~O~

Play Your Part

"I will have mauve..."

Sofia could hear Alcina talking with Hilda in the vast ballroom that early morning when she stepped through the doors. She saw the taller woman standing nearest a stage, gesturing with two hands toward it. She was smiling, clearly in good spirits. It meant that little would anger her, surely.

Sofia had tasks of her own to perform, so she set to work right away; one of the jobs had been to polish the wood on the stage to perfection.

"...will you perform for them?"

"Ugh, no, I haven't performed in decades."

"They will be missing out on what a performance that would be." Hilda pointed out, laughing at Alcina's amused smile.

Perhaps. She wouldn't dare admit out loud that the attention was missed at times; the way they stared at her with such devotion, praising her without really understanding why. She ate every bit of it up, of course. Such attention was nice.

Hilda approached Sofia when Alcina departed to prepare. "This party will have to go smoothly," she told her, "Have you been to anything like this before?"

Sofia shook her head, uncertain.

"I assumed as much," Hilda said, with disapproval. "Well, fortunately you have me to train proper behavior into you girls. We will make a charming little thing out of you yet."

Sofia looked confused.

"Anybody can be charming if they don't mind faking it," Hilda explained, "Even my Mistress enjoys playing the part. It's all part of a game, you see."

Sofia seemed to attempt to understand it and Hilda raised an eyebrow at the ridiculous look on her face; the wrinkling of her brow, the way her lips parted. The poor, ridiculous thing had no idea.

"Don't hurt yourself trying to understand," she said, "Just do as I say and don't - Well, you don't speak anyway, so you have the one rule already followed."

Sofia smiled weakly in response.

"My Mistress will bathe before the festivities," Hilda continued, holding up a list, "These things will need to be done before she is finished. Then, you are to go to her chambers and bring her her makeup. It's custom made, so I expect you to be careful with it."

A nod from Sofia.

"Good." Hilda approved of that. "We have work to do. I want you at your best, little goat."

Sofia nodded once more.

"Now, I'm going to meet with the Duke in five minutes." Hilda sighed. "I have a list of things needed for the winter season."

Sofia made her way out of the room to begin the work on the list. Hilda made her way into the main hall and finally, into the Duke's room where he waited with several new items for sale. He was happy, as usual to see her.

"Ah! You're here!" he said, "I assume you have your list ready for me?"

Hilda nodded, placing the list on the table. "Yes. Only a few things for the larder to last the winter months. Mistress needs a few new things as well for her wine."

The Duke picked up the paper and studied it before smiling. "Yes, I can manage all of this. My trade brought me to Berlin just last week. There's a celebration going on right now. A Gourmet Festival."

Hilda made a small note, but wasn't really interested.

"I assume your parents were German, Lady Hilda."

"No. They were merchants, originally from Bristol." Hilda explained to the Duke. She didn't mind the discussion now. "...or so I'm told."

"You don't remember?"

"Not really, no." Hilda sighed, "My family became servants to House Dimitrescu to earn their freedom when I was four years old. But they grew to respect and appreciate the House. So, I was raised as a servant all my life. As far as I'm concerned, I was raised here."

She glanced up partially at Sofia, who had begun to make her way to the upper floor of the castle. The older woman was preparing her next order of product that she'd need for her work. She was curious, however, how Sofia would handle the sights of her Mistress bathing.

After all, she bathed in blood.

O

Sofia navigated through the castle's upper floors and found Alcina's chambers nearby - she had to be directed by another maid, of course. She'd never been to the upper floors unless specifically ordered to do so. The castle was vast and it was easy to get lost. And one didn't want to get lost in such a place. Fortunately, the staff was helpful to her and it made it easier to take the makeup to the fine, decorated room.

She could hear Alcina's voice in the halls as she set the makeup on the vanity where the phone was kept for her to talk with Mother Miranda.

"Bathing shows common courtesy to one's Lady of the House."

"Y-Yes, Mistress!"

"Ugh, you smell of wet dog, just like the rest of this village. Get cleaned up."

Sofia looked up, backing away immediately when Alcina entered in a shimmering red bath robe. She crossed her hands in front of her, lowered her eyes and waited to be dismissed. But Alcina didn't even seem to notice she was there.

Her pale white skin looked damp, shining in the light of the room.

"Yes, as it happens; incompetence is rewarded more often than not," she muttered, with disapproval, "That fool Heisenberg just waves those vulgar words around and - Oh."

She noticed Sofia standing there and raised an eyebrow. The other woman lifted her eyes and Alcina's annoyed look diminished into one of confusion, brow wrinkling somewhat.

"What are you standing there for?" she asked. "Hilda brings my makeup."

Sofia licked her lips, unsure. "Y-Yes."

Alcina grinned widely now. Sofia's voice was soft, almost dry, even. It had been the first time the woman uttered a single word. "Well, it speaks!" she said, her tone a playful drawl. "It opens its mouth and words come out. And here I thought the little goat swallowed her own tongue!"

Sofia looked down when the woman approached, suddenly shy by the attention. She could see her evening shoes. No, they looked like slippers, perhaps? It was difficult to tell.

Alcina sighed, clearly losing interest in the discussion fast. She made her way to her wardrobe and disrobed. At that, Sofia immediately averted her eyes until her Mistress was properly dressed. Alcina caught it and smiled thinly. Well, she'd never had someone show those sorts of manners before.

"Well, aren't you just a proper lady." she said, in a drawl. "Averting your eyes that way. You may look, if you want. I don't mind."

But Sofia didn't look. She simply kept her head turned away until Alcina finished putting on her long, white dress.

"Well, since you're here, do my buttons for me."

Sofia looked up at her, cheeks warming. Alcina's smirk broadened and she turned with a small note of amusement as the woman worked to button up the back of her dress. She lowered herself only a little so that Sofia could reach them.

"Hilda gave you a list, did she?" Alcina questioned.

Sofia nodded. "Yes..."

"Hm, good. And she was surely busy with my tasks I'd given her. It explains why you're up here."

"Yes."

"Ah, she must be finishing that list for the winter season." Alcina said, "Good. I needed more seeds. The wretched ones I had left just wither and die in this weather. Perhaps I will reopen the indoor garden. A new bouquet of flavors."

Sofia smiled slightly. The idea seemed nice.

Once finished, Alcina rose and turned to face her. Sofia looked up, waiting for her orders if need be. Alcina smiled at her, tilting her head as she studied the smaller woman with a curiosity in her stare; as if she were some peculiar animal she couldn't quite figure out.

"You may go." she eventually said.

Sofia nodded and made her way out of the room.

O

The castle was filled with many people.

It was a pleasant, peaceful gathering and the maids performed their tasks of serving their guests with trays of food, wine and music.

Sofia was being dressed by Hilda, who marveled at the look. "Well, I was right. You and my mother were the same size." she said, studying the black and white maid's outfit. "You shine up like a new Lei."

Sofia studied herself in the mirror with a thin smile. The outfit was meant for pretty social events such as these. It was cleaner than what she was used to wearing, and trailed to her ankles with white lace. The sleeves were lined with silver trim, which was more than what most dressed in.

"Come along." Hilda instructed.

Sofia followed her out into the main hall. She could see Alcina talking with someone; her smile was far too wide, far too forced. But she seemed to socialize in a way that presented her as friendly and warm. She'd been doing this for a long, long time.

"Countess Dimitrescu spared no expense!"

"How amazing! Her servants can almost pass for ladies!"

"...this wine is fantastic!"

The chatter around Sofia went by almost ignored. She'd never been to something this nice before. It was wonderful and she couldn't help but stare. Hilda gave her heel a little kick.

"Don't stand there with your jaw open, silly girl," she muttered, "Come. You have wine to serve to the guests at the table and I have to meet them at the door. I'm already behind as it is trying to educate all of you on manners."

Sofia nodded. She made her way to the table as she was ordered to do and retrieved the tray of wine glasses to serve to the guests. She could hear a band performing a musical piece. Hilda had explained to her that it was called The Beautiful Blue Danube, Op. 314.

It was relaxing and she didn't feel as nervous now.

"Good evening." Alcina addressed one of the male guests.

"Do you know that there are quite a bit of gold in this very castle?" the man asked, with a grin. "Werner gold provided your family with it!"

Alcina's smile was colder now. "Hmm." she said.

"All the right ones, of course," the man continued, with admiration to the fixtures.

"I see. Then we'll know who to hold accountable if there's a problem." Alcina said, her grin wide and unsettling.

"Oh...Oh! Where's my daughter?" The man turned his focus to his wife at his side; a simple, plain woman of older age, "This is the Countess Dimitrescu, our gracious host of the evening."

The woman smiled up at Alcina, eyes widening. Alcina smiled back, though with force. She didn't care for the way the woman looked at her. She thought of taking the impertinent thing back to her cellar and teaching her some manners.

Well, at least she had the post party supper to look forward to.

O

Hilda was standing beside Sofia, watching the guests mingling for the wine tasting. She gestured to one of the women standing near the fireplace.

"You see her there?" she said. "She's your age, but she's hiding a delicate condition."

Sofia smiled a little, trying not to laugh. Hilda smiled a bit now.

"Mm, that one has quite a few many talents," she continued, gesturing to another woman, "Very popular with the royals."

Sofia blushed, letting out a little laugh. She could assume what those were.

"Oh! That one?" Hilda gestured to a woman sampling the cheese platter. "New blood. She's trying to assimilate into the wealthy scene. Like one who plays the part, but doesn't understand the language. It's easy to spot. See how she looks so confused?"

Sofia looked down at her and Hilda read the expression on her face.

"You see and hear everything when the world doesn't see and hear you, little goat."

Sofia nodded. She could agree with that.

"Now, I must attend Mistress." Hilda said. "I will see you later, but maintain the wine table as needed. When the guests ask for seconds, tell them no. This isn't a buffet."

Sofia smiled and nodded.

Alcina was sitting in one of her chairs, talking with two men when Hilda approached to offer her tea. She caught a bit of discussion between them.

"...and I have the finest!" one of them said, "I hear your preference is for women, after all."

A cold smile. Her Mistress didn't look happy with how the discussion seemed to be going. Hilda had lived there with her long enough to understand Alcina's expressions; simple cues and gestures as well as posture. Her gloved finger had been scraping at the arm of her chair over and over; a gesture that had gone missed by the two men there.

"You intend to sell me your daughters." Alcina smiled thinly.

They laughed at each other, shaking their heads.

"Heavens no!" the other said; a portly man in suit and tie. "We know you're in need of staff. We simply want them to find suitable work. My girl lays around all day fawning over a prince she'll never have. Work would do her some good."

Alcina's smile was forced. She looked ready to bite his head off. But she maintained a calm, relaxed pose as much as she was capable of.

"Oh, what of these dreadful rumors about the Dimitrescu family?" the first man questioned.

"Rumors?" Alcina's voice was strained as she found the politeness.

"About your bloodline? How you intermingle with the family to keep it pure, of course."

Alcina's smile disappeared somewhat and Hilda glared at the men.

"Stăpână, ai vrea să-l castrez pentru tine?" she asked, jaw set.

"Hilda, joacă-te frumos. Sunt oaspeții noștri." Alcina told her, with a demur smile to the men. The translation was clearly lost to them.

"You don't say that to a lady, Alfred!" the second man snapped, smacking his shoulder. "What in God's name is wrong with you?"

Alcina was grinning, like a vicious predator watching two little mice toying with her. But it was an act, by God and Hilda knew it would only take a few simple words before she split his throat open on the floor. She admired her ability to maintain that image as long as need be.

"Forgive him, Countness," the second man told her, "He's such an animal to make such base assumptions about you when you've been so generous."

Alcina nodded. "Yes, well... enjoy the cheese!"

She gestured to the maid nearby who was serving the guests and the two men departed; arguing to one another. Alcina's polite smile disappeared, replaced with dark, murderous intent.

"Hilda?" she said, quietly.

"Yes, Mistress?"

"When it comes to closing for the evening, I want that one killed first."

"As you wish, Mistress."

O

"Stop!"

Alcina ignored her mother's enraged shouts as she rushed through the castle, prepared to cut her hair against her mother's wishes.

She ran into the bathroom, seized the scissors and raised them to her hair, tears in her eyes. Hilda had arrived there first, eyes widening in shock.

"Little Mistress, wait!" she pleaded.

"Why? Mother says I must look a certain way. But why can't I decide?" Alcina snarled, glaring up at her with the scissors still at her hair. "Why can't I be what I want to be?"

Hilda stuttered for a proper response, but was shoved aside by Alcina's mother. She looked red faced and enraged, shaking beside her like a storm.

"Alcina, if this continues, you will be useless to the world!" she spat, "Discarded like used trash! Is that was you want? Do you want to be seen as a harlot, a diseased thing that no one will ever want or love?"

Hilda flinched, shocked by her words. But Alcina wasn't hurt by them. In fact, she seemed to only grow that much more spiteful and enraged.

"No one will love you!"

Alcina stood outside in her vineyard, listening to the memory echo in the darker corners of her mind. The wind was biting today, but it never affected her. Even when the thing was placed in her head. Even when she'd changed.

"Mother could always be counted upon, of course," she said, "But ah! I forget! You believe me to be an inbred thing. You have nothing more to add?"

Silence.

Alcina grinned widely, staring up at the crucified man hanging on the wooden post; freshly gutted and left for the crows to enjoy. His jaw slack, frozen in horror. His stupid little moustache face slick with blood and tears.

It brought her relief.

"Nothing else loves me, nor ever will. Not even I love what I've become. I know what I am, Hilda. I know that I am not a thing to be loved."

"Mistress..."

"So, is it enough that I am feared? What is love, then? Without fear? Without a heart racing?"

She was dressed now, looking at herself in the mirror; a picture of dangerous elegance.

It was time to hunt.

To destroy in the most lovely way possible.

To her, that was an expression of love.