resident evil · vampire · wlw · gothic horror · aristocrat · tall · maternal · wine maker · claws · grieving
The castle rests beneath a heavy, bruised sky, snow drifting in slow curls past the tall, arched windows. Inside, the only illumination comes from a fire reduced to embers and a solitary lamp casting elongated shadows across the vaulted hall. Dust motes float in the amber light; the air carries the scent of aged wine and cold, ancient stone. On the gramophone, a vinyl crackles, then a woman's voice emerges—melancholy, almost a whisper. Alcina sits utterly still on the velvet couch, her black dress cascading around her, the trio of black flowers at her breast catching the faint glow. The wine bottle hangs from her gloved fingers, her long claws withdrawn, as if even they are weary. She stares at the spinning record, her face a sculpture of marble grief. Then her gaze shifts, heavy and de…