The band played a sweet, low song as Marie and Stein performed a box step, slightly turning as they danced, their hands entwined. Stein's hands were clammy, not because he was nervous, Marie was sure, because this wasn't the first time they had danced this evening. She coughed quietly as the song ended and he began to slink away. "Stein, is everything all right?" she said cheerfully, trying to mask her worry.
He put his hand to his forehead. "Everything's fine Marie. I just had a little too much champagne, you know?" He laughed and began to walk nervously away.
"Stein. Both of us know you haven't had anything to drink tonight," Marie said, scolding him.
Stein chuckled. "You're too smart for me Marie, you know that? That would've fooled any other…." He paused. A monochrome image of the murderous expression on Medusa's face as he admitted his lie flashed in his mind. His knees began to shake. He heard her laughter like the faint buzzing of a television set; it was in the distance, barely detectable amongst noise, but still present.
The shriek of a bow drawn across the strings of a violin brought him back into the present. Marie was sitting down, her legs crossed; her eyes were focused on the plate of caviar and smoked turkey that she was eating from. Stein extended his hand towards her.
"Care to dance?" he asked once more, and after Marie took a tiny swallow of her food she stood up and followed him to the dance floor. She looked sad, and a bit nervous. "Don't worry. I'm not that insane," he said jokingly, but it only made Marie turn away more. Why couldn't he understand her feelings? He reached towards the screw on his head and cranked it once, twice. "Marie, you don't need to worry about me. I'm fine," he said reassuringly. Marie looked him in the eyes, an expression of disbelief on her face.
"How do I know that Stein? You told me that last time, and you went completely insane! I didn't do anything to help you. It's my fault…I didn't do anything! I have to protect you, Stein," Marie sniffed. She drew close to him, her face pressing up against his chest. They swayed together, their souls connected, and for a brief moment they both forgot. The song switched to something more peaceful, yet eerie. Like a deep, endless sea. They began to drift, far away from the shore, but closer together. Marie lifted her chin, her hands tracing their way down Stein's jaw line. She drew him close, their lips almost touching. Stein remained still, frozen in the moment, his eyes hidden by the reflection of his glasses. The world was peaceful for a brief moment.
Stein looked down for just a brief moment, and Marie stared back up at him with her radiant brown eyes…or were they yellow…they were turning yellow….
Marie's face began to change, the soft angles of her face turning harsh and cruel, her beautiful blond locks twisting into a braid, while two black arrows burst out of her back, and twisted slowly around her, like snakes….Snakes. The witch's mouth formed a soft noise, barely comprehendible. But it grew louder, stronger, fiercer, "Join me. Join me. Be mine. Change with the world. Drown in the river, Stein….sink into it's depths with me…"
Stein opened his eyes to the present. He stared at the filthy creature that had tried to kill her own son, the disgusting witch that deserved to burn. He quickly grabbed her around the neck, holding her up high to prepare to strike the foul monster in the face. A tiny shriek interrupted him. He looked right into the eyes of the witch-no, Marie. It was Marie, not Medusa. He immediately seized his hold on her. She fell to the ground, clutching her newly bruised neck, gasping for air. The party had stopped, and the students stood, looking on in horror, while the Death Scythes surrounded him, already in their fighting position.
"I…", he choked, looking at the pained expression on Marie's face, "Have to…go." Stein ran from the room, grabbing his arm to stop it from twitching uncontrollably.
The DWMA students watched as Stein fled the scene. Maka stared on with a pained expression. "Professor Stein?" Soul grabbed her shoulder, looking towards the door, obviously as frightened as she was.
Was the madness coming back?