“I See The World In Many Different Colors”

“There's no use in crying

All my tears won't drown my pain

Free me from your sorrow

I can't grieve you again

I watched you let yourself die

And now it's too late to save you this time

You bury me alive

And everybody's gotta breathe

Somehow don't leave me, die

Too consumed by your own emptiness and lies

All I did was love you

Now I hate the nightmare you've become

I can't let you fool me

I won't need you again

I watched you let yourself die

You said I'm too much to handle

You said I

Shine too bright, I burnt the candle

Flew too high

I won't take anyone down if I crawl tonight

But I still let everyone down when I change in size

And I went tumbling down tryna reach your high

But I scream too loud if I speak my mind

I don't wanna wake it up

I don't wanna wake it up

I don't wanna wake it up

The devil in me

I don't wanna wake it up

I don't wanna wake it up

I don't wanna wake it up

              He raised a brow, somewhat confused as to why his friend was laughing but shrugged it off. Thankfully he didn’t feel that nauseated--at least no yet--though Garridan held a strong conviction that later he’d be in the Veil’s bathrooms puking up whatever blood he’d consumed earlier. Yes, it had been a time to celebrate but did the mortician really have to drink so much?

                “Uhuh...Florin. Flower. Nourishing...it’s always been my favourite.” Covering his mouth, Garridan couldn’t help but giggle. His cheeks hurt from smiling so much. However, there was an element of seriousness as he turned to look at Kiki, locks of blond falling in his face to which he merely brushed away with a somewhat limp hand. “I can’t speak for most but...it’s highly frowned upon to turn a child into a vampire. Many councils adjourn such a feat a crime...like here, in Louisiana.” Running cold hands down his face so as to keep his train of thought, he then rest his arms contentedly across his abdomen. “Even though we can exist more openly, it’s...kind of frowned upon for humans to ah--give up their children to us. And...oh, I’ve never discussed these things with Viktor...there’s a lot of reasons why we couldn’t have children. Especially back then, in the nineties...it was nearly impossible to adopt because we are both men.” 

                Upon realizing how the conversation had turned somewhat sad, Garridan emitted a sigh and glanced over at his friend; following her gaze. “No no, it’s not cheesy...it’s so wonderful. He makes you quite happy, doesn’t he-?” Why did cheesy necessarily mean a bad thing? Garridan was a sucker for cliche romance, and Kiki had been to his house more times than the vampire could count. Surely she’d seen the avid collection of sappy novels.

               “Lunina? My...that’s beautiful. Does it uh...mean something along the lines of moonlight-? Or...”

“I think it’s because space is unknown to most. The unknown can be scary...buuuuut it can also be thrilling! I wonder what all exists up there that we have yet to explore.” She had always been fascinated by the unknown, the supernatural, anything otherworldly. Wether it be other dimensions, planets, creatures, etc. It all caught the wiccans attention just the same. Did she believe stars could actually speak? Perhaps, who knew? They could have their own language and lives. How fascinating would that be? Would she one day be able to speak to the stars?

“What a beautiful meaning to an interesting name!” A name very fitting for the meek vampire. Her brows furrow as she intently listens to her friend explaining the situation with children and vampires. So it wasn’t really possible yet for vampires to adopt children openly. Her mind wandered to Stan, would they have a child some day? A human and a vampire. It would most certainly be an interesting dynamic, but the wiccan wasn’t even sure if she wanted a child let alone if Stan wanted one. One day once Kiki was somewhere that allowed pets she’d have Midnight live with her. That could be their child though she knew Stan was aloof towards the animal. Plus Garridan and her were already the parents of the kitten. Maybe she’d get another animal for her and Stan to foster some day. Snapping from her own thoughts she offers a small smile as an idea comes to mind. “Well perhaps one day you could get another pet and name them Florin!”

As the conversation switched to something much more lighthearted, the wiccan found herself flustered. “Yes, he makes me very happy...I love him with all of my heart. He’s very special to me....my vampire” a love struck look in her eyes as her hand rests against her chest. She knew that she could be open about her romantic feelings with Garridan. She’d seen how the timid vampire viewed romance and even if he was intimidated by Stan he didn’t seem to mind her speaking of him.

“Actually I am unsure what the name means....to be honest it just came to my mind and felt right. Lunina...it sounds spacey I think.” She shrugged lazily as her gaze once again lifted up towards the sky.

             “I wouldn’t be so keen as to tell you anyhow. I haven’t forgotten your methods, Kiki.” He admitted, knowing that Kiki was a woman who preferred financial independence. Whether or not this was to prove herself Stanislav wasn’t so sure, though he felt that the witch had opened up to relying on others. Even if she still preferred to shop at the local dollar tree. “I wouldn’t make such a bold claim. I’m sure of it, that there will be many more events to come where you’d be welcome to wear such a gown.”

                   The vampire listened intently to his lover, nodding along occasionally though he couldn’t help but feel somewhat put off by the fact Kiki seemed to trust him so needlessly. Maybe this was an element of being a boyfriend-? Maybe Stanislav should’ve paid attention to Garridan’s rants and god-awful plays some more. “I am honoured you feel safe with me, and I intend to protect you. But even I am not invincible, and I hope to help train you in some form or another...self-defense is a vital skill to have in a city such as ours.” Though the subject was heavy at best, Stanislav didn’t mind having such a conversation while dancing. He was simply a realist, and would continue to remind Kiki that despite his political and physical leverage, there were always those who aimed to take himself and his colleagues out--for various reasons. “Ah, playing for me? Your voice is an instrument in of itself.” Okay, maybe that wasn’t the most romantic thing, Stanislav was never a man who seemed to understand how to compliment someone; especially in the romance department. It simply wasn’t in his nature, but he didn’t feel embarrassed by stating his truth.

                “I think you’d take to calling my residence an Ikea display regardless if I added more furniture...though such an investment would be needless; seeing as I’m rarely at home. And I never though I’d be having a guest, let alone my...partner.” Even saying that word was unfamiliar. Partner. Girlfriend. Lover. All of those words were the same to him. 

Smirking as her financial ways were noted by the elder vampire. Lately she’d been more open to accepting help, however she was still stubborn in some ways. She liked being financially independent, money was never something that meant much to her. As long as she had enough to eat and live she was content. Her smirk turning into a bright smile. “I really hope there is! I absolutely adore it. I’ve never had such a magnificent dress before. Don’t the sparkles on it kind of remind you of stars twinkling in the night sky?”

She snickered and shook her head. “Duh dum dum of course you aren’t invincible, no one is. I guess I just feel a sense of security with you?” Her gaze softened. “I do want to learn some self defense! Because even though I selfishly wish you could be by my side all the time, I know it isn’t possible.” She felt somewhat embarassed admitting such a thing to Stan. Kiki enjoyed every moment she got to spend with her vampire even though he was a busy man. “I don’t know if I told you yet but Elidi activated my wand. She’s been teaching me simple spells currently but I now have some of her power within the wand.”

She felt her entire face heat up at the compliment. It made her feel warm inside knowing that Stan enjoyed her voice. “You’re such a sweetheart, I’m happy that you enjoy listening to me sing”. He was the first person that she sang for in a long time. It wasn’t that she was shy or embarassed, just not used to it. At home she’d mainly just sing in the shower or when playing her guitar. It was nice singing around another person, especially when that person had her heart.

She scoffed softly “if it had more color then I wouldn’t call it an ikea display. Though ballroom has a nice ring to it now....I can’t decide which I prefer.” A cheeky grin making its way to her face. “I enjoy living with you even if your sense of style is bland....I enjoy getting to be closer with you.” It was obvious the wiccan was more outward with her feelings compared to the king. She was used to wearing her emotions on her sleeve.

You can't fix your broken promise

Our ties have come undone

I will not be used to be battered and abused

It's the reason why I choose to cut my losses

Mentor and Student

Listening carefully to her words, he felt a pang of sadness-- she felt guilty for the death of her family. He could relate to that, having lost his as well. Though he still hoped that they were alive somewhere, he had no clue where they were, if they were alive.  And yet he felt responsible for them. 

Gently patting Kiki’s back, the angel spoke up.  “B-being brave is not a clear-cut line.  A brave person may sometimes do a cowardly act, a-and a coward may sometimes perform a brave act. It is... quite difficult to be brave all the time.”  Kasumi paused a moment, choosing his next words wisely. “Many times... bravery and foolishness are mixed up, confused.  Do you think staying in your town and putting yourself in danger would have been brave, or foolish?  I-I personally believe what you did was the right thing...”

Was he being a little hypocritical right now? Perhaps. He too felt guilty for leaving his home, though he had less of a choice than Kiki. Still, he blamed himself for not being able to protect his parents, knowing full well that at the time, his child self would not have made any difference. 

He fell silent at her next words. So there was something -- someone-- she feared. He could understand this, as well.   “My friend... it is natural to have fear. This does not make you any less brave.  Being brave isn’t the absence of fear. Being brave is having that fear but finding a way through it. This is exactly what you have done, is it not?” He said, giving her a confident and reassuring smile as he shared his words of wisdom. 

    “Know that in this city, you have people who love you and would gladly fight for you. It is okay to lean on others.” 

Feeling his hand rubbing against her back brought the wiccan comfort. Gnawing on her bottom lip she listened as her friend began to speak. He was right nobody could be brave all the time, as much as Kiki wished she could be. Bravery and foolishness? It is true staying in her town wouldn’t have fixed things. She knew eventually things would’ve gotten worse. Despite taking most of the heat she knew eventually her family would’ve been roped in, wether she left or stayed. “It would have been foolish to stay....then we would’ve all burned. They would’ve swept it under the rug...he’d get away with it....but I’m still here...I can get justice....”. A new way to look at the guilt she felt. She survived for a reason, so she could avenge her family. The dark thoughts that had been swirling in her mind since the fire. Ones she feared and had tried to push aside, thoughts she was ashamed of. Kiki didn’t exactly know if she wanted revenge yet, she didn’t know if she was even capable of it. Going back to her old town was something the poor girl could barely even stomach. But somehow she knew that in some way she wanted justice. The cops in that town likely wouldn’t be of much help sadly, they were all biased.

Snapping herself from her thoughts she offered a half smile at the angel. “You are right Kasumi, plus if I never came here I wouldn’t have met you. Garridan, Elidi, everyone, and I wouldn’t have found Stan....”. She was grateful for all the people in her life now. People who weren’t judgemental of her status as a wiccan. Within the city of Tabula she had found herself a family. “I think I need to learn to lean on people more....I’ve gotten so used to dealing with things independently....” she reaches over and rests her pale hand on top of the angels. “I’m such a mess, thank you for being such a great friend...you and Garridan. My best friends....” with her free hand she reached up and booped his nose with her finger. “Hmmm we need something to lighten the mood! Why don’t we go raid the food table? I could really go for something sweet!”

              “Fantasy-like? I’m starting to believe everything is fantasy to you.” Others may have contrived his words as callousness, but to Stanislav he was merely stating a fact. Kiki seemed drawn to the other-worldly, this he had learnt from their first meeting which seemed so far distant now. Though content with seeing his world in greys, perhaps it was a nice balance to have the human’s enthusiasm. 

            “I had a strong conviction you’d like it. As mysterious as the evening, with a hint of regality and shine...I may not be as immersed in high-end fashion, but I like to think I can make an appropriate decision--most of the time.” Giving a dip of his head in acknowledgement, “The pleasure is mine. I don’t plan on being too careless with my finances, but tonight marked a special occasion and thus the cost was irrelevant.”

            Unsurprisingly, Stanislav felt as though he could keep going dancing like this. Which was highly unusual seeing as dancing to him marked obedience and exhaustive pleasantries. Hell, the vampire king had rejected multiple souls brave enough to ask him for a dance--most being non-kindred --seeing as the vampire populace seemed to obey Stanislav’s reign albeit begrudgingly. Besides, if his behaviour at Red Rose spoke anything it showed that he wasn’t fond of touch and neither close proximity.

            “Though your stay is temporary, it seems our musical collaborations have become routine. Despite having that piano for years, there were long hiatuses where I didn’t even so much as look at those keys.” Stanislav admitted. At least the duo had managed to channel their stress into something more meaningful, though light hues narrowed as soon as Kiki spoke of dancing in his apartment. While he didn’t mind the idea, he knew that the wiccan had already made a habit of doing such when he was at work.

            “Alluding to my penthouse as a ballroom is pushing it,” The vampire arched a brow beneath his mask. “Though I suppose you’ve managed to keep everything in one piece...”

She hummed softly along to the music as they continued dancing, giving the vampires hand a squeeze back. She felt proud in herself for being poise. Ballroom dancing was all so new to her and having only done it once before with Kasumi briefly. Kiki was fairly good at dancing in general but it was still amazing how she learned it so quickly. On top of the fact she hadn’t stepped on her boyfriends shoes once.

“Perhaps so, but you keep me grounded when needed. Though it is nice to take a break from reality sometimes....”. Even though they couldn’t be more opposite, the pair were good for eachother. Stans more realistic outlook on life kept the wiccan from drifting off into an eternal daydream especially as of late. Kikis more colorful outlook, she hoped brought a bit of life to the vampires monochrome vision.

It was her turn to raise a brow as a playful smile making its way to her lips. “I don’t even want to know how much this dress cost haha. But no worries mister Stanislav I am perfectly content with my own finances. Though I am very grateful for the gift, I will wear it often....even if I don’t have a fancy dance to go to.” She wasn’t one for expensive taste but she could tell that the dress had been a pretty penny. She definitely planned on wearing the gown often, even if it was inside the comforts of her home.

“I am enjoying my stay, it’s nice not being alone...even though I have Kasumi it’s different. I guess I feel more safe with you? It’s silly....” she averted her gaze momentarily before continuing on. “I love listening to you play the piano...it’s so soothing. Singing along while you play is a lot of fun! I hope that I can learn something on the piano so I can play for you one night.” When Stan was at work the wiccan had taken it upon herself to start learning piano. So far she had learned a few keys and was attempting to teach herself how to play a song.

Raising a brow a smirk on her lips “I think calling it a ballroom is a compliment! Seeing how empty it is, though if you prefer I can always call it an ikea display”. Mischief shining in her blue hues, she knew how to pull her vampires strings.