A Cunning Con (Or anything else you guys can think of that's better!)
My accomplice and I had just arrived in France. He was a tall, dark and sinister man, about twenty in age. His was around 6'4" with hair black as night and eyes dark like cold, unfeeling charcoal. We'd go from country to country, conning people and enjoying their money and hospitality by using pure wits and looks.
That night, we were at a masquerade in Paris. My partner, Jacques, was wearing a black tuxedo that matched his dark eyes and demeanor. His short black hair was spiked. We brought with us two small suitcases filed with toiletries, clean undergarments, and a couple of tees and jeans. I brought with me some lingerie I often used to "repay" our victims. As we entered the ballroom, a gasp escaped my lips. It was gorgeous. The room was all burgundy velvet trimmed in gold. Silt tapestries hung along the walls. There was a small quartet playing classical music softly to the side as couples spun around the dance floor. Jacques and I quickly split up in order to execute our plan.
Erik POV
As was sitting by Nadir witnessing the couples dancing happily across the floor, I noticed a rather stunning young woman enter the room. She was wearing a blood-red gown covered in black lace. The corset accentuated her luscious curves and was low-cut to reveal a small, but sufficient bust covered in nothing but black lace. Her round face held pink cheeks and nose from the cold wind outside, and a pair of luscious, full lips. Her eyes were covered by a small strip of black lace as her mask. It was her eyes that mesmerized me the most. They were almond-shaped, oriental look, contrasting oddly, but beautifully with her long, wavy golden blonde hair and porcelain skin. They were like two gleaming jewels of obsidian sitting in a pool of sapphire water in the sight of the morning sun.
As her head turned, her gaze held my own. I found myself drawn to her. Nadir called to me, but I didn't respond. I walked to her, asshe gracefully met me at the center of the ballroom. I somehow found the courage to ask her to dance. I took her hand, and we waltzed to a lively tune.
Elise's POV
I felt a pair of eyes watching me, burning into my soul and seemingly witnessing my sins. I turned my head, scanning the crowd, and my eyes found that of a half-masked man. He was staring at me with orbs of emerald covered by a mist...perhaps sadness? Or was the mist the loneliness that I understood only too well? I watched him walk to me, and I was compelled by an unseen force to meet him half-way. My heart skipped a beat as I saw the unmasked side of his face up close. He was a very handsome man. He had a lovely bone structure: high cheekbones, and strong, squared jaw line, and a prominent nose. He was slightly tanned, with dark brown hair that seemed to be black and was slicked back. He was tall and slim, yet well-muscled. As he stood before me, looking down into my eyes, never breaking our gaze, he asked me to dance. Unable to speak, I simply nodded, and was led to the dance floor. He twirled me about until I was dizzy, while we held a polite conversation.
"I am Erik. What is your name, mademoiselle?" he asked in a slightly husky baritone voice. I cleared my throat, and tried to talk unsuccessfully. I grinned up at him and shrugged my shoulders. He chuckled and offered to get me a drink. I complied, and waited as Jacques approached me.
"Have you found anyone yet?" he asked.
"No, I'm working on it. Leave me be," I spat at him, suddenly mad at him for intruding upon my evening with this mysterious stranger. I started to walk towards the table that held an ice sculpture of a peacock and the fancy food, when Jacques grabbed me by the arm and swung me around.
"Well then, who was that wealthy-looking man you were dancing with just then?" Jacques persisted.
"He says his name is Erik," I gave in. "But, he's not the right one. Let us prey upon a woman tonight. Now leave me!" I growled, losing my temper. He left with a senile grin, and I returned to my waiting spot.
Erik POV
I quickly got her a drink, and went to return, wanting to know more about this intriguing young woman, only to be stopped in my tracks as a handsome young man approached my mystery woman. She seemed to know him, and I felt my heart drop to my toes. What if he was her boyfriend, or worse, her husband? To my relief, he soon left her. I hastened my steps, and returned to her, handing her the drink.
"This is wonderful! What is it?" she asked, allowing me to hear her voice. It was like listening to bells of angels peal away into the night.
"Pink champagne," I replied, taking a drink myself.
"LOVELY! Oh, I'm Elise, by the way. Nice to meet you, Monsieur Erik," said the beautiful woman, extending her hand to shake mine. I suavely turned her hand and gently caressed the back of her hand with my lips, shocked at my unknown bravery.
Elise POV
"Pleasure to make your acquaintance, Mademoiselle Elise," he whispered, sending bolts of electricity up my spine upon hearing him utter my name. I giggled uncontrollably and blushed. I was shocked at my misdemeanor. Finding myself unable to talk once again, there instilled an awkward silence. Erik asked me to dance again, and soon we were swirling around. The lively tune quickly ended and a slow, romantic song replaced it. I found myself becoming modest as I blushed when he place his hands around my waist. My hands found their way up to his neck, and I found myself wondering why I was compelled to this man, of all the men I'd ever seduced. I found that I didn't want to con this man, but maybe start something. But I found I didn't have a choice.