•Ephemeral•

Chapter 10: The journal II

23rd of September, 1975, England, United Kingdom

I must say.I didn't expect that much time to pass since I scribbled that emotional extravaganza almost two centuries ago. You see, dear reader(that being me in the future obviously), quite a lot has happened since then. I just found this leather-bound journal in one of the boxes we were supposed to unload into the library of our new house. I was surprised to find the reminiscing of my dark, lonely times. After feeling a bit disgusted and truthfully, melancholic I decided to continue the story of my fabulous life as an immortal since I couldn't let it end like that.

The year was 1775 and I found myself in Bordeaux-a beautiful rural village in France, right before I moved to the capital, since I was formally invited to join the annual ball of Queen Antoinette and King Louis XVI. Surprisingly I found my way into nobility quite easily, obviously using my vampiric powers and charm, as well as managing to gather some sort of fortune. I was living well and had everyone at my feet, however I couldn't help but feel the intense longing towards my mate and only love, Edward. My purpose in life was still dedicated to finding him and apologizing for my foolish actions, but in time I was certainly convinced there was no way I would find him. Instead, I stumbled across other vampires that were as miserable as I was back then. Unfortunately neither of them knew of Edward's wearabouts and still, I managed to find out he was some kind of celebrity in the vampire world since he was one of the most ancient, powerful ones. In the meantime I also discovered my special ability- mind reading, that came to be quite useful in manipulating prey...or subjects. That's how I also managed to be invited to the Parisienne court as well.

Time flew eventually and I remember being already in Paris, at the court of Versailles, dressed in the most elegant crimson dress at that time, which was certainly seen as an act against the colorful and pastel nuances of the Rococo era. I couldn't care less.

For my status was high, many courtesans saw my fashion in an inspirational light and I wasn't that close to Marie for her to even notice or critique me. I couldn't risk getting too close, even if I wanted to do so.

Since it was the most extravagant event of the year, known in the whole wide world, I was absolutely convinced I'd see many other important figures there...and hopefully, Edward. I knew he wasn't fond of grandeur and especially such events that included so many people and truthfully, I wasn't, either. Being born into poverty I obviously saw the grandeur appealing for the first centuries or so, but it eventually got boring. I only searched for these types of events in hopes to find my long lost love and reunite with him once again.

I remember vaguely greeting some of the noble people at that time which I had the utmost pleasure of meeting..in some cases eventually eating and looking around the ballroom for a specific familiar face.

After some time, when I almost felt like turning around and giving up, a gaze burned the back of my neck. I could feel the intensity through the thick fabric of the dress and right into my soul.

And so, I slowly turned around only to be greeted by the most beautiful view I've ever seen in my 400 years of immortality.

It was him.

The man I've been searching desperately for what seemed like an eternity.

Being one of my core memories, I still remember his beautiful face glistening in the light of the candles and candelabras and the beautiful crimson garments that unintentionally matched mine. After so many years we still thought alike. When my eyes met his, not only did I feel my cold blooded heart beat again since I became what I am today, but I also felt like it was once again the first time I was looking at him. This time I was really looking at him, with the wisdom accumulated and with every sense doubled since the last time I saw him. After all, as a vampire your powers grow with time, and so did mine.

In that instant all my problems disappeared, all my longing and ache vanished into thin air.

I was with my beautiful mate once again.

                            °°°

"You've changed, my dear." He said with adoration in his eyes while placing a kiss on my gloved hand, once we retired to a more private part of the palace. "You're even more beautiful than I remembered you." Edward continued, aiming for my lips this time.

Apparently my departure hurt him as much as it hurt me. We searched for each other all around the world and yet, here we are, reunited once again, never to part again.

From that moment we swore to each other to never do such a thing again, even if our bond always brings us together in the end.

"How come you attended this ball as well?" I asked him curious.

He smiled while placing a soft kiss on my forehead.

"Just like the first time I ever saw you, it was something urging me to come. I felt the shadows whisper that I will eventually find you." He responded truthfully.

And so it was.

After we finally left the palace, he immediately moved into my mansion and after a few days of showing my love how much I've missed him, I was no longer Meredith Acklam, since our small secluded wedding.

The world knew me ever since as Meredith Blackbriar.

                          °°°

What happened after was the thing I feared the most: the industrial revolution.

That meant the population rose uncontrollably, there were now factories that produced everything and so, the world entered a new era- that of industrialization. The world was now rising from the ashes of the war into modernism and what could two ancient vampires do to prevent it?

Absolutely nothing.

We had to go into hiding and cut off any relations we had with everyone.

It was mandatory to change our appearances quite often and always assure we weren't seen in public or on that new disgusting technology called security cameras.

We were never fond of industrialization and everything that came after the 1900's, and so, we rejected modernity and tried to remain as true to our nature and favorite era: the Victorian one. It was the perfect combination of style, morbidity and obsession with death. We absolutely adored it.

Now unfortunately we find ourselves in a time where everything changes perhaps too rapidly for us to even realize it and succumb to it. That's probably why we will always stand out from the crowd, even if we don't necessarily intend itgiven our condition.

The only good thing to come out of the modern world were probably the great wars that landed us an assortment of blood to drink and flesh to devour. Sure, it was considered a tragedy for the humans but we couldn't care less. Another, was the forming of a vampire council that swore to protect its people and help with the modernization of the world.

Perhaps that is one of the reasons we managed to survive.

                            °°°