Disclaimer: the first few lines are intentionally similar to those in the
story "Carmilla" by J. Sheridan Le Fanu. Anyways I've been trying to stick
a few vampire references in here and there. If you've read Carmilla, you'll
understand the significant.
A/N: ok I lied; I've got another chapter up. I couldn't help it; this story's just been running through my head 24/7. *must do homework* anyways this time for sure it'll be a while before the next one. I also meant for this chapter to be much longer but I hadn't expected the conversation to take so long.
I'm really not comfortable with working with long bits of dialog so please by all means give me pointers, I just don't feel I have the knack for it and would really like to improve.
~*~
"But I've never even met you before." Christine replied confused. Catherine set her glass aside on the table and lightly let her hand rest atop Christine's, making full eye contact once more.
"I know, it's quite silly really but when I first spied you today, I had the strangest feeling that I knew you, that we had met before. It's so odd I just had to meet you." Catherine rolled the words off casually in a tone of pure sweetness while giving the girl's hand a light squeeze. Christine stared oddly at the gesture. She had such soft lithe hands, she thought as she could barely feel the touch and yet it sent a shiver coursing through her entire body.
"I had the same feeling too..." she started to reply nervously, while retracting her hand.
As though she hadn't noticed the slight rejection, Catherine waved her hands casually as she began to speak. "You see! It's like fate destined us to be friends. I can see you're hesitant. I know what they say about me Christine and I'm well aware that you've been told to stay away from me. You needn't worry, I have nothing against you." She finished by giggling lightly and taking another sip of her drink.
Catherine's light manner was beginning to have its desired effect as Christine began to relax slightly under her gaze. She was confused, she didn't know who this woman was yet somehow they both recognized each other? She seemed to be sincere; perhaps such a thing was possible. Christine had been on guard within these circles for so long now, perhaps her paranoia was just going to her head. She could at least give this woman a chance, even if the others don't like her. It couldn't hurt really.
As she slowly rolled the thin neck of the glass between her palms, Christine went through her silent contemplation. "I don't understand," she mumbled after a moment past.
"Well you see my dear, the reason they worry is because I know too much. I've made it my business to know what goes on in every prominent family wherever I travel and I would not hesitate to make public what I know if I felt the need." Catherine replied casually while refilling her glass from a bottle she had tucked behind her chair.
Blackmail? Surly this woman wouldn't do such a thing. Christine hesitantly took a deep sip from her glass to allow Catherine to refill it, not wishing to appear rude for not drinking. "But why? How?" she asked after a gulp of the surprisingly refreshing liquid, she could use a few drinks after putting up with her husband's society.
"One needs to protect them selves someway, and knowledge is power. Never forget that." Her tone was momentarily serious before resuming casually. "As for how, I have my ways and connections... I've seen the way they treat you Christine, once they see you are my friend, you will not have to worry about foolish comments again."
Perhaps this wasn't right, Christine thought hesitantly as she drank in her wine. She didn't want anymore reasons for people to dislike her and especially for such reasons. At least now she knew it was simply because of her upbringing, which was not something she was ashamed of either.
Noticing Christine's apprehension, Catherine pointed back to the party, capturing her full attention once again. "Everyone has secrets; I make it my business to know them. Take Madam Constants, her son, illegitimate. Her husband doesn't know but I dare say his brother does. Monsieur de Reves there, has been bedding the Monde's daughter, she's twelve. Monsieur le Comte de Jenoux, well let's just say he's got enough blood on his hands that not even his money could save him should it be known."
"Please stop." Christine pleaded, turning her head from the guests. True, she had no love for these people but she still didn't want to believe such things about them.
Catherine sat silently for a moment, slumped back in her chair while taking in the girl's appearance carefully. She was so pure, so innocent of the truth that lies behind human nature. A smile spread across Catherine's lips as she watched Christine lower her eyes almost as if in shame for the people she associated with.
Yes this is why she wanted her; this is why she would have her. Leaning over the table Catherine continued. "Yes Christine, they taunt you for being of lesser breeding and yet you are more virtuous then the whole lot of them. Why the only thing that could be held against you is your previous profession, that and the fact that your sisters in law think you're barren, but that's ridiculous... why would Raoul still be married to you otherwise?"
Christine's head shot up, shocked as panic swept over her body. "Why would you say that?" she gasped, almost disbelieving what she had just heard. Slipping back a glance to where Raoul was situated, she and saw him still talking with that girl, though it seemed another one had joined in the conversation.
"Why because it's his duty of course, he has to carry on the family line. You don't marry your lover; you marry the mother of your children. The whole purpose of marriage is to provide legal proof of a child's parents."
"That is ridiculous. Marriage is to show proof of ones love." Christine nearly cried defensively, sitting straight up in her chair. She would not listen to such a misconstrued definition of holy matrimony. Marriage was the joining of two people in love under god!
"Do you truly believe all the couples in there love each other? That they were in love when they married? My girl, don't be so naïve, a person doesn't have to be married to show their love for another."
Christine flushed red in disbelief at her suggestion. "A virtuous woman would never- "
Catherine cut her off quickly, fully enjoying their little debate. "Virtuous women are needed for wives because then it is ensured who a child's father is, that and so the husband need not worry about another man touching his property. Really, I don't see why you are getting all upset by this. That is unless his sister's suspicions are true?" A knowing smile crossed her face as she watched Christine's involuntary shudder.
"Raoul loves me." Christine practically hissed, her eyes set upon her husband as the two girls continued to fawn over him wantonly.
Once again Catherine laid a hand over Christine's and spoke as sympathetically as possible. "My dear I'm sorry, truly I am if indeed they are correct. I do not doubt the boy loves you but he does have his duty. I couldn't imagine that anyone truly in love would force the other to neglect his family duty, not over a childish notion of marriage. You really ought to think of it more as a business transaction."
Pulling away in disgust, Christine abruptly rose from her seat. The woman was infuriating! In a huff Christine stretched herself over the balcony again, unable to stand the sight of her. How could she speak like that! So confidently, as if she knew anything about their relationship, it made her blood boil. She even had the nerve to insult her right to her face! No wonder she was told to stay away from this woman...
"I'm sorry if I've upset you Christine. Don't worry yourself simply because of my perspective. Sadly I find I spend too much time looking at the darker side of society." Catherine was now standing directly beside her. She was about an inch taller than Christine and looked at girl tenderly before gazing out the same direction she was. Christine simply tried to ignore her, silently wishing she would leave. She didn't like her so close.
"It's beautiful isn't it?" Catherine began, almost more to herself than to the girl at her side. As reluctant as she was, Christine couldn't help but admire how beautiful the woman looked now that the glow of the moon shone upon her. Tiny jewels entwined in her hair began to sparkle as she moved; equally matching the lustrous shine of her eyes... they seemed much brighter now than they had when she was inside, more alive and almost feral with passion. "The night that is... so many retreat home to the safety of their beds once the sun falls, but they miss a new world of enchantment."
Catherine turned to Christine, grinning mischievously as her face hovered only a few inches from the uneasy girl's. "It has a life of it's own you know," she began with undisguised rapture, her hand lightly grazing Christine's bare arm, sending a tremulous wave throughout her body. "A secret world that some will never even glimpse. If you listen closely enough, you can even hear its own music... it's a brilliant song really."
Unable to will her self to move or speak, Christine allowed Catherine's eyes to pierce her with her gaze, leaving her nearly in a state of paralysis as Catherine pulled back slightly.
"Tell me Christine, have you ever ridden over the country fields with only the starlight as your guide? Feeling the cold wind whip past you at a breath taking pace while tears were torn from your eyes?" her voice rose with euphoria with as she began to make excited gestures to the shadowed landscape. "Have you ever swam nude out into the sea and watched the magic of the moons luminescent glow reflect off the black waters and against your pale skin? Have you ever stayed up all night in the safety of the rustling trees and listened to the wolves sing only for you?"
Suddenly she grasped the girl's arms and brought her face so close to hers that Christine almost thought she meant to kiss her. Catherine's eyes softened slightly at the sight of her alarmed face. "No, of course you don't." She sighed softly.
Bringing her hand up, Catherine gently pushed Christine's hair from her face, smiling as she felt the girl tremble beneath her touch. Ever so slowly she descended closer and when Christine truly did believe she meant for their lips to touch, Catherine gave a slight turn of her head and instead whispered softly into her ear, "that's freedom. Life unknown to those too blind to seize it. You should take it Christine."
And as abruptly as she had grabbed her, Catherine released the girl and with an air of confidence seated herself back at the small rusted table, filling the two glasses without even a glance at Christine.
Christine's heart raced as she silently questioned what had just occurred and why she felt so oddly... invigorated? The heat of Catherine's breath still stung upon her skin, reminding her of their close proximity and of that strange sense of anticipation when their lips had nearly touched. A gripping excitement and fear had coursed through her at that moment; she would never be able to forget such a surreal sensation. Unable to find an answer to the many questions which flooded through her mind, Christine found it uncommonly easy to simply ignore them and took the seat across from her new companion.
"Now, you must tell me all about yourself Christine. Especially since I just know we'll become the best of friends." Catherine said gaily, handing Christine her full glass. This was going to be easier then she thought, Catherine mused to herself as Christine began to lightly converse with her new found friend.
~*~
R&R Please ^_^
A/N: ok I lied; I've got another chapter up. I couldn't help it; this story's just been running through my head 24/7. *must do homework* anyways this time for sure it'll be a while before the next one. I also meant for this chapter to be much longer but I hadn't expected the conversation to take so long.
I'm really not comfortable with working with long bits of dialog so please by all means give me pointers, I just don't feel I have the knack for it and would really like to improve.
~*~
"But I've never even met you before." Christine replied confused. Catherine set her glass aside on the table and lightly let her hand rest atop Christine's, making full eye contact once more.
"I know, it's quite silly really but when I first spied you today, I had the strangest feeling that I knew you, that we had met before. It's so odd I just had to meet you." Catherine rolled the words off casually in a tone of pure sweetness while giving the girl's hand a light squeeze. Christine stared oddly at the gesture. She had such soft lithe hands, she thought as she could barely feel the touch and yet it sent a shiver coursing through her entire body.
"I had the same feeling too..." she started to reply nervously, while retracting her hand.
As though she hadn't noticed the slight rejection, Catherine waved her hands casually as she began to speak. "You see! It's like fate destined us to be friends. I can see you're hesitant. I know what they say about me Christine and I'm well aware that you've been told to stay away from me. You needn't worry, I have nothing against you." She finished by giggling lightly and taking another sip of her drink.
Catherine's light manner was beginning to have its desired effect as Christine began to relax slightly under her gaze. She was confused, she didn't know who this woman was yet somehow they both recognized each other? She seemed to be sincere; perhaps such a thing was possible. Christine had been on guard within these circles for so long now, perhaps her paranoia was just going to her head. She could at least give this woman a chance, even if the others don't like her. It couldn't hurt really.
As she slowly rolled the thin neck of the glass between her palms, Christine went through her silent contemplation. "I don't understand," she mumbled after a moment past.
"Well you see my dear, the reason they worry is because I know too much. I've made it my business to know what goes on in every prominent family wherever I travel and I would not hesitate to make public what I know if I felt the need." Catherine replied casually while refilling her glass from a bottle she had tucked behind her chair.
Blackmail? Surly this woman wouldn't do such a thing. Christine hesitantly took a deep sip from her glass to allow Catherine to refill it, not wishing to appear rude for not drinking. "But why? How?" she asked after a gulp of the surprisingly refreshing liquid, she could use a few drinks after putting up with her husband's society.
"One needs to protect them selves someway, and knowledge is power. Never forget that." Her tone was momentarily serious before resuming casually. "As for how, I have my ways and connections... I've seen the way they treat you Christine, once they see you are my friend, you will not have to worry about foolish comments again."
Perhaps this wasn't right, Christine thought hesitantly as she drank in her wine. She didn't want anymore reasons for people to dislike her and especially for such reasons. At least now she knew it was simply because of her upbringing, which was not something she was ashamed of either.
Noticing Christine's apprehension, Catherine pointed back to the party, capturing her full attention once again. "Everyone has secrets; I make it my business to know them. Take Madam Constants, her son, illegitimate. Her husband doesn't know but I dare say his brother does. Monsieur de Reves there, has been bedding the Monde's daughter, she's twelve. Monsieur le Comte de Jenoux, well let's just say he's got enough blood on his hands that not even his money could save him should it be known."
"Please stop." Christine pleaded, turning her head from the guests. True, she had no love for these people but she still didn't want to believe such things about them.
Catherine sat silently for a moment, slumped back in her chair while taking in the girl's appearance carefully. She was so pure, so innocent of the truth that lies behind human nature. A smile spread across Catherine's lips as she watched Christine lower her eyes almost as if in shame for the people she associated with.
Yes this is why she wanted her; this is why she would have her. Leaning over the table Catherine continued. "Yes Christine, they taunt you for being of lesser breeding and yet you are more virtuous then the whole lot of them. Why the only thing that could be held against you is your previous profession, that and the fact that your sisters in law think you're barren, but that's ridiculous... why would Raoul still be married to you otherwise?"
Christine's head shot up, shocked as panic swept over her body. "Why would you say that?" she gasped, almost disbelieving what she had just heard. Slipping back a glance to where Raoul was situated, she and saw him still talking with that girl, though it seemed another one had joined in the conversation.
"Why because it's his duty of course, he has to carry on the family line. You don't marry your lover; you marry the mother of your children. The whole purpose of marriage is to provide legal proof of a child's parents."
"That is ridiculous. Marriage is to show proof of ones love." Christine nearly cried defensively, sitting straight up in her chair. She would not listen to such a misconstrued definition of holy matrimony. Marriage was the joining of two people in love under god!
"Do you truly believe all the couples in there love each other? That they were in love when they married? My girl, don't be so naïve, a person doesn't have to be married to show their love for another."
Christine flushed red in disbelief at her suggestion. "A virtuous woman would never- "
Catherine cut her off quickly, fully enjoying their little debate. "Virtuous women are needed for wives because then it is ensured who a child's father is, that and so the husband need not worry about another man touching his property. Really, I don't see why you are getting all upset by this. That is unless his sister's suspicions are true?" A knowing smile crossed her face as she watched Christine's involuntary shudder.
"Raoul loves me." Christine practically hissed, her eyes set upon her husband as the two girls continued to fawn over him wantonly.
Once again Catherine laid a hand over Christine's and spoke as sympathetically as possible. "My dear I'm sorry, truly I am if indeed they are correct. I do not doubt the boy loves you but he does have his duty. I couldn't imagine that anyone truly in love would force the other to neglect his family duty, not over a childish notion of marriage. You really ought to think of it more as a business transaction."
Pulling away in disgust, Christine abruptly rose from her seat. The woman was infuriating! In a huff Christine stretched herself over the balcony again, unable to stand the sight of her. How could she speak like that! So confidently, as if she knew anything about their relationship, it made her blood boil. She even had the nerve to insult her right to her face! No wonder she was told to stay away from this woman...
"I'm sorry if I've upset you Christine. Don't worry yourself simply because of my perspective. Sadly I find I spend too much time looking at the darker side of society." Catherine was now standing directly beside her. She was about an inch taller than Christine and looked at girl tenderly before gazing out the same direction she was. Christine simply tried to ignore her, silently wishing she would leave. She didn't like her so close.
"It's beautiful isn't it?" Catherine began, almost more to herself than to the girl at her side. As reluctant as she was, Christine couldn't help but admire how beautiful the woman looked now that the glow of the moon shone upon her. Tiny jewels entwined in her hair began to sparkle as she moved; equally matching the lustrous shine of her eyes... they seemed much brighter now than they had when she was inside, more alive and almost feral with passion. "The night that is... so many retreat home to the safety of their beds once the sun falls, but they miss a new world of enchantment."
Catherine turned to Christine, grinning mischievously as her face hovered only a few inches from the uneasy girl's. "It has a life of it's own you know," she began with undisguised rapture, her hand lightly grazing Christine's bare arm, sending a tremulous wave throughout her body. "A secret world that some will never even glimpse. If you listen closely enough, you can even hear its own music... it's a brilliant song really."
Unable to will her self to move or speak, Christine allowed Catherine's eyes to pierce her with her gaze, leaving her nearly in a state of paralysis as Catherine pulled back slightly.
"Tell me Christine, have you ever ridden over the country fields with only the starlight as your guide? Feeling the cold wind whip past you at a breath taking pace while tears were torn from your eyes?" her voice rose with euphoria with as she began to make excited gestures to the shadowed landscape. "Have you ever swam nude out into the sea and watched the magic of the moons luminescent glow reflect off the black waters and against your pale skin? Have you ever stayed up all night in the safety of the rustling trees and listened to the wolves sing only for you?"
Suddenly she grasped the girl's arms and brought her face so close to hers that Christine almost thought she meant to kiss her. Catherine's eyes softened slightly at the sight of her alarmed face. "No, of course you don't." She sighed softly.
Bringing her hand up, Catherine gently pushed Christine's hair from her face, smiling as she felt the girl tremble beneath her touch. Ever so slowly she descended closer and when Christine truly did believe she meant for their lips to touch, Catherine gave a slight turn of her head and instead whispered softly into her ear, "that's freedom. Life unknown to those too blind to seize it. You should take it Christine."
And as abruptly as she had grabbed her, Catherine released the girl and with an air of confidence seated herself back at the small rusted table, filling the two glasses without even a glance at Christine.
Christine's heart raced as she silently questioned what had just occurred and why she felt so oddly... invigorated? The heat of Catherine's breath still stung upon her skin, reminding her of their close proximity and of that strange sense of anticipation when their lips had nearly touched. A gripping excitement and fear had coursed through her at that moment; she would never be able to forget such a surreal sensation. Unable to find an answer to the many questions which flooded through her mind, Christine found it uncommonly easy to simply ignore them and took the seat across from her new companion.
"Now, you must tell me all about yourself Christine. Especially since I just know we'll become the best of friends." Catherine said gaily, handing Christine her full glass. This was going to be easier then she thought, Catherine mused to herself as Christine began to lightly converse with her new found friend.
~*~
R&R Please ^_^