(Open)Spring into the Night

[Seraphina]

Garden Grounds had a sign on the door stating it was closed for the night. Drapes had been drawn on the windows, though soft tea lights glowed behind them. But the Lost of Sacramento would know the coffee shop always reminded open late for them. Giving them a safe place to gather, get something warm to drink or something to eat.

Once inside, the other Lost would find it look as it usually did. Though expanded with new seating offerings and a gentler, welcoming atmosphere.

The Nix was seated at one of the tables, an open sketch book in front of her with a coffee up beside it. A translucent hand held a pencil that was currently working on a dress. There wasn’t much to it yet, but it was obvious from the drawing that the Treasure was talented with drawing.

She wore a fitted sweater dress, in a color only a few would recognize. It had become a favorite color for it despite the pain it caused. A delicate balance she was learning to walk. She was humming a melody as the pencil continued to move. A ring sat on her right ring finger, the gold matching her golden scales, the blue stone matching her own sapphire eyes.

Her long hair was in a fishtail braid over her shoulder and dusting the ground, there was no makeup, her gilded beauty didn’t need it. The wild flowers of Spring had sprouted around where she sat, bright and vibrant in color, gently swaying in the warm spring breeze dancing around her.

[Vincent Black]

Vincent walked into the Garden Grounds, he was dressed in a button up shirt with a plain black t-shirt underneath, blue jeans and a pair of Doc Martens. He saw the Queen looking as magnificent as ever. "Evening Sera. You sure are looking good this evening." Vincent said with a pause. "Am I the first to arrive?"

[Seraphina]

Looking up from her sketch she smiles, “Hey Vincent! Great to see you, and thank you, kind of you to say.” Compliments were always appreciated.

“It seems that way, can I get you a coffee or something? I brewed a fresh pot for the evening.” The book closed as she picks up her own coffee. “How have you been? Apartment still working out?”

[Vincent Black]

"I would love a coffee. The apartment is great, and honestly, I have never felt more comfortable. I have been very well, thank you for asking. And how have you been? I know recent times have been rough for you." He really was sincere; he knew how rough it was when a loved one disappeared.

[Seraphina]

Putting the cup down, she gets up and prepares a coffee for him. Before returning to the table, some pastries and muffins were placed on a plate and carried over.

Once she places both the coffee and the plate down, she sits as well, picking back up her own cup, “That’s wonderful to hear! I know it’s not the biggest and doesn’t have a whole lot of room, so I’m glad you’re comfortable.” It wasn’t what she had envisioned with providing places for others to stay, but, it was a start at least.

“Glad to hear you’re well, been up to anything exciting? With the weather warming up there will be a lot of events going on around the city.” Being as social as she was, she always knew when there were things going on.

At the question, and the statement, she looks at her cup for a moment, gathering her thoughts, “I’ve been ok, working on getting back into the swing of things.” After Rhodes disappeared, she had kind of holed herself up in a hotel, not really venturing out. “Had a girls night out with Sonnie and Circe and it was what I needed.” A smile was then offered, “It’s been rough, but I have responsibilities not only to my Court, but the Freehold as well, so I’m not dwelling on it. Thank you for asking though.” Being Director, she couldn’t let her loss make her lose focus. So was she ignoring it and stuffing the feelings down? Probably.

[Vincent Black]

Vincent picks up the cup of coffee, "Not as of recently. The last fun thing I did was go on a hedge patrol with Circe and Jasper. It was a lot of fun going back to the hedge. Though I think Circe may have taken my affinity for the hedge creatures as a little bit of weakness due to Jasper and I trying to free a Briarwolf right before it attacked us." Vincent laughs a bit at the incident as he takes a drink of his coffee.

"That Circe seems like a good person I have not had much time to get to know Sonnie so that may be something to plan in the future. But I am glad you were able to go out with them and get your mind off things for a while. Heartbreak is probably one of the longest wounds to heal, especially with a love like you and Rhodes seemed to have. If you ever want to get away, well you know where I live, we can always grab a bugout bag and head out into nature for a hike or picnic. We can also invite others if you would rather go in a group as well."

[Seraphina]

“Circe is fun to go into the Hedge with, never a dull moment with her there.” Not that the Hedge needed anymore excitement. “Oh? That would surprise me as I took a liking to a mother and child hedge rabbits we can across. But then again, neither attacked us.” Laughing as well. “Personally, I’m not a fan of Briarwolfs, as some tried to use me as a chew toy, but hey, to each their own.” She wouldn’t go out of her way to help one.

Nodding, “Both are very good people, always there when you or the Freehold needs them. We all go back quite a few years.” So they were close. “But I do recommend getting to know Sonnie better, tons of fun.” And one hell of a fighter. As he mentioned heartbreak and Rhodes, her eyes darken before shifting once again, it wasn’t really something she had planned on talking about. But maybe talking about it would help. “I don’t believe you were here when we were married, a Hearts Oath in front of the Freehold, a lifelong Vow.” Sadness creeping into her voice, “The wounds made worse because I don’t know what happened to him, only that the Vow was broken, which can only be from death or betrayal of it.” Translucent hands wrap around the mug before she took a deep breath, “But I’ll get through it. My Court and the Freehold are dependent on me.” Her Court and the Freehold were more important to her then the pain she was in.

A small smile, “Thank you, that’s really kind of you. But I find throwing myself into work, school and spinning are my best ways to get over things. Well, never completely over, but enough that I can move forward at least.” Finally releasing the mug, “Though I have been going for small hikes in some of the parks, you’re welcome to join me.”

[Vincent Black]

Vincent chuckled at the thought of Sera petting a hedge rabbit, "I used to eat those rabbits, it is funny that you mention befriending them. Maybe that is why I felt an affinity for the Briarwolf, even though I knew it was a possibility it would attack me. The beast in me would not let me go without trying."

Vincent then nodded at her mention of the amount of responsibilities on her shoulders for the season, "I get it, and honestly if you would not mind a beast who enjoys the night sky tagging along, I would not mind joining you. What better way to get to know our queen." He finishes with a slight bow.

[Seraphina]

Sapphires widen, “Awww! You ate them? But they are such sweet little things. I was able to patch up the younger one, it got injured when we drove into the area.” They had a special place in her heart. “But I do get what you are saying, there are things I’ve done that I know are from some other source within me. Rather it be the Nix, Treasured or Fairest, we all have something that pulls us and makes us act.” But a Briarwolf? Screw those things.

Smiling, “I’d welcome the company! I keep hearing that spending too much time alone and in your own thoughts isn’t too healthy. Have you gotten the chance to going on any of the local trails yet? I’ve only hit a few, but there are a lot of trails.” Would she see them all? Who knows. Laughing, “Afraid there isn’t much to know, I’m not really all that exciting.” the Nix led a quiet life.

[Vincent Black]

"I have learned that if we do not embrace that instinct that it just leads to more internal turmoil and eventually it will eat you up inside." Vincent pauses at the questions about the trails, "I have not had a chance to go on some of the more local trails. I tend to try to get away from the city as often as possible due to the nature of the beast I call it. I just grab my bug out bag and head out for a day or two into the wilderness and camp. No tent just, depending on the weather I use either a sleeping bag or a hammock. And of course, my camera, have to get those night sky pictures somehow."