The Eye of the Beholder [Stefano Valentini]

The Thirteenth Portrait: A Part of Our World

"Art belongs in the gallery, so you will stay here."

I sighed, recalling Stefano's order as I stared at the large pendulums that could be found hanging through another spiral staircase. Ever since Ryker attempted to kill me, and Elodie and Xander tried to take me away, Stefano has kept me locked up in his gallery while he goes off to search for the Core. He has been kind enough to bring me books to read and food to use to create something delicious, but I am becoming rather bored with even wandering around this endless space. Ryker's death feels as though it was days ago, but who really knows how much time has passed. All I know is that I am wanting to create, but to do that I need materials and I don't want to bother Stefano with an errand such as that. I could handle it myself, but since he is refusing to let me roam outside of the Artist's Domain and he is looking for the Core, it seems that I am stuck. I let my legs lay flat, not bothered by the rotting stairs beneath my skin as I laid down, staring up to the ceiling that I wasn't sure existed. I blew my bangs out of my face over and over again, finding that at least mildly entertaining. I raised my left hand, tracing my scar so lightly that I shivered and goosebumps appeared. I followed its lines like a track, bringing my hand down when I came to my ring finger. I smiled at the scar that spiraled around the finger, acting like a ring of proof that I belonged to Stefano. I sighed again, missing his presence and words deeply, and I kissed the scar. 

"SOMEONE! HELP ME, PLEASE!"

I sat up in shock, the girl's voice ringing throughout the domain; she actually sounded very close. I stood up, poking my head over the railing to find that the one screaming was a high school student with long, blonde hair; she was covered in muck and blood, so she must have wandered in from Union. I tilted my head to the side, watching her try to decide which way to go as she sobbed,' Did Stefano let her in?' My hopes sparked at the thought of him surprising me with some materials, and considering how much closer we have become, I suppose it isn't outside the realm of possibility. I smiled to myself, leaning so my arms were folded on the railing and I was resting my chin on their bridge. The girl must have been at least sixteen, and her voice reached pitches I know that takes real talent to even brush against. She was screeching random names, and then calling out for family members. I rolled my eyes at her pathetic attempt and wishes, but she was beautiful for someone her age. I smiled at all of the ideas that came to mind, and began to rush my way down the stairs with a panicked expression; it would be rude of me to not use my present.

The girl turned to me with wide eyes, and she laughed in relief as she ran into my arms," Oh thank God! I was so scared!" I pretended to cry with joy, hugging her back and taking on 'Normal Rhea' seamlessly," I was too! Where are we?!" "I have no idea!" The girl pulled away, her eyes frantic as she looked around the Artist's Domain," I- I was running from- Oh God, my brother! He tried to eat me!" I gasped, beginning to check her for any injures," That's terrible! Are you okay?!" "Y-Yeah I...I got away." She whimpered, rubbing her arms," B-But he started eating someone else! What is going on?!" "I don't know." I 'confessed' with a frown," I was at work when those things started to attack, and I don't know how I got in here..." "A-Are we safe?" She whispered, and I nodded a little," I haven't seen any of those monsters here so I think so..." She sighed heavily, running her fingers through her tangled locks of gold," Oh thank God... But I still gotta get out of here! I gotta find my mom and dad!" I nodded, looking around with a concerned look," But where should we start looking?" "I-I don't know, but if there aren't any cannibals around I think anywhere will be fine..." She seemed to trail off, and I looked to her in confusion. She had a starstruck look on her face, and she pointed at me with a trembling finger," Y-You're... Rhea Valentini!" I blinked, tilting my head to the side, but she squealed, clapping her hands over one of my own and giving my hand lots of shaking," I am one of your biggest fans! I have all of your pictures! Oh, and you were absolutely gorgeous as Odette!" I had almost forgotten how popular I was in Union, but quickly picked up on the tone with a smile," Thank you very much for your support... Um...?" She laughed, her cheeks red from embarrassment," O-Oh, I'm Molly Richardson! It's so nice to meet you! Wow, I didn't think I would ever get to meet you in person, let alone in this situation!" I laughed with her, keeping up with appearances; I have to choose my chance to strike carefully, and since I don't have any weapons, I will have to be extra creative...