Bloodlines

Wordlessly Tomás led Ridley and Ankh through the grand estate! The hallways were gilded with enormous crystal chandeliers with candlesticks lining the high white ceilings. The windows too were huge even if the long thick curtains were shut. Their footsteps echoed down each corridor and some of the corridors had gold candelabra with tall white candles. The floor was polished perfectly; so perfectly that the chandeliers reflected wholly in the floor. Ankh was trotting proudly through the grand place while Ridley was really put off. She and Tomás awkardly strolled through the elaborately decorated third floor of Chateau du Luq.

Sebastian caught them on their way into the parlour. “Be careful,” he warned. “Dominique is being waxed.”

Tomás rolled his eyes with a head shake. “Ridley, this is Monsieur Sceptique, otherwise known as Sebastian Randall. My oldest friend. Sebastian, allow me to introduce my sister, Ridley Axel,” he began with his hand on her shoulder.

Ridley nodded weakly at the man before her while Tomás reached for the adorned door. Sebastian nodded back at Ridley then replied “I’ve heard many things about you.”

Tomás opened the door and beckoned Ridley inside. Her fingers itched near her karambit. Ankh coolly let herself in while a woman’s agonised grunt escaped the room. Ankh winced then jumped back. Ridley scanned the room with her hunter instincts.

The highly ornamental, decorative and theatrical style were the signature of Rococo architecture. The decorative elements that incorporate curves and counter curves, as well as asymmetrical forms based in the shape of Ss and Cs were also proof of that. There was a whole wall turned into a bookshelf, lathered with lavender furniture polish. A white harpsichord with gold shells, pebbles and little birds with its matching stool were untouched, in front of the shelf. The seats of sitting area were laid out to form a perimeter. Closest to the harpsichord was the red and white settee while across from that was the fireplace, on the west wall.

To the left of the fireplace were two round sofa chairs in the same matching red. Between them and the red sofa was the painted and gilt coffee table. The parlour was too large for that to be all its content. Behind the settee - before the whole wall of windows with no curtains - was an intimate table with only two chairs, that matched the rest of the furniture.

The petite table was decorated with a chess set that awaited its next game. A gilded overhead light shone onto the table, illuminating the first of Tomás’ aunts. In her one hand was an original copy of ‘El Hombre de La Mascara de Hierro’ by Alexander Dumas. In her other hand was an espresso. That was just strange because she was a goldblood.

She didn’t look too much like Renee: she had black hair, like Renee; cat-shaped eyes, like Renee; small but plump lips, like Renee; and a better-than-you air about her, like Renee. However, her hair had a wave to it where Renee’s was curly. Where Renee’s eyes were pale blue, her sister’s were brown.

Ridley suspected that that had to be Aimée, simply because Sebastian said that Dominique was waxing. On the indoor deck chair behind Aimée, was a third Renee lookalike with her legs spread while a greying man spread wax on her middle ground. The man would then apply a strip to rip off her hair.

Dominique had the most resemblance to Renee, even more than Tomás. She had the same sheen, curly black hair as Renee, the same chiselled cheeks as Renee, the same unblemished skin but mostly damningly, the same pale blue eyes. If anything, Dominique had to be Renee’s twin sister!

The man tore off more of Dominique’s pubic hairs, making her roar her pain. She wore something like a barber’s robe. The parting was in front of her and only covered her breasts that were otherwise uncovered. She clearly had no fear of people looking at her so exposed because the servants went on doing the last of their cleaning before nonchalantly taking the servant’s door out. The servant door that went straight passed Dominique’s visible vagina.

Ankh sniffed her way to Aimée, who hummed as she lowered her book. “And who are you,” she greeted warmly. “A new acquaintance to be made?”

“A mutt? Get it out,” Dominique jeered while Aimée roughed out the wolf’s gruff. “It wreaks of wet dog!”

“Aunties,” Tomás called excitedly and they both looked away from Ankh, at Aimée’s side, to Tomás. In a split second they were looking at Ridley beside him and awed wordless. “Allow me to introduce, Ridley Dominique Axel.” Dominique shooed away her waxer to sit up straight while Tomás and Ridley rounded the sofa. “Your niece.”

Dominique let out sirenic shriek then jumped out of her seat. She jumped around, making her robe fly around, revealing her breasts and exposing the whole front of her lower half. She took Ridley’s wrists in her hands then scanned over her face. When the goldblood looked at the hands her gripped onto and suddenly her merriment was drained.

Dominique saw a fragment of the eye in the small circle tattooed on Ridley’s left wrist, under her index finger. She lifted her finger to reveal the Novice gradus. Disgust grew on her face as she peeled back the sleeves of the dark green top and the black jacket to reveal the entire Nonentity series.

“How dare you,” she directed to both Ridley and Tomás. “You disgrace our family with this treachery!”

“She is not like the hunters around here,” Tomás assured her calmly. “I swear it. Ridley is from the Ľ étoile province. Monteiro’s most integrated region.” Tomás cupped Dominique’s shoulders then squeezed them firmly. “Her fight is with le sauvage.” Dominique wasn’t convinced. She shook her head then turned her back to them. “She is a good woman. I hope one day you will see that.”

Dominique returned to her waxing while Aimée lowered her espresso to stand and take in the girl with her nephew. Like a vulture the youngest du Luq sister circled Ridley, who swallowed her nerves but kept her hand close to her karambit. Aimée hummed when she saw the huntress’ hand there then stepped away from Ridley.

“This is certainly a surprise,” Aimée voiced calmly, in contrast to the raging storm outside. “Yet not at all unexpected. Clotilde did always have a fascination for The Hunt.” The goldblood cupped Ridley’s cheek then hummed thoughtfully. “You are beautiful,” she purred. Aimée gave a warm small smile while lacing her fingers in front of her. She was certainly dressed her age. “You have so much of Clotilde in your gait.”

“Is that supposed to be a compliment,” Ridley jeered. Aimée was taken aback while Dominique only smirked her triumph. “Renee was a monster."

“€10 000 says she tried to kill our sister a few times,” Dominique purred to Aimée.

“I only tried once,” Ridley replied angrily, matching the storm’s ill temperament, “and won.”

The room went dead with only the storm filling the silence. Ankh looked up at Aimée for support but Aimée’s eyes were wider than an owl’s and solely focused on Ridley. Dominique’s waxer also went statue at what he heard while Dominique clenched her hands tightly onto the arms of her deck chair.

Tomás stepped away from her fearfully to take her in and even Sebastian - who stood by the door - was stunned! The huntress looked over at Ankh who covered her snout with a paw and winced. Ridley took in the goldbloods around her then clenched her fists and tightened her lips.

“That was not smart,” Ankh whispered.

“H-how long ago...” Tomás finally uttered. “When... did... why?”

Ridley looked over at Ankh who went quiet. “She tried to kill me.”

Tomás cleared his throat then nodded. “Well,” he begun, not at all trying to diffuse the tension, “she’s been dead to me for decades.”

Aimée returned to her seat gracefully. “Our family hasn’t been unified for sometime now. I suppose Clotilde’s treachery has made me lose my content for her. She was my sister, however, I don’t think I will ever not love her.” The learned du Luq held up her espresso. “Une tartine. A Clotilde, la traîtresse et notre soeur.”

“A Clotilde,” Dominique replied holding up an ornament decanter.

Tomás also took hold of a glass decanter on the table near Dominique. “A mère,” he stated. Ankh nestled into his thigh and then let out a mournful growl. Tomás shed a tear and Ankh buried her snout into his abdomen. “Oh. You’re an emotional support wolf too?” He massaged her forehead and the grey wolf nestled deeper into him. “Thank you.”

“He’s smells like roses,” Ankh moaned. “Roses and rain and... chocolate?”

“Chocolate,” Ridley accidentally repeated out loud.

“You take a whiff!”

“Why do you smell like chocolate,” the huntress directed to her brother.

Tomás furrowed his eyebrows briefly before letting out a hearty chuckle. “Oh wow. Chocolate was the last thing I ate before my prolonged youth started,” he replied. “That was almost four hundred years ago.”

“Do you mean to tell me, I just smelled four-hundred-year-old chocolate?”

Ridley ignored Ankh then turned back to Tomás. His statement raised a question. One that most goldbloods usually found insulting. Still she asked, “how old are you?”

“Dear sister, I am three hundred and seventy-eight.”

Aimée perked up at him. “Born the same year as the Sun King’s coronation.” She continued with her first edition copy of ‘Man in the Iron Mask’. “Has he RSVPed, Mini?”

Dominique sighed then snapped her fingers while Ridley went pallid. The two sisters confirmed that King Louis XIV was alive! Genevieve came rushing from her silent post against the wall - next to the fireplace - with a tablet in her hand. Dominique scrolled through the tablet with a hum. “It looks like it. Just as well; I heard he and Françoise ďAubigne have gotten divorced. Again.”

“That poor woman. This is the fourth time they’ve divorced,” Aimée sighed. “We never did consider her our queen.”

“God forbid the people ever do! Yes, their first marriage was scandalous but that wench will always only be his majesty’s adviser and the governess to his children. That’s how the people will see it until the day she closes her eyes forever,” Dominique voiced sourly. “I intend on making absolutely sure on that at this year’s celebrations!”

“Of course you do,” Aimée sighed again. “Will you be the new apple of his majesty’s eye?”

“Heavens, no! Can you imagine it? Me, queen of all goldbloods? I would never have time for shopping and not forgetting that Gabrielle would never let me hear the end of it.”

“Ah, that ball of unconventional,” Aimée replied then turned to Ridley. “I say ‘unconventional’, to be polite.”

“You hairy old fish! Gabrielle and I have been as thick as thieves since forever! I knew her long before her time in the spotlight,” Dominique hissed. “Dear old Gabrielle. I should write to her!” Again the goldblood, in the middle of her bikini wax, snapped her fingers. Have you heard of Gabrielle, Roxanne?”

“Ridley,” Tomás corrected.

Dominique waved a hand dismissively while her waxer tore off the last of her pubic hair. The goldblood let out a shriek. “You sadistic codpole! Away with you!” The waxer smirked evilly and let out a hearty laugh before leaving. “Answer me, girl. Do you know who the great Gabrielle Bonheur Chanel is?”

Ridley furrowed her eyebrows in confusion. “Gabrielle Bon...? Coco Chanel.”

“I see she’s not at all a lost fashion cause,” Dominique commented while sizing up her estranged niece. “She just has no style.” Ankh growled lowly but Ridley could hear she was actually laughing. Ridley exhaled heavily while Aimée scoffed her disapproval. “Oh tush, you hairy monkey’s arse,” the eccentric du Luq went on to her sister. “It’s no wonder you have no husband!”

Aimée shook off her eldest sister and looked to her older sister’s daughter. “Excuse Mini’s foul mouth. She has put it on so many seed sprinklers, it’s a wonder she isn’t choking.”

Sebastian went pale while Ankh rolled over laughing and Ridley’s eyebrows hit her hairline. Tomás merely shook his head. “Ridley, I think it’s time for a tour of the estate,” he ordered more than suggested, before his aunts’ quarrelling bubbled over. “Shall we,” he gestured to the door before leading her out of the parlour.

"Neveu! A question,” Dominique cut in. “How long will the hunter be staying with us?”

Tomás quizzically turned to Ridley - who looked passed Aimée and Dominique - towards the storm that showed no sign of slowing. The huntress sighed her dismay that only brought her brother joy. “She can stay as long as she wishes,” he stated firmly. Ankh hummed her approval but Ridley was skeptical towards Tomás. “She is family, after all.”