The Afterlife | Resident Evil Village FanFiction

Chapter 16: Give Me a Reason

Chapter 16: Give Me a Reason

      About half an hour to midnight, a soft, humming tune echoes faintly from the mistress’s quarter as Alcina is singing one of her favorite songs for Tiana. The lyrics are in Romanian. According to the current Romanian usage skill of the botanist’s, it’s not enough for Tiana to understand the whole song yet. However, it’s proved sufficient for her to get the main idea of this sweet melody—Alcina’s singing her a romantic piece of composition while cradles Tiana against her chest.

             “…Fiindcă TE IUBESC

         Exact a ș a c*m m ă prive ş ti î n seara asta,

         în seara asta…” her ladyship’s silky voice slowly fades away as the song comes to an end.

       Alcina pats the botanist’s back gently, letting a sense of relief washes over her as Tiana’s rapid breathing rate gradually slows down. The tall lady almost gets a heart attack because of the botanist’s sudden exacerbation of pneumonitis which results in suffocating, radical fits of coughing, and extreme chest pain. It’s truly painful that drives Tiana to the urge of tears. Despite being in the poignant state, the botanist tries her best to put on a brave face, tolerates it to her best capability not to startle Alcina too much. Nonetheless, the tall lady knows better than that how much agonizing it is for Tiana.

      Upon seeing her lover like that, Alcina does everything in her ability to lessen the pain Tiana’s dealing with—Changing Tiana’s position from lying down to sitting straight on Alcina’s lap, adding another layer of warmth to the botanist and being there with her until it passed. And she has to admit, they’re lucky that it doesn’t last long this time. Kissing the side of Tiana’s head, her ladyship does so to ensure both herself and Tiana that everything is alright now.

             “How are you feeling, little prey? Better already?” her ladyship’s voice fills with deep concern.

            “…Yes. Thank you, Alci” Tiana breaths her reply out languidly, curling into Alcina even closer before continues, “That’s beautiful, by the way—Both the song and your voice. I didn’t get the whole song, but I know you meant to serenade me”

            “I see someone has been working on her Romanian” the mistress speaks with a soft coo. “Also. Don’t mention it. I’m willing to do anything for you, my love” another kiss is given to the botanist once the response leaves the tall lady’s mouth.

            “Hmm, if I know beforehand that a famous jazz singer would bless me with her angelic tone when I got an exacerbation, I’d wish it to happen often” Tiana slips out a weary snicker as she’s teasing Alcina in an attempt to lift the mood.

            “Please, don’t say that. I’d be happy to sing for you whenever you’d like—All you need to do is just ask”

       Alcina wears a bitter smile on her face as the botanist’s pneumonitis appears more severe lately. They can thank the snowstorm for that. The reason why Tiana’s able to hold on this long is due to Donna’s and Salvatore’s knowledge in medicines so is Alcina’s and the girls’ care. Karl lends his vampire sister and Tiana his hand from time to time likewise by doing some of the works, which are originally his, so Alcina will have less workload and can be with the botanist more. He also upgrades the castle Dimitrescu’s ventilation system, making it warmer for his nieces and his favorite human while giving an excuse of wanting to roast Alcina up in her own home.

      Witnessing her foolish younger brother going such a length for one petite human ignites a skeptical out of Alcina. She can’t help but wonder why the Lycan lord behaves differently toward the botanist. Why does he play nice? How come he getting closer to Tiana at a rapid rate? Does it mean Karl wants to steal the botanist away and adding her to his possessions? Though, Tiana catches on to her ladyship’s insecurity soon enough and does whatever she can to ensure the vampire lady that there’s nothing as such between them. The tall lady trusts Tiana that she would never cheat, unquestionably. The problem is that it’s Karl she doesn’t trust. As a result, the botanist recruits the other lords’ help, setting up a heart-to-heart talk among herself, Alcina, and Karl to clear out any doubt that may left.

             “What kind of a man you take me for? I know my look can kill, comparing to your corpse-like appearance, and I might act nasty toward you most of the time to get on your nerve—But I’m not that kind of guy who would f_ck his sister’s girlfriend” the Lycan lord roars.

            “How can I trust you, huh?” crossing her arms, Alcina shoots a question out. “Taking decades of you provoking me every time chance arises, excuse me if I find your words hard to believe”

            “For Christ’s sake. I only see that little miss as nothing more than a sister, alright?”

            “Hey, that little miss you’re talking about is standing right here” Tiana can’t help, but chuckle at how Karl addresses her.

       It’s rare for everyone to see Alcina acting irrational, denying the plain fact as is. However, the botanist can’t say she doesn’t enjoy the tickle feeling upon witnessing the mistress getting work up of jealousy because of her. Still, it’d not be any good if this problem is left unsolved. Therefore, Tiana pats Alcina’s arm and utters,

             “Alci, we heard you loud and clear why your brother’s words give you no confidence. If that’s the case, why don’t you take his action for it instead?” Tiana pauses for a brief. She squeezes Alcina’s hand until the golden orbs gaze down upon her before carries on, “He never approaches me closer than an arm’s length nor come find me when I’m alone. Every time we met, it’s always someone else with us. You, our girls, Donna, Angie or Salvatore”

            “Tsk,” clicking her tongue, Alcina finds herself lost for the word to argue with Tiana. “Fine. But if you ever—”

            “Yeah, yeah. You’d either slice me to ribbons or make me no longer want to exist” Karl brushes his vampire sister’s threatening remark off, turning to Tiana, “I’m glad to see you got this overflow-ego sister of mine under your heels. Can you tell me your secret, little miss?”

            “I’m afraid even if you’d torturing me for an answer, I still can’t tell you that, my lord” the botanist sniggers.

            “Ah. What a shame—And please. Just Karl is fine. No honorific-thingy needed” Karl lowers his shades and winks.

            “Heisenberg” Alcina hisses, extending her claws out intimidatingly.

            “Welp! That’s it for today! Please excuse us, my *Ahem* Karl” then Tiana quickly pulls Alcina out of the scene with everything she has got.

       Anyway. That talk between the three happened days ago. Now, back to the present as Tiana’s resting herself comfortably on Alcina’s lap, sinking into her ladyship’s embrace. The mistress carefully pulls Tiana’s head from the crook of her neck, gazing into the botanist’s eyes, and presses on with their conversation.

             “How about this? Let’s sing together next time” Alcina’s visage lightens up as she pushes on, “We can invite the girls and set it up as a personal concert of sorts, putting our castle’s opera hall to good use. You never grace me nor my daughters with your singing skill yet anyway”

            “Sorry to break your enthusiasm, dearest. But I can’t sing” answers, Tiana.

            “Oh? Truly?” her ladyship elevates her brow up questioningly.

            “Why would I lie to you, Alci? I’d never dream of destroying the high regard you and the girls have about me and making fun of myself attempting to sing” the botanist giggles along with her words.

            “Ah. Such a pity then.” Alcina’s feature falls a bit. This makes Tiana feels rather guilty for burst Alcina’s bubble. Hence, she adds.

            “However. I can play an instrument or two, only if you’d sing along—I think the piano would suit your voice the best, though”

            “You know how to play?”

            “My dear, I’m also a refined lady myself. Of course, I know how to play” Tiana’s response rouses a snicker out of her ladyships in the process.

            “It’s settled then. Tomorrow evening, you play, I’ll sing, and our daughters will be the judge” Tiana’s titters sound like the bell jingling to her ladyship’s ears. Alcina adjusts layers of warmth on the botanist’s body a little then says, “But for now. Let’s get back to sleep, dearest—You kept us awake late enough as is”

            “Hehe. I regret nothing since I was blessed with your tune”

       Another snicker leaves Alcina while she puts the two of them to sleep. However, it’s not a very pleasant night for the mistress as thoughts and worries keep her head occupied throughout the night. The thing is, Alcina considers giving Tiana the Cadou implant to cure her sickness. Tiana has met all the conditions that will allow the Cadou to work its full potential in infect, change, and evolve the botanist to be like Alcina and her family. In the process, Tiana can get rid of the pneumonitis which becomes much more torturing in every day passing by. She’d take another step closer to being immortal, thus, making an eternity with Alcina and the girls possible.

             ‘There comes a great risk as a price she’d have to pay, though’ Alcina cogitates.

      The vampire lady can’t ignore the fact that the 4 lords now no longer have Mother Miranda to guide them through the Cadou implantation procedure. While she and her siblings have their shares of experience assisting their Mother in her experiment over years, yet none of them ever succeed in preserving the life and personality of those lab rats in the same way Mother Miranda did to them. Besides, the original research files of their Mother Miranda’s were lost or may be taken, as well as the Megamycete was already destroyed. With all of this combine, the percentage of success in Tiana’s case decreasing even lower.

      Nevertheless. Alcina feels the urge of sharing her idea out in open with Tiana since it’s a reasonable thing to do. It’d be entirely Tiana’s call what to do with her physical condition, after all. Also, the vampire lady can’t just simply let go of a possibility to restore the botanist’s health too. The two discuss it through and Tiana even agrees to it, actually. They contact the other lords to patch in their knowledge in the Cadou together in the hope for the best achievable outcome. Currently, Salvatore and Donna are working hard in preparing everything needed for the implantation.

             ‘Despite saying yes, why Tia seems…reluctant now?’ Alcina wonders.

       As a result, once the two finish their breakfast with their beloved daughters the next morning, Alcina leads the botanist to the solarium instead of straight to their shared office as usual. Tiana tilts her head to the side in confusion. After thinking of the reason Alcina ushers her here along the way, she can only conclude as the mistress may have something in mind that requires personal commune between them. And Tiana’s right. As soon as seating themselves comfortably, the 1st sentence the vampire lady utters out gives the whole picture away.

             “Darling—Can we…talk about the Cadou embedding?”

            ‘Ah. So, this’s what it’s all about’ Tiana returns her ladyship’s word with a mild smile. She climbs onto Alcina’s lap, capturing her ladyship’s visage within both hands, “Let me guess. You want to hasten things up, don’t you?”

            “That obvious?” the tall lady scoffs in pity to herself.

            “Oh, Alci. You should know that I’m basically living in your head at this point” A set of weak giggles is what the botanist gets in return for her joke. Tiana uses the back of her palm to caress Alcina’s jowl feathery as speaks, “Okay. Seriously, now. *Ahem* Why’s the rush, my love?”

            “I’m more curious of why you prolong it out, actually” Alcina brings Tiana’s roaming hand away from her cheek, kisses it as if she fears Tiana would disappear then goes on, “I mean, we’re done discussing and you said yes. Now, my siblings and I are preparing, cooperating for your implantation, yet why you appear to be hesitant now?”

            “Alci—”

            “Don’t you want a ceaseless life with me anymore?” those golden orbs are shaking as Alcina searching for an answer in the botanist’s eyes.

            “Alcina, my love, my heart, my dearest” the botanist calls out softly as if she’s purring, maintaining eye contact in the hope to show Alcina how sincere what she’s going to say is. “If not an eternity with you, then I want nothing else”

            “Then why you delay this out?”

            “Dearest, I’m sorry if it comes out as an act of delaying to you. But it’s not what I’m aiming for, I could ensure you that—I’m simply extending the preparing time for both the operation and you” the botanist says with a tender grin.

            “What?” a flash of puzzlement shows evidently on Alcina’s expression. “I, I’m not sure I understand. I get it if you’re saying we shouldn’t press the arrangement too much as it may lead to problems or complications later on—But you’re the one who’ll get the Cadou interment, yet why I’m the one who needed an extra preparation time?”

            “Because it’s for the best, my dear” Tiana laces her hands around her ladyship’s nape, pulling her near. “We all know how dangerous it is and there’s no guarantee if we’d get the preferable result. Thus, I want to make sure you can go on without me”

            “Tia, please don’t say that”

       The mistress’ tone sounds so fragile as if she’d break in any second. It’s true like Tiana said. Alcina, indeed, fears for the worst. How could she not when one wrong step could lead to the utmost terror the tall lady has? Alcina quavers by the idea of Tiana turns into Lycan, the chance of Tiana lost her awareness and mindlessly survive purely on an instinct like Moroaicǎ and Samcă, and for the worst-case scenario—The mistress dreads the Tiana wouldn’t come back to her at all. Still. She doesn’t want her distress to affect the botanist, her ladyship does her best to keep it inside. Withal, it becomes clear that Alcina fails to hide it away from the botanist for long.

             “It’ll be unpleasant, I’m sure. But we still need to talk about this at one point, Alci” Tiana straightens up to give an encouraging kiss on Alcina’s lips and pushes on, “So, I’ll only mention this once and no more. Bear with me for a bit, yes?”

            “…” silently, the vampire lady replies with a nod.

            “Thank you, my dear” another kiss is given to Alcina on her forehead as a gesture of gratitude. “As I was saying, I intendedly drag this out for you. I recall what you said about losing pieces of yourself when you lost Mother Miranda and I wish a cruel thing like that wouldn’t happen to you or the girls if I didn’t make it. Hence, I want to fill any upcoming gap that may appear on yours or our daughters’ mind from my passing in advance. Loading you guys with tons of happiness and worth remembering memories while I’m still kicking, so you won’t feel like there’s a missing piece in your soul”

            “Tiana…”

            “There’s a saying as long as there is love and memory, there is no true loss. I don’t want you to be lost again, Alci” Tiana pauses for a brief because she feels an emotional bubble form up in her throat. She exhales and caresses the vampire lady’s cheek to calm herself down then pushes on, “You can grieve for me, but not for long. Preferably, I’d love it if you’d only reminisce of me, miss me, and think of happy moments with me instead of drowning in sorrow—Can you do that? Or at least, can you promise you’d try to do that, my lady?”

       Forcing her eyes shut, Alcina musters an upward curve on her countenance as it’s been a while since the last time Tiana ever addresses her as my lady. Although, even with much effort, the vampire lady can only manage to summon a rueful grin. Well. If that’s what Tiana wants, the mistress will grant it.

             “Called me Alcina and I’ll listen to what you have to say” the golden orbs wide awake as the mistress recites the same phrase she uses to allow Tiana to call her by her name long ago with a submissive grin. Only her I’d yield for like this, Alcina scoffs at her line of thought while waiting for the botanist’s return.

            “Alcina” Wearing a smile that reaching her eyes, Tiana can’t be any happier. Her pupils are twinkling so bright beyond stars. The botanist then decides to beg her girlfriend once more. “Please promise me that, Alcina”

            “Your wish is my command”

       The mistress finds her way to the petite human for another devoted kiss. The two then stay sitting in silence, soaking in the rare ray of sunlight as the snowstorm has been raging on for almost a week now. It’s good to see the sun and be bathed in its warmth for a chance. Alcina feels better to know after learning the truth behind the botanist’s act of prolonging. In the end, her ladyship finally realizes what pushes her to the lost state she’s been suffering for ages. The same answer can also use to address the reason why she feels drawn toward Tiana, as well as how to call the feeling she long forgot—Something warm, unconditional, and pure. It’s love.

             “I love you, Tiana”

       Upon registering the feeling back to her system, Alcina professes her love to the botanist for the first time. This unexpected confession froze Tiana in place. Blinking slowly, the botanist processes the word for a mere moment then driven to tears!

             “I love you too, my Alci”

       Once more, the two exchange a gesture of love with each other and depart from the solarium in thrill. Hours go on as the day passing by and before anyone would know it, it’s already time for the concert Alcina has suggested. Positioned at the center of the opera hall, there’s an elegant, warm-colored wood piano with the same color bench.

             “Ooh, I can’t believe you talk mother to this, mama—It’s been so long since the last time she sings for us” Daniela speaks, jumping on her seat in excitement.

            “It’s more of the opposite, my dear. Your mother’s actually the one who proposes this” Tiana replies.

            “Such an audacity you have, Dani, to gossip me in my presence as that” The tall lady emerges from the backstage just in time to hear what the youngest daughter has to say about her. And despite sounding similar to a nagging, Alcina only means it as a jest.

            “Sorry, mother” the redhead responses with a soft simper.

            “You’ll play for us, mama?” Bela joins the conversation from the sideline.

            “Yes, I am” the botanist tidies a stack of music sheets in front of her and adds, “Don’t be so hard on me if I missed a few notes, alright?”

            “We won’t even dream of doing that, mama. Hey, I got an idea! How about we make it a weekly event? Playing instruments and singing together” Cassandra says out in enthusiasm, wrapping her mama from behind.

            “Let’s see if I’d live up to your standard first, my dear. Then you can make a call if I’d pass to join you on the stage weekly or not” Tiana angles her head up to meet Cassandra then reaches her hand to pat the brunette’s head kindly.

            “Don’t sell yourself short, little prey. I know you got this” the tall lady provides her girlfriend with genuine words of support. Alcina also bends down to peck Tiana on the cheek before gets back to her usual, dignified stand. “Settle down, girls. We’re about to start”

       A gentle, relaxing melody floats in the air once Tiana’s digits come in contact with each key. House Dimitrescu’s ladies are amazed by the sight as Tiana’s absorbed in the song she’s playing. The sound gives out a positive vibe, carrying everyone listening to their version of the ideal world. For Alcina and the girls, that ideal world is this very moment where all of them are together with Tiana. And they wouldn’t have it any other way.

             “…Nu te teme de nimic

         mergem împreună împreună

         voi fi mereu cu tine…”

       Starting with the mistress’ smooth, alluring voice, it doesn’t take long before the girls would follow, adding a chorus to the rhythm Tiana’s playing. With that, the botanist succeeds in leaving another piece of herself behind. Engraving a fond moment into Alcina’s and the girls’ memory, so they’d have something to hold onto if Tiana’d pass away.

             ‘I solemnly wish I wouldn’t have to leave, though’ Tiana smiles in high hope, pushing the music on ‘til the end.

      --------------------

      New Year’s Eve draws near without the 4 lords noticing as they busy preparing to welcome Tiana into their family. They’re almost done with the final state of modifying the Cadou which will be used on Tiana now. Hopefully, this new strand of parasite the lords have been working on will prove safer and as efficient as those of Mother Miranda’s finest work. There’s also another good news since, fortunately, the blizzard stops at long last. This allows trips in and out between the village and the outside world possible once more. And since the special holidays are approaching, Tiana decides to do something for her girlfriend and the loveable daughters.

             “Ah! Good afternoon and welcome back, miss Engelbrecht! Or should I call you Mrs. Dimitrescu now?” the blonde man chuckles in his soft pitch when an old acquaintance of his visits him after 2 months of no contact of any kind.

            “Good afternoon to you too, Duke. And please just called me Tiana like you used to. Also, no, Alcina hasn’t proposed me yet if that what you’re implying” Tiana, likewise, returns the enormous merchant with laughter. Once done with the small, by-manner-pleasantries, the botanist gets to the point, “Would it be possible for you to bring me everything in this list before New Year’s Eve?”

            “Let me see…hm. Oh? Oh!” the Duke flicks his eyes between Tiana and list in surprise while uttering, “I see you’ve planned something exclusive for—”

            “Shh! Please don’t spill a word, I beg you” Tiana looks around to see if the villagers pay the two their minds since the Duke settles his shop in the main square. Lucky her, the locals are too occupying with their own business to pay attention to the talk between the two.

            “Hehe. My apologies, Tiana *Ahem* Yes, I’m able and willing to get everything written in this note for you within 4 days—No. Not 4. I think I’d only need a couple of days. Well, 3 at most”

            “That fast?” no judgment in the botanist’s tone, only amazed.

            “Of course. Anything for my loyal customer”

       The Duke picks his phone up, dialing whoever Tiana doesn’t know, and talks to them in a hushed tone. According to the expression the blonde man has after ending the call, the botanist’s convinced Duke gets everything covered. After that, he turns his attention back to Tiana, querying,

             “Would you like to pay in cash or credit card?”

            “Card, please” Tiana proceeds to pay the bill while rubbing her hands together to warm up, “Could you also send them straight to the castle Dimitrescu? I don’t think Alcina would let me off the castle often because of the cold”

            “Sure thing. Oh, and don’t worry. No additional charge needed for shipping cost” the Duke winks playfully at the botanist, gaining her scoff as a reply.

            “Thank you, Duke”

            “My pleasure. Do come again”

       The two bid their goodbye and soon Tiana sets on her way, riding a horse back to Alcina’s castle. Lucky me, I didn’t mention lady Dimitrescu order something for Tiana as well, the blonde man thinks while looking at the lists at hand. One is from her ladyship when Duke stopped by the castle Dimitreacu a week ago. And the other one is which he recently gets from Tiana. filled with descriptions of what Alcina and Tiana had him fetched for them.

             “Seem like this holiday will be memorable for the whole castle, I'm sure of it”

      --------------------

      To Be Continued >>