While I wait for someone to give me ideas for "The Path Not Taken", here's a little one-shot for you Dracula/Shirra fans...
Shirra removed the corset and the bodice of her black and white evening gown, breathing a sigh of relief even though she needed not air. Even as a vampire, she HATED corsets. Slipping out of her dress, she hung it over her chair before slipping into a nightdress. Her neat black-brown hair neatly gathered into a bun earlier was now free, flowing like a chocolate-licorice river down to her waist. She picked up an intricately decorated comb-gold with white and red rose patterns all over it- and began to comb her hair.
She had not gone to 40 strokes yet when there was a rapping on the door. Snapping her fingers, the door unlocked at her will. Dracula stood in the doorway, very amused at what he saw. Before his eyes, a lovely lady was combing her hair. In the mirror, only the comb was moving up and down, as if it had a life of its own.
"How's it going?"
"Not good. 40 strokes and my hair still isn't right."
"Hard not to see why."
It was quite absurd- she combing her hair and not being pleased with what she couldn't see.
Dropping the comb, she sighed,
"Forget it. I was never good at acting like a lady."
Dracula glided in, took up the comb and said,
"Let me try."
With gentleness she never knew he had, he pulled the comb through her slightly tangled locks. She bit down on her lower lip when he hit a knot or two. But that was expected, with such wild hair of hers. The feel of the comb running through her hair was almost soothing, like a lullaby...its rhythm equally soothing.
"Vladislaus?"
He stopped what he was doing and looked at her.
"Yes, my love?"
"Could you comb my hair for me again tomorrow?"
Silence. A small smile.
"Don't see why not."
She laughed quietly as he continued combing her hair.
(Sorry if this sucks...BTW, PLEASE SEND SOME IDEAS FOR "The Path Not Taken"-I seriously NEED them! Oh, as for any Velkan /Cassandra fans...care for a sequel?)