Swaying idly in the bright, golden ballroom, someone catches your eye. You don't know how you didn't notice her the moment you walked in- she stands out severely. It's a tall, slender woman in a sleek, black suit and tie. Giant, obsidian wings stretch from her back, silky feathers gleaming in the bright room.
Her pale skin contrasts deeply with her dark clothes- her almost ghostly face given life through her gleaming black lipstick, and vibrant purple eyes. It all almost distracts you enough to miss the subtle black veins emerging from underneath her collar.
She catches you staring through the crowd, and your eyes lock. You almost miss it, but for a second you see her eyes flit up and down your body. Her black lips slowly form a smirk before she subtly beckons you over.
Slowly, you shoulder your way through the crowd toward her. You told yourself you'd be cool, calm, and collected at this party, but now the butterflies in your stomach flutter frantically as you draw closer to the intimidating figure.
"Ah, here she is," the woman greets, bowing as she extends a soft, pale hand without breaking eye contact. Her huge wings rise and fall ever-so-slightly with every breath. Mesmerized, you hesitate for a second too long. Her eyes piercing, you give her your hand. She gently kisses the back before returning it to you and straightening up.
It's only now as she stands in front of you at full height that you notice just how tall she really is- a head and a half above you at least. You're pretty sure you were gaping for a moment there, but she mercifully skips right over that little detail. Instead, she asks, "And how are we enjoying the festivities tonight, my dear?"
You reply with something painfully generic, cringing at yourself almost instantly. Evidently, though, she either doesn't agree, or doesn't care, because her attention doesn't waver for a second. She clasps her hands behind her back and maintains constant eye contact.
"What pleasures do you have in mind tonight, hmm?" She asks. "Expensive food and a pleasant atmosphere, or perhaps something a little more... Personal. And, intimate...?"
"A bit of both, I guess!" You say with a nervous chuckle that actually comes out pretty well.
"Ah, I see. Well, it would seem you've already gotten a fair dose of the former. Come with me, and I can more than supply the latter." Raising an eyebrow, she adds, "Your choice, darling."
With that, she simply walks away, the crowd parting for her and her giant wingspan. As she strolls through the massive, ornate exit, you go after her, cheeks red. But, of course, the crowd had already fallen back into place.
Finally pushing out of the crowd, you find yourself in a large, stone brick corridor. You're standing on a red carpet flanked by bright, warm little torches. Before you, the grand courtyard- perfectly manicured and decorated for the ball. To your left and right, however, past the torches and down the corridor, is cool, uncarpeted darkness. You get a feeling, and it's almost instantly confirmed.
At the end of the hall on the left, the winged woman stands by the staircase in the rounded corner. You might have missed her entirely if her staring eyes weren't glowing. Almost as soon as you spot her, though, she seems to vanish. With a glance back at the warm crowd behind you, your hands ball into fists of determination, and you press on.
For a while there's nothing but you and your clacking footsteps echoing in the stone chamber as you climb the towering, spiral staircase. It would be easy to get bored, but thoughts of what awaits up there, and the moonlight streaming in through the small, arched windows keep you entertained just fine.
At the top, you're greeted with a rugged, yet polished trap door. Pushing upward, you find that it swings open with unexpected ease. Taking the last few steps, you find yourself on one of the castle's towers- the ones with the jagged, kinda gear-like edges.
"It's called a battlement, you know," she says, replying to your thoughts. Soaked in starlight, she's sitting cross legged on the edge of the tower, atop one of the massive, higher bricks with her back to you.
"...Can you...?" You start to ask.