Wild Solitude-Closed

[Strangebuddy]

Robert found himself lost in in the dance. His own steps were wooden but as he stared into Eliza's eyes and felt her float along to the music, he felt a desire to improve and be a support to her. The skill started to come and soon his feet found their way across the dance floor. He was utterly lost in the perfection of the moment and Eliza's radiance. He felt a lucid wonderment and calm fall over him and as they twirled their linked bodies . In that moment, he felt complete.

Then a memory floated up to his consciousness. A woman and him dancing to an ethereal tune across a pale floor. Her face was obscured by her flowing red hair but he could feel her smile radiating towards him.

"Robert, beloved Robert..."

The memory floated away and he felt an old pain open up. Was that his name after all? Yet as he came back to Eliza's face, he was at peace. As they closed their dance, he felt a warmth overtake him and felt a sense of trust towards the young woman.

When Eliza asked to rest, Robert nodded and swept her up into his arms before taking them back to his seat. He kept her clutched to him, not wanting to lose the contact they had shared during their dance. He reached across the table to fetch Eliza's goblet, which he summoned Undines to fill.

"Eliza, you are simple a delight! I'd be happy to give you a tour but I must apologize, there's very little on this island that would match the beauty I'm looking at right now. I feel as though I've wanted to meet you for a long time, even though before this morning, I didn't know you."

His eyes peered into hers as his free hand ran down her back. For a brief moment, a note fell flat from one of the nymphs, who nervously shook under her veil as she watched Robert look at Eliza as the hour grew late.

 

[Perplexia]

"You are too kind to me Robert" she said softly blushing. "There is something about you that just draws me in and makes me feel at home. I know, you're right we just met today. It's a bit overwhelming, but in a good way. Thank you for saving me, for dinner, and for dancing with me. It has been a long time since I've had someone hold me in their arms and dance with such grace and finesse. Will you come to my funeral and ensure the banshees don't actually bury me alive?" she questioned with a lightness in her voice.

"Then perhaps tomorrow, once i'm better recovered, we can have breakfast, and then you can take me on a tour of the Island, and show me all of your favorite places. Then after lunch you could give me a tour of the house. I'd be most interested in seeing your library if you have one. I quite enjoy spending time with you. I think I'll miss you when i leave."

He truly was hideous to look at. But when she looked in his eyes, she saw something that drew her to him. The way he spoke to her touched a place within her she wasn't award existed. Perhaps it was that he took her side when she said she didn't want to be married to that stranger, perhaps it was that he didn't remind her that was her place as a woman. He didn't even scoff at the idea of her having an adventure and just wandering the world.

Even with his clawed paw/hand on the middle of her back didn't scare her. He could easily snap her in two if he wished it. But despite the layers this beast had, it was the way he looked and talked to her which brought her a sense of calmness.

 

[Strangebuddy]

Robert's whole body shook as he was overcome with laughter. He let out a raucous roar that issued forth from his belly and was so violent that he almost dropped Eliza.

"Well if you insist Eliza, I'll gladly attend your funeral...but I think you misunderstand; the Banshees merely wish to mourn an exceptional person, they have no interest in causing a death, no matter how much they might wish to mourn them. They probably just were excited to have some actual aristocracy around." He jokingly stroked his chin, "Though you would look lovely covered in flowers, lying in a flowing dress in a velvet lined casket...just joking."

Though it was odd. Banshees only thought of mourning when death was fast approaching. Eliza had certainly had a rough time of it but she wasn't going to pass away anytime soon, certainly not tonight. There was a fear that rose inside of the beast...but it was hard to pin what was causing it.

"I'd be happy to take you on a tour Eliza...though if it's not too forward, I hope you won't be in any hurry to leave. It's been some time since I've felt this way towards anyone," He felt a surge of blood rush to his cheeks, "You are delightful company is what I mean."

The thought of her leaving upset Robert more than he thought it would. Had it just been so long since he had company, or was it something more? He looked into her eyes. She was breathtaking. He could practically feel her adventurous spirit pouring out from them. He felt a burning passion from her and felt how comfortable she was with him. She felt so light in his arms yet she held more weight than anything in the world at that moment.

"Master Robert, it's late...you two should go to your rooms...please." The nymphs were both trembling, "Lady Eliza...you need your rest."

Robert was puzzled. They didn't call him 'plaything' and they were speaking out of turn. Yet, their concern was focusing his own fear. He had to get Eliza off of his lap and back to his room. He suddenly felt his paw on Eliza's back start to painfully lengthen and grow out. His suit suddenly felt tighter on his body.

"Perhaps they are right Eliza. You do need your rest." He said, grimacing.

 

[Perplexia]

"I'm not tired. Besides the Banshees have to do my mourning thing. Are you okay?" her face expressed the look of deep concern when she asked. "You don't look well, why don't you go rest, I will go on my own and see you in the morning." Her hand went to his face and touched his forehead as if she were feeling for a fever. She shook her head lightly at herself, as she realized she had no idea what temperature was right for him.

What he said about her not leaving right away she heard. But his health at the moment was more important then when she was going to leave. Though it did touch her that wished her to stay a bit. Slowly she stepped back from him. An overwhelming ache occurred with in her chest. It was if their hearts had been connected when they danced and now was the pain of it pulling apart.

Though she didn't really gasp the true meaning of it. Not yet anyway. Taking his hand in hers she brought it to her lips and kissed it lightly. "Thank you my king for the dance. I had the best nights that I think I've ever had. The food, the dancing, and of course your company. Please get some rest, i won't be out long, and promise to be rested for tomorrow."

 

[Strangebuddy]

Robert tried to smile for Eliza's sake. Her words warmed him and the thought of leaving that warmth pained him. He gladly took her kiss and, in an act that surprised him, kissed her on the forehead.

"Yes Eliza, I will go rest. Please, feel free to explore or ask the Silkies for any help you might need. Tonight has been one I will treasure for quite some time. He gingerly placed her in the seat next to him, "I only ask one thing...please, no matter what you hear or however much your curiosity might take you, please don't go outside. It's not safe at night."

The beastly lord longed to stay for even a moment longer but the feeling he had overtook him and he bolted from the room, first on two legs and then on all fours. His clothes shredded as muscles and bone grew and reassembled across his frame. He charged past the Silkies who paid him no mind and burst out through the front gate and into the woods. He grew larger and larger, his body collapsing over from the violent transformation and growing new limbs to catch him. His form twisted and grew until he was a tangled mass of animal limbs. The last to change was his head, whose maw grew out and then split into a mass of mouths.

As his eyes clouded over, Robert suddenly remembered everything. Why he was there on the island, why had come there and why Eliza's appearance struck such a chord with him.

"My Queen, mercy...please." He choked out.

Then his mind went blank. He let out a bestial roar and tore apart the nearest tree ad though it was a twig. His hooves and claws tore apart the ground and he charged through the forest like a sickle through wheat.

Back in the dining hall, the nymphs rose to take their leave. One of them turned her veiled face and looked at Eliza.

"Lady Eliza, please remember what Robert said, do not go outside."

Several Silkies entered the room to clean the dinner.

 

[Perplexia]

For a moment she wasn't sure how to react to his sudden behavior change. She simply nodded her head in agreement that she would stay indoors. Watching the look upon his face, the pure horror and agony that seemed to overcome him wrenched at her heart like a pair of pliers to a tooth.

The roar he let out caused her to turn and stop herself from fleeing after him. It was both animal and monstrous. It truly chilled her to the bone. The silkees on the other hand didn't seem affect at all. They simply hummed a little tune as they went about cleaning the table.

"I'm only going to attend my funeral with the banshees" she replied to the statement of staying indoors. The banshees had moved the ceremony to the garden, which although technically was outdoors, it wasn't out side the castle perimeter. When asked they assured her it would be fine, just not to wander outside the perimeter and stay with them. Part of her yearned to investigate what was so off limits. But given that this was her first night here, and she had no idea what was out there she abandoned the idea.

Eliza smiled at all of the care the Banshee's put forth for her ceremony. Flowers lay upon a pool of water with floating candles. They cried out for her death as if she had been the most important woman on the planet. Other then having to plug her ears from time to time. It really was quite a spectacle. It was definitely a one in a million experience that she would carry with her forever in her new life.

Stopping at the top of the stair case she looked out the window toward the dark hoarded trees wondering where Robert was and if he was okay. Letting out a yawn she made it to her room where silkees enthusiastically waited to undress and outfit her in a night dress fit for a queen.

It didn't take much for her to fall asleep dreaming of the dance she had with Robert, and the wonderful ceremony the Banshees had provided.