Cyrus

Vic walked out of the shop, I watched through the window as she walked away down the street. “Vincent!” I called out, my voice demanding. The man made his way over to me slowly. “What did you do?” I hissed at him, my soul pleading for me to make my way over to Vic. “I will cut you.” I threatened.

He grimaced. “Well, you see...” He trailed off, and my jaw locked in place.

“Out with it!” I barked at him. Victoria, go to Victoria! My brotherly instincts were kicking in, she must be crying.

“I-” His voice faded out in my head. Victoria, Victoria! My mind kept screeching at me, tearing away at me. I felt my soul buzz, trying to climb out of my body and make it’s way over to her. Vincent finished saying whatever it is he was saying, but at this rate I didn’t care.

“If you ever put her in this state again, so help me the dead monsters running around will seem like nothing in comparison.” I tell him, holding him up by the collar of his shirt. I let go, Vincent stumbled back and I push past him to the door. I didn’t care that he had fallen. Victoria, Victoria! I’m coming, I’m coming! My head hurt, and my vision blurred.

“I'll be back i’ a minute,” I call over my shoulder to Mortiue. He nodded knowingly and continued working on the outfits. Victoria, Victoria! My heart withered, and my lungs tied themselves together. There was nothing more clear to me than the fact that I needed to see her. Now.

Once outside I glanced around, trying to remember which direction she had left in. I stormed down the street she had gone down until I saw her leaning against the brick wall of a building. Her lavender hair was covering her face and her hands were clenched in fists at her sides. I froze for a second, my breathing heavy, and my shoulders heaving as I looked down at her in worry. I walked up slowly, trying not to startle her. I heard a choked sob come from her throat as I pulled her into my arms. She broke down and tears strolled down her face.

“I'm so sorry! It's my fault you lost your arm! If I hadn't wanted that bloody dress!” She bawled, sniffling and hiccuping in between words.

“It isn't your fault Vic.” I said softly, stroking her hair. I pulled a few loose strands behind her ear. Victoria, Victoria, I thought softly.

“Shut up! If I hadn't been there with you, you would still have your arm! If I wasn't born it wouldn't have happened!” She shouted, her hands still clenched in tight fists. “You never should have saved me from that alley.”

“Be still.” I whispered to her, pulling her even closer into my chest. “Had I no’ saved you from tha’ alleyway, I would’ve gone through life missin’ somethin’ worth much more than any arm.” I told her, my voice whispering softly in her ear. Her tears were staining my coat, but I didn’t care.

“You idiotic gay bachelor.” She muttered, I grabbed her hand and unclenched her fist, she had dug into her palm so hard there were small scars. I kissed the palm of her hand, wishing she’d stop crying.

“Look wha’ you’ve done.” I laughed lightly, my thumb going over the small imprints. I sat there in the dirt with her until her tears dried, and despite her protests carried her back to the store on my back. Just like then, I thought.

When we entered Mortieu presented Vincent and Angelica, who were already dressed in their disguise. I glared at Vincent as I set Vivian down gently. He looked over at her apologetically, and I wanted to smack the rubbish look off of him. It wasn’t enough. It would never be enough. One glance at Vic warned me not to do anything rash, and I took a deep breath before turning back to Mortieu.

“Wha’ will Vic and I be goin’ in?” I asked Mortieu. He squeed in delight.

“Yes, oh yes!” He called out, hopping up and ushering Vic towards the back rooms. “I’ll take care of her! Marvin’ll get you your outfit!” He said, disappearing into the abyss of dresses behind the curtain. I ignored Vincent’s attempts to apologize as Marvin handed me the outfit. I looked to Angelica.

“I sugges’ you leave the room or turn around if you don’ wan’ to see anythin’ you weren’ mean’ to see.” I say plainly. She clears her throat and looks to the side.

“I am supposed to be able to live the life of a pirate, I should be able to handle such a simple- Uh, matter.” Victoria walked back into the room, rolled her eyes and dragged Angelica into the dressing room with her.

“Not today.” She groans as the two disappear through the curtain once again. I turn away and start pulling off my clothing. I detached my mechanical arm, as to not get any threads caught on it. I was quickly dressed, eager to see how it would look.

I walked over to the mirror in satisfaction after I put my arm back on. The coat was black, lined with dark blue. My bow tie was an even darker shade of blue, and my pants fit snuggly. My vest was a dark grey, and the handkerchief I had placed in the coat pocket was lined with black and gold. My shoes, for once, were not dirt ridden.

Victoria walked back out followed by Angelica.She looked absolutely wonderful, wearing a light sky blue dress with a large bow tied against the crook of her back. The skirt went down to her ankles and around the hem white flower designs had been stitched. The color went well with her lavender hair, which was tucked behind her ears. Vic was smiling happily as she twirled. Dear God I loved her smile. I put a hand to my heart in endearment. I wish I could take a picture.

“You look lovely.” Both Vincent and I said in unison. I glared at him and he backed off, ducking his head into his chest. I swept over to her as she looked me up and down.

“You clean up well when you aren't wearing something with no fashion taste at all.” She nods. I wiggle my eyebrows and straighten my bowtie.

“Would you care to join me for a ball.” I said in a mock fancy accent, extending my hand and bowing.

“Why, yes I would.” She replied in the same goofy accent and curtsies, taking my hand. We laughed and I was happy she stopped crying. I hate it when she cries. I feel like crying along with her whenever she does.

Mortieu stifled a cry as he looked at his masterpieces. “Bring them back in one piece tomorrow, alright?” He said seriously. He pulled us both into a hug, before planting a kiss on both of our foreheads.

“Wait!” Angelica yells. “Isn’t it a masquerade?”

Mortiue perks up “Oh, how could I forget!” He shuffles over to the back of the counter and pulls out two majestic masks that matched the suit and dress perfectly. I pulled mine on gladly, trying to wiggle my eyebrows again. Vic tied hers behind her head and smiled, the blue mask brought out her gold eyes well.

I realized something, and then sighed before walking behind Mortieu’s counter, pulling out a bottle of wine he kept handy. “I haven’ had any time tuh work on my accen’.” I pouted, looking in sadness at the bottle in my hand. I stifled a sob before chugging a portion of it, and by the looks of it so did Mortieu. I patted the old man on the back before walking out the door, bottle in hand.

It was only two hours until the party, and it would take an hour and a half to ride there in a cabbie. Meaning we would have half an hour to do any last minute things before the ball. Vincent waved down a cab and we sat in the back of the carriage. Vivian sat down closest to the window. Vincent was about to sit next to her but I growled and pushed him away. He sat down awkwardly next to Angelica, who shrugged.

No bloody damn way was I going to let him anywhere near her after earlier.

The ride was relatively silent, except for the cabbie, whom had tried to make awkward conversation every once in awhile. The chats were short, and usually went along these lines.

“‘Ow are you guys doin’?” Cabbie.

“OK.” Us. And then silence. At some point in time he just started blubbering about some niece named Susan, and we generally tuned out as he spoke. I did not need to hear about how Susan had skinned a man alive. After a while, he had switched subjects. It was all stuff we knew already, like the crown prince’s health, and the failed demonstration outside of Cardigan Hall.

“Well, ‘ere we are.” The cabbie told us. I looked at the door dreadfully, and took another long drink from the bottle of wine before giving it to the cabbie. I sincerely hope he does not drive with it.

I stepped outside, and took Victoria by the hand, looping my arm with hers. “Here we go.” I said quietly, before we made our way up the path, Vincent and Angelica following behind with bowed heads.

The doors to the ball room were already open and carriages of every size and color were already pulling up to the front steps. Wealthy persons wearings extravagant and costly gowns swept into the building.

“Alright. Everyone remember the plan?” I began. “Vincent will talk to the servants in the ballroom while Angelica talks to the maids in the servant's quarters. Victoria and I will speak with the nobles. Anything important shall be reported back at the end of the night.”

They all nodded and Angelica walked off towards the back entrance of the building while we walked towards the front. We hurried up the dark wood steps and stepped into the waiting room before the ball. Large glass chandeliers and red velvet carpets adorned the room. Long tables with caviar and refreshments were set out on each wall. People in masks of every color flittered about the room talking and laughing. A muscled man with a thick beard walked up to us.

“Which elegant noble family are you?” He asked politely, flipping through a deck of invitations.

Shoot. I thought. “I am royal advisor to the King himself! Are you saying you don’t know who I am by the simple fact of my presence!” I hiss at him, silently apologizing to the poor man only doing his job. “I should have your head on a platter for this grievance!” I pointed my mech finger at him for intimidation points.

He looked uncomfortable as he flipped through his card. “Of course sire, I have the royal advisors card right here!” He nodded me through and we wandered into the fray. Victoria looked around in awe at all the expensive and fancy decorations.

I scanned the crowd, trying to figure out how to start. Vic chatted animatedly with a few of the bachelors to the side, and I wondered how suspicious it would seem if I threw a table at them. I shook my head, knowing that she had good reason, and turned away to refrain from such an act of violence.

I looked over at the dance going on in the center of the ball room. The women there seemed eager to over share, and by the low cuts on their bosoms the already were. I plastered a smile on my face, knowing that with the mask on it was the only thing that could give me away. I ‘elegantly’ slipped into the dance, and bowed down before my new partner, planting a kiss on the madame’s dainty hand.

I grinned up at the lady, before pulling her close for the dance, and she blushed a horrid shade of crimson. It must have been her whole face, as she was wearing a mask but I could still tell. “Why hello there.” I said politely, trying to instill my charms with but a smile. Make it brighter! I shouted at myself.

“Yes yes, hello there good sir.” She replied. I swept her around the dance floor, copying everyone else’s moves.

“Quite an event.” I began, she nodded eagerly in agreement.

“The King and Queen (long may they live) organized it themselves.” She said, “I hear it’s in honor of the crowned prince.” She added. I raised an eyebrow, pretending to be curious. How could I subtly shift the subject?

“Oh really?” I asked. Get on with it! Before we have to switch partners. She nodded once again, and it seemed she was on a set speed of whiplash.

“Yes. Sadly I believe he will die soon. It’s a real shame. Though, most of the other nobles think it’s a good time for them to try and take the crown from the family. As they won’t have an heir.” The lady went on.

“Oh my. Could they not just have another child? Not to be insensitive.” I asked. Hurry and answer please. The woman shook her head.

“They say that the Queen has become infertile. Unable to have another child.”

“What about the King’s concubine? I doubt she is out of use as well.” I muse. The lady shakes her head once more.

“He refuses. He believes his child will get better. That Prince Andrew will overcome death itself.” She sighed sadly. Hm.

“How so?” I asked. She looked into my eyes, biting her lip.

“Well you see,” She began, looking around anxiously. “I hear from Middleford, the king’s advisor, that that’s the very purpose of the ball.” She began. She looked slightly excited at this point. I raised an eyebrow.

“Hmm.” I was about to ask more, before my arm was taken by another, and I was swept off by next partner. I stared in confused shock at the partner before me. This was most certainly, not a woman. The man chuckled.