Once in his room, Virgil practically throws me onto the bed, panting. His eyes are dark, and he's staring fixedly at my neck, exposed even more by the jostling from a moment ago. I cover my neck with my hands.
"Virgil," I begin, trying to catch his gaze. "Not now." He ignores me, leaning in closer. "Don't overfeed," I add hastily, and he starts pulling one of my hands away. "If you do, I can't convince Dante to join the play tomorrow."
He finally stops and looks me in the eyes. "You can really convince him? He was the most against it."
I swallow. "I can."
Virgil narrows his eyes. "You had better." He leans in closer. "But for now…" For a moment I'm afraid he's giving in anyway. "Change out of my kimono. It's making it too difficult for me."
I sigh with relief. "Gladly." I quickly change into my thrall dress, and do my best to fold his clothes neatly. However, Virgil still has to re-fold it when I'm done, and grumpily tosses me a book instead.
"Read this." he commands quietly. It's not like I have anything better to do.
It feels old, and I can tell it was translated. Even so, once I get used to the language, it pulls me into a world of the past, completely foreign and yet completely comfortable. Even though I suspect he picked it so I could get a better idea of the values the women maintain, the story itself is deeply psychological and I find myself engrossed.
Some time later, Virgil pokes at me, complaining that my stomach has been making noises and that I need to feed it. This time, he doesn't let me take the book out of the room.
As usual, everyone is in the main room when we show up, although I ignore them to cook my dinner in the kitchen. Even so, I can't help but overhear their conversation.
"You haven't given up hope on your play?" That's Adrian's voice. "Well, you know I'm not against it, but convincing these two is another story."
"Beat me in a game of shogi and I will." Dante, obviously.
"I can't win that," replies Virgil sourly.
"You might."
Adrian giggles. "But he knows it's not worth the risk. What would you wager for your win? One of his feeding days?"
"Perhaps." I don't like the tone of Dante's voice when he says that.
Lucien speaks up. "There are other ways to convince us, you know. Even Dante has his weaknesses."
Dante laughs. "I wouldn't call them weaknesses. More like...vices."
I really don't like the sound of that.
"Vices, indeed," chuckles Adrian. "Though I do wish this house was a bit better for satisfying those…"
Lucien cuts in. "Don't be so sure, Adrian. Our little bird is quite a malleable one." I know he's saying it so I can hear, but even so I flare up with anger. I finish putting my food on a plate and come out, trying not to let my anger show too much. But Lucien's grin makes me shoot back a glare in response as I sit down next to Virgil, who pulls me tight against him.
I sigh and begin eating, ignoring everyone's gaze. Eventually, they turn away from me and back to Virgil.
"You know, Virgil…" begins Lucien. "I would very much like to be convinced. Surely there's something you could give up for a chance to see this play happen."
Virgil's hand squeezes my side. "I don't want to give up anything, no."
"Especially not his thrall time," adds Adrian.
"No, I wouldn't take that in a deal," purrs Lucien. "Perhaps your...privacy?"
Virgil makes a face. "Why would you be so interested in my alone time?"
"Ohhh, but it isn't your alone time I'm interested in."
Virgil doesn't respond.
"You like putting on shows, you could put one on just for me," he says with a smile.
My eyes widen, but instead of responding, I just start eating faster.
"You sound like Adrian," chuckles Dante.
"No way," pouts Virgil. "That is not a fair trade."
"I wouldn't touch her. You can do whatever you want. Whatever it is you usually do." Lucien leans in, eliciting a blush from Virgil.
"Virgil," I protest. "Why are you blushing? We don't do anything unusual."
But his blush only deepens.
Then Adrian speaks up. "That's right! You wanted to start your training regimen for her, didn't you!"
Dante's voice is low but piquant. "Training?"
"That's right," Adrian giggles. "Virgil wants to make her into a perfect wifey."
I feel Dante's gaze turn to me. "And will you?" He ignores Virgil's protests.
"He has to pay me back properly," I reply defiantly. "And he hasn't offered anything else in return. It's only learning a role, anyway," I add dismissively.
"Hmmm." His piercing gaze doesn't turn away. I go back to my food, trying not to think about what he's planning.
"W-well-" interjects Virgil, still slightly pink, "If the play doesn't happen, what else is there for me to do?"
Lucien sighs and leans back. "I suppose that's true. Still, I was looking forward to seeing you try and convince me."
"That's her job, not mine." replies Virgil sourly. I smack him on the shoulder, but it's too late.
"Oh?" Dante and Virgil's eyes are glittering, and I feel the weight of Dante sitting next to me even more strongly.
Across the table, Adrian's smile turns a little more conniving. "Yes, I think I might need some convincing as well."
I sigh. "This wasn't supposed to turn out like the actual play. It was just going to be a little fun…"
But then I catch Virgil's expression out of the corner of my eye. It's the same intense one from before. But now his eyes are shining with an idea. Slowly, he reaches for me. I don't stop him, trying to ascertain his intentions. The next moment, he reaches for my neck ribbon and clicks the lock. I put my hand to it, already regretting not reacting sooner.
"Convince them, Adelaide. Without words."
I slump against the couch as the other three burst into laughter. How could I forget that Virgil is a little bit mad?
When I finally, grumpily, finish my food, Dante scoops me up to take me back to his room. Without a voice, I don't even bother pouting. He already knows how I feel, and I'm not going to give him the satisfaction.
Dante himself is practically glowing, if you could call radiating an ominous aura "glowing."
He sets me down on his best and crosses his arms to survey me. "First things first. Change out of that. I have something else for you to wear."
I sigh, stand, and move behind his changing screen, However, he doesn't pass anything over the top for me to wear, and I peek around the edge.
"This is a chance for you to please me," he says, almost gleefully. "You're not going to take it?"
I blanch at his implications, and shake my head.
"Very well," he says with a shrug. "Your loss." He tosses me a bundle of sheer fabrics in bright reds and oranges, with gold embroidery. It seems far too fine for me to wear, and I look at him questioningly.
"It's my ceremonial wear. But I despise wearing bright colors, so I had Adrian fit it for you instead."
But there are a lot of layers, and even though I find the skirt, I'm sure I've tied it improperly. After that point, I'm not sure which piece goes next. But I'm not about to be cowed by him.
I put on the air of a princess as I come out from behind the screen. His grin widens for a moment, until I place the rest of the clothes on the bed and hold out my arms expectantly.
After a moment of shock, Dante's grin widens once more. "Fair play, little bird. Very well, I will dress you, but don't expect me to be servile."
I try to hide my own grin. The fact that he's even mentioning servility is a good sign - I will force him to show me respect in this game.
True to his word, Dante takes his sweet time dressing me, making it difficult for me to maintain my posture. At every little opportunity, he runs his hands along my waist, or leans in to breath against my neck. However, with every layer - sheer as they are - I feel a little safer. At last, he steps back to admire it. Despite myself, I spin around, enjoying the flutter of the delicate fabric as it flows around me.
"Very good. I knew it would suit your coloring." Dante's eyes flick back up to mine. "Are you wondering why I had you dress up so late?"
I nod hesitantly.
He smiles. "I'm keeping my promise. I'm taking you outside. A fiery thrall in fiery garb should stand in the fiery sun at least once."
I feel a grin spread across my face, and I throw myself at him to give him a squeeze. For a moment, he's stiff in surprise, and I give him a thank-you kiss on the cheek.
He chuckles a deep laugh and wraps his arms around me, picking me up off the ground. "Not quite the level that will convince me, but it's a good start.
Once we reach the door outside, Dante sets me down to transform. I look behind me, and start to see black eyes still at eye level with myself. He's a massive, pure black snake. I can almost feel him smiling as he waves slightly back and forth, prompting me to open the door.
We're just in time for the sunrise. I step slowly into the garden, drinking in the reds and golds and purples of the changing sky. I can barely breathe. I realize, truly realize, how long it's been since I've seen the sun. Behind me, I can hear Dante slithering into the shadow of a bush, but all I can think about is the scene before me. It even smells different. I had forgotten about that. There are bird cries I know I've heard before, but they sound brand new. And so much brighter. There's so much more movement, and life, even this early in the morning, the complete opposite of the silent mansion behind me.
I feel something drip onto my chest and realize I've been crying. Somehow the realization breaks a dam in me and I fall to the ground, letting the tears of joy spill out of me. I lift my face to the sun, drinking in the warmth with every inch of my skin. I feel Dante slithering around me. I don't even bother struggling, all I care about is the sun and how it's soaking into me.
I feel something touch my face - Dante's tail, wiping at my tears. Is he surprised? Well, we're both mute now. He's going to have to wait if he wants answers. I lay back, close my eyes, and let the sunshine fill my senses.