The night was practically perfect. The breeze cool, but in a refreshing way, perfumed by the flowers in the nearby garden. Off in the distance music was playing. Something soft, a language she didn't recognize but beautiful none the less. Yes, practically perfect. Except for her. This was nothing new. Her moods had changed with every breath or so it seemed this last month. A few short hours ago she had been laughing, joking with friends. She had smiled at a compliment from a co-worker, agreed to a day of shopping in the city with a girl friend. But now... She leaned forward, resting her elbows on the railing of the balcony and stared down at the ground below. An errant lock of hair drifted past her eyes and she irritably shoved it away. Now she was despondent, even snapish. Coming home had been unpleasent. Alone, well that was nothing new. Then the call from her mother, having to deal with that. Could the woman not get the point and just leave her alone? She reached over, fingers curling around the glass beside her and raised it. Taking a moment to stare down into the amber liquid, she sighed and then brought the crystal tumbler to her lips. A quick tip of her head was all it took. Settling the glass back on the small table, she slumped back to her former position on the railing as the liquor burned it's way down her throat. The lock of hair came back down. This time she growled as she forced it behind her ear. Shoving away from the railing she snatched up the crystal and stalked back inside to the array of bottles sprawled across the counter in the room. Pouring another drink, the young woman shot that one back, poured another and then made her way out of the room, down the long staircase and out the front door. Looking around nearly made her nauseous. Things that normally would have her marveling at the craftsmenship now seemed made to mock her. She'd made it to the garden when a voice called from inside the house. "Miss, there's a call for you."
She sighed and yelled back, "Man, woman or child?"
"A woman, Miss. Your mother."
A low growl from between clenched teeth and the mood changed from depression to anger.
"Tell her, and quote me word for fucking word, to go burn in hell!"
She whirled away and strode quickly into the garden until the hedges hid her from view.
Feet stormed over well known walkways and stone paths, random wanderings. Soon she remembered the little bit of liquid relief that she carried in her hand and then that was gone, searing it's way down to her stomach and leaving behind an after taste of warmth and something smoky. In a sudden fit of frustration she spun around and whipped the glass through the air, watching mutely as it shattered against the side of the fountain. Grabbing her hair with both hands she yanked, crying out as the pain managed to break through the wall of stormy emotions playing through her mind. It just wasn't worth the effort that she had to put out! She put up masks at work, out on the town. People saw her as cheerful, happy, content. She put up masks for her mother, saying one thing and meaning another. And alone, the masks all fell away, revealing what was inside. A young woman who just wanted a little peace. And thus far, she hadn't found that peace. Suddenly the shards of crystal looked incredibly tempting. Enough so that she stepped towards them, studying the glittery peices. All she wanted as a little peace and quiet, for people to stop pressing for details, for her mother to stop trying to find faults. To be able to stop putting up different images for everyone. Just a little.... A sudden warmth at her back snapped her from where ever she had wandered in her thoughts and she realized that a pair of arms had circled her waist and were holding her close. A body, lean but strong, pressed into hers and a voice murmered in her ear, "I'm guessing you've had a worse time of this than I thought, kitten." She was turned around and held close, fingers combing through her hair slowly. "I'm sorry I had to be away for so long." She made a little noise and burrowed her face against his chest, arms sliding around his waist. "Dominic tells me that your mother's been calling, twice tonight. Do want me to have her blocked?" Another little noise and he chuckled softly. "I've missed you too, kitten." A warm hand slid beneath her chin, tipping her face up and his mouth pressed to hers, soft and gentle. Blue eyes and lightly tanned skin, lips that were only slightly chapped yet tender against her own.
The night was pratically perfect. The breeze cool but refreshing. Soft music playing off in the distance. And as she stood there in the circle of his arms, Vlad whispered in her ear, "I love you Taliesen." A smile grew on her lips and suddenly she had her peace, her quiet and the night was more than perfect as she kissed him deeply out in the dark of the garden.