Roses de Chaussure
"I've noticed that with time, everything fades. Even the strongest bonds, even love." He looked across longingly to the blowing trees in the distance. Even though it was night, it was hard not to notice the dark clouds rolling in. A storm was approaching. He did not mind.
Bella slowly stepped up beside him and reflected his pose, leaning on the railing and playing with the wine glass between her fingers. She stared at the vivid red liquid with curiosity, wondering what it would be like if it really wasn't wine, but the sweet human nectar the Cullens dare not touch. Carlisle moved his head towards her but kept his eyes on the horizon.
"When one is... like this, time is nothing. You watch the world change and die each day. You have no choice but to adapt, change your ways to what suits your surroundings." Bella looked up at him, hoping he would continue his thoughts. "I have no difficulties doing such things; I'll dress and act however society deems necessary." A small smile played at his lips.
"What did you look like?" The girl's voice snapped him out of his trance, and his eyes came into focus. He glanced at her. "I mean, what did you look like before you... changed." He gave her a genuine beam and chuckled. Scratching his head he exhaled into the wind.
"Well let's see... Back then—And don't even ask when, because I won't tell you-" He shook his finger and grinned. "Back then the royals wore splendid colours, feathers, bows, and the whole like. Both men and women were dressed quite beautifully. I remember," He sniggered to himself. "I remember that the men thought shoe roses were the greatest accessory."
"Shoe roses?"
"Ah, they bunched up pretty laces and ribbons into balls and put them on top of their shoes! Looked quite ridiculous now that I think about it..."
"Did you wear them?" Bella asked while taking a sip of her wine, surprisingly interested in a history lesson of sorts. He shook his head.
"No, I'm afraid not. I didn't have a lot of coin back then. My attire was just simple coats and boots that were always falling apart." Although a simple remark like that would make most embarrassed in remembrance, he looked almost nostalgic, a hint of longing and happiness fading across his face.
"What about your hair? Did it look like what it does now?" The girl glanced up at his short, dirty brown hair and nodded towards it. Carlisle combed his fingers through it out of habit.
"Almost. Just add about 5 or 6 more inches to it. Ponytails were quite the craze as well." Bella's amused smile brought one across his own lips, as dark clouds now lingered over them. Tiny small drops began splashing in her glass, but she did not move her gaze from his. For a moment Carlisle welcomed the rain upon his face and stared up into the sky. He immediately turned his attention to the girl who was still placed beside him.
"We should go inside before you get too wet." He placed his hand on her back and began leading her inside, but she halted before the glass door and made him stop.
"What about your eyes?" She had to shout to overwhelm the sound of rain and coming thunder. This time Carlisle gently brushed a strand of wet hair from the girl's face in response of such innocence.
"Blue. They were... blue."