Duality, Prologue (Crygi) - Metaluna
Fic summary:
Being 115 years old was something Gigi never planned on, let alone a 115 year old vampire. After nearly a century, she finally begins to settle down, never so content in her undead life. What happens when a group of mysterious strangers arrive into town and threaten everything Gigi has worked so hard for?
A/N: Hey, lovelies! If you follow my Tumblr, you would know that this fic is living in my mind rent free. A HUGE thank you go Juno for brainstorming with me, beta reading, and being so encouraging.
1927
“Georgiana! Eleanor! Are you ready yet?” their mother called from downstairs.
“Just a moment, Mother!” Nora called back. “Gigi, we’re going to be late to your own wedding celebration!”
“We will be on time,” Gigi murmured as her sister brushed her cornsilk hair as she sat at her vanity. “Besides, what are they going to do? Ask me to leave?”
Both girls laughed. “You’re so beautiful, Gigi. James is a very lucky man.”
“I’m nervous to be married,” Gigi admitted, shifting anxiously in the stool. “Sometimes I wonder if I love him.”
Eleanor gasped. “Georgiana Goode! You love your fiance, you’re going to marry him and become Georgiana Rossini, you’re going to have lots of little babies, and you’ll grow old together.”
“Do you think so?” Gigi nervously asked as she put a barrette in her delicate curls.
“I know so.” Nora gasped. “I almost forgot. I got you a gift!”
“You didn’t have to do that for me.”
“Oh, but I did. Close your eyes.”
Gigi did as instructed as she held her hands out. She felt her sister place a small box wrapped in brown paper with a small yellow bow on top.
“Open it.”
“Okay.” Gigi wanted to rip the box open in excitement, but instead took her time, delicately removing the bow and unwrapping the paper.
Inside the box was a silver chain with ornate detailing around a pearl.
“Oh, Nora, it’s beautiful!”
“Let me put it on you.”
Pulling her hair to the side, Gigi felt the cold silver touch her neck as she examined her appearance in the vanity’s mirror. “It looks even more beautiful around my neck. Thank you, dear sister.”
“Maybe this can be your ‘something new’ for your wedding?” Nora suggested.
Gigi smiled as she traced the detailing of the pendant. “I already planned on it.”
“Girls! We are going to be late!” their mother called.
“Coming!” they called in unison.
Nora wrapped Gigi in a hug as Gigi gazed at her reflection in the vanity mirror. “Yellow really is your color.”
Gigi grinned. “Let’s go. Mother’s going to murder us!”
Gigi was relieved when James suggested that they arrive at the party separately. She knew that it was going to be one of the last times with her family before she was a married woman. The party was to be at her fiance’s home, which was only a short car ride away. The entire time, Gigi and Nora were abuzz about the evening’s festivities.
Whenever Gigi went to her fiance’s home, she couldn’t help but feel out of place. She wasn’t quite sure what business James and his father were in. Anytime Gigi tried to bring it up, James quickly changed the subject, as did his father. Whatever business they were in allowed for a comfortable life and a house with so many rooms, Gigi couldn’t begin to count them.
The party was held in the gardens, which were expertly decorated by James’ mother. Lights were strung through the trees as a plethora of yellow flowers lined the pathway. An impressive spread of food was on display as a band played in the background. Gigi and Nora looked at each other, their faces full of wonderment.
“Wow,” Gigi exhaled. “It’s beautiful.”
“It is, isn’t it?” a familiar voice said. “Hello, my love.”
Gigi turned around to see James, who looked dapper in his well-tailored suit. The yellow tie he was wearing matched Gigi’s dress. Nora made sure that James knew what Gigi planned on wearing. Although Nora probably didn’t need to tell him, everyone knew Gigi’s favorite color was yellow.
“You look so handsome, darling.” Gigi tenderly stroked her fiance’s cheek.
“I have my own family to entertain, so enjoy the night, both of you. I will check in on you later.“
“Where did Mother and Father go?” Nora asked as she scanned the gardens.
Gigi shrugged, taking her sister’s hand. “Let’s go!”
The night was much more fun than Gigi could have ever imagined. She and her sister sat enjoying each other’s company until one of James’ cousins approached Nora.
“Eleanor,” he greeted.
Nora’s face flushed. “Hello, John.”
“Would you like to dance?” he held out a hand, which Nora nervously took.
“I’m going to go get something to drink. Don’t have too much fun,” Gigi teased.
Making her way to the refreshment table, Gigi was stunned by the sheer amount of food on the linen-clad table. Eyeing the various cakes, Gigi looked down at her figure and thought about every time James complimented her slender frame, and opted for a the lemonade in an ornate glass bowl.
As she reached for the ladle, she felt someone’s presence behind her. Taking a sip, she turned around and saw who was staring at her. It was a beautiful woman she’d never seen before. Gigi knew that James had a large family, so she figured the woman was one of his distant cousins.
“Hello,” Gigi smiled shyly.
“Congratulations, dear!” The woman spoke with an accent, which surprised Gigi, who had never met anyone who wasn’t from Chicago.
Something about the woman made Gigi nervous, no not nervous, intrigued. She tucked a strand of hair behind her hair as she said, “Are you one of James’ cousins?”
“Something like that. I’m Nicolette, but you may call me Nicky.”
“Okay, Nicky. I’m Gigi.”
“I know.” Nicky glanced at the banner that had her name on it.
“Oh,” Gigi said as she felt the blood rush to her face. “Of course. You have a very exotic accent. You aren’t from Chicago, are you?”
She shook her head. “I am from France originally.”
“I’ve never met anyone from France!” Gigi raised her voice excitedly before putting her hand over her mouth, suddenly remembering every time James told her ladies were supposed to be quiet in public. “That is so very interesting.”
It wasn’t just where Nicky was from Gigi found interesting. There was something about Nicky that intrigued Gigi greatly. She wasn’t sure what it was, it could have been the woman’s dress, which was much more fashion-forward than her own conservative frock. It might have been the woman’s accent, or the way she confidently held her body.
Everything about the woman was an enigma. Nicky was a stark contrast from the cookie cutter housewives-to-be from the Midwest. This was proved when the French woman took a cigarette from her purse and lit it.
Nicky offered one to Gigi, who said. “Oh, no. I was taught proper young ladies shouldn’t smoke.”
“I guess I’m not a ‘proper young lady’,” Nicky said as she took a drag.
“No! I mean… You are. Although, you aren’t young. Not that I am saying you’re old!” Gigi felt horrified. Whenever she was nervous, she rambled, oftentimes not thinking about her words. “I mean… I think it’s kind of neat.”
“Neat?”
Gigi nodded. “My fiance smokes and I think it looks very sophisticated.”
“You aren’t happy with him.” Nicky’s tone signified that she was not asking a question.
“Oh, don’t be silly. I love James with all of my heart.”
“Do you?” Nicky locked eyes with Gigi. No matter how hard Gigi tried, she couldn’t hold back the truth.
“I love him, but I do not think that I am in love with him. It’s a smart match. Our families joining together will expand his father’s business. James is going to give me a comfortable life, and I’m going to have babies, and raise a family, which is all I’ve ever wanted.” Gigi covered her mouth with her hands. “No, I didn’t mean it. I didn’t mean any of that. I’m not sure why I just said that.”
Nicky slowly exhaled, enveloping the air with a cloud of smoke. “What if I told you I could take you away and give you a new life?”
Gigi bit her lip. “Do you mean it?”
“Yes.”
“Can I bring my sister?”
“No. You would have to leave everything you know, and everyone in your current life.”
“I can’t leave Nora,” Gigi said as she looked at her sister who was gazing deeply into John’s eyes.
“It’s a shame,” Nicky said as she stomped out the cigarette butt under her stiletto. “I just thought I would offer a more fulfilling life.”
Fidgeting with her new necklace, she weighed the options in her head. As much as she wanted to have a family, she knew that she would never love James, at least not in the way that a wife should love her husband. Nora and Gigi were primarily raised by nannies growing up, so she wasn’t particularly close to her parents. The only person Gigi couldn’t imagine leaving behind was Nora, her sweet baby sister.
For her entire twenty-two years, Gigi did as she was told, and what was expected of her. She knew she would never lead a happy life, but rather one that looked perfect only on the outside.
“Can I have some time to think?” Gigi asked as she continued rubbing her necklace.
“Of course. I will be here all night.”
Once the song finished, Nora ran over to Gigi. “Gigi! Did you see us dancing? Oh, I really fancy him!”
“You look great together, Nora.” The sadness was evident in Gigi’s voice. She knew what she had to do.
“Are you okay, dear sister?” Nora’s blue eyes were full of concern.
Gigi nodded. “I’m just tired.”
“Well, wake up, we have the whole night!”
For the rest of the night, Gigi did her best to enjoy Nora’s company. Every time she looked at Nora, Gigi thought about how it was the last night she would have with her sweet sister. The night consisted of dancing, sneaking sweets, and talking about their futures.
“Gigi, you’re going to be such a good wife!” Nora exclaimed as she and Gigi sat at a table with a large floral centerpiece.
“You’re going to be a better wife than I ever will be. John is a smart match. I think you should talk to Mother and Father about the prospect of marriage.”
“Marriage? I’m only sixteen!”
“If you fancy him, you should think about your future. Think about the homemaker you will be, and of all the little babies you’re going to raise,” Gigi felt her voice crack. “You’re incredible, Nora. Please do not forget that.”
“Gigi, why are you talking like that?”
“My sweet sister. I just want you to know how important you are. Mother and Father care about you, even if it may not seem like it. Be wary of people’s true intentions, but be optimistic, and see the best in each day.” Gigi squeezed her sister’s hand.
“Georgiana, you are scaring me. Is everything okay? Are you having second thoughts about the marriage?”
“No.” Her voice cracked once more. “I just wanted to share the wisdom I’ve learned.”
Nora stared directly into her sister’s eyes, knowing exactly what Gigi was thinking. She and Gigi were far too close for there to be any secrets. The sisters knew each other better than they knew themselves.
“I have to powder my nose.” Gigi pulled Nora into a long hug as she tried to blink away any tears.
“Please keep in contact,” Nora whispered into her sister’s ear.
“I will try.”
“Where will you go?”
“I don’t know,” Gigi admitted.
“I love you dear, sister.”
“I love you too, Eleanor. Go find John. Dance with him, and have a wonderful evening.”
Nora nodded. “I will.”
When Gigi turned around, Nicky was standing in front of her, her eyes intense. “You’ve made your decision.”
“Yes,” was all Gigi could manage.
“Let’s go.”
“Where will we go?”
“I’ll explain later.”
With one last look, Gigi watched the life she once knew fade away. She saw James charming a group of women, while her father and future father-in-law were talking in the corner. James’ mother and her own mother were laughing as they sat at a table gossiping. And then she saw Nora, who was standing sadly by herself in the shadows. Tears formed as she and Nora locked eyes, as she smiled one last time at Gigi. By the time the French woman led Gigi to a nondescript car, Gigi couldn’t stop crying, and was unable to catch her breath.
After driving in silence for a few minutes, Gigi finally managed to ask, “Where are we going?”
“As I said, I will explain later.”
Unsatisfied with her answer, Gigi tried to calm her nerves by taking in the passing scenery. Just as she managed to steady her breathing, Nicky parked the car at an abandoned building.
“We’re here,” Nicky said as she opened the car door.
All Gigi could do was think about the mistake she made. She should have stayed at the party with her sister. Even if she didn’t love her fiance, she could have tried. It was as though she’d given up. She could have had a family, which is all she ever wanted. Here she was, about to enter an abandoned building with the distinct feeling that she was in danger.
The exterior of the building Nicky led Gigi into was old and decrepit, a stark contrast to the inside. The interior of the building was well-decorated with a dark color scheme. All of the windows were blacked out. To Gigi’s surprise, the apartment lacked a kitchen.
“This is… nice,” Gigi managed.
“Come sit,” Nicky instructed as she sat on a leather sofa. As much as Gigi didn’t want to, just as before, something had come over to her, and she had no choice but to obey.
Sitting across from Nicky, all Gigi could do was stare deeply into the woman’s gray eyes, heart fluttering quickly. Slowly, Nicky made her way closer to Gigi, resting her hand on top of Gigi’s which was shaking.
“Are you nervous?” Nicky asked as she gazed at Gigi.
“Yes,” Gigi whispered.
“Don’t be.”
At that moment, Gigi wasn’t entirely sure why she decided to go with Nicky. Part of her knew that it was because she truly was not happy with her life, and would never be. Another part of her knew the way she felt about women was wrong, and Gigi had an feeling Nicky understood in a way no one else ever would. Whenever James would kiss her, she felt nothing. None of the supposed fireworks that everyone had spoken so fondly about, but the priest always spoke about homosexuality condemning one to Hell, so she tried her hardest to push the vile thoughts out of her head.
Nicky tenderly caressed Gigi’s cheek and went in for a light kiss. When she and Gigi’s lips met, the feeling was unlike anything Gigi had ever experienced. The way Nora spoke about kissing boys suddenly made sense. Nicky’s kisses trailed down Gigi’s neck.The intense pleasure turned into a sudden pain. It took a moment for her to realize that Nicky had bit Gigi’s neck. Gigi wanted to scream as she felt the blood run down her neck, but failed to produce any sound. Nicky then bit her own wrist, drawing blood which she then held above Gigi’s mouth.
“Drink.” Blood was running down the corner of Nicky’s mouth.
Knowing she would die if she didn’t, Gigi did as instructed. Shortly thereafter, she felt her vision begin to slip.
Gigi sat straight up on the couch with a gasp. It was like when she was a little girl and had a nightmare. Slowly, she recalled the previous night’s events, hoping that it was all a nightmare. Immediately, she knew her hope was in vain as she looked around an apartment she didn’t recognize.
“Welcome back,” Nicky said, which caused Gigi to jump. She hadn’t realized the woman was sitting in the armchair across from the couch.
“Am I dead?”
“Undead.”
Gigi didn’t know how to process what Nicky had just said. Undead? What did that even mean? She reached to fidget with her necklace, which to her horror, was no longer around her neck. “Where’s my necklace?”
“I took it off while you transformed. Silver burns vampires, love.”
“Vampires?”
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