Rissy rose and went closer to the mirror to look once more. “He’s almost here Charlotte and don’t call a girl Miss Moonshower. I am Rissy; no more of that ma’am nonsense either. I want us to be friends.” Charlotte said that she would respect her wishes and worked on straightening out Rissy’s dress. Rissy suddenly turned around. “Charlotte, he’s here and I’m still a mess.” The doorbell rang and Charlotte was only slightly impressed that Rissy was right. Charlotte said that she would greet him and show him to the parlor where he would wait. “And darling don’t worry, he doesn’t mind waiting.
He says ‘Perfection doesn’t happen overnight.’” Rissy said it at the same time as Charlotte. They both laughed as Charlotte ran to allow him entry.
Charlotte opened the door and greeted Johann with a sly smile. “I think you will like what you see.” She showed him to the parlor and chatted with him as they waited for Rissy. “Johann she has heard the stories, but does not think that they are more than fairy tales.” He looked at her and nodded. “It’s not yet time for her to realize that they are not. She will find out the truth in time my dear. This cannot be rushed.” Charlotte nodded back. They had decided to speak in the angelic tongue just in case Rissy overheard. He told Charlotte to go ahead and make sure Rissy was surviving her transformation. Charlotte went back to the bedroom and told Rissy that she looked fine and to go on. Rissy looked at her. “Do you really think so?” Charlotte giggled. “Well you’re the one who said that he wouldn’t be sharing his bed or he yours.” Rissy blushed. “Shut up. I might change my mind. You never know.” “Rissy if you did; it would be a first.” Charlotte proclaimed. Rissy looked at her sternly. “You don’t even know me Charlotte, so you cannot say that.” Charlotte chuckled. “Rissy, will you just go? He’s waiting.” She handed Rissy several condoms. “That might be enough. On second thought....” She handed Rissy ten more. “There that should do it. Have fun sweetie and use those things will you.” Rissy glared and then giggled and without thinking placed them in her small handbag. Charlotte laughed to herself and thought. “Silly girl, those are going to fall out and then you will have to explain why you have so many.”
Rissy floated to the parlor. She didn’t want her dress to become soiled. Charlotte was right behind her smiling. When Johann saw her, his heart skipped several beats. Rissy was nothing but perfection. He stood and bowed. Standing behind Rissy, Charlotte was motioning him to stop, but it was too late. Thank goodness Rissy found this enchanting and also a little familiar. Johann approached her and took her hand in his, bowed, lifting it up to his lips while looking into her hazel hues. “Rissy I must say that you are a vision of pure unadulterated beauty.” Charlotte shook her head and wondered if he had a clue as to what century it was. Rissy blushed, pink shining in her cheeks. “Why thank you sir, a girl did do her best to be presentable.” Charlotte looked over at Johann a little confused hearing how Rissy responded. Johann just smiled and as he took Rissy’s arm and led her to the door looked over his shoulder and winked at Charlotte who was standing there dazed. “Charlotte I think your work here is done. Go assist Svelta at home.” Rissy looked at him and turned to Charlotte. “There’s no need for you to walk we’ll drop you off. You should have better manners Mr. von Gottes Gnaden.” Charlotte snickered. “Thank you Rissy, but I’ll walk. I’ve ridden with him.” Once outside Rissy locked the door and Johann led her to the Mercedes. He was the perfect gentleman opening the door for her and making sure her dress was in before closing it. He started to get in and then called out to Charlotte. “Charlotte come and let me drive you home.” She smiled and knew that he did love her and that sometimes she pushed him too hard. Johann flipped his seat forward and assisted her in, treating her as though she were a princess. Rissy noticed this and smiled. “Thank you Charlotte for helping me to look presentable for this beast. I see there really is a heart of gold beating within that chest.” Charlotte smiled. “You have not yet learned how good he really is Rissy. He acts like a beast at times, but is generally all bark and no bite, but let someone even think of harming someone he loves and you will see men tremble with fear and repent.” Rissy nodded remembering the other night when they had just met when the man insulted her and Johann became irritated. She still wasn’t quite sure what had happened because there were no signs of a struggle. The man was just not there. They dropped Charlotte off with Johann walking her to the door, opening it and letting her in. Rissy could have sworn that she saw Charlotte kissing his lips softly before straightening his coat and tie. She never said a word but it did stick in the back of her mind.
As they were traveling down the road Rissy started some small talk about the weather and music. She was impressed by all the different types of music he knew. Then out of the blue she stated. “I’ve heard that a vampire lived in your house, if you believe in such.” “What would make you think that such beings do not exist? You should know from your own heritage that there many strange beings in the world. Many people don’t believe in witches do they and yet here you are.” There were a few moments of silence. “You know?” she asked. “Yes Rissy I know. You are Rissy Ann Moonshower of the Moonshower clan that goes back to the beginning. Long before your clan took that name or rather what people came to call your clan because of their looks and deeds.” “You know of my family that is certain sir but how did you?” He looked at her and smiled. “I have known your clan for many years. I’m sure I was mentioned once or twice.” She looked a little confused. “I don’t think that I’ve ever heard mention of you and what really gave it away?” “You floated into the room my dear as graceful as any of your kind.” She thought about this for a few minutes and then looked out the window wondering how this man could know her so well and how she seemed to know him, but knew that was impossible because they had just met. “Are you a witch too? I know you were able to tap into my thoughts and heard me earlier quite clearly.” “I’m not a witch Rissy but yet I can read some thoughts.” Not another word was spoken and she blocked her thoughts. He never even tried to read them.
Finally they arrived at Elizabeth on 37th. Johann exited the car and went around to Rissy’s side. She had begun to open the door, but Johann opened it and wondered why she had not waited for him to open it for her. He took her arm and carefully walked her to the entrance and opened the door for her. She did smile. The maitre d asked them if they had reservations. “Graf Johann Todesengel von Gottes Gnaden and his companion.” He said most eloquently. Johann smiled remembering what Charlotte had told them and he knew that Rissy could only catch that Charlotte had made it very plain as to who would be arriving.
Someone had not taken it seriously however, as they soon found out, and upon hearing that their table was not ready Johann raised an eyebrow. The manager hurried to them and apologized for their failure to have the table prepared. Soon they were escorted to a private table and were brought the finest champagne in the restaurant. The waiter said it was a gift from the establishment.