xlars

[xlars]

⸻ it surprised him, to hear that blunt confession of what she had done. he was no stranger to how she had felt towards her husband, so it wasn’t the act that surprised him, just her way of admitting it to him. if anything he found her following words more upsetting. “you are not a burden to me, Liesl….” he said softly, in a matter-of-fact tone. not that he blamed her for being weary of him, he had done nothing but push her away; half not knowing how to go about her being his wife’s reincarnation, half-being obsessed with not telling her about it in case he would take away her freedom to choose. it wasn’t her fault she felt like he was tired of her or avoidant. Lars had spent centuries being alone, wanting nothing more than to have her back and when he finally found her, he was fucking up royally, following one mistake with the next.

he nodded at her words, his expression not betraying his inner struggle. “you are right, I fucked up.” he admitted, in a matter-of-fact tone, though it wouldn’t change the fact, he needed to say it. “the truth is, I didn’t know how to handle it…” the older vampire added a moment later. “the fact that you are her, the incarnation of my wife from all those centuries ago…” that he has spent all this time missing, like she had been the only piece to complete a puzzle, leaving him with a harrowing emptiness that only grew through time, never healed the pain of losing her. “the memories, the things you do, everything is so her,” Lars told her, “but it still felt like you are your own person, Liesl, that telling you it would be like forcing you to make a choice.” to chose him, more like, and he didn’t want to do this, but what he had ended up doing was unmistakably worse.

“don’t blame yourself for what has happened, I should have been there for you more…” it was with guilt and regret he was telling her this, but he also lacked the proper words to express how he felt about how things had turned out between them; it felt now they were two words apart, that he had pushed her so far away, unintentionally, that there was hard for it to be a way back. he wanted her to feel safe with him, and yet everything had turned out differently —and he still struggled with how much he wanted to keep her in his life, never lose her again, but for it to be her choice, which caused this whole miscommunication, this rift between them.

“Liesl…” her name almost like a prayer falling from his lips. “give me another chance. I promise I will silently guide you, don’t mingle with your life…” or the choices she wanted to make. anything to make up for how he had fucked up, anything to just keep her close enough at the very least.

⸻ “mourning, who?” he finally inquired and then when he looked at her, she hesitated a little before staring into his eyes. ❛ My husband. I murdered him. Today. ❜ In the very morning. ⎯ There was no ounce of remorse from what she did, even in her tone, she was far from suffering upon telling the news. She hates herself for not closed off to him. ❛ Yes. I am nothing but a burden to you. Think of the bright side, you'll have your place only to yourself again, without having me to disturbing you and your peace. ❜ In her view maybe he was avoiding her because he might feel annoyed at her and couldn't ask her to back home. Although, she will miss touching in the old objects he found on his place that helds strong sentiment and peace to her soul.

And he looked at her. She is tired of having to arguing with him. She feels more lost than she ever been in her life. Call it 'existential crisis'. ❛ Let's sort it out now. You supposed to give me guidance, or so this is what other people say to me. You made me and don't even help me at all. You thinking giving money would solve the emptiness inside me, which it is not. It keeps growing. You don't even respond to my questions, always choose to asked another instead. I cannot move past it if you chose to ignore me and asking me questions.❜

She did not notice the tears falling in her delicate features. ❛ I thought I found the person of a lost memory that gave me peace, but now I realize I am the one going insane. And this is not your fault, I am tired, and I want help and being helped. I am used to help people not the other way around. I know, I blasted a few times this is me at my own fault not yours, I am sorry. I want to be a better person. ❜ When she refers to finally meeting the person of her dreams, she meant the man from the memory of her past incarnation that haunts her mind every night. When she was staying at Lars, she could see everything more nitid, clarity. In her place those memories back to be a blur, and random pieces of what it was from her past incarnation.

This time she did not move away, she stay to hear his piece. She was unable not look at him feeling nothing but shame. ❛ If you happen to know where I could exchange this wedding ring for cash, I appreciate it. ❜ She showed her husband's wedding ring, it would worth a certain money, maybe she could find a small place to herself, she plans on sell her home, because she doesn't want anything that reminds her life in her 'human' time.

[xlars]

───the response drew a short, but genuine laugh from the vampire; he appreciates honesty, nonetheless. Lars is generally very much comfortable being in his own company, but he doesn’t mind being a little social either —there is this calm, peaceful energy oozing off them, and he sure could use some of that right now, even though his overall appearance and demeanor suggest he is just as calm and collected. “be my guest,” he responded, gesturing to the stool beside him.

“Lars,” he offered a hand to the other; if they were going to hang out, he might as well know the stranger’s name.

“I don’t gamble,” the vampire responded with a faint shake of his head. he doesn’t gamble much or often and tonight was not one of those nights; he was there for the chill and relaxed environment, putting his thoughts in order. “your performance was lovely,” he offered; an understatement, their voice had the spectators mesmerized, to say the least, and even he could appreciate pure talent.

They smile. "I don't know yet. Mind if we find out together?" They could've given any answer, even lie through their teeth, but truth be told, Mingi doesn't known the answer themselves. They just fault it on feeling a general pull toward centuries old people. Sometimes, they like to pause and wonder why that is, but most of the time, they just roll with it.

"Hope you haven't lost too much tonight?" As much as Mingi sings to make people play, they still feel empathy for people ruining their lives over gambling. Though, this one seems pretty chill so they don't think they've been spending more than they have.

[xlars]

───a faint nod was the sole response to the man’s confirmation; what a peculiar gift, he thought, to be able to save one from death. how could one judge when it was worth using such a power and when it was not? humans, he thought, would abuse this gift, but there were times when it’d be worth the hustle. fragile, indeed, but sadly not for the supernatural as much; many were the times he had hoped he wouldn’t live to see another century, and yet he remained —but he could never choose his own way out, that he found to cowardice for himself.

the question was as if the other could hear his thoughts, and for the short moment that he met his gaze, remained silent, contemplating. “maybe not everything,” or everyone, to be more precise. animals and children sure would be an exception, for they cannot choose to do wrong or be cruel, but humans or any of the supernatural species? definitely would need better judgment. he knew he would have saved her, though, time and time again, as long as he would have been able to.

“do you save everyone?” he returned the question, even if deep down he believed the answer was as complex as he had imagine, the way he didn’t speak his way of thinking when he was asked.

"Yes" Mathias said. He was trying to save it, just like how he was trying to save everyone in his life. A terrible and heavy burden of being the God of Life and yet, he was made to believe he was wrong for trying to save people from death. That just didn't make sense to him. He was given the powers to do so, but when he did he was faced with judgement. Was what he did so wrong?

He ran his hands through the fur of the animal and sighed, "What a terrible and fragile thing life is. So precious and so easily taken away. If you had the ability to save everything, would you use it?" He asked.

[xlars]

You do love her.

"her? as in?" because he loves Liesl, or a version of her he knows —maybe more the person he knows she used to be, because he keeps fucking things up between them and ends up pushing her away when in truth he is afraid of losing her again.

[xlars]

───head tilted to the side, slightly, at her words, an eyebrow arching at the blatant lie. “I can deal with my messes with you there,” he pointed out, matter of factly. “I don’t need space,” not from you, went unsaid, but the silence that lingered between them was clear of the implication. she could not possibly expect to hide from him and him not give a damn about it; not after the years of what they had been through together, always one on the other’s side ever since they met that eventful evening while she was still running away from the man she had once loved more than anything in the world as well as the only place she knew and called home. Meg was more than a friend to him; a platonic soulmate, if you will, his person. he is unwilling to let her think that this has somehow changed because the love of his life is back, reincarnated, after all those centuries. and he keeps messing things up with Liesl, makes one mistake after the other, he is on the verge of losing her for good and doesn’t know how to fix it; he won’t make the same mistake with Meg, too.

her green eyes staring back at him, unyielding, much like her opinions —whatever she had convinced herself was best for him; them— and he held her gaze with the same determination. her playful lilt made him smile, a mere hint of the corner of his lips curling upwards, but he was glad it wasn’t an attempt to change the subject.

“you are powerful,” he nodded in agreement, it was no lie after all, “but that doesn’t mean you have to face whatever comes your way on your own,” he pointed out; or more like, whoever. “even if you keep this up, Meg, you know you will only pull yourself away, I will still be here.” he would make time for her, he would show up —he would invade her space as he did now to talk to her if she avoided him again. she could say what she wanted, but he wouldn’t abandon her now. “we’ve been over this,” he smirked at her, now standing opposite of her on the counter, holding her gaze.

Meg had been too busy this morning all the new comers had decided to get fresh baked goods and there was a flux of people in and out and even with her magic she was buried in work, it was quite unusual, but it was a welcome distraction cuz it took her mind from things that were going on up there. Cleaning and bringing cups inside, Meg finished the last costumer when she sensed him, she never looked up, she never looked straight to the door or the wall he had decided to waited out, she just knew he was there and all the thoughts she had been burying since the party a couple weeks ago, flooding her.

Smiling at her costumer as she walked out, Meg locked the doors to the bakery with a flick of her fingers, dangerous business letting people come inside while he was here as well. " I'm not avoiding you... I'm giving you space to deal with your... business." she said, her green eyes finally meeting his eyes, locked on them as he casually moved towards her, he had her trapped here and she knew, there was no way she was going to run from this conversation like she did a couple weeks back. Crossing her arms over her chest, she was comfortable within his presence, Lars had been a constant in her life for a really long time now, she had been with him, through her ups and downs, but also she had seen him at his worst, so they were very aware of each other. Cocking her head to the side she softly smiled. " Little, huh" I think you scared the last costumer with your littleness." she joked. " I'm not running from you, Lars... I'm taking myself out of your equation, there's enough on your plate right now and I can't depend on you, nor will I take your time. I've gather enough power that if anything were to happen, they will be sorry for even stepping foot on this town." she shook her head with a smirk.

[xlars]

───an eyebrow arched slightly at the response given. she didn’t look to him like she was mourning, even if she did seem out of sorts, but the reason wasn’t something he could figure out just by looking at her. there was a distance between them, greater than before, and Lars could not really blame Liesl for it. dealing with having her back, being bent over allowing her the freedom of choice had done more harm than good at mending their relationship. his approach had been wrong, he realized now, but there was still hesitation in figuring out how to talk to her without making things worse. the fact that he is keenly aware of her being vexed with him doesn’t help, either —not that he holds her at fault, of course not, but he is an old man despite his looks and he is tired; he is worn, and having her back after centuries has seriously messed him up in more ways than he even acknowledges ( definitely more than he is willing to admit ).

“mourning, who?” he finally inquired, looking at her as if studying her for a moment.

the question returned was lost on him when she spoke next, more of a whisper of the words than directed at him, but it still got his attention. “free of you?” and it was his turn to look at her now while she looked away. the vampire heaved a barely audible sigh; little did she know he had spent lifetimes looking for her and having messed this up as soon as he met her in this one had not really been on his priority list. he doesn’t know how to fix this.

“it’s not like that, Liesl.” he shook his head, blue eyes still on her person. “I know you are mad at me,” a beat, “again,” a matter-of-fact tone, “but we can clear the air and move past it. let’s not let this fester longer.”

⸻ She should've known the person was her sire; she can't distinguish things well. She also felt his presence, but she did not know what it means. In reality, there was a lot to learn on her new form, and she didn't know how to handle things well because Lars failed to teach her. She looked at him when he mentioned the time. Part of her feels disappointed to remind him he is not like she thought he would be in her 'dreams', but then again, he doesn't let her know him. ❛ Thank you. ❜ She commented.

She didn't think he would miss her; he didn't even look at her. ❛ Mourning. ❜ It wasn't a lie, per se. Just like he omits things from her, she decides to give an answer in which he would answer her. She was also trying to figure out a store where she could exchange her husband's wedding ring for cash. That wedding ring held no significance to her. Hopefully, it's some nocturnal place.

❛ And you? ❜ Liesl did not miss her husband. How could she miss someone who was nothing but abusive to her? He had it coming. She was not the only one who was mad a him, she knew somebody else would do it sooner or later. She did not know what she did that Lars cannot even look at her, and she shifted her gaze to something else. ❛ So, you can't even look at me. ❜ She mused more to herself than actually talking to him. ❛ You will be free of me. ❜

[xlars]

───a peal of laughter fell from his lips at the reaction; which was one of the reasons he believed that he and Chester got on so well. his mannerisms and light-heartiness were what Lars was missing; always too caught up in his thoughts, in the past, never really appreciating the moment or living in it. the vampire could bathe a little in the light the other illuminated in abundance. never a dull moment spent with them, and never a bad time. “I am pretty certain you can catch on pretty quickly, little witch,” he teased with a wink, a burst of short laughter still lingering at the end of his sentence before he pressed his lips to the rim of his glass, taking another sip.

when the bartender approached, he gave the same order as before —as if further stressing the point he was in no mood to experiment with a drink tonight; he had done enough of it in his lifetime. Chester’s order did not surprise him; he expected something colorful, fruity; something vibrant like them. perhaps, it would be another drink they would nag a little about, and Lars could tell them the infamous ‘I told you so,’ only to tease them.

the question made him avert his gaze for a moment. it wasn’t like he hadn’t spoken to them about his wife before, the one and only, and how he lost her all those centuries ago, but putting it into words again of how he had found her, or a version of her after all this time was still hard; especially because he expected nothing to come of it, despite knowing of her dreams, or more like the memories she had of her past life.

“do you believe in reincarnation?” he inquired, instead, looking back at them.

"Variety in other areas, ey? Share with the class," Chester wiggled their eyebrows suggestively, immediately going to elbow lars and spilling a little of what was left in their glass over the bar, not bothering to clean the little spill up. He often thought about vampirism, the appeals and downsides of such a condition...the ability to forever outrun every problem you ever had, for infinity stretched onwards with no clear end in sight. But, also, that living was a tiring thing, 10s of 100s of years of horrors. Chester felt he had seen enough in his short life already to be exhausted by it. Much better to chase anything that made it bearable. Like drink.

Lars' laughter was a wonderful thing to hear, watching that Grecian statuesque visage breaking for just a few moments, becoming mortal once more. The bartender came over, using a towel to wipe down the bar before asking for new orders, to which Chester responded with ease; "Bahama mama, please,"

He'd just pick the fruit out, like usual.

"So Lars, tell me, what's new in your life,"

[xlars]

───he did not need to see her to know that she was there; he could feel her presence in the crowd, well before she appeared on his side. naturally, she could feel his presence as well, but perhaps she didn’t know how to tell the feeling apart. the plan had been to teach her, but they had been at odds as of lately once more since she stormed off on him. Lars could not put any blame on her; Liesl had been right about it, he should have been honest with her, he should have told her about the past, who she was to him —or more like, who she had been. it could have saved him a lot of explaining that he had to do for not sharing the truth with her. even though he was several centuries old, this was something he needed to learn from. the vampire felt like he could have handled it better. his mind was stuck on not taking the power of choice from her, which was ironic given how he had chosen for her when he turned her.

“it’s ten,” he responded after checking his watch. his eyes swept over her. there was something different about her, but he couldn’t pinpoint what it was exactly. she was oozing an air of indifference, of…freedom. “where have you been?” he then inquired, softly, still hadn’t fully turned to face her yet.

⸻ Liesl hadn't returned to Lars's mansion. She had an unsolved business she was mulling over, questioning her own morals and principles. She decides to put an end to the open wound she carries. She was calculist in her act… And killed her husband. If it wasn't her she knew somebody else would. She hasn't told anyone about it. She bought new designer clothes on her husband's credit card and wore them. It was kind of weird to be back in her own place. She definitely doesn't want to live there. She is not the same person, anyway. She popped the champagne and went to give her nightly stroll. The streets were excited, and she was smoking as well. She approached the nearest person… ❛ Erhh… Excuse me, what time is it right now? ❜ She realized she had forgotten her phone at Lars' mansion. OPEN ( 0 / 3 )

[xlars]

───it had been a couple of days since he had last seen her; it was not like her to not answer her phone, or text him back. the thing is that he knows her. ever since their talk, Lars is certain she’s convinced herself she should let him deal with his issues, figure out how to go about having Liesl back while being there for her, but not make it obvious how important Liesl is to him, really ( which, he failed, miserably when he let it slip during their dance ) and that he did not have to worry about her —a choice she made for him to not make it harder, he was sure. as of latest developments, he doesn’t really have the right to get mad at her for choosing for him, not when he has done the same too, but he also doesn’t have to like it or be okay with it, either. Meg has been a constant in his life for years now, she is important to him whether she acknowledges it or not, and Lars cannot simply let her slip back into her cave, build up a wall, and shut him out. especially not after confessing to him that she feels her hexed ex’s presence closer and she could be in danger. he cannot allow it.

it was a busy morning, no lie, people going in and out of the bakery as he approached so he waited for a while; surely she wouldn’t run here. the door closed softly behind him and he stood at the back, near the door until the customer at the register was well on their way out. “you’ve been avoiding me,” a blunt, stern tone, but there is no anger in it; only a mock-scolding as if to lighten the tone of the conversation. he met her gaze. “I thought I told you; you can’t get tired of little old me,” he teased as he walked closer. ( @xxmegwhitexx )

[xlars]

───” I know why…” he confirmed, voice soft but the truth of his words carried through his tone. as well as he knew that she was right; damn, she had every reason to be mad at him, and he couldn’t blame her. he could never blame her. but he also couldn’t explain to her how it felt for him to spend this much time with her when he tried to avoid bringing up who she was to him —or more specifically; who she had been. Lars did not wish to impose on her life, no more than he already had anyway; it had already been selfish enough to turn her because he couldn’t lose her, he didn’t want her to feel some sort of obligation towards him if she found out about the past.

and then, there is the slip of a tongue, words rolling off his lips before he could give it a good, second thought. part of him thought she would not notice, it would slide, his surprise nearly evident when she responded. he recalled she had told him of having dreams, like glimpses of a past life, blurry and confusing to her, unclear, but he never thought this would be about them; perhaps her life, in general, like the memory of the music box and the way she still found comfort in it, still knew how to open it. or the piano, like earlier tonight.

he met her piercing grey-blue hues for a long moment, silent as he contemplated his response. Having her back was something he had wanted for centuries, and yet now that she was so close he did not want to make the choice for her, in a way, not like he had done by turning her to save her from death. “what do you see in those dreams?” he asked, instead, still looking at her, holding her close like he had done it a thousand times; but not in this lifetime for her, no.

⸻ “you are very forthcoming with the compliments tonight,” he pointed out, and made her feel like blushing at his tease. Liesl kept dancing with him, but at this rate, she wasn't even paying attention to what was playing in the background. She felt as if somehow she was sent to a different universe parallel back and forth, memories from the daily dreams popping, and the smile… It's so… Equal to his. What if it is him? The mystery man that appears in all her dreams that haunts her every night? She feels so tipsy too…

❛ I thought you were. I was mad at you, but you know why. ❜ They already had this conversation, no need to bring it over again. He left her in the midst of rage and confusion and she wasn't on her own normal self. ❛ Your welcome. ❜ The proximity was so familiar she closed her eyes, as they were extremely close, not even an inch apart from him. Too bad she won't feel the hot and comfortable body temperature.

One thing she is getting used to is this new reality. Is the fact, she can't see herself anymore. She misses it, when she is getting ready to go out or go to work… And once more she feels like blushing again… Until…

“…like you always did…” a slip of a tongue he says.

Liesl paused for a second. ❛ So it's you! ❜ She opens her eyes, staring at him, looking up at his gaze. ❛ You're the mystery blurry man of my dreams! Who are you, really? ❜

[xlars]

───it was not like alcohol had any effect on him, for the most part. then again, it would be hard to when he is technically dead. funny, he could prefer a witch's brew when he needed something extra strong.

blue eyes studied him a little at the theatrics of downing the drink faster when he was dissing it a moment before. but he didn’t comment on it; a small sacrifice, he figured, to get the desired result faster. “now, some of us have a sense of taste,” he retorted, in a good-natured banter. Lars had always preferred the simpler drinks; the more elaborative the drink, the less likely he was to like it altogether. “I’ll take variety in other areas,” he added a moment later, taking a sip of his drink.

a burst of laughter fell from his lips, a shoulder shrugged faintly, nonchalant about it. “it tastes awful, but get the work done; just like your martini,” he explained —cruel, indeed, for he couldn’t think there were people who willingly had a campari drink. “maybe pick something else since you just said your martini isn’t cutting it,” he suggested, flagging down the bartender to get Chester another drink, and maybe one more for himself too.

Chester was trying proper drinks - ones for adults, not the sugary, overly-sweet fair he usually consumed and was mainly made to ease people into the new world of alcohol when of age. Or...not. The witch thought about their first drink - had they even been in double digits? There wasn't any soda in the fridge, and a can laying around the floor. It had been disgusting but, was good enough to quench a thirst. The memory made them gulp down the horrid martini faster, at least half a glass down and dry-heaving afterwards.

Dramatically, of course, he wasn't really going to vomit, only going to ruin having a drink with polite company.

"Alright, alright Mr. Whiskey-On-The-Rocks. Some of us like variety, it's the spice of life, don't you know?"

The suggestion of Campari made the hairs on their arms stand up. "That's bitters, isn't it? Fuck you, Lars, you're so cruel to suggest it. Someone get me a Pornstar Martini before I start chugging schnapps neet,"

[xlars]

───it worked vice versa too; Lars didn’t always have to use his words to tell Meg how he felt, a look was enough. he could seem stoic, collected to everyone else and she could take one look at him, stare at him with those intense green eyes for no more than a second and she would know what lay beneath the surface. so her saying that was really nothing new to him, but it also was an opportunity to remind her she was not alone; she didn’t need to be. she had trusted him once out of need to get away, hide, and she could always put her trust in him now, no doubt. he wouldn’t let any harm come to her and he would always be there for her. he had meant every word he said to her.

there was an edge in her tone, laced with the worry and concern she felt as she was telling him this. new information to him, but he understood why she would want to keep it to herself as if saying it out loud would actually make it more real, in the same way, that ignoring it could make it go away. “what are these dreams?” there was power in it, he knew it, even more so for someone as powerful as Meg; were they really just dreams or was it a projection? If she felt him close and near, he feared it might be the latter, and hence why she seemed so worked up over it. “hey, now,” he gently cupped her chin and turned her face to his. blue eyes bore into hers as their gazes met, noticing the subtle change into that amber glow for a second. “don’t do this, Meg,” voice soft, but the words were weighted. “don’t pull yourself away.” yes, he has Liesl in his life now, but he cannot even find the words to tell her who she has been to him without it feeling like him pushing her to accept this as fate. he doesn’t want to push things between them because even though she is the reincarnation of his wife, centuries have passed and she may never feel the same again for him —a truth he is learning to accept, even if it hurts.

Meg decided to look around the party, cuz she knew, looking straight into his eyes was worse than the champagne she was drinking. She would let the flood gates open and just break right here in front of anyone, so instead, Meg took a huge deep breath. " That's what I'm scared of. You can see through me...stuff that my mouth won't say, you will read in my eyes." she whispered, her hand still in his forearm, grabbing hold of her, this was them in life, he was the person that wouldn't let her fall on her arse in life, someone who she knew was always going to support her, hold her in every point in her long life, high or low, he would be a constant in her thread of life.

As Lars gripped her hand, assuring her about her ex, it made her head turn. " you know he will, I've been dreaming, talking and seeing him everywhere lately, he's already too present...you know what that means. He's being called to me once more." she said with worry in her voice, she could literally hear the fear as she quietly spoke. Her eyes went from full panic to soft in ten seconds as he said she wouldn't be alone anymore and deep down she knew, he would give his life to protect her, but she could never ask that of him, not now, not when he had found his reason to live. " I- I know and I love you for that. But you have her now to think about, you know I'll always survive what comes my way...look at me now." she lied as Meg burned all traces of the spiked liquid inside of her, making her eyes go from the soft green to the emerald glow, a shift so fast and subtle.

[xlars]

───being keenly aware of his surroundings at all times, he had noticed the other approach before they spoke. he hadn’t paid much mind, not until he heard them address him. he turned to look at them for a brief second before responding. there was something oddly familiar about them, but he couldn’t quite place it; he could tell the other was not a mere mortal, but he had met so many individuals through the centuries of his lifetime it was hard to remember every single one of them —but there was still a stronger sense of familiarity with them than usually. “you trying to keep me company or checking up on me?” he was mostly teasing, of course, he had noticed them on the stage earlier so he could tell they were affiliated to the place, one way or another.

the conversation is not really a bother, if anything it offers a much-needed distraction, even if Lars is really comfortable staying in his own company. perhaps it would help put things into perspective for him if he stopped overthinking for a damn minute.

—At Club Oshun (Mississipi, French Quarter)

After they last set, Mingi gets of the small stage with the intention of enjoying a cold glass of ginger ale at the bar. As they walk toward their destination, they exudes a sense of humble confidence and lingering mystery to their aura. They're humming on their way there, influencing the grumpiest of gambler to suddenly regain hope and joy to play again. There's this ethereal scent to them like standing on the beach as a warm and salty breeze drifts by. They sit at the bar, closing their eyes for a couple seconds as they just take a moment to enjoy the noises all around them. Their usual drink is put in front of them before they instinctively turn their head to look at the person sitting nearby, by now, they've gotten used to naturally seeking out the oldest person around them. They have no fucking clue why, but they just naturally feel themselves pulled toward them. "Hello. I hope you're having a good evening?" Their voice is as always melodious, though, they aren't trying to influence the stranger.

@xlars

[xlars]

"I think that I was dead and I am alive again."

[xlars]

───his blue eyes remained on her as she spoke, and this time his expression was gentler, softer, in a way that had only ever been to her ever since they had become important to one another. “you couldn’t lie to me if you tried, Meg,” was a faint attempt to tease her, lighten the mood, but it was also a fact. the same, though, undoubtedly applied vice versa; it was weird and not usual, but there was a bond between them; solid, true. Meg knew of his past, the way he had never truly gotten over his wife despite the centuries that had passed —the way he had been on a path of revenge that time didn’t really heal or subsided. and he knew of her pain, what she had given up, what she had been through ever since she left her coven. it was how they met; selfishly thought about how she could help with his project to make immortals human again, but in time he truly came to care for her; protect her. he still does —he always will.

“he won’t.” he reassured her, and instead of pulling his hand away he grasped hers in his a little tighter. “and if he does, you are not alone now,” he would stand with her; support her, shield her, whatever she would need him to do. he would burn the world down to protect her and there was not an ounce of lie in that. but he wouldn’t let her go through it alone, not if she didn’t ask him to.  

Meg could see the wheels in his head turning as she looked at him, his side profile, he could murder someone with that face, luckily Meg had grown used to it and knew when it was serious time to murder someone or when Lars was just thinking, planning or even lost in his own thoughts. They were old friends like that. Old enough to sometimes they didn't speak to know what was up, this being one of those times, he was close to the recently turned vampire blonde, too close and she knew what that meant, she was important.

" No, and I am lying and thanks to the drinks I've been downing, I can't fuckin lie." She felt the squeeze to her hand and almost broke in tears, gods know why. " I can't do it again, Lars... he can't find me." she whispered, not sure to herself or to him.

[xlars]

───not like it was the first time seeing her in close proximity to someone else, but her husband had been before he fucked up, he couldn’t just step in and interrupt in the same, easy, manner he had done now. it would have drawn too much unwanted attention; much like coming to the event with her had, for people who run in their circles know of him and they know of her and her family, too. he could make up a believable excuse and he could make mere humans think what he wanted them to with a mere look as well.

“you are very forthcoming with the compliments tonight,” he pointed out, tone teasing, playful. and yet this was something she used to say often in another lifetime, it was not unfamiliar at all, even the very tone she used was like a trip in the past. the conversation with Meg was lingering in the back of his mind; for he could not move on when she was there again, and at the same time he could not tell her either. despite the indications that were as if he was seeing her standing there once again, after all these centuries, Liesl was a different person. has led a different life, with her memories, her feelings. she has opened up to him a little about how sad she has been, having this constant nagging feeling of something missing —and he is all too familiar with this feeling, or he would be lying if he claimed otherwise. Meg is right; he has spent a lifetime refusing to move on and let go, and yet now that he has her here, he cannot bring himself to tell her either. he has done enough to disturb her life as is, he has no right.

“I am not mad at you…” he spoke softly, the hint of a smile curling on the corner of his lips. “I could never be mad at you,” he added a moment after, more of thinking out loud than wishing to tell her. pulled her closer, his jaw pressing lightly against her temple —he could not bear looking into her eyes; having her so close, yet still worlds apart. “if anything you should be mad at me,” he told her in a matter-of-fact tone, “but thank you for coming with me and not letting me having to endure this alone.” there was a short pause as he kept holding her close.

“such a shame, you cannot see how beautiful you look,” he said softly, in an honest tone; effortless, stunning, made everyone turn their head to look at her as she passed by. “…like you always did…” a slip of a tongue.

⸻ Liesl observed Lars taking hold of her chin, her gaze was locked into his eyes, occasionally dropping at his lips and then locked into his gaze again. ❛ I don't want more blood. ❜ In truth, moments prior she stuffed herself with so much blood ( that wasn't good 'blood' truth be told ) that the last thing she wanted was to drink more blood. ⎯ The way his mouth moves or how he talks sounds so familiar to her, for the moment she feels as if she is in a flashback, more like deja vu from the constant dreams about her past life. Momentarily she was frozen, trying to overthink why he was so familiar. And then in a spur of a moment, she was back to reality when the subject was back to her piano skills. ❛ Thank you. ❜ She gave a weak smile, and her gaze shifted elsewhere.

She allowed him to take her hand and arm, as they walked together. Arriving at the event, she met whoever he wanted to introduce her to and saw some familiar faces shocked to see her with him. ⎯ When they were apart, she tried to hide avoid the public, and be alone as she enjoys ( and she felt so tipsy ) . A guy asked her to dance, and she didn't decline, then Lars quickly replaced the guy, and she held his hand and the other hand rested on his shoulder.

❛ You have beautiful eyes. ❜ She says feeling as if she was in a trance all over again, her pupils were dilating a little and her hues greyer than ever, nearly like a sparkling piece of ice. What little she knows is that she used to say this in another lifetime ago, to him. Why his smile is so familiar? She has had incessant dreams every day since she moved into his place. These dreams were about her life in another incarnation, memories in fragments.

Before moving into his place, she also dreamed, but it wasn't as frequent as it is now. Every day is a new detail as if the blurred parts are finally becoming visible and having some continuity. Since she was little, Liesl knew some stuff from the fragments of her past life, but she always struggled to find a way to explain how she knew that, like the music box or the piano. People thought she was insane.

[xlars]

───there was truth in Meg’s words, and yet he knew that she was knocking on a deaf man’s door; he preferred it this way. the distance, the solidarity —out of everyone he knew, Meg was probably the one he had come closer to, a true friend. there had been others, but such is the price of being eternal. and things would have remained like that for him when it came to Liesl, too, but when the time came to see her slip away he could not bear it. he was not sure he could be as forgiving for Meg made it sound so…simple, yet it wasn’t. he appreciated her presence, even if this was not the setting to tell her that Liesl was, in fact, his wife’s reincarnation, he somehow had a feeling she would either get a sense for it or coax it out —such had been the way between them since the first meeting weariness faded out.

much like he knew there was another sentiment there, behind the smirk that accompanied that statement. “was it?” he teased. “we can both keep lying to ourselves, you know, I am fine with it,” he laughed, his hand slipping over hers to give a light squeeze for a moment as she rested her hand on his arm.

" i like the social side of you, don't take it the wrong way Lars, but you need to come out of your shell... it's been ages that you've been on your own, and I'm glad I came along to help." She smiled a little, looking around and spotted Lies in the crowd, both looking at her as she waltzed around the party, still shy, still tamed.

" So, you turned her...so what? Everyone can see you're deeply protective of her, you didn't do it just for the sake of blood. I know you too well for that...it's more than that, and you don't have to tell anyone." she placed her hand over his forearm, looking at him now. There wasn't anything romantic about them, Meg looked at Lars as a saviour of some sorts , but she wasn't in love with him. She smirked. " It was one time Lars...the biggest mistake of my lie." she admitted.