With crimson colored nails she ran her fingers down the stem of the wine glass, filled with a liquid of the same color. Across from her, in the middle of the table was a white candle, providing a perfect, natural light. Christian idly ran his fingers over the rim of his own glass, staring into the deep red pool of wine. His thoughts strayed to the first time he ever had blood from a glass. It was so impersonal, lacking human contact and the intimacy of the act. Raising the glass and drinking, he washed away all thoughts of blood, and focused his eyes on Gabrielle. He decided she looked like something out of a gothic fairy tale. Her hair was in a small braid just touching the back of her neck, with loose strands falling about her face, gleaming golden with the candle's light. Her burgundy shirt had a mock-embroidered pattern to it, scooping low at the neck, coupled with a sweeping, long black skirt, and her ever-present maroon combat boots. A modern gothic fairy tale, he thought again, smiling as he noticed she had been staring straight into his eyes the whole time his had been on her. In the light, his eyes were a playful grey. Gabrielle wondered what color they used to be. Surely not the bright, stark blueness that she had seen only in Edge's eyes. No, she told herself silently, This night is for Christian and I, not Edge. Closing her eyes and shaking her head, Gabrielle leaned in to say something, but upon opening her eyes, lost all semblance of thoughts.
There he stood. Edge was right in front of her, not far behind Christian, leaning on a solid rock fireplace. Her eyes came into contact with his briefly, for a single, shining second, before he looked away casually and put sunglasses on. Gabrielle blinked quickly, trying to rid her eyes of tears that were confused, tears that knew no emotions. By the time she opened them again, Edge no longer stood before her. Glancing quickly, yet thoroughly around the room, he wasn't there. As she let out a long sigh, she realised she had been holding her breath. Gabrielle felt a warm hand close around hers, and brought her eyes up to meet Christian's once again. From his look, she could tell he hadn't noticed anything and so, she was forced to believe it was the wine, the heat, her soul and mind playing devastatingly real tricks on her.
Edge opened the door to the van and sat down, ignoring Kale's inquisitive glance.
"Well….did she do anything?" Edge turned his head towards Kale to reveal a magnanimous grin.
"She just sat there, and almost started to cry." Kale laughed.
"Perfect! That’s exactly what I was going for." He paused for a moment to think. "Your brother didn't see you?"
"No. He had his back turned, and he probably wouldn't be able to see it in her eyes….he never could."