6:35 pm. Sergei nervously fixes his onyx-coloured jacket in front of the mirror. Logan is next to him, using some hair gel to tame his rich blonde hair. As Sergei's moves grow noticeably clumsier, he accidentaly pushes a small bottle of aftershave and it loudly crashes, shattering across the floor. Sergei swears in protest, immediately lowering his body and picking up the pieces. Logan burst in laughter.

"Dude, that was epic. Elvira has gotten into someone's head for good," said mischievously the blond, bearing a smirk on his face. Sergei didn't seem to keep up with his friend's humouring.
"Can't you just help already?" He spoke intensely and gave Logan a piercing look. He kept carelessly picking up the pieces until one of them cut his thumb. He made no sound but a reserved expression of sharp pain appeared on his face. Shortly, Logan lost his mischievous attitude and quickly backed his friend away, indicating that he would take care of the mess. Sergei washed the blood in the sink, treated the cut using an antiseptic and carefully put a gauze on it. Logan stood up, got rid of the broken bottle and came to Sergei with a serious look on his face (one of the rare moments he actually bore such an expression).

"What is the matter with you? Seriously, every time you get nervous or anxious about something, the whole place has to fall apart. I understand what you've been through but this kind of attitude just spoils everything!"

Sergei begun to protest but Logan indicated with his hand that he wasn't finished. Then, he continued:

"Look. We are just going to have some fun. There are gonna be lots of people attending, it's an annual event. I know you're anxious to see Elvira, yes I know you've been waiting for this moment three days now, but if you're going to act nuts and make us both end up running after her company like children, I am not gonna come with you. After all, we don't even know if she is coming in the first place. So, what we're gonna do is simple. Pull your damn self together, then we can go have a good time."

That seemed to work on the raven-haired. He responded in a low tone.

"You are right... I am sorry." Logan friendly patted him on the shoulder and his face took the usual cheerful expression that accompanied him at most times. "Let's go, then!" he said.

They took a cab. As they arrived, the place seemed to be significantly crowded for its size. Bridgeport Acres was a big park, though it seemed that lots of residents had been attending the event each year, as a family tradition. There were lots of families, a bunch of children running around, playing, some parents kept them close so they wouldn't lose them in the crowd. In the mixture of sounds and voices, someone would be able to listen to all the people talking, some baby crying, children laughter, old people talking about the good old times and the city's foundation history, teens complaining to their parents as they preferred to attend a party instead of going to that boring, pointless event.

The park was full of green lawn areas, nicely patterned and decorated by bushes. There had been some additions for the sake of the event. There was a stage for a band that occasionally played a song or two (and some speeches were given in between), there was an outdoors bar that contained a nice variety of light drinks and juices (and a bartender, of course), there was a grill and a few tables nearby, and there were the swings.

Sergei immediately remembered, that was the place Elvira would be by. Too bad it was too early. They had to wait another 40 to 50 minutes for her to attend. The place was already overcrowded and loud, which drained Sergei of any cheerfulness he attempted to create in himself. He didn't feel comfortable in crowds. Especially in such cases. Logan indicated the bar. "Let's go get us some tonics!"

They moved through the crowd in slow pace, until eventually they reached the bar. Logan treated himself an energy drink as Sergei settled for some simple juice. He was quite nervous already, so he didn't wish any effect caused by caffeine, alcohol or any other ingredient that would possibly affect his behavior or energy. After all, he wanted to look "normal" when he would meet with Elvira.

The minutes passed by quickly. Logan kept making acquaintances, greeting people, chatting and at some points, joining the band either in singing or playing. Sergei was more reserved but kept a friendly attitude to the people. He was sitting on a bench, talking to the mother and her child that were sitting next to him. He checked his watch. It was 8:01 pm. The families with young children begun to lessen in number, as the youngsters' bed time was approaching. The crowd was a bit more bearable now. It was quieter than before, you didn't have to fight your way to any direction you wanted to follow. The sun had completely set and a cool breeze traveled through the trees, the bushes, and the people. Only a small group of primary-school children were left playing at the swings, most teens headed to other places. You could see some groups of young adults (maybe academic students?) walking in the park or sitting on the benches, chatting and laughing. There weren't only leavers, though. Some of the so called "night owls" of the city made their presence, keeping the event going. There was a very small crowd, kept in discreet tones.

Logan came to Sergei, bearing a smile.

"Guess who arrived," then he winked.

Sergei woke up from his bored-to-death state, immediately standing up and fixing his jacket. Logan pointed to where Elvira and her company were. The Hemlock family could be seen at the swings, Morrigan swinging her daughter while her husband stood by her, boringly eyeing the place, as Elvira sat on a bench beside the swings, chatting with her friend. She turned to look at the two friends, as they approached. Sergei locked eyes with her and she got up to welcome them with a smile.

"Good evening, gentlemen. Holding onto the traditions, I see," she said charmingly, as she shook hands with both.
"Sometimes, they are worth it," responded Sergei with a warm smile.

Logan's voice echoed cheerfully through the park as he greeted the swinging young girl.

"Heyyy, you! Remember me? It's a great day to spend sometime with the family on such an event, isn't it?" He spoke in a mannered cute tone. He literally felt Morrigan's glowing silver-coloured eyes piercing him.

"It's a great evening indeed. Except for this unfortunate encounter," she said in an imposing tone. Her husband had his eyes on him. If Morrigan was creepy, he could safely be described as a real Frakenstein's monster. He was tall and wide-shouldered, he wore a black suit and black shiny shoes. His face wasn't all that fair, though whatever charmness Morrigan saw in him, was because of his imposing figure and his dead-serious face, bearing a pair of sparkling grey eyes. His skin was even lighter than Morrigan's.

After gazing upon Logan for some seconds, he lightly smiled and reached for the blond's hand.

"Wogan Hemlock. I see you are familiar with my daughter."
"Uh... not really, hehehe," responded Logan, cowardly shaking Wogan's hand. "I just met her and your lovely wife at the subway station, once."

Morrigan enjoyed watching the blond almost wetting his pants. After everyone introduced themselves, the Hemlock family took a walk in the park while the rest followed in a distance, each group chatting about different subjects. Elvira described to Logan the subject of her job, as Sergei (who was walking by her other side) observed her.

She was dressed more casually this time, though her whole appearance was carefully tended. She wore a dark damson lambskin jacket, a black halterneck shirt, a black linen skirt of gothic design and black high boots with heels. Her hair was loose this time, straight and in medium length, nicely decorating her neck and shoulders. She wore silver jewelry. At some point, Sergei noticed a small tattoo on the left side of her neck. How come he didn't notice it the last time? Maybe the rich jewelry on her neck didn't allow any sight to reach. It was a very simple and random edgy design of black colour. After a while, Logan went back to get a drink. Sergei and Elvira carried on walking in a slow pace to a random direction in the park. Then a calm wave of the evening breeze carried Elvira's dazing perfume to Sergei. He gladly invited it.

"So..." he said shyly smiling, as he realized that the whole time he had been staring at her and she noticed that.
"So," she responded smiling, as if teasing him for his cliché opening line.
"How was your weekend?"
"Fine. I... recharged my batteries and this week's schedule probably won't come too hard on me."
"Nice. You'll get through easily, with that otherwise intensive job," replied Sergei, looking frontwards.
"Why? Don't you like challenges?" asked Elvira, bearing a mischievous smile.
"What? Oh." He chuckled. "I..." His eyes met Elvira's and he took a breath. "It depends on the challenge."

Elvira lowered her gaze and smiled widely, revealing a part of her perfect denture and Sergei got a short glimpse of her sharpish fang. She indicated Sergei's cut thumb.

"Certainly, you seem to be quite the adventurous guy in the kitchen." Sergei automatically brought his hand closer and looked at the gauze.
"Well... not really. I am quite the adventurous guy when it comes to putting on aftershave, though," he said in a light humorous tone. She took his hand in hers, observing the thumb. They stopped walking.
"You know, you should let the cut get some air," she said with a warm smile. He attempted to remove the gauze but she gently cut him off, whispering "allow me."

With careful and gentle moves, she took it off as Sergei's face frowned at the sensation. The cut was not deep but she could tell it hurt.

"The glass knew where to hit," she said with a smirk. He shyly replied in a low tone: "Yeah..."
"Take care of it," she said and gently lowered his hand as she held it. Sergei's other hand cupped hers from below. He didn't intend that move, it just happened. He tried to make it seem as if he wanted to take a look at her damson-painted nails. He raised his gaze with a warm smile. "Beautiful."

She smiled back and remained still. She probably wanted to exam his actions. Sergei kept looking deeply in her eyes and as seconds passed, these familiar electrifying sensations came back. Only, now, he was much more nervous. He wasn't staring at her from a safe distance, she was there with him. "Great," he thought, "now she's staring at me and I remain still, looking like a dork. Say something, you idiot." He opened his mouth in an attempt to say something, then he changed it into an awkward smile. She observed him with a smile, as if knowing his every thought.

"Well," he finally said, "I know you have a busy schedule and stuff, but tomorrow I and Logan are going to play at Eugi's. It will be a minor music event, just for the customers."

She started walking again.

"A music event. Interesting. And what would your instrument skill might be?" she asked.
"Piano. Logan's got the guitar. We will mostly be playing soft music and ballads tomorrow. At times, I play some violin too. Nothing too skillful, though."
"Nimble fingers. I see," she said in a descreetly mischievous tone. He slightly blushed, then continued: "I have been practising on piano since an early age. I never played as a professional but I consider my skills fine." He joked in a low tone. "Just pointing out that you won't have to worry about your ears' integrity." She smiled widely.
"Such a pleasant surprise. I myself play some piano too." He turned to her, happily surprised. "A pleasant surprise indeed," he commented vividly. She continued:

"Most people settle with the guitar. How come you chose such noble instruments?"
"It's a family thing. Back home, there was always some kind of classical music filling the silence. My parents liked the idea of practising one or two classy habits in the house."
"Did you like it? The classical music."
"Well, as the years passed I found myself getting more into certain kinds of metal and other dark styled music. Classical, though, has always been an important influence on me. Whenever I feel like there is no other way for me to channel my emotions and thoughts, classical is there. It's like a fun trip through the other kinds, but classical feels like home. Literally." Elvira seemed pleased with what she heard. She responded in a soft tone.

"Classical music is said to be the most perfect form of music in history. Scientists use it to positively affect the development of lesser life forms, as do animal breeders to keep their livestock unstressed. Even water crystals dance gracefully to it's beautiful and perfectly harmonical sound. I can only marvel at its flow." Sergei was drawn both to the fair words she picked, and to her beautiful point of view as well. On the top, he was glad they had such a deep passion in common.

"I could never say it better," he said while exchanging smiles with her. "Too bad tomorrow's humble music won't reach that marvellousness, though, I assure you I shall try my best. If you come, that is."
Elvira thought for a moment, bearing a mischievous expression. "Only if you play something for me." Sergei took an intruiged face.
"Of course. Any suggestions?"
"That... would be up to you. Surprise me," she responded with a smirk. That drove Sergei even crazier.

Eventually, they reached the point they started from. They stood there, waiting for the others to reach them. Sergei was now wondering if it was a good time to ask for her number. Elvira broke the silence.

"Is performing at Eugi's your primary job?"
"Hm, yes for now. I am looking into several stuff for a while now. If everything goes well, I shall get a full time job in the music industry."
"And if it doesn't?" she asked with a smirk, raising an eyebrow. He was caught by surprise.
"Well... I'll just make it happen." He responded playfully. He continued: "For now, I am saving for a place of my own."
"Can't take the burned steaks anymore?" she joked, looking at Logan's direction. Sergei chuckled.
"I just don't want to be a burden to him anymore. I mean, he has done a lot for me. If it wasn't for him, I would still be..." he paused for a moment, his face losing its cheerful energy. He decided to leave the sentence unfinished, mumbling a low "yep." Elvira nodded.
"For such a dark mooded person, your actions are quite optimistic. After all, it will take some time to completely settle in." Sergei responded smiling with confidence:
"I am a patient person." Elvira raised an eyebrow, smiling.

They saw Logan heading towards them. Sergei asked with a curious face: "Where were you?"
"I hung out for a while with the Addams family," he replied cheerfully. He turned to Elvira with a troll-face and a playful cartoonlike voice. "Sorry dear, I meant the Hemlocks." She asked then:
"Are they coming?"
"Gee, I don't know. Her Spitefulness was too SPITEFUL for my taste, so I excused myself and thought of begging some junkies near the park to end my miserable existance on this planet but I changed my mind and I spent some time with some group of acting students, next to the bar," he responded talking remarkably fast, which drained his breath and as soon as he finished the sentence, he gasped deep and loud. Sergei was left looking at him with a "wtf" expression. He asked in a low tone: "Did you take anything anyway?" Logan replied vividly.

"Only five energy drinks! We were kinda running a bet!" Sergei turned to Elvira with a smirk.
"Let's sit then," she said, indicating a bench.

The three of them sat, Sergei and Elvira closer to each other while Logan sat on the other end of the bench, slightly leaning back and forth as his hands were trembling by the caffeine (which made handling his touch-screen cellphone quite a task).

After a while, the others came too. Morrigan indicated that her family would have to return home, as her daughter would go to school next morning, and as "some people have jobs in the morning" (piercing Logan with her eyes as she said that). Elvira would have to go too.

"Should I expect you tomorrow, then?" Sergei asked Elvira. She leaned close and responded in a low voice.
"I don't make any promises." She raised her gaze on Sergei's eyes. "Save me a spot near the piano, though," she said, widening her smile. Sergei was enchanted. "Will do."

Lying on his bed, Sergei thought about her while looking at the brooch he got for her, bearing a smile on his face.