*****
The candlelit lamps set on the walls in fine golden holders and up above in grand overhanging chandeliers illuminated the stylish manor from within, it’s gothic design appearing to be centuries old while upkeep of the estate was obviously handled with great care. The stein glass windows in the slanted ceiling allowed moonlight to shine in gently from the heavens while the aura the manor gave was anything but divine. There was a haunting chill to the air, an unsettling presence that filled the hallways and chambers, something vastly inhuman easily sensed to be lurking about.
Even with the gentle, rhythmic meowing of a cat that was heard to the beat of a finely crafted blackwood grandfather clock at the end of the long entryway foyer.
“I was alone,” Star explained through the voice of Reiko.
A young jinx was seated before the clock, dressed in a white gown that would be suitable for a princess and no less. Her lilac hair was held up in small pigtails while her twin tails swayed about behind her, the girl’s eyes locked onto the pendulum of the timepiece that swayed side to side while never missing a beat.
“As far back as I could remember, I was alone. No mother, sisters, or even any friends.”
She meowed to the tune of the ticking clock, appearing to shut the world around her out entirely while lost in her own.
“So you could imagine my surprise when someone took me in. Someone who treated me like family.”
Star swayed side to side while entranced by the ticking timepiece, the gentle smile on her face and warm glow she had showing how happy and content she was in life. She meowed and sang her rhythmic song while seated before the clock as she did every day, something that was known very well by another who lived within the manor.
“Star,” a woman chuckled from behind. Star closed her eyes and meowed softly in delight as she felt the woman’s hand gently petting her head. “Once again I find you here. Of all the rooms and sights in this mansion, why is it this little cat loves my clock the most?”
Star meowed and nuzzled her head against the woman’s hand, relishing the touch from the one who gave her such a comfortable life.
“Jinxes are curses. Though our magic only causes misfortune to those who attack us, we’re known to be nothing but trouble to all. I suppose that’s because our kind can be rather mischievous, after all we’re nearly untouchable, so for a jinx to develop a troublesome personality out of arrogance and foolishness isn’t so unbelievable.”
Star purred while the woman scratched behind her ears, her fingers always finding just the right spots to make the jinx melt in pleasure.
“But she didn’t see me as a curse. She only saw me as a lost little girl in the world. I was taken in off the street, given a home, clothing, food, and warm baths, all simply because she cared about me.”
“Who was this woman?” Daniel asked.
“She was my world. She was the only one who ever treated me so kindly, that didn’t look down upon me simply because of what I was, and… she was a mother to me.”
Star looked up behind her to the one that meant everything to her. Although the glare from the moonlight above obscured the vision of the woman her silhouette was unmistakable. The tall, voluptuous body that showed she was a woman of beauty, her hair which was gathered into a large, high bun behind her head, and an elegant gown with short, wavy sleeves and flowing bottom adorned her figure as she always dressed in only the finest fashion known in the land.
“Everything was perfect then. Everything was just as I wanted it. I had a home, a mother, a wonderful life. I didn’t need anything else, I didn’t want anything else.”
As the years passed she grew older, however she didn’t appear to change. Sure, she ditched the pigtails in favor of letting her hair down as it grew longer, however other than that she remained the same as always. Even growing up she still behaved the same way, always staying home near her mother figure in life, always taking her spot in front of the clock when she was alone, always enjoying her meals of the most delicious fish that could be caught in the world, and always wandering the halls of her lavish home with complete content and a smile on her face.
“Do you know why I love time so much?” Star asked the group. “Because when you’re given so much after you had nothing in your life, you treasure it. You treasure every second you have with it. Every moment becomes its own eternity that you hold onto.”
“That’s why you’re always fixated with the clock in our home?” Specca asked.
“Asilinte, majenti, vol rummus de allienti.”
“That’s what you kept saying whenever you sat before the clock in your home,” Reiko mentioned. “I remember seeing you saying that over and over again while watching that thing.”
“What does it mean?” Alyssa asked.
“My life, my dreams, my time with you is eternal,” Star answered.
“Star,” Daniel softly said.
“My mother sang it to me when I was young, and I fell in love with it right away. It’s a simple saying, true, but it holds stronger than you would first believe.”
“It’s not clocks you like so much,” Clover reasoned. “It’s the memory they hold. The memory of her, and the time you spent with her.”
“Countess Seraphine,” Star tenderly praised. “If only time could have stood still for us back then.”
Years passed in the manor, with Star growing and maturing under the care of her countess. She became more drawn to her mother, seeking any praise she could from the woman, and relished all the time they spent together. It also gave her a sense of pride knowing her countess was a great leader, ruler over a vast countryside and city that Star was able to see from a high balcony atop the estate. The rolling hills to the west, the beautiful village of people that lived under her fair rule to the east, and to the south was a forest that teemed with life, with trees so green and wildlife so plentiful. Although Star remained in her home, both because she wanted to stay near her countess and the woman’s wishes for her to remain safe with her, she loved everything that was thriving around her thanks to Seraphine’s care.
Spending time with her countess there were no shortage of activities they did together either. From Seraphine sharing news and joyous events that were unfolding in her land, to enjoying a luxurious fish dinner that was provided by the many female servants they had, to just the simple moments of Star being able to cuddle in the lap of her mother while she sat in her pristine chair in the study, life was perfect for the jinx that used to believe nothing but misfortune awaited her in the world.
“What happened to her?” Daniel asked.
Over time Star began to notice changes in her world. Her countess began smiling less, tales of the townsfolk enjoying their days became rare to hear, and the skies above the land were cloudy more often than not. Even though Star continued to give thanks for each day she had, she couldn’t pretend everything was perfect for much longer.
“My countess wasn’t human,” Star solemnly explained. “But she did not rape anyone. She was always in control of her nature, her urges. She loved life. She loved life so much. Even though she was born inhuman she cherished all life, even humans. Despite what she was she held humans in the same regard as she did for the likes of us, a truly commendable feat. Seraphine… she wasn’t a demon. She was an angel.”
“That’s not how I remember her,” Reiko commented.
“And we have your countess to thank for that,” Star snapped at her.
“There have been more protestors in the streets, my grace,” a servant reported with a bow. Seated before her Seraphine was in her throne while Star sat next to her in a smaller but equally well-crafted chair of gold and blackwood.
“Why are they so unhappy now?” Seraphine sighed. “We have bountiful quantities of food and gold, medicine for the sick and toys for the children. I don’t understand why everyone hates me now. Have they discovered… what I am?”
“No, there have been no signs or rumors about what you are, my grace. Though your subj
ects are uneasy and growing hostile, they don’t suspect you are a monster.”
“If they learn what I am I’ll surely lose all their respect and any hope of leading them into a better future,” Seraphine grieved. With a frustrated exhale she stood up and snapped her fingers. “I can’t have this. I’ve worked for too long to make my country a pinnacle of civility and prosperity in Eden. Something must be done, and I will do whatever it takes to restore order in my land.”
“My grace?”
“Fetch my coach, I need to see my sister in Elliran.”
“Yes, my grace,” the servant quickly said before rushing off.
“Star,” Seraphine spoke as she stepped away from her throne. “The people of VanEllovan have been under my watch and care for many, many years. I’m happy that I have you with me now, you remind me of the good in all living things, and also how precious our peace is. As such we will not allow our home, our land, or our subjects to fall into despair. We simply cannot allow that, no matter what it costs us. Do you understand?”
Star meowed and nodded with a worried expression.
“I will return, hopefully with answers as to how to solve our problem. Stay here, and stay safe until I do.”
“She left to see her sister in the neighboring country,” Star explained. “Elliran never had any civil uprisings or disputes, there was order so strict and absolute that there was no crime at all. Seraphine wanted to know the secret to keep people under control while giving them a good life. She only wanted to help. She… she only wanted to help people.”
“And her sister showed her how,” Reiko said with a shrug. “Was it not the answer she was seeking?”
“It wasn’t,” Star bitterly replied. “However it was the only answer she saw to take.”
The country of VanEllovan soon after became quiet and peaceful. Riots and protests ceased altogether, crime vanished from the city, and everyone worked to build a better future for their people while praising the name Seraphine unconditionally. The countess had gained full control over her people, her rule no longer being questioned by any and obeyed by all without hesitation.
“At last, all is as it should be,” Seraphine mused while looking out the window of her court. She beheld the sight of her city resting beneath the mansion’s watch, the thunder from the cloudy sky overhead casting a foreboding aura onto the land. “My subjects are behaving themselves, they understand that I am leading them to a better tomorrow. They finally love me for all that I’ve done for them.”
Behind her Star was watching the woman with a worried smile. Although her countess had regained control of her subjects and was in brighter spirits there was something very different about her now. She carried herself with a higher sense of arrogance, she didn’t speak about joyous tales that the townsfolk were sharing but rather her own victories at shaping them into obedient followers, and she became somewhat distant to the jinx as she seemed more focused on ruling her country than anything else. Not only that but her monster aura, which used to be dark yet suppressed and hidden behind her benevolence, was now showing much more with an even colder appeal.
“Star, I believe it’s time we played together,” Seraphine proposed. Star meowed with an eager smile to that. She longed for the times they spent together in the past, with Seraphine sometimes sewing a beautiful dress while Star more or less tangled herself up in the thread, or when they would go the highest balcony and enjoy the view of the countryside while Seraphine pet her faithful companion behind the ears in just the right places.
“Come to the library, Star,” Seraphine requested as she began walking away. “I have much I wish to teach you.”
“I used to learn wonderful things,” Star sadly told the group. “I learned about how VanEllovan came to be. I learned about the kinds of monsters we were. I learned about the stars, and how you could navigate the land using them. I learned… so much. So many beautiful things. About nature, the world, even humans. All I wanted was to stay with Seraphine and learn about everything with her. That’s all I wanted in all of Eden. But that wasn’t what I was given.”
Star went to the library every day afterwards, obediently listening to her countess with every lesson she was given. She wanted to make Seraphine happy, she wanted to keep that spark in her life going strong. With every book placed before her she learned how to read and understand its words, with every dance she was taught she learned how to move with grace and ease no matter what step she was taking, and with every reminder that the people of VanEllovan needed strong leadership to guide and protect them she began to believe in her countess and her actions even more.
“I learned how to read, to understand the world and the knowledge it held.”
Star closed a book at the library table with a proud meow, eyes then looking behind her at the shelves of tomes that she had read through with ease.
“I learned how to dance, so that I could move about in the world however I wanted.”
Star nimbly danced in the library, jumping into leaps and warping to other wings of the grand hall while constantly moving with nimble feet and perfect balance.
“I learned a new appreciation for our country, one that she was trusting me to help her defend.”
Star gently held a hand down on the map of the region, seeing all the land that was under their control as well as a neighboring country that had boundaries growing closer towards theirs.
“And I learned how to kill…”
Presented with a finely polished box Star opened the chest to see two stainless steel daggers set inside on a velvet cushion. The twin blades with serrated edges reflected a curious look the jinx had on her face.
“To protect my people…”
She learned to wield the daggers, striking hard and fast at vital locations on a body, all while perfecting her teleporting ability to quickly evade and take down her opponents before they could blink.
“To protect my countess.”
“Star,” Seraphine spoke, awakening the jinx from her daydream while she was staring at her dagger. “I want you to be happy. I want all those I treasure in life to be happy. But most of all I want you to be strong. We have to be strong, Star. That’s how we’re able to keep everyone happy, that’s how we’re able to give them a better life. We must be strong, and do what it takes to ensure VanEllovan prospers. We need to be in control. I need you to be in control.”
Star blinked then slowly looked back to the woman with a curious eye.
“I didn’t want to lose her. I didn’t want to lose my home. I didn’t want to lose anything. I couldn’t. I couldn’t bear the thought of it all ending. So I took what she said to heart, I trusted her wisdom with all my being.”
“We must fight to survive, for the children to have a home in which they can live in. For the elders to have a place to rest. And for the men and women of our country that only wish to enjoy their time with their families. Star, you and I must be strong. We must not waver. We must not give up. No matter what, we will not allow our great country to fall. Not to anyone.”
Star nodded and looked to the daggers in her hands, the blades glimmering from the nearby candlelight. Without saying a word she left the hall, leaving her countess behind and walking through the corridors of their manor while contemplating her future. After a while she found herself before the clock in the foyer, once again locking eyes on the moving pendulum while the gentle ticking of the timepiece echoed in her ears. Slowly a smiled formed on her face, the girl then sitting before the clock as she felt more at home than ever before.
“Asilinte, majenti, vol rummus de allienti. Asilinte, majenti, vol rummus de allienti. Asilinte, majenti, vol rummus de allienti,” Star sang softly. “Though my world was changing I refused to let my life or my dreams do the same. I wouldn’t let it become forgotten. I still had my home, I still had my mother, and I wouldn’t let anything take them from me.”
“Star…” Specca softly said.
“So I became what I had to. For her.”
It only took a matter of weeks for tales of a bloodthirsty cat on the loose to become the talk of the town. While the boundaries of Elliran continued to grow and creep closer, those of VanEllovan were growing as well. The surrounding villages and cities were quickly overtaken, their leaders who were said to be corrupt and unfit to rule mysteriously meeting grisly ends at the hands of who was thought to be a neko with a growing kill count and a penchant for human blood. Star followed the orders given to her by her countess, slaying all those that she was told were a threat to VanEllovan’s safety. And with each kill and subsequent terror of the humans who were left scared and lost in the world Seraphine reached out and brought them into her domain, gaining more followers and control over the region through means she deemed to be necessary.
“In one month I helped my countess claim four new provinces, vastly enlarging our own country and its strength. I killed all those who even whispered the notion of defying her. I slaughtered any who would dare to take my home away from me! I wouldn’t let anyone threaten my mother! I wouldn’t let anyone take our happiness away!”
“Star,” Daniel said in surprise.
“I know, she’s getting a little passionate here,” Reiko agreed. “I kind of like it though.”
Time passed, with Star acting as Seraphine’s assassin and peacekeeper while the countess withdrew herself even further from who she once was. She began speaking about the people not in a loving or nurturing way but rather like they were merely pawns on the board, all of them being nothing but a number to her that represented the strength of her rule.
“She gave in to her inner nature, the monster within that soon took control of her. And as she changed, so did I.”
And Star grew into her role, becoming more and more determined to fulfill her mother’s wishes to the point that it became her way of life. She had given up the lavish dresses she used to wear in favor of an outfit that would soon become that of the Bloodcat’s apparel, something that reflected the deadly cat she was turning into. Her time spent resting before the grandfather clock while singing her song solidified her doings as just in her mind. It was almost like praying to a god she worshiped, reminding herself with all her might that the path she was taking, the person she was becoming, was the right path to follow.
Act IX Page 50