Dancing Queens

[Nightsangel]

(Closed to Maia)

The day was bright and cheery, the streets below Sivienna’s apartment was bustling with noise and sounds and the smell of freshly cooked foods. For the vampiress though, these everyday human sounds didn’t quite rouse her as they normally would. She was still tired from the previous day’s events. The were fox had been a bit of handful….it seemed just like a vampire’s curse, he as well had to take care of his victims before they suffered the same fate as he did. Seth had been…a kind young man, Ai his companion had been extremely sweet and gentile, but, now they were gone and it was just her and Serenity again.

Luckily as Sivienna drowsily recalled, Seth had been able to take care of his problem, which was probably the reason why he and Ai weren’t still in the night beauty’s apartment, anxiously waiting for Seth to get another chance to take care of the thief. Thankfully that didn’t need to be done, sure the were fox knew that she was a vampiress now, but they had ended on friendly terms and now considered themselves to be friends.

A plunk landed on Sivienna’s mattress as Serenity plodded her way across the silken red sheets, her eyes were bored as she muttered “Shouldn’t you be getting up? You do have work don’t you?”

Stretching again Sivienna’s head fell back against the soft pillows as she stated happily “Day off! I can rest in!”

Serenity let out a little bark as she tssked her mistress saying sharply “Then why don’t you spend the day outdoors? Instead of laying around like a slug?” Her orange fur was clean looking as she stated this and then hopped off the bed and moved through the clutter of knick knacks and discarded clothing as she moved to wait by the door.

The beauty’s eyes went to the ceiling as she thought What are you my mother Serenity? Heh, she has a point though; I’ve slept enough… With that thought in my mind Sivienna through her matching red satin comfort on the floor and slowly begin to dress for the day. Slipping into her soft cotton olive green dress, the lavender hued vixen then went about putting her hair into a snug sleek ponytail. Once this was finished, she moved out of her messy apartment and into the sunny, noisy streets of Radasanth. Her skin prickled a little due to the sun irritating it, but luckily she no longer could turn to dust from the sun’s harmful rays.

As the irritation left her skin once she had adjusted to the sun’s bright rays, she made her way out in the crowd that was bustling along hunting for wares. Looking left and right Sivienna’s eyes were squinted as she decided just what she was going to do.

However, before the slim woman could make a decision a young boy came to her and said in a soft innocent voice “Excuse me pretty lady…but a man asked to deliver this letter to you.”

Dear beautiful woman,

It would be my honor if you met me at the pub La’Chere Mestra for drinks. I’ve invited one other pretty young woman as well. If you wish to meet with me please come there.

Sivienna’s eyes blinked at this invitation before she decided to make her way to the rich and expensive club. Entering it, she was met with the heady expensive scent of vanilla incense and cigarette smoke. Wrinkling her nose, she made her way to one of the gold toned tables. Upon coming closer she saw a red haired man dressed in an expensive silk suit, sitting with another pretty young woman. Blinking as she recognition flashed in front of her eyes, she softly asks “Maia? Is that you? You received a letter to?” She then looked at the handsome man whose bright blue eyes were looking over her, looking back at Maia she asks “Just who is this man? Since it seems, you’ve been in his company longer and I’m sure he’s introduced himself to you…”

[Maia]

"My name is Laharel," the man responded quickly and before Maia's full lips even managed to twitch. He was a large man, straddling the line before becoming pudgy and from being in incredible shape. He was dressed too nicely for the tavern that they were in, especially since the experienced eye saw he wore a vlaince suit.

"I haven't been here that long actually Sivi," Maia spoke in quickly as the business man paused. The blond haired girl smiled, a little embarrassed at letting the almost complete stranger answer everything for her. She was dressed modestly, wearing a sweater and longer pants. She still carried her bag along with her, and the travel worn article was stuffed under her chair. "I've only been here a few minutes myself."

Maia's own letter had been as short as her friend's, and given to her earlier that day. Maia was still recovering a bit from her night at "The Flesh Failures" and still felt a little bad about it. She had managed to walk away that night with a strange little dancing award however, though she would use the most vague terms when describing the night itself. The letter itself was waiting for her at the inn she was staying at, and Maia was still mostly jobless. A free meal was a welcome break from cheap chicken cooked almost as a novelty by her innkeeper.

"Now that I have the two of you here, I'd like to offer a proposition to you," Laharel began to explain. His voice seemed to drip with honey as he smoothly pulled out a small emblem. It was fancy looking enough, but it didn't strike any bells with the girl. "I am here as a servant of Marquis Freeman, and he extends an invitation to work for him. We have found that both of you excel at the job we are offering, and you will find his generosity to exceed your wildest expectations."

"I don't really think I can," Maia began to explain. Her hands were fiddling where the handsome man couldn't see them.

"Still, before anything, I must request you come with me to the Marquis' Manor before the decision," Laharel's voice could have charmed a snake into growing legs and bird to live underground. "His lunch shall be served soon, and you two are invited."

[Nightsangel]

(Bunny approved!)

“Laharel?” Sivienna asked curiously, her full soft lips forming an O as she asked this question. She was surprised honestly that Maia could be seen with such a man. At first look he had appeared handsome to the beautiful young vampiress. But now, that she could see his true appearance, she noticed the flaws. He was pudgy and even in his vlince suit she could see the snake-like smile on his face.

Frowning as the O her mouth was forming disappeared, she murmurs “Er..its nice to meet you…” She then turned to smile at Maia murmuring “ I see….” Sivienna then moved to sit down on the chair that was left free at the table that Laharel and Maia were occupying. Getting comfortable, the night vixen listened to the words that the blond haired pudgy man had said. While the offer of a free lunch was tempting, Sivi just couldn’t see any reason why she should go.

Sighing as she opened her mouth, she begin to say “The offer sounds really tempting Laharel but I think…”

Laharel held up a hand that glittered with golden rings, in a charming voice he purrs “Aww come on! Don’t pass on the invitation now my dear! My lord Marquis would pay you well! He’s heard of your dancing at Club Midnight! From one of his friend’s who frequents there, he knows of your fickle nature too! He’s very rich and he said that if you tried to refuse the offer, to say to you that he’d pay double whatever your normal customers pay you!” he then put on an even more charming smile, his handsome eyes becoming almost puppy like, as he moved to take Sivi’s hand. Once he’d grasped it, he smiled and murmured “Oh you have such soft skin to my lady! Please…won’t you come with me?” He then smiled again, as despite his pudgy appearance, his handsome features showed.

On a heavy sigh the beauty nodded before murmuring “Alright…but on one condition…if I don’t like what I see. Or if this lord of yours is to forward; Then I’m free to go!”

Laharel smiled again, his smile even larger as he said softly “As you wish my lady! Anything for you!” The golden haired man then turned to Maia and smiled at her saying “And you my beauty, what is your answer? Shall you come?”

Maia smiled warmly as she simply nodded her head, then grabbed Sivi’s hand as the two begin to follow Laharel out of the smoky bar.

Soon a white pristine carriage appeared, led by four dazzling chestnut mares. As a man appeared to open the carriage door, he bowed to the two ladies as they hopped into the luxurious carriage. Inside there were two plush purple velvet seats. Wide enough to fit four people on each. A blush came to Sivi’s cheeks as she and Maia settled in.

In a soft voice Sivi says “Oh my….it seems this Marquis likes to show off his wealth…”

As Laharel got in behind the two pretty dames, he responded jovially “Ah that he does, he has quite a feast waiting for you two ladies at his manor!” Laharel then nodded towards the man as the man resumed his seat at the front of the carriage. Clicking his teeth, the four horses begin to move along the cobblestone streets. They were headed for Marquis’s mansion, but the two dames didn’t know just what this marquis was planning, however they would soon find out, once they arrived at the manor itself.

[Maia]

The ride itself was comfortable. The carriage was lavish, without a single care that wasn't thought of. The seats were soft and comforting, the ride itself was smooth, and the entire interior of the carriage was beautiful. A skilled artist had inlaid many shiny stones into the interior, and another would has done the filigrees that were on the walls. Laharel was silent as the horses and driver brought them to the Marquis' lands, and Maia found her eyes searching the bland countryside until the manor came into view.

The building was large, easily three stories tall and as indomitable as a giant. Its walls were of thick stonework, hinting that more then mundane effort and equipment went into the manor's construction. The lavish exterior of the house seemed to only have token gardens. Reds and blues and yellows dotted amongst the flowers, but they failed to match the splendor of the wide mansion. Large double doors of some oak, easily two men high, stood closed before the carriage as it stopped.

Laharel smiled sweet as he opened the door, helping the bonny blond out before giving his hand to the night vixen. He hadn't spoken as the carriage had taken them to the manor, staying quiet and not even answering any of their questions. Maia giggled at being waited on so much, catching at a look at Sivi for a moment as Laharel walked ahead, knocking against the wooden door in heavy thumps. a much smaller door within the large one was opened from inside, and Laharel gestured for them to come in.

The inside of the manor was even more extravagant then the carriage could have possibly hinted at. Opulence seemed to shine from ever corner. Nothing was out of place, and everything seemed to be worth more then most commoner's homes. A pretty maid appeared from behind the hidden door, curtsying low before the two girls and their escort. The girl was small, dressed in a frilly maid's uniform. Maia smiled at her, noticing the two cat ears that poke out from underneath her hat.

"Follow me please," she said in a high voice. She turned, walking slowly. Her cat tail swayed from side to side, the bright red ribbon on it merry. "Marquis Freeman has been expecting you. He is in the dining hall, and has told me to bid you welcome to his manor."

[Nightsangel]

(Bunny approved.)

Wow… Was Sivienna first thought as they arrived at the beautiful stone mansion. Its even more luxurious then my father’s home… The opulence of the mansion was something that Sivienna was used to, but at the same time she was still struck by the beauty it gave off. The stones were shined to a gleam, the pirouettes had small diamond shaped windows that glistened in the sun’s beauty.

As the carriage pulled up to the mansion’s gorgeous front door, Sivienna moved to exit the carriage.

“My lady! Hold your horses!” Laharel said in a charming voice “The door will open for you! Just sit your pretty head down!”

Sivienna sighs as she moves to sit back down on the soft velvet seat. Her eyes were impatient, she was used to living on her own. Not being waited on hand and foot. She had already experienced that luxury enough when she had lived with her father. Though as her resistance died under Laharel’s cheerful smile, she sighs.

Soon the door opened revealing a pretty stone lined path. The stones were different shades as the girls walked to the mansion entrance. Purple amethyst, green jade and light green peridot all glinted their beauty to the two gorgeous lasses. The vampire did not pay attention to this though, merely studied the beautiful double doors.

As they opened and a pretty cat maid appeared. Her tail wagged cutely with a merry red bow on it as she asked them to follow her. Nodding the two ladies and Laharel followed the maid past guards whose stern faces were off set by dark dog ears, gray wolf ladies were stationed along with the female guard dogs. It seemed that this Lord Marquis fancied the anthro species.

A sigh passed from Sivi’s lips as they soon came to a very large dining room. A candle lit chandelier was in the center. A large oak wood table was spread with a feast. Salmon freshly caught from the river was grilled and served on a bed of baby arugula leaves. Succulent beef tenderloin roasted and served with a creamy horseradish sauce was waiting to be devoured on a shiny silver platter. There was also a spiced roasted chicken, a heaping bowl of fancy vegetables, like broccoli, and carrots and squash served with an herbed cream sauce. A roasted pig, complete with an apple served in its mouth was sitting on top of a bed of sliced fresh red apples. There was also a fancy wicker basket of fresh bread.. Also last but certainly not least, there was a bowl of roasted potatoes seasoned with fresh herbs and spices.

The smells that assaulted the two woman as they were led to their seats was overwhelming. With her stomach growling, Sivi sat down onto the velvet backed chair. Moving to grab what she liked, she piled roasted chicken, a small slice of beef tenderloin and then some of the bread, the potatoes, some of the salmon and everything else that she could fit on her plate. Laughing as she saw Maia grab some of the beef and the other tasty dishes. She paused before eating as a merry voice rang in the spacious dining hall.

“Welcome ladies! Its good to see that you’ve accepted my invitation! I hope you’ll enjoy your stay here! My maids, he motions with the crook of his finger to two of the cat anthros. One had a purple bow laced on its tail and the other a green bow. “They’ll show you to your rooms after lunch. I do hope you enjoy your time here! I’ll call for you after you’ve been given a chance to digest this lovely meal!” He then raised a glass of wine indicting that the maids should start serving drinks. In a suave voice he shouts “Bon appetite!”