Give Me The Stars.

[text: (Dr) Casimir] I don't believe that a relationship should be cast aside from one mistake, because that's what it sounds like what happened, you make a mistake. But only the two of you know what happened and how it felt at the time.

[text: (Dr) Casimir] It's good you've trained. Your walls are unlike anyone else's, and I don't think that's because you're a diff type of vamp than me.

[text: (Dr) Casimir] I think you deserve a second chance. It's not mine to give. I'm sorry I didn't articulate all of this that night, I just needed time to think of all you said.

[text: (Dr) Casimir] When Bianca and I first dated, I hid a lot of my true feelings about stuff. Nothing big, I just felt lower than her and that meant I didn't have a right to state an opinion. It all came out one night and she felt like I had betrayed her trust, which I did. And it's taken us until this year to get back together. To be honest it's still hard, I still have that voice in the very back of my head that wants me to drown into the darkness, like on the night of my turn. But I also know that my love for her keeps me honest with her.

[text: (Dr) Casimir] I dunno why I'm sharing, maybe just some context so you see where I'm coming from. You're a good guy, Casimir. I hope you get your man in the end.

[text: Rose] Thank you for listening, Rose. I unloaded a lot onto you at once, and for that I apologize. As a general rule, I’m not in the habit of lying either, not about important things such as this.

[text: Rose] It was a lot of little things that turned into bigger ones and then one massive mistake. I imagine the whole situation felt very different to each of us…both at the time and now. It is very good to hear the perspective of a third party, after all this time.

[text: Rose] I started my Immortal life with great strength and very little control when it came to my abilities. My walls and what you witnessed in the dance hall are but two things I can do, and all the control and power I have now is a product of both training on my own as well as with others. Some Vampire, some not. I utilize my abilities for hunting, self-defense, getting me out of tight scrapes with more curious mortals…and in my practice, if it is necessary and I have the permission of the patient. I am very adamant about that last part.

[text: Rose] Oh, Rose, you are so kind. Do not apologize. It was a lot to take in. I’m thankful for all of your words, then and now. I don’t expect a second chance, but I have worked very hard this last century to at least try to prove that I have bettered myself, and that what I did to him will never happen again.

[text: Rose] I have met your Bianca. She is a lovely woman. You are both very lucky to have each other, and to be loved by anyone, immortal or not is a great blessing.

[text: Rose] Thank you for sharing that with me. We are friends, Rose. I know we are by no means close, but I do make a fine friend should you ever find yourself in need of one.

[text: Rose] And thank you for trusting me with Reese’s number. I do not know when I will be contacting him. I do not know if I am ready yet either.

[text: (Dr) Casimir] You know best how an objective outside voice is sometimes the best one. Not that I'm entirely objective in this case. If I had to pick sides, I'm with Reese, tho I don't think it'll ever come to that. And I don't think you'd mind me choosing him.

[text: (Dr) Casimir] One night we should test our abilities on each other, just for practice and training. It's been a few years since I've had a tutor, but I'm not getting stronger yet. Prolly have to wait at least a century for that. Our gifts are different enough that it could prove challenging. 😉

[text: (Dr) Casimir] Bianca deserves the world. I hope to give her that and more.

[text: (Dr) Casimir] Take your time. That's the best thing about those with fangs: time.

“Can’t imagine why you’re tired, doll. You’ve only flown yourself halfway across Europe over the course of the last twenty-four hours.” He looked at her a moment, the pulled the camera at his side up to his eye. “Show me who you are, Little Bit,” and snapped a quick photo.

"How else am I supposed to test my limits?" It's said with a wink, but she knows she's pushed herself just a hair too far. At least she has the chance to beam at Reese's assessment of her emotional state. "I am happy, very, thank you very much. Is it possible to have a honeymoon phase even though we dated before? Cause I think it must be. I feel like I'm in the clouds all of the time. Just got to not screw things up again this time."

Rose smirks at his question. "Keep telling yourself you're over Casimir. Prague. I am definitely going back to that dance hall by myself. It's the perfect way to let out my itch to dance properly. You know, maybe I should host my own ball. I certainly know what's involved and how to organize everything. Could be fun for everyone."

[text: Rose] Maybe it's not fair...but the idea of him with anyone else makes me...fucking sad.

[text: Rose] I mean to say anyone else but you. Not me.

*typing dots appear and disappear several times*

[text: Rose] Christ. You know what I mean.

[text: Jeffrey] Get yourself settled before we start thinking that far ahead. Take as long as you need.

He'd already been walking down on the edges of Parco del Valentino when he felt the gentle push of her mind and the buzz in his pocket from his phone.

At her request, he laughed happily, nodding. “Yes, well, we had some important things to discuss, didn’t we?” And he was glad they did. He nodded and smiled at the mention of Sybelle. He liked her.

Then they were dancing once more. And Rose wanted to lead again, which did not surprise him. As she did, he chuckled and chastised her playfully as they turned. “I do know how to waltz, Rose.” But he continued on anyway, simply enjoying the music as he easily matched her speed and form.

When he did finally get the opportunity to lead, he seized it with gusto. Casimir pulled Rose back into his hold, and gave her a quick little smirk, eyebrow raised and off they went for the remainder of the song. If there was one dance he loved to do, it was a Viennese Waltz.

Sybelle's music almost started to shift to match their positions, even if such a thing were impossible. It was only her perception of time that was being slightly altered by dancing with another vampire. And one who certainly knew what he was doing. Casimir's final move leaves her breathless, glad that she was set upright, else she might have fallen over otherwise.

"That was... you're incredible, Casimir! I haven't had a dance partner that skilled in years. Guess psych docs aren't all stuffy."

[text] See? Fuck me. I figured the bitterness had worn off by now. Who fucking knew it could slice as fresh as the day it happened.

Torino was closer to where she hovered in the air than where she was initially heading. It didn't take her long to reroute her path. Rose wondered if being so close to the satellites meant her phone actually had better reception. A question for someone smarter than her.

Using more energy to find him would mean she would have to feed again. Not ideal, so she decided to rely on technology, sitting on the banks of the River Po.

[text: Rose] If I'm being honest I'm probably catastrophizing. I just need to know he'll be ok no matter what.

[text: Rose] Thank you Rose. I am forever and always yours for this, you know that, right?

[text: Rose] Especially for this <3

[text: Rose] Things with Simon are going great.

*a few minutes pass*

[text: Rose] But I can't simply trust him with this just because I *should* trust my boyfriend. It's a very "nice" thought that I should be able to trust him with anything, but if there is even the slightest shadow of a doubt in my mind that something could go badly, I'd never be able to live with myself if that oversight put his vulnerable body at risk. Simon can earn that trust from us eventually, but I've only known him for a month, and Jamie's never met him at all. That's a lot of stock to put in someone, and a lot of consent Jamie can't give right now. I'd be fucking pissed if Jamie met some chippy and told her a month in where my body is buried.

[text: Jeffrey] If you make me cry and stain my study book, I will be the catastrophe you're so worried about.

--

[text: Jeffrey] I get it. Give him a year then. I won't bug you about it until then.

[text] Beautiful Italian courtesan? Erudite and fun? Good. You deserve that.

[text: Reese] I'll try not to get too mushy.

[text] Set his sights on a hurricane in a bottle? Tell me again he has healthier coping habits now. ;)

[text] Not texting him, Rose.

[text: Reese] My poetry is rusty

[text: Reese] Yup. Not sure if we're gonna set up here or Valencia.

[text: Reese] He's better than I initially thought.

[text: Reese] He told me what he did. I get why you ghosted him, but he's done a lot of work on himself.

[text] That's between him and whoever's warming his bed now. Not my circus, not my monkeys.

[text: Reese] He's got a crush on my father. Apparently Louis told Lestat no. But when has that ever stopped Lestat?

[text: Reese] Maybe you should find out what he's still into for yourself.