Can You Believe What They've Done To You?

What beautiful things I'll wear.

February 3rd 1836.

That night, the girl had somehow managed to escape her room and found her way to mine. 

She crept through the door, darkness surrounding her. I sat up in my bed and watched as she made her way over. She sat on the edge of the bed and smiled. 

"Laurence." She whispered softly. "I am not sure if you remember me well, but I sincerely hope you do..."  

I stared hard. I did remember her, but I could not think where from... Then, I remembered. "Victoria?" I whispered back, mirroring her bright smile. 

"Yes! You do remember!" She crawled up the bed and pulled me into a tight embrace. "Oh, how I missed you, my dear Laurence." 

"I... I have missed you too, Victoria."  

I closed my eyes and held her close until tiredness consumed us. She carefully slipped under the covers and we fell asleep in the embrace of friendship.

A few years passed and I was fast approaching my 18th year. 

The Conservetoire was still the only place I called home and by now my skills with the bow and voice were greatly improved. I would often play quietly to myself or sing, just like my days at my former home.  

I had nearly forgotten home. But sometimes, when I couldn't sleep at night, I would lie awake in my bed and think about the slums. About father. About mother. My brothers and sister. Where were they now? Did they ever think of me? I doubted it. No one ever cared for me. My sister often showed a small amount of compassion, until her baby arrived. Then she married some bloke she met in an ale house one day, to avoid the shame of her bastard son. 

I would often talk about my past life with Victoria, who had now permenatly moved into my room. We would recall our days playing in the street and laugh. Or cry over the way our parents treated us.

Christmas soon fell and the Conservetoire of course held it's annual ball. It was to be Victoria's last here, so we were determined to make it one to remember. 

All the young men stood in the large golden ballroom, dressed in fine cotton suits with silk ties and laced handkerchiefs in their jacket pockets. I wore a black shirt and trousers with a blue tailored jacket decorated with golden patterns. The ballroom was the largest room. It hard dark wooden floors with cream paper decorating the walls that was painted with swirling golden flowers and leaves. Along the walls were paintings of famous musicians in large golden frames and gold candleabras dotted between them. The ceiling was painted as though it were a sky inside, painted cherubs flying amoungst the clouds. In the middle of the fake sky was a large ivory ceiling rose and hanging from it was the biggest golden chandelier I had ever seen. I dripped diamonds and crystals in the shape of tear drops. Truly magnificent. To the left of the room was a large table dressed with an ivory table cloth edged with lace. Atop it, stood silver platters of food and hundred of wine glasses, all filled with the most expensive red wine you could get. To the back, was the stage where the band played. It was made of mahogany and at either side hung thick red velvet curtains.

Suddenly, the large doors the lead into the room slowly swung open and in walked the ladies. The were dressed in silk dresses and corsets in every colour imaginable. The men all stood in a line, holding out our hands for our lady to take. I quickly saw Victoria walking over and smiled. God, she looked beautiful. She wore a lilac dress, cut off at the sholders and a large bustle. Beads and jewels were sewn onto it, creating swirling patterns and pink laced lined all the edges of her dress. Her dark brown her was pinned into loose curls, her usual pink ribbons tied it all together. Around her neck was a diamond encrusted velvet necklace that clung to her neck. She took my hand in her own lilac gloved one as a single tear ran down her blushing pink face. I bowed and kissed her hand, my own black hair flopping down, covering my eye. 

"You look beautiful." I smiled as I kissed her hand and wiped away her tears. "My I have this dance, my lady?" She smiled and laughed in responce as the band began to play. 

I held her close as we danced and drank the night away. 

As the night drew to an end, she leaned her head against my shoulder and whispered into my ear. "Will I ever see you again? Promise me I will se you again, Laurence." I looked at her and kissed her cheek. 

"Of course you will. I promise with all my heart that we shall meet again, my dearest friend."

Kier awoke and rubbed his eyes, but before he could fully awake, he felt someone grab his hair and pull him along. He closed his eyes tightly shut, not wanting to see his fate. He felt himself being slammed on a metal table. He tried to scream, but no sound came out. Suddenly, something grabbed his hand. His eyes flew open and as he looked to his left, he was greeted by a sight he thought he'd never see again.

The green eyes of his beloved Laurence.