Pleasurable Venom
Chapter 08: Snakes and Roses
My eyes cracked open and stared at heavy curtains. Pieces of muted sunlight glowed behind a strange and complicated pattern in the fabric. My skin felt warm and relaxed, so I let myself shut my eyes again and nuzzled the pillow case under my cheek. At some point during the night I had flipped over onto my stomach and it felt nice to lay there. Several minutes fell away with me simply just laying there and appreciating the warm bed and dim lighting of the room.
A shuffle and noise near the door caused my head to lift up and my body to freeze in place. A little more scuffling and a small knock sounded from the wooden panel. I tilted my head more curious then frightened. I listened for any other noise and when I didn't hear any I allowed myself to shift and get out of bed. The wooden floor greeted my feet with a cool feeling and I felt fabric brush against my knees. My eyes travelled down my body, and a confused frown crossed my features. I don't remember changing into a nightgown. Ignoring my confusion I reached the door and cautiously cracked the door open.
Grell stood there holding a small tray with a meal on it and was shaking terribly. I hurried to pull the door open completely. "Good Morning." I greeted with a smile feeling oddly refreshed, He jumped and nearly dropped the silver tray in his hands before he looked up to meet my eyes. "G-good Morning, to you to Miss. I brought you breakfast, on the Madam's order." I looked down onto the tray and smiled again. I carefully gripped the edges and pulled it out of his hands. "You are too kind." I stared towards him. I turned to place the tray on the small table in the center of the room but stopped when I noticed how awkward it was having Grell just standing in the doorway fidgeting. I bit my lip and hesitated only moment before quickly grabbing the sleeve covering his wrist and pulling him into the room. "Please have a seat." I gestured to the chair by the table. He paused a moment. "But the madam might be angry that I took a seat in a guests room." He whimpered. It broke my heart. He was acting more and more of an abused animal, like the many I had seen in my lifetime.
"Don't be silly, she is nice and I will tell her I told you to if she says anything." I encouraged and it took another moment before he tentatively seated himself on the very edge of the chair. It reminded me of a proper lady. I giggled a bit and looked over the tray. It was simple. A small teapot, a small bowl of fruit, a larger bowl of porridge, and a small plate with sausage. My stomach felt full enough from the meal Undertaker and I had shared together yesterday so I decided to enjoy a couple bites of meat and that's it. I sat myself on the floor by the table and pulled the plate of sausage onto my lap. I looked up and Grell turned a heated shade of red. "Oh, no no no, Miss you can't be sitting on the floor! Had I known I would be taking your seat I would have not done such a thing! Please stand up." He shot up from the chair and hurried to my side.
I blinked surprised. "But I don't mind." I argued but he already had his arms around me ad hoisted me up from the ground. "It is highly improper!" He chided and sat me down on the edge of the chair. He stood by my side as I finished a few bites and set the white porcelain dish down on the tray.
I took the napkin from the side and dabbed at my lips before setting it down and turning to look at him. "I am done." I simply informed him. He looked between me and the tray. And gaped.
"Done? You hardly ate." I blinked then nodded. "But I am full." He shook his head and sighed. It was amusing and cracked a smile across my lips. "Very well miss. Do you need help changing into your day clothes?" He asked. I blinked again. My clothes were nowhere in sight. "Where are my clothes." I asked. He grinned. "Undertaker took the liberty to pack you a trunk of clothing he bought for you yesterday and a few spares. They are in that trunk there." He pointed at the trunk I had looked at the night before. I tilted my head and returned my focus back on the butler. A feeling itched at the back of my head and as soon as it was there it was gone. The odd sensation caused me to briefly frown. How odd.
"I think I can get dressed myself." I supplied Grell with my answer. He nodded and scrambled out the door, shutting it behind him. I counted to ten in my head and stood up, making my way over to and opening the trunk. Lifting the lid, I thoughtfully held up each item and examined them. I carefully choose colors that matched and set them aside in an order I liked. The entire time I thought of Undertaker and what he might have been thinking when he picked out each of the pieces. Grey, very nice, reminds me of ashes, yes and black, to bring out the color in Helain's hair. I could picture habits brought on by his occupation tinting his decisions and forming his opinion on each selected item. A bright smile curled my lips and I laid out the two outfits I choose out onto the bed, frowning in thought.
The first, a more expensive looking outfit, this caused me to frown more, I didn't like the idea of Undertaker using money on me, especially when e could have chosen a much simpler outfit. I sighed and looked it over. It was green silk with the hems laced with black. The neckline was in a V shape and folded to the sides showing a piece of fabric over the top of the breasts and that too was lined with black lace. I decided if I wore it I would accompany it with a black choker that had a cream colored charm at the front. The second was simpler and had a high collar, wrapped in a white lace cravat. It too came with a cream colored charm and the white button down blouse ended at the bottom of my ribs and gave away to a light black skirt that touched my ankles. The sleeves puffed out and traveled don to my wrists where they turned slim. I bit my lip and huffed slightly. Finally I settled with the black and white one and slipped the pieces on one by one. The corset I frowned at and glared. There was no way in hell I was going to put that death trap around my body. I pinched at the corner of it and placed it back into the trunk. Slipping on a pair of simple black flats, I re braided my hair and peeked my head through my doorway.
Looking back and forth I tilted my head and took a small step out into the hallway. Golds and reds, sometimes browns, splashed my vision and I tried to ignore my irritation at the sheer amount of red. It was ridiculous. I stuck my tongue out and searched for any smells my nose couldn't pick up. Roses was the most potent, then under that was polish and something else. It twisted my gut so I sucked my tongue back into my mouth and started down the hallway. After passing a few closed doors I passed a small table with a vase of roses, red roses, on top of it and a large window. I looked out of the glass to find the sun already high in the sky and several trees on the ground. To the side however was a street lined with other houses, smaller then this one but quite large in their own right. People filed about on the cobblestone and occasionally a carriage broke through the crowd of people.
Behind me, a set of twin star cases led down to a set of decorated front doors and a wide white tiled greeting room. The thin railing provided debatable security from falling the twenty feet to the floor below. I took a step down on of the twin stair cases and peeked around, feeling more and more lost as time ticked by.
"Ahh! You're awake!" The sudden presence behind me startled me and I whipped around to face the 'threat'. A red dress calmed me but caused my face to contort into an unhappy frown. The doctor's demeanor didn't falter as I instinctively glared at her. A few light pads came from behind her and Grell appeared over her shoulder. I blinked and a small smile broke my frown. He nervously blinked back and flashed me a small smile. I refocused on the woman and she took a step forward, both arms outstretched. The sudden movement put me in a defensive stance prepared to kill. I lowered my body and my lips pulled back from my teeth, hissing warningly.
She froze in place and took a step back, placing her outside of my personal space. Slowly I eased up and straightened. "Sorry." I spat not at all sorry in the slightest but knowing it was only proper to apologize for inappropriate behavior. "I just don't want to be touched." I explained and I heard her swallow thickly and nodd. "Yes, of course, I apologize as well, I know I can be a bit crowding." The awkward silence filled a few moments ad she cleared her throat before smiling again.
Behind her Grell tilted his head and frowned in thought at the floor. "Anyways~ Tonight, you are meeting someone special." She had my attention now and let the thought hang in the air. Then she chuckled and filled it in. "My friend, Serenity Morris!" She excitedly, a small squeal following the remark. I rolled my eyes not having a care in the world. If she was anything like the red woman, I will not like her. The bitter thought of having to meet someone like the doctor made me cringe.
"I already arranged it with Undertaker, he is aware you will be going." She added. I paled. SHe talked to Undertaker about this? My fists clenched and unclenched. I did not like the idea of the red woman talking with my Undertaker. Not one bit. "And sense you don't have anything up to the party's standards, I will be taking you with me shopping. Grell, fetch the carriage!" She screeched and I cringed again. A mental groan later, she grabbed my elbow and I barely had time to hiss at her before she shoved me into a carriage and let go.
Ice cold exploded from where she touched me, freezing my veins painfully. I gasped and cradled my elbow to my chest, natural endorphins flooding through my blood but not doing anything to heal the dreadful feeling. A violent shudder ran up my spine and I took a few breaths before it went away. A frown creased my face as I looked out the window, at the many shops we passed, thinking about what that feeling was. The entirety of the ride, the doctor rambled on and on about this and that and when I couldn't bother to listen anymore I retreated into my thoughts.
"We're here~" The red woman sang as we jolted to a stop in front of a large shop. In the windows there were beautifully tailored dresses for the high society. Immediately, I felt self conscious. My hand snaked up to the small patch of scales dotting my collarbone. We waited a moment and Grell appeared, opening the door and offering the red woman a hand before offering me one. I stared at it. My head told me to grab it and smile, so I did and the same icy feeling ran needles up my palm and wrist. I stepped out and jerked it out of his grasp. My eyes landed on his and I searched the green for something, anything to tell me what that was. Nothing but kindness and concern looked back. I swallowed and nodded to him smiling.
"Sorry, I just, uh, your hand felt cold." I explained and he frowned before looking down at his palm, and the white fabric of his gloves. I took a step after the doctor but made sure to say a decent ways from her and Grell both.
Stepping inside, I glanced around and stared openly at several of the gowns crowding the interior of the shop. My han shot up to cover the scales on my collarbone and I rubbed them nervously. Gowns of every color and material were covering the shop's inside. They looked expensive and I already didn't like it. The doctor walked up to the counter with an air of friendly authority of someone who held higher status but were friends with the other. I carefully watched her exchange a few words with a middle aged man who looked in my direction here and there and when they had finished talking to one another he stepped out from behind the counter and approached me.
My guard went up and I took a step back. He stopped and nodded towards me. "You were right, Madam, she really is a shy thing." He turned to chuckle and tell the doctor before turning back to me. "It's alright, hun. Madam Red has already informed me of your condition and you needn't worry about being judged by me. I am only here to take your measurements and tailor you a dress to your liking." He said slowly with a kind smile. I looked at him doubtfully and then the the doctor not really trusting her or anyone that could be her friend. After a few beats of my heart I nodded. He smiled and gestured to a curtain towards the back of the shop. "Good, now if you could follow me behind that curtain there? I don't think you want to be measured out here in the openness of my shop where anyone passing by could look at you." He chuckled and I gave him a confused look before carefully stepping closer to the closed curtain. It was frightening, the thought of a stranger touching me behind a curtain where no one would be able to see what was happening but he seemed kind enough and I could always bite him if he did anything. With that thought in mind I pulled back the fabric of the curtain and looked around inside.
It was simple enough. A small pedestal and a full body mirror sat to one side while a couple hooks and chairs sat on the other. I frowned not knowing what to really do. The curtain opening behind me alerted me to the store owner coming in. "While I usually visit the Madam at her home, she brought you here to show you what different dresses you can choose from. She also told me that sense she is purchasing you a gown unexpectedly, she didn't want to trouble me with having to bring the dresses to her home and measure you there when it would be much quicker to do it here." I nodded taking in the information. "Now have you ever been measured before?" He asked pulling a long tape from inside a pouch out. I shook my head, keeping my eyes trained on the odd item.
"All you need to do is step up onto the pedestal, then I will wrap this around parts of your body, that way i know how big the dress needs to be in order to make it just right for you." I swallowed and nodded. My foot stepped up onto the pedestal and I turned my back to the man. Every hair on my neck stood on end but the mirror showing me what the man was doing helped me ease up. Gently, he wrapped the tape around my midsection, then my neck, then my arms and legs, under my breasts and over my hips. Lastly, the tape wrapped around my wrists. He stepped back and smiled. "All done." I blinked and turned around to look at him. "Th-hank you." I stuttered nervously. "Sir." I added. He smiled brightly and it cased his cheeks to lift and squint his eyes. "It's my job, and it was my pleasure. You have a very nice figure and I look forward to tailoring you a gown. Is there anything you want the gown to have?" He asked kindly. I couldn't help but smile back. "I would like it to be green." I requested quietly. He nodded. "Of course." I giggled a bit and stepped out of the curtain , my eyes sweeping the shop for the doctor. I spotted her busily throwing red dress ater red dress on top of Grell who looked like he was struggling slightly.
I walked up to them both, still keeping several feet between us. "I am done." I said feeling like I need to say more. "Thank you, Doctor." I added feeling a queasy feeling in my stomach. I didn't like thanking the woman but she did bring me here to buy me something, so it only felt right. She turned towards me. "Well you have to look good tonight, we are going to a party after all." She scoffed and payed for the dresses before hurrying me back into the carriage. I watched out the window until the carriage stopped and Grell opened the odor again. This time I stepped out without the help of Grell. I wasn't willing to have my blood froze again. Once inside the doors, the doctor rushed off mumbling about having to do something and I was left alone in the hall again.
I opened the door to my room, my eyes having no issue with adjusting to the dark. My hand shut the door behind me as I stepped in and my other hand tapped my bottom lip, wondering what I should do. I glanced around looking for a source of temporary entertainment. Scanning over the bed and curtains closed over the windows my eyes landed on the dresser. Something nagged at the back of my mind, a faint feeling that worried my bottom lip with my teeth but I shoved it down and took a look into the small dresser that sat in the room. I didn't bother to light any candles, considering I had nothing to do so with.
I started with the last drawer first. It was empty. The middle one was as well, but the first drawer had a small book tucked into it. My curiosity picked it up and opened it to the first page. Small print covered the pages and I sat down Criss cross on the bed, my mind instantly losing itself in the words.
XxxxXxxxXxxxXxxxX
A page turn...another page turn….another page turn….a draft of cold air and a page turn...another page turn…
Wait. My eyes looked up instantly. A cold draft? My brows knitted together when I spotted the window wide open. The curtains pulled back and swishing. I frowned and stood up. My feet ghosting over the wooden floor silently. My hands reached up to latch the window closed, not remembering opening them or them being open at all. A creeping feeling of caution ran up my spine and I swiftly turned around. A blur and then nothing.