Aug-21-2002 3:16 PM Message 497 of 530

Subject: A Farewell, and a Journey.

From: Vampiress_Dahlia

Reply to: Narcissa_ [ Message 496 ]

~*Dahlia walked slowly back to the manor, breathing in deeply the scent of the night and relishing the last glimpses of the forest she'd ever see.*~

~*She'd made the decision to leave last night, after having taken shelter inside of a small slate overhang that served as a cave inside of the earthen wall of the forest floor. She'd watched the sunrise from her safehouse, even though she could survive hours in the sun due to her advanced age, albeit uncomfortably. She'd felt the air warm and moisten, felt the morning breeze caress her face, and listened to the sounds of the birds...*~

~*And she'd decided. There had to be more out there. It had been centuries since she'd left the manor. Even more since she'd been to her homeland of Italy. She longed to stroll through the marketplaces and cobblestone streets of Rome. To linger in the bistros and delis once more.*~

~*And so she'd decided. She was going home. And Belle would accompany her.*~

~*Upon reaching the Kiss, she pulled open the heavy, ornate oak doors to hear a startled gasp and then the silence that accompanied someone waiting with delicately held breath. Belle.*~

~*Dahlia suddenly felt terrible for making her little one worry. She stepped into the foyer and entered the great room, seeing Belle sitting on the edge of the sofa with a tear-stained face and an expression of the utmost relief and happiness. She leapt up from the loveseat and ran into her arms, gripping onto Dahlia tightly.*~

"Dahlia!" she cried out hoarsly. "Oh God, I was so worried. I thought-"

"Shhh," Dahlia soothed, stroking her back. "I know what it must've seemed like. I'm sorry."

~*Belle sniffled and pulled away to look up at Dahlia with watery eyes."

"Where were you?" she asked, almost fearfully.

"In the forest. Thinking." Dahlia answered.

~*Dahlia shook her head and smiled softly at Belle's still anxious expression.*~

"Il mio cuore, la mia anima (My heart, my soul)." Dahlia murmured softly in Italian, a language she hadn't used for many, many years.

"Run away with me." Dahlia whispered softly.

~*She saw the hesitation in Belle's eyes, but it was not from unfaithfulness to her Sire and lover. Oh no, it was sheer astoundment that kept Belle from agreeing automatically.*~

"You'd leave the Kiss? You'd leave all of this?" Belle whispered, stunned.

Dahlia nodded. "I want to see the world again, my love. I've been cooped up inside of these stuffy old walls for as long as I can remember."

"But what will happen to this house?" Belle questioned.

"Briant will see to it that my memory is preserved, and no one gets any ideas about taking over in my absense. He's quite capable, that one. And quite old. As old as I am. He can handle himself, and this place."

~*After another moment's consideration, Belle smiled and leaned up to kiss Dahlia's full lips. Dahlia savored her lover's kiss, licking at her sweet mouth, before pulling away lest the moment become too tempting.*~

"I'll go get my things." Belle murmured softly, her voice slightly husky from the kiss.

~*Dahlia nodded and awaited her lover's return. In the meantime, someone cleared his throat from the shadows in the corner of the room. Dahlia smiled, not bothering to turn around.*~

"You always were a sneaky devil, Briant." she said, amused.

"You're really leaving?" he asked abruptly.

~*Dahlia turned to face the handsome old Kindred.*~

"And you were also always one to cut right to the chase."

~*Briant didn't look amused and Dahlia sighed.*~

"Fine. Yes, I'm leaving. But you'd already heard as much, so I don't know why you bothered to ask."

"I don't want all of this." he said, his voice wavering slightly as he gestured around him to indicate the manor.

"You'll adjust." Dahlia shrugged.

~*Briant looked angry as he took a few steps towards her. Dahlia chewed on the inside of her cheek. She should have known he wouldn't make this easy.*~

"I don't want you to go." he said softly, stopping in front of her to look down at her with sad eyes.

~*Dahlia's eyes misted up automatically. 'Damn him!' she thought as she closed the distance between them with a hug.*~

"Why are you making this hard?" she asked quietly through a voice thick with tears.

"Because if I make it hard enough, then you won't leave." he answered, equally tearful.

"Please, don't do this. I can't go through with it if you do this." Dahlia pleaded, a few tears slipping out past her long lashes.

"Sis, please..." Briant begged.

~*Dahlia sobbed only once, turning her face into the lapels of his jacket. Her Briant. Her brother. Her confidant and one true friend was begging her not to go. How could she? How could she not?*~

~*Pulling away she leaned up to kiss his forehead.*~

"I have to, dear brother. We've been together for a long time. I think it's time that we can bear to part for awhile."

~*Briant nodded, taking a few steps away from her. He wiped away the remaining tears from his face and swallowed hard, his eyes rising up to meet hers.*~

"I'll go get your things." he said somberly, stiriding from the room with less than his usual amount of grace and pride.

~*Dahlia sighed and sank down onto the loveseat to await Belle and Briant's return. She took one last long look around the Crimson Kiss, sending up a silent prayer to whatever God or Goddess would listen to a creature such as herself that the manor wouldn't fall in her absense. Shrugging that thought away, Dahlia assured herself that her brother was more than fit to run the Kiss. He'd done so jointly with her for many, many centuries.*~

~*Standing when she heard footsteps, she saw Belle enter the foyer with a look of freshness and anticipation upon her face. A morose Briant followed her, carrying two heavy suitcases of fine brown leather. He didn't look at her as he sat them at her feet.*~

"Your things are ready, M'lady." he nodded, and turned on his heel to leave the room.

~*Dahlia felt her eyes begin to sting once more and quickly forced her tears away, telling herself that it was better this way. Looking at Belle, she smiled and held out her hand.*~

"Ready?"

~*Belle nodded and they each took up their separate bags and walked towards the doorway, hand in hand, together for the journey.*~

***