~O~

Dance in the Dark

Alcina smiled down at the frightened woman she held easily in one hand.

Her three daughters were standing there, eagerly awaiting the chance to consume her.

"Please, Mistress, don't do this!" the woman pleaded, shaking her head, denying what was sure to come. "I-I won't fail you again I - "

Alcina ignored her, smiling at her daughters. She held out the woman's wrist and sliced it cleanly, earning a light yelp of pain. The smell of her blood drew hisses from the three there and they crouched low. They looked at their mother for permission and she smiled, nodding once.

They let out a series of snarls, but stepped aside to give the woman a running start. She would teach them; proper restraint first. Let the prey know they had a chance before catching her.

The three laughed, Cassandra clicking her teeth at the woman before they watched her run into the forest. Alcina raised her eyebrows, smiling with pleasure. Her daughters looked up at her for permission and she held up two hands, the silent command.

They let out a chorus of laughs and gave chase in half-form. Alcina smiled brightly, letting out a sigh.

She was proud of them.

They returned from the forest and found their way back to the castle, covered in fresh blood and laughing together. Cassandra was sharing a story with the other two, which earned a little push from Bela. Alcina was waiting for them in the main hall, smiling when she saw them.

"Good. The hunt was successful?" she said.

"Yes, mother." Daniela told her.

Cassandra pouted somewhat. "Mmm, she died too quickly." she complained, "I was hoping for a challenge. Maybe we could hunt bigger prey."

"Now, now, my dear," Alcina assured her. "That was just a simple taste of what is to come. Spring and Summer will yield more and plenty for the three of us."

The three smiled at each other, delighting in the idea.

"Bela." Alcina addressed her eldest daughter now. "Perhaps you'd like to invite Donna to the castle for our dance lessons?"

Bela blinked and the other two were giggling now.

"Yes! I'd like to see her!" Daniela agreed, "I bet she's a cute dancer. All shy and quiet and I bet she holds onto you like this."

She put her arms tightly around Bela in an over exaggerated embrace and the oldest daughter hissed with irritation, shoving her away with one hand on her shoulder. Alcina made a face, letting out a long-suffering sigh before beckoning with one hand. They followed her without question.

They continued to tease Bela anyway.

As sisters did.

O

Donna felt a little happy to see Bela at the door when she opened it.

Bela grinned back. "My! Someone looks happy to see me!" she said, "I'm flattered."

Donna immediately cleared her throat, lowering her eyes and turning rather abruptly. The dolls at her heels chattered excitedly when they saw Bela step into the house. The woman stared down at them, making a face; they were creepy, even for her. But Donna seemed to love them, though she didn't understand remotely why that was.

"Mother suggested I invite you to the castle to dance," Bela told her, coming right out and saying it.

Donna was uncertain. "I don't know..." she said. "I'm not much of a dancer."

"You could learn a few things."

Donna frowned abruptly, stopping where she stood. Was that an insult?

"What do I need to learn?" she asked.

Bela's smile disappeared when she sensed Donna's discomfort and annoyance. "I didn't mean it as insult or anything. I meant that it might be nice to learn a few tricks."

(She did.)

(She's trying to make fun of you.)

(No, she didn't. She wants to spend time with you.)

Donna exhaled, closed her eye and smiled a little, trying to understand. Of course, that's all it was. She blamed herself for failing to pick up on those little social cues. Maybe she needed to understand a little more after all.

"Hey, how about this..." Bela smiled and walked up to her. "I have an idea. You don't have to come to the castle if you don't want. I can stay here and have you all to myself."

Donna's eye widened and her cheeks felt warm.

O

What a peculiar ritual.

Donna watched as Bela began to paint her fingernails with black nail polish. The way she held her hand and worked with such care and deliberation was strange. The Others didn't even know what to make of such a thing; a Dimitrescu tending to her like she were an old girlfriend.

It made her giggle a little and Bela looked up at the noise, amused. "What?" she asked. "Does it tickle or something?"

Donna shook her head, clearing her throat. "N-No, it's fine."

"You can't stop giggling, can you?" Other Donna sighed, pacing around the table. "She's going to think you're strange. Well, she already does, I'm sure."

"No, she doesn't. She likes her." Teenage Donna argued, annoyed. "Stop being so mean."

"I'm not. I'm always helping her. You're giving her false hope. That's cruel." Other Donna told her, with a roll of her eyes.

"So...do you always make dolls or are your skills involved in other matters?" Bela said, almost playfully.

It interrupted the voices. That was nice.

"No. Not very skilled otherwise." Donna replied, keeping her eye focused on her nails. "Though my tea-making skills - "

(Maybe tell her about the time you stabbed that girl in the face when she laughed at you.)

"No." Donna hissed, angry now at the voice that slithered into her head.

"No?" Bela looked confused.

(The man who choked on his own blood when he inhaled too much.)

(Or even the woman you strangled with a rope when she tried to come into your house.)

"She didn't mean it." Teenage Donna said, quietly and sadly. "It was an accident. She's a good girl. She doesn't need to remember those things."

(She does. We'll drill them deep into her brain so she never forgets.)

(No matter how hard she tries to bury them with her mother's remains.)

Hauning, eerie laughter in her head.

"They're here, huh?" Bela suddenly said, "The Others?"

Donna looked up at her hesitantly. She was surprised by the question and noticed that Bela didn't seem disturbed or bothered, only curious. It was rare that someone was interested in knowing that about her. It was off-putting, but perhaps to a Dimitrescu, it was a normal thing. They weren't exactly sane themselves.

"I certainly don't talk about it, but it's there always," Donna told her, quietly. "Those Others who came when things happened. Sometimes they puppet me and I feel like I'm elsewhere. I feel like I'm sitting in a dark place, waiting for my turn to be the puppet master again."

She was waiting for Bela to look disgusted with her, perhaps even leave. She expected it really; Donna had been abandoned over and over, left with her little friends of her own creations. But Bela didn't do anything like that. She only looked like she was thinking; working at a makeup display that had belonged to her mother.

"I think I know how to take your mind off of that."

O

Bela was working with her face.

Normally, the idea of any hands near her face filled her with dread, but Bela was so gentle in ways Donna had never expected from her. And she assured her that it would make her feel like showing her face more. She was far too curious and liked seeing Bela smile, so it was easier to deal with.

They were there in her mother's room, sitting in front of a mirror with her back to it. Bela's yellow eyes were filled with delight and warmth as she put something on her face. Surely it had to do with the 'smoky eye color' she described. Donna knew nothing about makeup. She never needed to.

"...and my sisters had this bet," Bela said, "About how you might look. Does that make you upset to know that?"

Donna shook her head. In truth, she wasn't surprised and appreciated the honesty. At least Bela had given her that respect.

"But wait until I show them just what a dish you really are!" Bela teased, laughing in a way that had Donna blushing intensely. "They're going to be jealous."

"How does it look?" the other woman asked.

"See for yourself!"

Bela turned the chair so that Donna could see herself in the mirror. And, of course, she didn't recognize herself.

"You look so pretty!" Bela sighed, leaning her chin in Donna's shoulder to admire her work. "Why not show yourself off?"

"I...I don't know."

"Mm, that's okay. Perhaps this dish wasn't meant for the world just yet." Bela told her, with a gentle caress to her shoulders.

Donna smiled, suddenly shy and averting her eye. She looked at herself in the mirror again, tilted her head. Angie had joined her in her lap after a moment, looking at the woman and letting out a little giggle. Well, she certainly seemed to approve.

"She's right, you look great!" Angie said.

"Mother taught me a thing or two about the face and what a canvas it is," Bela remarked, proud of the reaction.

Donna touched a hand to her cheek, marveling over the painted nails and face.

An eight year old Donna was hiding in the kitchen cabinet. Her mother was looking around for her; dressed in a bright, summer outfit.

"Now where could my little Donna be hiding?" she drawled, with a smile in her voice.

Donna was trying to hide her giggle. But when the cabinet opened, she gave a squeal and was picked up into her mother's waiting arms. She received kisses on her cheek, patted her mother's face with a few yelps of delight.

"Now now, I just have my makeup ready, Cicci." her mother said.

Donna looked at her mother curiously. "Makeup. Why?"

"To make me feel pretty," her mother explained, "I'm going with your father."

"What's makeup for?"

"Well, that's how things are, Donna," her mother said, patiently. "And when you talk to special people, you want to look nice for them. And I want to look nice for your father."

Donna still seemed confused. "Can I wear makeup?"

An affectionate laugh and kiss to her cheek. "When you're older. Right now, you get Angie and we'll get ready for the nanny."

"Okay!"

Donna blinked slowly, still watching herself in the mirror. Angie sighed, looked up at Bela and shook her head.

"There she goes again..." she quipped.

Bela looked at Donna, then smiled and let out a little chuckle.

O

"Waltz of the Flowers" played on the gramophone.

Bela looked down at Donna with a smile as she helped her into a dance position. Donna was certainly comfortable staying here than going to the castle; where she expected ridiculous, overwhelming questions from the others. Still, Bela's work did make her feel a little more confident in her appearance. Perhaps she would find the nerve to leave without her veil.

Angie was chuckling and it had Donna look over at her. "What?" she asked.

The other dolls were watching as well from their places around the house.

"You look like us." one of them laughed.

"Stiff." another quipped.

Donna made a face and Bela rolled her eyes before looking down at Donna. "Don't worry." she said. "Practice makes perfect. We'll make a dancer out of you yet."

"I haven't danced since I was a little girl."

"Oh? Well, could have fooled me. You still have moves."

It made a hesitant smile light Donna's lips. She had remembered the days she danced with her father after he'd come home from hunting. It was always before supper and her mother was find happiness in their time spent together bonding as father and daughter.

She didn't know they'd been unhappy and hiding behind a veil.

Just as she was.

"Watch my feet, you have those boots on." Bela laughed, glancing down.

"I can take them off..."

Bela raised an eyebrow and Donna grinned, lowering her eye. "I...I'm sorry."

"Mm, I'm not." Bela joked, affectionately. "I don't mind you taking things off."

Donna blushed, letting out a giggle she couldn't help. The sound made Bela grin with genuine affection. She liked hearing that little laugh of hers; it was awkward and cute and she had clearly never laughed very often. Bela felt herself growing more fond of the Lord even more.

"Will your mother be angry for you missing your lessons?"

"Maybe." Bela admitted, smile disappearing. "I could always bring her fresh prey. That usually helps put her in better spirits."

"I see..."

Other Donna watched from the kitchen, arms folded across her chest. She was shaking her head with disapproval. Donna looked over at her briefly, swallowing thickly.

(She's lying to you.)

(Trust me. I've always been there to help.)

O

Donna was preparing for bed that evening. Angie was sitting on the edge of the bed, watching her as she studied herself in the mirror. She seemed happier now and she even chuckled. Angie let out a small, thoughtful note that caught Donna's attention.

"What?" she asked.

"You giggled." Angie told her.

"Mm, yes..." Donna looked abashed by it.

Angie imitated a gesture that would have looked like someone shaking their head. Donna touched her eye and she felt lighter, happier for it. It was amazing what sort of wonders a little care did for her.

"Makeup, really?" Other Donna said, with disapproval.

Donna ignored her, lips thinning.

"If you go to the castle, what will they think?" Other Donna continued, with a light laugh. "Oh yes, I can hear Cassandra and Daniela right now. 'Mother look at the little doll all painted up. Isn't she precious? Maybe we should put some strings on her while we're at it'."

Donna's eye misted. Her throat felt tighter. "Stop it. You're making me nervous."

"Come on, I know you're thinking about it." Other Donna said, with dismay. "That isn't like you. And why? Because a bag of flies showed you an ounce of kindness? Remember what happened the last time you fell for that?"

"Don't call her that!"

"What? That's what she is, idiot." Other Donna snapped. "A bag of flies whose only drive is to eat and eat. Fuck and eat. Not always in that order, either. There's nothing else in her but lies and deceit. Ask all their victims. You know it as well as I do."

Donna was making an effort to ignore her, but the words seemed to be affecting her more. Teenage Donna and eight year old Donna appeared at her side.

"Stop it! She's happy. You're making her sad." Teenage Donna snapped.

"She should know by now!" Other Donna hissed back at her. She looked down at Donna, leaned in close. "If you go, they will laugh at you."

"Bela likes me. And I like her."

"No one likes you, remember? You're too weird and sad. You don't have friends but us."

Donna's eye filled with tears and she took a piece of cloth, wiping her face of everything on it. It earned a few disappointed sounds from the Others.

"Way to go." Teenage Donna said, to Other Donna. "She's just starting to feel better and you ruined it again."

Donna held herself, starting to cry softly.

"And look what happens every time!" Other Donna snapped, to the others. "I'm the one who takes care of her. Keeps her safe. She wouldn't have survived if I hadn't taken the reins from her. We survive because of me."

"I hate you..." Donna sobbed quietly.

Other Donna laughed at that, shaking her head. "Right. I know you do. But just remember who takes care of you. Who keeps them from taking advantage."

(She had fun.)

(She was lighter. Like a bird flying wistfully without a care.)

(Don't ruin it. She thinks it would be easy.)

"You're going to ruin it, aren't you?" Angie muttered, with disappointment.

Donna looked sharply back at her. "I..."

"Yeah, you are." Angie continued, eyes rattling in her eyes. "Good thing you have us or you'd trip over your own feet listening to Them."

Donna wiped her eye once and sniffed before reaching out to take Angie as the doll drifted over to her.

"I thought you didn't like her either."

"Mmm, I don't like anyone who comes too close." Angie answered, "I was here first."

She was. Angie had always been there for her when her father was still alive. Angie had been important to her and Donna could never see herself without her.

"Yeah, but, you do." Angie said, "You're smiling. Yeah, you are."

Donna looked down at the doll, letting out a trembling sigh.

"Besides, they seem to shut up when you talk to her, too." Angie added, "And that's good. I get so tired of hearing them, too."

A light laugh from Donna. She sniffed once and nodded. It felt quiet again in the house and Donna looked up briefly at the dolls she'd made; creations of her own will and love.

"Alright..."