The music was soft — fleeting and sweeping under tones of violins played to perfection. A haunting melody bringing tears to closed off hearts; a lavish ballroom done up to perfection with flowers of cold hues strung 'round arches, silks draped like hung souls, and chandeliers lighting marble floors like reflections of lost time.

A dance never to end for the many bodies trapped in elegance and longing of freedom always yearned for, the air a calming note that followed the hum of your partner. Those glazed eyes lightened, a soft inhale leading a tranced gaze to blink back confusion and the hand holding yours tightened ever so slightly. Your silk gown shifted, shimmering as you turned under an archway of white roses, an elegant dance you weren't doing on your own. Where you were...you couldn't recall. Your mind was hazy, memories clouded and now you were...at a ball?

"What's this?" A velvety voice met your soft eyes with his and that smile made you shiver. His features were soft, ice blue eyes gleaming down on to your pitiful confusion with a soothing aura. Around you others danced — stringless marionettes all sharing that same lost look under frills and silks. "My favorite doll has awoken from slumber? Interesting~"