C'moooon I need your reviews and input, people!
With a crystal glass of wine in her dainty hand, Inna felt herself gently swaying to the ambient music that vibrated from wall-mounted speakers.
"Inna, darling! Come here!" The clear, song-like voice of Ingrid Faye chimed above the cacophony. Inna turned to see her mother standing tall and elegant amongst a crescent of people.
In the past hour, Inna had sipped through five glasses of wine, desperate for a reprieve from her troubled thoughts. The girl giggled to herself as she walked slowly towards her mother.
She'd never even finished a whole cup before.
But the alcohol in her system didn't have any useful effects on her deplorable social skills, and when she reached the small crowd, her eyes immediately fell to the ground.
"I hope you're having a good time, dear! The turnout was wonderful, but I fear we may have to set something up in the parlor because people are still pouring in," Ingrid explained, her speech laced with evidence of intoxication. Inna looked up at her.
Her mother had always been so beautiful; light caramel skin, Mediterranean features, her wispy limps and long legs. Always dressed in the finest clothes, something she forced onto her. Inna had been away for so long, but the years only added to her mother's loveliness. She tried not to feel envious or small in her shadow, but it was hard.
When she looked in the mirror, a doll stared back at her; porcelain, pretty at a glance, but hollow.
Inna forced a small smile.
"Y-yes, I am." Her mother smiled, revealing immaculate teeth.
"I've mentioned Kurt, haven't I?" She motioned to the tall, blonde-haired man to her right. Inna's eyes flitted over him for only a moment; broad shouldered, athletic, sculpted features. His cold blue eyes lingered on her, and her cheeks heated to a charming pink.
"Inna, it's wonderful to finally meet you," Kurt said. His voice was deep, intimidating. It reminded her of someone; fear and anguish wrapped around her heart, emotions amplified by the wine. He held out his hand.
Everyone stared at the girl, as she stared past them to an oddly dark corner of the connecting room. She didn't see their questioning looks or hear their murmurs, and she didn't see a disappointed Kurt lower his hand.
There was a shadow in that corner, a figure. So familiar...
It stepped forward, and the white light of the chandelier revealed a pale, mutilated face, and two wild blue eyes that radiated with hunger and longing.
Her surroundings became foggy, the music and laughter fading in and out. Her mother called out her name from somewhere far away, her voice echoing through the reality-bent landscape, but Inna was already walking through the crowd, towards the leather-clad man. Tears began to fall, blackened with mascara that her mother insisted she use.
Closer, closer...
When his body began to wane away, being called back to whatever Hell he came from, Inna cried out for him to wait.
