The party begins

[Miss Fifi]

Fiore...[/size]
I'll be the victim, you'll be the voice in my head[/color]

Fiore's pale face lit up as she daintily placed her hand in his, and just as he was about to whisk her away, he was yanked at by the barbarian. As she began her rambling about his manhood and Isabella, which was quite amusing to Wynona. Oh, mortals these days. They felt so powerful and in control when really they were just little bugs groping on the ground, just asking to be stepped on. A smirk grew on her pet's face as she finished threatening him, and with the hand not intertwined with Isabella's he placidly removed Kiara's fist from his shirt and bored into her eyes.

"Don't you worry, darling. Your Isabella is in good hands."

[/color]

For now.

He began to turn away, his hand still cradling Isabella's, but he pulled back slightly for just a brief moment and came in close to her, his lips brushing her ears like a soft feather.

"You want to know why I singled you out? Well, it was only because you and your lovely friend seemed so..."[/color] he sighed quietly. "Delectable." He muttered the last word so quietly it would have seemed like the wind whistling rather than a voice, and with that he took a step backward, smiled at her as his eyes glowed amber, then returned his attention to the more compliant one. The one Wynona was much more fond of.

He took a few striding steps forward with her at his side, but just as they were about to slide into the dance floor, he stopped and made an uncomfortable face. With a nervous laugh he said to her, rather loudly as to hear over all of the ruckus, "I must warn you, my dancing is a bit rusty... I'm afraid in the time it's been both of my feet have turned left."[/color]

Truth to be told Wynona was an excellent and rather, well, seductive dancer, but she had to be cautious. This little blonde bombshell's expectations could not be set too high, or this would utterly fail. Hopefully his pretty little face will distract her attention from his rather... ugly coordination.

Unable to wait any longer, with an excited laugh Fiore snatched up Isabella's other hand in his and began to lead her towards the dance floor, his eyes never leaving hers. They were rather enchanting, her eyes, so clear and lucid as if he could see right through them. Her beauty and kindness made this job a hell of a lot easier.

Still holding both of her slender palms with the utmost of gentleness, Fiore swept the both of them through the throng of people until they found enough room to dance in their own carefree manner. Eventually there was a break in the swaying and twirling crowd, but it was practically in the middle of the entire posse'. Very inconvenient for making a dash for it once she was drunk with Wynona's magic. It would have to do; the musicians were just about to strike up again.

As smooth as silk Fiore placed his left hand on Isabella's waist, his grip firm but natural. His other hand still clung to hers as the song began. It was a rather fast-paced tempo, enough that the crowd cheered in response and began throwing each other about in a freestyle, rampant kind of manner. Fiore looked around with a confused expression, then returned his gaze to Isabella with a shrug. A grin creeping onto his face, he twirled Isabella in a circle and moved with the rest of the group, keeping his body close to hers. His hand began to slide down a bit, closer to her hips, as the music progressed. Still they danced and gallivanted and swayed and leaped together, Wynona bringing out everything she had ever been taught. Then again, she wasn't used to being the lead partner, and when Fiore swept backward she placed her foot in the wrong position and nearly tripped over Isabella's dress.

Cursing in her mind over and over she quickly fumbled back for control over her pet's body, making him stabilize himself before he knocked over the line of people like dominoes. His chuckled nervously as he took a step backward and rubbed the back of his neck. "It would appear I might have been right about my feet, but no matter."[/color]

He moved in closer to her so their foreheads were touching. "The music will change any moment now, and I can do what I know best."[/color]

As if on cue, the musicians stopped abruptly, and after a moment of confused silence, the violinist belted out a single, long, pure note. The rest of the musicians followed suit, playing a slow, haunting, gentle melody. Fiore held Isabella's shoulder and drew her in closer to him so their lips were barely apart. The only distance between them was their clothing as Fiore began to sway back and forth, step in and out, and keep perfect grace and balance as he floated across the floor with Isabella in his arms. After a few moments of this Wynona finally decided it was time to work her magic. Quite literally.

A glow came to Fiore's eyes, something he hid by touching his cheek to hers so she could no longer see the front of his face. His lips caressed her ear as a heat began to travel from his body to hers. It would feel like nothing more than the flushing of the face to the giggling girl, something Wynona could risk. Her pet was rather charming.

As she continued to extend her hands of control out to Isabella's body, Fiore still held her close and moved with her body in a slower, smoother waltz. His breath came out in little whispers and trails on her ear, and he leaned down further to touch his lips to her jaw. Wynona figuratively sat back and kicked her feet up. This was going so very marvelously. [/blockquote][/blockquote]

[x isabella.]

♦ isabella ♦

Her eyes widened at Kiara's sudden movement. Isabella almost reached out and grabbed the girl's wrist in anger. Why was she acting this what? What possibly could Fiore do to Isabella? If Isabella wanted to, she probably could have easily shoved Kiara to the ground, and maybe broken her wrist with a bit more effort. However, Isabella hadn't hurt someone like that in years; and especially not a friend. Before the vampire could do or say anything more, she suddenly found herself facing another direction and being led away. She glanced back at Kiara, a confused expression on her face. Now she was beginning to think something was up.

She didn't say anything as he began to dance, faster than she had done for quite a while. Then again, she hadn't actually danced for what felt like years. Usually she stood near the drinks--quite unladylike, actually--and rejected any man that requested a dance. Fiore was different; and she wasn't sure if he was different in a good or bad way. She had dismissed his comment about having two left feet earlier, thinking he had just been being modest. So she was quite surprised when he very nearly tripped over her dress. Isabella raised her eyebrow, then grinned, enjoying the amusement. She let out a quiet giggle as he regained his balance. Though she wasn't expecting him to get so close; their foreheads touching.

She moved her body with Fiore's, the soothing, yet haunting, music leading her body's simple dance moves. Isabella looked up into Fiore's pale green eyes, a small, content smile on her face. It faded slightly when his eyes moved out of her sight. Then it was as if his body was radiating heat, she could feel it through his lips that were on her skin, leaving her skin scorching. Such a think was so foreign to her normally cold skin; yet she felt as though she was flushing all over.

This isn't right. Isabella thought, her eyes narrowing. Nothing was right; this night was heavy with wrong. She tried to pull away from Fiore, but her body was frozen in place. Isabella glanced towards Kiara, who was no longer visible through he crowd.

[»Míríel«]

~‡- Kíara -‡~

Kiara watched the two out of her stone grey eyes. She was not liking this, not one bit. This little skinny twirp was up to something, she was sure of it. As she stood there, arms crossed a drunk man thought it wise to intrude on the circle of space around her. " Excuuusee me Miss. What is someone like you doing here all alone? Perhaps you would like a" He belched, "dance?" Then attempting at a bow , which he failed, he held out a wavering hand in her direction.

Kiara turned her eyes to this man and stared down at his little scraggly head. The man looked up wit ha drunk smile on his face and wavered slightly. Then the little bit of sense he had remaining was starting to kick in. "Or... not."

Kara lashed out, pushing him on the chest with her hand. As he tumbled backward she got and idea. The only way she could enter the dance floor was with a partner. Eyeing the short man she sighed, "He'll have to do." Striding over to the man, who was trying to figure out what happened, she grabbed him by the front of the shirt and yanked upward. "I've changed my mind.. Let's dance." Grabbing his wrist she pulled him onto the dance floor where she stood among the couple like a fish out of water. Her eyes searched each couple. Where were they? If this man made her lose her friend, if that fiend had escaped with her, this little lump of flesh beside her was going to take the place of that stuck pig over the fire.

"Er. Miss, aren't we supposed to be dan-" The man blubbered.

Whirling to him she hissed into his ear, "Shut up in you want to live." Out of the corner of her eyes she caught sight of a blonde woman and and dark haired man in a close embrace. With a hard yank she pulled the man over to the pair like a child pulling a blanket. Grabbing Fiore and pushing his away from Isabella she separated the two and grabbed his hand. "I hope you don't mind Isabella, but I think I'm going to cut in. I brought that fool in exchange." Giving her a no nonsense glare she continued. "Go get some punch while I step as hard as I can on this guy's toes." She glared at Fiore.

[Miss Fifi]

Fiore...[/size]
I'll be the victim, you'll be the voice in my head[/color]

Wynona was ready. She had it all mapped out; the escape would be a clear shot through the crowd and through the back entrance into the cellar. He would whisk the vampire ditz away into the night, far from the sights of any overprotective brute. It would be swift, precise, and silent, like an assassin swooping in for the kill. This was Wynona's way. Nothing was messy or complicated.

That all changed when a bumbling idiot nearly broadsided Fiore's swaying form.

Fiore's body stiffened like a corpse as he glanced up into the glowering eyes of Kiara. He maintained his composure with a long, deep breath and a tighter grip on Isabella's hand. Wynona didn't handle the situation quite as well. She exploded with a minefield of curses so vitrolic and spiteful that Fiore winced on the inside and out. He could feel her as she tromped around and shrieked with the rage of a banshee, leaving him to maintain the tedious balance between the two that was being seriously shaken up by this point. Her bitterness was seeping so strongly through their connection that suddenly Fiore got a very sour taste in his mouth and he felt his whole body begin to heat up. He cleared his throat nervously and blinked rapidly a few times, overwhelmed by her thrashing fit.

...Uhm, lady Wynona...?

WHAT!?

You're becoming rather... conspicuous...

The whirlwind raging inside his head ceased.

Fiore sighed internally with relief, his form relaxing as the tension simmered down in his body like boiling water.

My apologies, darling. I just am really beginning to hate this brute.

...I could tell, milday.

"Bloody headache... All this atmosphere seems to be getting to me," he commented, mostly to himself. He massaged his temples with his fingers as he sideglanced at Kiara, trying to figure out what to do. Wynona's temper was beginning to settle as she pulled in the reigns tighter once again. Fiore felt his limbs slip out from his control, and he was left as nothing more than an entity: seeing, hearing, but not acting.

Fiore snorted with amusement at Kiara and her desparate attempt to pull him away from Isabella. He raised one eyebrow and looked at her with a smug but playful expression. "Well, this is quite a surprise. But I won't deny a dance with a beautiful woman, even one that wants to run me through with a sharp stick." His eyes glanced up at her ominous staff that loomed dangerously above his head. This wasn't just a simple game of cat and mouse now.

This was Russian roulette.

With a gracious bow Fiore took a step back from Isabella, kissing her hand lightly as they separated. "Until we meet again."

[/color]

Turning his attention to Kiara, his expression grew wry and cunning as Wynona's bloodlust began to boil over. She wanted to rip this woman's head off, in addition to many other things that Fiore tried not to think about because they were just plain disgusting.

He held out an inviting hand to her and dipped his head slightly.

"Shall we?"[/color]

Game on, wench.

[/blockquote][/blockquote]

[x isabella.]

♦ isabella ♦

'I hope you don't mind...' Her head jerked at Kiara's sharp voice. With no protests, she allowed herself to be separated from Fiore. She wasn't sure whether to be happy or angry about this, after all she'd wanted to get away just a moment before. Yet now she wanted to be dancing with him again. Without saying a word, she looked at the man Kiara had brought in "exchange". Isabella giggled extremely girlishly and patted his head before walking away, towards the drinks. Of course she'd find her way back there. This time she chose something small, and it was truly only alcohol. Nothing beneficial for herself. It wasn't long before a man came over. He had blinding white hair and red eyes. Some sort of demon. Isabella didn't really care what kind of man he was. She allowed him to lead her away onto the dance floor.

Was it bad she was hoping to see what Kiara and Fiore were doing? Isabella tried to get the man to go towards where she remembered being, but he was only pulling her in the other direction. Men always had to have their way, didn't them? Isabella began to push gently in the other direction while they swung around, dancing. She gave him a bit of a cunning smile as they instead headed towards Fiore. Reverse psychology? Perhaps. Once she saw the two again, she relaxed and settled down so she saw them just barely through the corner of her eye. Isabella allowed herself to be pulled against the man's body, in a slow sort of swing. It was the most two drunk people could do. Well, Isabella wasn't drunk--she just sort of felt that way. Her eyes half-closed as the two softly swung from side to side. How boring, She thought, comparing it to her dancing from earlier.

[»Míríel«]

~‡- Kíara -‡~

Kiara smirked at Fiore as he talked about beind stabbed by a sharp stick. "Oh no I wouldn't do that. A dull one would suit you better." The glint of anger came to her eye, "Slow pain, yes that suits you." Out of the corner of her eye she saw Isabella moving away with the man she had brought. Good. She sighed slightly. Hopefully she could detach herself from this man as soon as possible, find her friend, and get away before anything worse happened. She was starting to become certain that this man was insane, or something along those lines.

When Fiore offered his hand Kiara merely stared at it for a moment. She had forgotten she would have to touch the man. Well, all for friendship, at least he appeared clean. Reaching out she gripped it, sure to make it an uncomfortable strength. "With pleasure, " Her smile was strained. Placing her other hand on his shoulder she stared into his eyes, her stormy orbs churning. "What brings you here, Fiore? The women, the wine, or some other distasteful attraction for your passions?" She brought her face in closer to his and whispered, "I know that you are up to no good. Men never are." While she waited for an answer she was none to careful about his feet. Indeed, as she stepped closer to him so they could begin, she stepped on one, on purpose of course.

[Miss Fifi]

Fiore...[/size]
I'll be the victim, you'll be the voice in my head[/color]

Fiore's eyes narrowed dangerously as he smirked at Kiara, Wynona's imagination running wild inside of him.

Oh, the things I could do you, little pathetic creature...

As they began to dance in a rather aggressive manner, the morbid smile on Fiore's face grew and grew as Wynona's mind raced with the pleasure of all the wonderful, awful things she would do.

I could burn you alive, like your barbarian folk. Or perhaps I could skewer you and roast you first. Or maybe I'll just skip the mess and suck your soul out through your ears. That's much less fun, though... Perhaps I'll take some of your blood first or perform some lovely demon rituals on that meaty body of yours. Or maybe I'll lock you in the cellar and throw some rabid hounds in with you. No, that would take too long... Maybe I'll just throw her into the iron maiden and...

Fiore had to close his mind off of his mistress's as these vile images flooded through in order to avoid becoming physically ill. This whole business disgusted him. And yet here he was, doing what he despised most, living as a tool to this woman of the eternal fire itself.

What a disgusting existence.

As Wynona began to overwhelm Kiara's senses with her numbing magic, Fiore's feeling of nausea grew and grew to the point where he had to choke back the bile in an effort to keep from projecting this physical feeling of self-loathing all over her. He felt filthy and crushed with guilt. It was only going to to get worse; he knew how this would end.

Wynona increased her domination over Fiore's body, struggling to keep his natural resistence in check. Her pet's morality was in particular unrest this evening. Normally she could send him out and back again without a fight, but this time was different.

He was resisting.

And yet, above all of this chaotic unrest underneath his skin, Fiore's face remained smooth and cold, revealing nothing. "A little of everything, I suppose. The night life is just so enchanting, wouldn't you agree?"

[/color]

At her last comment he looked down momentarily and laughed darkly. "But you see, miss Kiara, that's the fun of it all."[/color] He drew closer to her, enough that he could whisper in her ear. "What's the good in goodness? We're all damned in the end, are we not? Why not enjoy ourselves while we can, hmm? Sin is what keeps us alive. We're not meant to be perfect."[/color] His eyes traveled up to her collarbone, right over her heart.

"We all just have a touch of madness. A touch of insanity. A touch of a world where nothing matters, and nothing hurts."[/color] As he said this, he gingerly placed a finger over her heart and Wynona's magic began to seep through. The people, the room, and the music around them all blurred and mixed together as he continued on, his eyes meeting hers. "Now tell me, Kiara, what's so wrong with that?"[/color]





[/blockquote][/blockquote]

[x isabella.]

♦ isabella ♦

Isabella grinned as the music sped up again, in an almost a folk-song sort of way. She picked up her skirt as the nameless man grabbed her hand and swung her about. There wasn't a moment where she wasn't moving; her feet were almost becoming tired of the constant movement. It slowly faded out into a slower melody, created only by the sound of violins. Isabella honestly wasn't in the mood for slow dancing. She, however, allowed the man to bring her towards his body. He grabbed her hand and placed his other on her hip, forcing her to move at the same speed at him.

Isabella glanced over towards Fiore and Kiara. She and her dancing partner were closer to them than before, probably because of the fast dancing earlier. What she saw sent a heavy flurry of anger; her pale cheeks reddened with the emotion. Fiore was touching Kiara, in the same way he had touched her. It's not like he's "mine". She thought somewhat bitterly. But I want him to be. She thought again, her thought quieter than before. With narrowed eyes, Isabella tore herself away from the blond-haired man and stalked away. She sat down on a black chair, crossing her legs and putting her hands delicately in her lap. Her eyes shut lightly, calming herself.

[»Míríel«]

~‡- Kíara -‡~

As the two stood together the background started to grow blurry. People dancing around there were just blotches of color, whirling around, spinning, churning, closing in, and then moving away. The music grew muddled and seemed to merge together in a sort of noise that was neither pleasing nor revolting. What was happening. All Kiara knew was that Fiore stood clear, almost sharpened. Little things were suddenly catching her attention, the way his hair lay about his face, framing and complimenting it, how his dress was impeccable and of good taste. These thoughts, they were not welcome. What changed?

Suddenly his eyes slid from her collarbone down to her heart. A feeling rose up within her, what was it? Then his hand stretched out and settled right on the target, her heart. A flush came to her cheeks, as her temperature rose. Why was it hot in here suddenly? She needed to cool down. Wind started to blow about the room, circling the two. The music and colors that were swirling about her now became frenzied. Something wasn't right, she had to go, she had to get away, but how could she? Something within her wanted to stay.

Trying to keep a harsh word on her touch was trying, it just didn't seem worth it. Panic started to rise within her. She had to do something, and so she did. Slamming down her foot on where she presumed his toe to be she knocked his hand off her heart. "No." She gasped and stumbled backward. "Sin is there so we can improve, so we can have depth, experience. If we were perfect where would be our strength Fiore. Where would it..." She touched her hand to her forehead as her grip tightened about her staff. The wind calmed about her. Why couldn't she think straight. As soon as she had stepped back she felt better, but now a numb coolness was settling in. She felt dizzy, tired, and weak. The colors about her, no longer having a life of their own, were still sharp and saturated. She needed to leave, where was Bella? Looking around it didn't take long to spot Bella. "Isabella seems...somethings wrong. Why don't we go over there?" Without waiting or wondering why she included Fiore, she walked over to Isabella, hand still on her temple, where did this headache come from?

[Miss Fifi]

Fiore...[/size]
I'll be the victim, you'll be the voice in my head[/color]

Wynona was practically leaping with triumph inside her pet's head as Kiara led him over to Isabella's poised figure. It was actually working. She had taken a shot in the dark and hit dead center. She was already beginning to make plans for their arrival when Fiore and Kiara finally managed to shimmy through the crowd over to the blonde.

This was it: the deal breaker.

With a face of the utmost concern, Fiore kneeled down so he was looking up at Isabella as he took one of her hands and gazed into her eyes. "Isabella, are you feeling well? You seem quite..." he paused and laughed to himself. "..Overwhelmed."

It was true; Isabella had clearly taken a turn from the worst. Her eyes were drooping and her body was swaying in an unsteady rhythm. Her lips were pursed, as if searching for something to drink from. Fiore cradled her face in between his hands and angled his head slightly. He was going in for the kill. Just as he began to move in, Isabella pulled back slightly in protest, barely able to utter a sound.

Fiore steadied her and stroked her hair gently, whispering to her like a father to a frightened child. "Don't worry, love. All you have to do is trust me. Just trust me.." He drew closer and closer, his breath warm on her cheeks. Her resistance shattered like a glass wall as their lips met. The magic had made a full connection. She was completely at his whim, just as Kiara would be soon enough. As soon as they parted, Isabella gasped violently as if she were drowning, struggling and clawing for air. Fiore clamped a hand over her mouth and placed a finger on his lips as he helped her up from the chair.

People were looking. Fiore could feel curious eyes burning into his back. He had to get out now.

With a panicked expression he returned his attention to Kiara. "This place is poisoning her. We need to get her out, now. I'll need your help. Please come this way."

Kiara began to stutter words of protest, but they wouldn't reach her lips. Her mind went blank like it had just been swiped clean by a black cloth. Unable to think of any way out of this, or anything else to do for that matter, she just stalked after Fiore who was now supporting Isabella on his shoulder. Something inside her was screaming to run while she could, but the pull from the boy's body was much stronger than that fleeing impulse. Every time it rose to her mind, it was obliterated like a wave crashing onto the sand.

She was a thoughtless shell.

Fiore, still clutching on to Isabella, led the two out through the back door into the cool night air. It was such a shock to his body that had been flooded by Wynona's fire moments ago that he convulsed and nearly fell over. She was gradually pulling back from his body, and the sudden weight of his own limbs made him stumble. Looking over at the two women he could see from their glazed eyes that the magic still ran through their veins. And it would for hours to come; he knew that from experience.

Instinct ruling over, he grabbed both of them by the wrists and made a dash for it, never looking behind him until he was a good distance from the castle. The thunderous clamor of the crowd could still be barely heard as a murmur. Fiore collapsed onto his knees and heaved, coughing and hacking as he tried to keep himself together. Shaking violently he managed to rise up and take a hand of each of the women, being as gentle as he could be. Chains of fire formed between the three. That was the final step: complete lockdown.

Even if the fog swirling and choking their minds did clear, the chains would keep them beside Fiore regardless.

With a heavy sigh and a final cough, he trudged onward with the two in tow towards the wilderness.

Towards their doom.

------------------
I feel like this is crappyyyyy. But oh well. At least they're moving on now right.