6th November Stars

A/N: I've really enjoyed this week, I really hope we do another one soon. Now, we all know Carmilla loves stars, so I thought I would play on the whole wishing on a star thing. Read on to find out!

Rated: PG for mild nudity.

1688

On the night before her eighth birthday Mircalla was awakened by her father, who hastened her out of bed.

When questioned why it was still dark outside, he answered with a twinkle in his eye "Because it is the magic time, my dear, and there is a special surprise at the top of the tower."

Both bundled in cloaks, she was sleepily led to the top of the battlements.

"Now look up, my little one."

Yawning (and secretly wishing she could go back to bed), Mircalla looked up.

And was amazed.

In the black velvet of the sky, stars glittered like diamonds sewn into fabric.

"Papa, it's beautiful!" She exclaimed, gazing up in wonder.

Her father chuckled. "It certainly is, little one. But just wait."

"Wait for what?"

"You'll see."

And indeed she did; a bright silvery spark streaked across the sky, followed by another.

"Shooting stars!" She gasped, clapping her hands in delight.

"I had them set up just for you, my love."

"Silly papa, you can't order shooting stars."

"I would for you, my dear. Now make a wish when you see the next one, and it may very well come true."

When another star shot across, Mircalla shut her eyes tight and wished with all her heart.

A vision of a young beautiful girl appeared in front of her-a girl with long hair the color of golden honey, and green eyes.

The little girl gasped and opened her eyes.

"What did you wish for?"

"I can't tell you, papa, or it won't come true."

"Very well, Now come on, it's getting late and your mother will have my hide if you're not in bed right now."

1698

The eighteen year-old countess Mircalla stood at the balcony of her father s house, gazing up into the night sky. She wore a beautiful white gown that made all gasp at her beauty.

She was watching. And waiting.

A shooting star went across, and she quickly closed her eyes and wished.

Again the vision of the girl appeared with honey-blonde hair and green eyes. Blast it all, who was this girl?

"Is everything all right, my darling?"

Mircalla turned to see her father-older, with spots of gray in the black hair at his temples, and lines in his face that spoke of wisdom and experience-gazing at her with concern and love.

She smiled sheepishly and smoothed down the skirt of her gown. "Sorry, papa, I was just waiting for a shooting star to make a wish on."

He chuckled warmly. "And here I thought you were too old to be wishing on stars."

She shared his grin, and then grew thoughtful. "Papa?"

"Yes, my child?"

"Is it..is it possible to wish for the same thing over and over?"

His sable brows furrowed. "Wish for the same thing?"

"Oh, never mind, it"s not important." She stepped forward and kissed him on his grizzled cheek. "But I think I have my love for for stars because of you."

The Count laughed and pulled his daughter into a warm embrace. "I'm glad, Mircalla." He then said as she pulled back "Every time I see a star I wish for your happiness. Perhaps it will happen for you soon."

She smiled brightly and hugged him again. "Thank you, papa. I love you."

"And I love you."

That would be the last time the Count would see his daughter.

Two days later he received word of her murder, and fell to the ground dying of a broken heart.

1872

Elle didn't really enjoy looking at the stars, but whenever Carmilla would speak of them, she couldn't help but smile at her enthusiasm.

She agreed to go with her that night, and now they both sat on the top of the carriage, bundled in warm cloaks and blankets. The driver lay across his seat snoring lightly.

Elle leaned against her companion's side and yawned. "Are they going to happen soon?"

"Very soon, Elle." The black-haired girl took her hand and brushed a kiss across her knuckles. "But if you'd like, we can go into the carriage to...warm up? Her eyebrows wriggled suggestively.

The other girl rolled her eyes and laughed. "You are simply incorrigible." She murmured.

"You make me so."

Just as they were leaning in to kiss, something caught Elle's eye. She turned and pointed excitedly. "Look, there s one!

Soon the whole sky was awash with silver. And both stared up at the sky in amazement.

Carmilla, testing her theory, closed her eyes and wished.

The dream girl appeared again, this time smiling.

"Blast," Carmilla muttered, opening her eyes.

"What's wrong, love?"

The former countess sighed. "Since I've been eight, every time I've made a wish on stars, I keep seeing this one vision, and no matter what, it's always the same."

Elle thought for a minute. "Perhaps it's a sign of your future?"

"I already know my future. It's with you."

"You are a romantic."

Carmilla had no idea that this girl who now snuggled close would soon betray her.

In-between 1872 and 1942

She couldn't even really remember what stars looked like.

In the dark, inky blackness of the coffin, she tried to recall them, to recall the times she'd seen them and made wishes that still didn't come true.

She'd thought Elle had been what she had been wishing for, and yet she was not.

What good was wishing, anyway? All it did was bring misery and grief.

And now, because she had wished, she was buried for all eternity, never to see the stars again.

And yet, in-between moments of consciousness, she kept seeing that girl-with that honey hair and jade eyes.

For some reason, whenever she saw that vision, she would be calm, and sleep would come easy.

Her sleep, however, would soon be rudely interrupted by screaming thunder .

1942

She lay in the hay of the barn, still wearing the bloodied gown, her black hair caked with carmine-color, and gazing up at a sky she never thought she'd see again.

But she didn't make a wish.

Why bother?

And yet...

She closed her eyes.

There she was...her angel or demon, who knew. But there she was, smiling at her with eyes the color of a jungle cat and hair the color of wheat in a field. The girl held her and whispered comforting words.

And she felt at peace.

Present day, in a university dorm room

Carmilla and Laura lay enter-twined on the bed, gasping and panting as the last vestiges of pleasure went through them.

Face buried into Carmilla s neck, Laura groaned "Shit..."

Carmilla answered with a chuckle "My thoughts exactly, cupcake."

Giggling, Laura lifted her head up and kissed her lover on the mouth. "Smart ass."

"That's not what you were calling me a few minutes ago."

There was no answer from the blonde, who was now drifting off to sleep. The vampire chuckled softly and turned to look out the window.

The stars were out tonight, and there was a jet of silver.

Closing her eyes, Carmilla didn't make a wish this time.

Instead, she said a prayer of thanks.

Thank you for fulfilling my dream, for making my wish come true.

For what Carmilla had been wishing for her whole life was now asleep in her arms.

Fate is kind

She brings to those who love

The sweet fulfillment of

Their secret longing