Chapter 3 –
1 week later 12th Annual Palazzo Capponi Ball.
Clarice Starling stepped out of the sleek black car that had been sent to collect her from her hotel, she felt extremely uncomfortable, to put it mildly. She wasn't used to this standard of dress and had blown most of her savings on the outfit, only to find that she didn't quite care as much as she should. Clarice Starling wasn't vain but even she would admit it, she looked good.
Her dress was emerald velvet and shone in reflection of the light, it hugged her figure but she was still able to breathe, a rare feat for a dress like this. It had a slit on one side that met the middle of her thigh, the only material touching her back was crossed silk string like that you would find on a corset but without the rest of the material. It also adorned a tasteful yet suggestive V down the front of the gown, she didn't quite know what to do with her hair the options were 'up' or 'down', she decided to leave it down around her shoulders, the green brought out the red in her hair, making her a striking picture should anyone's eyes fall upon her.
She was walking through the front doors of the main hall when she realised she was one of the very few people, mainly women; going in alone. Clarice looked around attentively and saw a group of nattering women, she joined the back of the herd and hoped that they would accept her, they did thinking she was one of them, most likely a young heiress or something.
As she entered a young woman who had befriended her from the group, points at certain people discretely and gives Clarice a brief description.
"That man there is the board member who wanted the curator job for his nephew." She said pointing at a short man who was sweating slightly and had the sort of grin on his face that made most women shiver in revulsion. Clarice knew she would have to talk to him, the only problem was how she would get him to be open and frank with her; she had a feeling he wouldn't be as forthcoming as Dr Fell. She voiced her thoughts to her new companion.
"Oh he'll tell you quite a lot, if you've got a pretty face and an even prettier dress, if you understand my meaning." She replied.
Clarice most definitely understood and shook her head in disgust, rolling her eyes as she looked around the large room. It may be a different country but the views on women were exactly the same. Her female companion was again pointing out different guests, all in stunning outfits.
"That is countess Chalioné she has very steep family ties with the library, someone told me once that her great grandfather used to secretly own it; can you imagine?!" The girl was getting a little exited and from what Clarice could see she didn't look older than 25, she didn't seem to be clever or have any wit but Clarice liked her. She was her physical opposite and she imagined they made for quite an amusing picture, entering together.
Clarice looked tall compared to the young girl, her body being short and stout put Clarice immediately in mind of a harried mother although she was probably far too young to have had children, nor did she seem married.
Clarice had never been overly conscious about her weight, she quite liked her body but treated it poorly, especially since she was always being shot at. Even wearing a bulletproof vest didn't leave you unharmed as the large purple bruises lasted for a while, more so on her pale skin. Not to mention all the flesh wounds, Clarice was counting her injuries mentally when a tug on her elbow brought her back.
"Look that's Lady Aurelia Lautez; she is very beautiful, is she not?" Clarice was half thinking about her wounds and half listening to the girl whose name she hadn't even learnt yet.
"Um… Yeah I suppose." The girl looked at her in astonishment and Clarice felt momentarily confused; wondering if she had committed some kind of social faux pas that made her stick out like a sore thumb. Her fears were unfounded and eased though, when her 'friend' merely shook her head and continued commentating on those milling around that large room.
"And that is the nephew of the board member, the one that wanted the curator job remember? He is rather handsome I suppose." She responded to her own words with a blush and Clarice smiled, her eyes not really paying attention to the man she was being told about.
"Ah and there is Dr Fell, looking very fine as always." Clarice was rather suddenly paying attention again as she looked over to see Dr Fell in conversation with who she presumed was a board member. He then appeared to sense that someone was looking at him, because he quickly parted ways with the gentleman with a handshake and made his way in their direction.
Clarice quickly turned to her companion and feigned complete interest in what she was saying, something about her dress, when Dr Fell approached in a fine white Armani suit adorned with a dark green tie; so dark it looked black and only the light reflecting an emerald sheen gave away it's true colour.
"Ah Ms Starling, You look ravishing." He said whilst placing a chaste kiss to her hand, as his lips touched her knuckles a shiver ran down her spine. It was a rather familiar shiver, one was accustomed to only ever receiving upon physical touch from one person, then again all he'd had to do was speak… She was musing about this when she realised he was now greeting her companion, whose name was apparently 'Esmarla'.
"I am terribly sorry ladies but I have other guests to 'meet and greet', do feel free to wander." He said with the right amount of sincere apology before bowing his head and walking away.
"You both looked comfortable! If I didn't know that you had come alone I would have thought you were together, even your clothes matched!" As Esmala giggled, Clarice realised that she was correct and an unreadable look crossed her face.
A short while later Clarice found herself dancing in the arms of Francesco Sogliato, the nephew to one of the members of the board and the failed applicant to the curatorship. Dr Lecter had observed keenly as Clarice had entered with a shorter, less graceful girl at her side. Clarice seemed to be pretending to listen as the girl beside her gossiped about the refined company they were in, he watched with a fond smile as her eyes surveyed her surroundings, ever the FBI agent.
He couldn't tear his eyes from her; admittedly he had followed her and watched as she bought the dress. He had not been able to resist temptation and had indulged himself in matching her dress with his own suit, though subtly. He hadn't quite expected his reaction to her, for one fatal moment all he wanted to do was walk over and claim her for his own, he had barely controlled this desire, though she did look ravishing.
Now he seemed to be punishing himself, watching her dance with another man. A man whom many would consider to be his rival due to his appointment as the curator, but Dr Lecter knew if there was to be a rivalry, it would be for personal reasons rather than professional. He watched carefully as Francesco's hand held Clarice's waist, his eyes narrowed for a moment as he considered revealing his identity to her. He was certain that she wouldn't be dancing with any other man if she knew he was here, watching her. He tilted his head in observation as Sogliato walked off, after speaking to Clarice and gesturing to the bar, with grace befitting a feline Dr Lecter made his move.
"Ms Starling, may I have the pleasure of your company for a dance?" Clarice looked surprised for a moment, not even casting her eyes around for her recent dance partner as she placed her hand in his, her sharp blue gaze meeting the green of Dr Fell.
"Yeah sure..."
I know this won't receive as many reviews as it had when I wrote it, but I'm re-writing this merely for my own peace of mind than anything else and I hope you enjoy it the second time round as much as I am.
