The Darkness Of Ian (part 2)

“I would love to!” She said without any hesitation.  “You seem nice enough.” She added a bit impishly.1

He bowed his head slightly and held out his arm smiling. She laughed, and put her arm over his. They made their way to the grandiose entrance of the large mansion before them, people seemed to step aside and let them pass. Everything was bright with color and decorations hung here and there as if hastily put together by someone who was color-blind. As Ian saw more and more decorations, he knew it was just a mask, something to hide all the horrible things that were happening. Supposedly to make you forget the scandals, the lies, everything. For him, all the colors mixed together to grey. He looked at Ayana as if to say something but fell silent as he looked into her deep blue eyes. They sparkled at him like no color should, from behind one of her long strands of auburn hair.2

“Your eyes are very beautiful, Ayana,” He paused. “ I don’t think I have ever seen a color like that before in my entire life, and more than likely never will again.” He said finally, then reached into his pocket and pulled out an object he kept hidden in the palm of his hand before placing it in her hair to keep it from falling in her eyes.3

As she scrambled for a mirror in her small black purse, filled with all sorts of keys and candies, something shiny caught her eye in a large decorative mirror not too far away. She walked over rather quickly, trying to contain herself, to see what it was. She gasped as soon as she saw a sapphire rose set in what looked to be white gold with a diamond leaf, holding her hair in place. She turned around to find Ian standing just behind her smiling a radiant smile.4

“Oh, now you can’t be serious, I couldn’t, it’s so dazzling, and we’ve only just met, it has to be worth a fortune!” She said breathlessly.5

“A beautiful flower for a beautiful flower, it matches your eyes immaculately, besides, its not like I can wear it” He said with a grin.6

She felt as though she could hug and kiss him on the spot, she settled for a blush and a stammered “Thank you Ian” 7

“Your very welcome, my dear.” Replied Ian as he tried to conceal his glee at her enjoyment of the gift. This gift, he could only remember the significance of, he could not remember whom it was for, where he got it or even when. One of those blank faces of his dreams. 8

Now that they were inside the noise of casual conversation and soft music became a buzz that rang throughout the large room. In the center of said room was a circular stage and all around, personal lamp lit tables. Winding through the guests, who all seemed to know each other, they found a table and decided to sit and survey the overwhelming scene before they did anything else. It would also give them a chance to get to know each other a little better. Ian pulled out a small cushioned chair for Ayana; She smiled and wondered if he was the only gentleman left on the continent. She sat down and looked about, obviously pleased.9

“Would you care for some wine?” He asked before he even sat.10

“Oh please, a blush I should think.” She laughed at herself for being so giddy.11

“Your wish is my command.” He said as he left for the bar. Ayana suddenly felt herself tremble, shaking straight down to her bones… it was then that she remembered she was supposed to meet her so-called friend Kelly here tonight, out front, and she knew what Kelly would do if she found her way inside. First she would find her and precede to cuss her out, and then get stupidly drunk and either pass out in one of the bathrooms or go home with some stranger. What was she thinking anyway? Who was this very handsome but mysterious man, and how did he capture her attention so easily… and keep it so entirely? She watched him intently as he walked back to the table seemingly unaware of her thoughts with two wine glasses. 12

“The waiter will be here shortly with the bottle, if you would like more.”13

“Thanks” she said as she took the glass and rolled it in her hands before taking a sip and sighing, “Perfect” 14

“It sure is.” he said, sitting and pointing out a window nearby, out of which you could see the full moon and sky delicately laced with sparkling white stars.15

She slowly drew her gaze from the window and her eyes fell upon Ian… He was staring at her with a very strange expression…an expression of familiarity. 16

“So,” She said blinking, “What is it that you do for a living?” 17

“I am an artist.” He said vaguely.  “Dabbling in this and that. Nothing special really.”18

“Would I know of any of your work?” She asked intrigued. “I just love to go to art galleries and look at all the beautiful paintings that I could never do”19

Ian bowed his head slightly “I’m sure you have much more talent than you put on, and as for my work… I mainly write, though I do some sketches every now and again. What is it that you do Ayana?”20

“Oh me?” she laughed slightly. “I am a self proclaimed singer, I write all my own songs, and play in coffee houses and night clubs”21

“Is that right?” Ian questioned. “How does it feel to be on stage in front of all those people and know that they are judging you?”22

“Actually,” She said, toying with her wine glass. “Its great! The excitement of it all is very powerful, you never know what will happen from one night to the next.”23

“So what is it that you write about in your songs?”24

“Anything that I experience, love, hate, anger, devotion, you name it, I have probably written about it.”25

Ian thought for a moment, wondering what to say.26

“I know that it is rude to ask a woman her age, but I think it’s even more rude to assume” Ian said leaning forward.27

“Well yes I would have to agree with that,” She said laughingly “I am 24 years old, and what about yourself, you can’t be more than 22” she said winking at him from across the table.28

Ian had to think fast, he couldn’t possibly tell her that he was over 500 years old, but if he told her he was the same age as she, she would think something suspicious. So he told her the age when he first died.29

“I am 26 years old,” he blurted out “though still young at heart” he added with a smile. “Would you like to dance?”30