WitchBite

The Date

 The soft mist that curled through the tree roots was a calming one. It brought a playful smile to my lips, watching it snake over the moss and roll around the stones as I strolled deeper in the forest that was at my back door. For the first time in what felt like forever, I was left alone. Nobody had brought up my little 'visit' that I had last night, and Victoria had left for work quite sometime ago.

I couldn't decide whether it was some form of giddy, impatient, impulse that caused us to arrange our date as soon as possible, or that we weren't particularly fooling each other with our interests. We both liked each other and that was that. Maybe we felt some form of obligation to adhere to some kind of structure in regards to relationships and dating. In the movies, it's always three dates, kiss, then some heartfelt drama that almost ruins things, only to collide together in the throes of passion, and live happily ever after?

All I could feel was electricity at my fingertips. Like a burning static that caused my arms to go numb, my palms to sweat, and my chest to thump nervously. I could play-down the situation all I wanted, it wasn't going to change how incredibly nervous I was; and with almost an hour of walking, clambering over serpentine roots and slipping down muddied embankments, I came across a small patch of land.

It was beset by a small stream, a plaid cloth laid upon the soft earth, weighted by a wicker basket and the body of a grinning Aramis; who sat cross legged waiting, as he happily stared in my direction.

This little opening was framed in moss-laden trees, that rose up and curled over like a segregated wall, reaching it's branches to swing outwards. It was the middle of the day, and I could see fine, despite any form of raw sunlight finding it near impossible to pass through the canopy. It placed a secluded ambiance, locking in a comforting warmth to the area while blanketing it in hues of muted greens, browns, and greys.

I stepped down towards Aramis, hopping deftly over the stream. He jumped up to brace me should I have fallen, but didn't step any closer when he saw that I was fine.

We stood awkwardly for a moment, as the air was thick with a sudden atmosphere of confusion. We didn't know what to do now that we were alone. I could feel my hands bunch nervously, before Aramis shuffled forward, taking my right hand and bowing low with a smirk. Planting a kiss on the back of my palm, before rising with a grin that caused me to giggle.

"Welcome! To the finest luncheon you'll ever feast upon my dear sir!" He said gesturing to the wicker basket and blanket, an elegant flamboyance in every movement that only caused me to roll my eyes in response.

We sat down as he began placing all sorts of foods on to the blanket before us. Sandwiches, at least eight different types of fruits, three different types of drink, as well as a practical buffet's worth of finger food.

"That's... A lot of food" I chuckled, nervously sizing up the task of eating all this food and doubting my own appetite. He seemed a little taken aback for the slightest of moments before smiling again.

"Oh!" He proclaimed "Did I prepare too much? It's been sort of a long time since I've done... this" He said gesturing vaguely to the situation.

"What? Date?"

"What! No. Eat food" He said, his voice turning quieter towards the end as I looked at him inquisitively. "I, we, uh... Vampires don't really need to eat food. I mean we can! Of course we can. Just, there's not much point when your diet can exist solely off the one, easily obtainable substance that has everything you could ever need in it, ya know?"

"Oh, right. Got it." I laughed as he began to ramble, his own nerves beginning to show did wonders to calm my own, as I reached for one of the sandwiches taking a bite large enough to seem eager, but small enough to seem polite.