"Do you recollect that time you said you would listen to me and do as I say?" He casually questioned.
When she nodded, he continued, "Get ready for the ball."
Akiko sat there with her mouth hanging, her eyes widened slightly. On her window sill, she felt the cold icy wind hit her skin but that wasn't the cause for her shiver.
This was abusing his power, his control over her! He was abusing her loyalty and love for him…Wait, love? Where did that come from? Surely it was an innocent love; after all, he did raise her. The Brides did too, and she knew none of them were related blood wise…VERY bad choice of words.
Perhaps the love was…well, who knew anymore. She had never experienced love before, except for the friendship with Mary. How would she be able to know what love was? Innocent or crush wise, she hadn't the slightest idea what it was. Dracula and the Brides cared for her, yes, but they didn't really love her…they couldn't. They were dead. Or if they could, they certainly didn't show it.
"Get dressed, now." He stated while laying the dress on her bed. In what little light she had, it was difficult to see it but it was definitely dark red. And a shade of red that dark reminded her of one thing; blood. Which, like a chain reaction, set off silent alarms of vampires being there. Surely though there would be humans too!
Just as Dracula planned to leave, she stumbled off the window sill and hesitated. "Master, there are humans there too, right?"
The man chuckled, "Yes of course…the servants. Now, get ready. I'll send one of the Brides to help you fix your hair." With that, the creature disappeared into a different part of his castle.
It took nearly half an hour, but she managed to get the corset on…the torture women endured to look as thin as a stick. Somehow, though she was young, she knew she'd never understand why they did that. Shaking her head, she placed the dress on and smiled as it slid on easily. The silk hugged her growing curves, making her blush lightly. It felt good against her pale skin.
The ends were a little long and uneven but she loved it. The shoes she'd have to wear would be high heeled, meaning it'd be difficult to run and trip over the dress. Damn, they had really thought through this when they bought the thing…they knew how to make her be…ugh, 'ladyish'.
It was dark red, like wine and blood. Against her pale skin and exposed neck, she felt…vulnerable. Speaking of exposed, the collar was cut into a low V, exposing little cleavage. The sleeves were spider web like, making her smile. Perhaps she'd put on some make up...
A few minutes afterwards, Verona walked in and smiled at her, her fangs and eyes glittering happily. "You look beautiful, Akiko!" She exclaimed with shock and amazement, clapping her hands together. Akiko blushed and shrugged, grabbing black sticky stuff.
"What is this?" She questioned, sniffing the odor-less piece of unused make up.
Verona rolled her eyes while making her sit in front of a mirror, combing her hair. "It's lipstick of course. Put some on." It looked so weird to see her hair being brushed back…and have only her reflection in the mirror. Inwardly, the girl shuddered. As careful as she could, she placed the black lipstick on her pale pink lips, noticing how it shined brightly against her almost-milky-white skin.
Verona started to do something with her hair, ignoring her cries of pain and annoyance. Akiko took the time to reflect upon her…reflection. Quickly yet carefully, she placed some orange eye shadow on and felt the urge to wipe it off. This was all just too foreign!
Noticing her scars, she grabbed some skin tone make up and hesitated. She could hide her scars just for tonight…right?
It took a few minutes but Verona managed to get her messy hair to look decent. It was pinned in a bun with a few strands of dark red hair covering half her face. With her black lips, orange eyes, and pale skin…she looked like a princess. Akiko was dragged out to the ball by Verona, thanking her quietly for doing her hair.
The great doors opened on command as they stepped in. It took a few moments to get used to the high heels, to concentrate on her steps while looking around. She wanted to see what everything looked like, what people…dead or alive dressed like, and the decorations. At the same time, she had to make sure she didn't trip and make a fool of herself.
Wait…Dracula had gotten these shoes one way or another, right? Had he planned to make her fall?!
Before she could think about that conspiracy, she felt eyes on her. Glancing around, she felt herself turn to ice; the music had stopped playing and everyone was turned to her. How she wished to run away!
…Maybe that was another reason why they bought the high heels.
"Akiko…" She heard her master's deep voice. "You look beautiful." Dracula stood before her, making her blush a dark red. He wore a black suit with gold lining every edge of the jacket, his hair pinned back with a gold clip. He looked refined, as always, but…he looked…different. Something about him made her smile.
But what was it?
He was no different than any other night, except more…gentleman like perhaps because of his guests. Speaking of…
Akiko looked around and felt herself shrink in fear. To make sure no one knew what she felt, she slowed her heartbeat and put on a smile, bowing slightly. They seemed to be predators looking for their preys.
The only thing that broke the hypnotizing silence was a maid walking in, serving goblets of blood. It was Mary! Akiko smiled for real this time, feeling a little relieved when Mary waved and quickly took off. Well, at least she wasn't alone.
The music started to play once again. It was a soft tune with the violin instead of a fiddle as she heard at the village. There was also a harp…and some sort of flute. It sounded so…beautiful. She closed her eyes for a moment, allowing herself to get lost in it…to daydream.
A throat being cleared is what made her come back to the present. Dracula was holding out his hand with a smile, "Care to dance, little one?" Akiko smiled and nodded, taking his hand. Luckily for her, she had learned how to ballroom dance at the village. Yes she wasn't great, but she wasn't horrible either.
It felt so weird to move with him slowly and calmly. Her heart jumped once or twice when he twirled her, the smug smile implanted on his face made her believe he heard it. Though she was a little short, she still managed to look up into his eyes.
The music in the air gave her a drunken feeling. She felt like it consumed her. The tune was gentle and slow but inside she felt like she could dance up a storm. Her stomach was doing flip-flops and she felt herself grow anxious. What was the cause of it though?
The people near…the creatures near them were dressed fancy. Their dresses with long with silk or ribbons covering the velvet like cloth. Their shoes, from what she heard, were either flat or had heels…and it looked like all the women wore corsets. What the hell?!
The men dressed in similar suits like Dracula's but less fancy. They were black and silver, with a little red in them. They danced together, the women and men, and it looked like they were on a timer. They danced in the same step, twirled, and swung at the same time. Akiko frowned, not liking it one bit.
Suddenly the music switched into something a little more upbeat. Hoping she wouldn't trip or harm herself, she pulled away from Dracula and spun around. She danced in a careless unlady like motion, a smile on her face. It was clear she was a free spirit, for the way she danced was like the villagers dances. Everyone looked and watched her move in fluid quick, yet hypnotic ways. She looked mystical.
Dracula stared for a moment. So this was how she danced at the festivals. He felt a twinge of a smile grow on his face while the Brides gasped at her ways. He'd hear them scream at her about it later but right now, with the music playing and Akiko dancing, he didn't care.
The notes of the song echoed loudly through the near empty room. After all, everyone there was hallow and Akiko was the only one with a heart beating…That meant something. She was different. She would always be different. Not just because of the scars hiding, not just because of her appearance, not just because of her free spirit and will to dance like a common…gypsy, not just because of her personality. It was because of her ability to live and love. Everyone in that room lacked that.
When the music stopped, Akiko opened her eyes and scanned the room. Everyone either had their noses turned up in disgusts or glared with annoyance. With her face a dark red of shame and embarrassment, she turned and walked out of the room quickly. Dracula felt his anger boil once more and left his guests to attend to his Akiko…
Heh…
His Akiko.
5 reviews. Next we'll see the aftermath and then skip a year.
