Crimson Regrets
By: Rio Hime
&
Dark Mage Makai
I kicked an innocent pebble, watching as it soared through the fog, hitting the back of my companion's knee. The attack went unnoticed apparently, for I was spared a withering glare.
I am tempted to pout, give my "adorable infamous puppy dog look" and beg to go home. Beg to wake up and realize that this here, this moment, that today was all a dream.
A horrible, agonizing dream.
Then, when I wake up, I can prove to the whole world that it is indeed possible to feel pain in dreams. That and I can also dream in color.
Dreams are such mysterious things. Maybe, when I do wake up, I'll forget everything. I could live my blissfully ignorant life up in his castle, with him acting as the only caring family I have left.
Unfortunately, that's all it was, an act. Today, I had the joyful experience of witnessing a murder first hand.
I sigh. I refuse to believe that this is happening. I guess this is essentially denial. I don't care, because it makes it easier to bear.
-×-
I had walked into the dining room, finding nothing unusual with the dusky atmosphere. Dark sat at the table, food untouched, reading an old, worn book. I couldn't understand the title; it seemed to be in another language.
He then looked up at me, offering a small half smile. Looking back on it, he seemed a little shaken, but I had blamed it on lack of sleep. I smiled back and sat across from him. One of the servants quickly served me a meal, beef and potatoes.
I honestly never knew where Dark received such foods, neither of us worked. He had always claimed that he inherited everything from a deceased loved one. No specifics given and I never really asked before.
I slowly took small bites of my deliciously prepared meal. It was probably the last one I will receive in a long while. Looking up once again, I noticed Dark was still busy with his book.
"Is it really that interesting?" he had looked up at my comment, confusion evident in his handsome features. I'll be the first to admit it; Dark was certainly blessed in his outward appearance.
Pale skin like that of ivory, angular yet elegant features from the curve of his nose to the arch of his neck.
I always thought that he moved much like a swan, graceful and poised, but he was also agile like a cat, ready to strike at a moments notice.
His eyes were the most captivating feature of them all. Those wine colored orbs that were so much like the drink, once you have had a taste you couldn't go back. I thought that they looked like amethyst, the swirls of mystery weaving in them made then all the more alluring.
I have always founding odd that his hair was the same color as his eyes, even though I'm not really in a place to criticize. Even so, his hair wasn't nearly as alluring as those eyes of his, even though the locks were still rather appealing themselves.
I had giggled then, causing Dark to give one of his rare, softer smiles.
"It is." He usually talks more, most of the time I can't shut him up. I couldn't help but find this a bit strange. Feeling a little awkward, I tried to continue the conversation.
"What's it about?" I inquired. He looked down, as if thinking. Was he looking to summarize it or lie? I still don't know.
"It's about…" He paused uncertainly. Now I knew something was wrong. Dark doesn't hesitate. He's brash and cocky, almost always happy. He doesn't stutter, and he never refuses to look you in the eye, like he was avoiding to do right then. "It's about and illicit desire that needs to be denied. A young man who wants something so bad… but knows he can't have it. Not without hurting someone he cares about."
I paused, and then looked at Dark. I did a figurative double take, looking deep into his amethyst eyes that had finally made contact with mine.
"I… never pegged you for one to enjoy such sentimental things." I said slowly, thinking out what I was going to say. He smirked at this. That was more like his usual self.
"Well Dai… there's a lot you don't know about me." I figured he was kidding. I was about to respond, but he beat me to it. "If you would excuse me, I have other matters to attend to." Without another word he swept out of the room.
Meal long forgotten, I watched him leave the dining area. He was acting so odd… did something happen? I looked at my food which was cold and no longer appetizing, so I removed myself from the dinning room as well. It was time to see what Dark was up to. I don't usually pry like this but… In all the years I have known Dark, he has never acted so…
So cold
-×-
Once again looking at his retreating figure, I attempted to give my best attempt at a glare…
"Dai-Chan, you look so cute when you're angry!" I shuddered. He was back to normal at least…I guess his bloodlust is sated.
"Don't call me that." only people I trust can call me that.
"And why not?" I could see his playful grin… not literally of course as he was still walking in front of me. Which raises the question as to how he had seen my initial glare?
"Because…that requires trust…and…"
He actually stopped and turned around at this, looking a little hurt. I know I should feel guilty, but he brought this onto himself.
At least…I like to tell myself that.
-×-
I walked the corridors as stealthily as I could…but I'm a klutz. I was actually surprised that Dark didn't find me first, considering how much noise I was making.
Not that he didn't completely shock me a few moments later.
I never really took notice of how dark these hallways are. How dark everything is. …. And I never really thought about it… but "Dark" is a really weird name.
Great…even in flashbacks I ramble.
If I'm going to tell this story in an inner monologue, I've got to do it right, damn-it.
Nearing his study, I had shyly knocked on the thick door. I heard weird, muffled sounds… Knocking once more for good measure and receiving no reply, I slowly opened the door.
It took a while, because my eyes were not used to this kind of dark. The lighting, mind you. Once I adjusted, I noticed a huddled figure sitting in Dark's chair.
I cautiously stepped forward. Was that even him? His posture…was so unlike Dark.
"Stay back!" he shouted, causing me to recoil slightly. It almost didn't sound like him, I didn't understand what had him so overwrought.
"Dark…?" I wanted to reach out to him. I wanted to help him… he's always helped me. He's always been there for me, he was… is… my family, or at least what's left.
"…please…" I almost hadn't heard his pathetic whimper. Well, if that hadn't been warning enough…
"Dark… what's wrong?" I guess I have this need to help people in need… of course it would lead me to my demise - only in a sense, of course.
At this point, I swear I had heard Dark snarl, but I played it off as a trick of the mind as I took a few more steps towards him. I, in all my naïve innocence, could not fathom what was happening. I have read about it in books, heard about it in legends and myths, but I never imagined it to be anything like this.
Dark stumbled towards me, clumsily, almost as if he were dizzy. His head was low causing his amethyst tresses to block him, preventing me from seeing his face.
Out of instinct, I stumbled backwards. I could sense something was terribly wrong. I heard another snarl, this time it was unmistakable. It took a moment before I even realized that I was shaking.
When Dark raised his head to look at me, it wasn't Dark I saw. Maybe, somewhere in those vicious depths…maybe he had been deep in there, but at that moment, it wasn't Dark I saw. What I saw was some sort of monster
Even so, I suppose I find it hard to blame him...for when he lunged.
-×-
Disclaimer: No owneth
Rio Hime: Well, almost a week later than I promised, I finished my part. This is the first thing of this caliber I've ever attempted, so yay that DMM is going to end up the main driving force. Please review!
Dark Mage: I have the ideas, but Rio here puts in the wonderful writing, making my those come to life, at least on paper. She did help with the ideas and some of the finer points of it as well. It's nice to see another person's perspective, whether it is a fictional character, or a co-writer! Please review and tell us how it was! Also, tell me if my style is in sync with Rio's, cause I'm trying to make it to where our writing doesn't differ too much from each other.
