anne

18 | Girl's night: Part Two

Anne's Timeline

• ____________ •

/ F L A S H B A C K /

1519 

"And so, I told him: Sir, You flatter me with your poetry, but your kindness is not payment. If you want me, you have to afford me."

All the women laughed at Lilian's story, but Aria grew tired of the night's activities. The fireplace was burning hot to her left, flushing her cheeks a rosy shade, while she put her cup of wine down onto the stone floor and stood up from the mass of cushions and pillows. 

Aria had been in Venice for quite some time now, and she thoroughly enjoyed their customs and way of life; specifically, the lifestyle of the Courtesans. Being that Aria was just over two centuries old now, she acquired some skills over the years that proved rather generous in her new position as a Courtesan. What better way to get laid, than by living it up with the rich people and wearing fancy dresses?

"Ladies, these marvellous stories have filled my mind to a point of fatigue, I must go to bed."

A series of groans erupted throughout the small room of the palace, one woman complaining, "No, Aria! Don't leave us now, we haven't even heard Genevieve tell us about what that handsome man, Gattia, wanted to show her!"

Aria winked, "Oh, please. We've all seen what Gattia has offered to show us." Genevieve shook her head, blushed, and laughed at Aria's teasing.

"Goodnight, ladies! I'll see you in the morning." And with that, Aria opened the large wooden doors and headed upstairs into her room. 

Her gossamer curtains blew faintly with the midnight breeze, and the half-moon outside lit the waters of Venice with a gorgeous milky glow. Aria lit a few candles in the corners of her room, and once there was enough light to see everything, she made her way to the balcony. The curtains gently licked her bare ankles, but her white nightgown prevented it from going any higher. When she fully emerged into the view of the city, she sighed and propped her elbows on the cold stone railing.

A full ten years had passed since she last saw Rebekah in Denmark—even though the Original Vampire herself had not realised Aria was there. It had been even longer since she'd seen Elijah and Niklaus. She'd be lying if she told anyone she didn't miss them. But she could still see them, maybe she would watch them tonight. The thought of her friends only made her want to see them more, so she closed her eyes and focused on the image of the Mikaelsons; the idea, the feeling.

"Klaus, cut it out. I'm in no mood for your bickering and teasing tonight."

"Oh, but dear sister, you love my bickering and teasing. That's why you put up with me so."

"Niklaus, do cease your inherently irksome behaviour, for just this one evening. Can you not do that?"

"I'm in no position to deny my mischievousness it's divine right to lay target on Rebekah, brother. Surely you know that."

"Nik, just let me be."

"Aw, come on. It's one thing. I said one thing! Now you are both overreacting."

"Mocking our sister for her public humiliation as seen earlier this afternoon counts as the 'teasing' that we both demand so frequently to stop, Niklaus."

"Wow. You both are boring and stiff. Neither of you have fun like we used to."

"Well, both of us have to deal with you, Nik. So you should cut us some slack."