To say that Ingrid was not happy about this was, well...she wasn't, simply put.
"What do you mean you're leaving?" she asked lowly
"You were already attacked because of me Ingrid. I don't want that happening again. I don't want to know that the next time that happens you end up dusted, I won't be responsible for that" Everett said softly
"We just want to make sure you're safe" Marella put in
"And that means leaving?!"
"In this case, yes" Marella said softly
"We'll write you" Everett tried quietly
Ingrid exhaled through her nose a few times, venting her anger, before giving any sort of reply "Oh, you better!"
She pulled the younger girl to her by the arm and bundled her into a tight hug, something which she was unaccustomed to.
The female Dracula glanced to her other friend, her blue eyes threatening tears.
"When?" she asked softly
"Tomorrow, after the challenge"
Ingrid let go of the younger brunette "Okay. But, how are you going to escape if you're hiding with the rest of us up here and she's down there?"
Marella shrugged "I'll just say I'll keep an eye out for Everett, while staying out of sight. Easy"
"Let's hope it is" Ingrid returned
The next morning came around far too quickly for any of the girls liking at which point, they put the plan into action.
First, by approaching the two male Dracula's and telling them an abbreviated version of what was to come, mainly the part where Marella was going to watch over Everett that day whilst remaining out of sight.
Neither male seemed happy with the idea. The Count seemed more peeved at the fact that she was getting out and about and he was suck 'In the attic' as he put it.
Vlad gave the impression he was more accepting of the idea, in fact he was encouraging of it, but was still annoyed with something, quite probably the whole ordeal to begin with.
And with that, Ingrid gave Everett and Marella each one final hug and watched the two girls make their way down stairs.
Everything seemed to be moving in slow motion as she watched them disappear through the downstairs hall with one final wave and smile.
She made her way back along the hall at a snail's pace. Her arms having been folded at the beginning of her journey, as a way of holding herself together, had now gradually unfolded themselves and her fingertips grazed along the walls of the narrow passage, to keep her from falling to any one side.
She didn't realise the departure of her only two friends would hit her so hard. It was like losing Will all over again.
She slid between the gap of the door and closed and locked it behind her.
She stared down at her hand on the handle. She could feel herself shivering, but knew she wasn't cold. Everett said they would write, so why did she feel like that was never going to happen?
"Mistress Ingrid?" she heard Renfield asked behind her gently. She knew she'd heard him but he seemed farther off than he was.
She eventually turned around but looked by him, also ignoring the odd look her brother was giving her. She was staring at her father, sat on his throne.
She wasn't sure what she looked like at this precise moment or what kind of look she was giving him, but it caught his attention.
He sat straight in his seat, a look of mild concern flashing over his pale face.
"Dad?" she croaked, her voice not sounding her own. She began to make her way across the room but was met by him halfway.
She clung to him, desperately hoping for some fatherly warmth, which, at this time, he was all too happy to provide. No matter what he said or how he outwardly acted, what he felt mattered more.
She was his little girl, always. And he would always be there for her when she really needed him...and this event would never leave this room.
He held his little girl closer and followed her as she sunk to the floor.
As he watched on, Vlad knew this wasn't how Ingrid should react for, what would be only a few hours seclusion. Something was up.
He quickly made his way to the door only to find it locked. Using all his strength didn't even make it budge.
"Ingrid, what's wrong with the door?" he growled
Ingrid turned to speak over her shoulder "Marella is particularly proficient in molecular and force field manipulation"
"You mean we're stuck in here for good, why would she do something like that?!"
"To protect us and to make sure none of us could follow"
"Why?!" Vlad screamed
Ingrid finally met his stern eyes tearfully "Because they're not coming back"
The room remained quiet as her tears fell.
She was supposed to keep it together until it again became night, but found she just...couldn't.
Downstairs, Everett and Marella were preparing themselves backstage.
Marella was hidden out of view in the shadows of a corner and half hidden by excess curtain while Everett was readying herself and her violin for her performance.
She silently observed the pretty, blonde girl who was to be her opponent.
She looked nervous, if her constant swallowing and sweaty sheet music were anything to go by.
Everett lowered her bow and removed her instrument from her shoulder.
Ignoring the odd look she received from Marella, she made her way over to the other girl. She was probably two or three years younger than herself and, most likely, nothing could be done to pacify her fear filled green eyes.
"Hey, are you alright?"
The sound of Everett's soft voice made the other girl jump. She gave a quick nod a strangled sort of noise of acknowledgement. Turning away, she let her eyes drop back down the sheet music she held between two tight fists.
Everett stared down at it over her shoulder, kicking herself for deciding to wear heels on this particular occasion, courtesy of Ingrid...as a parting gift...supposedly.
"'See you again - 'Wiz Khalifa and Charlie Puth'. Good song choice" Everett continued sweetly.
The girl turned back to her, looking at her with an accusing look "Are you going to continue to try and psych me out or are you going to leave?!" she snapped
Everett blinked at her "Actually, I was going to continue to be friendly and try to calm you down a bit. Your nerves are finding their way through the wood of my violin"
The girl stared her dead in the eye, seemingly trying to unnerve the older of the two, but upon seeing the genuine kindness in Everett's sapphire orbs, she found her fear riddled defensiveness withering.
She sighed quietly, staring down again at the papers in her hands.
"I'm sorry I snapped. Look, you seem like a nice person, but seeing as we're competing against each other I think it would be best if we remained anonymous to one another"
Everett sighed and raised a dark brow in the blondes direction, her look filled with sarcasm and scepticism.
"I don't think so" she returned "Like I said, your nervousness is affecting everything around you. I'm Everett Ainsley by the way. Is this your first time doing something like this?"
The girl nodded, then shook her head, then nodded again and turned back to Everett looking seriously confused and as if she was begging for the brunette to answer the question for her.
Everett looked down at her with equal confusion. "So...is that a yes, or a no?"
The girls mouth twisted in complicated thought "I've done things similar, but they've always been group things. Like Math Bowls or some sort of team sports thing-"
"And this is the first time you've done something like this on your own" Everett guessed "That would explain your nervousness"
"I haven't even been playing for all that long! I've only just reached grade four and I'm not even all that good!" the girl practically yelled, then began to hyperventilate slightly. Everett immediately jumped into action.
"Okay, first things first; breathe deep breaths" she ordered and was glad to see that the girl took up her advice straight off.
"Secondly; I don't think your principal would've chosen you if she didn't think you had a chance"
"I was the only person to volunteer" the girl replied with frightened eyes again
Everett paused for a moment "Then that proves your brave" she finally answered with resolve.
Then she leaned in closer
"You said your grade four? Well, I'll tell you a secret; I have no gradings"
"But how long have you been playing piano?"
Everett's brows disappeared in her hair, that's how high they rose
'Piano?'
"I may have some bad news for you, I don't play piano" she eventually answered after another, longer pause.
"Then what do you play?"
"Violin"
"For how long?" the girl asked slowly
"Since I was four"
The girl stared up at her wide eyed and gulped with nervous shock.
Everett could only feel bad for her.
'I guess McCauley wants an easy win' she finally concluded. She realised then that she was doing nothing to calm the girl down.
"Okay, look, don't worry. It's just been a misinterpretation. That's all. On our principals behalf. We can still be friends...or acquaintances...I guess..."
'Aw damn!'
"You want to be friends?" the girl asked sceptically
"Sure, why not?" Everett replied. Then a thought occurred to her
"Tell ya what. They still expect us to compete but, why don't we shove it to "the man", hmm? What other songs do you know?"