Lilith II
Celeste truly was fascinating. A spell to help Emile keep track of the pups? Ingenious, and he would love her forever for it.
She still looked stressed; she was a nervous thing, always worried if she was doing something wrong. I don’t see what she has to worry about, she’s been nothing but kind and helpful since she moved here, if a little reticent. She seems to have mostly calmed down now, though I won’t let go of her hand unless she asks me too. It’s odd, to me, that she hasn’t let go already. My body is cold, not freezing, but colder than is comfortable for most people to maintain prolonged contact with. Most people, even if I just brush against them accidentally, flinch from the contact. Celeste is different. She either doesn’t notice or just doesn’t care. In fact, she often seemed to seek out contact with me. I don’t know what to make of it.
“Will you come to the village meeting this month? It’s the last one Emile will attend before the pups are born.”
I can see the hesitation on Celeste’s face. I don’t know what it is about the meetings that scare her; she has spoken to everyone in the village at least once since she moved here. Of course, I won’t force her to attend, but I want her to know the offer is there.
“Can I think about it?”
Consideration is more than I was expecting, she normally just said no.
“Of course, I won’t make you come if you truly don’t want to. And, just so you know, if would like to talk about why you don’t want to attend the meetings, I’m quite happy to listen.”
I hope I haven’t overstepped any boundaries. While we are friends, we’re not the type to go spilling our darkest secrets to each other. Not yet anyway, I suppose.
“Not for now, but I might take you up on that one day.”
I look over at her. She looks as if she might cry. I squeeze her hand and take a sip of my tea.
“Do you want to hear about my latest studies?”
This always cheers Celeste up. As someone who will live forever, I’ve made it a hobby of mine to learn every single thing I possibly can; immortal life gets boring without anything to do.
“Yes, please. What is it this time?”
“I’m learning to paint in the Impressionist style. I lived through the movement but it never really caught my attention back then. I’ve recently discovered a fascination for it, though.”
“Oh! Well, you must paint me something, then. I have a space in my library.”
I didn’t think she would want a painting of mine, they’re quite terrible at the moment.
“Are you sure? I’m not very good.”
Celeste nodded; her smile lit up her eyes in such a pretty way.
“Of course! You don’t have to give me one now, of course. I’ll wait until you’re happy with it, we’ve got all the time in the world.”
I don’t know the life span of the average witch, but if she’s this confident about keeping up with me, it must be a very long life.
A glance out the window reveals it’s almost dawn. I have to leave for the day.
“It’s almost dawn, Celeste.”
“Oh, you’d better get going then. I don’t want you getting hurt, even if I do have the supplies to fix it.”
As I move to leave, irritation spikes in me at having to go home. If only I could walk in the daylight, I wouldn’t be so limited. I know there is a spell that can allow me to daywalk, but I know the price is heavy, and I can’t ask that of Celeste.