I watch as it streams down, dripping off of the pure, ebony tips. It soaks into the ground below, forming the shallowest of puddles, before disappearing entirely. I do so love to watch as each drop falls from the darkened sky above, to feel the almost stinging cold as it touches my skin. The rain is the reason I came here, the reason why I now lie on this stone slab. I think of the person who now rots away several feet beneath me and wonder if they loved the rain too. The sight, the sound, the smell, even the way it feels. Such a wonderful thing, my favorite thing in the world. I simply lie here, not moving except to breathe. Some may have mistaken me for one of the dead too, were the dead not meant to be underground in this place. I turn my head to gaze at the rows of drab stone, far too many to count. So many have come and gone in this place alone, but it is a beautiful place to go. My eyes open to look for the noise from off in the distance. I wonder what it could be, but I have no desire to be found. I move swiftly, fluidly, and am gone before the noise notices me. Nothing but my silhouette on the stone slab to show I was ever there, and that will soon fade by the rain.
My little sanctuary is quite like me, a bit broken but still full of purpose. A little mansion long forgotten, hidden within the oldest parts of the sacred grounds. The dead sleep not far from here, granting me the comfort that I, too, will rest in peace some day. For now though, I must keep my eyes open. I have a purpose to fulfill and so little time to do it. Twenty four years I have spent searching for this, yearning to know what my destiny is so that I can finish my duty here and rest at ease. This world can be a very beautiful place but, more often times than not, it is full of so much ugliness it hardly makes up for it all. I glance at myself, going over this human form with my blue-gray eyes. My hair, now completely drenched, wraps its ends in small curls around my waist. I can easily see its contrast against my skin, so pale, as it hardly ever sees the sun. I cannot go out during the day when the sun shines bright, the light is so harsh on my eyes. This place though, with its many storms and rainy days, allows me to venture out in the day without the pain. I stand to strip myself of my soaked clothing, even the corset being sopping wet. Perhaps I enjoyed the rain a bit too much today. I do not wish to make myself ill, but I simply cannot help myself. With a smile, I toss the clothes aside and glance in the mirror once more. I can't help but sigh at the sight. Despite being full grown I seem so small, I cannot possibly stand much taller than a meter and a half. Granted, other parts of me do resemble that of a woman. I suppose my breasts are of a decent size and my curves settled in quite nicely, thanks to the years of corset training. I decide to stop picking at myself and find something dry to wear, wandering to the other side of the room before realizing just how cold I am. With a shiver, I find a simple dress to wear, not bothering with another corset for the time being. I have no desire to leave the house today, if I were to do so too frequently I may be found. I suppose that makes it a good thing I find myself alone in this world, no one to come by or go to. I never really was much for people anyways, their energies always make my skin crawl, and crowds make me sick. No, I am just fine here with my paints, and stories, and even a couple of local furry friends that seem rather nice.
I wander about the house, bidding a good day to the little red fox whose pelt is always so vivid against the dull, dark colors of this place. I enjoy its drab appearance though, so simple, with its black walls and columns and even the charcoal grey and white checkerboard tiles that cover the floor. The rugs that once ran from the doorway and up the stairs to lead down each hall were obviously a shade of red at some point, but time has made them dingy and dull. At some point I will replace them, and fix the rest of this place up too. Oh, the ideas that flow, wondrous shades of purple lined with silver to bring color to this place, a new chandelier in the main hall to replace the one that fell some time ago, bits and pieces of the house patched up and the lovely stained glass window that presents itself before the vast expanse of tombstones just beyond. Ah, I dream of the beauty this place can bring, but first, I must meet with the groundskeeper. I have heard much of him but still have no precise name. Regardless, I will need him to grant me proper access to this place before I can really do anything with it, let us hope he is an understanding man. I do have money, that is not an issue since my late husband's early passing. We did not even have the chance to consummate the marriage but I was his wife regardless and have since inherited his money and the company itself, as there were no other close relatives of his left alive to claim it from me. Such a tragic death, he was still somewhat young, but lingering on those thoughts will get me nowhere. For now, I must plan, I have business of sorts with this "Undertaker" that I must see to soon.
I wake to see the sun trying to peek through the clouds. As off putting as that may be though, I must venture out today. It has taken me the past week to build up the nerve to meet this Undertaker, not entirely knowing what I am up against. Some say he is a good man with a smile almost always on his face, others say he is entirely mad and that smile has hidden intentions. Either way, the man seems to be of the happy sort, which is uncommon for someone from his line of work. That is both reassuring and slightly unsettling, how confusing this man already seems to be. Either way, I must do this, I have a long list of things to get to and he is the first step towards accomplishing anything here. I drag myself out of bed, lingering beneath the sheets only for a moment. I stumble past the mirror noticing the state of my ridiculous bead head. Sometimes I am amazed a brush manages to tame the mess my hair tends to be in the mornings. It does take some time, but eventually my hair is tangle free and the ends happily curl up as if to say hello. After that, I walk to my wardrobe to pick an outfit. I wish to choose something that makes a good first impression but also shows what the groundskeeper should expect from me. To show a false start would only lead to mistrust in the long run after all. With that in mind, I pick one of my frillier, but still favored, dresses. A lovely black and purple one, with a bit of lace on the underskirt and corset styled lacing forming dividing lines around the outer skirt. The sleeves are separate but match the 'black with purple accents' design, lace, lacing, and all. To top it off, I bought a pair of boots and gloves that match, alternating the color scheme so that they are mostly purple with black details. With that, and a couple of my braids pulled back and placed in a little black bow to hold my hair out of my face, I walk courageously to the front door. Whatever this man has in store for me, I am prepared, or so I thought. I open my door to find him standing there, obviously grinning at the shocked look on my face. I'm not given much time to look him over before he speaks.
"Well hello there, aren't you a cute little thing." he says with a voice that nearly gives me shivers, "I was thinking about our meeting earlier and thought it a shame to make a little lady, such as yourself, go all the way to my shop just to see me when I would be working out here later this afternoon anyways."
I stare at him for a moment before even processing his words, "Oh, why thank you. It was very kind of you to think of it that way. Knowing me, I would have managed to get lost anyways, I have a terrible sense of direction." and I nearly smack myself for saying such.
He chuckles a bit before responding, "Is that so dear, however do you plan to fix this place up or take care of yourself, much less, if you cannot manage to get around the city without getting lost?" and with that he cocks his head to the side, his grin widening as he does. "Speaking of which, why is such a pretty lady all alone in a place like this?"
I take a moment to think carefully before answering, "Well you see, I no longer have any family and have never had many friends. Since my husband's passing I have had to find someplace to manage on my own. I certainly have the funds and will pay you what you need to let me stay here." I manage to say before being cut off by another chuckle.
"I have no interest in the Queen's money dear, no. No family or friends you say, and a late husband to top it off? My dear, you are quite young to be having such troubles." I cannot entirely hold back the glare as the words leave his mouth, and he laughs for a moment before continuing. "Ah, but it seems you will be fun to have around, so tell you what. If you can manage to make me laugh often enough, i will let you stay, and may even help a bit with the old house here, for a few extra giggles."
He's willing to help, for laughs and giggles? The poor man really is mad. "Okay, you have a deal mister..."
"Just call me Undertaker dear, everyone does." he says with a smile and a small bow. "May I have your name in return?"
"Oh! Of course, my apologies. My name is Lune, Lune Liel, a pleasure to meet you." I return the courtesy.
He takes my hand in his, making mine look tiny in comparison, "Well then miss Lune, it is a pleasure to meet you and I look forward to working with you in the near future." and he kisses my fingertips gingerly.
I blush a little at his forwardness, but decide to accept it nonetheless. My mind is still buzzing with all that was just accomplished before it stops with the realization that I now have nothing to do for the rest of my day. I had finished all of the company's paperwork for yesterday and today expecting this to take much longer than it did. I stood there and thought for a moment on what I should do for the rest of my afternoon before looking back at the mansion. I suppose now is as good a time as any to get some things taken care of, a few minor things here and there to buy so I can begin repairs, or at least a few replacements. First thing is first, hiring some help for around the house. With that, I make my decision and decide to chase after the Undertaker, if he is willing to help I think it would be wise to accept his offer.