All Laura had wanted to do was take her on a nice date.
"I know this whole campus like the back of my hand, Cupcake. You really think you can surprise me?"
"I can try." You reply earnestly, slipping the blindfold over her head. She grumbles something you can't quiet make out, so you ignore it.
She had stumbled upon it while being chased by Harpies in between classes one day. It was beautiful.
"Just trust me." You beg, slipping your hand into hers and pulling. For a moment you don't expect her to comply, but she lets you string her along.
The garden was huge with high walls that seemed like they could block out the world. It had been day, but Laura could see an antique brass telescope on a raised dais. The paths were cobblestone and well kept. But at the center of it all was a great marble fountain.
It's not a long walk from your new apartment to the garden. You pull her along gently, bantering with her as you go about what she might find when you get there.
The white marble was spotless and the sound of the fountain created a magical quality to the place. But it was the centerpiece that was the most breath taking.
The garden is even more beautiful at night, you think as you open the high wooden gate. The sound of the fountain hits your ears, and you find yourself drawn to it. Wanting its beauty, its intensity to be the first thing Carmilla sees of this place.
Its two women wrapped together in the throes of passion. The older one is supporting the younger; one hand gripping the girl, holding her close as ecstasy spreads across her features. The younger one's hands are tangled in the other's hair
You raise the blindfold, expecting some noise of awe. Instead she takes a shaky step back.
They are both beautifully naked.
"Why are we here, Laura." Her tone is demanding, angry. You don't understand. You thought she would have loved this place.
On the lip of the fountain is a brass plaque. There are words written in German and a year.
MEIN GLITZERNDES MÄDCHEN
1874
"I-I …" You fumble for words, confused by her anger. "Look! You can see the stars!" You stumble over to the telescope. She doesn't move
Laura had meant to look up the meaning before she took her there. Her German was nonexistent but she had wanted to impress Carmilla.
She's staring at the ground, hands clinched, her face full of pain and remorse. "Can we leave." She almost sounds like she's begging.
"Of course!" You nod your head too many times, moving back to her, but she's vanished before you can make it. You stare for too long at the gate as it hangs open, unsure what has just happened.
After a while, you make your way slowly back to the apartment. Carmilla isn't there, which is unsurprising, but still disappointing. It's later than you thought it would be but you pull open the computer any way.
You can't get the look of horror on her face out of your head.
You have to know what it means.
'My glittering girl'