Goodbye.

[pearling]

[Private to Coyo, Sirius, Dracula, Loki, Kay, Rhade, Brax.]

I need to see you. Now.

[Added after she's talked to her people in person.]

When I came here, I did not expect to be here long. I thought that it would be easy to simply graduate an inmate and then leave. I did not realize how hard it was to change the ways of mortals, and I did not realize how much worse it would be with people leaving, or being taken.

Then I worried that the Admiral may have been lying, and I stayed after Edgar graduated. I did not expect what happened next, but now I understand why.

I am done here. I am sorry to those who I have hurt, and I hope that you are able to leave here soon.

The gardens should prosper, even in my absence. I have fortified them.

Comments

Spam

[persephonepearl.livejournal.com]

Deciding the best thing she could do was not to beat about the bush, Persephone touched his face and then she spoke softly. "I have graduated. My time here is coming to an end. You are part of the reason for this, and I than you for it."

Spam

[feels-no-love.livejournal.com]

He opened his mouth to try and congratulate her; that was what she deserved after all. But something had seized up inside of him, and he stopped to examine it, blinking briefly. He turned a kiss into her palm while he struggled for words.

My chest feels very strange right now.

"Whatever aid I have given you, I am glad of it. You for your part have taught an old beast what it is to look up to women instead of taking them for granted." His voice sounded strained, and he blinked again, shaking his head slightly.

"I am a little...dazed, I suppose, is the word, but..."

He chose his words carefully.

"If you must go, and it is your choice, then I should be glad for you. This place is too cramped and full of squabbles and miseries for one such as you. I always thought so."

He wasn't glad for her. He was fighting himself inside. But other than that he meant every word.

Spam

[persephonepearl.livejournal.com]

"You have taught m that it is better to care for people rather than just myself, Dracula. I am very sad to be leaving you, but I do not want another winter here. I want to go home and be at peace where I do not need to worry that something bad would happen."

When he kissed her palm, Persephone leaned over and kissed him softly.

"You will graduate, and you will leave this place as well. Perhaps I will find you there."

Spam

[feels-no-love.livejournal.com]

"I understand." Except for the part of him that was knocking around loose inside. That part didn't understand anything.

"Perhaps you will," he said breathlessly. "Perhaps it is possible that we will meet again under better circumstances.

"I am glad that you are free." And he knew that the last thing she needed was for him to cling too tight.

"I hope that your memories of me are fond ones."

Spam

[persephonepearl.livejournal.com]

"All of my memories of you are fond, Dracula. I hope that yours of me are fond as well." Persephone moved in closer to him, pressing her lips to his for a moment, her hands on his face. She wanted him to have good thoughts of her before leaving, and she wanted him to be happy.

"You are going to graduate sooner rather than later, and I hope that you will find me again, Dracula. You out of all of them have the best chance to do it."

She smiled at him. "You will be wonderful."

Spam

[feels-no-love.livejournal.com]

He returned the kiss a little hungrily, but did not cling to her. He dared not. "I am willing to work for that ability. I am...we will see each other again, at some point, no matter how long it should take me. And I will come bearing all sorts of stories to entertain you."

Spam

[persephonepearl.livejournal.com]

"Yes, bring me stories. Tell me of who has graduated and who has not. Tell me of floods and misadventures and tell me of loves whom you have had." Persephone wrapped her arms around him, and she looked into his eyes.

"Love well, Vlad Dracula. I know that your heart will beat for people again." She rested one palm against it, pressing softly.

Re: Spam

[feels-no-love.livejournal.com]

He held her very lightly, like a bird that might take off if grasped too hard. His eyes had regret in them, but he lifted his chin and gathered his composure.

"I will give my best effort to such things, in my treatment of women especially, in remembrance of our time together."

Spam

[persephonepearl.livejournal.com]

"Do not do it because it is in remembrance for me, Vlad Dracula. Do it because it is the thing that should be done."

Moving her fingers through his hair, she smiled. "Will you stay tonight?"

Spam

[feels-no-love.livejournal.com]

"I will do it for both reasons. You have inspired me, and I must give you credit for that."

He leaned into her hand, his eyes glimmering. "Gladly, I shall."

Spam

[persephonepearl.livejournal.com]

Persephone smiled and then she nodded. "Good. I am glad to hear it. I will be glad of your company one last time."

She traced his cheek with the back of her hand for a moment. "I will have my full powers as well. I will be fully divine." Offering him a bit of goddess blood, oh yes she was.

Spam

[feels-no-love.livejournal.com]

"As am I." He swallows. Wonders if it will burn him with its purity. But perhaps that is good. Perhaps it will cleanse some small part of him, and make him better company for those he has chosen to keep.

"I will risk a taste of your purity if you would have it. But I am happy enough merely being a man with you."