Candlemass Guard Duty [Closed][Imperium][Semi-Canon]

Ilona stared forlornly at the approaching group. On Mordian, would they have been gunned down for approaching a gatehouse? Possibly.

But not here.


That idiotic man and his child were with them too. She suppressed a sigh of frustration, and then called out to the other guards that might not have seen the civilians. "Eyes up! Massed civilian formation approaching!."

However, mixed among the civilians in a clump of figures was the bases Lucifer Blacks in their fatigues at their head Luca held the sheet music as he seemed to be showing them notes. Clover, Sharps, Firefly, and Hammer grouped around Luca. For the first time they could be seen without helmets, Astora was younger looking than expected and small cut along his forehead the remnant's of close call with a Longlas in their recent outing. Next to the tall the Lucifer was one somehow slightly bigger than even Astora bit older looking, with rough tanned skinned unusual for a hiver he was bulky too, yet seemed intently listening to Luca's explanation of the notes as rubbed the back of his bald head, no doubt the ever quiet Hammer. Another young member the left half her face burned and robotic eye in place wore a sneer her half shaved blonde hair unkempt and messy clearly not the most willing to be here save for turning her head and gaining a blush on occasion, the smallest of the unit it seemed, Firefly, had some reputation as a spitfire. Clover was right next leaning in, no doubt the one she was blushing at as the glasses wearing guardsmen tried to look over Luca's sheet music, pale and of average build the glasses and brown haired mohawk... As well as an auspex strapped to his belt even here marked his a bit of technophile. Finally Sharps, her white hair back in a ponytail eyes darting along the walls these were Luca's command squad and here with them the technical highest ranking Lucifer along with what appeared to be most of the known unit mixed among civilians... Out singing where they could all be publicly seen and observed.

As they neared Luca waved, as Hammer hefted a canister, perhaps the size of a pony keg easily steam coiling off of it. "We bring tidings of cheer! ...Along with hot chocolate." Spoke the NCO with a grin trying to help the gate guards feel festive, Firefly even producing cookies she'd baked for the guards... With a bit of ribbing from the other Lucifer's finding out their pyromaniac could also bake. As soon the crowd of Lucifer's move to arrange itself a bit by section, and vocal skills as Luca had been explaining on the way over to make directing the music at least a little easier for their intrepid conductor.

“Yes! It’s so we can find them when it gets dark,” Rupert explained, encouraging Specialist Dekker to pet the cow who seemed nonplussed about the ordeal.

After Prue dealt with the cow (supposedly petting it), there was a gentle thud to announce that the Tech-Priest set the wagon down. “Repairs complete. They should prove satisfactory,” he said.

Rupert would nod. “Well, I won’t keep you. Thank you,” he said as he hitched his cows back up to the wagon.

The Tech-Priest would turn to Prue and ask, “Are we finished? It seems your Guardsmen might need you.”

"I'm good," Rupert said, hopping into his wagon, "Want to go in together?"

---

Whether Specialist Treston, Trooper Bembenek, or Private Cudjal accepted the Lucifer Blacks’ (plus Commissar) offered goods and season’s greetings or not, once the Lucifers were done the mousy-haired preacher would turn toward the crowd, wave her staff in the air to gather their attention, then wave her hand as she started to sing.

“Silent night,” the preacher would begin, and the rest of the crowd would join with, “Holy night.”

Not every place, planet, or person has been blessed with having a consistent Ecclesiarchy presence, but all Guardsmen be they from Armageddon, Mordian, Haven’s Garden, or elsewhere have heard their sermons and songs. Candlemass was a widespread holiday, but not every place may know of it and what’s practiced here may not be quite how they do it. However, no matter how different it may be or someone’s personal feelings on the Ecclesiarchy or the Imperium, none can deny feeling touched in some way by a group of strangers getting together to sing. Even if one may not know what Candlemass is, as the carollers sang one might get an idea of what it means to the people of Haven’s Garden. In this moment the weariness of their burdens seemed to get a little easier as gentle hope, radiant cheer, and warm togetherness filled the air.


The caroller would sing for the Guardsmen for about 15 minutes before bidding them farewell and happy Candlemass as they moved on to another gate. Thankfully for the Guardsmen, it continued to be a silent night until their shift finally came to an end and they were relieved of duty. Whatever they thought of serving as gate guard during one of the holiest of nights, hopefully the good deeds they did and the Candlemass cheer from the carollers can help them sleep in heavenly peace.

((This concludes Candlemass Gate Guard. Players may make a final post regarding what they did for the rest of their shift/night, their thoughts on what happened, reflect on what Candlemass means to them, or whatever else that seems relevant. If you have any questions or feedback, feel free to ask me in the OOC thread, messages, or Discord. Thank you all for participating in our first Semi-Canon event and hope you enjoyed it. Happy Candlemass!))

“Nah yeah, mate, I’ll take a lift.” Prue hops up onto the runners of the wagon, hanging off the side. She calls to the tech priest, “what about you, magos? Want a ride, or will you stick with your pedilocor apparatus?” The mask hides any smirk or sarcasm that may or may not be on her face.

As she rolls back towards the gate and the crowd, she hums the carols to herself, and later pulls the mask off for some cocoa and joins in the singing.

All in all, the night could’ve been worse. That truck will probably feature in some nightmares for a while, but there’s hardly a shortage of those in a war zone.