Maria’s story (Part 1)

[color=00aeef][i]Keep looking straight…don’t stare too long…sway your hips…smirk…is there anything I missed?[/i][/color]

In Maria’s silver-lined life, she was a confident, alluring, beautiful lady, admired by all and preyed upon by suitors; and in the silver-lined parallel world that seemed to follow her down the corridor in row upon row of ornate mirrors she reflected this goddess of vanity and conviction. Inside she felt as ill-suited as a well-dressed hog waiting to be eaten in this haven of the grandiose, cultured and powerful Nyctari family. Despite the fear of her Vampiric hosts; her wavering confidence and grim determination gave her the strength needed to walk the beautifully decorated, 18th century styled immense hallway. However, Maria could easily see through the deception of the ostentatious, ornately carved golden furnishings that seemed to decorate everything.

[color=00aeef][i]What more was this walkway than the massive, gaping throat of some terrible bestial behemoth? And I am willingly walking down it…[/i][/color]

She chided herself for her inexplicable fear.

[color=00aeef][i]No one in the entire city knows of my presence or importance.[/i][/color]

She could hear the distant sound of cackling laughter from the corridor’s end as she drew close to the large golden doors that led to the grand hall; they were carved with the intricate designs of flowers and cherubs as was the fashion of the period. A gaggle of ladies waited in front of the double doors; confident, smiling and giggling away; the only difference between Maria and them was the tumultuous, stormy emotions which crashed at her confidence in her head, telling her to give in. 

[color=00aeef][i]How could a wild and ravenous beast like the Nyctari family ever be subdued, and for that matter, how could a barbaric and dire fiend such as Santa Somabra be subdued?[/i][/color]

[color=ed1c24][i]Strength, faith, power…[/i][/color]

[color=ed1c24][i]Strength, the measure of our manipulation over others.

Faith, the belief and reliance on an idea.

Power, the intangible currency that the weak and ignorant thrive upon.[/i][/color]

For once that night she smiled truly, a warmth softened her face and features as she reaffirmed her own self-control.

[color=ed1c24][i]The great will conquer because of their strength through cunning, faith through God and power which the weak assign them.[/i][/color]

The girls around her now looked silly, disillusioned and foolish; she would become a concubine to wreak havoc in the heart of this Nyctari beast, she would find the city’s dark intruder and she would be victorious.

A young steward with dark hair and a face of naivety pushed his head through the small gap in the double doors, speaking in hushed ad quick tones. “Your lords await, ladies…” He then departed as quickly as he graced them with his presence; the ladies gathered into a tightly knit circle, pushing through the doors and walking into the huge ballroom with the grace and delicacy of black swans, their coal coloured dresses flowed out behind them like tail feathers. The concubines’ eyes were like onyxes from the mascara that contrasted with the blonde, ginger and brunette curls of their hair.

[color=00aeef][i]Time to show them up then…[/i][/color]

Maria strode into the spacious hall, alone and vigorous; she quickly placed her obsidian mask over her face, giving her features a twisted and almost demonic look; her flair quickly drew the attention of the entire room as she felt predatory eyes watch her every footfall. The only individual who had not noticed the pitch of her dark hair, her full breasts and her dulcet lips was a shadowed outsider who sipped a glass of wine politely in one corner, admiring the array of art; and it was to him she strode arrogantly across the room.

[color=ed1c24][i]Power is given to the worthy, strike at the heart of this heretical city and you shall be given the will to...[/i][/color]