CPOV
Wednesday night Gwen groans at me deciding it is time to stop my pacing. She drags me out to the mall to find something to wear for tomorrow. God, I hate shopping!
"He said something nice, Gwen, not something slutty or extravagant." I whined at her.
"This black and red one is too I'm-going-to-a-ball-gown and this black and purple one is too I-wanna-get-in-your-pants." She mused at me. "How about this, the white one with circles? (On my profile page)
"Oh sure, it will be dirty before the night is through but," I shrug, "who cares?"
"Well, I want you to have a splendid night and if that means forcing you to wear something pretty then yes, I do care." She snapped at me haughtily.
"Oh, alright, don't get fussy with me. Just get whatever you want for me, remember I am living on a student's budget though."
Practically bouncing away from me she says, "Okay, I will."
I ended up with the strapless white patterned dress and enough energy sapped to be able to sleep. Thank goodness for small miracles. I only had to wait until tomorrow.
And tomorrow afternoon came by too fast. I wasn't expecting it to be almost 3 p.m. when I looked up at the clock. Shit, I thought, I have to be home soon.
"Hey guys, I gotta get going. I'll see you tonight after the movie, don't wait up if you don't wanna." I yelled into the shop knowing they'd hear me. The drive home was uneventful but I started to become anxious more and more as I got closer to home. It was about 3:30 p.m. Okay all I needed to do was shower, put on make-up, do my hair, and then wait. I can do that right?
Boy is it harder than it sounds. Great on paper, but not so great in reality. I showered in my usual 10 minutes and dressed. The only problem with this dress is that I usually can't find a bra that goes well with anything strapless. You know, being a 34D almost DD hasn't helped me in life, not at all. The good news is that for a formal even last year, I found the perfect bra to go under such strapless dresses. It truly has been a lifesaver.
I wander through these musings as I finish everything up, put on the last touches. My make-up is light with barely there powder, mascara, a gray/black eyeliner and a shimmer/brown eye shadow. I have my hair pulled up into a loose bun with the tendrils curled slightly. I was putting off attaching shoes to my feet. I hate shoes in general; I actually try to go without them when I can, but Gwen yells at me so I'm used to keeping at least socks on at all times.
I hear the doorbell, finally. So, I yell come in and strap up my light brown wedge heel sandals.
"Good evening miss. You look lovely this evening." He greeted me when I re-entered the front room.
"Good evening to you too, sir. You look handsome this evening." I replied mocking his statement. He actually did look good though. The slight blue sheen in his hair was brought out by the satin midnight blue button down shirt he had on. The top button of his shirt was undone revealing the very top of his chest. Goodness was he sexy when he wanted to be. He matched this with black pants and shoes.
"Are you ready to go?"
"Yep, just let me grab my purse and lock up." We went out to his car, the Audi r8. I don't know how he affords such things, but I guess when you're a vampire money isn't a problem. "What movie are we going to go see?"
"Oh, I was hoping you would allow me to take you to a dinner a theater show that is just outside of town." He looked at me expectantly.
"Sure, I guess so. What choice to I have in the matter now, huh?" I laughed, awkwardly I might add.
"Well, you do have a choice, you could tell me no and that you never want to see me again."
"And pray tell, why would I do that?"
"You would do that because it would be for your own benefit. I'm not good for you."
"Again, let me decide what is good for me and what isn't."
He just rolled his eyes and sighed, "Alright have it your way."
"What are we seeing tonight as a show?" I asked curious what he would pick out for us to see.
"Well, ever since he began his career it's been said that his plays should be heard not read."
"SHAKESPEARE! Which one?" I was super excited now. I have never seen a Shakespeare play. I have read all of them, naturally, but never seen one done professionally.
"Well, you will just have to find out when we get there. Which play is your favorite?" He asked trying to distract me. It was going to work and I hate surprises.
"You know, I hate surprises." He just looked at me like 'so what?' I conceded and answered his question. "It depends on my mood. Sometimes I will pick up A Midsummer Night's Dream; other times I will pick up The Tempest and the one I read the most is probably Romeo & Juliet."
"Well that's good." He says smiling at me. He pulled an abrupt stop. I look out the window for the first time and find we're here. The keys are handed over to a valet and we approach the building. It's beautiful. If I am not mistaken it is built much in the model of The Globe. How could I have not known this was here after all the years of living here? It looks amazing.
"It is amazing, just as you are beautiful." I can only stare at him while he offers me his arm. I finally gather enough wits to take his arm and follow him inside.
He bought tickets for an upper balcony. He must have been planning this for some time. I doubt seats like these were cheap or readily available. I decided not to question it for the night, but if he ever did this again I was going to raise all holy hell. Wait, I just said there was going to be a repeat of tonight. I must be losing my mind.
The lights dimmed before I could chastise him about his ridiculous purchase. As the prelude music began a waiter brought out a salad with ranch dressing. Yum.
The opening lines caught me off guard and I almost choked on my salad, quickly taking a drink of water. I just stared at him wondering what the hell was going through his head, ever.
Two households, both alike in dignity,
In fair Verona, where we lay our scene,
From ancient grudge break to new mutiny…
I just stared at him noticing that he had moved his salad around but not eaten any of it. I really hoped he could read minds because I was screaming at him. WHY DID YOU BRING ME TO SEE ROMEO AND JULIET? HOW DID YOU KNOW THAT I'VE ALWAYS WANTED TO SEE THIS ONE IN PARTICULAR?? WHY AREN'T YOU RESPONDING?? I guess you really can't read minds, huh?
He just looked over at me and put a finger to his lips telling me to be quiet. I guess he can read my mind. I'll interrogate him later I guess. I've been guessing a lot tonight. I also guess that I'll just sit back enjoy dinner and this play. Ignore him for right now and focus on enjoying myself.
And I did just that. We had salmon with lemon sauce and potatoes with mixed vegetables. Desert came around and it was Death by Chocolate cake. Very fitting of our environment considering I'm attending this play with a vampire and the couple dies at the end. It is very fitting, but wonderfully delicious.
The last lines fade away and everyone applauses.
I sit waiting for most of the crowd to thin out before we retrieve the car. I thought as I sat. Shakespeare is too perfect for me. He names his play Romeo and Juliet suggesting it is Romeo who is ultimately the important character in this story. Romeo is the one who is the catalyst but Shakespeare adds his last lines,
For never was a story of more woe
Than this of Juliet and her Romeo.
Juliet is ultimately the catalyst and center of the story. Goodness no matter what I read, or see for that matter, I analyze it too much. Damn high school and its belief that students should not just read to understand but annotate the hell out of everything.
I was pushed out of this thought process by a small giggle from Raven. Wait, did he just giggle? Well that's awkward.
I think this just made him laugh harder. Wow, that man can laugh. People even started to stare. I wrote them off as jealous. He is beautiful. It's made more pronounced by his free happy laughing.
I decide to have a conversation with him that I don't really want others to hear. Raven, I call his name to get his attention, You really can mind read can't you.
To my great surprise, Yes, yes I can Caelwyn. He just takes in my shock like he knew that this face was going to appear a lot tonight. What can I do for you?
You can start off by telling me if this is involuntary or if I have to allow you into my head, please. I added for after effect. I don't want him angry with me.
Yes, you have to say my name or allow me to read what you have. It is possible for you to throw up metaphorical walls that I cannot easily break through. Did you enjoy the play?
Yes I did. I have always wanted to see Romeo and Juliet. It is just as I've always heard; his plays are to be seen not read.
Was dinner enough for you tonight? He asked with a small amount of concern I could detect.
Yes, it was more than enough. I loved that chocolate cake. It's almost as good as mine. I said with a small confident smile. I noticed you didn't eat any of it. I take it vampires do not or cannot eat human food.
He chuckled in his thoughts, yes you would be correct. I do not eat human food because I am unable to taste it and it gives me no nourishment.
I decided mental conversations were done now considering I was slightly crept out that he could read my thoughts. "What are we doing now, sir?"
"What would you like to do?"
"I don't know. This is your night, your wish is my command." Within reason, I thought at him.
He just smiled. "Okay, how about a drive around the country. I live for the night time."
"That sounds safe and good to me." As a matter of fact I love driving and the country as well, so I had no problems with his idea. The stars are always perfectly set in the sky.
RPOV
It was amazing how fast this woman caught onto things and put herself in positions she should not. I cannot believe that she actually let me take her out. Don't get me wrong, I'm not going to complain. I just wanted this night to be perfect for her, let her know I'm not a terrible monster.
She is also too observant. When she started screaming at me with her mind I almost died, again. All I could do was try to get her to stop so I played it off as a joke. She let it go until the play was over. Let me tell you, I was relieved that I picked the best play possible. I enjoyed sharing my thoughts with her after the play; I haven't been able to do that with anyone but Charlie for an eternity, almost literally.
Now here we are driving out to the middle of nowhere to look at stars. She puts herself in dangerous situations. I could never bring her back. My body is undecided as to the why. Half of her wants what keeps her alive and the other half wants what every man wants from a woman. If she only knew that she was quickly becoming my world, my existence. If only she knew that her blood would taste sweeter than what I keep myself alive on.
We sat in silence as I drove from the theater. I knew of a place that would be safe for her in those heels and me in my need for fresh air.
"You really did enjoy the play?" I asked still not sure if I did the right thing tonight by bringing her out.
"Yes, yes I did. I think I'm the one still in debt to you but I am enjoying the night nonetheless." She said with a slight nod of her head.
"I'm glad. I love his plays as well. This one is the best on stage though."
"Really? That's good to know. Before I begin this barrage of questions I want you to know that I will not be angry if you choose to not give me an answer. Just understand I also reserve that right."
"Okay. That sounds reasonable. What's on your mind?"
"You can read minds, if allowed, can you do anything else?" She asked cautiously.
"Well every vampire can run slightly faster than the eye can see, at least. We are much stronger than we appear. Not all vampires can read minds, some of talents like that; it depends on which line you're from. Overall it really doesn't matter though because we all are limited." I said dreading the next question.
"How is every vampire limited?"
Yep knew I wasn't going to like it. "We have to have permission to take anything at all from another. I am unable to steal from anyone, they must offer to me what I need."
"Oh, wow. That is one thing that is never mentioned anywhere. If humans knew vampires were real that would be one piece of information you guys would want to keep quiet."
"Anyways, I can also adjust my body temperature at will as well as control fire. Fire is dangerous to us therefore I have been left alone much of my existence. I have a few more talents but I have not been put in situations where they would have been discovered. The bloodline I'm part of is the very oldest. I'm third generation from the original vampires."
There was a pause as she took in the new information. She looked back up at me after a minute and took a breath for her next question. "Who was the prophet of this prophecy you keep talking about?"
"I'm not sure what his name is. He moves through time and space differently than we do. He was not one of the original. No one knows where he is from but he floats in every once in awhile to see how things are. I've been graced by his presence twice in my life which I bet is more than most can say. He's a strange man, one half lunatic, the other half logical philosopher." I shake my head at the memory of him. He carried a large stick with a crystal at the end of it and I believe that many would call him Merlin at one point. "Would you like to hear the prophecy tonight?"
"I was planning on figuring it out myself, but since this man has no name, sure."
"It begins like this.
The Two Lovers meet in a crowd
Only to gaze upon the other
Soon inseparable
Tragedy strikes
Soon all will be for naught.
Only they can save us.
But will they try?
Shall they be selfish?
Or pure of heart?
Only they can tell
But where should they start?
It is a poem that went on for quite some time. He only recited it once or twice but it soon became widely known. The rest of the poem can be surmised shortly. One of the lovers has to choose between one lifestyle and another while the other has to choose between saving himself and saving the world. The poem has two endings. One ending is death and destruction while the other has one of the lovers sacrificed. Neither are good endings."
"Okay, if you think this prophecy is about me, why? Why do you think so?"
"Well, you can jump. You can also see the truly dead. You also fit the description of how, when, and where one of the lovers is to be found. She shall be a lover of words with changing eyes and a voice as clear as a bell. The other shall be her opposite, a fighter with strange eyes and dark hair. You run a bookstore, your eyes change to every color possible, and you have the clearest voice I have ever heard."
"I'm not sure. I have never done anything spectacular. I cannot imagine any evil I can defeat. Karla ranted once that there was soon to be a portal opened that will destroy the world. Once I got her to calm down her eyes unglazed and she had no idea what she had been talking about. This was right after we walked through a part of the university and touched a lamp post. That seems ridiculous because I have no idea what a portal is or how it could destroy the world."
I just stared at her. Her friend had a talent of predicting the future and she didn't understand any of it, wow. "Well looks like you surround yourself with very interesting people. A portal is a doorway to another dimension of this world. If a master portal was opened it could lead dozens of terrible things that have been banned from this dimension, and for good reason."
"Well then, I hope one of those never opens up."
"Yeah, me too. When do you need to return home?" I asked concerned I have kept her out too late.
"What time is it?"
I glance at my watch, "11:30 p.m."
"Yep, time to get home. You get to ask any of your questions in the car." She smiled at me before walking off to the car. She really is beautiful in every way possible. I wish I could tell what she was thinking all the time. I really want to help her if I can't be more than a friend at least I can help.
Wow, where did that come from? More than a friend? What do I think I'm doing here? I quickly thought to myself. This is getting more and more dangerous the farther I go.
I open the car door for her. "Thank you, sir. You are such the gentleman." She says with another smile. As she moves her scent is washed over me. I am forced to smile because she smells so fantastically delicious.
"You are welcome, ma'am. It's my pleasure."
I really didn't have any questions for her so the time in driving was spent in quiet silence. The last five minutes of the drive I was itching to ask her this and it finally blurted out of my mouth. "Can I see you again?"
She just stares at me like all through just escaped from her head. "Uh… yea sure, if you want to."
I couldn't help but smile. "Yes, I do believe I want to. Jump by anytime. I'm always glad to have you come by."
She laughs that musical laugh, "Okay, I just might do that. Not tonight though, I'm bushed completely."
"That is understandable." We reach her house, I race out to get her door before she can. "You have a wonderful night milady. Sweet dreams and goodnight." I say as I walk her to the front door. She unlocks it and walks inside sending a beautiful smile and a small wave out at the last minute. I race back to my car. Charlie is dying to know how tonight went. He's been extremely patient with me, yet again. I can't believe he's stuck with me for so long. Wow I am random tonight.
CPOV
I wave goodbye to Raven, close the door, and fall against it. Goodness tonight was wonderful and tiring all at once. Gwen stayed up, of course, silly woman. I just waved said I was too exhausted and I then promised her a play by play tomorrow. She seemed satisfied and went off to bed. I gravitated there took off this dress and my shoes, slipped into PJ's and am now drifting off to sleep.
EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEe
Again, Those who review receive a sneak peek to the newest chapter. :) Once I have it written that is.