Fan Fiction ❯ Daughter of Venus - the Vampire Rosaline ❯ Light from darkness ( Chapter 10 )

10

I have decided that there are three types of people. As far as fashion is concerned there are those who have their fingers on the proverbial pulse, dressing for the trends and shrieking at the thought of last month's vogue. But then there are others who have no idea that she ever took a breath, relying on a beige shell-suit to carry them through the eras. And then of course there is Armand, Armand who feasts from her innermost being and discards her clumpy body of useless trends.

Out of those three I am not quite sure who I am. I would like to think there was something about me that said I knew what I was doing…but then I probably did not. You see, for every fascination I agreed with there would be at least three I would not. For instants I am quite happy being classed as a `dumb-ass blonde', I know I am not but if being blonde and half-witted gets me something I desire I will quite happily play the bimbo; I cannot help it if people are so stupid to actually believe such absurdities. But then you are also supposed to be tanned with a minimal waist and huge bosoms. Do excuse me if I am not perfect. But if that is perfection I am happy to be sickly pale, fat and own a flat chest…well not completely flat.

How did it all change? Just a hundred years ago girls like myself were commodities, everyone wanted a taste. Now we are still commodities as barge poles are apparently too short.

So I did not fancy the idea of dying of skin cancer. Do not get me wrong, colour does not matter to me, the smooth ebony of brown skin is just as enticing as any other but a carrot orange does very little for my senses. And as for those girls who claim silicon to be a personality booster what happened to `nice things come in small packages'?

In the end the same theme will always run through my mind, the thought that is certain for every single being that inhabits this globe. Even for us. Even for the vain who think they are above this fate and the beautiful who deem themselves too pretty to endure such a nightmare and the rich who believe they can buy their way out of any situation. This one thought, this one dream, this one creature that has allowed you and I the freedom of a broken appointment. This one person who takes no favours, who is the most narcissistic, who desires all faces and who cares nothing for bounteous pieces of coloured paper. We are his servants but Death would be wealthy from the reaping of souls even without our aid in his acquisition.

Armand later was to kidnap me just before my fatal meeting with my Father, pushing Death to the floor and blunting His scythe. Did Armand have a reason for this? Maybe. Love? Could have been. Duty? We shall have to see.

Armand constantly reminds me that I am not of this world and now I am accustomed to believe him. I would believe anything he said to me but this I believe more than any other word. I am as much of this time and this place as you or he is. Somewhere we got lost. Now I attempt to find my way. Now I have my Armand. Armand who will dress me up and make me his. We shall be lost together.

"We've got to hurry!" I cried as I ran down Oxford Street in a pair of shiny, new, red paten heels, "The shops will be closing soon and I haven't seen half of them yet!"

"Don't worry," Armand called from behind a pile of over sized paper bags, "I think we have enough to deal with at the moment.

I pouted. I had never seen a fifty-pound note before and now tempted by a handful of them I was not willing to stop without a fight. It did not even matter where the dosh may have come from. I had some.

As the sun set scarlet on the tarmac the pavement was virtually clear. Londoners were settling down for a warm sticky night at home whilst tourists were enraptured by the dolce tones of West End musicals and the dramatic irony of Shakespeare reduced.

I continued to speed down the boulevard. Previously we had been into a brassiere boutique. After many blushes from both parties I stocked up on the essentials and them commenced to find a little something to entertain. I do not think Armand saw. He seemed suitably content later. He was busy you see, averting his gaze from such temptations (so sweet) but I am sure he was arrested by other things.

Now I stood outside a shop selling a trade, something of undoubtedly greater beauty. Before me, behind a cage of glass stood, holding a bouquet of ivory lilies, green ferns and crimson rosebuds a satin wedding dress. The cream bodice was embroiled with golden thread in the most intricate of patterns and the odd splattering of diamanté continued the climbing branches into jewelled blooms. The body was nestled on a vast matrix of satin and net petticoats varying from the very same cream to the gold of the yarn to the white of the lilies. How majestic this faceless model appeared to me. Even if marriage had not been considered (though it had) any girl would desire to try on such a masterpiece.

Unbeknown for a reason a solitary tear welled in my eye.

"Do you like it?" the same familiar voice came. It was the question Armand asked me for every window I stopped at and if I had replied with the customary lobotomy nod he would have continued with, "Then I shall buy it for you." However this time I knew the special question would not pop up.

"It's very beautiful," I whispered in awe.

Armand gently placed the bags down and came to my side to join in the staring, "I'm sure one day a dress like that will adorn your more that worthy frame."

I blushed and looked away. I could feel the teardrop begin to roll.

Armand continued, "Do you believe in marriage?"

As the drop fell from my warm cheek I turned back and smiled at him, "Oh yes."

Armand began to explore my deeply rooted and Roman Catholic implanted ethics openly. The enjoyment and prospect of a deep and intelligent conversation have never appeared as one of my main attractions. This was my chance to prove myself as an interesting speaker with ideas of my own.

"Is a long term relationship with commitment not suitable enough? You would never cohabit?" I was questioned.

"Well if people would prefer not to marry that is fine by me. I will not say that `living in sin' is wrong as I might just be persuaded to one day," I blushed again, "marriage to me is a sign to show that this long term relationship will last forever. It is a commitment that binds my love for you together for an eternity. It is a promise that my soul is yours and yours alone…" I cut my stint short…I had referred to Armand as my groom!

Mentally panicking I attempted to think of a way to salvage our conversation.

"So you think infidelity is wrong?" Armand completely ignored what I had alluded at.

Taking a breath I continued passionately, "Oh yes, every time, especially in marriage. Moses on the top of Mount in Sinai told us this twice. Love is monogamous."

"Now surely a person can love more than one person?"

"Yes but true love is never as fickle as that person." I remained adamant.

"You said you might cohabit."

"Might."

Armand smirked, "And you would never be tempted to…?"

I did not understand, "To what? I don't see what is wrong with living with a friend. It's just like living with family or sharing a flat."

Armand's smirk evolved into a grin, "Is that what you think cohabitants is?"

I felt stupid, "Well…"

"And you wouldn't…?"

I was confused, "Wouldn't do what?"

He gestured, "You know…"

This was going nowhere, "You know what?"

Armand laughed as he turned me away from the dress to face him, "Yes that's it! `You know what'…there's now way you're going to guess this are you?"

I frowned with frustration, "No, quite frankly I don't think I will."

Armand flushed a human pink and then returned to his vampiric pallor. He complained rhetorically, "Is there no way I can put this tenderly? - You know your innocence is infuriating at times!"

Deciding there was only one answer Armand continued, "Sleep with them."

"Oh sex!" I cried excitedly.

I could see the embarrassment form on Armand's face, "…Yes…well?"

I pulled myself in and began to recite, "Your body is a temple…"

"Oh," Armand looked down and murmured something incoherent to the human ear.

Nevertheless I moved to hug him crying, "Aw!"

Time stopped as I threw myself upon Armand. He seemed so soft as he held himself rigid in my grasp. Finally though Armand relaxed and let his chin rest on my shoulder. A soft sigh escaped from his smooth blue lips that tickled the hairs on the back of my neck.

Pulling away I slipped a hand into his and smiled with large eyes.

Armand, at pleasure for a moment faltered and then said glancing back at the dress, "Well the shop is closed now…but I know a place we have to visit that is always open…I ordered something for us there, now I know you'll love it."