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?Victor looked considering as he listened to Elizabeth, glancing away at one point to give a nod of thanks to one of the woman servants, who brought a new vase of flowers, and placed it on the table, between the couple. ? ? Sophisticated and¡, Mocking....,?He repeated thoughtfully, thinking to himself that it sounded like someone who had been so recently plaguing him as well. I believe part of this is because you are justifiably angry with me for not being able to defend you on our wedding day; I made him too strong, too strong for anyone¡¯s own good, he commented. ? ? He looked considering, studying her carefully when she spoke of whether or not she had been a religious person, I¡, I don¡¯t recall you being religious, but people can change, and they often do. Do you prefer to try the potion first, or the priest first? ? ?He would await her response, before suggesting, perhaps we should continue this discussion outside, I think a nice casual walk, and some fresh air, would do us both a world of benefit. ? Is that satisfactory to you? He hoped she would say that it was, for at that moment, he felt he could definitely use a breath of fresh air, even before going into the comparatively stuffy lab for the potion.?????
God loves you.
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Elizabeth had to consider Victor's words carefully. He was finally addressing something that had the chance of helping her out. "The voice in my head, well when it's not my voice directly, it sounds more casual.?The words?could belong to a male voice. Not too low though, not the?rough kind. If anything, it could be sophisticated, or mocking or...I suppose at the very?least intelligent. I have this distinct feeling I am making this all up. Could I be imaging it all, or am I really under the influence?
?
I am horrid, or I feel horrid when the voice speaks through me, especially when it sounds like my own voice. But dare I ascribe it to another creature altogether? Oh wretched fate, I fear I have become one of those mutable creatures I used to lack the comprehension of. I would apologize for it all, have I not plagued?you with worse matters yet.?I may be tempted by the potion, but I am afraid I might have to explore the possibility of finding a priest as well. What if all I need is a good prayer under the spiritual guidance of a professional soul saver? Have I been religious in the past? I do not think so. I do not recall myself engaging in any such activity and yet, solace is one commodity I crave over all others, in great amounts.
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Sleep can heal me in your estimate? That sounds wonderful. Especially,?when I erase that horrid dream from my memory. When hands with awful power were squeezing the life out of me. Without mercy, concern, or any seconds thoughts at all. It is puzzling how it can be, isn't it? Some dreams are so vague, and yet other loom large in one's consciousness, over shadowing all else?" Elizabeth concluded hesitantly, deciding to save for the hypothetical priest her dark confession.
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That the dream of the pain inducing hands made her want to strike back. To give to her offenders. To offer merciless hands of her own to those who choked?the life out of?her. It?was all silly, she didn't even know how she would go about it.?Or if she had such capability...Elizabeth realized with a start that her unfortunate experience with the vase taught her just how much?capacity for violence she now had. With that in mind, her next step was a foregone conclusion.
?
"Yes, dear Victor. I appreciate your understanding. And worried as I am to hurt your feelings, I am far more concerned to offer you bodily harm, so your idea of separate beds may prove prudent," Elizabeth sadly pronounced. She may have been slightly intrigued by the prospect of physically hurting the dear man, and did not experience any genuine regret, but did not wish to excite her darker nature unnecessarily. Who knew?how she would end up if she indulged her initial impulse, after all.
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?No one else would hear or see the ghost that haunted the mind of Victor, but they would notice that the master of the house clearly looked¡, As if he had seen a ghost. ? ? He glanced behind Elizabeth, his eyes seemed to be riveted there for an eternity, but all seemed to be normal in the room; the servants had finished ?cleaning up the broken vase, and we¡¯re now going about serving the meal, and doing their best to attend to their new mistress. ? He studied Elizabeth¡¯s expression, not wanting to alarm her, but watching to see if she had observed anything out of the ordinary. ? ?He could not help wondering, had he himself¡, Conjured?this vision by thinking about his creation? There¡¯s nothing there, nothing is there, he told himself, as he glanced around the room, pretending to survey and make sure that all was well, and that the servants were going about their work. ?He? ?wondered how he was supposed to help her, when he was fighting monsters within his own mind. Maybe it is, he¡, After all, he thought to himself. He would have been even more distressed, had there been a mirror nearby, where he could see the ghostly paleNess of his countenance, for he himself now looked as if he had been dead a long time. ? Perhaps the only thing that did not feel dead about him at that moment, was his heart, which felt as though it would burst through his chest at any moment. ? ?She will likely think that I am frightened of her now, and it is all his¡, Fault, the scientist thought to himself, wishing that the ghost he saw in his own mind were?actually flesh and blood, so that he might at least attempt to choke the life out of it. ?He realized, with dismay, that it probably wouldn¡¯t work, since he had built that creation to live forever. ????He blinked, lowered his head and closed his eyes for a few seconds, then raised his head again, hoping, praying to whatever power there was, be it?science, or something else, that he would not see the ghost anymore. as he looked at Elizabeth in an endeavor to remain calm, to sound calm¡, He cleared his throat and stated, I think we should, I think we should go to the lab, ? Or, perhaps, take a walk outside, whatever you think will help you, of course. He could not help feeling that in spite of his most valiant effort, a noticeable tremulousness was evident in his voice.??????
God loves you.
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?Victor listened intently, wondering, hoping against hope, that his potion would indeed work and help her. He had expected some problems on her first day back in the world of the living, although he was not certain what he had expected. It was certainly nothing like this, nothing of this magnitude. ? This voice that whispers in your mind, can you tell me if it is the voice of a man, or a woman¡®S voice? ? Chilling thought flash through his mind, and he had to work to suppress his own anger and frustration at even the mere?presents and suggestion of such a thought. ? What if¡, That monstrous creation of mine has somehow managed to find its way into the world of the dead, he wondered to himself. I made him to last forever, but¡, Surely by now he is¡, Could he, be the one that is troubling her? He wondered what he would do, what would he even think if she said the voice in her mind was a man¡¯s voice. ? ? Then he seemed to remember and reminded him self, I did¡, Create him with super intelligence, so even if he is still alive, is it possible that¡? But Elizabeth was still speaking now, saying something about going to see a priest. When she finished, he calmly asked her, would you like to go and see a priest first? I don¡¯t know if they would know any more than any of us do, but there is always the chance. So, what shall it be, my love, the priest, or the potion? ? When she spoke of sitting in the chair, Victor slipped an arm around her shoulder, and looked into her eyes even more earnestly, Elizabeth, let me assure you, everything in this house is yours as well as mine; this was to be, and is¡, Our¡, Home. ? I believe you are still very much the Elizabeth that I know, the Elizabeth that I have always loved, but something¡, Something has happened, something appears to have followed you here into the world of the living. I must admit, that I do not know what it is, I only know that I love you dearly, and would give my very life to help you to become well again, to help you feel loved, safe and secure. ? ? ? He drew her even closer to him when she spoke of possibly breaking him beyond repair, ? I do not believe that is possible coming from you, and yet, I will not invalidate your worries by being overly confident. If you wish to remain separate and separate beds for a while, then we will do so. ? ?Tell me, dearest, what, if anything, did you feel the moments before you returned to the living world? Did you feel any sensations at all when you were in that place? He felt absolutely stupid asking such a question, as he knew full well that people usually did not feel anything in the place of the dead, he was a scientist, wasn¡¯t he? And yet, that same passion for knowledge led him to begin to examine ?The slightest possibility that something not entirely scientific might be at work in this situation. After all, he had actually agreed to take her to see a priest, of all things. ? ? The potion I have for you ?Will help regulate your brain activity, and will also help you to get better sleep at night. This I believe, will cause you not to think of these dark thoughts so much, as your mind adjusts more and more to the living world. An idea ?was coming to him, perhaps this was not such an unscientific phenomenon after all. ? Sleep is often one of the most healing aspects of nature and of the human body, he told her, now you might think that having been dead for so long, why would you need sleep? Nevertheless, death is not healing, but in sleep, the living body has a chance to repair it self. He knew full well that people often saw things, people and events they normally would not have seen if they had an adequate nights sleep. Perhaps a few nights rest was all she needed? ? ?Believe??me, he continued, in no way am I trying to minimize your feelings, what you feel is quite real to you, and is in its own way, understandable, but you have not slept at all since your return to the world of the living, my potion will not force you to sleep, but it will facilitate sleep when it is time for you to retire for the evening. Would you like dessert first? Or, would you like to go to the lab at present??????????
God loves you.
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"Thank you, I suppose. Oh Victor, I must appear insane to you and to the rest of them. Oh God. You ask me if I believe and I really want to tell you that I would. But as soon as I harbor the intention to have faith, to hold strong, well a tiny voice inside of me tells me it cannot be done. That I won't make it. Not anymore, not after, that darkness was lodged inside of me.
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My mind is not even working the same way anymore. Which makes my faith all the more difficult. I have such doubts. Every time I am experienced another image from my past. Or an image I have no reason to remember. That may belong to me of the future, if such a devilish thing is possible. And if it is not, then my imagination may as well supply me with images belonging to another. A stranger who has no business being in this body.
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And the worst part of it is that I cannot know. Not truly, Not with certainty. Am I Elizabeth that you know? Am I a different person now? Is my mind tainted? Is it a combination of two minds that should have no reason to cleave together and yet do, because the darkness of the place willed it so? I want to believe so desperately. The problem is that I don't know which part I should have faith in. How much faith would even be helpful, and how much detrimental, when it is based on false premises.
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Oh dear Victor. it gets more ridiculous then that. I am also afraid to sit in the chair my memory suggests may be my favorite, the one with designs the Elizabeth of old favored so. I am not sure I can sit on it, without breaking it. And sleeping with you, what if I physically hurt you, break you beyond repair?" Elizabeth had to admit, to her horror, that the last thought held some unexpected appeal for her. Even so, having to consider what she has become, made her tear up.
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"I am basically a freak now, like one of those horrid creatures at the creepiest exhibits that so fascinate the lowest of human nature. I don't even know the limitation of my physical strength now, nor the breaking point of the mind. I would have gladly gone to consult a doctor or a priest, only, I doubt they ever had to witness the likes of me. I doubt they would find any remedy that could help me. So I am forced to rely on your potion somewhat, to the best of my sadly limited ability. You are my rescuer, my savior even, and if you cannot help me, I can only prey that I would be the only one to perish..." Elizabeth sniffled with more frustration than genuine sadness. ?
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Victor would see the Frank ghost towering behind Elisabeth, a slight smirk on his face.
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"I warned you clearly, you know. So you truly killed her by literally challenging me and forcing my hand when I was more than clear about what I would do. I only wanted the same thing you do...the same thing anyone does, not to be alone! You killed her, and you did this to her."
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A red head seemed to appear beside Frank with hair standing wildly on end as if hit by lightning and she gave Victor a glare as her arms slipped around Frank before they both faded.
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Of course as this was no true ghost, only Victor's mind would see it, not Elisabeth or the servants and likewise no one would hear Frank's words ringing through the room heavy with accusation.
I'm friends with the monster that's under my bed.
I get along with the voices inside of my head.
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?Well I think actually that¡, Victor had been about to give another explanation, but was quite rudely interrupted by the shattering vase. ? ? The lovely red, yellow and white flowers were strewn everywhere, the shattering glass and accompanying mess, in?sharp contrast to the sweet smelling flowers and greenery that had been spilled as a result of the breakage. ? My Elizabeth! Victor¡¯s voice was concerned and rather surprised, but not angry, as he immediately threw up his arms in front of Elizabeth to shield her as best he could from any flying glass. ? ?The servants momentarily turned their attention from serving the meal, to cleaning up the mess that had been made. ? ? One truly frightened servant could not help her self but to stand and Goc at Elizabeth, until the master of the house gave her a sharp frown and an equally sharp re-Buque; ? The normally passive Victor turned a severe gaze on the servant, frightening her even more, don¡¯t stare at her that way, she didn¡¯t mean it. Do your part and help the others clean it up. ? A part of him wanted to scramble to help the servants, but he knew that his place was with Elizabeth, whatever that might mean at any given moment. I will not run, he thought to himself, not like before, not like I did win¡, But she was speaking now, and he listened. ? ?He longed to hold her close, to comfort her and tell her that everything would be OK, but he did not wish to offer platitudes, that was the last thing she needed right now, nor did he wished to appear too confining, too overprotective, yet he knew she needed protection, protection perhaps, from her own self, from her own feelings and fears. ? ? I must admit, Elizabeth, that while I am doing my best to understand what is happening, I know little if anything about any of this, I have never encountered anything such as this before, but we will get through it together, you and I. And yes, we can go to the lab, and you can have the potion for as long as you need?it. ? When?she spoke of the place having poisoned her against her self and him, he gave her a look of understanding, I know of no poison known to man, whether physical, or of the mind, which does not have some sort of antidote, and together, we will find it, I will do my very best ? ?To help you. ? But he was now caught in the emotional Condrey, should he assure her without a doubt that the potion could cure her, even though he did not know exactly what he was dealing with? Or, should he seem more uncertain, thereby preventing some of the workings of her own mind from working in her favor? ? ?I believe that it will¡, Work, Elizabeth, he gently took her hand, do you¡, Believe? Will you, believe? Will you try to believe, for us, but mainly, for yourself???
?His voice was soothing, or at least he hoped that it was as he spoke to her.????
God loves you.
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"You truly think it is merely a belief of mine? Only a belief that keeps me from enjoying?the simple pleasures of life, like this vase of flowers for instance?"? Elizabeth attempted a smile but?reaching for the vase in question only made things worse.
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She had tried to be polite with her dear Victor, but his inability to understand her needs and address them, created a wave?of irritation that was passing through her, controlling her, until it went out into the vase and before she knew it, something happened. She knew it was bad without looking at the vase, just by the sound of breaking.
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"I am sorry. I am so sorry," Elizabeth tried excusing her inexplicable behavior, her intimidating strength. And then, that dark wave of irritation took hold of her once more before she was ready to fend it off. "I am NOT sorry. I cannot be. I am as...as broken as that vase, Victor. Oh Lord, I don't want to be saying this. Truly, I wish I had better news.
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Only, I firmly believe that I was broken. In that horrible dark place. I shouldn't have been there. I know, I know Victor. You didn't wish for me to be there either. But I was there and I shouldn't have been. Nor can I help blaming you for it. It is entirely irrational, well I know. And yet, I cannot help myself. This place was more than just a place of death. It was a place of...correction perhaps. It changed something in me, Victor. It poisoned me against myself, and most certainly, against you.??
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Oh, I am so sorry. I don't know what I am saying. We can go to the lab and get the potion? And the potion can fix me in earnest? Oh Victor, you have been unfailingly nice to me. You truly mean it? James?was not angry at my unusual food requests? I have been...starving. Just another thing that was wrong with me, I suppose. When I came back. But I will change for you, dearest Victor. I really want to..." Elizabeth saw no reason to expound on the precise nature of her particular hunger. It was unlikely that Victor would understand. It was unlikely that a normal, sane human being should. And she already required so much of dear Victor's attention, she did not wish to add more to his worries about her. Justifiable worries, as they may be. ??
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?I believe, Victor began, looking considering all the while, ? ?Some of this fear and darkness you feel, actually comes from being in the place of the dead, where your soul felt no life, this I think, is what makes you believe that you are less than perfect, but this believe is faults, listen to me and trust me pleaseH when I tell you this. ? ?You must remember, he continued, that you have not yet spend even one full day among the living, and bringing people back from the dead is new to all of us, I did not know what to expect, ? But you are moving from feeling absolutely nothing, to feeling and entire world of sensations, thoughts and feelings, this understandably causes some trepidation ?within you. ? But we will work through this together, you and I; his eyes were full of both concern and compassion as he spoke. After supper, before anything else, you and I will go down to my lab which is in the basement of our?home, and you may have the potion. I will give it to you once a day for¡, I think one week will do it, you should begin to notice a difference even the first day. ? ? He search for an explanation to tell her how the potion would work, and why she was feeling all of these fears. It is similar to when one goes from complete an activity, and begins to engage in bodily exercise. At first, especially if one over does it, the person becomes sore, and the body suffers for a while until it becomes used to the new activity. You have been in the place of the dead for quite a while now, and I did my best to make it so that there were not too many stimuli when I brought ? ?You back into the world of the living. But of course, it is impossible to eradicate all stimuli, and it may be simply that you have seen a bit too much for one day. But the potion I will give you will help your brain adjust its patterns to the world of the living, which you knew before. ? ?As for making things difficult for me and the servants, he continued, you have only been a joy to us; you have not been any difficulty at all, everyone is just so glad to see that you have returned, and the gladdest of them all, is yours truly.???God loves you.
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"You took nothing from me? Is it possible? Well, perhaps then, that dark place. When I was barely myself, where I could only be, but not think. Perhaps it took something away from me. You...you might have saved me from the place. You may have, partially restored, what the place took away. If that is the case, you have certainly helped me. And yet, it is not enough. I am better now then I remember being there, but not good. I need more. I hunger for more.
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A potion, oh Victor, I would drink anything. I need, deeply, and I will accept. You are so right. I have fears, although, at times, I think I know what it is of. At other times, I lose memory of what it might be. It is as if somebody is attacking me and I must, simply must, defend myself. Or else all could be lost. I don't want to be that way. I really don't. But nor can I shake off the fear.
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Thank you for saying that. That I am perfect. It is so kind of you. Your words used to mean the world to me, I think. They still would have, had I not felt so imperfect, so wrong. I just wish, I really wish your potion would work. I hope I was not too unbearable with poor James. I don't want to make things difficult for you, or for the servants. I just want to be...myself again," Elizabeth explained. Relieved that Victor was listening to her. Terrified that he would not understand what she was saying.
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That his potion would not fully work to alleviate that terrible pressure. That made her imagine...dark things. Those needs of hers, that weren't there before, they were suggesting solutions to her.?How to release the tenstion. How to be free. And she wanted to be free so badly.??
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?Victor did not see how Elizabeth could be any better as a person, but he knew what she meant, she wanted him to make her feel better, more like herself again, and he did his best to comfort her, although he glanced away, and backed up a bit when he saw her sudden expression of anger. ? ? He began gently rubbing her upper back, ? ?Please be assured, dear Elizabeth, that?I took nothing from you, I took nothing out of you, for such was not necessary to return you to life. When she asked ?if there was anything he could add to make her better, he looked considering, ?I do¡, Have a potion which I have newly perfected, it is to stop bad dreams, to help you sleep more deeply, and awaken more relaxed and refreshed. I believe that¡, Once these horrible dreams are made to cease,?once you have gotten a real nights rest without fear of¡, Well, without fear of the unknown, I believe you will start to feel much better. ? ? As far as you being any better, he continued, I know what you mean of course, you mean something to make you feel better, just stop the haunting dreams and raging fears, but I can assure you, as a person, you are perfect, there is nothing in this world that can improve on the perfection that is you.???
God loves you.
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"The rest of my life, but in what condition?" Elizabeth demanded, surprising herself with unusual anger.
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"I know, I know you tried your best, but, what is that strange feeling inside of me then? Did you...take anything out? Is such a thing even possible? I wish I felt more like myself, but I don't fully. Could you add anything, to...make me better," she suddenly wondered, with a hope gleaming in her eyes.
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"The dream might fade, if all is normal, but all the rest. Oh Victor, I really don't thin you understand," the young woman complained. She could not state precisely what befell her, only that she felt bad, empty inside. Prone to fears, irrationality, even anger, and she could not remember any of it from before.
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"I can bear through the dreams," Elizabeth thoughtfully concluded. "It is the rest I am worried about. All of...this," she pointed with the index finger of her right hand towards her head.
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Victor's arm around her felt supportive at first, but then began feeling suffocating.
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It was all her she knew it. At least the new her, and she looked forward to the time when Victor would fix her. Make her good again.
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?Victor gave Elizabeth a curious look when she spoke of dreaming of someone peering into her; you are right that it is not I,?I would never do such a thing to you, my only intention was to return to life, so that you would be allowed to live out the rest of your life. ? I intend?for there to be no secrets between us, at least as far as I am concerned. But as he said this, he suddenly remembered a certain dinner party that was coming up in, what was it now too, maybe three¡, Days? He began wondering how he could bring Elizabeth to the dinner party, what would he tell them that her name was? A man named Victor, and a woman named Elizabeth¡, Might look too similar, ?too much like the man he actually was, and for some reason, did not want his two new friends to know. ? ?I¡¯ll just have to get out of it somehow, he thought to himself, Elizabeth will probably not be comfortable going out, even then, and there is no way I am going in there telling them that her name¡, Is Elizabeth, and that she and I have been recently married. With me being a scientist and all, but he sensed that he was becoming too distracted for the moment, and slipped and arm around Elizabeth. These dreams, I believe they will all fade in time, it is because you are so new to the waking, living world. ? ? At least, that is my theory, although I must admit, I am rather ignorant we¡¯re such phenomena?are concerned. ? I pray you give it time, he continued, these dreams will most surely fade, leaving you with only the realities of this new and exciting life which now belongs to you. ? ?When she said she would try, he nodded, that is the lady I have always known and loved since I can remember.????
God loves you.
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Elizabeth tried. To suppress that dark desire. To be attentive. To remember harder that tenderness she had also experienced. Once upon a time, when his eyes were so...soft, when his intentions, so sincere. She thought, they were good then. That was the truth, and she remembered that part as well. IT was a pity he hasn't changed greatly physically. If he has, she could remember the nicer Victor more, being different from the menace shesuddenly detected in him.
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"Yes, Dear Victor, I shall try. You are so nice to me. So encouraging. I appreciate what you have done for me," Elizabeth tried to reassured herself. Her focus occasionally wavering and returning back to his face, with mixed results.
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"Nothing comes between us? You mean it Victor? There are...no secrets you are keeping from me then? I am so sorry. It's all these wretched dreams I keep having. About somebody standing?over me. Peering into me. I know it isn't you. Of course?I do. But, those dreams, they frighten me so. They make me feel...unreasonable..." Elizabeth almost pleaded with Victor. Not sure what it was she needed from him. Perhaps being reassured. But in a different way than what?he was offering. She didn't truly expect him to read her mind. That would be irrational. But she wanted her mind at ease, and despite his best efforts, the great scientist was rather failing at that, her mind noted with a small dose of pity, sadly mingled with ridicule. ?
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?Victor did not bother correcting Elizabeth when she called the dish, sour craft. He seemed to sense that perhaps now was not exactly the right time for such trivialities. ?Completely unaware of the sinister, dark thoughts she was experiencing, he placed an arm lovingly around her waist, a gesture of intimacy, you will remember, please do not worry, please think no more of it, just¡, Just live, and let the memories come to you as life brings them. His voice was soft and soothing, as if he knew what was going on, yet he knew nothing of it, ? How could he know? As wonderful of a scientist as Victor was, he was no mind reader, so had no idea. ? ? When she told him that he really shouldn¡¯t have done all of these things, he only remarked, I only wish I could have done more, that I could have had a palace, instead of a mere mansion?in which you and I could dwell. ? ?Oh Elizabeth, he poured out his heart to her, I will spend the ?remainder of my life attempting to make up for all those times I spent away from you; oh, sure, there will be times that I must needs work in the lab, but I promise never again to let science¡, Or anything for that matter, come between you and me, and that, my dear love, is?a promise, ?One which I most sincerely utter?from the depths of my heart. ? But my sincerest words can only be counted as mere?syllables, until I make good on them with the life of devotion to you.?????
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Elizabeth could so vividly remember Abigail. How they sat together face to face, smiling at each other. Or perhaps at each other's words. It didn't truly matter. Only a common experience they shared. It should have been common place,?and now Elizabeth could but yearn for something so plain to take place?again. She could no longer relate to that simple innocence she'd?possessed. It was good to have her memory validated, but?saddening, to realize she would never relieve it.
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And she just knew she couldn't for innocence left her, and dark yearnings took root in her heart. That wickedness that she could not countenance. That resistance, that a good girl like herself, should not have experienced. That dual attitude, the interest at Victor and her entirely unworthy suspicion of him. Elizabeth did not know what was happening to her. She really wanted to be soft, almost managed to be, but when Victor explained?his reasons for letting Abigail go, she could not bring herself to believe him.
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He had no reasons to lie, obviously, yet why could she not refrain from seeing something sinister at the corner of his eyes. It had to be her of course. She knew she was changing, but did not expect herself to grow so wicked so fast. And yet, those dark emotions pulled at her, forced her away from her beloved, for that was surely what Victor had been to her.
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"It will be sorted?!" Elizabeth question almost angrily, her indignation turning into?sobs. "It will never be sorted. Oh, Victor, I will never be the same. As I was. At least, I don't think so, it's not like I truly remember what I was. I am so sorry, I may seem ungrateful. That dish, sour?craft you called it? It is magnificent, you are so thoughtful. Oh dearest Victor, you shouldn't have done, really shouldn't have. I don't mean the sour craft dish, I mean, I don't know what I mean," Elizabeth sobbed, out of pity for herself, the sobs slowly subsiding and something sinister creeping into her mind. An idea, a dark idea. Unbecoming, unworthy idea, that Victor had to be slapped.
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She knew she had been better than this, she knew that. But now, oh now it was very different. The old Elizabeth, the loving girl, she was nowhere to be found. The very thought made Elizabeth burst into tears once more. ? ?
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?Victor could not help smiling when Elizabeth called him, Victor dear. When he saw her reaching for him, he reached out as well, and gently took her hand. ? ?He looked considering, glancing a way to hide the slight frown that stole over his expression at the mention of Abigail, yes, there was¡, An Abigail, but I had to let her go. She did good work and all, but regrettably, one day I caught her in the lab, trying to copy formulas and the like. She of course was no scientist, in fact she acted rather uncomfortable about my lab work, yet there she was, trying to figure out how I made different things, at least ?it strongly appeared as such. He smiled again when she called him her love, happy and pleasantly surprised that she was so quickly remembering about using terms of endearment for him. He had used them with her several times that day, so was glad to see that some of these were being returned to him. ? Do not worry and do not fret yourself, my dearest, we will sorted all, I¡¯m sure whatever dreams you had before being returned to the world of the living will soon vanish, even from your memory, as the actual real, living world returns to it. ? It was then the servants brought in another large bowl of something that looked like cabbage, but Victor recognized ?it¡¯s appearance??immediately, ?ah, ? have you ever tried this before, love? It is called,?sauerkraut, and it is a??most delightful dish I can assure you; would you care to try some??????
God loves you.
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OOC: Temporarily taking Elizabeth until Kimmy's move is complete and she can resume her capable handling of the character.??
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IC:
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"Yes, I think...I remember," Elizabeth slowly considered with an attempt at a smile. "I would like that very much, Victor dear. Things back to normal. Although I thought, oh it surely must be my imagination. But I thought, there was somebody else with me on the swing. We don't have a maid named Abigail, do we? I am so flustered, Victor. I have these...well strange memories that make no sense, and terrible dreams.
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There was somebody leaning over me, yesterday, throwing chunks of, oh, I cannot even mention it. It doesn't matter, I suppose, only to show you?how feverish I must be, and my imagination of this maid..." Elizabeth mind, as if in a desire to punish her, gave her an image of her more natural self, smiling benignly at somebody else, this Abigail perhaps. What happened to her, she had to wonder, what malady befell her, that she did not feel quite natural about smiling.
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At least Victor was still here, and he was always so kind to her. She may have glimpsed an instant where his younger self greeted her, and not with coldness and disapproval, that for some reason she felt he would have been entitled to. She could always talk so comfortably to him. ?Those memories, they were all wrong though, somehow. As if an entirely different person lived through. It wasn't right for people to change the way she has, Elizabeth decided.
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"I am sorry, I must have been difficult, my, Love," Elizabeth tried, her hand tentatively reaching for Victor, hoping to feel something, and afraid at the same time. If only she at least knew what she wanted, why the very sight of him made her feel so odd. Perhaps it was her need for being close to him. That had to be natural, Elizabeth considered, trying to look softer, to feel softer, the way she almost knew she was supposed to feel.
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?Very good, my lady, James replied as he dished a healthy portion of the potatoes and roast beef on to Elizabeth¡¯s plate. ? ? Victor nodded to him approvingly, then turn back to Elizabeth, oh yes, swings can be that, can they not? It¡¯s so easy to sit quietly and just¡, Allow one¡¯s mind to drift, or to?think in a more focused manner if one so wishes to do so. He nodded when she asked if they¡¯re actually were a swing there, yes there is, would you care to go and sit in it ?with me,??after our meal? ? It was at that moment that yet another dish was brought in and presented, and Victor smiled even wider, his face coming a lot with interest, as his appetite increased. Ah, sour kraut, Food of my country, for as far as he knew, the dish was German in origin; you servants of truly outdone yourself this time, he told them. Here, have you tried any of this, he asked Elizabeth, do you remember????
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? ? ?"yes I'll have more roast beef also, and some of those potatoes,"?
she said.? Elizabeth smiled at the mention of the swing.? "I spent many?
hours on that swing both with and without you.? I found it was kind of?
my thinking place.? Is there a swing here," she asked hopefully.? She?
laughed at mention of staying away all day and no one knowing where they?
were. "Those days were so simple weren't they," elizabeth asked?
quietly.? She also remembered some arguments about how much time he?
spent at the lab.? She didn't bring this up however not wanting to spoil?
the evening and because she hoped he'd learned from that.
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Kat