Chapter Text
094. New Year
Winter 1888/1889
“Your post, ma’am,” Jenny says, bringing Madame Vastra her letters.
“Thank you, Jenny.”
“Do I have any mail?” Strax asks excitedly.
Jenny and Vastra share a look. “No, Strax,” Jenny says, “but I heard that a lot of letters get lost this time of year.”
Strax sits back, sufficiently pleased with her answer. Of course, he does not know anyone in town—let alone on this planet—that would have reason to send him a letter. He simply finds the concept of mail arriving most every day very exciting, so he is always sure to check if something has come for him.
“Jenny, what is this?” Vastra asks. Jenny comes to look over Vastra’s shoulder. She holds a colorful card.
“It looks like an invitation to a dinner party on New Year’s Day. From Inspector Abberline’s employer—it must be a party for Scotland Yard.”
Vastra looks at the card with suspicion. Considering the circumstances, Jenny can see why her mistress might not make the connection between the card’s decoration and a New Years party.
“Will you go, ma’am? It was very kind of them to invite you.”
“Would it be rude if I did not?”
“Well… probably. For at least a little while, ma’am.”
“Will you be coming?”
“My name is not on the card.”
“Is that a yes or a no, Jenny?”
“No, ma’am.”
“What about me? Can I come along?”
“No Strax. You are not ready for such excitements.”
Jenny suspects that Vastra will think Strax is not ready for Victorian London for the rest of their lives. Although to be fair, Jenny would rather he not be allowed out for a good while yet herself.
Vastra begrudgingly goes to the party. As she suspected, her time spent in the company of drunk, over-fed apes—each one more bent on impressing the Great Detective with their powers of deduction than the last—is anything but inspiring. Within less than an hour, Vastra comes up with an elaborate explanation to remove herself from the crowd and departs. However, she drops by the buffet to stow away large quantities of the goose to eat on the way home.
A new year. She watches the sky as she walks home, chewing on goose. It is quite undignified to eat and walk at the same time, but as most Londoners are either hosting or attending dinner parties tonight, Vastra does not worry too much about being caught eating. Stars twinkle down at her. They are different from what they were when she was young.