Thread: Who's Afraid of the Bid Bad Wolf?

Ivah froze when Marric stopped at his own threshold to turn and stare at her. Perhaps she had asked the wrong question. Maybe he would do the same as the vampires, lock her up inside to simply work. Her body was torn with fight and flight instincts, though less fight and more flight. However her legs were locked in place. It wasn't as if she would be able to escape. Like the vampires he was stronger and faster than her, there was no hope to run. But then a smile broke out on his wolfish face. His words sent a flood of joy and relief through her. Feeling a touch more at ease she followed him through the large, heavy looking doors. Immediately there were more people around than she had seen in fifteen years. Ivah didn't know if the sudden amount of people made her nervous or if it was a delight to be around others again. Cloaks were placed about them, she only just realized she was a little chilled. The night run should have been colder but she had been held against a warm and furry body all night. She thanked the servant for the drink and looked to Marric. The wolf was gone and a man was left in his place. She shouldn't have been surprised but the shocked look on her face could not be hidden. Vampires always held the same form, she had expected Marric to always be a towering, bipedal wolf. Finally a well dressed gentleman appeared on the scene and spoke with Marric. Ivah bother understood and did not understand that was said. This counsel disapproved of something Marric did, she could only hazard a guess as to what that was, though her guess would be on the mark. Then clothing was discussed and a small flush could not be helped, hiding a small but of excitement. She had spent so many years dressed like a doll she was excited at the prospect of new, different clothing. Though his sister...why was it she did not need them? That would be a question best left when they were better acquainted. At the offer of his hand Ivah reached out to take it but an elderly, portly woman bustled forward. Ohhh no master Marric, she said, clucking like a mother hen. You, naked as a new babe and the lady needing new clothing, I think not. Miss Tilly was one of Marric's oldest servants and acted like more of a mother to everyone of the household than a maid. You need to get cleaned up for your counsel, off with you now young man. I will see to your new lady friend...what was your name dear? She asked going from furious, clucking hen to sweet and motherly in shorter than the span of an eye blink. Ivah... was the quiet response the woman received. Well miss Ivah let's get you cleaned up and dressed in... she took a moment to glance at the adult sized child's dress. ...something more suitable. With that Ivah was whisked off with Tilly, though she threw a slightly bemused look back at Marric before disappearing down a hall. Ivah found the mansion to be massive, she was certain to get lost at some point. Tilly showed her to her surprisingly spacious room. Before she had a small room she shared with another female, the other female had been a sort of pet to one of the vampires. Ivah always counted her blessings that she had been the inventor and did not have a different position in the vampires' house. A bath had already been drawn. Ivah was stripped of the black child dress, the corset removed and sank into the warm tub. Tilly was not about relaxing baths for the time and helped with loosening the ringlet curls from the fiery red hair. Ivah's face was washed, removing the doll like make up. Now she truly looked like a woman of her young to middle twenties, rather than a painted child. The clothing had been brought in and once Ivah was out of the bath she was put in a fine dress the color of fresh, spring grass. It clashed magnificently with her red hair which held a wavy curl of its own, but not the tight ringlets of her previous style. The sleeves were short and the neck line dipped low. There was a bodice to the dress but it was not nearly as confining as the corset had been. Ivah felt markedly better in the looser, comfortable, floor length dress. Feeling better then, Miss Ivah? Tilly asked and was given a wide smile. Far better, thank you, she said brightly. Well I will leave you now, I will have something to eat sent up promptly. I am sure master Marric would allow you any amount of time to get settled before making any sort of appearance. With that Tilly was gone. True to her word a warm porridge was sent up along with a little bread and cheese. Ivah found she had little appetite but took the bread and cheese before walking out of the room...well, her room. Quick enough she found a way outside. Her steps out of doors was hesitant. She remembered the one time she had tried to go outside before. There was still a scar on her leg from the watch hounds of the vampires. They thought it amusingly ironic to have dogs as their guards. Well there was no sign of viscous dogs anywhere so Ivah stepped out into the daylight. Oh how warm the sun felt! Her skin nearly gleamed in the light, not having seen sun in fifteen years. For a time all she could do was stand there and enjoy the warmth of the sun. There was a smaller garden not too far from that spot, Ivah felt drawn to it. Not bothering with a stone bench she sat among the flower beds. She remembered something like this, as if recalling a dream. Her mother loved flowers...she had a small garden. Roses...yes there were roses everywhere, of many colors and varieties. White was her mother's favorite...