Note: Comments anyone?
The man stood on the edge of a balcony, a cape billowing out behind him and his hair blowing about. Next to him stood Maria with a frown on her face.
"I'm sorry, Alucard," Maria said softly.
The man did not respond.
"Say something!" Maria said louder.
The man looked away toward the moon silently.
"Speak to me!" Maria shouted.
The man turned to look at her.
Maria gulped. His pale face was so expressionless. "Alucard? Umm, maybe you slept too much and had bad dreams?"
"….Nightmares… no. This night was bound to happen."
Maria's face flushed. "Alucard darling, I'm sorry. I'm really sorry. He was there, and he asked me to dance."
"I was disturbed and awakened forcefully from my slumber by a song which I could not play my finger on."
"Oh, I'm terribly sorry."
"It wasn't you Maria. It was a terrible song, so tantalizing and taunting." Alucard looked down at the ground.
"Was it him? Your father?"
"I don't know." Alucard frowned. "I really don't know."
Maria looked at Alucard. "Do you want to go? We can take a walk in the forest."
Alucard nodded. "It's swarming with anomalies."
Maria frowned and smiled. "Well, I'm armed, and so are you! Let's go!"
"Your horse?"
"Oh, she can find her way home, but….okay….I'll meet you by the steps…"
Alucard nodded and watched Maria leave. It was going to be a long night. It was just wonderful. He knew that when he was awakened that he'd have to put up with trouble…but this time, he didn't know how deep the problem was. He didn't know what the problem was.
***
Maria ran through the ballroom where the members of the party were still present. Benet was tending to some of the wounded. Maria rushed by him, glancing at him. Unfortunately, he glanced back. Their eyes met for a moment. Maria waved and rushed on. If she had looked more closely at Benet, she would have noticed his that his eyes were moist with tears.