The tiger looked at the girl and stepped forward, tilting his head in curiosity. He growled faintly, sniffing at her before moving closer. He nudges his head against her legs, curling around her. He was huge, almost the size of a horse. His shining blue eyes gaze up at her and moved her towards the castle gently. His tail moved back in forth. A woman, her white hair shining in the dark, her gold eyes glinting gazed at the woman as she stalked within the shadows. The tiger guided her to the palace, a low purr running through his broad chest.
"Okay-okay, I'll come with you," She murmured, though she gasped as the tiger moved around her. Its fur was so warm, warmer than anything she had ever felt. She walked forward with the tiger, hiding herself in its fur when the vampire came forward, shivering pitifully in the shadow of the beast and the cold, standing kingdom. She rose her big eyes on the vampire, moving back a little but staying close to the tiger.
"Hello-hello there," She tried to say through chattering teeth, looking down at her feet. "I'm sorry, I'm lost and tired and cold and I really don't want to be here cus I know I don't belong!"
Her eyes narrow. "No human. You do not belong here. Do you know what this place is? This is the Nightshade Castle. The king of the vampires lives here and this sacred ground will not be tainted scum like you-"She went silent. Her eyes landing on the shadow behind the human. "My lord."She bows quickly. "Who is this woman.*Cans voice was low, and sounded like the finest silk. "Guests should not freeze in the winter cold." He growls. Sumika bows. "As you wish my lord. But this girl is human." She says quickly. "Exactly. Humans are not used to cold us vampires seek." A thick and heavy cloak wraps around her. "Have Blizzard take her to one of the guest rooms. I am returning to the library."
"I-I-I," The girl tried to stutter through the woman's speech, her eyes filling with tears all over again. She felt ashamed as she always had to be human, it was wrong and cruel to be one. She felt dirty and grimy. She didn't turn to look at her king, but she shivered a different kind of shiver at the low voice. It was deep and intimidating, but she felt like she could curl up in it and sleep. She gasped softly as the cold around her disappeared, and a heavy cloak weighed her down. She kept it on her shoulders, blinking away her tears rapidly, sniffling in some mucous from the cold. She looked to the beast and back over her shoulder, but was unable to see a face.
"Thank you," She called meekly after them.
The king stopped before continuing, disappearing into the night. Sumika looked over at the girl. "What is your name." She says stiffly. It wasn't a question. It sounded more of an order. Her gold eyes drilled into the girl. Blizzard wrapped around her protectively. He nudges her forward and info the castle. It was dark, the candles flickering faintly. Sumika walked ahead, not saying anything before opening a door to a huge room even the nobles would be sent to shame. "You will sleep here."
Aliana looked up at the tall vampire. "My name is Aliana. May I ask yours, my-my lady?" She asked softly, setting her hands on the beast as it moved her forward. She stayed close to the beast, hoping it would stay the night with her. She couldn't help but distrust the vampires with her. She looked around in the room. It was dull and not as fancy as the other things she saw. It was better than where she was actually kept, and it had a bed. She moved forward into the room, her knees shaking a little as she moved away from Blizzard.
"Thank you very much."
"Sumika." She replies sharply. "Be grateful that the king has welcomed you into his home, otherwise the servants would have attacked you the moment you entered the castle." She says. She let the girl into the room, and instantly the room changed to fit the comfort for Aliana. "I will be leaving now." Sumika says, shutting the door. Blizzard jumped onto the bed and it creaked softly. The white tiger purred and his tail flicks as he gazes at her. He licks his large tongue over his nose and waits for her.
Aliana nodded and she followed Blizzard over to the bed, wriggling to sit on it and tug the sheets free of the pillows. She wasn't very strong, so it took a couple tugs before she could smile shyly at the white tiger and snuggle into the pillows and the warm tiger next to her, running her skinny fingers through the fluffy white fur. She was glad the tiger had decided to sleep with her. The room had become warm and the cloak was pleasant to sleep with, but she liked the company. Especially after Sumika's word about the servants.
The white tiger nudged her cheek, a low purr rumbling from his chest as he wrapped around her. He huffed softly.
Sumika walked briskly down the halls, her eyes narrowed. She entered the library. "Brother. the human is in the room as you requested." the king leaped down from the shelf, landing silently. "Good. Let her rest…" He fixes his mask before walking out of the library. They walk beside each other silently. "When are you going to feed brother?" He shook his head. "I've already fed."
Aliana moved so she used the white tiger as a pillow. She snuggled up nice and tight, wrapping both the blanket and the cloak tighter around herself. This was nice, and it was nice for the vampires to let her enter. She was for sure confident she was going to die.
She moved her bag over to the other side of the bed so she had more space to curl up into the warm flanks of the tiger, slipping her eyes shut.
Cian walked slowly around his castle, the world his realm, and yet he never exploited it. Sumika was walking beside him. "Your nobles and generals will here soon." She says, gazing at the other. He nods and sighs. "Keep the human out of their sight. I do not wish for them to harm her in any way." He mutters. She nods. "As for the human. Should I have the servants make her a meal?" She asks curiously. "Yes." He replies sharply. "She is our guest."
The girl blinked open her eyes slowly, stirring sleepily against the tiger and looking up and around. It was pleasantly warm, and yet it was still snowing and dim beyond the windows. She stood carefully from the tiger and made her way across the room to the windows, looking outside, her eyes wide. She never realized how pretty it was outside, how nice it was to watch snow flit down from the gray sky. It always snowed around here, and she was always the one to suffer through it. It was a nice change. Speaking of change, she desperately wanted something else to wear. Her swishy dress was ruined by her running of the previous night, and she was starting to feel a bit uncomfortable. She wished she still had her more comfortable rags that she dropped off at home.
Sitting on a chair near the window was a silky robe with a warm dress beside it. It looked like the finest silks and warmest furs. Blizzard walks to her side, watching the snow curiously before growling lowly at something below them. 12 cloaked figures walked through the snow.
Cian placed his mask on and growled faintly to himself before pulling on his cloak. He sighed faintly and shook his head. He hated the generals and nobles but in order to rule he must meet with them. He placed his mask on, before walking towards the doors and opening them.
(That's okay, I'll wait!)
Aliana looked up when she heard someone approaching, having just picked up the robe and dress curiously. Her cheeks enflamed but before she could say anything, she realized it was Blizzard and snuggled into his side.
"Thank you for staying with me last night," She murmured to the beast, hugging her things close. "Is this for me? Do you know?" She asked, desperate for answers from a non-violent and angry source.
He purred and nudged her cheek gently. He prods the dress with his nose and pushed it to her chest. His sky blue eyes gazed at her with gentleness. He sat down by her side before walking towards the door and peeking out. It was his master. He went out into the hall and mewled. Cian looked back. He walked towards the giant tiger and pats his head. "Look after the girl, yes. She cannot leave the room. Not while the nobles and generals are here." He mutters. The giant beast gave a nod before returning to her room and nudging the door open with his head and shutting it behind him before leaping back onto the bed.
Aliana got dressed in the flowy dress when Blizzard nosed her and walked out, spinning in place when the tiger came back. She giggled at how it floated up along the robe, feeling light and fleeting in it. She felt like royalty. She noticed Blizzard came back and meandered over to the tiger, smiling at him. "Do you think I look good for the vampires?" She asked in almost a child-like tone of voice, her eyes sparkling happily as she spun around some more, giggling softly..
He purred and buried his head in her stomach, keeping her away from the door. He looks up at her and purrs softly, nuzzling into her warmth before looking up at her.
Cian watched as each noble bowed before entering before shutting the giant oak doors. "I smell fresh meat, your highness." One hissed, slipping off his cloak. The silver haired vamp smiled, bowing at his king. Cian on the other hand did not look amused. "We are hear to discuss the kingdoms well being. Not meat. Come."
Aliana smiled and didn't question the tiger's motion, twirling over to the windows with happy little giggles. "I look amazing. But I wish I could take… what are those things called? That gets you clean? A shower! Yeah." She nodded to herself. She had a tendency to talk out loud. Her vampric masters liked to hear what she was thinking about doing. Though she did keep a lot from them.
Aliana heard voices from the hallway, her head perking up. She heard 'fresh meat' and a quick blush covered her face. "Are they going to eat me?" She squeaked to the tiger, unaware of the king's reprimand.
He tilted his head before resting on the bed. He purred lowly before shutting his eyes, leaving a little spot open for her and looking at her with one eye. His tail flicked back and forth.
"No. We are not going to eat you." A brisk voice says behind her. Sumika stood in the doorway with food in hand. "As for the shower, there is one in the bathroom." She points to a door next to the closet. "I have brought you human food made by our chef. Do not waste any of it." She sets it on the table. "The king has made it quite clear you are not to be eaten. Why, I'm not sure."
Aliana went to join the tiger until she was startled by Sumika's voice, looking up at the vampire with wide eyes. "O-oh, I don't need to eat," She just protested quietly, but accepted the food from off the table, setting it on her lap. It smelled incredible, the smell tickling her nose sensationally.
"Thank you… I-I appreciate this very much." She bowed her head a little.
