After getting dressed and taking my supplements, I decided to go explore the castle a bit more. Perhaps this wasn't the brightest idea on my part, but I was curious and rarely had the opportunity to wander about medieval dwellings by myself.
The halls were quiet; there wasn't another soul in sight. "Boy, you'd think this place is deserted," I muttered out loud descending the main staircase into the front foyer. Going aimlessly through the corridors, I eventually found myself in a ballroom of some sort. There were these massive clear windows lining the side and back wall, with this huge balcony overlooking the mountain range at the end. I walked over to it, examining its structure with interest. Hardly anyone lived here anymore, and it's probably been that way for a long time now. I didn't know whether to feel sorry for this magnificent place or happy for it. I could only dream of being in such a ballroom back when I was a human- really human.
This playful smile crept across my lips. My mind may be so much older now, but my body's still that of a young girl; the type of girl who would have had such fun in this sort of room back in its heyday. Spinning away from the window, I curtsied as elegantly as I could. Then I gazed up at nothing, grinning. "Dance with you? Why, I'd love to, my lord," my mouth declared to the pretend suitor. My hand took hold of his make-believe one and we began to waltz; I had to play orchestra music in my head along with each step and glide. I did this for about a minute or two until an unexpected voice caught me off guard.
"Dancing with anyone in particular?" Immediately stopping, my feet twirled around in a flash to see that young, brown-haired vampire girl propped up against the doorway. Her arms were folded across her chest and she was watching me with an amused sort of look on her face. Of course this made me falter with embarrassment and apprehension.
"O-Oh, I'm sorry! I didn't see you there!" I'm not sure why I was the one apologising; it just felt like the right- or least awkward- thing to do. She must have realized this, shaking her head softly. "No need to apologize; I'm the one who interrupted you. Never seen anyone dance in here before, heh, which is ironic for a ballroom when you think about it," she chuckled sweetly. My hands rubbed together nervously. "Maybe I'm not supposed to be here. I'll go right….." "Why would you need to go? You haven't done anything wrong. Me and my family just aren't dancers; that's all," the vampire named Alice cut me off. Our eyes met, locking onto each other's. "Y-You're doing the fasting cure, aren't you?" Her voice was a little more shakily, but only for this time. I nodded and my lips instinctively parted a sliver.
"Uh, should we be…..? Should you and I be…..? Is it safe that we're in the same room like…..?" My pointed finger kept moving between her and myself. She blinked, as if not to understand me right away, but quickly figured out what I meant. Alice stood up straight, letting her arms fall down at her sides; all the while she tried to gaze comfortingly at me. "Oh, right; I guess you would be worried. Don't worry; you got nothing to fear from me. Heh, I have more self-control than my siblings, which I'm sure you've picked up on….." "B-But the other two? Your husband and brother…. Won't they…. smell me on you?" My hand rose up slightly, exemplifying my point. Her eyes blinked again before she smiled with warmth. "You mean Jasper and Edward? Er, yeah. You're right; unfortunately they don't have the same self-control as I do. You'll have to forgive my husband; the vegetarian lifestyle is still very new to him and he's struggling to cope," her hand rubbed the back of her head awkwardly at this. I continued to watch her with an intent stare. "And Edward…..?" Was all I could bring myself to ask.
Alice blinked for the final time, lowering her hand slowly. "I'm not really sure about him. He's been vegetarian for a while now and has never acted that way around a human before. Maybe it's because you're a….. a….." "A human vampire?" I finished her sentence with a grin. She looked at me and nodded, also smiling. "Yeah, that."
My head shook as I closed my eyes for a second. "Heh, wouldn't be the first time. I've heard my blood is alluring, but I didn't know it was this bad before….." Just makes me realize what great self-control Charlie must have demonstrated all those years….. Alice waved her hand in the air dismissively, making that "pffffft" sound. "Ah, it's alright. Yes, you've gotta be careful, but you're in no great danger here, Miss Swan." "Thanks, Miss Cullen; I appreciate that," I smiled back at her.
We gazed upon one another again, letting our eyes linger a tad longer this time. She instinctively smiled, and so did I. I already liked her; I barely knew this girl and I already liked her. She seemed so soft and genuine… Traits I admired in my friends. But the moment couldn't last forever and Alice ended it with a single shrug of the shoulder. She turned to leave the ballroom, but not before resting her hand on the doorway. Her head spun back to face me from over her shoulder, almost sad to go so suddenly like that.
"I'd better get going. It's nothing personal; it's just that my family…." My hand flung up to stop her. "I get it. You gotta put the needs of your family first; I'd do the same if I were you," I really would regarding Charlie. Alice seemed relieved at my saying this, relaxing her face muscles a little. Her eyes lowered onto me slightly. "Thanks for understanding, Miss Swan. Hopefully we can get better acquainted soon." "I'd like that! It was a pleasure meeting you, Miss Cullen," I beamed, as did she. "The pleasure was all mine. Heh, now if you excuse me, I've got to go take a shower." "Huh, why?" This made me blink in confusion. "Again, it's nothing personal. I may just smell like…" She hesitated to go on. My fingers snapped in realization. "Oh… Oh! I understand. Uh, sorry; I don't mean to make it hard for your husband." "It's not Jasper I'm worried about," her said in a low tone. I blinked again at her astonished. "Huh? What do you mean?" I asked and she chuckled, lowering her head a tad. I noticed her hand clench onto the door tighter in the instant.
"If you think Jasper lacks self-control around you, you should see my brother."