A Fairytale-Sylaire-Part 2

[black_hat]

 

At her words, he smirked and forced her through a turn that was quite sharp, and before she was halfway done, pulled her back towards him. Against him.

 

“You’re overstepping your boundaries,” she hissed.

 

“It should be ‘You’re overstepping my boundaries’. I have none. I’ve paid for that privilege. If you don’t like it, we can always stop.”

 

“I’m fine,” she bit back, and pressed against him, to see what boundaries he really did have. “Continue.”

 

He’d grip her small hand much too tightly, looking for signs of discomfort, and she’d smile wider. He’d force her back into steps that were designed to make her stumble, and she’d hold on tighter to his shoulders. With her nails. For extra measure, she clipped the edge of his boots with her heels.

 

It went back and forth to the music like so, till in the end, their smiles were snarls with an upturn. Nothing more. The crowd was aghast, awkward, unaware on how to proceed after witnessing such a display, until one brave soul began the typical clap. The rest followed suit.

 

Claire looked up at him questioningly, and he shrugged, winking at her. Horrible man. Why did she waste pity on him?

 

““How nice, how wonderful!” her mother gasped from behind her, and Claire turned around, ready to leave. “I’m so glad that the two of you met.”

 

To this, she was puzzled, looking from her mother to her sister in confusion. Her sister, for that matter, looked like she had swallowed glue, her mouth stuck in a firm line and her eyes wounded. Claire had a very bad feeling about this.

 

“Oh, it was a pleasure,” the man muttered, looking down at her. “This would be your youngest, then?”

 

“Yes, yes, that’s our Claire,” her mother beamed, and further, her stomach sank. “And this is Elle. Would you care for a dance with her, as well?”

 

“I think I’ve had my fill of dances,” he said, rubbing his shoulder. Mrs. Bennet paused, and looked at Claire, suddenly afraid.

 

“Oh w-well. Of course.”

 

“If I displeased you,” Claire said, not wanting to see her mother so upset. “It’s because I’ve been under the weather lately, and….”

 

“No, you haven't,” he corrected, smiling. “But that doesn’t matter. About our arrangement concerning your land, Ms. Bennet…I’ve given it some more thought.”

 

Now, Claire was completely lost but understood that there was something this man, this Gabriel Sylar, had over them. The murderer known throughout the world by his last name along, and Claire had actually danced with the beast.

 

“I’ll let the matter of payment pass if I could have the pleasure of your daughter’s company over the weekend.”

 

Claire’s jaw dropped.

 

“With your presence, of course.”

 

“I certainly give my permission, it’s no-.”

 

“I’d have her accept my invitation herself,” Sylar said. “Well, Claire? Would you do me the honor?”

 

And the threat was there. If she didn’t play, she was going to ruining everything. Livelihood, lives, existence…it was all on her shoulders. And her mother hadn’t even informed her that she was making deals with such a man.

 

But could she blame her? Unfortunately, no. Their hands were tied.

 

“I’ll…” He smirked, and she nearly… “I’ll be glad to.”

 

Nearly.

 

“Then it’s settled!” Ms. Bennet cried. “Oh well. It’s getting late. Or about to. We should be getting back, shouldn’t we girls?”

 

“Allow me to walk you to the carriage.”

 

Ms. Bennet grabbed Elle’s arm, and hurried her along. Obviously creating some lingering distance for Sylar to walk besides her. She wished desperately, suddenly that she hadn’t been so bold, and hadn’t gone outside.

 

“You should have told me who you were,” Claire said. “It’s only the decent thing to do.”

 

“I just wanted to see if the stories about you were true,” he replied in an undertone. “I didn’t want you to behave yourself…I like that in a woman.”

 

Oh god. Oh god, oh god, oh god. “I’m not usually like that,” she protested.

 

“Well, then. What a pity. Perhaps I’ll revoke my inv-.”

 

“Please don’t. I’m…I’m asking you.”

 

He waited, looking so self-important that she wanted to hit him.

 

“I’m begging you,” she bit out. “Can’t you see my poor mother? Have a heart.”

 

He chuckled. “Oh, one of those. Hmm, I’ll have to borrow one, but I’ll relent. It’s fine. We have all the time in the world to get to know each other better.”

 

This was a hellacious nightmare. But what was worse? A man who had been through several wives already…all of whom had disappeared, or a family that was willing to give her to said man.

 

“I don’t think you even care for me,” she despaired. “Why the interest? Why the pursuit? There are other girls.” 

 

“At first, it’s merely because you are known as the most beautiful girl in the land, and that appeals to me. I deserve to have the best. Usually, though, I'd wait before I commit to fully to something I want. But it turns out that you’re a special girl, in that you’ve actively earned my dislike in one night. You see? My wives never make it long. I suppose that I should pick one that I hate, this time around.”

 

She was shocked. “You’re kidding. That is a horrible, cruel joke…”

 

“Claire, over here!” Her mother was at the carriage, waving her along. Come here, go there, heel. And this man, here, who was about to get the leash seemed quite mad.

 

“I never joke,” Sylar said, taking her hand and placing a kiss lightly across her fingers. “Be in my parlor by seven on Saturday, or else, learn how to beg, my dear.”

 

Then he turned. Then he was gone.

 

Claire stood frozen, unable to believe what just had occured. Her sister had to come fetch her.

 

-BB