The Eye of the Beholder [Stefano Valentini]

The Seventeenth Portrait: Someone New

A beautiful ethereal form of a woman hung high above me, gowned in a beautiful white dress with many arms reaching for the sky. Blood and rose petals spiraled downward around her, only to be caught by the souls of the damned that tried to reach her from below. 'Rebirth' is one of my absolutely favorite pieces of Stefano's, resonating and touching my soul much more than others have. I remember my constant rebirths: from a child to a mask, a mask to an artist, a broken soul to a mask, and then a mask to a tool of a god. I suppose that's why this one reaches farther into me than the others, and why I spend a lot of my time with her. I was sitting outside of her blue glass case, my knees drawn close to my chest as I watched her sway in a wind that didn't exist. My hands were before me, fiddling with another box cutter; Stefano has brought me so many that I have a collection now. He's asked why I haven't requested a more sturdy blade, but I told him that because this is the type he picked out first, this is the kind I want to continue to use. He smiled coyly at my words, commenting once again on my loyalty and worship towards him; saying how joyous he was to have a tool and masterpiece that thought so highly of him. I smiled slightly and begun to hum my song, remembering his words as I watched the blade shimmer in the lighting. 

I heard footsteps coming from behind, and I looked up from my blade to find Stefano with a mischievous glint in his eyes. I smiled, happy to see him, and jumped to my feet, securing the blade to the leather strap around my thigh. He brushed his gloved hand against my cheek, and I instantly nuzzled into his palm in greeting. "I have brought someone inside." He said," He is running from me." My eyes lit up," What would you like me to do?" "Put your mask on." He answered, his lips curling upwards," Be sweet to him. I would like more than hope to be in his eyes when he becomes art." I nodded, not bothered by his command; if Stefano wants it, then I shall do my best to give it to him. He chuckled at my eagerness, giving my lips a swift brush with his own," Such a mindless doll you are..." "I have no reason to think." I replied," All I have to know is that I belong to you." He nodded in agreement, his fingers brushing against my arm so lightly that goosebumps began to form," Do not be too sweet with our visitor." I nodded again in understanding, giving him a sweet smile," I wouldn't dream of it." "Good girl." He chuckled darkly before sending me on my way," Just follow the screams."

I did as Stefano said, and it was easy to find the poor man. He was around my age with dark hair, and he was dressed in a white dress shirt with rolled up sleeves and black slacks; he must have been at work as well when Union went to Hell. I slipped on 'Normal Rhea', approaching him meekly from the shadows," E-Excuse me?" He whirled his head around, his eyes wide when they laid on me," Y-You're... Rhea Valentini!" Used to being recognized by outsiders, I looked around as if I was frightened of monsters," D-Do you know where we are? I was running but..." "I don't." He replied, approaching me with a relieved smile," But man, am I glad to see someone that isn't a monster. Or that guy in blue." I tilted my head to the side in confusion before pretending to remember Stefano," Y-You mean that man with the camera...?" "You've seen him too?" He asked, and I nodded, trembling as I forced tears to come to my eyes," I-I saw him kill someone else... It was horrible!" The man placed his hands on my shoulder in a hope to keep me from falling apart," It's okay; you're safe now. We just need to stick together." I let out a shuddering sigh, giving him a sweet smile," Thank you..." A blush formed on his cheeks and he cleared his throat," A-Anyway, I'm Kevin. It's nice to meet you Ms. Valentini." "Rhea, please." I corrected him, and he nodded, his cheeks becoming darker in color," A-Alright then, Rhea. Were you able to find a way out where you came from?" I shook my head with a sad expression, and he sighed heavily," Me neither... Well, two heads are better than one!" I wanted to laugh at his optimism; he truly thought he was going to get out of here alive. But that shine of hope is beautiful, and it will be even more so when it becomes despair. 

I spent my time with Kevin playing the helpless woman in need of a hero, stumbling on purpose for him to catch me and cowering against him. He stuttered a lot, making me wonder if he is not used to women depending on him. I stayed annoyingly close to him, clutching onto his shirt and looking frantically around. I could hear Obscura somewhere above us, and I spared a glance to see her face shining in the darkness. I sent her a playful smile and she twisted and turned her head, signaling that she was ready to play. I gasped loudly, a look of terror coming across my face as I planted my feet firmly into the ground. Kevin stopped with me, turning around with a frightened expression," W-What is it?!" "I-I thought I saw something shining up there..." I whispered, too 'scared' to move from my spot. I came so close to me that I could feel his chest against my own, his heart pounding madly unlike my own; he would never notice my act though. He slowly looked up as Obscura began to make an appearance, moaning lowly so her voice would echo all around us. Her face came to full view, her eye focusing on us as her wires began to drag themselves across the walls. I screamed and bolted away, knowing that Kevin would follow me. As I ran past a hallway, I saw Stefano in the shadows with his knife in hand; it was time to bring this chase to an end.