Bizarre Beginnings

Chapter 2 ~ White Silk

  I watched as the group climbed into the carriage and rolled away. I felt everything so acutely in that moment. The grime that had stayed on the glass, the cool polished surface of the coffins I was sitting on and the terror that immobilized me. Crimson eyes, I told myself over and over, she had crimson eyes. Unsteadiness took over causing me to collapse and fall to the floor.

"Jezebel!" father ran over and lifted me off the ground, his long black nails scraping my sides.

"That woman," I started, my stormy blue eyes wide, "She had crimson eyes."

Father sighed and sat me down on a coffin, "That she did my dear."

"Mother had crimson eyes! You told me so yourself," I froze, "She could be mother."

"Jezebel,"father sat next to me and fiddled with the hair lockets he wore, "That woman isn't your mother."

"How could she not be? She has crimson eyes, that's what set mother apart from everyone else," tears stung my eyes and slowly slid down my cheeks, "She... she had hair like me. I thought... I thought..."

I started sobbing uncontrollably, clinging to father. He stroked my hair and cooed reassuringly in my ear.

"I know darling. I wish she was 'ere too."

"I thought it was her," I looked father in the eye, "It really wasn't her was it?"

Father's bright green eyes darkened for a moment. He pulled me against his chest and pet my head, "No darling, that wasn't your mother. I'd never lie to you, my dearest Jezebel."

It was only that evening that I heard a familiar tapping on my window. I opened it quickly and allowed Grell to enter in a flash of the usual red. A box was cradled in his arms tied with a bright red ribbon. I closed the window and lit a single candle to illuminate the darkness.

"What're you doing here at this hour? You know father would be furious if he found out I was up late," I bit my lip nervously.

"Darling, this is an emergency," Grell held up the box, "Open it."

Nervously I took the box from him and untied the ribbon. Grell's giggling did nothing to soothe my nerves as I lifted the lid.

My eyes widened, "Oh Grell..." I placed a hand on the white silk, "They're beautiful."

"We girls have to stick up for each other," Grell grinned, "Put them on! I've been dying to see how they look."

I lifted the silk gloves from the box as delicately as I could. The light reflected off the smooth fabric revealing careful embroidery in red along the top. Grell's cat like grin widened when I slipped the right one on.

"Grell, these are stunning! I wish I could wear them somewhere," I stretched my hand in different ways.

"Good news, darling! There's a party in two days and I have added you to the guest list," Grell's cat like smile didn't fade for a moment.

My mouth fell open, "Really? Me?" I sat with my hands in my lap, "I don't know what to say..."

"Thank you?" Grell wiggled his eyebrows suggestively.

"Yes! Thank you," I smiled, "I'll have to tell," my mouth snapped shut. I would have to sneak out. I would have to lie to father.

"Something wrong, Jez?"

"I just... I'm not sure I can lie to my father like that," I bit my lip, "I've never snuck out before."

"It's simple. I'll come and get you for the party," Grell pranced around the room, "You'll dance and swept off your feet by a tall and handsome young man. One thing will lead to another and you'll be kissing with tongue!"

"Grell! That's disgusting," I laughed at the dramatic show he put on.

"Oh is it?" Grell wiggled his eyebrows, "Jez, darling, tongue is divine."

"I really doubt that Grell. Having someone else's tongue in my mouth is just," I shuddered, "Revolting."

"I can see it now," Grell ignored every word I had to say, "You'll be absolutely ravishing to the men. They'll be unable to keep their hands off of you and you'll be the leading lady of the evening," a smirk spread across the reaper's face, "The Viscount himself might even fall for you with those on display."

Grell nodded at my overly large bust. I crossed my arms over my chest and frowned. Nothing could make me put my body on display for others.

"I refuse to do such things," I growled.

"Whatever you say, darling," Grell rolled his eyes and opened the window, "I have a sexy butler to woo."

With that Grell vanished out the window into the night. I reached to close the window but was mesmerized by the moonlight on the silk glove. Maybe I could sneak out for just one night. I could ask Grell for a gown, which no doubt I would have to alter. Sighing I laid my head on the window sill before shutting out the moonlight and resigning myself to sleep.

The entire day passed in a blur. I prepared one man and two women before noon and a child after lunch. Father had been observing and trying to straighten out some records while I worked quietly. My mind struggled with the question of the party that the Viscount would be throwing tomorrow night. Thoughts of dancing, music and people who could actually move filled my head.

"Father?" I whispered, almost hoping he wouldn't hear me.

"Yes?" He replied, his grin now directed at me rather than the paper.

"There's something I have to umm... ask you," I bit my lip and fidgeted with the scalpel in my hands. Father raised an eyebrow at my sudden shyness, "That is... I was wondering if... The thing is..."

"Is everything alright, Jezebel?" He asked confusedly.

"Not quite... maybe..." I took a deep breath, "I was wondering if I could go to the Viscount's end of season party tomorrow night."

Father looked confused for a moment. Silent seconds passed which turned into minutes.

"Why would you ask without an invitation?" father asked.

"Ah! That's the thing, Grell got me on the guest list," I froze. Father didn't know about Grell. I'd met Grell four years ago when I was buying satin to line coffins. He'd been fascinated with my red hair that matched his. He was my secret, and only, friend.

"Grell? Now 'oo might that be?" father looked at me pointedly.

"Ehh... Someone I umm... Met at the fabric dealers. They started the conversation and umm... invited me," I tried to at least part of the truth together but lying was something I had never gotten the chance to practice.

"Really?" father stood and frowned, "'ow could you trust the word of a stranger?"

"Hmm? Oh! They seemed fairly genuine. I think it would be worth a shot."

"What if 'e doesn't 'ave your best intentions in mind? What if 'e tries to kidnap you?" father looked down at me.

Everything in me crumbled in that moment. I wouldn't be allowed, father would never want me out of his sight or the shop after this.

"You're right. I'm sorry," I whispered.

"Oh, Jezebel," father pulled me into his black robed arms, "I don't want you to be upset with me. You're my most precious creation, I can't let some man off th' streets snatch you up so quick."

"I understand," I smiled, "I'll stay home."

"Now there's the sense I taught you," father returned to his desk, "I will be at an Aurora Society meeting that night. I trust you can manage bein' alone for a while?"

"Of course," I nodded and slumped in a chair. Without further questions father returned to his stack of paperwork and the occasional prodding of a jar of formaldehyde. Rebellion took hold of my mind and I realized that Grell was right. I could sneak out to the Viscount's party. More importantly, I would.