Big Love • Alcina Dimitrescu

4.

The lavish design of Lady Dimitrescu's carriage was breathtaking, a beautiful white interior with golden accents and seats so comfy it was like sitting on a cloud, even with such beautiful scenery it did nothing to ease the painful silence between me and the lady seated across from me. Now and then, when the carriage rode over a rock, our legs would knock against each other, every time our legs connected for half a second I felt like my heart was being lulled to sleep, my brain going quiet as if everything dark and destructive was being brushed away. The only time I remember having a similar feeling was when I was implanted with the Cadou, it's a warm and homey feeling. I don't think that Lady Dimitrescu has the same feeling as I did since every time our legs involuntarily touch she stares daggers into my soul as if I'm touching her on purpose. 

I had tried to start a conversation with Lady Dimitrescu multiple times since we left the church, but my attempts at a conversation were killed by a 'yes', 'no' or even a simple 'mhm'. I do want to get along, not just for the sake of Mother Miranda and the others but also because I want to feel like I'm a part of a family again, it has been almost a decade since my parents passed and even longer since my sisters, I love Donna with all my heart but I crave noise in my life, fighting with my sisters over silly things, knowing that if it came to it I would have my family in my corner. This is my chance to get my large, loving family back, and I can't have that if I'm fighting with everyone all of the time,

"I do hope we can get along," I spoke up, watching the scenery go by out of the window, "It would make our lives easier since we're sort of immortal now so we can't escape each other."I didn't get any form of reply. I turned my head to find Lady Dimitrescu pulling back the lace curtain and peering out of the carriage window. I know Lady Dimitrescu doesn't want me even within breathing distance of her, let alone want me in her carriage and her home,

"Look I know you don't like me," I spoke louder, demanding her attention, "Why, I don't quite know. But I am trying to get along with you. Mother Miranda sees us as family and since neither of us is leaving any time soon, I would very much like it if we could get along. And I would appreciate it if you would acknowledge the fact that I'm trying to converse with you,"

"It's not that I don't like you," Lady Dimitrescu sighed, turning to watch me with a cautious expression as if she was waiting for me to transform into a monster, "I'm weary of you, I don't know you, that is why I'm being so cautious, we didn't meet that long ago. I have known the other lords for 6 years now and I trust them now no less than I did when we first met. I am not ashamed to say that I don't open up to people easily. I do appreciate your effort to try and be friends with me but you must understand that I am a hard person to get on the good side of. Don't expect one conversation to be the start of some lifelong friendship," she finished in a calm tone, she refused to look away, her bright gold eyes burning into mine, staring as if she was trying to get a glimpse inside of my head,

"I get it," I smiled slightly, still holding her gaze, "I know that you don't know who I am, we met only a few hours ago so I don't expect you to be sharing all of your deepest secrets with me. I think it would benefit everyone if we could try and get along,"

My response was a slight nod of Lady Dimitrescu's head before she turned to look out of her window again,

"I would like to apologise,"

"For what?" She furrowed her eyebrows, looking at me with a confused expression,

"For being tall, and kind of stealing your thunder,"

"No harm done," she smiled at me, "I understand that you probably didn't choose to be this specific height, I most certainly didn't,"

"Yeah, that was quite a surprise," Lady Dimitrescu huffed out a laugh, "You know you don't have to be on such high alert, I'm not going to attack, even if I did I have no doubt you'd be able to put me down with your eyes closed,"

"I'm not waiting for you to attack me," she chuckled, "It's just that I don't normally allow those I don't know into my castle, and if I do they're terrified by the very mention of my name, I'm just being cautious,"

"Okay... Well, why don't we play 20 questions or something like that?" I suggest coolly,

"20 questions? I believe I am not familiar with the game,"

"Okay well we take turns to ask each other 20 questions of any kind and the other has to answer truthfully. If you know more about me it might help you feel comfortable around me, maybe even make you trust me,"

"Okay, I guess I can try. I want to go first though," I nodded my head, signalling Lady Dimitrescu to go first, "Why did you choose to have the cadou?"

"Wow, going straight into the deep questions," I laughed,

"I see no point in dancing around the subject, it's what I'm the most curious about," she waited,

"Well, I wasn't going to but Donna wanted to do it and there wasn't any way I was going to let her die alone,"

"That's sweet," she smiled at me,

"It's more like fucked up but yeah. Okay, so is your hair naturally curled or do you curl it yourself?"

My question made her laugh a sweet, carefree laugh, it was a deep noise that I felt vibrate in my chest, "My hair was wavy, before the cadou, and then after, my hair just became curly. Have you ever thought of leaving this place?"

"Of course I have, but Donna doesn't want to leave. I wouldn't ever plan on leaving her, especially after all we've been through,"

"What have you been through?"

"Nuh-uh, it's my turn. Hm. Why did you decide to have the cadou?"

"I was promised a cure for a condition of mine,"

"Did it work?"

"Nuh-uh, it's my turn," Lady Dimitrescu mimicked, "What occurred to make you so close to Donna?"

"My older sister Bernadette died from the cadou, and then my youngest sister Claudia died of the flu and then my mother and father leapt off the cliff at the back of the house being so distraught. Donna's still in a depressive place,"

"Oh, well I'm sorry," She responded lowly,

"Nah, no need to be. Shit happens right," Lady Dimitrescu looked amused at my words, "So Lady Dimitrescu, did the cadou work?"

"No, it did not. How protective of Donna are you?"

My smile left my face, a serious look taking over, "Very. She's my younger sister I would do anything to protect her. Do you have any family?"

"No. My mother died giving birth to me, and my father died when I was a little girl due to an infection. I had no siblings and no idea if I had any aunts or uncles out there,"

"I'm sorry,"

"As you said, shit happens. So you protect and care for Donna?" I nodded in response, "Who takes care of you?"

"Myself. Who cares for you?"

"Myself,"

"Well Lady Dimitrescu, it seems we're both quite fucked up," I tried to joke, the mood becoming awfully sombre all of a sudden,

"Yes, it does seem that way. You call me Alcina if you like, less of a mouthful," Alcina told me. I knew I'd break that cold exterior, I guess I'm just a naturally likeable person.

An hour later, we had both exceeded 20 questions each. We practically knew everything about each other, Alcina's favourite colours are red and gold. We knew each other's favourite songs, hobbies, skills, favourite and least favourite food, books we both enjoy, clothing style and countries we would like to visit. Alcina shared everything about her wine with me, we opened up about our childhoods, Alcina of course raising herself to be a perfect lady with absolutely no blemish on her name, and me being raised as the protector of my sisters with a reputation for being a violent brute.

I was pleased to see Alcina enjoying my stories from when my sisters and I were children. I could see the longing in her eyes with each tale, she grew up with no one around, and all of her family was gone before she was 10 years old. Maybe us getting along would be a good thing, not just for me but for Alcina as well, she could do with being surrounded by people she feels comfortable with. It won't be the same but hopefully, we'll be able to make up for the childhood she missed.

[Rewritten]