AN- I'm not even going to comment on my lack of appropriate updating this time. I'm just going to say it's shameful and let's leave it at that.
I had this chapter thought out for a while now, but it never seemed like enough, after all, how exactly does one plan to spend an entire evening acting out a believable romance after all that had happened before? However, the 2 reviews that I received this month just gave me this last boost to 'suck it up and write what the hell was on my mind'. And boy, did I write a lot.
That's exactly why the Masquerade shall be split into two chapters, and here I present the first part.
WildfiretheSandwing, WitchoftheDark, I give you my most cherished thanks. You were really what I needed to finish this chapter off, and to know you really enjoyed it made me incredibly happy. And of course, to all of you who bothered to stick on, favorite and follow! Thank you!
As you read I would very much advise you to keep in mind that Anais is, for a lack of better words, a sicko. Deranged, buried in such a deep stasis of dementia that the way the events unfurl before her is to her almost like a play in which she isn't a part of.
I know it sounds a bit heavy, especially for the romantic tones I had said I would kind of set, but I ask you to have faith in me when it comes to that, and once again, to keep this in mind not so much for this chapter, but for some of the ones that follow it.
And now, FINALLY! Y'all know how the disclaimer works, so let go of my ramblings and ONTO THE DAMNED STORY AT LAST xD
~Bee~
31st of October- The Final Day
She was an idiot. A complete, utter idiot.
Completely aware of her surroundings yet performing the wrongful action nonetheless.
He had shot back after the tiniest moment of contact and she did not blame him in the slightest. She was sure he despised her as much as he had in the beginning, if not more.
Anais had just watched in silence as he turned stiffly and left without a word, and then she had finally let her head drop as giggles raked through her body. The need to laugh at the situation was simply too big for her not to do so.
After all, she had probably just jeopardized her whole arrangement, and she couldn't even blame him for the highly likely motion of backing out of the deal. Sure, it would have heavy consequences on his side, but like hell could she now what went on inside his head.
Her Puppeteer was cunning, after all.
The insane amount of crazed laughter drove her to tears and, gasping for breath softly, she let herself fall down on the bed.
The outcome of what she had built would be interesting, surely.
The grin never left her face, even as she fell asleep.
Clopin had not intended to come back after the previous night, much less to actually attend the ball with her, but the safety of his people and the very specific terms of the agreement made it clear. Should he not accompany her, the deal was off and she was free to do whatever she felt like doing.
Yet he had no idea of how long he would stand it. There was a lot at stake.
Because in the end, if he went down, would she fall too?
She got all dressed up. Hair up, as usual, black and blue dress accenting the parts of her the world deemed beautiful.
The mask lay on top of her bed and she gazed at it absentmindedly while sitting on her piano bench. A small smile ghosted over her dark painted lips.
…
The window behind her opened, and in he came.
Walking up to him, she handed over the other, similar mask, and indicated the bathroom with a nod of the head. While waiting, she twirled around in the dress, humming to herself.
"I'm ready."
Anais stopped her foolishness and eyed him up and down. Grinning, she picked up her own mask and asked him to tie it for her. Once he got close enough, she whispered.
"Remember what I taught you and no one gets hurt."
He took notice that her voice was particularly somber-sounding, but just after returned to its usual mocking tone.
"Shall we, Pierre?"
He turned to the door, but she chuckled. "Oh, no, my Puppeteer, not yet. I meant here." She pointed to the vanity next to her. "It's time to make you… one of us, I suppose."
He paled and she chuckled once again. "See, getting there already!"
Finally in the carriage, with the gipsy looking MUCH paler and the German grinning like the maniac she was, they set off to the mansion. Frollo would apparently only meet them there, which was good, especially for the nervous male in the carriage.
"So" she started "After tonight, I shouldn't expect to ever see you again, am I correct?"
He actually smirked for the first time that night. "If this plan of yours works, yes."
"And is this the day I learn your name?"
"Maybe."
She laughed and shook her head. "I know you well enough to know that means no."
One of his dark eyebrows arched and he eyed her sceptically. "We've known each other for a month."
"Ha! You're an open book! It should take about a week to know you!"
"What?! No I'm not!"
She sniggered in an unladylike way. "I knew you were going to say that."
"Shut up. You realize you talk too much, right?"
She smiled goofily and leaned her head on the window. "I'll have time to be quiet when I'm dead."
The rest of the journey was met with comfortable silence.
Upon arriving, however, Clopin's behaviour changed as the nerves set in, but for some reason Anais' small shove made him keep himself in check and remember to lace his arm with hers.
A few faces turned to them as they walked down the stairs to the foyer, and he expected guards to just flow in out of nowhere and arrest him, but none came. Anais merely lead him to a table near the corner and handed him a drink.
Leaning in close to his ear, she whispered as low as possible. "There is something else in which I need your assistance."
"And what, pray tell, is it?"
"I need you to help me poison some people."
He would've shouted the next works if her hand hadn't covered his mouth. "Just…" she sighed. "Come along and talk to them while I deal with the rest."
He nodded uncertainly. After all, he didn't have much of a choice.
And so, he cautiously and nervously made conversations with certain people chosen by the noble female, she who silently, calmly, slipped a blood coloured liquid into their drinks with an innocently sickening smile. It wasn't even worth asking why she was doing it, as he knew well enough that behind those pools of chocolate she had for eyes, and that elegance in which she carried herself at all times, was the only person he knew truly worthy of burning at the stake.
The thought only made him more certain that if he had signed a deal with the devil itself the outcome would be very similar.
And yet…He couldn't say it anymore. Should he say all he felt for the German was hatred, he'd be lying. And that was probably why his smile was brighter when she returned to his side and pulled him in for a dance.
Now, dancing with Anais was always a bit of an adventure, mainly because she was terrible. But dancing with Anais after she had had a few drinks? It was outright hilarious!
"Shut up" She whispered. "I'm not that bad of a dancer."
He chuckled as they spun, stealing glances at the people that watched them curiously. "I didn't say anything at all! I think you've finally lost the last of your sanity."
She stuck out the tiniest bit of her tongue at him. "I can read you, you're having some kind of inner monologue right now"
"Am not!"
"Are too!"
"Am no-"A slender hand placed itself between them, and Clopin could swear the rings placed upon it almost hit him in the nose.
"May I cut in?" The baritone voice of her uncle changed the girl's posture almost completely. "As interesting as it shall be to get to know my lovely niece's soon to be husband, I would like a word with her first, if you don't mind."
"Onkel! How did you know it was me? We are only meant to shed our masks as the last ring of bells sounds at midnight!"
"My dear, someone as bright as you can be recognized immediately by most. And so, if you allow us, Monsieur…"
"Pierre" Squeaked the spooked Clopin.
"Monsieur Pierre, Anais and I shall return shortly"
The gipsy managed a weak, shaky nod, as well as an incredibly forced smile as the girl held out her hand, to which he lightly brushed his lips upon, which she had long ago explained to having a meaning of respect and devotion.
"Until then, dearest." Her voice sounded softer than usual.
And finally, as the two walked away, the gipsy sighed in relief.
Poor thing.
Neither he nor she had any idea that it would all go downhill from there.
AN- I almost forgot to mention that you should be expecting the next chapter in a week or so! (I promise!)
It's almost fully typed out, all I need to do is find a good spot to end it and alter a few things. Once again thank you so much for reading, and especially to those who bothered to come back after so long!
I freaking love you!
