[color=gray][center][h2][color=Firebrick] Violet Damien[/color] & [color=teal]Lily Damien[/color][/h2][/center] Time, relentless in its march, continued its ceaseless advance while Violet, paralyzed by her own turmoil, remained ensnared by her mind. In the middle of the night, Violet had drawn the curtains tightly, finding solace in the illusion of confinement—a self-imposed cage, shielding her from the world or, perhaps, protecting the world from her. The room exuded darkness, suffocating any traces of light that dared to enter. Thick drapes, heavy and impenetrable, clung to the windows, sealing within the monstrous presence lurking behind them. As the sun rose, heralding the arrival of a new day, it cast rays that struggled to breach the inside of her prison. It was the first day of Violet's new existence, a day drenched in disappointment and dred. She had spent the entire night, lost in a disoriented haze, fixated on the haunting glow of the moon, drifting in and out of a nightmarish dream. Through the veil of fabric, faint streaks of sunlight filtered into the room, painting the floor with a veneer of golden warmth that resembled liquid gold. The air hung heavy with silence, her sole companion amidst the echoing ticks of a clock. A relentless reminder of the night's emotions strewn across the floor of her bedroom. Vampire… A word laden with connotations of damnation, of being a demon or a monstrous abomination, as callously bestowed upon her by one of those men. Books often chronicled the existence of such creatures, their titles resonating with vile horror, an apt description of her own story. And the world in all of its own twisted faults and issues would paint her the same way. She truly belonged in a cage or, better yet, dead—an eternal exile from the lives she threatened to ruin. The taste of the man's blood lingered, stubbornly staining her mouth. She had rinsed it away, employing water and salt in vain attempts to purge the sweet nectar of life. Yet, it persisted, an insidious presence, clinging to the tip of her tongue like the memory of honey. She yearned for more of that intoxicating warmth, her mind succumbing to a false ecstasy, drawing her back to the moment of her first bite. But she pulled herself out abruptly, wrenching herself from the allure of the past, her body leaning forward in the chair, hands resting on her knees, while disgust cascaded down her spine. Was this all she would be able to think about Her legs propelled her forward, a slow and deliberate movement, carrying her towards the drapes. She extended her hand, fingers entwined around the coarse fabric, clutching it with desperate intensity. And then, with an eruption of determination, she flung them open, exposing herself to the cruel light of morning, as if anticipating her annihilation—her transformation into a pile of ash. However, the tales of vampires had deceived her. Violet's eyes fluttered, grappling with the assault of brightness, gradually adjusting to the bright lights. A faint tingling sensation grazing her skin as her hands relinquished their death grip, slumping lifelessly by her side. Bathed in the morning light, her eyes, once a haunting shade of crimson, blazed like rubies, a stark contrast to her complexion. The sun's light was agonizing, a relentless torment that seared her flesh, turning it a furious shade of red, as if her very being was set ablaze. She stood there, subjected to the torment, allowing the pain to consume her, disappointment welling up inside. She was alive. The books she had so diligently absorbed had deceived her—she should have disintegrated, consumed by the light, reducing her to nothingness. But she remained...unfortunately. Tears welled in Violet's eyes, an embodiment of her anguish, while her strength wavered, causing her knees to buckle. Violet released a cry, a sound that would only be heard as a whisper. Her voice cracked as the pain began to be too much. Slowly, she closed the drapes, struggling against the relentless burn that had taken hold of her skin. As the sun receded, vanishing once more behind the veil of fabric, her flesh cooled, and the pain subsided with unexpected rapidity. A sigh of relief escaped her trembling lips, and she leaned forward, seeking solace, only to discover that her skin, once sunburnt, reverted to its pale tone, a cruel reminder of her situation. Collapsing back into the plush chair, her body folding upon itself, Violet's mind spiraled, a whirlwind of tormented thoughts, while silent tears traced their path down her cheeks. Lily had knocked before entering the darkened bedroom, the door slightly creaking in the silence. The room was heavy as she had stood in the doorway, the ticking of the clock filling the room as she came upon the view of her daughter slumped in the plush chair. Lily’s expression softened and she stared sadly at Violet, her eyes taking in the turmoil on her face. She held a tray with a large mug in it. Tears had streamed down Violet’s face. Lily usually would have been wiping them and hugging her daughter in a heartbeat, but this was a different girl. [color=teal]“... Violet, dear. Would you like to talk? … Can I… Can I help? “[/color] Violet stared forward blankly unresponsive. She didn’t need to look at the shadowed figure to know that it was her mother. One of the last people she wanted to see. She could feel the blood boiling as her fingernails gripped deeper into the fabric of the chair. Violet’s body shook slightly with rage, she didn’t acknowledge her except for a few choice words. [color=Firebrick]“Get..out.”[/color] Her voice was dark and cold, the words hitting each syllable to ensure any confusion. Lily stared at the floor silently for a long moment before stating, [color=teal]“I understand Violet... I am leaving you some ham and a mug of something you may want… It’s not from a human. “[/color] She set the tray down on a table near the front of the room. Just as she was about to close it, she paused, her hand lingering on the doorknob. [color=teal]"Also, I wanted to let you know that you are not alone in this. With time, you will experience physical improvement as your body recovers. The darkness that surrounds you now will fade away, and you will emerge into a brighter, more hopeful tomorrow. I know you’re hurt and upset right now, but I promise things will get better.” [/color] She presented her with a smile full of warmth and love, before stepping back into the hallway. Violets fingers broke through the fabric in her annoying and condescending tone as she left the scraps a dog would eat in front of her. The smell of the putrid blood flid her nose as it sends her into a furry. As her mother was about to step into the hallway, Violet grabbed the glass on blood. She rose quickly to her feet throwing it across the room as the blood splattered against her door, splashing onto her mother's clothing as she shouted. [color=Firebrick]“ Things will NOT get better! You have cursed me for your OWN SELFISH REASONS![i] You brought me back just to kill me slowly.[/i]” [/color] Lilianne stared at Violet and for a moment there was a gleam of something unreadable in her blue eyes. [color=teal] “It will be okay dear… I will break the curse on you. This was just the best I could do for now.”[/color] With that, she left Violet alone and stormed down the hallway, a cold and determined look adorning her face. [color=teal][i] I brought her back for you, Calbert. I accepted she may hate me if she found out the truth, though I had hoped it could be some time before she had… But I cannot take this abuse from her. I must do something to change this too.[/i][/color] Violet let out a deep growl of frustration, pacing back and forth before she walked over to the door, grabbing her cape that laid across her bed along the way. She wrapped it around her shoulders and in a fury stormed out of her room. Marching down the hall and to the main entrance she reached for a rather large parasol that was made from a dark lace. Removing it from the holster she stepped outside getting shelter from the lace parasol as it created an interesting pattern of shadow over her skin. [i]If the world wanted a monster, she would give them one…[/i] Violet's sharp canine made a short appearance as she flashed a smile to the carriage drive before stepping inside. [/color]