TF FanFiction 1.2I
Aschenbrödel: Cinders and Black Glass Slippers

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A black swan gracefully descended the grand staircase. Her hair beautifully styled and detailed with an opal-crested headpiece of black wands... Her ears, neck and wrists shimmered with dark red garnet, matching the ruby red of her smiling lips... Her attire, a black flowing gown that flutters like wings with every step and sway of her hips... Her eyes, alluringly dark violets, ideally contrasting her flawless snow-white skin... Her face, unveiled from any mask, could as well overthrow Helen and the snow princess for her beauty... And on her foot, the nadir of night's glass slippers, completing her fatal seduction to every eyes that she entranced...

A very tempting succubus, if they only knew...

From the pool of thousands, her gaze found mine, and I saw the black Princess smile that deceitful smile she once tricked me with.

The bubble of confusion, guilt, rage and dread lodged in my throat. She- how was she alive? How was she there at the ball, dressed confident and tall, after the wretched scene I've witnessed? After what I have done?

Aschen made her way through the crowd, wrapping them all on her fingers.

And the prince, too...

No! I can't let Cinderella infiltrate into the royal family and destroy more lives, as she had done with us. I didn't care if I had appeared desperate - flaunting myself before the prince - but I'll bear all the negativities just to save them all from her.

But, alas! The prince still chose to be with her...

And danced, they did, in each other's arm all night long...

From a distance, I watched over them...

The crowd of admirers vying for my attention grew in doubles, that I could hold them back no longer. And so, I dance... I don't remember any of my faceless partners, as I only had my eyes on the two. And when her amethyst met with my sapphires at the last waltz, her violets burned vengefully... Then, after that last spin, they disappeared from the sea of twirling couples...

Quickly but respectfully, I excused myself from my suitors, and ran about to find Aschen and the prince. I search for them all over the place, when I heard the clock struck midnight. I rushed to the patio for a better view of all the happenings in the grand ball, and there I spotted her...

She was running out of the palace, the lion-masked prince just a few distance away from her...

Out the main entrance she went, one black glass slipper left behind...

The prince picked-up her footwear,

And called after her times and again,

But she just ran and ran until she was out the gates, and swallowed by the darkness of the eve...

I didn't know what made her leave, but in the least I was relieved that Cinderella was finally out of the picture. Just the sight of her makes me sick to the core... It was no longer fear I feel towards her, rather a boiling disgust at her apathetic existence... And I was tired of running from her, then, after her. I promised myself that I will do anything to protect everyone from falling into her trap. And I have every intention of keeping my word.

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I was tired after all the sprinting I did and had wanted nothing more than to go home and rest, but okaasan and nee-san were still enjoying the gala. As I didn't want to trouble them, I asked to be excused for home first.

Albeit a bit forced, I had obtained their permission, and had soon walked out the palace's grandeur - passed the breath-taking garden, then through the gates.

Soft zephyr sang to sharp senses, and I had calmed my thumping beat... If even just a bit.

Then, as if on cue, the scarlet medallion against my chest gleamed warmly, announcing the arrival of my precious Griffin.

Seems like nobody saw nor felt his presence, as all the guests and guards were still too busy with the festivities...

Not a sound escaped from the Griffin's mighty chords, but nodded me a greeting. His gazed was gentle, sparkling in attempt of a smile. I chuckled at his consistency, tenderly smoothing his golden fur, before mounting his strong back - warm and comfortable; I could sleep on him without a care for the world...

Then, up we went, soaring in Diana's dance with Apollo...

It was heavenly, and for that short blissful moments, I had forgotten all of my concerns... It was just me and my Griffin then... Didn't really matter that he isn't human, but right now his the one I love the most... Doesn't really need to be romantic love, but I love him with a special love I treasured in my heart... I love this honest ember-eyed Griffin, my ever loyal guardian angel.

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