Crimson Winter

The Winter Ball

"Come on, Ophelia. You have to go!!" My best friend whined at me, pleading on her knees for me to go to the ball she's been waiting all year for. "You promised!"

She wasn't lying when she said that; ever year, the vampire court holds a ball, that you have to be invited to to attend, near the end of winter - when the moon is fullest. Contrary to popular belief, the moon strengthens not only werewolves and witches but vampires too. A long while ago the human world and the 'mystical' world made a treaty and now our worlds are combined. Although, you still rarely see any mystics around. They keep to themselves. It's usually just us boring humans. That still doesn't change the fact that I don't accept them. I think that all mystics are vile and that all they want from us humans is to sacrifice something; whether that be through our bodies, features, companions, blood, family or otherwise. That's why I refused Olivia, despite my promise from the beginning of this year when I happened to be infatuated with them. No more.

"You know how I feel about them, Olive." I replied, shaking my head. Honestly, the damn ball wasn't that much to flaunt about. Not that I've ever been but... People have told me that it's just like a regular dance except for the need of fancy dresses and extravagance. The thought alone made me yawn. "Besides," I waved my hand in dismissal. "I still don't understand why you want to go so badly."

"We got invited, that's why! You know that this happens only once in a blue moon! They'll never pick us again," I covered my ears to block out her whining. "Come on, Ophe." She pulled my hands from my ears and gripped them at her chest, giving me the best pout she could muster from the looks of it. I couldn't help but laugh at her.

After all I've been through with this girl, I'm honestly surprised that she still had an influence on me like this. I might despise all those that are mystic, but I couldn't deny my best friend. I figure I can stay in the back of the crowd, devouring hors d'oeuvres and eavesdropping on gossip.

I replied to her with an eye roll and defeated sigh. "Fine." After all, not everyone gets the invitation.

Olivia's screech nearly deafened me, and I couldn't help but plug my ears once more. As she jumped up and down in delight, I stood from my sitting position on my bed and walked to my closet. I didn't have very many nice clothes, but I already knew what I'd wear. My only choice, really, but it was the most beautiful dress I'd ever seen.

Digging to the very back of my closet, I smiled softly as my hand brushed against the silky texture of the dress. Pulling it out of the depths, I admired it's few sleek layers as I held it out in front of me; the beautiful dark crimson color was a definite love of mine. It's smooth silk dropped off my shoulders, leading into sheer long sleeves that reached my wrists. The top of the dress was body-hugging and accented the little amount of breast that I had. Don't get me wrong, I was definitely blessed but they were on the smaller side. At the waist, the dress fanned out more into two layers of ruffles. The ruffles moved opposite of each other but still hugged my legs, giving my hips more lush. There was a slit up the left side that reached my knee before returning to the dress silk.

As I admired the dress, Olivia snuck up behind me. "That's beautiful," she whispered. I nodded in agreement.

"I haven't had an occasion to use it but I definitely think this is as appropriate time as it's gonna get." Laughing, she disappeared, probably to her room in our two bed apartment to change. Leaving me time to get ready, I paired my dress with a slightly darker shade of red flats. I never liked heels, and I only owned one pair due to the fact of that. They made me feel uncomfortable and I liked being small. An average height of five-foot four wasn't that bad in my opinion. It gave me more options that people who were taller. I slipped the dress over my head and slid on my flats before walking to my bathroom to touch up my hair and makeup.