"If you keep feeding them like that, I'm going to have to get rid of some so there'll be enough room for the rest." Alexandre commented with amusement. "Or maybe get a fish tank. A big one."
"Oh no, don't do that! Why don't you just dig another pool? I'll slow down with the treats, but look at their little faces!" I said, emphasizing the last few words with relish and smooshing my cheeks together to show him what I meant. Alexandre guffawed and took my 'fishy face' in his hands to smother in kisses, then took my arm and led me further into the garden.
"Dear Carys, do you remember our first day in the garden when I said I wished I had done the date thing right?" He asked me and I nodded.
"Would you do me the favor of going on a date with me in the garden?" Alexandre asked with a flourish, turning a corner onto one of the flower fields where he had set out a blanket with a small basket. I giggled.
"What's in the basket Alexandre? We don't eat?" I questioned.
"You have to go on the date to find out." He shrugged. I laughed again.
"Of course, I'd be delighted to go on a date with you to your lovely garden, but alas we're already here. Now, what's in the basket." I nagged. Alexandre simply took my arm and led me through the flowers, sitting me down on the blanket. As the stars came out and the lightning bugs rose from their hiding places I couldn't help but gasp in delight, and I could tell that Alexandre was tickled with my reaction. He lit a couple of candles he removed from the basket and pulled a couple of glasses out as well.
"I know we don't usually do this kind of thing, considering our current nature, but I thought the occasion called for it." Alexandre unveiled an expensive looking bottle of wine. "Now that you're using your senses this should be...intense. Some of our kind enjoy experimenting with their senses, others do not. I thought this was a good place to start." He poured a little in a glass and handed it to me.
"Are you trying to get me drunk?" I asked suspiciously and he laughed.
"It doesn't work that way for our kind...usually. Just, take a taste, see what you think." He offered. I eyed the glass with concern, but tilted it towards my face regardless. The smell hit me almost immediately. Vinegary, sour, but also sort of sweet and flowery? I let a little fall into my mouth. My taste-buds went wild trying to identify what was in my mouth, but the overall consensus was: not blood, not tasty. I swallowed hard and held a hand to my mouth. Alexandre laughed.
"It's not for everyone. That's why I also brought..." He pulled a thermos out of the picnic basket A few more options." He grinned. This time when the lid came off, I knew exactly what it was.
"Is that...chocolate?" I inhaled deeply. "Oh my God, I've missed that so much." I groaned.
"I knew this one would win me points." Alexandre smiled. He poured a small amount of the steaming beverage into the thermos lid. "Careful now-it's hot." He cautioned. I scooted closer and took it eagerly, blowing gently to cool it. Taking a small sip to see what my vampire senses would think of this flavor, I waited a beat. They reported back too sweet, slightly bitter, not blood. But it wasn't unpleasant enough to put down as my senses sorted out the complicated salty and milky flavor as well. It still lit up the pleasure centers in my brain though, maybe a little harder than when I was a human, and I heard myself moan in approval. Alexandre chuckled.
"I also brought some other beverages, teas, coffee, and blood if you care to sample some more.." Alexandre offered.
"Yes please." I replied, and we went through several other drinks. I found water the least offensive, chamomile tea reminded me of Alexandre in a way, but I kept coming back to the hot chocolate because of the momentary serotonin rush. Eventually we lay under the stars simply talking about our pasts. Alexandre too had once had a little sister. He'd turned people, but he wouldn't tell me how any, he'd never married, though he had been engaged twice, both of which he had told me briefly about previously: the first an arranged marriage, the second killed by her uncle. I didn't ask about his lovers, and he only asked me how many boyfriends I'd had.
"A few." I replied.
"More than five or ten?" He inquired.
"More than five, less than ten." I responded.
"Girlfriends?" He asked.
"No." I said with a blush, "But one crush." His head snapped to me quickly.
"Interesting..." He said softly.
"How about you? You said you've had male and female partners before right?" I asked.
"Yes." He replied, looking at me carefully. "Does that bother you?"
"No." I replied honestly, then rolled onto my side to look at him. "Honestly, I should be very grateful; they've taught you a lot." I teased.
"Oh?" He growled, pouncing on me and rolling me onto my back so he was above me. "And who's to say I wasn't the one who taught them?"
"We all gotta start somewhere-even you." I replied with a shrug and then begged for mercy as Alexandre tickled me relentlessly.
"This is the first date we should have had." Alexandre sighed, dropping beside me and pulling me into his arms.
"I mean, I think this technicality is the only official date we've had." I responded. Alexandre chuckled.
"Then I have a pretty good record so far I guess." He replied.
"Yeah, sure, we'll go with that." I teased and he lightly nipped my neck. I squeaked, swatting at him while he chuckled. I found myself drifting off in the peace of the moment. I had never been more calm and at peace.
"Carys?" Alexandre murmured.
"Mmm?" I answered.
"Are you falling asleep on our date?" He demanded and I giggled helplessly.
"Just a little bit." I sighed happily "It's just because you make me feel safe." There was a moment of silence as Alexandre temporarily stopped breathing and then suddenly he squeezed me tightly to him. The breeze blew the scent of the garden's various plant-life over us and I inhaled deeply.
"Mmm...Alexandre smell." I commented happily, eyes closed.
"That's what you think I smell like?" He asked imperiously.
"Well, part of it. Don't be so prissy, it smells like home." I replied.
"As long as you plan to continue to call this home, I shall never complain." He kissed my neck and I hummed my approval. I felt myself drifting off again.
"I better get up, or I'm going to be out like a light." I mumbled sleepily. Alexandre kissed my hair.
"So sleep. I'm here and was only teasing you before. I can't think of a better way to end our date than to fall asleep under the stars." Alexandre whispered. I tilted my head towards him and he leaned over to kiss me. I smiled gently and was asleep before my head had settled.
I was inside again when I woke up. In Alexandre's bed again. Dang, Alexandre must be right, I must sleep like the dead. My stomach roiled uncomfortably making a nasty gurgling noise and I realized that is what had awakened me.
"Oh gods." I blurted, bolting for the bathroom as quickly as I could.
"Carys!" Alexandre called with anguish, but I couldn't stop. I barely made it in time. Tossing the toilet lid up, I hung my head over the bowl and waited for my stomach to stop trying to crawl out of my throat. Alexandre was next to me in a heartbeat. He had a towel and had pulled back my hair. The liquid purging itself from me was an ugly muddy brown, a mix of the liquids I had sampled earlier.
"Hngh..." I groaned, my stomach finally emptying itself, but still spasming on for a beat or two. Alexandre wiped the sweat from my face.
"Do you want some water to rinse your mouth?" He asked with concern and I nodded. He disappeared and returned mere seconds later with a glass. "Are you ok?"