Post by Luna on Jan 8, 2011 15:49:30 GMT -5
{Lucian} I traced a random pattern in the water idly, noticing only slightly the light ripples my fingers left. I could still see Sunny's face so clearly in my mind, blazing with fire when she called me an overbearing, self-obsessed werewolf, or softening with the sweet passion only she could pull off when she looked at me in that certain way. And, of course, the more haunting image – coated with blood, telling me peacefully that she wasn’t scared to die, that it was going to be okay.
But if fifteen years hadn't lessened the pain at all, then it couldn’t be, ever. And I knew that. “I’m so sorry, Sunny,” I whispered. I rested my chin on my knees, feeling my vision blur slightly with tears that refused to fall. I never cried fully. I never got this upset at all if I could help it, but when I thought this deeply about Sunny, I never really could.
“Okay, I knew you’d turned soft, but this is ridiculous.”
I blinked, recognizing her dry voice automatically. It sounded like it was coming from behind me, but I didn't turn. It wouldn’t be at all surprising if her voice was in my head now, given the fact that she had haunted my dreams every night for fifteen years now –
“Lucian,” she said, so sharp and real-sounding that it made me start a little. “I know you’re busy drowning in pathetic misery and all, but turn around for a second, will you?”
I sighed and reluctantly complied, expecting to see empty air - but she was there - to her mid-twenties, but still beautiful. Long, wavy golden hair that stopped right at her chest, small and delicate - at least in appearance - but her green eyes holding the inner fire I’d never seen the likes of in anyone else. She was crossing her arms and giving me a look that only Sorina could pull off. She looked just like my memories, except far more vivid.
“Oh, God,” I muttered. “I’m really going insane.”
She raised one eyebrow at me. “You’ve been insane, my friend.”
I stared blankly at her. “Is it really you? Not a dream?”
“You’re not dreaming. And by the way, I’m also not a ghost. Don’t think that can happen to vampires.”
My head was spinning. She was really here... either that, or I'd finally gone over the edge of insanity. “Sunny…” I whispered hoarsely.
She gave me that dry little half-smile. “I see you haven’t forgotten my nickname.”
“I haven’t forgotten anything.” And then, somehow, I was holding her, really holding her, far too real and sensual to be a dream. She felt warm, in the way I always thought had been weird for a vampire, and her golden hair smelled normal instead of reeking of the salty tang of blood, the way I remembered. I wrapped my arms around her back, holding her against me as tight as I could. Maybe it was a hallucination, but Sunny felt the way I thought I’d never get to feel her again, and in that moment I didn't care what she was.
“You’re still exactly the way I remember you,” I murmured in her ear. “How is that even possible?”
“I have no idea. Nobody’s memory should be that accurate. It’s weird.”
“Weirder than a girl coming back to life twice?”
“Good point.”
I finally drew away from her, looking at her softly. “Are you sure you’re real?”
She smirked. “I’m pretty sure.”
“You’re in my imagination a lot, I wouldn’t be surprised if –”
“Lucian. I’m real. Walking, talking, not exactly breathing, but you get my point. What do I need to do to convince you? Slap you?”
I raised an eyebrow at her. “You could kiss me.”
She smirked. “Someone hasn’t changed a bit.” She did kiss me, briefly but sweetly, and smiled when she saw the answering smirk finally spread across my face. “Real enough for you?” she chuckled.
“For me, yes. You should tell Princess.”
Her eyes sparkled. I was sure she still remembered Crystal's nickname. “How is she these days?”
“Married. With children.”
“Not surprised,” she laughed. "Cell?" I handed it to her, and she dialed the number swiftly from memory. I wasn't surprised she remembered it - but then, not much could surprise me at the moment.
But if fifteen years hadn't lessened the pain at all, then it couldn’t be, ever. And I knew that. “I’m so sorry, Sunny,” I whispered. I rested my chin on my knees, feeling my vision blur slightly with tears that refused to fall. I never cried fully. I never got this upset at all if I could help it, but when I thought this deeply about Sunny, I never really could.
“Okay, I knew you’d turned soft, but this is ridiculous.”
I blinked, recognizing her dry voice automatically. It sounded like it was coming from behind me, but I didn't turn. It wouldn’t be at all surprising if her voice was in my head now, given the fact that she had haunted my dreams every night for fifteen years now –
“Lucian,” she said, so sharp and real-sounding that it made me start a little. “I know you’re busy drowning in pathetic misery and all, but turn around for a second, will you?”
I sighed and reluctantly complied, expecting to see empty air - but she was there - to her mid-twenties, but still beautiful. Long, wavy golden hair that stopped right at her chest, small and delicate - at least in appearance - but her green eyes holding the inner fire I’d never seen the likes of in anyone else. She was crossing her arms and giving me a look that only Sorina could pull off. She looked just like my memories, except far more vivid.
“Oh, God,” I muttered. “I’m really going insane.”
She raised one eyebrow at me. “You’ve been insane, my friend.”
I stared blankly at her. “Is it really you? Not a dream?”
“You’re not dreaming. And by the way, I’m also not a ghost. Don’t think that can happen to vampires.”
My head was spinning. She was really here... either that, or I'd finally gone over the edge of insanity. “Sunny…” I whispered hoarsely.
She gave me that dry little half-smile. “I see you haven’t forgotten my nickname.”
“I haven’t forgotten anything.” And then, somehow, I was holding her, really holding her, far too real and sensual to be a dream. She felt warm, in the way I always thought had been weird for a vampire, and her golden hair smelled normal instead of reeking of the salty tang of blood, the way I remembered. I wrapped my arms around her back, holding her against me as tight as I could. Maybe it was a hallucination, but Sunny felt the way I thought I’d never get to feel her again, and in that moment I didn't care what she was.
“You’re still exactly the way I remember you,” I murmured in her ear. “How is that even possible?”
“I have no idea. Nobody’s memory should be that accurate. It’s weird.”
“Weirder than a girl coming back to life twice?”
“Good point.”
I finally drew away from her, looking at her softly. “Are you sure you’re real?”
She smirked. “I’m pretty sure.”
“You’re in my imagination a lot, I wouldn’t be surprised if –”
“Lucian. I’m real. Walking, talking, not exactly breathing, but you get my point. What do I need to do to convince you? Slap you?”
I raised an eyebrow at her. “You could kiss me.”
She smirked. “Someone hasn’t changed a bit.” She did kiss me, briefly but sweetly, and smiled when she saw the answering smirk finally spread across my face. “Real enough for you?” she chuckled.
“For me, yes. You should tell Princess.”
Her eyes sparkled. I was sure she still remembered Crystal's nickname. “How is she these days?”
“Married. With children.”
“Not surprised,” she laughed. "Cell?" I handed it to her, and she dialed the number swiftly from memory. I wasn't surprised she remembered it - but then, not much could surprise me at the moment.