The Day of Roses

      There are days of the year that resonate with dangerous energy. Days that, by their very nature, are strongly inclined to encourage violence, mortality and pain. Christmas, for example.

      This is one of those days.

     February 14th: Valentine’s Day.

     Now…what makes such a day dangerous?

      Take an example from a certain mage, who discovers the hard, painful way that taking advice from a blood-drunk vampire on the female mind is not the best idea in the world.

      Or perhaps note the sidhe standing in a lavish bedroom, her ice-blue eyes staring coldly at the grey sky outside. Arms crossed tightly across her stomach, she ignores the room behind herself, the white rose in a delicate vase sitting before a photograph of a beautiful young woman with white-blonde hair. She also ignores the bouquet of thirteen dark red roses, and the single, white silk rose petal that has drifted from the blank card.

      View from afar the brutality of a blonde vampire punishing a certain, self-important idiot for purchasing the kind of Valentine’s Day gift Hugh Hefner might have approved for a Playmate.

      Yes…Valentine’s Day can be very, very dangerous. Any day that focuses on affairs of the heart is simply asking for pain and bloodshed, especially in Freak Central.

     However, it’s not all aches and pains. No…in a few, very specific areas, Valentine’s Day is a lovely thing.

      In Kearna Tierney’s house, set near the edge of the National Forest bordering the Residential District, there is an abundance of flowers. Roses, irises, lilies, carnations, a few exotic blooms here and there…a plethora of floral outpourings of the heart litter the entryway, the hall, living room, dining room and, for a few special arrangements, the kitchen. The red-haired chef, smiling contentedly, busies herself with a tray of handmade truffles as her roommate sits discontently amidst the flowers and watches Kearna’s pet panther sneeze.

      Briar Dallas sits alone in Brandenburg’s Rat Park, cross-legged underneath a leafless oak tree, her sketchpad on her knees. She appears alone, and yet…the smile on her face stems from a tale being whispered in her ear as she and the ghosts which perpetually accompany the medium watch a handful of couples brave the chill air for a stroll through the quiet park. Sketches which fairly vibrate warmth and romance are scattered here and there on the white pages before her, and the artist’s white-powdered face is smiling gently.

     Coriline Ferrington hums as she sits on the floor of Hearth Home’s playroom, handing out colorful valentine cards to the excited fae children clustered about her. There is a very special Valentine tucked away in her back pocket for someone she’s been thinking of for quite some time, but it’s a wild-card guess as to whether the card will make its’ way to the intended recipient, or end up in a drawer with the other intended cards and gifts bought over the last two years. After all, a pooka’s heart is a fragile thing. Best handled with care.

     Jonas Foster smiles fondly at the gift, poorly wrapped and hastily shoved onto his desk. It is unwrapped with ease, and the delicate porcelain sculpture of a fragile angel holding a sparrow in her narrow hands brings tears to his dark eyes. He sits, abruptly, all strength gone from his legs, and holds the pale statue in shaking hands, swallowing back the ever-present sobs.

     Yes…Valentine’s Day both kisses and bites with red lips and sharp fangs. Perhaps hearts are better off tucked away, rather than displayed openly…but it is a day of interest, whether it brings delight or misery. Here in Freak Central…it always mixes together.

     (Happy *early* Valentine’s Day, everyone! *flings kisses about* Hopefully yours will be a pleasant day filled with smiles! …and chocolate. That’s the best part. ^_~)