If I Choose You

Budykilla

Victor stormed into his laboratory fuming over what he had seen. That CREATURE dare assault him for an immortal bride and in the meantime he was gallavanting around with that gypsy whore. A filthy street rat who scams men and women of their time only to rob them blind and sneak off, what a brutal farce! He is such a incompetent brute. He actually caused sympathy in Victor with his whole burdened pains and sorrow talk it was all just so cruel and unyielding how he was being treated. Bashed by patients of poor sickened families and at his own home his creation tormented him over his ever-so-precious immortal bride. It was maddening why should he – Dr. Victor Frankenstein have to sacrifice his peace and tranquility for that disgusting abomination of his.

"Well, if he wants his bride so badly." Victor hissed as he began drawing up his plans.

"So will you be staying in the tunnels tonight?" Caliban asked.

"Oh absolutely! I find my country house so... hollow lately." Farina said.

"Hollow?" Farina's smile faltered slightly. That taste again. It's so metallic and bitter like poison. Why do you possess such exotic and deadly sorrows?

"W-w-well yes, you see, my mother was a strange woman to her village they believed she cursed their crops because we lived near the forest and didn't make enemies of the animals there. Unfortunately she was seen as a witch because of this but we just didn't want the animals to be resentful of us. Well long story short, my mother was claimed a with and burned at the stake, I was spared being only six years old at the time. Left alone to raise myself after they made... made me... " Farina had no idea the tears were falling until she felt her breath finally hitch at the memory. The sound of her mother, Lady Emilia, screaming, the sight of her roasting flesh; it's pale beauty scorched to a sickening charcoal. Her tears flooded her vision and fell down her cheeks as she hiccuped. Caliban stood close before wrapping his arms around her, holding the sobbing girl to his chest while her hot tears stained his jacket. He wasn't familiar with comforting others much less being comforted himself. He wasn't familiar with proper interaction with anyone really, but something in him wanted her to smile, wanted her close and happy. He wanted her nearby. Their day had been pleasant as they talked about life and recited poetry all while breaking bread together. He didn't know where this urge had come from but he knew he didn't want to abandon her while she wept, she had been alone long enough and she didn't deserve to be alone anymore – not like he did.

"There, there, Faina. It's alright" Caliban said softly. He patted her back as she cried, she gripped small clumps of his jacket in her hands as she cried. After a few minutes of crying Farina felt the darkness fade from her eyes. That oily black burning that shifted her natural color, she couldn't let Caliban see that. She still wanted to know the source of his unusual flavor, his demons were almost a buffet; one that she's gorged herself on while he held her. A delicious meal from anyone else but Caliban was a venom to her, his taste was almost making her ill now. A sadness I can't devour... Oh Caliban, John Clare... who are you? How do you feel such poisons with being destroyed by them? How can you repel me so naturally? Why do I want to be with you... like this...? Why do I want to be with you always? Farina thought absent-mindedly.

"Farina?"

Farina's head snapped up. "O-oh, yes?"

"Are you alright?"

"Oh, yes, yes I'm fine now. Why don't we head to the tunnels? I don't know about you but I'm starved." Caliban smiled at her; it was small and seemed strained but nonetheless it was a genuine smile from him. Farina's cheeks flushed at the sight of it; Caliban's eyes brightened when he smiled. It was like watching fire turn to gold, radiant and beautiful but dangerous and frightening all at once.

"Sounds good." He said offering his arm. Farina stared at it a moment before taking it, her fingers tingled at the touch of him. His sorrows tasted absolutely toxic but his happiness was actually delicious a sweet cinnamon flavor liked fresh sweet rolls. So warm and calmingly tasty. She didn't realize it but she leaned onto Caliban's shoulder gripping his arm slightly tighter. Caliban glanced down at Farina. She's a vision. Poor thing losing her mother like that, maybe that's why she is around me so often. Maybe... maybe she's lonely too. She is far too beautiful for tears.
Caliban wiped a stray tear from her eyes and tugged her gently away to the tunnels. Holding her at little tensely, not entirely sure he knew what he was doing. Farina wrapped her arms around his waist and snuggled into his chest, her head tucked into his underarm as they walked. Farina could taste the bitterness of his sorrow. It hurt her so much which made her question it all – why is his pain unbearable, why does his happiness taste so divine, why can't I ask you these questions Mother, why did you leave me? His pain was poisonous being so close to it was making her feel ill and it made her want to be held, to be close to someone she could trust; Caliban was timid but she sensed a great deal of loyalty to those who provide kindness to him and for that she knew she could trust him.

Victor finished packing his medical bag as well as strapping his new gun to his belt. He heard a knocking at the door and opened it up to a very distraught looking Ethan Chandler.

"Mr. Chandler, what can I do for you?"

"I need your help Doc. It's Brona – my friend."

Victor paused a moment and sighed. Even though his plan was stalled he did take an oath as a medical officer. He made an oath to help people.

Caliban walked side by side with Farina as they entered the slums of the other cholera victims. It was strangely quiet today as if they were too tired to struggle against their illness. Farina sighed as she passed them – the suffering of disease easing her body from Caliban's bitterness. He told her the story of his sad, broken, and hurt life and now she understood his bitterness. He had been abandoned, mistreated, and abused – no different than Farina was. Her mother was much her creator as this Doctor Frankenstein was Caliban's but her mother was a kind and loving witch. A necromancer who gave her life and the world and a happy childhood. It burned her so deeply that she was an immortal who had privilege and suffered tragedy knowing happiness while poor Caliban merely suffered without even tasting happiness and it ached her. Most if not all people she encountered had a taste of happiness but him he was rotten with a good heart. A hope for happiness. It was tearing her apart.
Caliban sat her down on a spare chair by his bed, he worried at how silent she had been. It made him anxious to think he silenced her with his story, she seemed so melancholy since he told her everything.
"Caliban. Could you do me a favor?"

Caliban froze at her voice she sounded scared, but why? Now she wanted a favor too? What could she want from him?

"Caliban. Please?" Farina said holding her open arms to him.

"You want... a hug?" Caliban muttered. Farina nodded. Slowly they leaned into each other with Caliban wrapping his arms around Farina's waist and Farina's arms around his shoulders. Their bodies melded together in a perfect fit – like a puzzle piece. Farina buried her head into Caliban's shoulders, tears falling down her face as she whispered to him - "Tighter. Please Caliban, hold me tighter."