Disclaimer: Chapter 1

AN- A big thanks to everyone has reviewed so far, and to the new people Nosilla and SerayaNeko! You rock! And this dress may not be explained good enough, so email me at and I'll send the dress that I was trying to explain. Also, he doesn't know Ruth's name at the beginning of this chapter, that's why she's mentioned as a "girl" or "she". I'm done now. R&R!

He felt like it had been hours since he commanded Wendy to get Ruth ready for dinner. It had only been a half an hour at the most, but he had never been a patient… thing. So all of the waiting was slowly killing his patience skills.

The master didn't need to dress up for this appearance. All he needed was his huge black cloak to hide his terrifying appearance behind. God forbid if she asked to see him.

He sat down at the table. The wood was polished enough to see his hooded reflection. His ice blue eyes glowed beneath the black hood.

Wendy walked into the room, paused at the door, and then left the room again to drag the struggling girl back with her.

He was very glad to be sitting when he saw her.

The term "lady in red" took on a whole new meaning.

She wore a wine red cocktail dress, with a frilly skirt and a slit on her left side, a beaded scooped neckline with spaghetti straps that crisscrossed in the back, and a diamond and ruby choker. Her long hair was down, and hugged her waistline.

Wendy left the girl standing there, staring shyly at the floor.

The master got up from his seat, walked to the other side of the table, and pulled her chair out for her.

She gracefully sat down in the seat, but he retreated back to his seat before she could get a good look at him.

He cleared his throat, but any words were lost in the shock.

She finally spoke up. "Thank you for your generous hospitality, sir. I've not known many kind people in my day."

"You're welcome, er."

"Ruth. Ruth Silver. What can I call you?
What could she call him? He'd been cursed so long; he'd forgotten his own name. "I'm Lane."

Dinner went by very smoothly, and soon the house's lights came on to signal nighttime. He escorted Ruth to her room (she never shivered at his touch, which thrilled him), and stood by her door.

"I had a nice time Lane. I wish I could repay you for your hospitality. I've been wondering, why are you hiding beneath a hideous cloak?" Ruth asked.

"Would you like to see me, Miss Silver?" He asked, hoping for a no.

"As I've said, call me Ruth, and it would make me more comfortable if I could see you." She answered.

He tossed the hood back from his head, and stared into Ruth's emerald eyes.

"Oh my god." Ruth said, backing up until she was pinned against the door. Lane hung his head in shame, threw the cloak back over his head, and walked away.