A Penny Dreadful Ruby

This story is a collaborative effort between me and a very good friend(and Muse) who wished to remain in the shadows.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Lucidity’s “penny dreadful” Ruby

Part 1

 

First Part: Another’s Perspective

... stands in behind the trees, the park darkened, illuminated by only a sparse placement of light poles.

Watches the coming and going of fancy vehicles traversing the long winding driveway, discharging their passengers at the long stairway leading up into a fancy upper class home, a mansion on the hill.

A large party is in full participation mode, some type of political gathering for the city's more influential citizens.

She feels her lips curl in a small smile, as a fancy white limousine stops, and a group of fashionably dressed Ladies, laughing and talking gather together in a protective cluster.

There, in a beautiful couture red gown, a large red stone on a necklace, reflecting light so brightly, she could see it clearly from here.

Watches them unite arm in arm and flow up the stairs as if they were an unstoppable force.

Taking off her dark over coat, she folds it and tucks it into the notch of a nearby tree. Wearing her own fashionable gown, steps from the darkened wood, and crosses to the stairway, time to check out this party a little closer...

 

Second Part, Lucidity’s Perspective

 

Bored of the party that was being held downstairs, Lucidity had gone off exploring on her own, slipping past the red velvet ropes that served as a poor excuse to keep visitors from going upstairs.

Upstairs she began wondering from room to room.

Finding that one room were being remolded. Paint cans, sheets covering furniture and piles of thin reddish coloured rope were inside.

She paused a mere second, her hand fingering her necklace, as she reflected a bit over a movie she had seen recently..

One where a red gowned dame had been tied up by a scoundrel trying to keep her from putting the finger on him. He had left here there to make his escape. But he had not taken to opportunity to rob her, which Lucidity had found rather vexing, for the lady had been wearing some pretty jewellery that any thief worth his salt should have noticed?

So much for realism in movies she clucked to herself.

She went on with her adventure.

Passing several full length ornately gilded mirrors, lucidity admired how her red gown flowed, how the reflection of her expensive rubies flashed fire in the dimly lit room.

The majority of the rooms large, airy stone walled rooms had baloneys, which she explored.

Sneaking a smoke on one of the balconies she delighted in her discoveries. Wondering why guests were not allowed up here. I mean, what could happen she murmured to herself….

 

Third part : Another’s Perspective

Hiding behind a curtain in the dark hallway. The upper floors empty of staff, residents, and revelers.

The occasional soft sound of laughter and muffled pleasure coming from some of the rooms, that apparently guests have managed to stumble upon to enjoy a few moments away from the more boisterous wine happy crowd below.

Watching from above, searching for the flash of ruby colored, gown amongst the throng.

Turning her head at a slight sound, steps back further into the shadow.

There, before her, is the gown, it's lovely owner, and the sparkle of crimson fire suspended from a gold chain.

Watching the lady, walk down the hallway, glancing at rooms and the occasional piece of art, along her passage.

The Lady must be searching for her own momentary escape from the crowd, and her friends.

What might she be searching for.

Steps out from behind the curtain, and staying in the shadows, walking silently on the thick carpeted floors, follows the lady on her explorations.

Slips into a alcove in the hallway as the Lady suddenly looks about, then she herself steps into a room.

Waiting a few moments, stepping to the doorway, and looking in. Only to view the Lady stepping out onto a balcony. The breeze gently blowing her hair about her shoulders.

Eyebrows lift in surprise and a small muffled laugh escapes her throat as she watches the lady, in the flare of a lighter, as she lights a cigarette.

The smoke gently encircles her head, then drifts off with the night breeze.

She laughs softly to herself thinking, oh this lovely one, also has secrets, she is being naughty sneaking out to have her hidden smoke.

Thinks it might be a perfect moment, to introduce herself, then shaking her head steps back to the other side of the hallway, back into the deepest shadows, just to watch...

 

Fourth part : Lucidity’s Perspective

Lucidity had returned home to her cottage on the ocean, with its private beach.

Going upstairs she had put away her wrap and laid down her ruby sequined clutch purse.

She then headed out to the balcony overlooking the ocean. As she listened to the soothing sounds of the surf, Lucidity lit one of her long cigarettes and after taking a deep breath, let the smoke curl form her lips out over the beach.

Normally this would help calm her down before sleep.

But she had a nagging feeling she had been watched while attending the Minister’s black-tie fundraiser, a feeling that had followed her home, and was still lingering.

Lucidity turned and headed back inside.

She decided against a nightcap, and began to make preparations to retire for the night.

She kept open the balcony door, wishing to feel the cool breeze along her skin. But she could not shake that feeing of being watched. So turning out the bedrooms’ lights, she changed into a long brite chartreuse night gown using the lite from her lit candles as she changed in front of her mirror.

She admired her reflection in the mirror, delighted by the shadowy effects form the candles as the flames flight flickered along her figure. . She let her figures play along her figure, and her jewels.

“If someone was watching me, then I hope that person see’s something they like!” Lucidty reflected rather daringly before turning away.

The last thing she did was to remove her rubies, nestling the jewels inside her great grandmother’s antique jewellery casket.

 

 

Fourth part : Another’s Perspective

Smiles softly to herself, nestled in the soft green bushes hidden within the shadows of the balcony.

The lady in red had returned home, and she had arrived to the Lady's house first, and found a wonderful comfortable little vantage spot.

From here she could see onto the balcony and through the lattice wood doorway leading into the bedroom.

This beach front property was a universe away from her own apartment, overlooking the city lights.

Looking up at the sound of the doors opening she watched the Lady, step out into the night's cool breeze. Her body still shrouded with the shimmering form fitting gown and the ruby necklace still about her long smooth neck.

Her eyes crinkled with laughter lines, as the Lady again looked about, as if ensuring her empty home, was in fact empty. Then stepping to the balcony's edge lit and savored another of her long slim cigarettes.

Watching the smoke, slowly curl up into the night sky and drift out over the quietly undulating waves.

Hearing the Lady exhale softly and turn to go back inside. The Balcony doorway left open, to facilitate the movement of air, and the better to facilitate the movements of a visitor.

Watching the Lady step before a full length mirrored wardrobe, watched her disrobe, watched her slip into a sheer chartreuse colored night gown.

Watched the " change".

Watched as the lights were extinguished, and the flickering of lit candles danced upon the windows.

Watched as the Lady removed the ruby and gold chain setting it onto a delicate stand beside her bed.

Watched.... watched... then moved....

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Fifth Part : Lucidity’s awakening

Early the next morning as the sunrise begins to light up her room promising new adventures. Lucidity awakes, stretches, seeing the reflection in the mirror of her scarlet red satin gown placed over her vanity chair…

Lucidity looked up on the vanity,

With a startled heartfelt gasp, she spies the now open lid of her deep jewel casket, the one she had placed her rubies into the night before and then had closed the lid, and laying next to it a Pink rose, and curiously, a long ivory Cigarette holder?

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Sixth Part : Another’s Perspective

Another day, another sunrise, the sounds of conflicting traffic

rose to her from the streets below.

In conflict with the bright sunbeams struggling to pass the folded edges of her curtains,

the most bothersome tones of her little alarm clock announced the arrival of another day.

Stretching and tossing off her covers,

Groaning softly while rubbing away the remains of her tormented sleep.

 

Such dreams, so real, so vivid.

If she could only in real life go to such parties.

Be amongst the special people, the important people, the decision makers.

The ones, that truly seemed to enjoy life.

Her pleasures were always hidden away within in her dreams.

 

Opening the curtain wide, with a small gasp of pleasure

As the warmth of the sunlight came through

The large window. She always slept nude, in her small apartment,

where looking out her window she could only see

more buildings, who would see her. Why would they bother to look?

 

Taking a moment before grabbing some breakfast, and hurrying as per usual to get ready for work,

She closes her eyes to recall the lingering remnants of her dream.

Vague recollection of fancy cars, the winding long driveway leading to the Mansion on the hill, and the people.

All so fashionably dressed in their finery, laughing, drinking, and partying,

No cares, no worries. The menagerie of people, all blurred into a single yet wonderful image of human prosperity.

 

Smiling to heselfr, recalling the woman, the Lady, dressed in the most striking red gown.

So lovely, so enchanting, poised and sophisticated. Wearing the most marvelous jewelry,

Especially the Large Ruby necklace.

Her mouth slides fleetingly upwards in a small wicked curl of lips,

as she wonders briefly, what might interrupt and break through that

poise and sophistication.

 

She shivered and held closely the wonder of her dream. Knowing she would never

truly have the chance to be part of such a world.

Her therapist so long ago had mentioned big words like Dissociative Identity disorder.

Her inability to get a good night sleep, memory gaps, lost time,

and the feeling of always being watched.

As if someone was always just beside her, just out of view, her shadow ready to push her aside and take over her little world.

What silly and strange thoughts.

 

 

She would be happy with her menial job,

Her little place in the corner of this big wide beautiful world.

Living vicariously through the lens wielded by the director of her

night time dreams.

 

Laughs at her musings, turning on the coffee brewer,

then heading to take that much needed wake up shower.

Stops suddenly, stumbles as her legs suddenly feel weak

and her knees threaten to collapse.

Her hand going to her mouth, eyes widening in shock, suddenly struggling to

get air past clenched muscles in her throat.

 

There hanging from the door knob, leading into her shower:

A shiny gold chain and the largest most fire kissed red ruby she could imagine.

Yes she could imagine it; she must be, for it was the very necklace of her dream

 

To Be Continued

 

Done