Red Blooded Woman
Saturday night saw Aline standing in front of her full length, bathroom mirror in the tightest pair of black, denim jeans she has ever seen. They were at least one size too small for her. Jemma had jokingly wolf whistled at her when she showed her what she looked like. When given a black, sleeveless top that had more than half of her breasts poking out of the top of it, Aline flatly refused and stomped back to her bedroom.
Aline pouted like an over-dramatic teenager for a few minutes, before Jemma barged into her bedroom with a makeup bag clutched in both hands. Her wide smile said everything, and Aline panicked when she saw what looked like implements of torture coming out of said bag.
"Oh no. Look, I may wear a bit of makeup, but only natural stuff, just so I don't look dead every day".
When a pair of tweezers was thrust upon her, Aline admitted defeat and began plucking the few hairs that had started to regrow under the arch. When she was done, she turned to see Jemma with a bottle of foundation in her right hand and a brush in the other. Aline knew that Jemma would not let up, so she grabbed the bra that she knew would work with the top her friend had bought her. Jemma caught sight of the bra and she had a mischievous look on her face.
"I didn't know you wore stuff like that. You seem all conservative fashion wise, to me".
Aline shrugged.
"This bra has not seen the light of day in, hmm, far too many years. Come to think of it, why has it? I have no idea why".
Jemma's reply made her sad.
"Because it makes you feel good, sexy, and you don't feel either of those right now. You don't allow yourself to feel them".
"That is, remarkably accurate. Yeah, you know what? Screw it, I am wearing it. You don't mind me putting it on now, do you? I mean, you are a woman, so I don't mind if you see my chest".
Jemma nodded, so Aline took off her bra, and put the other one on. The bra that made her feel good was the plunging type, black lace cups, and under-wire that hoisted up her chest and made her look like she had much more than she actually did. She then discarded the old bra and threw it onto her bed, before slipping on the revealing top. Jemma nodded and began to do her makeup.
Jemma knew that Aline wasn't one for caking makeup on, so she kept her face light, only a thin covering of foundation, some concealer, some setting powder and cheek blusher. Then for Aline's eyes, she knew exactly what colour eyeshadow to put on her lids. Dark purple, which would make her green eyes pop. When that was done, black eyeliner was put just above her upper lash-line, and under her lower lash-line.
Now came her lips and it was an obvious choice. As Aline had pale skin, a deep, blood red lip would make it glow. That was put on and then the part Aline dreaded most, mascara. There was no way in hell she was letting someone else put a wand near her eyes, and potentially, poke her in the eyes. So she took the mascara tube away from Jemma's hand and put it on herself.
When she was done, Aline rooted out her old, thick heeled, black ankle boots, and put them on. She was careful not to chip her black nail varnish, which Jemma had spent an hour making sure the layers were not too thick and that they were streak free. When she looked in her mirror again, she smiled, and it had been a long time since she had such a wide smile on her face.
She looked good, more than good.
She look phenomenal.
How she looked like that was beyond her, but she loved it and became rather gleeful. She squealed, to which internally she cursed at sounding pathetic, and grabbed Jemma and hugged her. Jemma laughed and hugged her back.
After a spritz of perfume, and a small, silver bracelet being put on her right wrist, Aline was done, and ready to face the night ahead.
She grabbed her flat keys, her purse and debit card before leaving her home.
Dracula woke up, and stretched languidly. He moved his coffin lid off and sat up. Since Marie had gone, he thought on her words.
Maybe she was right in saying that he wasn't the only one who was struggling.
He wasn't the only one to have lost someone he loved, or been lied too, been hurt, physically and mentally.
The Prince was weak mentally, and so was Aline. It was so very easy to put on the angry face, keep the aggressive posture, speak in a threatening manner, and growl to frighten anyone away. But actually letting someone in? Both found that nearly impossible.
But Aline was trying, despite her life fading away, her days being numbered. Dracula's days were many, and would be many more unless he did use the Vampire Killer on himself.
The Dragon hated to admit it, but he was fragile inside.
But being the Prince of Darkness did not merit fragility.
The fractures in his soul were ever increasing, despite him being dead.
A husk of a man.
A shadow of his former self.
What had he done to deserve being turned into a vampire? Why did he have to be impure? Thrive off of blood, having to murder many innocents just so he could survive?
Dracula cursed aloud and in a haze of soot coloured smoke, he vanished and appeared outside of his castle's main entrance.
He spotted Aline, being pulled down the road by a woman he did not recognise.
It must have been her friend.
Friend? Marie said she had no one, so who was this woman?
Dracula looked away, but heard Aline argue with this other woman. He could smell both of them, a flowery, sickly smell that revolted him, and a musky, slightly tropical smell, with a hint of sweetness. He distinguished between the two scents. The second smell to be Aline's, he couldn't imagine her smelling as cheaply as her 'friend'. Why he imagined that baffled the Prince for a moment before he heard Aline laugh. It was a joyous sound, she sounded happy, and positive.
Dracula decided to leave and find someone to devour, when Aline spotted him. Her friend hadn't, as she was facing the opposite way, but he still flinched.
He got a good look at her and he has to admit, for someone so young, and dressed in something that he wasn't keen on, she looked exquisite. Her skin was aglow under the city lights, and when she looked up, her eyes twinkled. She looked back down and winked at him, before turning around and leaving with her friend in tow.
The Prince felt a smile quirk his mouth and he tried to stifle it. But seeing Aline happy for a change, despite only meeting her over a week ago, was a welcome change.
He didn't need to see her scowling face. He scowled enough for the two of them.
Dracula saw a few creatures running rampant a few hundreds meters away from him, and his predatory instinct kicked in. He forgot all about Aline and ran at them.
Their shrieks of pain and death pierced the silent, night air, as the Prince claimed their lives and feasted upon them.
Aline sat at the bar of a club, in the center of Castlevania City. She ordered a strawberry daiquiri for herself and a martini for Jemma. The nightlife here was manic, people were in and out of bars in just a few hours. They would stumble onto the streets and laugh the night away.
Aline however, was not the type to do that. She would have a few drinks, but if she started feeling fuzzy or out of it, she would stop immediately. She knew she would end up dragging Jemma into a taxi, and taking her to her home, so she could sleep it off. Aline would then walk home, alone, in a city with creatures that still lurked in the shadows.
Jemma's voice alerted her. She had to strain her ears, due to the loud, thumping music playing.
"Aline, look to your right".
Aline did and she saw a man, who looked like a male model. He looked gorgeous, but he wasn't her type. She preferred more rugged men, slightly chiseled, with some muscle. Aline shook her head, and Jemma sighed. Jemma's light grey eyes scanned the bar, and dancefloor before she spotted another man. Now he was Aline's type, and she wanted to stand up, and walk to him. But her damn pants were so tight, she could barely stand up. She grunted and shifted so she could move properly. Jemma had gone off somewhere, much to her annoyance, so she was on her own.
Until the man started walking towards her. Aline gulped the remains of her drink and ordered another, and a beer for this very good looking man, who was now right next to her.
"Hey".
Aline handed him his beer and he nodded in thanks. The DJ was changing his set, so she could hear him now.
"Hey. I guess I should be dancing, but, god, in these jeans, I can barely move, let alone dance".
The guy laughed and smiled. Perfect white teeth, which Aline liked.
"They aren't mine, they are my friend's. She is so slender, and I never have been. So in these, all these do is highlight the fact that I have a few extra pounds on my thighs, which is never good".
The man, if he were bothered about her topic of choice, he wasn't voicing it.
Aline found herself drowning in the man's dazzling, sky blue eyes. But she would not be leaving with him, she wasn't that type of woman.
"Sorry. Name's Aline, nice to meet you".
The man smiled and shook her hand. He had a firm grip too, and Aline could feel herself swooning, like a girl with her first crush.
"Seeth, I know, odd name, but my Mom was into heavy metal bands when she was younger, and the lead singer of her favourite band was called Seeth".
Aline smiled and shook her head.
"It's not odd, I have never heard it before, so it is unique to me. So, what brings a guy like you out here?"
Seeth seemed a little confused, he tilted his head slightly.
"A guy like me?"
"I mean, well you seem nice, and most men here, sorry but, most men here are not nice whatsoever. So I figured a nice guy would want to stay at home, and avoid the chaos of the nightlife".
Seeth shook his head.
"Nah. It is rare that I go to clubs though. I tend to avoid them, as you said, nasty people can reside here. It's almost like a second home for some people, which is sad. You want another?"
He gestured to her drink and she nodded. He ordered another, and Aline decided to take a look at him.
Sky blue eyes, black hair, a small beard and his ears had fairly big holes in them. Apart from that, she liked him.
She remained wary though, just in case.
Seeth clanked their drinks together and winked. Aline found that partially attractive, but also repulsive. It made her think that he was up to something.
"So, what do you do?"
Aline eyed him warily. He put his hands up, as if to say, 'I mean you no ill will'.
"I am a waitress. Crap pay, hours are too long, some of the customers think they the better than us, but, it's a job. You?"
"Huh? Sorry, I was just thinking of you in a waitress uniform. That's not the worst thing in the world to imagine".
Aline stood up, and glared at him.
"Excuse me? I don't move that fast. You are not coming home with me, nor are you getting lucky with me round the back of this club. Now fuck off before I call the bouncer over and say you are harassing me".
Seeth just clicked his tongue and shook his head. Aline turned around to find Jemma. When she had found her, she went back to Seeth. He looked at the two women and smirked. Aline smirked back and punching him in the jaw. He stumbled off the stool and everyone stared at him. He held his jaw before being grabbed by the bouncer and dragged away.
Jemma's eyes were wide, and Aline simply took her hand, and led her out of the club. She wasn't happy, neither was Aline. Their night had been cut short.
"Look, I had to get out of there before Seeth got out his little Seeth, okay? I was not sticking my legs up in the air for him".
Jemma agreed.
Making sure they had all their belongings, she called a taxi and they headed to her place first.
Jemma hugged Aline, and gave her half the cab fare. She got out and and disappeared behind her front door.
When the taxi arrived at Aline's flat, she payed the driver and got out.
Before opening the main door to the apartment block, she saw Dracula out of the corner of her eye.
"I swear you are stalking me".
Dracula smirked, his fangs freaking her out slightly.
"Not at all, but the way you smell every time I see you means I may have too. Does everything you do have to involve alcohol?"
"No, but it does seem that way. Out for a hunt?"
The Prince shook his head.
"No. I can smell you, your perfume. It has been in my nose for hours now. I tried to forget you, but the smell wouldn't let me".
She perked up and winked.
"Ah, you mean, this smell?"
She moved her head up, and exposed her pale neck to the Dragon. He flinched and backed away.
"Aline, I am warning you now. I have already tasted your blood, and I will not be able to control myself if I taste it again".
Aline was now back to her gloomy, old self. It was reflected clearly by the fact that she was offering him her life.
"Aline, I said no! Just leave me be. Don't prove me right".
She blinked rapidly.
"Prove you right? What could I do to possibly do that, hmm?"
Dracula backed her against the wall and slammed his hand right next to her.
"By being a dense fool, that's how. Leave, before I change my mind".
She moved up, her lips mere inches away from his now. Any chance of her backing off had been all but eradicated.
The Prince moved aside her long, auburn hair and placed his fangs on her neck. Aline braced herself, with both hands against the wall behind her.
But instead of biting it, Dracula moved his fangs away from her and scratched her neck instead. It was a small cut but fairly deep. He latched onto the cut, and drank blood that flowed freely. Aline wasn't aware that she had stopped breathing, but she had. Shivers went down her spine, and her hands now rested on the Prince's chest. His skin was ice cold, but she expected that.
Her blood was intoxicating, and was fueling a fire, deep down inside the prince. He did not want to hold back anymore.
When Dracula grew more insistent, and she knew that he was struggling to hold back, Aline moved him away from her neck. When he tried to latch back on, like a leech, her hands flew up and cupped his face. He stopped, and was simply staring at her, demonic red eyes met green doe eyes. She took initiative and kissed him, before spitting out some of her blood, which he had not yet fully swallowed. She kissed him again, but kept it short. After that, she walked away, leaving the Prince mortified and yet, somewhat interested in her.
Dracula's voice stopped her from entering the apartment complex's main door.
"I'd wash out that neck wound".
Aline didn't bother to look at him. She nodded and shut the door.
The Prince of Darkness was stunned, at a complete loss for words.
Was he stalking Aline? It did appear that he was.
He chalked it down to Marie's words, but still. This night had taken an odd turn.