A Breeze on the Water

[Regulus Grey]

Regulus doggy grins again and gives her a small lick on her chin. Then very slowly and deliberately nods his head. Standing up he gives a vigorous shake that flings snow everywhere and leaves him almost comically poofy. Turning in circles he uses his tail to smooth out a patch of snow before using his forepaw to draw a crude stick figure of a man and what Christine presumes to be a wolf or dog.

Padding forward, he lays down in the snow next to her. Wriggling to get underneath her hands.

[Christine Daye]

Christine giggles.

"...oh... I can see now why you were not Toreador... now, Christine... be nice... it must be difficult to draw with a paw..."

She idly pets his white fur as she considers his question.

"...you are very soft..."

Her voice is a low murmur, her gaze distant.

"...have you ever made a mistake... not just any mistake... but one that you fear will cost you dear... because... well.... you are not mad... so you cannot... is there any return...? or should I berate myself for the rest of my nights? ... trust... I should have trusted more... always honesty... gifts freely given... but the fear... how could anyone love such as me...?"

Her tone is calm, puzzled, as if discussing a puzzle she's trying to solve.

"...and... even with my stupidity.... my madness... even then... still love... still trying to protect me... but at such a cost! Such a terrible cost... never... never would I yield... but... to save from harm... oh gods... I would damn myself for eternity... "

She shakes her head slowly.

"...patience Christine... there is so much that you don't know... you are no Seer... only a madwoman with a harp..."

A sigh, and she looks devastated for a moment, singing softly.

"...and the frost and the fire... and now the sea is frozen...

[Regulus Grey]

Regulus looks up at Christine, amber eyes wide and unblinking. Putting one paw on her knee he cuddles in closer to her and raises his nose to poke it into the skin of her neck.

His over paw extends forward and he scrapes a rough ‘Y’ into the snow. Twitching slightly he settles down and let’s out a low contented growl when she bury’s her hands in his thick fur.

Raising his head again he licks her softly on the ear, then tilts his head.

[Christine Daye]

"...I said... our position is too precarious... I cannot afford.... we cannot afford... I am not a child... by any means necessary... be careful... be brutal... when you need to..."

She twitches and squeaks as he licks her ear, focusing on him again.

"... oh, how rude I'm being... going on about myself... I'm sorry!"

Another sigh, and she wraps her arms around his neck, breathing deeply of his wolf scent. Face buried in his fur, her voice is muffled.

"...it was easier... when no one cared if I lived or died..."

She shakes herself.

"...enough brooding Christine! Sunlight... hope... darkness and light.... remember that..."

She falls silent then, for a few moments, still holding onto Regulus for comfort. Then she lets him go, starts brushing the snow off herself.

"...it is very kind of you to be so comforting, Cú... thank you... "

[Regulus Grey]

The wolf rises, padding a few paces away and in a shimmer of light changes to the form of Regulus Grey. The Gangrel stays crouched in the snow for a few long moments, then draws in a deep breath and rises to his feet. Turning towards Christine he offers her a hand to help her stand.

"My Daye, please allow me to escort you home."

His eyes flash amber for a moment and he smiles.

"I have indeed in the past made a mistake that I believe will cost me dear, but let us not dwell on such. Thank you starting the snowball fight, I find such activity helps to relax the mind."

[Christine Daye]

Christine becomes more reserved as Regulus takes back his human form, accepting his assistance up with as much grace as she can, considering her skirts are caked in snow. She tilts her head, as she asks:

"...how do you forgive yourself... when you make mistakes, I mean... it is easy... with music... you just practice and practice and practice... until you no longer make mistakes... but in real life?"

A shake of her head, and a lock of her hair comes down, so she reaches up to pin it back in place.

"... I make mistakes... and then... the compulsion... the need..."

A sigh.

"...there is such sweet absolution in pain... Papa taught me that... but the cost... now..."

[Regulus Grey]

Regulus smiles gently.

“I think about the mistake, understand why I did what I did and the thoughts that led me to do so. Then I try to not do so again. It may seem a simplistic solution, but I find understanding my reasons helps me to forgive myself.”

Regulus sighs softly

“I know the feeling, pain can fill your whole mind...freeing you from worry’s.”

He extends his arm, offering it to Christine.

[Christine Daye]

She takes his arm properly, and they walk along the river, back towards the theatre.

"...that is the problem... I don't know why I did it... one moment... well... I was worried... but calm enough... and then... the next... well... best not to say... only I had done something stupid.... something very... very stupid indeed... and it wasn't just myself I hurt... but... it was so... terrifying... and then to see... that what I had assumed was the case was not... and the fear... it just filled me... how can I compare...? ...I do not deserve love... so Papa always said... it's only a matter of time... before I shall be cast aside... another useless toy... all the quicker... if I cannot control myself..."

Grief and resignation in her tone.

[Regulus Grey]

Regulus glances over to Christine as they walk.

"I don't think you are useless Ms Daye. If.."

He waves one hand vaguely

"..whoever decides to cast you aside, I will happily introduce you to the woman who has brought a great deal of meaning back into my life."

A smile twitches up at the corners of Regulus's mouth.

"Your skills are beyond compare Ms Daye. Shall I introduce you to Lady Esme?"

[Christine Daye]

Stop brooding Christine!

"...you are very kind, Mr Raven..."

She gives him a wan smile.

"...Lady Esme...?"