A/N: Time for a little 14th birthday party…
It was a bright sunny day on her 14th birthday.
She was dressed in dark purple, her hair long and free, with her young girlish dress short and lacy, and dark as always. She never wore anything bright since the day her father died four years ago.
Today she would don the fashions of a woman. Her hair would be kept in ponytails or buns, her dresses long and elegant around her womanly curves, she would learn to wear a corset and do more womanly, proper ways and manners. Her studies were going to be more rigorous. After all, she would be Princess someday.
Her circle of childhood friends and the few members of her family all gathered at her home. It was a large mansion bedecked in green and dark clay colors, with greens and a forest where she used to play. Today such activities of building sandcastles by the lake, throwing mud and climbing trees would be over. Instead, she could read poetry in trees, walks on the beach and not step anywhere in her dress to a mud puddle. Soon her childhood friends would reach this stage soon.
The party was inside. Butlers were setting up tables, the chefs were cooking, the cake was ready, presents stacked in a corner and her mother busily setting the table. She just was in her room looking out the window at the parked carriages, mothers of friends and aunts and uncles coming inside. Soon, her betrothed would come in his magnificent blue carriage, and would sit next to her giving nice compliments to her and showering her with the most expensive of gifts. He would of course leer at her with hungry eyes, start doing more touching of her because she was now considered a young woman, and he would now become much closer and closer to her because of her age status. Thus he was to marry her and their close intimate relationship needed to be furthered…still she didn't like him.
But she didn't like any of the other men she met. None.
Except for the red man in her dreams.
He was there, a man with no face dancing with her as she wore a red dress in a have of bloody mist. She felt so happy…but the place was dark and littered with skulls. It was not a good thought if it said a tail of death…but she felt happy there.
But now she was here, going downstairs to celebrate her birthday, and knowing that The Red Death will kill someone.
The note he sent her she kept in a locked chest and never told anyone. It was her choice alone if she would leave with him or not. She was afraid of him and dared not think what would happen if she was in his clutches. But no one would die, she thought. She would protect whoever was threatened and they would not die!
She heard her mother call. Quickly she left her musings at the window and hurried downstairs, seeing her friends and family cheer and shake hands with her.
She smiled, delighting in some of their warm company…but the smile seemed fake. It was fake, for the past years she had been sad, grieving and lost. She was confused at herself, confused as to why people feel happy at all. They loved her for she was their family. Only in a sense, for she was adopted and only found out four years ago. She was a wandering soul awaiting this day to refuse The Red Death, to be surrounded by a man she would someday spend the rest of her life with and family who don't understand her.
Her mother wearing her hair in a bun was dyed delightfully pink, leading Virginia by the arm to the table. There, she was sat down while the guests engaged her in conversation.
She went through talking in a haze. She answered and question like a robot, thinking about the doom she was afraid of and hoped Prince Prospero wouldn't come. But, unfortunately he came with a grand arrival and entered, wearing a fine blue and gold robe and feathered hat.
"Virginia! Oh my dear…so good to see you!" He balanced on his toes in his buckled shoes, waltzing over. Virginia reluctantly nodded as he sat in the chair next to her. He took her hand and kissed the ring he gave her many, many years ago on her finger.
"It is a pleasure to see you, Prospero." Virginia said politely. Now that was a thinking adolescent she would now classify his attentions as 'ill-intent' and 'annoying'.
"Please my darling…call me Victor!" He smiled and chuckled and caressed her fingers in his hands. She let him, the Prince could do anything he wanted. And she was just a young woman while he was a handsome man.
"Alright then Victor." Virginia nodded as he dropped her hand and started to exuberantly point out the gifts which were obviously dresses, jewelry, pillows and a kitten.
Still it was a haze. She was living through her birthday party in a haze. Now the food was being served; apple stuffed pork, chicken and mushroom truffles, raspberry and cream cheese spread for the fine bread rolls, garlic wild rice, salad, snail and clam soup, and for dessert lemon soufflé and blackberry sherbet.
She finally woke up when she stood up to blow out the candles on the large chocolate raspberry cake. All were silent, looking at the woman wearing girl's clothing to blow out the candles to don the attire of a Princess to be.
Her best friend Merrin sat next to her. She was almost like a sister which Virginia completely ignored today due to her worries and unease in her mind.
A etching of the Goddess of Womanhood, like the amulet she wore around her neck was on the cake. She hesitated, staring at the goddess. Long ago she wanted to be the figure of all that was a woman's world…but now she thought differently, since The Red Death came into her life.
She blew out the candles. Nothing happened but the clapping of the guests. No Red Death yet…
Now things seemed more like a blur. She tasted nothing but worry in her mouth. She trusted no one. For the past years her face was able to make a practiced mask of normalness, and she furthered her technique to that of brimming happiness. Inside however she was tense. None there at the party was adept enough to read her eyes.
Slowly she opened her presents. Kittens, dresses, hair ribbons, hats and jewels, sewing supplies, shoes and hose were her presents, different from the toys and baubles of childhood. She was to be a woman now, a woman of honor. She was to be a political, intelligent and a leader.
Merrin hugged her, wearing the clothes of her age. She would turn 14 in 3 months, and her present to her friend was a fine blue hat.
None of the clothing was red. None. Only a few beads and such to add color, but red was now a taboo.
The Red Death plague however was closer and more deadly. Rich people were getting killed. Villages affected were set to burn. Taxes were raised and food and supplies more expensive. Fish was getting scarce, for a port had to be blockaded and quarantined from the plague that hit one of it's homes.
And he would come today. He would kill one of these happy faces. She thought, who would it be? My mother? Brother? Prince? Merrin? Another guest and friend? I will deny him. I will kill him.
Kill. Yes, she thought, I never killed. I had my dagger up my leg just in case. I would have no mercy, I will be fearless.
Yet she trembled at the very thought. She had been training herself to be strong and fear nothing. Not even death.
He wouldn't kill her though. He might torture, hurt, or treat her with gentle kindness if she went with him. But she had the choice and he would respect it he said. She didn't know him that well however to see his character. What she knew, was that he was slowly striking her vast country by merciless slaughter and disease, probably watching her every move since she was born to the peasant family, murdered her real parents and her foster father and intended some sort of plan for her to destroy the monarchy and the world. Which rather seemed impossible…but with the extant of the plague, and that he wasn't doing an all out slaughter of the country and instead taking his time, he could go to other countries too to murder…
She was just about to make herself feel grimmer when Henry came into the room.
Immediately her worries vanished as the symbol of her hope and light was here. Henry, her older brother. Henry, who just came back from some pressing engagement, Henry who hung his green wide-brimmed hat upon the coat hanger along with his frock coat…Henry who's very presence always saved her mind from insanity.
"Henry!" Virginia waved and smiled. She immediately put those distressing thoughts away and suddenly felt more aware of her surroundings. She was now 14. She was a woman, just celebrated a birthday and opened her presents. They were in a sitting room, she was on her favorite arm chair, he walked in and sat in another next to her friend Merrin, who was next to Virginia. Prospero gave a nod and a small smile.
"I'm sorry I was late, but family affairs and business took much longer than I had expected. At least I brought you a present!" Henry handed her a small velvet box tied round with a red ribbon.
The guests ooh-ed and ahh-ed, and Virginia's mother gave a little clapping fit. Her mother seemed a bit different since her husband died.
Virginia frowned. The ribbon looked familiar, and not only that but there wasn't much red around these days. Henry got up and handed to her.
"Where did you get this?" Virginia stammered as the distressing thoughts and worries were flooding into her mind. Henry's face was smiling as ever.
"I was handed the package by the mailman in town. It's from our uncle Alexander….a great uncle. Obviously he couldn't come…and I've never met him. Must be a hermit." Henry placed it in Virginia's palms.
She felt there was some ominous power in this little red velvet box…like something was inside it, churning and living somehow…but she was curious. Perhaps if she didn't open it, there would be woe and evil that stalk here.
She opened the hinged box, and all gasped at the ring inside. It was a gold band with a beautiful faceted ruby on it, with intricate gold patterns around it holding it in place of the swirling ring.
Prospero immediately stared at it. It was a shining beautiful shade of dark red, the gold looked exquisite and the ribbon fine material. Now who should give a young lady a ring? Especially…an uncle he didn't know the family had!
Henry was puzzled. The guests were utterly delighted to see their lady given a fine example of craftsmanship. Virginia however knew this was not such a gift from an uncle.
The little note that was in the box, written in red proved to who this little ring came from.
May this give you fortune and my protection, and show my undying love for you still lives.
Alexander.
"Alexander? Who is this Alexander?" Prospero mused aloud. He read the note over Virginia's trembling shoulders. Jealously raged in his heart, for the note said that this Alexander had undying love for her, his fiancé!
"I d-do not know…" She hastily placed the ring and the note into the box, and started to run upstairs.
The guests were in an uproar as she ran. She opened the door to her room, already seeing the butlers had stuffed it full of the gifts she had gotten today. Dresses and hat boxes were everywhere.
Her heart was racing, know that this Alexander was most definitely the name of her assailant Red Death. That he should give her this blood red ring today was disturbing. The shadows in the room grew as the sun was indeed setting. The nighttime, a time of terror…more grotesque images of ill intent and the musings of the dead entered her thoughts. She was powerless to stop them.
She was just about to lock herself in when Merrin ran in, and Virginia in her fearful haste locked it without noticing her friend casting a worried glance over her friend.
"Virginia? What's wrong? Is it your uncle?" Merrin placed a hand on her friend's shoulders. Virginia turned to face her, holding her hand tightly in hers and tears in her eyes.
"Yes…he's not my uncle! He' the Red Death…he gave me that ring…He's coming for me, he might kill someone…" Virginia was visibly shaking.
Merrin paused. What was this nonsense? But then…he did come for her, and did kill her father…it was Merrin's turn to shake now, bringing her crying friend close as she hugged.
"Everything's going to be okay, we just need to contact the constables…" Virginia started sobbing on Merrin's shoulders, hugging her friend tightly.
"We should…but it won't stop him…he'll kill them too…"Virginia pitifully whimpered. Immediately she pushed her friend away and went to the window. The sun was already setting.
Merrin would have left to get help but concern for her friend made her stay, and that Virginia had the key to open the door.
That was when Virginia took the ring out of the box and looked at in in the sunlight. There, she could see the evil material, the power manifested, that strange darkness that was between her fingers, the detail of the ingrained rose pattern on the band…
But she looked carefully, noticing a strange detail.
"There's a skull in the gem." She gasped, seeing a tiny, pale white skull in the jewel.
"I hope you will treasure your gift." The Red Death spoke behind her.
Virginia whirled around, staring at the fiend that stood in the shadows. In his arms was Merrin, her mouth clasped shut by a strong white gloved hand. She was limp, staring out into space. Her eyes were glazed over like she was dead from fright…but still she breathed and some color was in her cheeks.
Virginia however felt she would die. Her eyes looked over his form, and he didn't seem that monstrous and evil. He wore a red frock coat, a white cravart and his red hair was kept free. The mask was the same however, the same beige and fanged monstrosity that rested over his face, amplifying the redness of his lips. He dressed like a casual gentleman. But still he was threatening.
"I do not want this gift." Virginia managed to say. She pulled the note out of her bosom, holding it in her hand. It was the note from 4 years ago.
"You will accept it no matter what. It shall never leave your dainty fingers, and none shall claim you. It is a token, as I trust you have read the note with it, of my love and your destiny." He whispered the words softly. He stood still like a statue…but had the flesh of a man.
"My decision is thus. I shall not go with you this eve of my 14th year. Whatever plan you have for me shall not be fulfilled for I shall fight you, till the very end." A tear came to her eye, so strangely proud she was bravely saying this. "Even if it means…sacrificing myself…"
"I admire your bravery young lady, but you must take into account that today, Merrin will die because of your choice. I know that she is your closest friend, your main lady whom you confine your secrets, dreams and madness. Her secrets and ours shall die with her." He spoke a bit louder, with a grim face as he looked down at the whimpering limp form of Merrin.
Virginia bit her lip. She expected to come downstairs, bring Henry and guards with her to kill The red Death…but now she was locked in her room and her friend was going to die.
She had made her choice. Her only friend, the only person who she felt safe to describe her battling emotions. The trauma, the fear, the terrors at night, the anxieties about Prospero and his ways…everything…
The Red Death made it quick. He pressed a gloved finger to Merrin's forehead, and immediately she closed her eyes and just…died.
The Red Death carried her body to the bed, setting her down to lay in her eternal sleep. Virginia, while his back was turned went to the wall, clutching the dagger she pulled out from her garter.
Slowly, the red haired man turned, going to the windowsill to pick up the ring she dropped. He examined it, then looked at her. She trembled, clutching the front of her dress in nervousness.
Who wouldn't, after watching their only true friend just…die…from a single touch?
"My lady, you are strong. But you must wear this ring. It will protect you." His boots were soundless on the floor as he headed towards her.
"But will it protect me from you?" She said back and readied to stab him.
"No. I am your protection." He stood in front of her. One move, and the shaking Virginia could stab him!
"You do not protect me! You are my curse!" She hissed. "Don't come any closer!" Her sharp instrument prodded his chest.
"You cannot kill me my dear." Quickly, he grasped the dagger and tossed it out of her hands. Now she was truly defenseless.
As he pressed her against the wall and grasped her right wrist, immediately she began thinking of things she hoped to never think.
She was a young woman now, not a child. She had already hit puberty, was considered attractive by many and now Prospero had a different gleam in his eye; that of lust.
Her mother told her about the birds and the bees yesterday and fresh thoughts of what sexuality is were still in her head. She never actually had any of those desires and adolescent lust yet…but now the provocative position he held her in made her remember the talk about what rape was and how to avoid it.
He glared down at her. She was sufficiently pinned between him and the wall, one hand holding her right hand up and the other hand was holding her against the wall by her shoulder.
The only sound was the shuffling of moving clothing and the loud breathing from Virginia, as her heart was racing madly in her chest heaving with each breath. His hands moved from her shoulder, holding the ring and gently slipped it on her trembling finger.
However when he moved her hand to his lips, she broke from her paralyzing fear and started to wrench her hand from his grip. He was powerful though, keep her arm stiff as he slowly….delicately…placed a kiss on her hand.
She stared as she felt his warm lips tingle her skin. The strange thought that he was kissing her skin made her stomach churn. She could do nothing about it as he planted a few more delicates kisses upon her fingers. Finally he let her hand go and she brought it back in horror.
She looked down at her hand. The ring was on it, and also the slightly damp places where he kissed several times. Only Prospero and royal blooded guests dared to kiss her hand. And now her ring finger carried the ring of The Red Death, where only the ring of Prospero's devotion should be.
However he didn't leave her. Still he pressed her against the wall.
She felt his hard body against her, feeling something muscled and strong was pushing against her slender form. Both his hands snaked to her face, holding her cheeks and his thumbs lightly caressing her. A tear came to her eyes as she feared what he might do.
"Do not be afraid my love. I will never harm you or delight in your pain. You were bound to me from the very beginning. I shall never let you go." He whispered and leaned his skulled face to hers.
This time fear was all the more paralyzing. Her eyes closed as the scent of alluring roses…death…and red, warm blood blew across her face as he breathed. For some reason the scent was alluring…intoxicating…calming…
He kissed her on his forehead, as if asking for forgiveness for forcing a ring on her finger, ruining her life and running his fingers through her hair. She moaned slightly as his mask, warm from his face underneath it nuzzled her golden locks, breathing in her scent, savoring her.
"Good night my rose. I shall see you at your sixteenth with another gift…" He whispered.
Her mind was closing, her eyes shut and lost to slumber. The kiss on her forehead immediately made her sleepy…
She flickered her eyes open to see him lay her down upon the floor, to look down at her with sweet, warming eyes…that looked almost human…she lay, and let her dreams begin…
They would be the only happy dreams she would have for 2 more years.
A/N: Boy was that…a bit…provocative…
R&R!
Shoys.