That night started out like any other.
Looking back on it now, I half-wished I had left her where she stood; there, on that street corner just across from the apothecary. Maybe I should've done more to avoid her like all the other passer-by's in the street: stuck closer to Eileen, brought my dark cloak tighter around my body, buried my face further in the folds of fabric which kept the cold out. Or maybe I should've taken off my mask altogether? If she had seen I was a woman from the beginning, our lives could've turned out very differently indeed.
And quite possibly, her life would've been spared from fate's cruel clutches…
XXX
I knew what she was the moment I saw her. It wasn't difficult to determine; very few women of respectable reputation would be caught standing on the edge of a cobblestone pavement so late at night.
I remember that night clearly, every detail so vivid in my mind. She stood, silhouetted, under one of the dim gas-lamps which served as the only sources of light against the suffocating blackness of Yharnam. The city was very much born from the darkness; a twisting, scraping, sky-reaching maze of archways, towers and cloisters all painted black from the grimy cobblestones. In the midst of all this bleakness, she stood alone – a single light in the dark, soon to be snuffed out in the wind if she wasn't too careful.
Her pale skin was illuminated under the lamp, casting shadows on her clothes and making her fit the image of a 'Lady of the Night', the name the privileged folk (unlike me and my fellow Hunters) gave to prostitutes. Her lips were wine-red – the same colour as her embroidered dress - and her light blonde hair cascaded in soft waves.
Despite her outwards appearance, she didn't behave like the typical street-wench. She stood elegantly, as if aware of her profession and not the slightest bit ashamed of it, however she never approached any of the shrouded citizens who passed by, unlike the winking and sweet words most called out to draw in clients. But then again, what would I know of a prostitute's position?
Hunters were supposed to be respected. Despite the degrading reputation, we were meant to be seen as brave warriors, venturing out every night to protect even the lowliest citizen from the monsters that haunted their doors. At least, that's the idea the Healing Church had in mind. Truth to be told, Hunters were avoided as well; met with turned-away heads and darkened gazes whenever we dared to show our faces in public.
"Supposed to be huntin' scum", frequently followed me and Eileen around whenever we were spotted doing something other than risking our lives in a blood-soaked brawl. "No rest for the wicked", was all Eileen ever bothered to reply with; if she even decided to talk at all, that is.
Mutual respect would be appreciated, at least.
That was what went through my head as we turned the corner and saw her, the pale-blonde. I felt Eileen brush past me, a silent reminder to keep walking; we hadn't reached home yet. I was about to follow when I noticed out of the corner of my eye, she waved at me.
Staring back at me across the street, her blue eyes sparkling endearingly, waving to me as if she was greeting an old friend. I sensed Eileen had stopped as well, questioning the nature of the hold-up. After giving a quick left-right glance across the street, the blonde shrugged her white shawl up across her shoulders before venturing out from the safety of her darkened alleyway and into the main street, the heels of her shabby black boots clacking on the cobblestones with each step.
I glanced about too; there was hardly anyone nearby. Good. The fewer eyes present, the fewer chances of the Healing Church successfully hearing about this interaction. Prostitutes were and have never been legal, but it didn't mean that their… service wasn't in high-demand. I brushed my hand against the stitching of my mask; ensuring it fully covered my face before turning to her.
The pale woman was directly next to me now, so close I could smell her perfume even through the mask's fabric. She batted her eyes at me softly, giving a subtle indication that my potential at becoming a client of hers, now made me her prey. One thin, pale arm reached out from under the shawl and brushed against my forearm.
"Hello handsome", her voice resonated to a silky purr. "Are you one of those brave hunters that keep us safe at night?". I made no movement, wondering if it would deter her or if she should continue. "I'm a little lost and all alone out here. Would you be so kind as to escort me home?", she smiled sweetly. Not a sleazy, over-enthusiastic smile - one that was soft, endearing, almost.
"I would be ever-so grateful for your service, kind sir", while she had been sweetly caressing my arm, her fingers had trailed up my other shoulder and now her hand was splayed across my chest, positioned so my heartbeat thumped underneath her fingers and the layers of lightweight armour that separated our skin-to-skin contact.
I inched my chin forward, and she took this as a sign of confirmation. Casting my eyes around the area and finding us alone (except Eileen, who had slipped into the shadows to blend in perfectly with her surroundings, watching us from a perch with her arms crossed patiently), I gestured for her to come closer. Pulling my hood lower around my face, I reached under the cloak and undid the mask, letting it fall away from my face and feeling the cold night air wash over my skin.
I'm not sure if it was surprise or carefully-hidden disappointment that flashed across her face, but whatever emotions bubbled in that instant were gone in a second and she had reached her previous cool composure.
"Oh I beg your pardon, Madame Huntress", she apologised, her pale-blue eyes turned glassy in the moonlight. I raised one eyebrow in good humour, amused by her sudden change of tone. Her voice had instantly switched from soft and seductive to a central Yharnam accent, where I could guess she was from. "I assumed you were a Hunter looking for company".
"Don't be sorry, there is nothing to apologise for", I waved away her words. "That is what these are for-", I held up the mask, similar to Eileen's. "I'm glad to see they work to their design", I smirked, having broken the ice between us.
"That was a little unkind of you to make me continue with my charade, thinking you were a man", she pouted slightly, but her eyes shimmered with laughter.
"How else would I be able to continue our conversation, if you knew?", I asked slyly. The woman rolled her eyes slightly, and then held out her hand warmly.
"I am Arianna, Lady of the Night", she said her title as if it was self-imposed. I glanced down at her hand cautiously. "I don't bite", she teased. "I'm not one of those beasts you hunt". I spoke my name aloud and placed my gloved hand in hers, feeling how warm her palm was despite her lack of gloves and the chilly night air.
"Now that we're properly acquainted, Miss Huntress", she continued, shivering and wrapping her shawl tighter. "Would you be so kind as to escort me to my lodgings?"
"You were being sincere when you asked for an escort?", I tilted my head at her, quizzically.
"Not in a prostitute's nature to be sincere, is it?", she laughed, suddenly realising I was silent. "It's alright, I know what I am. Not by choice, however"
"Of course not", I agreed, amazed she was talking to me so freely. How can someone who is equally shunned by society as I am, be so carefree about her role? A howl suddenly echoed from the distance, and a street cat slipped through the wrought-iron railings in the gate at the end of the alley and ran past us into the darkness.
"It may be in our best interest to move quickly", I urged.
"Is there a hunt on tonight?", Arianna huddled closer to me, concern in her voice.
"No", I shook my head. "But that doesn't stop the Beasts from finding free food"
"Let's leave then", her fingers linked with mine outside my glove, making my heart suddenly jump. "Quickly"
With a nod, I wrapped my black cloak around her shoulders, hoping to offer the best amount of camouflage and protection possible. I didn't need to signal to Eileen for us to leave, she stood up from her rooftop perch and dropped down in front of us; a silent raven, clad in black. Arianna let out a gasp of shock and gripped onto my arm, clearly unaware of her presence the whole time.
"Do not be afraid. She is my partner", I told her calmly, making her shoulders unclench and her grip loosen. Eileen inclined her neck, getting a closer look at Arianna before the red eyes of her mask glittered back in my direction.
"Later", her reedy, almost silent voice hummed against the night-time city din that echoed from far-away streets. With one word, she had slunk back into the darkness and was darting away like a little black bullet, across the grimy rooftops and off into the night. I turned to the blonde next to me, putting my arm around her waist protectively.
"Where do you live, Arianna?"
XXX
Yharnam was notorious for its labyrinthian structure but Cathedral Ward was the epitome of its maze-like nature; full of statues, gargoyles and winding streets that you never could be sure where they led. Also, stairs; lots and lots of stairs. Black grime was caked onto the steps we descended, heading down into the lower levels of the borough. Passing through iron gates and archways, we ventured further into the heart of the city – stepping warily as to make sure we went unnoticed, the vacant streets making it easier to blend into the darkness.
Our feet were the only sounds that broke the grim silence of the night. The wind howled high above the Grand Cathedral; regardless of where you were in this district of the city, the Cathedral's spires were still visible even at the lowest level – another reminder of the Healing Church's unquestionable authority.
"Isn't it difficult to see out of those things?", Arianna's voice broke my train of thought. She meant the mask – I'd put it back on again after we'd left. It would be better, for her and me, that no one would see us together. "Doesn't it make fighting the Beasts harder for you?"
I pondered her question. It wasn't an unreasonable one.
"Not particularly", I answered quickly, glancing at the shadowy streets around us as we passed by. Arianna was no longer holding onto my arm, instead she was freely walking at my side, her hands clasped together elegantly.
"What are they for, then?", she persisted. I sighed; she clearly wouldn't give up any time soon.
"They're for protection", I kept my voice low.
"From what? The Beasts?", Arianna looked at me curiously.
"Mostly"
"So there are other things that they protect you from?"
"Yes"
"Then why don't we all wear masks?"
"Because you don't need them", I answered, trying not to sound irritable.
"Why do you need them then?"
"As I said, protection"
"But from what?". From behind my mask which had gained her incessant curiosity, I looked at her pointedly.
"People"
We were silent once again, walking as a pair but still apart. I could tell she wanted more answers but was hesitant to push further.
"They keep me from being recognised", I said after a minute's silence, a tolling church-bell in the distance.
"Why would you not want to be recognised?", she asked quietly, fiddling with a loose thread on her shawl.
"I make my living through hunting monsters, it's not exactly the most reputable occupation. People don't like hunters because they're aware of what we can do, and what we do do. We clean the streets of the plague every night, in a never-ending and merciless battle that has been ongoing for years, and people can't stand the sight of us because we're a reminder of the true world we live in", I let out a deep breathe, conscious of the unhidden hatred in my voice.
"The Church, the aristocrats - all those in power pay us to slaughter the Beasts so they don't have to get their hands dirty. But still we're treated with only scorn and fear, because we show the true nature of Yharnam and that it isn't as pristine and sacred that they claim", I spat, gripping the handle of my weapon tightly.
"Yharnam isn't a holy-birthplace, it's a hell-hole"
I felt something touch my hand and I early jumped back in surprise, all my anger suddenly washing away. Arianna was holding my hand, clasping it with both of hers and squeezing it in comfort.
"You're just like me, then", she whispered, something tiny and wet at the corner of my eye as she smiled at me. A rush of sweet joy suddenly flowed through me.
"Yes", I slowly nodded, grateful that the mask hid the pinkish colour in my cheeks. "Yes, I suppose I am"
XXX
The rest of the journey passed by in silence. A comfortable, warm silence as we walked - her hand in mine – as I made sure she stayed inside the warm folds of my cloak, and our hands were hidden carefully from any prying eyes around us. I'd immediately felt foolish, and hopeful and miserable all at once after my outburst in front of her, but what amazed me the most is how she listened in compassion, and comforted me in genuine understanding.
"She is a special one", I thought as I finally let go of her hand as we stopped in front of a mediocre lodgings house. It was small and squat - clearly rented out by a landlord – and sat dimly at the end of one of Cathedral Ward's winding alleyways.
"This is me", Arianna stepped forward, reaching inside her bodice and producing a slightly-bent key for the lock, turning it with a clink. The front door creaked open loudly, sure to draw in any prowlers nearby. I peered inside as she turned away and lit a candle, there wasn't much room and only a few, shabby furnishings around.
"Thank you for bringing me home safely"
I ached to say something, I would be lying if I said I didn't want to see her again. Just us even talking together was dangerous, if anyone would overhear or even know-
"I hope to see you again sometime soon", Arianna held the candle up, the warm light casting her features in a rosy glow. "You are quite the intriguing type, Miss Huntress", her eyes glinted mischievously, and beckoned me closer. I took off my mask again, much to her delight as she smiled brightly and placed her hand on my shoulder, leaning so close I could count the honey-coloured hairs on her head.
"You're not as bad as everyone says you are", she whispered into my ear, her tone soft and sultry, but as if she was speaking to an old flame. My mind was swimming. I could smell the sweet perfume on her neck, she was so close to me.
Her lips brushed against my cheek.
My heart pounded through my eyes, blood rushing into my brain and making lovesick butterflies. And then she was gone, pulled backwards and now stood in her doorway, leaving me to reel delightfully in everything that just happened.
"Goodnight, my Huntress", her voice echoed in my ears, as she gave me one last glance before gently closing the door. I could hear it being bolted on the other side.
"Good, better protection", I instinctively thought, before the dawning of being kissed hit me again.
She kissed me!? A prostitute kissed a Hunter?
The feeling of her lips on her cheek played over and over again in my mind, before I gathered my wits about me. I was still standing in the street, like a moron. I had to leave, before anyone became too suspicious.
My heart leapt, in fear this time. My eyes quickly searched the whole street around me, wondering if someone could've just witness what happened. No, it's not possible. She pulled me close, under my hood. No one could've seen.
But I didn't want to risk it any more than I already had.
Pulling my cloak about me, I set off down the street, towards the steps and less suburban areas of the Ward. With one last glance at her door, I set off towards home, my mind only dwelling on one thought: Warmth.