It felt like everything was so draining today. Her therapist had the best intentions at heart but it was not a good night for her. She should’ve waited a bit longer before going to a social event. Then again, she didn’t expect to meet Zuza Lottson so soon after finding out who killed Graham. Evelyn wasn’t sure why she was grieving over Graham. Sure, they had an amazing night and accidentally resulted in a beautiful child out of it but the child has a wonderful family and home. Safe. Secured. And Graham should be a passing pleasant memory.
So why was she angry at Zuza? Was the anger misplaced? Evelyn cleared her thoughts. Now wasn’t the place for her to dig in that deep. She can do that later.
At least she was going home. First thing she was going to do was to get herself a nice long hot bubble bath with a glass of wine in her hand and candles by the window. Evelyn froze at hearing a baby cry and she turned to the direction of the sound. She saw a couple trying to help with their fussy baby. One of the women chuckled as she kissed the cheek of another woman who was making silly faces at their baby and rubbing the baby’s belly.
Was the baby having an upset stomach?
Evelyn didn’t realize she had been staring. She turned away to look straight ahead and took in a deep inhale of the cold night air.
Her heart hurts. She could feel the tears burning at the rim of her eyes. Her daughter was so beautiful.. She had her father’s hair, his eyes-
The sound of paper bag tearing snapped Evelyn back to reality and one of the wines shattered on impact. Oh. Oh no. Quickly, the pilot set her bags down and started to pick up the glass pieces. Her fingers trembled as she held them in her hands and threw them away at the nearby street trash can. Then back over to pick up more.
I am broken. Just like this wine bottle.
Then she heard a noise, it sounded like a glass rolling on the concrete side- wait.
Her head snapped to the sound, one of her wine bottles had rolled off. She must’ve accidentally bumped it with one of her legs when she squatted down to pick up the remaining glass. It stopped at someone’s shoe.
“I am terribly sorry, mx, one moment.”
She quickly threw away the glass pieces she had in her palm and started to make her way to get the runaway wine bottle.
As the woman started to reach for the bottle, a grey-blue hand curled around the neck of it and picked it up. A Chagrian, the lines upon his face etching years of wisdom and his tall horns adding the illusion of towering past his already wide and tall frame. He stood before her in a brown three-piece suit, tinted glasses hanging upon the breast pocket of his tweed vest where a skyblue silky pocket square was tucked. His jacket was draped over one arm and his sleeves rolled up neatly with a bit of flour noticeable on the cuff. The man spun the bottle nestled in the open palm of his other hand until the label was clearly visible. The ur-Kittât script was unfamiliar, yet the stylish aurabesh font painted more recognizable words.
“Ah, Lacrima Emerald! From the Kasiya Estates. A smart choice and a lovely brewery. If you ever get a chance to see it in person.” His tone was measured and pace, a faint rasp in its depth. Amber eyes met emerald as the gentleman looked at her finally, a small smile that didn’t reach his cheeks. “If I may recommend, their Kasiya Black. ‘Aromas of blackcurrant, blackberry, black plum, black cherry, and spice.’ I can attest to the smell of it at the very least.”
A pause, his gaze briefly flicked to the spill a distance away and the bags thar rested there. The man turned the bottle and presented it back to Evelyn, bottom first.
“Apology unnecessary, my dear. Sometimes in the event something breaks, such a miracle occurs that something beautiful survives,” the Chagrian dipped his head in a nod. He offered another small smile and after a brief lull shared his name. “I am Das Urchaeron, but please call me Das. May I ask for yours?”
Evelyn froze when a hand reached and got to the bottle before she did. She stood up and looked up at him. She was surprised to see a Chagrian here, they were one of the species she did not usually see much of. She had worked with a few of them in the past.
In the past… Evelyn took in a slow deep inhale and shoved everything down and directed her attention to him. He was big, but not big as Foxen. She looked a bit taken back in shock when he knew exactly what wine it was and where it came from.
Her lips curved into a small smile, “I will be sure to see if I can get a tour at the brewery someday and see if I can get a sample of their Kasiya Black. The way you described it, it sounded like a comforting taste I may enjoy.” He handed the bottle towards her as she gently took it off of his hands. Her throat caught at his words.
Something beautiful survives…
Her tuff of blonde hair.
And she was beautiful.
Evelyn felt her eyes were burning and a warm tear spilled down at her cold cheek. Luckily, it was cold so she was quick to cover it up.
“I do apologize, the cold air must be making my eyes dry.” She used her free hand and got a handkerchief from her Halloween’s outfit and dabbed at her eye. While she held the soft napkin, she dipped her head back to him in respect.
“It is a pleasure to meet another wine fan. My name is Evelyn Wyvern.”