A Black and Silver Invitation

A black carpet runner with silver embroidered borders runs the entire length of the path from the entrance of the cemetery straight to Kensington Hall. Your way is lit at regular intervals by blue lanterns hanging from iron posts.

Once over the hill you can see the large mausoleum; its ancient bulk wreathed in clinging vines that appear black against the stark white marble. Fog creeps slowly along the ground making the building appear as though it had only recently emerged from another realm.

The doorway is draped in spider webs that appear so natural to the place that they may not have been an added decoration at all. A flickering light comes from within, its atmosphere not all that welcoming.

Once inside you can see torches lining the walls; their dancing light creating long shadows that move with an eerie sort of life. Chains are looped like a garland from sconce to sconce, occasionally dangling a pair of sturdy manacles.

Music can be heard faintly from a room beyond; the sound lost and weak in the vastness of the stone building. You realize that if you want to reach that distant evidence of reassuring life that you must first pass row upon row of the sleeping dead.

At the entrance to the next room there are two doormen. They are dressed in identical grey well worn long coats that are lined smartly with double rows of intricate silver buttons. Tall black coachman hats preside over the grim expression on each face.

"Invitation, please."

The doorman's gaze flickers down to the silver lettering on the black paper of your invitation but it is the other guardian who silently bids you to enter.

Once inside you realize that you are in a small chapel. The pews have been arranged to line the walls and the raised dais no longer holds a pulpit but a live band. The rafters here are draped with shreds of greyish gauze that look as though it was taken from some of the bodies interred here centuries ago. Beyond the rafters, the arched ceiling fades away into blackness, the flickering torches not able to adequately light its height.

Tables swathed in black velvet are arranged to your left; the tops of them heavily burdened with silver dishes filled to the brim with a wide variety of food. Centerpieces made from funeral urns contain black roses, tiny white baby's breath and trailing ivy. Ornate silver candelabra add a warm golden glow to the entire spread, making it perhaps the most well lit portion of the entire place.


Note: This is the main room. There is a small viewing room and a waiting area that have also been decorated in a similar fashion,sans food and music. These areas are more suited small groups and private conversation.