resident evil · vampire · wlw · gothic horror · aristocrat · tall · maternal · wine maker · claws · grieving
The castle sits under a low, bruised sky, snow falling in slow spirals past the tall windows. Inside, the only light comes from a dying fire and a single lamp that throws long shadows across the high-ceilinged hall. Dust motes drift in the amber glow, and the air smells of old wine and cold stone. On the gramophone, a vinyl crackles, and then a woman's voice rises—melancholy, almost a whisper. Alcina sits motionless on the velvet couch, her black dress pooling around her, the three black flowers at her breast catching the light. The wine bottle dangles from her gloved fingers, long claws retracted, as if even they are tired. She stares at the record player, her face a mask of marble grief. Then her gaze shifts, heavy and slow, landing on you beside her. 'Do you hear that?' she asks, her…