Disclaimer: I don't own, blah blah blah. 'Cept for the four select few being: Mishka, Miroslav, Sasha and Dimitri.
Author's Note: I have never actually created my own villains for a story before so this is new territory to me. So I wanted to make them extra-special by creating a certain story about the two biggest baddies: Miroslav and Mishka. Kind of a ironic love-story mirror that of Buffy and Angel's, but without avail. Tell me if you like.
When Miroslav had stolen me from my people, all I knew was that he was a creature to be feared. I was but a tiny child and he, a monster. I watched, helplessly, as he murdered anyone who tried to reclaim me, spilling my people's blood to quench his thirst. He was a soulless, merciless Master. My only chance of survival what to do what he asked of me and pray that one day I could be free of him.
As time grew on, I watched him become more gentler to me, though always keeping me at an arm's length. He no longer ordered me about, or locked me away. He began speak with me like his equal and tell me of the great things that were to come. I saw more than just a monster, but a being with thoughts, motives, and sometimes, emotion. My infatuation was at first out of fear and admiration, I never knew it could grow so deep.
I crept into the crypt, pulling down my hood. It was dark, except for a few, lit candles. I draped my cloak over a chair near the entrance, spreading my hands over my dress. It was blue, like my eyes. I fingered the delicate embroidery, remembering the first time I tried it on.
When we were in France, Miroslav had brought it to me. He told me it was royal, a ceremonial gown. He bade me to put it on for him. And I was young and frightened of him and so I did what he told me. I remember how I relished the cool satin against my skin and how it clung to my curvatures, making me feel more like woman than I had ever before.
Miroslav said it was perfect for the girl who would come to rule the world alongside him. At first, I did not believe him. For what could my power achieve him? But worries of my usefulness, or lack of, vanished as Miroslav played music from an old victrola. The sounds filled the beautiful room as he pulled me to him. We danced for what seemed like forever. But when the music died, and I was pushed from his arms, that was when I realized that I had fallen in love with him. Dooming myself for the years thereafter.
Now, I saw his silhouette as he sat in a chair, facing a fire that was ebbing. I reached out and laid my arm over the back of the chair, and looked down as his hand reached for my own. As soon as he had grasped me, a cold chill tingled my nerves. He pulled me in front of him and dropped my hand. I longed to pick his back up.
"You have been watching her," His deep, coarse voice assessed. "Are you learning much?"
"Da," I answered with a nod. "But it is not time yet."
"We can wait," Miroslav resigned. "Anything worth the want, must be worth the wait."
"Hmm," I sounded my agreement and we fell to silence. He no longer made eye contact with me, but stared at the fire. I sat at his feet, looking up at him. I admired his strength, his courage, and yes, at times, his coarseness. When you love someone, you love all of the being, there is no compromise.
"Why do you wear the dress?" Miroslav questioned, his eyes never straying from the flames.
"Do you dislike it now?" I asked in return. "It holds memories."
"Memories are for the elders to reclaim their youth," he answered waspishly. "You are too young to hold such material in reverence."
"I hold it in reverence of you," I pleaded. "And for the hope that one day, when I have done all that you ask of me, that you perhaps will do what I ask of you."
"Pah," he nearly spat into the fire, then looked down at the floor at bit. "Hope is weak, it will never amount to anything. Remember this, Mishka."
"Then I shall dream," I retorted despite myself. "I shall dream of that day and perhaps a fairy will come and grant my wish. Does that suit you?"
"Insolent girl!" Miroslav shook his head. "And what is this wish of yours, hmm? Do you want to be a princess and live in a palace by the sea? Would that suit you?"
"No!" I was so close to tears now. "I wish that I could be with you, like you! That this mortal coil will no longer keep your heart from mine. That once - once - you call me your own."
I paused with bated breath. My back was straightened to reveal whatever dominance I could claim, but my tone remained the same: longing, pleading and hopelessly devoted to him. Miroslav furrowed his brows and slowly turned his head to allow his gaze to reach mine. His eyes were intensely dark, and lined with anger.
"Do you wish me to fail?" He said, softly but with great fervent. "To lose your power, along with your mortal coil, and leave me at the Slayer's mercy? And of Dimitri and Sasha, who you claim as comrades? You will be dust on wind like them as soon as you were turned!"
"Please, Miroslav," I cupped his knee, swallowing my pride. "I would never, never leave you to be destroyed. I only want to be closer to you, to understand you. I love --"
"Quiet!" Miroslav's strong hands pinned my arms to my sides, his eyes burning. "What you desire will not be done! Rid yourself of such adolescent fantasies. Is not all that I provide and graciously give to you enough? Do not give into what you think is love. Love blinds you and will destroy you, girl! It is for fairy tales and little people, do not bring it here. Now leave me!"
With that, he threw me from his arms and I landed on my elbows against the cold ground. Tears flooded my eyes and started their way down my flushed cheeks. I picked myself up, and dashed towards the exit. I stopped, picking up my cloak and looking back at Miroslav. He had returned to the position in which I'd seen him in first, staring into the dying fire.
I damned him under my breath as I tossed the cloak over my shoulders, but my heart clung to the hope. The hope that one day he would...that one day I would be loved.
As I rushed away across the graveyard, I saw the Slayer. I backed behind a tree, out of her line of sight and watched. Her keen eyes searched the cemetary, a stake gripped in her hand. Her face was set, and her stride predatory. Then I was surprised to see another figure hastened to her, a man. Almost immediately after seeing him, a smile broke out on her face and her stance softened. Then the man kissed her, and it was obvious they were in love.
"You see, Buffy," I whispered to myself. " You and I are not so unalike. We both want to be loved, and love in return. But you - you have these things, I cannot. You do not appreciate how lucky you are. But I can help you with this. I will take everything you hold dear, and you will learn this way. And perhaps, Miroslav will learn with you."
From that moment, I knew exactly how to make my dream come true. By destroying hers.
