Caroline gave a small nod as he checked back with her. She wanted to know about the true dimensions of this vampire existence, about just how meaningful this birthday would be — figuring that life would grow more valuable with the centuries but only because she could never in a million years imagine what it would feel like to be that old. “162.” she mouthed startled. “Oh, wow. You’re ancient. Not in a bad way — you still look awesome — but in a very wow way.” Still caught up thinking about all the decades he must’ve lived through she took a sip from her drink and grimaced at the taste. “Do ever miss it? The past? The simpler times as my grandma says. Was it any better?”
He chuckled at her comment, ancient wasn't exactly the word that came to mind when he thought of himself, but he was glad that even though she seemed to be shocked, she didn't seem to be repulsed or scared by what he'd said. "Miss it?" he repeated as he thought back on his human life -something he'd done a lot lately- but then shrugged. "I don't know. It was simpler, yes, but not necessarily better. There was a more obvious line between right and wrong though. You knew exactly what was expected of you, and what the consequences would be if you didn't do it. I liked that," he explained, thinking about the only day he'd despised that very trait of his life, when his father had told Stefan he had to propose to Rosalyn. "But of course, there was slavery, and no women's rights, and a whole bunch of other things that are anything but morally correct."