Blood and the Moon

The Whisper of Red

The small town was bathed in the soft, rosy hues of the late afternoon sun. The cobblestone streets, usually bustling with activity, had grown quieter. Most of the townspeople had retreated to their homes or businesses to escape the gathering chill of the early autumn air. At one of the small, tucked-away cafes along the main square, Marie Chardonetté sat alone at a table, a delicate porcelain teacup poised between her gloved fingers.

Marie was a sight to behold. She wore a light pink and white Rococo dress, adorned with layers of lace and embroidery that caught the light with every movement. Her white wig, styled high in the fashion of the court, was decorated with soft pink pearls and topped with a single, striking pink ostrich feather. A small crown rested atop her head, glittering with six electric pink stones that seemed to pulse with an inner light. Her brown eyes, warm and attentive, watched the square with a mixture of curiosity and something else—something softer, like yearning.

She sipped her tea and watched as a tall figure moved through the square. The woman was striking—draped in a flowing, crimson gown unlike anything Marie had seen in her town. The color was vivid, almost alive, and seemed to pull the warmth out of the very air around her. The woman moved with a grace that was nearly otherworldly, her golden curls bouncing gently against her shoulders, her gaze dark and unfathomable. She was not a local, that much was clear. There was an unsettling aura about her, something that made Marie's heart quicken, though not entirely out of fear.

Curiosity overpowered her caution. Marie set down her cup and rose from her chair, smoothing the layers of her gown as she approached the mysterious woman. "Excuse me," she called softly, a warm smile gracing her lips. "I couldn't help but notice you. Would you care to join me for some tea?"

The woman stopped and turned her head slightly, her black eyes with icy blue irises locking onto Marie's with an intensity that was almost unnerving. For a moment, Marie wondered if she had made a mistake, but then the woman nodded, a small, almost secretive smile tugging at her red lips.

"Thank you," the woman said, her voice smooth and low. "I would be delighted."

They sat together at the small table, and Marie gestured for more tea. She found herself studying the woman's face, her elegant features and the way she held herself, like someone used to command and attention. "I'm Marie," she said, breaking the silence. "May I ask your name?"

The woman hesitated, her smile deepening as if she were savoring a private joke. "I am called the Red Lady," she replied, her eyes never leaving Marie's. "But you may call me Luna."

Marie chuckled softly, her gaze flicking down to her own hands, which fidgeted with the edge of her napkin. "How mysterious," she said. "Luna... it suits you. Are you new to this town?"

"In a manner of speaking," Luna replied. Her answers were vague, as if she enjoyed keeping Marie in the dark. "I have been guided here... by certain forces."

Marie leaned forward, intrigued by the cryptic response. "What sort of forces?"

Luna's smile remained, but her eyes narrowed slightly. "The kind that move in shadows and speak in riddles," she said softly. "But they have led me to you."

Marie blushed, not entirely sure how to respond. There was something undeniably captivating about the Red Lady—something that both intrigued and unnerved her. "Well," she said after a moment, "you are welcome here. In fact, if you are in need of a place to stay, my manor has more than enough room. I would be happy to offer you shelter."

The Red Lady tilted her head slightly, as if weighing Marie's offer. After a moment, she nodded. "I accept your generosity, Marie," she said. "I am certain I shall find your hospitality... most enlightening."

Marie smiled, feeling a strange mix of excitement and unease. She could sense that there was much more to this woman than she was letting on, but for now, she was content to let the mystery unfold on its own. She would introduce the Red Lady to her world and see what secrets, if any, might reveal themselves.

And as they finished their tea and prepared to leave, Marie could not help but feel that a new chapter in her life was about to begin—one filled with shadows, secrets, and perhaps something more dangerous than she had ever imagined.