Happy Halloween Everyone!
Night 3
Constance, Sora, Riku, and Kairi sat quietly in the back of the cramped carriage. Constance hadn’t said anything since they had left Julia’s house and Sora was a little upset. She had seemed to resolve since the moment they had arrived to treat them as well as possible. She usually had a graceful smile on her face and an inquisitive question for Sora. Her melodious voice could soothe Sora’s worries and she seemed honestly worried about Riku and cared for Kairi. At church she had nudged Sora when he was falling asleep and when they shook hands at the sign of peace she had made sure to do it with everyone around her. But now he had to cheer her up.
“Constance” Sora began tentatively, “What’s the matter?” Lines that weren’t there normally appeared on her drawn face.
“Ezekiel” She muttered. The persona had had dated? “We”
“Were almost betrothed. We know.” Riku growled. “Spencer told us.” He leaned up against the back of the seat, crossed his legs and arms, and glared at the young woman across the seat and to Riku’s right.
“Yes, well, when the arrangements were broken off it was amicable enough, but there is something about him that still bothers me.” Constance held a gloved hand up to her chin. A thoughtful frown still covered her face. “He also came back sooner than I thought… He wasn’t supposed to return for a few more months.”
“Well, at least he and his crew are safe.” Kairi volunteered with a cheerful smile. Riku still glowered as the carriage shook as they went back the road to Gracey Manor.
--
EZEKIEL Constance walked into her room and flomped into a chair by the window.
He just HAD to show up when they were shopping. He had shown up at the glovers shop. Kairi had never had a pair of gloves, (somehow, the three of them seemed to be a little heathen ) so Julia had decided to give Kairi a pair as a present. And he just HAD to show up… he had some long legged floozy behind him (Who at least made it look like she wasn’t enjoying it, but was grateful) And he had spotted Constance.
“Ah… Long time no see.” He had muttered. Constance gave her kindest smile as she walked over to shake hands with Ezekiel. “I take it you haven’t met Melissa.” Melissa smiled too, she was lucky Ezekiel liked her legs. (And Constance knew that was what Ezekiel liked. He liked anything unique) What bothered Constance was her showing them and her ankles off under that red dress.
“No, I haven’t. Ezekiel” She watched his face tighten, his blue eyes try to make her fall into place. She wasn’t going to give him the upper hand by calling him Mr. King. “I would like to talk, particularly about how you got back to New Orleans so quickly, but I am busy today and tonight.”
“Ah… may I ask where and why?” She withdrew her hand before he could squeeze it.
“Julia has tickets to Club 33. I have to go and take care of my ward.” She walked off, trying to show character.
That stupid executive.
There was a knock on her door as Mary walked in.
“Miss Hatchaway, are you ready for dinner tonight?”
“Just draw my bath. I’ll eat with Julia later.” She needed a night out after this. If Ezekiel showed up, she would have to watch her step. But, so would he.
---
Kairi lay on her bed. She was bored…. Harriet had disappeared, Riku and Sora were arguing, again. (She could hear them when she went up to her room.) And it was about to storm, so going outside was out of the question.
Also, she had no idea how to get off the bed while wearing a corset.
She had no idea what was going on anymore… this world was just so strange and it was dividing up the three of them. True, they were still together like they had promised, but Riku was acting like he was crazy, unless he WAS crazy which was worse, Sora never spent time with her anymore either. He was either reading Tale of Two Cities or ogling Constance. With a sigh Kairi rolled off the bed and stood up straight for the mirror. Well, tried anyway. The Corset made her stand straight anyway. As she started to check out her figure, she heard a knock on the door.
“Come in!” she called out. Harriet was breathless as she came in, her hair slightly mussed and she carried a book under her arm.
“Sorry to bother Miss Kairi, but Constance thought you might like this… it’s recent, but she thinks you will enjoy it.” Harriet handed over a thick leather bound book with the title of “Jane Eyre” the name “Charlotte Brontë” under it.
“Thanks… but why?” Kairi asked, surprised at the present.
“Miss Hatchaway says young ladies must be well rounded.” Harriet gave a little smile, as Kairi threw her hands around in a hug. “Do you want me to get you ready?”
“I’ll be fine for now. I just need something to do during the day.”
“Tomorrow, we’ll work on Artwork.” Harriet smiled at Kairi’s eager grin.
---
“Riku, really, you need help.”
“Sora, LISTEN TO ME.” Riku shook his best friend. “Why aren’t you listening? I’m not spouting nonsense.”
“Yes, you are. Starting with the headless portrait….” Sora retorted, pushing Riku’s arms off.
“Of her PREVIOUS HUSBAND!”
“Then we get to the endless hallway, the library, coming home drunk…”
“When did I come home Drunk? I know I saw the singing drunkards that night though…” Riku mused.
“Constance said you came home drunk.”
“And whatever Constance says is gospel, right?” The two continued to pace down the hallway. It was on the first floor and gave a good view of the garden, or would if it hadn’t started to rain. The two friends’ argument echoed throughout the long hallway. Fortunately, the only people who could explicitly overhear… couldn’t. Four pictures lined the hallway, all opposite the large windows, and at the end two busts stared straight ahead.
“Look, Sora, she just seems off to me.”
“And when it comes to women we all know you aren’t the best judge of character.” Sora tore away to face Riku, who was both shocked and furious. Sora didn’t apologize. The two stared at each other as the storm broke. There was a sudden flash of lightning that distracted Riku.
“No… that had to be fake.” Riku muttered. He ran his hands through his hair as the
thunder clap reverberated throughout the room.
“Hallucinating again…” Sora said snidely. Riku just paced. He turned to face a picture of a women leaning against a sofa as the lightning flashed again.
“No… Please….” He whipped around to face Sora. “Tell me you saw that!”
“Saw what?” Sora’s lack of interest was apparent in his tone. Riku, on the other hand, looked absolutely manic.
“The panther… that lady turned into a panther.” Riku ran up and down the hall, watching everything. He pointed to a picture of a ship. “That’s the Flying Dutchman when the lightning flashes.” Next up was a Greek priestess. “And that becomes Medusa.” Finally it was picture of a knight reared up on a horse. “That’s a skeleton on a horse.” Sora shook his head.
“Riku… come on… you have to be stressed.”
“I’m NOT!” Riku shouted. He ducked away from Sora trying to put his hands on Riku’s shoulders. “I know I sound crazy, but I’m seeing this.” He started to pace in front of the busts… which now watched him wherever he went. Sora just watched as Riku backed up slowly and then left the room.
---
"He's here? Wow..." Julia looked across Constance's shoulder. Ezekiel was sweeping towards her table, so Constance clutched her drink tighter. That foul wretch! Rapscallion! She would call him worse, but she was a lady.
"Wonderful to see you, Constance. I heard you have a gypsy residing at your house, is it true?" Ezekiel's humorless grin stretched across his face. The music changed to a scandalous tango, so naturally Ezekiel pulled Constance up to dance.
"What do you think you are doing here?" Constance hissed. "And how did I miss your return notice, since I AM on your board of directors."
"We got a good wind, plus the port authorities were more inclined to hurry up." Ezekiel's blue eyes stared right into her heart. They were so alike, and that was why she had broken up with him. That... and the alley. “And, as you should know, money can buy almost anything.”
"I'm getting a drink." she tried to pull away. But he only held on tighter as the dark atmosphere kept people from noticing the minor scuffle.
"Before you get your scotch, I need to know about MY end of the deal. The ball you have to throw every year?"
"I'm in mourning, Ezekiel." she gestured to her black dress and shawl.
"And you are dancing with me, the tango in fact. Not a very good widow."
"Hence, why I'm getting my drink." She stared back. He didn't flinch.
"In a week the period of mourning is up, and you have a very nice young woman to debut in your house. I saw her just this morning."
"And a crazy person. I would rather keep him away in case he is violent."
"Just call the Asylum." she couldn't. He knew that. The music ended and she tore away for her drink. Ezekiel couldn't harm her, not without losing his own position. But the same could be said for her.
“Connie, Are you two making up?” Julia leaned close over Constance’s dinner. Constance jabbed at her meat with her fork. “You two made a cute couple.”
“Stop playing cupid with me.” Constance retorted. “Thank you for inviting me though.”
“Well, you are finishing Mourning in a week. I thought you could enjoy the nightlife.”
“Well, stop.”
I have who I want right at home.
-----
SRK to Disney/Square.
Jane Eyre to Charlotte Bronte.
Ezekiel and Melissa to Pseudocide.
The story is Here Yes, Melissa is a prostitute and the story is explicit about the world of Ezekiel and Melissa (No real sex, so don't click expecting porn)
Rolly was supposed to have a Spiritual with the other servants that Riku walked in on, but that got cut.
Harriet being mussed is important... sort of.
I have to admit, I'm not sure where Leota is.
Sora was also supposed to mention Jack Skellington. Just didn't work. (The Haunted Mansion gets taken over October to January by the Nightmare gang)
The pictures in question reside at the original mansion, and were just placed in Disney World's. They do change in time to the lightning flashing.
I'm not very happy, but I do appreciate and all reviews. Give me what you liked, didn't like, and how I can improve or what you think will happen.
I'm surprised... Ezekiel was supposed to be a brief cameo at the ball. Now he's appeared at least 4 times and might get a Point of View.