Title: Rose Red
Rating: R
Fandom: Final Fantasy 7
Author's Notes: This chapter was heavily revised due to the vast shivers that crawled viciously up my spine. The numbers of characters were lessened and the plotline was profoundly modified. I suppose that for my lack of updates, I've supplied you faithful readers with a better version of Beauty and the Beast with a distorted twist, considering the new insertion of alternate reality. [ 11/28/02 ]
Warning: Your usual mild sex scenes and the whatnots lying about in an R-rated fic. This chapter contains slight some of the aforementioned but not too much of it, so be careful kiddies.
Disclaimer: Squaresoft owns; I do not.
Black velvet caressed the cosmic sky, scintillating specs of moongold littering the dark blanket of twilight. The Evening Goddess bathed herself in silver flourish, her exquisite diamond-speckled gown tracing down the endless night in tranquil rivers. The crescent moon hung in the sky, radiating a silver glow to the areas her impalpable fingers could grasp. The willow trees that drooped solemnly over the indigo rivers were illuminated with a heavenly beam, creating new trees of forbidden beauty, and the dragonflies that danced in circles around the growing plant zigzagged themselves away, afraid that they would disturb the beauty of perfection.
A white stallion galloped silently into Angelus, an isolated village that protected the perilous, wind-capped mountains and then trotted quietly towards the other precincts of the illustrious Manoir Foncé d'Ange. The rider glanced at the silhouette of the mansion, his blood red eyes blazing with hidden intentions. The mysterious figure dismounted the horse and opened the black iron gates and walked down the cobblestone path to reach the front doors of the manor.
As if under invisible control, the large vintage doors opened with a strident creak, almost inviting him with open arms. The shade of obscurity possessed him, controlled him, hypnotized him and suddenly, with no purpose of his own, his legs walked inside, the doors slamming shut behind him.
Hidden behind a lonesome willow tree was the shape of a young lady, her cold, crimson eyes gazing at the disappearing man. Her eyes narrowed, and she glanced quickly at the stallion that stared back at her with an unusual jade-hued gaze. A vicious, almost tantalizing, shiver tiptoed up her spine and without another thought, she dashed back into Central Square, dodging the dead branches on the ground and retreated into the luscious gardens in the back of another palace.
On her way back, she failed to notice the red eyes that followed her every stride.
*
Carefully and noiselessly, she entered the palace through the posterior doors of the dungeon and attempted to close it without the booming creaks that accompanied them. Sapphire orbs managed to shine through the veil of sinister shadows and, noticeable as they were, she also dismissed it as a figment of her imagination. However, that was suddenly tossed aside as a pair of strong arms encircled around her waist and pulled her against a lean, muscular physique that she felt through the barriers of clothing. She would have yelped if not for the hand that abruptly covered her mouth.
She gasped and tensed.
Then, a warm breath invaded her space, tickling the sensitive flesh of her exposed décolletage and whispered something so bloodcurdling, yet enticing at the same time. She relaxed slightly in his arms and rested her hands on his one that was still wrapped around her. Shortly after, they dropped to her side as his hands softly roamed the area between her thighs. His other hand still covered her lips, knowing the urge for her to moan was at its peak.
That was cast away as if it were a fleeting thought when she unexpectedly escaped his grasp and ran up the dungeon rungs.
His blue eyes flashed silver and his lips curved into a deceptive smile, ivory fangs protruding from his lips.
*
Night was breaking into day, and he watched her sleeping form from his velvet chair, admiring the curves that was blanketed under violet satin coverlets. A shaft of light slipped between heavy curtains, careful not to disturb the slumbering angel. She shifted slightly underneath the blankets and flipped the cover away with a dainty, unconscious kick, revealing long, slender peach-softened legs. His eyes examined her face before roaming down her body, as if unclothing her with just his sight.
He felt heat form between his legs and a grunt escaped his lips. With the slither of his wet tongue, he caressed the outline of teeth. Again, he was unable to taste her last night, and he cursed himself wickedly when he was presented with a full moon, signifying the new mating season.
His eyes glazed over when she relocated herself on the bed, tossing about between knotted blankets tied around her limbs. Without thinking, his hand slipped into his pants and began stroking the hardened length that formed between his thighs. His free hand latched onto the armrest and clawed at the delicate velvet as he approached climax. Simply watching the girl had set him off, and it didn't help matters when his mating season was in full play.
She was free for taking; she was asleep, vulnerable.
He figured, however, that it was much better when she declined him. She was his forbidden fruit and was much more enviable when she fought him. The game of cat-and-mouse had a sure contribution in the road of seduction.
Besides, having sex during a blue moon was more pleasurable and it wasn't that far away either.
All thoughts were broken when a fervent sensation surged through his body. His quiet moans and sultry liquid that laced his fingers proved his mounting release. His hold on the chair loosened and he leaned back against the chair.
He murmured something that sounded like a promise, directed at the woman sleeping away. His words were carried away into air and only the imaginary starlets were able to hear it.
I will have you.
*
Her eyelids fluttered open like newborn butterflies ready for first flight, and she carefully sat up. She surveyed the room and found that he wasn't there. On most occasions, she would see him elegantly sitting on the chair across the room, watching her like a hawk would for prey. Still puzzled, she crawled out of bed and stretched, her nightgown rising more than halfway above her knees.
She quickly jogged to the balcony doors and opened them wide, then stepped out to inhale the scent of morning air. The usual village clamor and bustle were beginning, increasing by the moment. She muttered something incoherent, something about shopping for fresh groceries, and when that was planned on her mind it was dead set.
*
Town girls sitting around the marvelous central fountain gossiped amongst each other and, while picking up bread from the outside stalls of bakeries, she was able to pick at the few words they spoke.
"Lord Valentine … yes … new neighbour."
"Oh … so cute!"
"… Beautiful … yes, yes … rumors … enchanted horse … odd, yes?"
"… Vampire …"
"Don't be silly!"
Her lips were set into a grim line when she heard 'enchanted horse' and 'vampire'. Surely her thoughts were mere coincidences when she spied on their new neighbour that appeared last night.
"Excuse me, Miss?"
A deep, tenor voice interrupted her from her current thoughts, and she spun around to meet another pair of rare crimson-rusted eyes. For a moment, she felt lost, dazed in his hypnotizing gaze. She shook it off; nevertheless, a small part of her was still entranced.
A faint smirk appeared on his lips.
"I was hoping you could direct me to Manoir de Paradis and could possibly tell me who owns the abode."
She hesitated before responding, "My master."
"Your … master?" His eyebrows shot skyward, his voice escalating in marvel. "… How … peculiar it is for someone to own a lady. No one is known to do that anymore except …"
"Except?" She further prodded him for an answer.
"It's nothing." He replied quickly. "I shall be off then. A pleasure … meeting you. Hopefully, I'll see you again."
Before she had time to open her mouth, he turned away and stalked off into a dark alleyway.
He's an odd one.
A squeal erupted in the Town Square and, surprised, the girl turned around.
Other females gathered around and held up a parchment paper that stated an invitation to a masquerade ball held in Master Strife's honour.
What?
She walked towards the huddling group and listened carefully for details that could possibly be said.
"He's so handsome!" One of them gushed and showed her invitation to the rest. "And how unusual! No men invited to this ball."
"Maybe he's finally choosing a mistress!"
A clatter of squeals echoed about the area. The young maiden winced and retreated back to her so-called home, back to her master. She sighed in discontent, knowing that Master Strife had far more devious intentions than just a mere celebration of entertainment. Furthermore, during these special events, she was confined to her room for reasons she was unaware of.
Another night of solitude, She sighed to herself. This is the deplorable life you live, Tifa Lockheart. And you're stuck with it.