One shots

Effervescent

"Because I have known despair,
I value hope.
Because I have tasted frustration,
I value fulfilment.
Because I have been lonely,
I value love."
- Leonard Nimoy.

It was like she was fading in and out. For a few seconds the world went beautifully quiet before becoming alive. She could barely hear the countdown from inside. 10...9...8. To her it was a garbled mess of sounds, mixed in with boisterous laughter and soft melodic music in the background. And a delightful god of insanity was at her fingertips. She hiccuped. Taking another swing of the almost empty champagne bottle she had managed to sneak out with her.

She didn't know where she was going already off her rocker. But it was the most delightful of ways. She walked away from the bodies and the fake smiles. The sleazy eyes and mesmerising lies. Not today. She had no destination in mind as she turned and took off. Powerful, purposeful drunk strides, with a and enticing sway of her hips she walked into the shadows and down maze like corridors. All without a single fucking glance back. She smiled up at the moon as she stuck by the floor to ceiling French windows. The moonlight hitting her in the face, her eyes entrance by the sight of in the  piece of paradise that was the garden grounds.

And when she finally came across what felt like the hundredth door on her quest she found them open. Pushing them apart with everything in her. And she took one step out into the serenity. Head raised, eyes closed and the a real ear splitting grin on her face, like it was the first time in eternity that she could finally breathe. She giggled. Like a Fucking school girl. Hysterically as she kicked her heels off not caring for a second where the hell they ended up.

Her heart ran at lightning speed, each beat hard against her skin. Her chest moved rapidly as if she had been running. She felt the soft wet grass between her perfectly manicured toe nails. Ran her hands repeatedly through her short a line pixie. It was just long enough the she could run her hand through some length. And the perfectly side styled lock that covered part of her eye was a tousled mess. Strands stood wayward all in her head and she needed no mirror to see that.

Her level of drunk lost on her. A bottle of some of the most expensive champagne in hand, she gripped part of the tulle material around her legs, taking off running. Past bushes of roses, the willow trees and through what felt like a maze before coming to a stop. And god did the sight taking her breath away. Enrapturing. A homemade swing hung from a branch of a willow tree, made of rope and a worn plank glossed wood danced majestically to the silent music of the wind. Japanese cherry blossom trees rained down blush pink petals that covered every spare surface. And in the centre sat a huge pool. Lights lit it up from inside and she didn't doubt it was freezing cold. Even then she sat on the edge, slipping her feet in like she was on the precipice of the world. And was pleasantly surprised the water was actually somewhat warm.

Time became a distant matter, no longer if the essence as the night grew on. The bottle grew emptier and emptier, filling her with a hollow warmth she had come to rely upon. Her body and mind grew number by the minute, becoming in tune with one another as she found herself zoning in and out. She didn't remember thinking, didn't feel herself moving. And the all she could see was the night sky. Thousands of glistening stars and the moon that made her starry eyed. She became one with the water, merely floating in the surface with a practically empty bottle in her hand.

And as she heard the distant sound of a countdown, she emptied the contents of the bottle, let it slip out of her grasp as she stretched out her arms and briefly closing her eyes in the moment. She was simply just being.

The night wore on as he grew more agitated for a smoke. He laughed, he smiled and remained polite all on cue. And it felt like every other aspect of his life as a Duke. Fake. Even though it was the New Years party for Tease, it was by all means one of the most upscale and fancy parties thrown yet. Much like all the high society events he was forced to attend. With the decor simple and sophisticated, waiters and waitresses handing out fliers of champagne, the electric air it was a far cry from the simple letting loose. And everyone dressed to impress. Women adorned in floor length gowns in almost all colours under the sun, made from the finest of silks, satins, velvet and tulle. Men in suits and tuxedos, hair perfectly jelled back. He sighed a growing itch to take a break from it, everyone in the room.