A/N I do not own Blood Plus or any of the characters. I don't make money fro writing fanfiction.
Saya gathered more red roses as the man she thought of as a father, Joel Goldschmidt, wrote in his diary. He was getting older and she- she wasn't. Her brow furrowed slightly at the thought. Why was everyone getting older but her? Each member of the staff was showing signs of their age.
Marie, the maid that helped her dress, once had beautiful honey colored hair that cascaded down her back when she was younger. As she grew older, her hair was pulled up into a twist more often and it had become streaked with silver and white. Crows feet formed in the corners of her eyes and laugh lines etched the corners of her mouth. She was beginning to hunch over. Her hands showed her age even more, revealing the dark spots. She would soon retire and Saya would have a new maid.
All the staff had come, worked, and left, yet she remained the same. It concerned her that her closest friend and companion, Hagi, had grown up before her very eyes. He was now quite tall and carried himself as a proper gentleman should- a far cry from the unruly, disobedient, insolent boy that was brought to the Zoo nearly 10 years ago. He would soon be 22 and possibly looking for a wife and planning a family. Saya smiled as she took in the smell of the roses and thought of what Hagi's children would look like. He may even bring them to meet her one day.
"Silly!" she scolded herself. He hadn't courted even one girl yet and Saya already pictured him with children. She briefly wondered why that was. He never courted even one girl, yet he was well old enough to do so.
Her thoughts were suddenly interrupted by that beautiful melancholy voice that drifted on the wind. She looked up from her flowers and went completely still.
Joel looked up from his notes and regarded Saya, she was quite still and concentrating on something that seemed far off. "What is it?" he asked, his voice raspy.
Saya broke out of the trance to notice Joel. Every year he seemed to get more grey hair and more wrinkles on his skin. He too, was aging as well. Saya responded as the song began again, "I hear a song. It seems to be close by somewhere," she responded airily.
He looked around and tried to pinpoint even a hint of sound, but all he heard was the song of birds and the rustle of the leaves as a breeze danced through the boughs of the ancient trees of the Zoo. "That's funny," he commented, "because I do not hear anything." He noticed she had placed her red roses on the small lounge chair nearby and began to head off toward the tower. "Where are you going, Saya?" he asked.
"I want to find that voice, Joel," she answered. "She sounds so… so lonely."
Joel knew that the test subject was locked in the tower securely and there was no way she'd escape, but he gave an ominous shiver as he thought what could happen if the subject was ever released. He warned her, "Saya, I do not like you wondering off alone like this. You should wait until Hagi returns."
"Hagi will be back any minute," she reassured. She grabbed her skirts and took off in the direction of the tower shouting back, "Just point him in the direction I am going."
Joel shook his head as she went off to explore. She was right, Hagi was usually quick with errands and would return soon. The young man was usually the first one seated for a meal so he never strayed from the Zoo too long.
Joel also happened to notice that Hagi also seemed to refrain from being away from Saya for very long. It was not long after he arrived at the Zoo that he seemed to have a certain gleam in his eye when he was around the woman he was a servant to. The aging man smiled happily, knowing Saya would have someone to look after her once he was gone. He hoped Saya would reciprocate those feelings for the young man, with time.
Saya had secretly searched for this voice for years and years, but this was the first time the voice was this close. She had to hurry, the terrain was becoming a bit rougher and the area was surrounded by weeds and brambles. The hem of her dress was now dirty and torn and her shoes were soaked and dirty, but the tower came into view.
The girl sat quietly as she was brought another 'meal'. The young man was nervously darting his eyes to and fro, but he felt the hair on the back of his neck stand at attention. Danger was near. She smelled the fear- an alluring scent. Before he could shout in protest, her fangs severed his jugular and he made choked, gurgling sounds as the girl sucked the life from him. The room was illuminated in an eerie blue glow.
That was the highlight of her day, so far. She pulled the rag that passed for a dress over her shoulder and went to the window. The only beauty the girl knew was the wonder of the view that waited for her. The sky was bright and the grass was lovely after the recent rain storm. She knew nothing of colors or creatures. What was the point in teaching a test subject after all?
The creature that fed her, Amshel, taught her about her body parts, mainly to help him understand where she felt pain and other sensations. The scent that clung to him told her that he was hers, even though he always threatened her and hurt her. She had never thought to stand up to him, he was the one that fed her and provided for her. The imposing creature had promised her to one day let her out of this place so she could sing her song to the world.
For now, she opted to practice here in the place close to the sky. Her mouth opened and released the haunting melody that made her feel powerful, for once in her terrible life. She thought of the one that locked her up here- that man! He was smaller than Amshel, but she remembered him well. He was small and thin with a mustache and blue eyes. His name was Joel…
She noticed that a figure stood at the front of the lower part of this high place. The girl looked up- she had the most beautiful eyes! She wanted to pluck them from their sockets and stare at them all day. But the girl didn't seem to notice her- she was too high up. Looking frantically for something to toss down and grab the girl's attention, she eyed a pretty blue object on the wall. They were everywhere in this high place. The test subject plucked it from its spot and tossed it down as she began her song again.
Finally, the girl at the bottom of the high place picked up the object and looked up. She called out, "I like your voice."
The subject replied, "Thank you, and I like yours."
"My name is Saya," the pretty-eye girl offered. "What's your name?"
The subject was stunned. "Name?" She flustered with what to say. No one ever spoke to her; they only commanded her and ran experiments. She only ever heard people call her 'the subject'.
"You don't have a name," Saya replied sadly and then brightened, "Then we'll just have to give you a name." She began to pace back and forth in front of the high place as she thought. The subject thought Saya's gown looked like the objects that grew on the stones in her cell.
The subject was brought out of her thoughts when Saya shouted, "I know! We'll call you Diva. Diva, the princess with the beautiful singing voice."
She thought and then responded, "Di-va." She wondered, "I'm Diva?"
"Yes," Saya responded and then asked her, "Don't you ever come out of the tower, Diva?"
"T-tower?" Diva asked.
"Yes," Saya answered as she placed a hand on the wall of the high place.
"Tower," Diva responded. "I can't. I am- I cannot leave."
Saya scrunched her brow as she tried to understand why Diva couldn't leave. The wall of the tower was bathed in an orange glow and Saya noticed the sun was setting and her belly was growling. It was getting late and she didn't want Joel to become cross. "I must go, Diva, but I will come back tomorrow," Saya called as she took off back in the direction of the Zoo.
"Diva," the subject smiled.
Over the next few months, Saya spent every spare moment at the tower. It was usually when Joel sent Hagi on errands in town, which he seemed to be doing more often lately. Normally she'd miss her companion, but she had her own secret to keep.
It saddened Saya to think that her new, wonderful friend knew so little of the world around her. Saya had made her way up the tower and found the oak door that held her new found companion from the outside world. She would sit with her back to that door, among the beautiful blue roses that adorned the walls and speak to Diva through the door for hours. Truth be told, she was often late for supper lately because of this.
One particular morning, she decided to go find Joel some of his favorite flowers, lilies. She noticed that he had been rather melancholy lately and wanted to make him smile. As she approached his office, she heard voices. Quietly, she snuck closer to the slightly opened door and saw Joel was speaking with someone.
"Well, it's very simple," Joel explained, "Saya needs blood to survive."
Another voice questioned, "Why, it's not as if she has lost a lot of blood?" She recognized that voice- she'd know it anywhere. It was Hagi.
"Saya is not like anyone on this planet, her kind survives on blood," Joel explains. He then smiles and reassures, "It's a simple transfusion, Hagi and no one gets hurt."
He turns to look out the window and pulls out his gold watch. A long, sad sigh comes from him as he finally speaks again, "I know that it seems odd, but time has stopped for Saya. I do not believe she will age even one more day, but unfortunately for me, time certainly has been merciless."
Saya clutched the flowers even more as she felt tears prick the back of her eyes and her bottom lip quivered. What does he mean? Death was not a familiar concept to the young woman. What frightened her more was the thought that if something happened to Joel, who would look after her- especially knowing that she was so- so different.
She left the lilies by the door and ran off in tears. Hagi would never stick around, knowing what she was.
Saya ran to the only place she could think of- the tower.
Diva didn't understand what was so wrong with drinking blood- she did it all the time. It made her feel strong, but Amshel never let her have too much. She felt weak most of the time because he never let her properly feed. Diva simply listened rather than argue, taking in all the information she could.
"Diva," Saya sobbed as she wiped tears with the back of her hand, "I'm going to get you out of here one day, I promise!"
"Oh Saya," Diva responded, "I would be grateful, but I-I am afraid. Diva was stammering as Saya smiled.
"Diva, there's nothing to be afraid of. I'll be there with you and I won't leave, I promise!"
Saya looked up suddenly as she heard Hagi calling her from far off. He wasn't anywhere near the tower, but Saya still responded. "I must leave, Diva."
"I know, I hear him," Diva responded. She sounded sad as she added, "He- seems fond of you."
"Oh don't be silly," Saya admonished. "It's just Hagi." She took off down the steps and into the brambles and weeds.
Diva smiled after her friend as her fingers gripped the bars of the window. Even though she was shut away from the world and kept from all contact, she could sense it. There was an overpowering connection between Saya and this man named Hagi.
When Saya made it back to the manor, Hagi was calling for her and looking quite concerned. She came up to him and tried to make herself presentable. He turned and caught sight of her. "Where have you been? I have been searching and calling you for nearly an hour!" he asked.
She fingered the ribbon on her dress nervously as she tried to find something other than him to fix her gaze on. "I was… I mean… well… I wanted to… but then…" She grunted in frustration that she couldn't even come up with a good lie.
He rescued her, as usual as he suggested, "Let's take the boat out on the lake. Maybe you can tell me once you've gathered your thoughts."
She sadly nodded as she continued to search for something to stare at. He grabbed her hand and guided her to the boat.
Once he had rowed them to the middle of the lake, he pulled in the oars and tried to catch her attention since she seemed to be looking everywhere but where he was. "Is something wrong, Saya?" he asked.
She gave a heavy sigh and asked, "Do you think I'm strange?"
He stilled his movements. He blinked as he tried to understand where she was going with this.
She finally looked at him and elaborated, "Look at me! I'm nearly 50 years old and I look younger than you." Leaning forward, her hand skimmed the water and the fish in the lake swam hurriedly away. "Everything is afraid of me."
He was startled as she stood up quickly, rocking the boat. She pointedly asked, "Do I frighten you, Hagi?"
The boat pitched to the side, taking on a bit of water. Suddenly concerned for her welfare, he stood quickly and took her in his arms, soothing her. "Of course, I'm not frightened by you, Saya," he reassured.
Her ear was pressed to his chest as she listened to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. "Your heart beats the same as mine, but why is it that I am so different?" she asked. Her eyes looked up into his, begging for an answer. But her constant companion could give her none. She knew this. The only answers to these questions could only come from Joel and maybe even he didn't know.
The two friends usually stayed up late into the night, just talking or reading to one another. She would often sneak across the hall to his room, like she did when he was a boy. As their conversation turned to the Shakespeare play Joel had wanted them to read, Saya briefly thought of telling Hagi about Diva.
She knew that he had a tendency to worry over her going off alone and that part of the Zoo was considered off limits. Maybe it would be best to stay quiet.
Surely Hagi could see past her disobedience and realize that poor girl was locked away like some kind of prisoner. Diva did nothing wrong- it was unfair for her to be locked up that way. Saya opened her mouth to speak but was surprised when Hagi spoke instead.
"I am sorry I have been away from you so much lately," he said as he looked down at his hands that were clasped between his knees. He explained, "Joel's birthday is next month and he and Amshel are planning a party. I have been out delivering invitations and running errands for them…" He sighed as he finally looked up with sincerity shining in his eyes. "Forgive me, Saya? I have been a poor friend to you."
She smiled and patted his hand, reassuring, "No you haven't, Hagi. You have responsibilities now and Joel and Mr. Amshel rely on you. I don't mind being on my own for a while."
He put his hand over hers and gave her a small smile. "I will make it up to you as soon as the plans are set in place. They shouldn't need me as much then."
She gave him a fake pout and replied, "It better be really good since you've ignored me for so long."
"It will be, Saya. I promise to bring a smile to your lips." He looked into her eyes as he spoke and Saya noticed how his blue-grey eyes seemed to sparkle.
She made her way back to her room wondering why that look always seemed to make her feel so light, like she could float away. Twirling a lock of her hair in her fingers, she entered her room and shut the door.