(A/N: Disclaimer; I do not own any characters created by the imagination of Anne Rice. I only own those I have created from my own thoughts and imagination.
Secondly; I would like to thank SexySadie88 for the review and the confidence to put up this next chapter. Please bear with me as I further introduce my character.)
Deep violet eyes. For years now, all she seen were those deep violet eyes. So sensuous, so soul-capturing…She wished with all her being that she knew the face that belonged to them. She knew that the owner of those eyes could only be as entrancing as the two amethyst orbs themselves. It almost seems silly to base a fantasy of a man off of a dream that merely consisted of almost an entirely black scene where those piercing always haunted her from in it's wake. But oh how she wished she knew the origin of what she was imagining in her own subconscious. It seemed like her very being knew something of which she did not, and it was teasing and tempting her mind with something so passionate that she would probably never find in her life. And soon, as did every dream, she awoke from her frustration in that familiar bed to that familiar room.
Reine sat up in her canopy bed, attempting to blink away the slumber that had only moments before enraptured her being for rejuvenation. She glanced about, first seeing the deep crimson red drapes surrounding her bed. In such darkness one could hardly see the intricate designs of a darker styling possessing the threads of her canopy curtains, but after shifting in her bed and pulling on the even darker rope by her head, a low light made it's way in revealing it's dark beauty only slightly more. Still having to shake her slumber, she rose from her bed and stepped onto the dark wood floor sending a cool shiver down her spine. The room was covered in a dim light which only came from the rays of moonlight partially protruding through her closed drapes on her windows. As she always did, Reine opened the curtains, lazily engulfing her room with the light of the moon.
Reine frowned slightly, annoyed with her lethargy, for it had succumbed to sleep too much for her liking. She should have been up as the sun was setting and ready to move about by now, which made her scold herself even more for her excess sleep. Surely she was expected downstairs by now for breakfast, and her father would not be pleased. He was a very prompt man, and she did respect his wishes for her to be down for breakfast WHEN it was served, not after everyone had begun. It wasn't often these days that Reine and her father got to really bond with one another, so it thrust a pang of guilt upon her, which, in turn, made her rush to get ready for the evening.
After a few, rushed, morning rituals, Reine nearly ran to her closet to pull out something to wear. First, she had slipped on some undergarments, which was then followed by a peasant top of sorts. The material was soft and light for the spring air, and was a deep purple in color. It had the straps similar to that of a tank top, which were black mind you, but had belled sleeves which hung off of her shoulders. The blouse hung tight on her figure, and she soon slipped on a silky black corset, with black entailed stitching of flowers, which settled nicely over her bust; creating a nice silhouette of her figure. To complete her outfit, she slipped on a pair of leather pants, which were worked for optimal movement, and a pair of heeled leather boots to keep her feet warm in the cool air.
After applying a minimal amount of make-up (only a bit of eye liner and mascara this day), she headed towards her door in the direction of the stairs. To some it might have seemed strange to be having breakfast the moment the sun had set, but to the lives of those surrounded by vampires, it was entirely normal. Reine, herself was raised around the moonlight, and hated the garish sun anyhow, for it burned her skin easily. And, as is natural, she became easily costumed to sleeping during the day and moving about at night. She never minded the fact that her night time life was shorter lived and was cut even more short during the summer weather. Her father even had it arranged to where she could be taught at night, using her easily burning skin as an excuse for trained human teachers to come out to teach her. But, considering she was the only human living in her father's home, she had to be her father's daylight liaison, for when he had matters that needed to be attend in the light. But, Reine wasn't much bothered by it.
Reine silently stepped on the carpeted staircase, her hand delicately place on the railing in the case of her tripping. Her hands moved slyly with the intricately carved wood designs, which made the staircase all the more enriched and interesting. The entirety of the castle (for that's what it really was) was massive and a bit intimidating to those who were not used to the environment. But for Reine it was merely home, and in fact comforting. Even as she rushed among the many steps towards the bottom floor, she felt at ease, almost as if she were taking her time to drink down the warmth her home provided her.
It was no secret that the immensity of the castle was due to the many inhabitants of the castle. Yes, her father was the leader of his own clan, which was actually very relaxed and close in it's own sense. Castle Dracul was meant to be a safe haven for those vampires who were lost to themselves, and it helped them find their own belonging and place to call their own. Even the infamous Marius had even taken it upon himself to make a room called his own for when he needed a break from his eternal life. Many vampires came and went during their dark life, but her father and uncle (Thomas Vladmir Du-Monte) stayed consistent for the sake of maintaining a good environment, that is good for vampires.
After several moments of wandering even more halls, Reine came to two very large wooden doors. Their intensity only meaning that she had reached her destination. Very true to their size, the doors had an immense amount of weight to them as well, one that surely could not be moved by Reine herself. However, true to their nature, two vampires opened each door for her, revealing her to the vast dining table filled with vampire brethren. Reine looked past all the vampires to the very end of the room where her father sat, looking at her. She nodded in thanks to the doormen, knowing she was probably going to get an ear-full for being late. As she walked along the tables among tables of vampires, she gave small respectful nods to some, receiving some in return. Each vampire in the room glanced at her, if only for a moment, but each one knew she was not food to be taken.
Taking a seat on her father's right, she leaned in and gave him a light kiss on his cheek. "Good evening, father." She gave a smile to her uncle, who made a face at her in return. In retaliation, she made one back, before turning back to her father with an innocent smile. Vlad, her uncle, was always a childish man, who delved in keeping his innocent nature about him. This probably accounted for the reason that he and Reine got along so well. Adrien thought Vlad to be rather childish, and he even sometimes delved in telling him such as well. He could not see how someone who was nearly the age of Marius, who was intelligent in word and in the arts, could be so childish as that of a newly made fledging. Then again, it was Reine who told him about new coming trends and kept him updated on the 'life of today', so they were both to blame.
"You slept in." Adrien more stated then asked. This was a common occurrence with him, for he seemed to know a lot more than any of them would ever; it was just his way. He calmly took a drink from his glass, obviously filled with warm blood, as Reine looked down with a blush. "Yes, father, I'm sorry. My dreams have been more…intriguing lately. I suppose they got away with me last morning." She didn't want to go into detail about her dreams, especially not with well-hearing, prying ears all about the room. Vampires were horrible gossips, especially the vampiresses who lived amongst her. She valued her privacy and knew that they didn't need to know all aspects of her human life ( though they tried often to pry anyhow).
Her uncle, and best friend's, ears picked up on what she said; knowing her well enough to know something was almost wrong. He gave her a look of concern, only to receive a look which stated 'not right now'. Vlad debated on whether or not he should let it go, and after sending a few glances between Reine herself, and her father, he decided he would ask later when the setting was more private. And, as was habitual, the rest of breakfast went quietly, only a few vampires speaking amongst each other, softly, as to not bother the others while they fed for that evenings strength. Reine, being the only one eating real food, quietly chewed her food, only making faces at the teasing Vlad, who started the war, when her father wasn't looking (though he most likely knew they were doing so anyhow). During breakfast, the three of them spoke of casual things, when Vlad nearly spilled his drink in remembrance of telling her something.
Licking his lips, to clear off the blood he had spilled from them, thus making Reine laugh slightly, he set down his glass, preparing to speak. "Did I tell you that your father has decided to throw a masquerade?" Reine's eyes lit up in surprise, as she turned her gaze towards her unperturbed father, who gingerly sipped at his glass. Suddenly her thoughts turned to a certain Irish vampire. "Mina's coming soon then?" Adrien nodded once, lightly smiling and running a hand through her hair, in a fatherly way. Mina was a vampire seamstress, one that was the only one allowed to cater to Reine's dress-making needs. The reason for this being that she was the only one who could bring Reine's designs to life in the most wonderful way possible. Mina could see how it would look in real life and make it accordingly.
It also helped that Mina was one of the few vampiresses that Reine could trust with her life. The two got along famously, and could both work on a professional level as well as a personal level. Reine enjoyed her long talks with Mina, and knew that she would have to draw something wonderful for her friend to design for her. Mina loved seeing Reine's drawings and especially loved making dresses for her. Mina always said that Reine had the perfect modeling figure, and could make any dress look good on her frame. Of course Reine would merely blush and deny such factors, for she was the only one who did not see the compliments as true.
After thinking about her drawings, Reine turned to her right, seeing the dark-haired wonder that was Marius. "Marius, I have been working on this piece for a while, and I was wondering if you would mind checking my progress after breakfast?" Marius smirked, he fangs protruded accordingly, giving her a small nod. "Of course, Miss Dracul, it would be my pleasure. You do, afterall, inspire me, my dark angel, it is the least I can do." Marius too had become somewhat of an Uncle-figure to Reine while growing up, and was one of few vampires that Adrien could trust to protect his daughter if need be. Marius had even taught her how draw and play different instruments when she growing up, much to her fathers approval. Reine felt a strong connection with Marius, on an artistic level, and he was often inspired by her to do some amazing paintings, many of which adorned the walls of Reine's room. There was one across from her bed in fact, that Marius had painted when she was a mere child. He had said that he thought she would look the way she did in the painting when she grew up. She loved it, and never moved it. It wasn't until she was fully grown that she noticed that it did, in fact, look almost exactly like her.Once breakfast began to meet it's end, Marius gave Reine a nod, signaling that he was ready to check her progress. Reine smiled brightly, and turned to her father, giving him another small kiss on the cheek. She rose gracefully from her seat and walked around her father to give Vlad a hug, or rather a tight squeeze, before you walked over to Marius, whom held his arm out. Reine took his arm lightly, allowing him to lead her to the library where a baby grand piano rested in glory in the center of the room. It was a family heirloom, which was placed in her name and was her pride and joy. She often played upon it when she could not sleep, knowing that the vampires sleeping in their coffins were to far in slumber to be disturbed by it.She slipped her arm from Marius's and made her around the precious piece of history. Her feminine fingers lightly ran along the shiny black surface, as the moonlight reflected off the piano and in her eyes; making them sparkle in adoration. Marius smiled, silently, knowing that love for the arts and being glad he could install it in her heart. And it was soon after that she took a seat and began to play a soft song by Mozart. Her fingers gracing the room with a lovely ring of music that filled her heart with song and love. He watched her close her eyes and let the music carry her away, until a silence filled the room in it's wake. Almost hesitantly, Marius began to give her some constructive criticism, before heading out for his own nightly duties. It was Reine's turn as well, to start heading her the nightly activities that had to be fulfilled. After all, she had a life to live, and she wanted to live it to it's fullest.