Chapter Text
The first time Bela and Donna met, Alcina Dimitrescu was to introduce her daughters to Mother Miranda. The girls understood they had been given to their mother as an experiment. Lady Dimitrescu had been very clear on this fact so her girls would not be surprised during the eventual meeting. The girls barely paid it any mind. They were aware of their nature, but they were even more aware that their mother loved them. Perhaps they would just be swarms of flies to Mother Miranda, semi successful experiments at best. It didn't matter to them. They knew better, because their mother named them and gave them places in her house. They were Bela, Cassandra, and Daniela Dimitrescu. They were daughters of a noble and powerful woman, regardless of blood or origin.
With that in mind, the girls held their heads high when presented to the village matriarch. Her opinion didn't matter in their minds, but their mother cared, so they must. The other lords present had little to no reaction, the loudest being an overly sarcastic comment from Lord Heisenberg.
The conversation quickly devolved into barely restrained bickering. Bela glanced sidelong at her sisters, her amusement shared with theirs at seeing their ever elegant mother try so desperately to not be dragged down into petty arguing while still defending her accomplishments with her daughters.
Mother Miranda was still observing them, silently, prompting Bela to stay still, even as her sisters started to fidget next to her. Perhaps it was their nature as a swarm, but patience and waiting was always a struggle for the three. It wasn't until a small white doll shambled into view that their attention was diverted.
"Wow, the big lady had small daughters! What a twist!"
Cassandra tensed next to Bela, the slight against their mother not unnoticed. Even Daniela curled her lip, her outline hazy with the urge to disperse and attack the doll. As eldest, Bela took it upon herself to keep the peace. Only the lords and their houses were allowed to be present, so the doll must have been of some importance.
"We are as large or small as our mother needs." Bela diplomatically stated. Technically true, as their swarms could spread to as far as they needed.
The doll giggled, prancing around their legs. Bela bit back a growl of annoyance. What was the point of being diplomatic if she was just going to be ignored? But no, mother would expect their best behavior to uphold the Dimitrescu noble name, they had to-
Cassandra let out a furious growl and lunged at the doll. It skipped out of her grasp and ran between the chairs, dodging Daniela's spiteful kick.
So much for that. Bela glanced at her mother, she was still engaged in verbal warfare with Lord Heisenburg. Lord Moreau scuttled between them, seeming to try to interject and placate them and failing miserably. Mother Miranda witnessed that outburst, but so long as she didn't mention it to their mother…
Cassandra had begun stalking the doll, with Daniela's quiet encouragements urging her on. Bela resisted rolling her eyes and set her sights on the doll's master. There was only one other person in the room, the only other person who hadn't spoken a word.
Lady Beneviento sat near motionless, close to Mother Miranda. A woman in mourning garb and a doll in a wedding gown. There was an irony there that Bela wasn't privy to. Still, she drifted over to the silent lord, bowing low.
"Lady Beneviento, a pleasure to meet you. I apologize for my sisters' behavior toward your...doll." Bela hesitated to assign a term to the doll. For all she knew, the doll was a similar experiment as Bela and her sisters had been.
Lady Beneviento inclined her head, acknowledging Bela, but still not speaking a word. She extended a hand and the doll stopped its game of tag with Cassandra and ran over, extending its arms to be picked up. Bela watched as Lady Beneviento raised the doll and placed it on her lap, as carefully as one would with a child.
Cassandra would have continued to hunt the doll, had Bela not caught her arm before she could reach the sitting woman. "Enough, quit embarrassing yourself and wait for mother."
Cassandra hissed at Bela, but obeyed. Even she knew better then to pick a fight here. Daniela giggled openly at her sisters' frustrations, carefree as ever.
Turning back to Lady Beneviento, Bela noted that only her hands were uncovered. Her hands were broad, worn from work, but well kept. Assuming the cadou changed little of her appearance, Bela would guess the woman to be in her late 20's, early 30's. Only alittle older then herself, by body anyway.
"One would think you were the doll, Lady Beneviento." The thought slipped out unprovoked. The doll moved and shifted so much more then its master. Even now it was chattering and jeering the brunette Dimitrescu sister.
Bela couldn't help but lean forward, peering into the knitted mesh of her veil. Lady Beneviento shifted, turning her head away from Bela. She almost didn't hear her answer. "No, I...Angie is my…"
The low timbre of the woman's voice sent a rush of warmth through Bela. It felt like when mother praised her, like she earned a reward. She couldn't stop the grin from spreading across her face, or how she inched closer. "Angie, hm? She's a part of you? Like this?"
She partially dispersed her form, the outline of her body hazing with flying insects. The flies danced around Lady Beneviento, landing on her gown and veil. The lord didn't flinch away, even when a few courageous insects touched her neck.
Bela giggled and drew her pieces back. What an odd woman Lady Beneviento was. She flinched away from eye contact, but not flesh eating flies. Bela wondered what she tasted like. Unfortunately, her musing was cut short by her mother's call. The meeting had ended, without her even realizing that Mother Miranda had left.
A pang of sadness made her pout, but she answered her mother affirmatively anyway. She was the oldest, she had to be the best for mother. Which is why she turned back to say goodbye to the remaining lord. It was only polite.
Bela swooped down, not letting Lady Beneviento react in time to turn her head. Their eyes met, only a scarce few inches and the veil between them. Angie ineffectivly swatted at Bela, flies dispersing around her tiny hands. Lady Beneviento's eyes were a warm, dark gray, wide in suprise. Delicious.
"Until next time...Lady Beneviento…" Bela sung softly. A fly nipped at Lady Beneviento's neck, causing the woman to start and brush the insect away. When she looked up again, Bela was gone.
-/-
They were in sight of the castle gates when Cassandra finally spoke up. She waited until their mother was out of earshot before bumping into Bela. "That's some pretty big prey you were sizing up, Bela."
Daniela laughed, skipping half dissolved in front of her sisters. "Right? Talk about being an over achiever."
"I was doing nothing of the sort." Bela sneered, the frustration of the day finally catching up with her. "Its not my fault you're too feral to recognize cordial conversation."
"Please." Cassandra rolled her eyes. "You were drooling all over her."
"Yeah, it was worse than when Cass was lusting over Mother's wine maiden." Daniela jumped away from Cassandra's lunging attack, giggling all the way.
Bela huffed, too annoyed to even dignify them with a response. She let her sisters argue, quickly forgetting their teasing in favor of a new fight. Besides, her mind would much rather be occupied on the next time she could meet the elusive dollmaker.