places.
Those that stood within the structure were important. Mary and Joseph were representations of obedience and faith. Accept the role that He has given, obey His commands and be committed to God's plan. And then there was little baby Jesus, who rested at the center of it all. is birth was the beginning of God's plan to save humanity from sin. He was hope, love, and salvation. The Shepherds were the poor, perhaps outcasts of society in their day, but were the first to receive the news of the birth. They were symbols that Jesus came for everyone. The Wise Men represented the importance of faith in seeking truth and the Angel was there to announce that a Savior had been born and there was a renewed relationship between heaven and earth.
The animals were there as well, signifying the whole of creation. Each and every one sat under some fairy lights that hang above them, probably a nod to the heavens above. Yes, this was a whole lot more than a baby in a manger, surrounded by guests. A whole lot more.
Simon still had hold of AngelFyre's hand as they looked upon the nativity for a moment and he leaned his head to rest it upon her shoulder, glad that he had her in his life, glad that he was able to spend some of Christmas with her. "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those whom his favor rests. Happy Christmas, AngelFyre," he said and lifted his head to look to her.
"You know, they have some of the most delicious hot chocolate in Europe in the Youth Room. The only catch is that you'll be subjected to most of my London mates." She had met them previously - Gabe, Mia, Oliver, and some others.
Be kind to one another. (*iNPC is Miles Thatcher)
26 Jan 2025, 23:54
Holiday Happenings
The Reason for the Season is THE Greatest Gift @Simon Kincaid
Christmas Eve - 2024
"Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those whom his favor rests. Happy Christmas, AngelFyre."
She drank in his solemn prayer to their Lord and his wish to her for a Happy Christmas as they both stood there, rightfully transfixed upon the scene before them. One of her very favorite things about Christmas was a nativity scene. She simply adored them. There were so many styles and sizes to choose from, but what she loved about them was the meaning behind them; they were so much more than simple decorations. They were an encapsulated picture story of the very first Christmas, and that thought alone never failed to humble her. She smiled as he lay his head on her shoulder. "Yes, glory to God in the highest and peace on earth," she prayed in response. She turned her head just enough to be able to bury her her nose and lips in his hair, pressing down to the crown of his head to deposit a soft kiss. "Happy Christmas, Simon."
When he lifted his head and enticed her with the sure fire hit of hot chocolate, and the best that Europe had to offer apparently, she began to buzz with excitement. "Well, now that sounds like an offer you know I will not be able to pass up. And the catch is no catch at all, silly. You know I love your London mates," and she lowered her voice to a whisper, "even the one that sometimes calls you "Babe". At the mention of the word "Babe", AngelFyre shook her head while scrunching her nose and shoulders up, both eyes closed the whole time. When she finally opened them, she did so one at a time, in a wide-eyed moment of theatricality, chuckling softly. Simon chuckled too, grateful that Mia Anderson was no longer a threatening subject to his girlfriend.
As he reached for her hand to lead the way, she saw the large, white Christmas tree on display, just feet from the nativity scene. Unlike the other trees, it had no baubles on it, and that sparked an impromptu gift exchange of sorts. "I do want that hot chocolate, but I want a few more moments alone with you even more. Everything is going to be crazy the rest of the night and I suspect tomorrow as well, but I want to give this to you when it is just us." She reached into the pocket of her long, woolen coat and pulled out a lovely, dusty blue Christmas box.
"I realize it is a little premature, but it is how I think of this next exciting chapter of your life. I hope you like it. I painted it myself. I am no Vanessa, I grant you, but I think it is pretty good. I would like a chance later to make a more accurate depiction of one important aspect, but there will be time enough for that I am sure, not to mention thousands of reference photos."
Simon was smiling at her, with a look of curiosity at what in the world she could be talking about, but as he lifted the box top, he saw the painted Christmas ornament AngelFyre had worked on at the Bauble Errand Dorion had hosted towards the beginning of the month.
"You really are going to be a wonderful big brother, love."
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The magic is real.
9 Feb 2025, 14:59
Holiday Happenings
Necklaces, hot chocolate, and confessions to @AngelFyre McCubbin
Simon looked down to the ornament, knowing that no typo was made upon its surface. The title of "big brother" was one that he would carry as a sort of pseduonym since he'd be like a big brother because Aunt Maggie, in many ways, was more mother than aunt. "Thank you," he said as he allowed himself to scan over each detail before closing it safely and securely back into its box. AngelFyre had a way of choosing perfect gifts for all ocassions and he wished his could be just as sentimental.
"I've got a gift for you," he said and slipped his hand into his pocket to pull out a small wrapped box. When she'd open it, she'd see a small necklace inside. "It's a little cliche and a lot truth," he began, hoping that it wouldn't sound too entirely cheesy, "...Poet E.E. Cummings wrote it, but I've felt with everything and stand here before you to recite it:"
"silently if, out of not knowable
night's utmost nothing, wanders a little guess
(only which is this world) more of my life does
not leap than with the mystery your smile
sings or if (spiraling as luminous
they climb oblivion) voices who are dreams,
less into heaven certainly earth swims
than each my deeper death becomes your kiss
losing through you what seemed myself, i find
selves unimaginably mine; beyond
sorrow's own joys and hoping's very fears
yours is the light by which my spirit's born:
yours is the darkness of my soul's return
- you are my sun, my moon, and all my stars"
"You are light that has allowed me to see and understand all things better. You are my guiding light and make up my entire world." He hoped that the poem would help encapsulate his profound and boundless admiration, love, and dependency that he held for her.
Simon watched as she removed the gold necklace from the box and he came behind her to help her place it around her neck. She had other necklaces and it seemed to be one of his go-to gifts, but he liked her having options on what she might wear with different outfits. They already had their claddagh rings that had once belonged to her grandparents so she didn't need any more rings - at least no until there was an engagement or wedding ring in the works.
"'Oi, I'm goin 'o go fe'ch Kincaid. Mate's gotta be out 'ere somewhere," Simon could hear just as he finished fastening the clasp and kissing her neck gently. "Ah, found 'im, I did," Oliver leaned back into the room that was the next door down. " 'aving a right good snog in the church corridor. 'ust like old 'imes, eh?"
Simon flashed an apologetic look towards AngelFyre as he reached down, taking her hand into his. "Let's re-introduce you to everyone who's been absolutely desperate to meet you. Do remember, there will be hot chocolate. Delicious hot chocolate, so I've been told." And she just might need that or something stronger to get her through whatever was going to happen through that doorway.
"Wow, she is still with him," Gabe smiled as he came over to present her with a handshake. "Impressive. That or you've had to pay her off now quite a few times and I don't think you've got that kind of cash."
Simon had a feeling that this was how the evening was going to go."AngelFyre, this is Oliver Harris. Gabe Evans." Gabe leaned in. "I'm the best friend," he whispered loudly and grinned, proud of such a fact.
He also introduced her to Henry Stewart, Olivia Dalton, Lily Halifax, Charlotte Fletcher, Alexis Carmichael. She had met them before or at least had heard enough about them that she probably felt like she had. Some others were there as well, Callum Walsh, Graham Moore, Grant Birkett, Benny Keane, Sophia Brooks, Jack Forrester, and of course Mia Anderson.
"I'll get us some hot chocolate and we can get settled," he said as he went over to the table, knowing all eyes were on his girlfriend at the moment. He didn't blame any of them. He understood. She was beautiful beyond words. Simon poured two cups worth, putting a bit of whipped cream on top, and carried them over to a two-seat sort of sofa and extended one out to her, inviting her both to take a seat and take the cup. He'd try to drink his - just a little.
"LOVE your dress, AF," Mia came over with a smile and and shook two plastic containers she had in her hands. One was full of rainbow sprinkles and one contained mini marshmallows. Simon shook his head, denying both offerings - his cup was sweet enough already.
"Never was one for sweets, eh Simon? Certainly doesn't know how to cook 'em. Remember that one time when when you gave the entire staff a horrid stomach bug?" Simon glanced down, slowly raising his cup of hot chocolate and taking a very small, very slow sip, nonchalantly as if he didn't know what they were talking about. He totally did. "Yea, this guy cooked up some cheesecake and gave some to the principal, every teacher, some of the support staff. We got three extra days off that week from their violent throwing up. Poor Aunt Maggie was mortified and tried to make ammends for you - assuring that she had no part in it all. Luckily they trusted her enough to accept her make up gift. Don't let him cook for you, AngelFyre - at least not until he's been trained better."
And Gabe seemed to open the flood gates of memories of their fearless leader, the renegade amongst Catholic school boys and they began to share stories to show how much they loved him and missed him.
"I remember when Sister Bernadette became principal and she made our class help clean out the attic storage," Callum began. "Everything was in there - old hymnals, bicycles, boxes and boxes of files, lamps, paintings, - you name it. Sister Bernadette was new and I think she did it as an exercise to see how well we'd follow directions, how well we behaved and then you," he looked to Simon and smiled brightly, "you call out, filling the entire attic, JESUS CHRIST! And that woman's heart must have stopped because the lamp she was holding crashed to the ground and she turned to you with her mouth agape. It was as if she couldn't believe her ears. She called out 'SIMON KINCAID, YOU WATCH YOUR MOUTH!' and you called out, 'No! Jesus Christ!' and held up this huge old painting of Jesus Christ. She thought you were using the Lord's name in vain but really you were just stating your discovery."
"Simon always was one for shaking things up. Remember first grade, close to Valentine's Day, you asked every single girl to be your girlfriend - all in the duration of one day?" Mia asked. "One day, each girl. Most of them said yes but by the time you got around to me, I had heard of your little scheme. You said that you just wanted to spread the love but all the girls? I said 'Uh, no.' and you were so flabbergasted....all '.......what????' and so I said 'no,' Then you were all 'but i.....' and I cut you off with another 'no.'"
"....He even asked one of the teachers. She said as a nun she was married to Christ. Simon said he couldn't compete with that," Gabe added.
"Remember what else he couldn't compete with? That new girl. Chelsea. She was only there the one year. She was new and Simon wanted to get her attention so he threw a snowball at her. And well, Chelsea knew karate. Very well," Henry continued what seemed to be The Roast of Simon Kincaid. It was all done in good-humor though and Simon didn't mind it. It gave his friends a chance to reminisce and it gave AngelFyre a chance to learn a little more about his prior self.
"And despite that, you still liked girls. So, so much," Alexis laughed. "I overheard Simon once tell the priest that he wanted to become a priest but he just liked girls too much."
"Hey, it's not a sin," Simon protested.
"Speaking of sins, remember that one time for Penance we were waiting FOREVER for our turn because Simon was in there so long? I mean, we were all standing there trying to figure out exactly what wrongs our Simon here could have done. I mean, it was a good forty minutes! Turns out, we had gotten ourselves a new priest and there were in there making introductions and small talk!"
Simon just shrugged. "That's not a sin either. I got around to a confession," and he looked to AngelFyre remembering it. "I remember it," his eyes lifted to hers a moment as it set in. "I remember it. I told him that I believe in magic or maybe not magic but fate or faith would be the right word. I told him I believed that there's something big out there that I'm to be a part of; something beyond my wildest dreams; something magical." He had used those words back then. Magical.
A few other stories were told. Simon once 'cheated' on a spelling test. The word was crayon and he thought he was crafty by looking at his school supplies and spelled out c-r-a-y-o-l-a for that entry. He also was a professional at coming up with and convincing the school staff to go along with charity day after charity day where they could bring in a monetary donation or canned food in exchange for wearing regular clothes instead of their uniforms. After he had transferred schools they had never worn their uniforms so much!
They seemed to have missed him, but at least when he was with them once more things seemed to fall back in step. Simon was glad to still have them in his life but never once regretted the direction that his magical journey of a life was taking him.
Be kind to one another. (*iNPC is Miles Thatcher)