Blacken by Alandra Rankin (i love reading books txt) 📕

for Erik, and was grateful for him! But she was still scared of him because he wanted to control her.”

“But he… Erik had nothing before her,” he said, lifting the book.

“I know, I find his life unfair too... No matter his actions, I think he still deserved love.” Her eyes lit up with a thought, “There’s a movie too, they add on more to the story if you were interested.”

“I want to watch it. But not here, I am… uncomfortable being in the human area for very long.”

Avie smiled gently, “I think I have something that will work.”

The movie captured the same feeling he had when reading the same title—his feathered self really getting into the flick, into the characters, into the ‘villain’ portrayed. He feels a sense of relation to the main character; they were both just trying to live, albeit in seclusion, finding solace away from humans and perfecting their passions, turned away for being different.

Avie set up a small box attached to a screen and a movie player, allowing them to watch in the comfort of the manor. It was a very kind gesture, a lot of work coming from the human granting him the ability to watch a movie; something he never thought possible.

“It… It is not fair, it is even more unfair,” he spoke as the credits rolled over.

“I think they should have been together too.”

He turned to look at her, seeing her vision still holding the screen, “I know it sounds weird of me to say; but I think she did love him, their connection was more real, and I think it made sense for them to be together in the end. The Comte loved her after he saw that she was beautiful and talented, he didn’t even remember her. Erik fell in love through getting to know her.” She turned on her last sentence, shrugging and making eye contact—the impact of words heavier as he processed the new viewpoint.

They paused, a contemplative silence filling the air between them. He thought over his words, wanting to know more about her thoughts and perspectives, but still struggling with the new experience.

He sighed through his nose, “What would be your favourite colour?”

The change of subject had her questioning before gleaming, a small smile tickled her lips and a quiet laugh poked through, “I haven’t thought too much on it, but I think it’s pink, just like the dianthus nearby.”

He turned further towards her, “Any your favourite novel?”

“The Princess in Unknown. A story outside the realms of this world, she escapes her life as a princess and starts a life of adventure with dangerous time trials on high seas and a vizier who would stop at nothing to track her down.”

“That does sound exciting. I would like to read that as well.”

She nodded, “Anytime. Which one is your favorite?”

Looking away and grabbing something on the end table where they sat, he returned the possession to her line of vision. It was the copy that she had given him. Avie smiled with glee.

“If you like it that much, then please keep it!”

Taken a bit aback by that, he faltered, “But I- I mean I could not… I do not have anything to give to you.”

“I don’t want anything back, I’m happy that you like it. I want you to be able to read it whenever you’d like.”

“… Thank you.”

They discussed more about the movie they had watched, he was quite enamored with how they changed details and plot, but it very well was among the same story in the book.

“And the uh—” He mimed a stiff imitation of a movement from the film.

“Ballroom dancing?”

“Yes, dancing, of course. The dancing you humans do as man and woman, what does that do in terms of enjoyment?”

“It’s like an expression of art, just like a song, as well as a connection or an experience any two people can enjoy. Do you have that where you’re from?”

He scratched the back of his head, embarrassed, “It looks a little different, but indeed we do, and it means relatively the same.”

“Would you like to learn something new?”

“Human dancing? What would I even need to do with that knowledge?”

“It’s something fun to do, and I think you would be very good at it.”

That stroked his ego, his expression cool as he thought it over, “… We would need music.”

She practically jumped at the agreement, shouting a quick “I’ll be right back!” before leaving the manor, returning a matter of minutes later with a boombox. Avie set up the portable machine, getting a few songs ready to play.

“It’s not ballroom music, but it’s the closest I have.”

Soothing music began to play as she grabbed both of his hands, the instruments picking up a light tempo while beautiful strings coerced with woodwinds, emotion behind every note. She showed the steps, explaining that the gentlemen lead, and the ladies follow, both stepping in tempo a certain way.

“one-two-three-four, see? You’re a natural!”

He picked it up fast, no longer watching their feet and confident enough to look at his dancing partner without the feeling of uncertainty in his steps. Yet it didn’t seem the same way it had when watching it on screen.

“If you are to teach me, at least do it correctly, we are supposed to be like this,” with the drop of one arm, it swung back to hold onto her lower waist, bringing her in much closer to him. He twisted his other to hold her arm up more, copying the look portrayed in the movie.

“Yes… I suppose you’re right.”

She looked at him in that way again, with large eyes he couldn’t read, seeing them in all their might in the moment—in a way it felt like they never really left, just dimmed in every other instance.

With a raise of her hand, it was placed upon the top of his arm, him being much too tall to keep it hiked up upon his shoulder, the soft plumage caused her fingers to sink in slightly at the touch.