BEAUTY AND THE BEAST [RICKY HORROR]

Chapter 2: Black Damask (Part 1)

Dusk's POV

"HUURHH!" I let out air as the corset was pulled tighter around me. 

"I'm sorry, Milady, but your mum wanted it to look slim." My maid (or babysitter, depending on how you looked at it) Valencia said guiltily.

"It's fine, Valencia. I can handle it." I said, struggling for more air. I raised my arms above my head, and a large white petticoat came down around my waist. Valencia laced it shut, and I sat down on my bed. Knee-high black boots with a slight heel were placed on my feet, and then laced up around my black tights. 

Valencia brought out my dress, and I let out a gasp of pleasure. It was beautiful, sleek, refined, and gothic. The trumpet sleeves fell gracefully down in a waterfall of black silk and lace, coming down around the soft damask skirt.  

It was lifted over my head, slipping down around me, and Valencia lacing up the front. She gave me black silk gloves, which I slipped on, and I was officially covered from the neck down. An elaborate black choker was put around my neck, from which hung an enormous black diamond the size of my big toe. A simple black cross necklace was hung around my neck too, the symbol of our ruler. 

A large ruby ring was slipped onto my middle finger, and a dark purple amethyst was placed on my thumb. My blueish purple curls were pinned up in an elaborate bun on the crown of my head, the rest of my hair cascading down in a shower of ringlets. Valencia brought out my mask, and I positioned it on my face, then allowing her to tie the silk ribbons, securing it to my face. 

The finishing touch, blood red lips and black eyelids, were touched up, and I was handed a black lace fan. 

I was escorted out to a black carriage, pulled by six huge black Shire Drafts, which looked like the Headless Horsemen's steed's younger, better looking brothers. 

The footman helped me into the coach, and shut the guilded black door. 

The ride lasted little more than 15 minutes, and before I knew it, I was being helped out of my coach and into the palace. 

My mother was here already, probably talking with the other adults.

As soon as I stepped into the enormous ballroom, I was greeted by several heads turning in my direction. Was I that attractive? 

I wandered about the ballroom, until I found myself on a balcony overlooking the whole party. I must've hit the stairs along the way.

I was so lost in thought, that I didn't even notice the person behind me until they spoke.

"Nice party, isn't it?" Said a soft, male voice. I jerked my head to look behind me, and was greeted by the sight of a tall, masked, extremely handsome stranger in a black suit. 

"Yes..yes, it is. I'm not really fond of parties, though." I replied, turning back to the view.

"Neither am I. This party is for me, you know. My name is Ricky." He said, extending a gloved hand in my direction.

I gasped. "Are--are you the prince?!" I still shook his hand though, now that I knew who I was talking to. 

"Yes, but don't be afraid, I don't bite." He laughed, shaking my hand firmly. "And what, fair lady, might your name be?"

"I-I'm..uh...my name is Dusk. Lady Dusk Trueblood." I said, my heart racing. 

"A beautiful name for a beautiful girl. Now, Lady Trueblood, would you care to be my companion for the evening, as we both clearly do not like parties?" He asked nicely, offering me his arm. I stepped forward after hesitating for a moment and took it, pulling out my fan.

"Why yes, Prince Ricky, it would be my honor to escort you tonight." I said, unfurling the black lace fan and fluttering it gently. 

He and I walked slowly down the grand staircase made of white marble and draped in a red carpet. Many people began to look at us, knowing exactly who the Prince was, but were completely bewildered as to who the lady in black on his arm was.

Whispers ran like wildfire around the ballroom as people stared and pointed at us. 

"Uh...should I call you Your Majesty?" I asked him. He laughed a bit, and said, 

"No, I'd much rather prefer Ricky. Makes me feel human." 

"Right. Ricky it is, then." I said, walking with him easily. The orchestra struck up a waltz, the beautiful sound echoing through the high ceilings.

"Ahh, the Masquerade Waltz by Aram Khatchachurian, one of my favorites." Ricky said. My face lit up.

"Really? Mine too!" I said, smiling. 

"Well in that case," He said, leading me out to the dance floor, everyone on it backing up to the edges, leaving us all alone. "Lady Dusk, may I have this dance?" he asked, bowing like a gentleman.

"Why yes, Ricky, I do believe so." I said, doing my best elegant curtsy. I put my left hand on his shoulder, and he put his right on my waist. My right hand held my skirt and his left hand, looking like a gothic version of Cinderella and Prince Charming. 

We danced to the beautiful waltz, so fitting the party. Everyone was silent, watching us move with the grace of Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire, whirling around and aroung elegantly, smiling, laughing, and talking the whole time. As the song ended, people began to clap, until there was a storm of applause. Blushing furiously, I hid my face in Ricky's shoulder. 

He laughed again, his beautiful laugh, and led me off the floor, to two chairs sitting in a pool of moonlight from one of the gigantic windows. They sat around a small table, on which I placed my fan.

From all of the horror stories I'd heard about the Prince, none of them matched the gentlemanly, kind, humorous, sweet man I was currently having a wonderful time with. Where had all those stories come from? Ricky and I laughed and talked, until someone interrupted.

"Ricky! Hey!" A male voice called. We looked up, and were approached by five suit-clad, mask wearing nobles who appeared to be Ricky's friends. 

"Hello everyone! Uh, guys, I want you to meet Lady Dusk Trueblood. I've been spending the night with her." Ricky said with a smile.

"Oh, we know. Everyone watched that waltz." The tallest one said with a grin.

"Oh, Dusk, this is Lords Chris "Motionless", Josh Balz, Devin "Ghost" Sola, Ryan Sitkowski, and Angelo Parente. They're my best friends." Ricky said proudly. Each one kissed my hand like a gentleman, and said something polite to me with a smile. 

"Ryan! God, I found you, finally!" A female voice called. A pretty girl with long black hair, a beautiful gown and mask, and a carefree grin ran up to us. She kissed Ryan on the cheek, who grinned like an idiot, and curtsied to Ricky.

"Your Majesty." 

"Now, none of that." Ricky said. "Dusk, this is Lady Allie. She's courting Ryan." He said.

"Hi, I'm Allie! Nice to meet you!" She smiled. I couldn't help but smile back.

"Dusk. Nice to meet you too!" I said.

She grabbed Ryan's hand and dragged him off towards the floor, where music and laughter could be heard. 

I sighed, happy. This party was going a lot better than I thought it would.

~~~~~~~~

Waltz that Ricky and Dusk danced to---------------------------------->

Link to Dusk's outfit:

http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/set?id=121064297

Peaskies,

Blue out