I entered the gardens but stopped short within the first few feet. I felt it immediately. The familiar “pang” I felt last night upon meeting him. Gazing briefly at the roses my eyes finally landing on him, there.
Harley Masters, the man who had been hired by Lestat and Aosoth to submit a bid for and oversee repairs to their home.
We won’t tell that tale right at the moment but save it for another time. (snickers)He was staring at the beauty that surrounded him. The fragrance was sweet in the air, the roses in such bloom they begged to be touched, crying out for my hand, as they always did when I was among them. This night, my attention was elsewhere. It was not on the blood that ran in this man’s veins or the sins he MIGHT have committed in his short mortal life, but focused on his anguish. His sense of loss could have wilted the strongest of flowers had it not been for it being directed inward. Only I, a Vampire, or one like me could have possibly withstood the great burden he bared. It staggered me and I have stood in the face of such anguish for many centuries.
I stepped closer to this man, not to intrude but to observe more and to take in the emotions he was sending through the air around us. Of course, he wasn’t aware yet of my presence or that he was as an open book for me too read. I preferred to stay among the shadows for now and watch. Over 6 feet he stood, muscular in build, sexy of course and oh so broken. It wasn't something seen by the naked eye but a broken that had been carefully mended, albeit haphazardly, to continue on with a life that had been destined for two and then suddenly cut short to be only for the one. He was gazing at a particular rose. Fascinated by its beauty and transfixed on its color and fragrance. It was a most excellent rose indeed, a prize winning rose... but I am sure that is not what he saw.
I spoke his name to get his attention, to give him the few moments needed to lock the walls into place that allowed him to face the day to day living he had continued on with after her passing. How did I know his pain emanated from such an event? The answer came easy to me. The only beauty to compare to a rose would be the beauty of a woman. A woman one loves with their whole being and can see nothing in their world unless it is presented through the eyes of that one, true love. Such was the story that over the next hour would unfold.
He and I danced, metaphorically speaking, for several minutes. We spoke of the night, of the gardens and how beautiful it all was. It was a perfect waltz performed by us both and went on until I had the answers I sought from the tone in his voice reverberating around me.
*touching one of the tender petals on a perfectly formed rose* You know Mr. Masters. Roses sometimes need a bit of coaxing before they open up to show themselves, their true selves, to the world. It is much like that with us all, non?(Listening thinking of Layla) Yes they do.It is my belief that roses have tender 'hearts' and though their blooms only last for a season, their memory lives on for long after they have closed themselves away and given up to the colder weathers of fall and winter. *looking over at you probing just a bit. your memories there but clouded, sheltered. walking slightly away* You see her here, in the roses. It was a statement presented to him, not a question asked.(Head shooting up, shocked how did you know) Yes I do.She is here. Where you are she will always be, non?(Nodding yes) I have always felt her with me.As it should be with the ones we love. Whether here or gone from us their light is always shining.And finally he spoke that one pivotal question that would turn this night around.
The pain does it ever truly subside?Pain is immortal, much like Bastiaan and I. It stretches out before you and can be immobilizing.I know I may never be totally rid of the pain. I have come to grips with that. I don't know. I see Layla in the roses, will I ever see another?*slight chuckle* I left my crystal ball in my other skirt but to see her here is wonderful, a memory always. You have to allow yourself to see more. Look at that beautiful Sunset Rose there. See it? If you concentrate on its detail and look no further then you will miss the ones to the left and right of it. Much is the same with ones who have passed on.And so it went that he shared with me his Layla, his heart. Through his eyes I gleaned a beautiful woman with red hair and a splash of freckles across her face, her laughter was like music and he was the audience she played for. His words brought the roses to attention and I watched in fascination as he spoke when one, a perfectly formed February Scarlet all but reached out to touch his shoulder. I gave no mention of such a thing as he went on to explain how he had lost her that fateful day. A day so full of promises that even the great writers of tragedy could not have written so horrific an ending. As he described the events and spoke of the glass that littered the ground where his heart now lay, I watched as this one single rose now shrunk back into formation with the rest, so moved by his words as was I.
The pain of his loss hit me deeply as I remembered the one I too had lost but from there came words of healing and comfort and ones I live by today…
*reaching out tentatively to grasp your hand in mine* I am truly sorry for your pain. *sends the healing from me to you the other reaching out to wipe your tears* Mr. Masters. In those last words all that needed to be said, was. Remember her; hold her memory in your soul. It houses memories of those who have passed before us. Your heart *reaching a hand out to rest it there* is for the living and those who we shall meet along the way. No one is forgotten. I believe that. True healing begins when one is ready. This night both man and wolf agreed, it was time to let the wound close and together they could move on. I asked him to walk with me awhile, talk with me and he accepted with a smile. It was no surprise as we turned to walk away from where we had been sitting, that his attention momentarily focused on that one Scarlet February rose and I could not help but smile as I glanced back briefly to see ‘her’ reach out to him once more.
*to see Harley's exert of the conversation, please click the link*
Posted via email from His Bella Celeste
