Dracula's Wraith (Closed for Commendatore)

[motheroftears24]

Name: Victoria Frankenstein

Age: 18

Appearance: http://grisame.blogs-de-voyage.fr/album/victoria_frances/legacy_art_vf_019_favole.3.jpg

Backstory:

Baron Victor Frankenstein had decided to go into retirement and cut all his connections including with Count Dracula, who expected him to create a strong and faithful servant for him. Frankenstein refused because he was tired of getting into trouble. Dracula threatened that if he did not do it that he would pay for it dearly. He because retired because he wanted something more and to not have to worry about the authorities. He came close to being killed many times because of his creations. He had moved to London to escape Dracula’s wraith and fell in love with the daughter of the landlord that he was renting through. Her name was Charlotte. They were married and had a daughter named Victoria. Charlotte died when Victoria was 9. Frankenstein worked as a medical doctor which supported them financially.

9 years later…

It was Victoria’s 18th birthday and Frankenstein was beaming with pride. She excelled in her classes in boarding school and graduated at the top of her class. She intended on being a nurse and helping her father in his office. Also, she was to marry the son of his colleague named Thomas Martin. The party was a combination of an engagement party and birthday party. There was a variety of food and dancing. He smiled as he watched his Victoria dancing with her love and enjoying herself. Thomas was telling her jokes and made her laugh. She was
dressed in a purple velvet and black silk lace up corset dress.

Frankenstein was having fun until he heard the heavy door of the mansion open harshly and heard arguing before hearing two screams. He had hired two guards to watch the door. Everyone else heard it as well. The music stopped and everyone stopped dancing. The baron ran to see who it was and saw the bodies of the two guards as well as a very familiar face. “You!!! What the hell are you doing here!?” he exclaimed, "I don't want any trouble in front of my guests...". He was hesitant about saying it was his daughter's birthday because he did not want his unwanted guest to touch her.

 

[Commendatore]

Count Dracula was frightening in his rage. He strode forth imperiously, his eyes fixed right on Baron Frankenstein. All drew quiet as he moved, the very air sucked out of the room.

"So! You believe you may dismiss a promise to me, and elude my revenge? Fool! The things you fear are nothing compared to the wrath of Dracula." His voice grew icy, and audible gasps of fear were heard. The Baron seemed to be choking on his words, no sound was coming from his mouth.

I......I..I was merely...

SILENCE! Dracula's shout was deafening, and several partygoers fainted or ran screaming from the room. The Baron shrank toward the floor, an insect pinned by a collector.

The Count looked at him a moment, then began to chuckle deeeply in his throat. It rumbled up to a mocking laugh. "So, what is the occasion for this fête?" His eyes swept the room, and came to rest on a ravishing young girl in a purple velvet dress.

 

[motheroftears24]

(switching to first person on my character)

The guests were watching in complete terror. For one man, he seemed to have a great amount of power to frighten everyone including my father. Thomas held me tightly prepared to go in to help my father seeing that he was in trouble. I had never seen him so frightened. He was usually a very confident man and in control. This was someone from my father’s past. He never went into details about it. I did not know who the person was that had him this frightened.

My father was a well-spoken man, but now he was stuttering up a storm trying to come up for excuses for something. He even looked at me and tried to tell me to go, but he could not manage the words.

SILENCE!

Thomas and I both jumped at the roar while some scattered. "So, what is the occasion for this fête?” he asked my father curiously. He went pale and tried to refuse to say what it was for. I got the chills when I noticed that he was looking at me.

 

[Commendatore]

"Ahhhhhh"

The Count fixed his gaze right on her. He looked directly into her eyes, as though no one else were there.

He came forward, and the partygoers in his way shrank back.

Drawing toward the girl in the purple dress, the Count made a low bow, then came close to her and took her hand, kissing it tenderly. All seemed transfixed, as if their wills had gone.

"I am Count Dracula, my lady."

He said it suavely, like a serpent.

 

[motheroftears24]

"Please no leave her alone!" My father tried to beg as Dracula approached me. My eyes fully met his. Thomas remained close eyeing the Count suspiciously. I gasped softly as I felt his cool lips on my hand. "I am Count Dracula, my lady." he said to me. As much as my father tried to stop me, I introduced myself to the Count.

"I am Victoria Frankenstein." I added, "I am his daughter... This is a birthday party and engagement party for me."

 

[Commendatore]

"I am very pleased to make your acquaintance", Victoria, the Count intoned, "I regret that I had not been informed, else I had brought you a fitting gift." His eyes shone fiercely and with great intent as he looked upon her.

Dracula turned his head toward the Baron and said coolly, "Why, Viktor, you never told me you had a daughter...and such a lovely young woman", his voice warmed and he looked at her directly again, "Such a lovely young woman", more quietly, but with gravity.

"To whom are you engaged, Miss?", the Count asked in a slow tone.

 

[motheroftears24]

"Please, Count... I was the one who was uncooperative!" father begged, "It was my fault! Please don't take it out on her!"

My attention did not break from the Count. "I am marrying him." I replied looking over at Thomas he took me back into his grasp protectively. A chill creeped up my spine. Thomas seeing my father's desperation to try to get me out of the room tried to get me to go, but I could not just leave my father. "Please go, let me and your father handle this." he tried to tell me, but it was though a spell was over me as I talked to the Count. My eyes were locked on his.

 

[Commendatore]

"You have nothing to fear, Victoria. I regret that my anger causes such a reaction", the Count said. "Pray, let me speak with your father, and I shall return to you in a short while."

Dracula turned and engaged the Baron with his stare. They went to one side of the room and spoke in low tones, but with great animation. After a moment, Frankenstein announced, "Please, everyone, enjoy yourselves."

The Count looked at the Baron, but one eye was always on Victoria. Their discussion grew more heated, Frankentein wringing his hands and pleading.

After a few moments more, Viktor composed himself, went to his daughter, and quietly said, "My dear, perhaps if you were to take a short trip- a week, say, to visit...The Count...at his estate. Could you do that for me, Victoria?"

 

[motheroftears24]

Thomas and I watched as my father and the Count talked at a distance. "I don't like this one bit, Victoria." Thomas said as he held me close, "Did your father ever tell you of his past?". I replied, "Never... He was very guarded about that subject.". Eventually they came back, father had a look of dread on his face.

My father asked, "My dear, perhaps if you were to take a short trip- a week, say, to visit...The Count...at his estate. Could you do that for me, Victoria?" Thomas was in complete disbelief when I was asked to do this.

"Are you out of your mind?!" Thomas exclaimed, "You are sending my wife to be to live with a man, who has a grudge against you!"

They began to argue for a bit. I began to think about what my father asked me to do. I decided to go because I wanted to do anything I can to help my father. Besides, it was only going to be a week... I intervened. "I will go, father." I said. I saw tears streaming down my father's face. He looked over at the Count before walking off giving him a very cold look. He went to his study. Thomas pleaded with me not to go, but if I didn't no telling what would happen to my father. "When are we leaving?" I asked the Count.

 

[Commendatore]

"When you desire, Miss Victoria. We shall leave when you desire."

Dracul stood close to her, appearing to gaze out over the dampened convivial atmosphere, but in reality he looked her over with sedulous care, taking in every detail, memorizing the hairs on her head.

Soon.

Viktor could not bear to be in their sight. The Count dismissed him as a coward and a weakling. Thomas was clearly distraught, but was loathe to approach them closely enough to speak.

The Count smiled to himself.

"Victoria, it is best if you make your good-byes and prepare to go. The journey to my Castle is long and wild. I will await you here."

 

[motheroftears24]

I was deeply saddened when I saw the state that father and Thomas were in, but I had to do this. Really, from the way that it looked my father had no say in the matter. The was he was reacting was as though it would be much longer than a week. The help were ordered to grab my some of my items. I went to say my goodbyes and heard father and Thomas arguing further. Thomas was furious about something. I got to about the last part of it.

"How could you?!" Thomas yelled, "You made a promise to Charlotte to protect Victoria! Now, you are sacrificing my fiancee to him! Your own daughter! You are just as much a murderer. I won't let her go even if there has to be a fight!!!"

Father yelled, "Thomas, you are no match for him!". Thomas stormed off. I went to see my father. My thought was that they were being way too overdramatic, but I had no idea what would be transpiring while I was there. I went to my father's office. He was very pale and could barely look at me. "Please just go..." he said sadly. Tears streamed down my face as my father dismissed me without letting me say goodbye. As I went back to the area where the Count was waiting, I could hear more confrontation.

 

[Commendatore]

"I assure you that letting this alone is the wisest course of action", the Count said gravely to Thomas. There was a hard edge in his voice, domineering.

"If you persist in further delaying what is a fait accompli, it will only cause pain to you and those you love." The implied threat was cruel, like broken glass.

The Count brightened as Victoria approached. "Ah, Miss Victoria, you will want to say your good-byes to your worthy fiancé. I will await you in my carriage."

With that, Dracula left with a sweep of his cape and a flourish.

 

[motheroftears24]

The tone of the Count's voice was harsh and even scared me as he threatened him. I approached. Thomas looked frightened about something, but did not tell me why. "I am going to miss you." he said. He could not even give me a kiss. He walked away. I guess to not cause anymore trouble. I walked out of the mansion and greeted the Count in his coach climbing inside with him. I was very nervous about the journey.

 

[Commendatore]

The Count's coach was sumptuously appointed, with rich velvet seating and hardwood paneling. The horses that drew it were massive, coal-black animals that stomped and snorted as they waited to run.

As Victoria drew near, Dracula stepped out and offered her his hand in assistance.

"Be easy, Miss Victoria", the Count said, "I assure you you are quite safe, whatever your father and fiancé believe."

 

[motheroftears24]

I took Dracula's hand as he helped me up. It was freezing cold even colder than it was outside. I sat down next to the Count and tried relaxing, but something seemed very ominous about the whole thing. If it was only for a week, why was father so worried. I was very curious. "How do you know my father?" I asked.

 

[Commendatore]

"I gave your father a good deal of assistance earlier in his career, for which he made a promise to make recompense. However, now that he has already had the benefit of my help, he now has second thoughts, as you say. Had he made a good faith effort, even another potentially false promise, there would be no difficulty. But he has been haughty and dismissive of my claim, and so I must be more firm."

"You have nothing to fear from me, Victoria. I assure you I want only your happiness and satisfaction."

The count took out a heavy woolen blanket and spread it across her lap to keep the chill off. He also indicated that there was slivovitz, the famous plum brandy of Transylvania, in a flask under the seat should she wish to imbibe to keep the damps off.

 

[motheroftears24]

I felt a little more at ease. I cuddle up in the blanket and took a sip of the brandy. "My father never really told me a lot." I continued, "What did he do before he came to London? What did he use to do that you assisted him with.". The horses sped to the castle. I remained very close to the Count to keep from falling out of the seat.

 

[Commendatore]

"Your father was an experimental vivisectionist and researcher of esoteric means for preserving the body from death. He was somewhat successful, but his work attracted negative attention from authorities and the medical community. His methods and theories were regarded as inhumane and barbaric. I was a friend to your father when all others regarded him as a pariah. I understand now that he did not return my overtures of friendship.", the Count related, " I only wish he was still well-disposed toward me. I could be a great help to his current work as well."

Dracula felt her draw near to keep her seat in the carriage that seemed to fly across the landscape. In the distance, wolves begam their eerie howls.

 

[motheroftears24]

At first, I found it very hard to believe that he would do something like that. He was a well respected doctor in London and for all I knew he did not continue the work that he did before. However, it explained a lot why he did not tell me about this. I really did not know how to react to this. "Why did he leave this work?" I asked.

 

[Commendatore]

"Ah, he never told you. A pity. Had you been my daughter, I would have afforded you greater respect and trust. But it is no matter."

"Viktor left the work because he was hounded by the police and by his creations. He stole bodies, and portions of them, to do his research, which is, of course, frowned upon. Further, his first attempts at revivifying dead tissue were partially successful, but drew the ire of local folk who did not approve of his methods. Then, his first creature killed a young girl; he was run from his castle and was forced to take refuge here in England."

"Ah, we approach the most precipitous part of the journey. If you look out the coach window, you will see a sheer drop of over 1000 of your feet. It is breathtaking to see, should you dare to."

 

[motheroftears24]

I was a bit horrified when he mentioned what my father created. Monsters that he could not control that had wreaked havoc on the nearby villages. Also, he was grave robbing as well. I could see why he hid this. To think, he was respectful in London. If anybody found out, he would be in a lot of trouble. It frightened me a bit that the Count helped him with this.

"Ah, we approach the most precipitous part of the journey. If you look out the coach window, you will see a sheer drop of over 1000 of your feet. It is breathtaking to see, should you dare to."

I wasn't going to chance it. If anything happened and the door came opened I would fall. In fact, I found myself actually holding onto the Count. "Ummm. No thank you, Count." I said politely. I took another drink of brandy.

 

[Commendatore]

Fear of death made the living easy to manipulate, the Count thought. She clutched him close and he did not resist, in fact, he gave her his arm to steady and comfort herself. Victoria inhaled softly when she realized the Count's prodigious strength. His arm seemed as solid as an oak tree.

Out the window, a winding, narrow causeway connected the path to Castle Dracula. The soaring battlements had been created in the reign of William the Conqueror, but a baronet's gambling problems forced a sale, and the Count was a wealthy man.

Dracul pointed out various points of interest as they neared their destination. A large cemetery sat in the rolling hills just past the castle. As they pulled into the drive, the foreboding appearance of the castle was readily apparent. Everywhere was drear and darkness. But two bright flambeaux marked the entrance, and a cheery old woman came from the castle to welcome them.

"Ah, it's the Master!" she exclaimed happily. "Hope you passed your journey safely, M'lord." Looking at Victoria, resplendent in her velvet gown and her furred wraps, the woman asked, "And whom do I have the pleasure of addressing, M'lady?"

 

[motheroftears24]

We arrived at the castle. A servant had been waiting for him to arrive. "Hope you passed your journey safely, M'lord." Looking at Victoria, resplendent in her velvet gown and her furred wraps, the woman asked, "And whom do I have the pleasure of addressing, M'lady? I replied with a smile, "I am Victoria Frankenstein.". I was starting to feel even more at ease. The woman opened the castle door and I was in awe as I saw how it looked inside. It was very lavishly decorated. There were swords on the wall, tapestries, portraits, and his family's coat of arms.

 

[Commendatore]

"Welcome to Castle Dracula, Victoria!", the count exclaimed, radiating warmth, "We hope you will find your stay here...satisfying. "Miss Weathersby", he gestured to the older woman, "Is my housekeeper, and indespensible. You may ask her for anything you desire. Now, let me show you to your rooms, and then we will dine."

 

[motheroftears24]

I followed Dracula upstairs so that he could show me my room. Deep inside, I was very curious as to why the Count brought me to his castle. I did not ask. I would find out soon enough. The room I was giving had a canopy over the bed as well a dresser. My luggage had been brought in and already put in the dresser. On the bed was a rather provocative looking peach colored nightie that was almost completely see through. I began to have suspicions why, but I was in no position to refuse.