Welcome to Gaia! ::

He laughed giving a small shake of his head. “No, no I have not forgotten, Bella. Indeed you are a lady of refined tastes and should be treated as such. The wine should feel shame for being so forward and not taking you to dinner so much. Perhaps I will have to have a serious conversation with it.” Romeo laughed again as he took another sip of his wine.

The Machiavelli much preferred Eloisa to be herself. Putting on airs just to please him had never worked out in the end. Eventually it always seemed like the other was lying just to gain his favor and he didn’t want that with her. He wanted her open and honest with him. To see the real her and not just something she might think he wanted to see. Besides, he rather liked how she was. It was what made her, well, her. She was completely opposite him in just about every way and perhaps that is what intrigued him about her.

His attention turning back to the strawberries settled on the blanket. Plucking one up with his claws Romeo held it out to her. “Ladies first of course.” Whether or not he knew what sharing them meant he didn’t let on. When she had taken what he had offered Romeo picked one out for himself, waiting for her to bite into her’s before he did so himself. Ladies first after all.

“Ah well, if the wine gave away all its secrets what would be left? But I suppose you could just call him Signore Vino.” If she really wanted to put a name to it but he suspected she was still just playing around.

After she took a bite of her’s he took a bite of his. Savoring the mixture of sweet and tart coupled with the smoothness of the chocolate. It really did come together nicely and he was glad he had decided to bring some. “Very nice.” He commented giving the fruit a quick little once over before taking another bite and finishing his. When she mentioned the stickiness he reached into the basket and pulled out a cloth napkin which he quickly handed to her. Though if perhaps they were a little further into their relationship he might have licked the stickiness from her fingers himself.

But no. He would be good. Romeo didn’t want to come on too strong and run her off. Even if it was temping. So very tempting not to be. He was a gentleman after all but even gentlemen had wants, needs and desires.

Nodding his head he smiled. “The lights really do unfortunately drown out the starlight. Before all the light pollution you could go outside and just stare up at the stars. Early navigators used the stars to find their way across the oceans.” Leaning in close to her he pointed at a particular star. “The North Star. It’s the singular most important star in the sky for navigating. If you are lost all you need to do is find that star and it will guide you to what you desire most.”

Romeo smiled warmly. “Indeed. I am very lucky.” And he was. To be able to share this moment with her. He was very lucky. It wasn’t often that someone like Eloisa came alone, she was most certainly a rare jewel.

He nodded. “Yes, away from the cities you can see whole bands of stars stretching across the sky.” Romeo emphasized this with a grand sweep of his arm across the night sky above them. “There are those who say there are other worlds far far out there in space. Where other civilizations and people live just as we do. I don’t know if there is any truth to that but it’s fun to imagine the possibilities.”

His mind wandered briefly to the past. Going over many of his experiences. The many lives he had lived. So far this era had been relatively quiet which was fine for him. Romeo enjoyed the quiet and slow paced life he currently lived. “It does require one to be more open to change. There was a time where the lights we have today did not exist. Candles were the favored option for light. It’s been interesting to watch the world progress. To see new inventions for the betterment of the world take root. Or to watch the latest trends in fashion come and go.” He sipped at his wine before topping it off once more.

He enjoyed his conversations with Eloisa. It was rare to find anyone that might take an interest in the things he new. All the younger vampires were too busy with the here and the now to concern themselves with what was or what might be. “Apparently there is supposed to be a mythical place some scholars call the Infinite Corridor. They claim it a tall spire that reaches up to the heavens and contained within are portals that lead to other worlds. But that’s just fanciful thinking I believe. Who wouldn’t want to discover such a place?” Romeo would certainly find a place like that interesting. To explore new worlds as easily as stepping through a door.

If such a place existed.

Romeo blinked at her questions before his shoulders shook and he let out a rather loud laugh. “No I never did get into the whole powdered wig fad. Though the real reason people wore then would probably gross you out.” He wrinkled his nose at her second question. “I….uh never got into people no I am afraid. I’m sure it looked nice on other men but it was just not a color for me. I don’t think I have the complexion to pull it off anyhow.” Thankfully. Why pink ever came into fashion as a color men wore he never truly understood. But it was not a color he particularly enjoyed.

“Well I am sure you have seen more than most in that regard.” His gaze was soon drawn to the sky once more. “Oh the meteor shower is starting look.” Streaks of light began to flicker across the sky in sweeping arcs. Burning brilliantly before vanishing back into the darkness. “Make a wish quick.”

Romeo shook his head with a smile. While the thought of exploring different worlds sounded thrilling he quite enjoyed his life here. The thought of endlessly wandering from world to world made him feel a bit homesick. “No, I am afraid I much rather like this world to tell you the truth. Everything I want is here. No other world would do for me.” Reaching over he slid a crooked finger beneath her chin, lifting her chin so that his stormy eyes could look into her brilliant blue. They were like deep pools that drew him in and if he was not careful he might drown in them. But would that be so bad?

His hand slid away from her chin. “Ah well then I too will not explore this topic of wits any further either.” Romeo wasn’t squeamish but it wasn’t really a proper topic for conversation either. Less so with a lady.

As the shower continued to sparkle across the sky he watched as Eloisa closed her eyes and made her wish. A warm smile finding its way to his lips. Wondering what it was that she had wished for. But he wouldn’t ask her what it was. “Of course.” Came his reply. “But I cannot tell you what it is otherwise it might not come true. And I would hate for that to happen. It’s a really good wish though. So I do hope it comes true.” His gaze turned back to the stars as he leaned back and laid on his back to get a better view of the night sky. Romeo had always loved the stars. There were many theories about what exactly was out there. Other civilizations, different worlds, the Gods themselves. Any number of ideas could be true. Maybe they all were.

Romeo turned his head so that he might gaze at her as he lay on the blanket. A warm smile on his lips as his grey eyes glowed softly in the dim light of the moon. “It’s done a pretty good job so far.” He mused. Glad that she was relaxed enough to join him at gazing at the stars on their backs. It was easier on the neck and the hill was at such an angle that you really didn’t need to strain yourself to look up. It was the perfect place.

He lifted his head only briefly so that he might take another sip of his wine before settling the glass back down. Letting it’s flavor roll over his tongue as he enjoyed it. Good wine, good foods, gorgeous company. This might had really worked out for him and if he might have seemed a little smug it was only because of the success he had had with this plan.

Another charming smile found its way to his lips as Eloisa gasped and pointed at the stars. Trying to show him what she saw. Her excitement and enthusiasm was refreshing. Maybe they could watch the stars again another night. It was something he enjoyed and with such a beautiful lady to share the night with really made it all the more special. But he was happy to just enjoy them in silence, if she wanted to talk that was fine as well. Reaching over he took her hand, lacing his fingers with hers as he held them up towards the sky. Pointing a finger at a particular star. “That star is Vega also known as the Weaving Princess.” Moving their hands across the sky he pointed at another star. “That one is Altair also known at the Huntsman. Those two stars are meant to represent love. In the summer time they are separated by the band of stars that make up the edge of our own galaxy.”

“Yes. It is a sad story I am afraid.” Many stars and constellations had stories from long ago. It was a shame that most didn’t know about them anymore. People weren’t as interested in myth or legends like they had once be and that always seemed like such a shame to the Machiavelli.Disinterest was the main cause of so much history being lost. The younger generations were more interested in the here and now and so finding those willing to carry on this information, the stories, was hard to do. Perhaps it was why Romeo had such an interest in these things. Not only had he lived in those times of myth and legend but because all of that deserved to be preserved.

Clearing his throat he smiled. “ Vega was celestial princess, a goddess of the sky. Immortal she may have been, yet she was weary as it seemed she would live in eternity alone.One day Altair, a mortal, caught the eye of Vega. She descended from the heavens to greet him, and as they got to know each other she fell deeply in love. Vega promises Altair that no matter what they will be together in the heavens.But when Vega’s father finds out, he is enraged that his daughter would fall in love with a mere mortal. His fury only grows when he discovers that Vega promised to bring Altair up to the heavens with here.In the most cruel of fashions, Vega’s father grants the promise that she made. The two lovers were placed in the sky as stars. Yet while they were both in the heavens, they were not together. The great Celestial River separated them. Yet each year, on the seventh night of the seventh moon, a bridge of magpies forms across the Celestial River. Though it would be for one night a year the two lovers are reunited as Altair dares to travel to his beloved.Yet, sometimes Altair’s annual trip across the Celestial River is too dangerous and he doesn’t quite make it.In those dark years, Vegas’ tears form raindrops that fall over Over Faetasia.”

It was indeed a sad story, but it even in darkness there could be a bright spot somewhere if you just looked for it. “That type of story plays out more often than not through history. Even in our real lives as well. It’s the striggle of love to find purchase where adversity would have you beaten down and hopeless.” He mused. Hopefully she enjoyed the story.

At her question he was silent for a moment as he pondered. “Monoceros. Also known as the Unicorn. You know I thought I saw one once but it disappeared before I could actually get a good look at it.” Romeo smiled as she squeezed his hand, giving a small squeeze of his own back before he lifted her hand to his lips and place a soft kiss along her knuckles before he pulled it away. “I hope that wasn’t too forward of me.” He couldn’t help it though. Romeo was really enjoying the time he spent with Eloisa. She genuinely listened when he talked, asked questions. Those blue eyes seemed so full of wonder it was refreshing.