I sink down at the base of the tree and lean my head back, tilting to look at the darkening sky.

"This is it, huh?"

I can't hear her, I never can, even in Shadow, so I look down to see if she's answered my rhetorical question. Those are about the only ones she does.

She's looking at me. Patiently, which makes a change.

"I guess so."

I lean forward and put my blade down gently at my feet.

"I think I'm going to rest for a little, okay?"

As my eyes drift closed, I can see her pace in front of me, not looking at me, but instead at the land around.

"Just for a little ..."

The sun is setting and I'm fresh out of the shower, getting dressed for the Big Night. Got my dragon shoes on and look generally presentable. Walk out into the evening cool, and make a passing streetcar with three quick steps. It's good to be going home.

I put the finishes touches on my makeup-- the theme for the evening is glitter. I'm wearing my dark red Homecoming dress with the corset-y top and looong skirt, and the black-and-gold fairy wings from my Halloween costume. This being Blood, they actually work after midnight.

Perfect evening to go out on the patio and see who comes by on their way to the party. So I walk out to the front with two bottles, one red, one a dark amber Scotch, and a whole lot of glasses.

From the high tower of the Castle I look over the city. It's alive with celebration. The streets are pulsating with light while fireworks lights the skies above. I couldn't ask for a better distraction. I use my handy watch radio to hail the Castle AI.

"Is everything ready?" I ask.

All preparations are complete.

"Excellent. Start the experiment."

Intiatiated

I take another look toward the city as a thick fog starts to roll towards the city. Bwah ha ha ha ha ha ha!

The chill of a fog rolls across my slippered toes as I step out of my bubble in Dogtown. That's strange, I don't remember fog in the forecast. But what does it matter, anyway? I've got my velvet jacket on, and a sleek new all-graphite Steinberger slung across my back. It's gonna be a good night.

Fog in the Mews is nothing unusual, but it is clinging to my skirt, dampening my skin and collecting in chilling droplets in my cleavage. I look toward Brian, but he's clearly enjoying the sight too much to lend me his coat. We walk toward Town Hall.

Everybody's heading towards the main square outside Town Hall. It's all lit up and I can hear the music already. People are chanting something...

ita! ita! ita! ita!

Hey, quick reminder: what's the addy of the site with the map of Sang Sacre?

Magic night. I've been walking again, and cat wouldn't be left behind. It's after sunset, even the afterglow has faded. A few stars are beginning to show, but there's a fog gathering.

I look around for cat and see him touching noses with a white wolf who stands foursquare over a sword in the grass. The blade gleams in the scant starlight.