Trails of Intertwined Stars: Chapter 74

~Chapter 25: The Foresaken Waltz~

That lights out, it had taken Jiu a tremendous effort to not dwell over Leora's haunting words. He would soon see? He felt that night felt particularly off and quiet, as if the house itself could sense something was going to happen. He couldn't sleep. He lay wide awake in that bed, ready to fight a possible escape artist from the Underworld; after all that was his duty in the afterlife, and he would ensure to carry it out for eternity. The silence brought an uneasy sensation, that left the general tingling and awaiting any sign from the beyond. Anything. The slightest movement, or perhaps the faintest noise. He would stop it. His breath caught in his throat, hearing an odd creak. At midnight? Perhaps a servant walking around? No, Leora had told him that servants all went to bed at eleven thirty; nobody should be about. So he shrugged it off and assumed the noise belonged to the manor itself. It was old, after all. Old things creaked and groaned often, simple warning signs of eroding. There was a much clearer creak the next time, like footsteps, stepping slightly and faintly. Jiu sat up, glancing around his room; listening for the noise. It was not with him, that much he was certain of. It was coming from another floor. The lower floor, so it couldn't have been the grandfather marching. There was another groan and creak below, sounding too distinct to ignore.

"Damn it all..." Jiu cursed under his breath; grabbing a match and striking it across the phosphor; before lighting the candle.
He stubbed the match out before taking the candle by the holder, and heading towards his door, each breath caught in his throat opening. He made his way down the corridor to the stairs, trying to ignore each flicker of candle light that played horrifying tricks with his shadows; casting him into some beastly form. Another sudden creak, followed by a small thump. Jiu clenched the candle holder tighter, gently making his way down the set of stairs. And then he heard it, the scratching of a record of sorts being played, like a distant hum. Music? At this hour? He felt slightly sick. Jiu cautiously made his way down the hallway, listening carefully as the music got louder with each step forward. It was an eerie and melancholic waltz of sorts and it left him feeling quite disturbed. Another sharp creak. The music was at its loudest as he was faced with a door, slightly ajar. He gritted down, ready to fight whatever spirit was in there; disturbing the home. He slowly opened the door. The crackling of the waltz was at its loudest, and ghostly melody of perhaps better days.

The room was not wide, but decently long. At the end of the room was three windows; looking out onto the rain, thrashing against the panes in the dark night. On the ceiling was a conservatory looking window, in which the moon's ethereal glow had cascaded down to, glowing onto the dancefloor, like some vampiric style of a ballroom. In the far corner of the room, lay the record player, scratching the remorsefully romantic tune; the candles on the walls around it lit in a soft sort of glow. And there, was the culprit of the noise. Standing in the centre of the room was Leora; wearing her nightie, gently swaying and flitting about the room; in an elegant waltz of sorts. It was no ghost. Jiu stared in shock at her for a moment, as she had not yet realised his presence. She swayed about remorsefully, her eyes closed as if reliving some painful nightmare; the moon acting as her witness. She stumbled a little and cursed under her breath, her eyes fluttering open like a dove's flap of a wing. And then, she saw him.
"Jiu-!" Leora yelped, blushing madly," When did you-!?"
Jiu raised an eyebrow," What are you doing, Leora? It's midnight."
Leora glanced at the window behind her, almost sullenly.
"I'm practising..."
"Practising?"
"To not embarrass Henry. It's been...forever since I last..."

Jiu smiled, softly. He stepped forward into the room, gently shutting the door behind himself; making his way onto the floor. There, he held his hand out.
"May I have this dance?"
Leora's eyes widened; she stared at his hand, before glancing briefly up at him, before his hand once more.
"You..." Leora blushed,"...may..."
Leora gently set her hand in his. It was small and pale, and slightly cold from the night air. Jiu leaned down, his breath ghosting over her flesh briefly, before kissing the skin. There, he gently pulled her in; his spare hand making its way to her back, just above her curves. Leora's hand slid to his shoulder, gently pressing down, delicately. There, Jiu swept Leora into the gentle waltz; his gaze never left her as the moon watched them. He felt the way her body pressed against his, her soft skin, and her beating, mortal heart. They danced gracefully, not really speaking; both slightly afraid to. Jiu watched Leora's delicate expression. She looked vulnerable for a moment; her eyes flickering shut once more and turning as remorseful as the music scratching on the player. As the music faded more dramatic and quicker pace, so did they; swaying in their nightwear. Jiu dared to spin her, holding her carefully, before bringing her back so she pressed against him. His gaze lingered on her neck longer than intended. He pushed the thoughts away, spinning her again; continuing his desperate waltz.

Then music faded to a stop, and the two panted; pressed against each other, face to face in silence. Leora opened her eyes, looking up at Jiu; who stared down at her, conflicted with emotion.
"You dance well..." Leora muttered, softly.
"As do you," Jiu murmured.
Leora smiled, weakly.
"May I have another dance?"
"Of course, my lady."
He pressed another kiss to her hand, lingering there a moment longer than the last. Jiu glanced back up at her, a small smirk flickering to his lips, before pulling her back into the remorseful ode.