Hiraeth Story Draft: Meet Miss Bella Donna
“Right this way, Miz Nightingale.”
A scrawny woman led Nightingale into a proud mansion. Now, Nightingale had been in many mansions before, however, she'd never experienced one quite like this. Madonna lily patterns were intricately carved into the corners of cedar walls. The vines of these flowers were sculpted into the beams of a staircase nearby, leading to a stained glass window. Nia viewed its majesty as she dwaled forward. The window ahead was an emerald green with shards of aquamarine shaped like crescent moons. Brilliant rays of light illuminated the steps. As the short woman stalked the cedar planks in articulated strides, the green marbles of light were hindered useless by the amber oil lamps; enchanting the way. Nia sighed. “This is taking too damn long.” she thought. She was passing water colored bayous framed on the walls. Soon her legs were thumping heavily with each step she took.
“So… How long have you been serving Bella Donna?”
The maid’s hand struck her thigh as her entire leg stalled. Her thin lips pursed as she mimped, “Well, it may not seem like it, but I've only worked for her a handful of years. It just doesn't seem like it, because I'm so…so tired. All the work I do is giving me greys.”
“Not what I asked, but sure.”
“You'd asked how long I have worked for my mistress. I answered accordingly. Is there a problem?”
Before Nightingale could retort, another maid crossed paths. She handed a cigarette wand to her friend and lit it for her.
“It's almost time for your break. Just don't let Miss see you. You know she hates when you smoke around her fauna, Louise.”
“Thank you, Shleby. If you wouldn't mind escorting this…” her voice slipped into a whisper, “clod,” to The Sun Lounge.”
Shleby's smile curled into a sheepish grin. Nightingale's eyes had been fixated on some murex shells that adorned a few shelves. Despite this, she couldn't not concentrate as she felt Shleby's darting eyes burn from embarrassment. Louise strode down the stairs as Shleby led her up.
“ I apologize for my friend. She's just in a bit of a mood. I'm sure the weather hasn't been much help either.” Nia cocked her brows as she looked into the windows again. The light was dim and the once luminescent crescents were murky with the fierce rain.
“How'd I miss that?” Nia pondered.
Outside of another window, Nia could see what looked to be a small pool. Above it, the roof had completely been gone.
“Where's the roof? The house will get soaked.”
“Oh no, silly. That's called an impluvium. While you might not be able to see it too well, if you take a look; there are some nice rhododendrons down there that could use it.”
“What’s a road-doe-den-roon?” Nightingale inquired. Her words began to slur as her irises clouded.
“A very beautiful flower. They happen to be one of my mistress’s favorites, and-” CLUNK!
Nightingale collapsed onto a ceramic vase. Her stomach and chest were pressed into the decor, as its crystalline contents scattered across the floor and down the flight of stairs.
Rose gold hues faintly colored a grim room, Nightingale turned towards it. “What is that? Am I… in someone’s room?” Nia propped her thin frame towards the high ceiling, nimble arms wobbling.
“Ooookay! So I am in a bedroom. Frick! Are my clothes on? Nope, yep. They’re on. I wasn’t drugged. I didn’t huff anything, apart from that twerp’s cigarette. So…. my dumbass fell asleep. Great.” Nightingale scanned her horizon.
“Where're my shoes? Did they…. No duh, they took them off. Shoes in the bed are gross. But my derringer is missing from my garter. So’s my knife.”
Holding the beaded lamp above her, the light switch unearthed itself from its faction of grey. Flicking it on as she partially rolled onto her feet, the glint of a silver switch blade caught her stare. Nightingale lunged for it on the bench at the foot of her bed. The lamp long forgotten and knife now safely perched in her garter. The door opened and Nightingale slipped through.
Hiding behind a statue, Nightingale observed as staff members bustled through compact spaces.
“Would you mind coming with me?”
The words flowed like the soft jingling of bells swaying with the wind. Nightingale paled farther than thought possible. Her eyes became ovals. The squat figure got smaller as glass walls beaconed and giant trees were being pressed against them as they prevailed through the house.
“This is paradise, huh? I never thought I'd go out this way. This woman is gonna gut me and use my organs as compost."
Fweet! Tweet! Bird calls sang above Nightingale's head. Flamboyant feathers sailed down the air. As she entered, harsh scents of Earth plagued her senses. In the middle of it all a lovely table sported a ceramic china set. The feminine figure pulled out a velvet bergere. Nightingale began to sit down. “Oh shoot. She’s very tall.” The figure sat across from her, pouring an herbal blend. The brim of her sun hat lifted, revealing saccharine eyes.
“Hello, Nightingale. I’m Bella Donna.”
