The night after Adieu

Ariana had walked across the way to Martha's office. She knew she had to speak to her dear friend soon, but sometimes, even in a Requiem there were matters that were always difficult. In a sleek black dress with black shoes, Ariana stepped into the frame of the door to the Herald's office with a bottle in her hand. The Lordess was particularly fond of the shoes she wore as they were a gift from the petite Shadow last Christmas.

Knocking gently on the door, to which as Vampires, was more so a polite courtesy, she waited for Martha's voice to sound.

After a few moment, Martha appears at the door and, with a smile, greets Ariana. A gentle hand gesture invites her to find a seat.

"Madam Seneschal! What a delight! Do, please...come in! I have freshly made lemonade if you wish to drink some!" she chirps.

Her Chamber hinted at what is within. On one wall there are three modern, if large, stark and dramatic framed photo prints of ballerinas in tutus holding a ballet poses against a dark background. Another print hangs on another wall, the ever present large framed copy of John Waterhouse's 'Lady of Shalot.'

Erected to conceal a quarter of her Chamber from view is a tall Chinese screen. A fire extinguisher is obvious as is an office desk. The desk is, as always, piled high with neatly stacked notes, college textbooks and dozens of school style notebooks. All look well used. Four bookcases stand against the walls. Each is over filled with pre-owned books. They look, at first glance, to be entirely textbooks and non-fiction. There's a cheap looking laptop and printer on the desk too. The e-reader she was gifted is also in evidence which carefully rests at the space on her desk.

There are also few comfortable chairs and a couch. A coat rack and a seat are opposite her busy looking desk. The place, though busy with clutter, is clean and also has the bright aroma of fresh lemons.

Ariana enjoyed seeing Martha's office, it was a tiny bit of organized chaos with all the books about. A sign of someone who dove into their work or research with both feet. The Lordess was similar in this manner, yet, she was more simplistic in some of her ways. Her blue eyes did notice a nook upon her desk and knew who gave it to her. She admired the pictures of the women posed in dance upon the walls and a particular picture as well.

As she entered Ariana closed the door behind her. Nodding to the petite Shadow, she smiled and took a seat on the couch as she often did. She smelled the fresh citrus of the lemonade that was offered. "Thank you Herald Martha." She smiled with a wink. "I did bring a bottle of wine, so I will leave the choice to you." In her hand, she carried a bottle of Barbaresco , Gaja 2001. Ariana had been informed by colleagues at the Bee that it was a wonderful red wine which had a bouquet of roses and strawberries. "I will partake in whichever you wish." She grinned honestly looking to both beverages and then to Martha.

Crossing her legs to the side as she sat, the Lordess grinned and spoke. "How does this evening find you? Did I interrupt vital research at all?"

Martha saw the bottle of wine and nodded happily. Always having fond recall of the many evenings of planning and gossiping over wine. "Oh...the research? Oh...nothing too vital...nothing that cannot wait for a glass or two of such fine Italian wine!" she giggled before limping and skipping playfully over to a desk draw to bring out two wine glasses and corkscrew. Showing them to Ariana with a cheery smile, Martha skipped and limped back to join Ariana at the couch. Laying the glasses on a nearby coffee table for use.

"I say! What a busy week it has been!" as she spoke, Martha settled onto the couch and admired the style of Ariana's dress and shoes.

Ariana smiled as Martha joined her on the couch and she picked up the corkscrew. With ease, she twisted it onto the bottle and levered the device to withdraw the cork. She had flushed the Blush through her body so she was able to enjoy the wine for a little while. The Lordess took up the two glasses and began a long pour of the wine into the glass, releasing its aromatic fragrance of strawberries and roses into the surrounding area. "This smells quite intriguing, I do hope it tastes as good as its fragrance." She smiled as she passed the petite Shadow a glass. "I do not think I have smelled anything quite like it before." Taking a sip of the wine after Martha had her glass, her eyes brightened.

"Yes, it has been a very busy week as of late." Crossing her legs toward Martha, genuinely interested in how the week's activities had been. "What has kept you so busy this week Herald Villiers?" Lifting a finger to the side as to just mention for future note that evening. "I too have had a very busy week with some information that had been passed two me. But first, please I would enjoy hearing about yours, and what you think of this wine." Smiling with a slight wink.

Martha checks the various qualities of the wine...the colour...the 'legs' and then the bouquet...a delighted sniff of the wine and she sighs, "Ah! It...it reminds me..." she pauses to sniff again, "...of French orchards and the rolling meadows of Alsace!" she smiles. For a moment, her thoughts are far away and long ago.

Ariana's question about her week brings her back to the present. "Ohh...a busy week, you say?" she nods in agreement and understanding. "Quite so! As is always the case!" she giggles, sharing the load of Office! "I have met with Mr Smith...I set him some homework about organised crime...to test his abilities and see what he came up with. All very impressive!" she coos. "I will invite him to present his findings to the Deputy cadre as an orientation briefing on domain security, I think!" she smiles happily and takes a long sip of the wine.

The Lordess observed as Martha considered the wine. Something she always found entertaining because so frequently, in a Requiem, many forgot the little things. Grinning while the Shadow mentions France, Ariana added. "I have not been there, but if the wine is similar to your description than it sounds like a place to visit someday."

"Yes, I met Mr. Smith upon his arrival. He mentioned he was an Agent for the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, Democratic Republic of Vietnam, Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the United States as well." Ariana had remembered those items specifically as she thought they were relatively important at the time. "He mentioned he had ties with the Carthians at some point, but did not mention where." The Lordess took a sip of her wine, there were no qualms held about the information she had transferred. "I believe the test of his abilities will be quite interesting Herald Martha." She noted to the petite Mekhet.

While Ariana sipped the wine Martha took the opportunity to sneak a look at the Lady's sleek legs. "The Carthian's? Hmmm" she pondered this and nodded while taking a sip of the wine herself. "I look forward to seeing Mr Smith do well in the Domain." she smiles happily, "I have high hopes for him!" and nods as if to emphasize this hope. "He certainly seems very eager!" a happy giggle follows.

"It seems there are some hopefuls out of the recent arrivals." Ariana winked to Martha. "Time will surly tell soon of course." The Lordess appreciated how Martha was a very glass half full frequently. It perhaps prevented the beast within from over taking the humanity they had.

Turning a little more to the petite Mekhet, Ariana paused for a moment before she began. "I have some interesting news of my own." Gently, she continued and her eyes kept watch as she spoke. "I will be leaving the Domain in a few days time." She paused to let the first detail of her news sink in.

Martha was enjoying herself and clearly delighted to be spending time with her friend. So, her first thoughts aren't of Ariana's departure as a permanent event. Instead Martha's first instinct lends itself to; "Oh! How exciting!" she coos, clearly excited for Ariana, "His Grace is sending you on a diplomatic mission?"

Ariana shook her head. "No, I am not. However, His Grace is aware of my departure."

Still with a continued delicate intonation, the Lordess explained further. "I am returning to New York. A close friend, and my former editor in New York has fallen quite ill. I am unsure how much time he has left." The Lordess spoke with a measure of profound caring as she mentioned Louis. "He has requested that I return to New York. I am to train in his position and eventually take it on from his recommendation."

Ariana's words had pulled any equilibrium from Martha.

The tiny Mekhet blinked and blinked again at Ariana as she tried to make sense of this news.

The cause of Ariana's mission was noble...the timing urgent; "I...I see..." she whimpered. "It saddens me so." she hung her head, clutching the wine glass tight lest it fell from her grasp, "...it saddens me that your mission is one of mercy. It would be selfish and cruel to plead with you to stay when your purpose is so honorable...but...golly," she sniffed unhappily, "forgive my selfishness...but...I shall be...bereft at your leaving..." her head hung low. "I...I shall miss you so terribly much..." she whimpered again. Blinking hard to fight back tears. Martha's free hand was now held close and tight to her face, trying to hide her eyes.

The Lordess tilted her head toward Martha. She knew the news would be difficult, although she did not expect the Shadow's reaction quite like this. "I assure you that I do not owe Louis this. However, it is all I can do for the years he provided his assistance and advice to me." Ariana said gently. For both women, it seemed they both still had a great amount of humanity left within them displayed in different ways. "Perhaps it is a little selfish of me to return to him, but we have time whereas he does not." By her tone, it may have went without saying that she had not thought to bring Louis over to their nights.

Leaning forward, Ariana took Martha's hand slowly from her face. "There is no need to hide from me, Herald Martha." She may not have teared quite yet, but there was a heartfelt expression of empathy on her face. "I will miss you too. Our discussions over wine and our adventures." A gentle smile softly moved over her face and she moved her thumb over the back of Martha's dainty hand.

Martha nods in clear agreement. Her thoughts are in full agreement. But Martha is momentarily at a loss for words and as Ariana takes her hand, Martha rests her wine down before she shuffles and snuggles closer to her friend.

Gently, very gently, Martha kisses Ariana's hand. At that moment she has an idea.

Trying a shy smile as she speaks, snuggling closer still, her tone becomes one of looking to offer sincere and well intended aid; "Can...can I perhaps help you? If your friend is ill...I could maybe help him! The powers of our blood can make people very robust! I do wish to help you and he!" her eyes wide as she looks to Ariana. Clearly hoping her words may bring hope or comfort.

The Lordess noted the Shadow's kiss with a soft smile while she nodded to the evaluation of the situation. "I have considered that as well." Ariana looked to Martha as she moved a little closer. "Although, I am uncertain it would be something he would want." She said while thinking about Louis. "Thank you for your offer, but it is something I will assess when I arrive back in New York."

The Ventrue understood Martha's desire to assist people. It was something she always witnessed while in Sacramento. "Should I need your advice, may I call on you?" Of course, she knew both of them were able to have veiled discussions as they did on many occasions.

More than anything, Martha's hugs and trembling transmit her deep desire to help her dear friend. Between sniffs and sobs, she nods. "Ohh...oh...yes! Yes! I will do all I can!" she gasps.

Ariana leaned forward to set her wine glass down. She turned to Martha and reciprocated a hug to the petite Shadow. "Thank you so much Herald Martha, I certainly appreciate it." The Lordess had not carried tissues in years, and at the moment she wished she had one for the Mekhet. "For all you have done as well since I have resided in this Domain." She gently smiled graciously.

It takes a while for Martha to say something more. Her sadness is obvious. Her trembles are sincere. Martha is making the most of this opportunity to hold her friend close...to commit to memory her scent...her textures...the gentle press of her sleek leg to her own.

"I have enjoyed helping you...I only hope I can help you yet more, Miss! I...I will do all I can!" she sobs once again. Martha sniffs and whimpers; "You are a dear friend to me, Miss...please...please...please travel safely!"

"I know you will Herald Martha." Ariana's voice is consoling as she heard the petite Shadow's sniffs. "You too are a dear friend to me." Speaking gently and sincerely, listening to her plea. "I believe my travels will be safe as well, thank you for that."

Slipping a hand into her pocket, Ariana produced a small hinged box. The Lordess had actually purchased it for the holidays, but thought to give it to her tonight instead of sending it. Moving slowly, she brought the box toward Martha where she could see it. Inside, was a Blue Dragon Agate necklace, small and dainty that looked particularly one of a kind. "This is for you."

Martha gasps at the gift. clearly taken aback by the lovely necklace. Wide eyed, she investigates the intricate work and gem. Smiling, shocked, to Ariana. "Goodness me!" she sniffs and sobs. "How...how thoughtful! How splendid too! I...I do not know what to say...except...thank you. Thank you....This fine necklace and the precious gift of friendship...I am blessed indeed!" she clutches the necklace to her throat and sobs again...head hanging low.

Trying to gather her thoughts, Martha struggles to contemplate a gift in return. She was unprepared. Her work on her own festive gift was as ongoing as it was hard to accomplish.

Nodding, Martha struggled to stand and, as she did so, she paused to begin to wear the necklace. Offering Ariana a shy smile, she limped heavily over to her desk. From one of the draws she takes out a small box. Hobbling back to the Lordess, she curtseys and offers the small ring box to Ariana. "I have a gift for you too..." she had hoped to invest the ring with the potent power of a Relic...sadly time had not allowed her the chance to complete her studies. Martha hoped the antique ruby ring and gesture would be enough.

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"...a token of my sincere love and high esteem." she whimpered. In greater control of her emotions now, but no less sorrowful at the departure of her friend.

Ariana smiled brightly at Martha's joy and shock. "You are certainly welcome. I am so glad you like it." The Lordess was uncertain if she recognized the stone. Yet she did know that the petite Mekhet loved to research and investigate things, and what it was would surface eventually.

Watching as the Dragon Shadow walked to her desk, the Lordess slightly turned her head curiously. She took another sip of wine from the glass on the table and returned it. It was rare she induldged in wine, so she was going to make the most of it. When Martha walked back to her holding the little box, Ariana too was a little shocked. "Oh, what is this?" Taking the box from her, and opening it. Revealing the crimson shimmering jewely wrapped in gold her eyes widened. "This is truly beautiful." Smiling graciously and looking up to Martha as she stood.

Pulling the ring out of the box, and placing it on her finger she looked to it and then to Martha in a thoughtful expression. "A token to remember you by as well. Thank you kindly Herald Martha." Standing, and embracing the petite Shadow in a fond hug.

Martha nodded sorrowfully and returned the hug with a long and lingering one of her own...desperate to commit to memory the scent and sensations of her dear friend.