paintings on the walls (just dance story)

8.

-joanna-

it was still raining and lightning outside when i woke up. the mysterious man wasn't there next to me, so i'm guessing he was asleep in a different room. i was wondering if he lived by himself or that a few other people were living with him since the manor was pretty big. i was just wandering (well, limping) around, trying not to wake anybody up.

as i was limp-walking, i accidentally ran into something—or someone.

"good morning, joanna."

i looked up to find a lady in front of me; her hair was like the bride of frankenstein, but one side was pink and one side was red, a red mask was covering her eyes, a red dress with hints of pink, red thigh highs, and black combat boots. i just stared at her. is she some sort of ghost?

"did the cat get your tongue, sweetheart?" the woman said to me as she helped me up. she looked at my bandaged knee, then back at me. "pierre must've left his pocket knife on the table last night. I told him to put it up before he went onto bed. i'm glad benji bandaged you up."

who is pierre and benji? and what am i even doing here? i thought. the woman chuckled.

"i forgot to introduce myself. my name is helene and i am one of the people that were watching over you, joanna."

"nice to meet you, helene. and what do you mean one of the people?" i asked her.

before helene can even say anything, another voice was heard.

"oh! she's here!"

another woman came in the scene. she had poofy pink hair with multicolored highlights and long braids in the back. it looked like she was wearing a yellow two-set outfit with a caged dress around the waist and black heels. to top it off, she was wearing a pair of sunglasses.

"oh joanna! i've been dying to see you! my name is emilia, by the way." the pink-haired woman said as she bowed to me.

"i like your cage dress"

"thank you. it's a crinoline"

the blond man from last night later appeared with a black-haired man. he's wearing an orange open cut blouse, a black corset around it, pink pants, orange socks, and black heels. i like how he's comfortable with his masculinity.

"you must be joanna. benjamin has told me a lot about you. pierre is my name." the black-haired said as he bowed to me, similar to emilia. i kept my eyes on the blond, who was the last one to introduce himself.

"benjamin" was all he said as he took my hand and kissed it, earning a soft blush on my face. why do i feel like i know him from somewhere?

it was silent for a couple of minutes, until i spoke up.

"why did you all bring me here?"