━ ◦ ✤ 𝕱𝔞𝔫𝔤𝔰 & 𝕾𝔢𝔠𝔯𝔢𝔱𝔰 ✤ ◦ ━【тєиzαι & кιттєи】🅽🆂🅵🆆

[Tenzai]

'I promise to always keep you safe.'

Closed doors & Quiet Rooms
Once a haven full of happy memories, their home had become a prison.

ɴᴏᴡ ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ: ꜱᴇᴀꜱᴏɴꜱ | ᴡᴀᴠᴇ ᴛᴏ ᴇᴀʀᴛʜ
↻ ◁ II ▷ ↺

I can't be your love
Look, it's too trivial for you now
Oh, my life is fallin' apart
Maybe no one will notice if I disappear​

No matter how much he understood that it was for her own good, Arc hated what he and Adelaide have become. The close bonds they once shared when he was human was gone, left to rot and fester as a sacrifice to ensure that she would avoid succumbing to the same fate as her parents. Every time he muttered his promise from the other side of the door quietly in an attempt to convince himself that he was doing it for all the right reasons, he couldn't help but feel his repeated murmurings acted as nothing more than meaningless self-patronizing. What was to become of them once peace was attained if it was to ever be attained?

Arc didn't have the answer, nor did he want to know. It was hard for him to think that far ahead when he lacked the courage to even muster breaching her door. The letters of her nickname taped in front of her door had taunted him with his own knowledge. He knew that the door was unlocked. Physically speaking, the challenge was nothing more than ordinary. Emotionally however, that's where he felt as though it was impossible. To think, he was able to face the horrors of the night on a daily basis to protect her and yet, when it came to actually speaking with his beloved sister, even the most mundane barriers grew agonizingly tough to climb. His heart was an anchor dragging his body on the floor behind him. The closer he got to convincing himself to speak like they could be normal in person, the heavier it became.

'It's her birthday, Arc. Just wish her a happy birthday and give your gift. How hard can it be?'​

Internally, Arc's monologuing sense of reason had fired up a storm against his anxious overthinking. A heated debate had wrought tension in his mind as his heart and his mind waged war against each other to control his behaviors. He didn't want to ruin her special day, yet he felt like he did already by merely existing within her proximity. He wanted to wish her a happy birthday, but would it really cheer her up? Why was it all his fault? Why can't he be normal enough to treat her as an ordinary sibling? The torrent of questioning refused to let up while his left hand gripped onto a plate with a slice of cake he baked for her and her present. His right hand squeezed tightly on her present: A plush of her favorite animal. His fingers had shown signs of burning, revealing the extent of how far he was willing to go to make her day special. He wasn't a perfect baker but his effort had made up for his inadequacies in droves.

The only thing left to do was to ensure she would receive both. Finally stepping to her door, his thoughts and heart had settled into silence, relenting to the feeling of overwhelming dread. Neither knew what was right to do when he got so close in proximity. Reaching towards the doorknob after holding her present in between his torso and his arm, he froze in place. 'Perhaps, if she's sleeping, it wouldn't be best to disturb her slumber.' He thought to himself, momentarily taking a few moments to listen, only to be met with silence and an ordinary heartbeat. Adelaide wasn't asleep. His vampiric senses made him sensitive to the sounds of the living. From the sound of blood running through a human's veins down to the tempo of their heart and breathing, every detail that would suggest human life had become easy to read thanks to his heightened senses when it came to his prey. Though, Arc had found humane uses for his abilities, unlike the rest of his hostile cohort. With the knowledge that she was awake, he lowered her dish in front of her door.

"Hey Addy."

"Happy birthday."

But I'll pray for you all the time
If I could be by your side
I'll give you all my life, my seasons​

In front of him stood a cake covered in vanilla frosting with her favorite fruit, strawberries, decorating the top alongside the broken shards of chocolate bars. "You don't have to come out yet if you don't want to, but I made you something special that I think you might like." Arc's voice was no louder than a whisper, but it was enough for him to hear footsteps that stopped at the other side of the door. Addy was listening. "A cake with vanilla frosting. Strawberries and chocolates as toppings too." He smiled, taking pride in being able to craft something she would like. "Like the way you always told me you wanted back then." Still, both that happiness and pride were fleeting, quickly being replaced with the understanding that this would not change anything. Regardless of whether she accepted her gifts or not, she was still a prisoner inside her own home. Both his food and his gift would only placate that feeling for just a moment.

"And I got you a gift too. A fox plush." Leaving it as an offering, Arc placed the carefully wrapped orange fox beside the slice of cake. "I saw it in a crane machine and I knew I had to get it for you. I swear it has your name written all over it. Took me several tries but I managed to get it and another matching one in the end." He turned around, finding a red fox sitting right beside his briefcase. "Maybe... One of these days, I could take you to that arcade. Spend some time together like we used to." Placing his hand on the other side of the door, he closed his eyes and imagined his digits were where her head was, stroking the wood as though he was patting her head.

"I saw they had the fighting game you practiced on a lot. I wouldn't mind playing against you sometime. Who knows, maybe I could beat you for the first time." He chuckled for a little bit, before going silent. There was only so much he could do to keep a conversation when he was the only one talking. Finding his attempt to interact failing, he sighed, returning back to the pitiful state he tried to escape earlier. "I'll leave both out here outside for you whenever you're ready to take a look. Thought you would appreciate receiving something special on your special day."

While the leaves withered away
And grew again
You have gone far away
I'll be pushing up daisies
And bring all the chances to here

"Sorry if I disturbed you, Addy."

Regardless of how close she was nor how hard he tried, she was still too far out of reach.

But I'll pray for you all the time
If I could be by your side
I'll give you all my life, my seasons
By your side, I'll be your seasons, hmm

'I'll reach you one day, Promise. I won't let them take you too. I'll wage war for you, even if it costs me my life.'​

---

Vampires don't dream.

Dreams are only distractions from one's purpose.​

Ethan closed his eyes to rest in his own bed, exhausted from his various exchanges during the day. From offering a home to his favorite meal to dealing with the truth that there would be consequences for his boss' hubris when it came to dealing with humans, he struggled to maintain the typical calm visage he usually wore. His mind was in a constant state of fear and anxiety. Neither Adelaide's invitation to share a bed nor the taste of her nightmares were enough to distract him from the raging seas of his thoughts. What also hasn't left his mind was the knowledge that some of the cruelest vampire hunters had just arrived in town. Free of a moral compass and legal obligation, he was concerned over what they would do if he was discovered by these human monsters. Very few non-pureblood vampires were lucky enough to be left alive after such a close interaction with them, let alone coming out unscathed.

Instead of finding rest, upon closing his eyes, all his mind could do was think. For hours, he remained in silence, trying to organize his thoughts to come up with a proper plan for himself. If his boss was so stupid as to send a couple vampiric hitmen against the lead vampire detective himself in broad daylight, he wasn't someone that he could trust with his own wellbeing. Yet, as much as he wished to be his own master, he understood the terms of his blood contract.

In exchange for his sanguine blessing and eternity, he was to sacrifice his own freedom. To the sociopath that sought power and control above all things, this was an easy exchange. As long as whichever master he was assigned to was smart enough to manage him and address his needs, he would hold no qualms about it. However, unfortunately for him, he was assigned to someone he found lacking. Still, he carried out his tasks dutifully, regardless of how selfish and indulgent the requests were. Before he had the chance to think more about his own predicament however, he heard the door open followed by footsteps that attempted to be quiet. It was Adelaide. The scent of his shampoo, the warmth of her breath on his skin, and the gentle taps on his shoulder all hinted at her presence.

"Ethan… can I sleep with you? I had a bad dream… can you hold me?"

"Of course, Addy. Come over here."
Hidden in the dark of the room, he flashed a mischievous smile once he felt her bare skin on his.​

Wrapping his arms around her and pulling her head atop his chest, Ethan drew her into his embrace. With Adelaide being in such a shaken state, still under the influence of his drug, he doubted she would be able to read his signs of vampirism. The warmth of the blanket had made his skin feel human enough, though there was nothing he could do that could hide the muted beating of his heart. "What's wrong? Nightmares?" The dream eater already knew what she was dreaming of, feigning ignorance to mimic a sense of empathy. Despite his concentration being placed on his own thoughts as he passed her on the way inside his room, from the intensity of her fears alone, he was able to taste where her nightmare lied. 'She was dreaming of her brother and her family.'

Taking a moment to listen to her shaky voice speak, Ethan ran a hand over her head to stroke her hair. "Don't worry, alright? I'm here now," His dark smile contorted to that of false kindness before turning to her. As he traced his hand downward from the roof of her head towards her chin, he lifted her gaze up to his so she could grow comfortable with seeing her savior. "And I'm not going to leave you behind. I promise." Drawing her towards him by gently pulling her by the chin, he kissed her on the forehead before kissing her on the lips. "Feel a little better now?" Judging from her reaction, from her reddening cheeks to the placement of her hands, his voice grew sultry as it was brought down to a seductive whisper.

"I know I do. I always feel better when you're around me." Ethan carefully worked his way through her thoughts, invading her mind through the use of his drug and his manipulative choice of words. "Whenever I spend time with you, I'm always left wanting more. Twenty four hours in the day is nowhere near enough to do all I want to do with you sometimes." The vampire flirted, baiting her to fall deeper into his abyss. "And I wonder if that's enough for you too... Don't you think, we should make up for all the lost time?" Using a verbal knife to cut where her brother and her had cracked, he aimed to cut him out of her life. "At least, there's no one else who could take you away from doing what you want now, right?"

"Let's make something of that freedom..."

"...and do everything he would never let you do."

ɴᴏᴡ ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ: ᴇᴡ | ᴊᴏᴊɪ
↻ ◁ II ▷ ↺

Teach me to love just to let me go
I can't believe that I'm not enough
Not enough

And so long
No one will be here to save you
And no one will be here to let you know
Let you know​

---

"I'll make sure to do that. Val is one of a kind and means well. He's my gem."

"And Twy's mine too!"
Val chimed in from the kitchen, bouncy while preparing drinks as a result of her genuine feelings over her brother.

ɴᴏᴡ ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ: ᴘʟᴜᴛᴏ ᴘʀᴏᴊᴇᴄᴛᴏʀ | ʀᴇx ᴏʀᴀɴɢᴇ ᴄᴏᴜɴᴛʏ
↻ ◁ II ▷ ↺

I can show you everything, yeah
And we're on our way to glory
Where the show won't ever end
And the encore lasts forever
And it's time we're due to spend​

Sharing conversation over drinks was a feeling he wasn't used to. The scene that played before him was something he yearned for. This was the reason he was fighting his war, to bring his own household the same warmth that these two held for each other on a regular basis. For a moment, he turned himself away to wipe a tear from his eyes. Its been so long since Arc felt like a part of a family. To have Val and Twyla treat him so well had shook him to his very core. "So, to business. I had some time to think it over when I got home, and I couldn't help but get excited to pick an outfit for the nightclub." Hearing her call his attention, he regained his composure quickly. Now was not the time to cry over what was lost. Now was the time to bring their plans into motion.

"What did you have in mind, Twy?" Adopting the same nickname her brother had chosen for her, Arc looked at her phone with curiosity. On her screen were various outfits that all fit the description of a regular at the club function they were to attend. "Oh! I think these are actually quite fitting." Out of all of her bookmarks, he chose an matching outfit aesthetic where he would be in black and she would be in pink. "Thanks for bringing up the outfits. I never thought of myself as much of a club type so I usually left the wardrobe choice to a few friends back in my department whenever we investigated any place like this. Thought it would be best to leave it to the experts rather than guess and stumble..." He scratched the back of his head at his own inexperience. Usually, whenever he was sent to investigate a club, he would be investigating as himself rather than as an undercover agent.

"But don't get too concerned about me, alright?" Arc's eyes glowed red, hinting at his skill enhanced by his vampiric ability. "I have ways around navigating social circles. Don't think I'm going to hold us back." Upon finishing his sentence, his vocal tone and physical demeanor shifted to that of Val. "I'm pretty good at mixing myself in with any crowd, you know? But as for fighting, I doubt I'm anywhere near as strong as you are, Twy. Try as might, there's only so much my fists can do against steel beams."

Once he heard Arc change, Val gave a look of surprise as he delivered another glass. "Wow, Arc. You're really good at doing a me impression! You think you could do Twy next?" Arc chuckled, returning back to his previous stance. "There are limits, Val. I have to be able to read someone in order to act like them. Some people are harder than others, but with time and trust, it becomes easy enough."

"To build trust with people who aren't like you, you have to convince them that you're one of them."

"And sometimes, to do what you need to, you have to get good at putting on masks."​

While Arc saw his own gift as a cursed product of his environment, Val on the other hand had seen it as a talent. Despite Arc mentioning his expertise at taking on the mannerisms of others however, Val's heart felt as though his present and his kind words here were genuine. Seeing the contrast between his thoughts and actions, Val brought a question up. "Well, how do you feel about now? Still think you need to wear a mask around us?" The question caught Arc off guard. "You don't seem like you're lying about how you're feeling with us. Maybe it's just a hunch, I guess, but you look like you're enjoying yourself here."

By inspiring hope and treating him normally, the two had managed to crack Arc's mask. Beneath the veil was a fragile family man who sought the feeling of being welcomed. He nearly forgot what it was like to not feel alien in his own skin. Years spent working as a false face only to return home to a sister he couldn't muster the strength to tell the truth had left him jaded. He didn't fit with humans nor did he fit with vampires. He was forced to be everything he wasn't, only free to be himself when he was truly alone. Without realizing it, Twy and Val had given him a taste of what he wanted. For this, the mask didn't feel necessary to feel welcome. "... You're right. I haven't been lying about who I am or how I'm feeling. Strange."

Arc took a deep breath, feeling his heartbeat as a sign that this was no dream. These two were real and this moment was happening. "I suppose, its thanks to you both. You never made me feel like I needed to be someone else around you. Thanks for that, and I'm sorry for getting distracted, Twy." He bowed politely. "Anytime, Arc. As long as you're here to help Twy, you're always welcome here." Val smiled, before heading back to the kitchen to prepare himself a drink. "My bad for distracting Arc, Twy. You two talk as long as you need to! I'll be around if you need anything to drink." Returning back to the task at hand, Arc's eyes drew over her phone once again to take a closer look at the outfits he liked before suddenly being hit with a notification from Mia.

"I am SO sorry… Please pretend you didn't see that, matter of fact, don't even comment on it…"

"Its fine, Twy. She's your friend and these things happen."
Caught off guard once again by someone so close to Twy, Arc couldn't help himself but genuinely laugh.​

From the constant distractions to the treatment these three gave to each other, it all felt so ordinary that it wasn't real. Though, from the clinking sounds of Val tapping glasses in the kitchen to the pings of each tap on Twy's phone as she rapidly reached for the do not disturb icon, each sensation that came from being there had drawn him into their moment. Regardless of its mundanity, this was peace. She had something to fight for, like he did. Quietly, he made a promise to himself to protect this life for her as well. Arc hoped she, her friends, and her family would never suffer the same as he did.

"This would be your outfit, and if you scroll down, there's a matching set for me. I think getting them together would be perfect,-" Val was quick to chime in jokingly. "For business." He teased. "Especially for the role we're playing. It would leave no room for anyone to second-guess us. The store's just down the street, it's called Rave, and it's pretty popular. I've picked up a few things from there before, but nothing like this, so I'm really excited to try something new." Her eyes sparkled. "I've never been to a nightclub before, and even though it's for business, I think it'll be fun to finally check one out."

"Well, I suppose it'll be a first for both of us, fashion and location wise." Arc looked up the directions on his phone, making note of opening and closing times. As a result of the drug prescribed to him by Dr. Thorne to speed up his healing, his sense of time was off. Believing it was evening, he didn't realize that the sun was rising. It was still early in the morning and the store was soon to open. "But I don't think I mind at all. Out of everyone I know who I could go to a club with, I'm happy it was you." Speaking with conviction, Arc unknowingly revealed just how deep his respect and trust was for his new friend. By giving her identity, she proved that she was someone who could be trusted with his own. But by offering him a place at her home and welcoming him as a guest, she became more than just an asset; Twyla had become a friend. "Just help me with putting all of that on. There seems to be a lot of straps and attachments that I might not be all too familiar with yet, so I'll appreciate whatever help you can offer me."

"You mentioned the vampires that raided your home are laying low at the club, but what's the plan beyond walking in and hoping to spot a familiar face? Aside from playing my role as your partner, is there anything specific you need me to do? I could investigate on my own, maybe use a bit of feminine charm and decision to draw some guys in and see what I can find out." Hearing what she was insinuating, Arc shook his head in refusal. They were a team and to Arc, she was the furthest thing from a sacrificial pawn. Her value extended far beyond that of a mere asset alone. "Perhaps if they were human, I would say otherwise since I know you could handle yourself... But here? With vampires who..." He paused for a moment, thinking of all the sins he saw committed when rescuing others. The trauma that he was forced to deal with as buried deep within the darkest depths of his mind. Imagining Twyla or Adelaide in the same position as those victims was not a fate he was willing to negotiate. "... No. I wouldn't want that. Not at all."

"We're going to handle this together, Twyla. I'm not going to let you deal with this alone or apart."

"We're a team."​

"We're there to collect information on entrances and exits. On guards and weapons as well as what is hidden within each room. What faces frequent the VIP sections and which types of people are allowed to go into which sections, things like that." Arc pulled out the notebook he showed her in the cafe. Within revealed to what extent Arc was able to discover from his observations. Within its many pages stood paragraphs upon paragraphs of information, from the equipment a guard used down to their schedules and apparent vices. "Maybe potential prisoners too... and I don't want you to end up becoming one of them." He placed his hand on hers, refusing to shift in stance when it came to her treating herself as bait. "I need you, Twy. In case something goes wrong and I'm forced to fight, I doubt I'd be able to be as effective as I was before." He lifted his sleeve to reveal the bandages. "And it's a lot less suspicious if we go together as a couple instead of me going there alone."

"I trust you, but I'll need you to put your faith in me too. I promise I'm far from useless."

"And remember. We're not fighting this war alone anymore. You could rely on me."​

 

[Kitten]

ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ Tʜᴇ Dʀᴜᴍ
0:00 ㅇ──────── 3:09
↻ ◁ || ▷ ↺
Oᴏʜ, I ᴄᴀɴ'ᴛ ᴘʀᴇᴛᴇɴᴅ
Lɪᴋᴇ ʏᴏᴜ ᴅɪᴅɴ'ᴛ ʙʀɪɴɢ ᴍʏ ᴛᴇᴍᴘᴏ ᴜᴘ ᴀɢᴀɪɴ
Mʏ ʜᴇᴀᴅ's ɪɴ ᴀ sᴘɪɴ
Yᴏᴜ sᴇɴᴅ ᴍʏ ʙᴏᴅʏ ᴛᴏ ᴀ ᴘʟᴀᴄᴇ ɪᴛ's ɴᴇᴠᴇʀ ʙᴇᴇɴ​

Ethan’s voice held a gentle warmth that drew her in, like a fish caught on a carefully baited hook. She gave him a soft smile, relieved that she didn’t have to face her nightmares alone. She climbed into bed, curling up beside him as his arms opened to welcome her. His embrace was a refuge, radiating a warmth that seeped into her heart and reassured her that everything would be okay. “Thank you…” she murmured, her voice filled with quiet gratitude for his presence in her moment of vulnerability. Thankfully, her poor night vision spared her from noticing the mischievous grin playing at the corners of his mouth.

"What's wrong? Nightmares? Don't worry, I'm here now, and I'm not going to leave you behind, I promise. Feel a little better now?"​

"Yeah... It felt so real... but I feel safe here, in your arms. Thank you, Ethan," she replied softly, her words brushing past the darker details she preferred to leave unspoken. Thankfully, Ethan didn't pry, his silence a gift that she deeply appreciated. Without pressing her, he allowed her the peace of not having to relive that gut-wrenching dream. Addy was more than willing to let it sink into the shadows of her mind, buried where it couldn’t reach her.

"I always feel better when you're around me. Whenever I spent time with you, I'm always left wanting more. And I wonder if that's enough for you too.."​

"...Do you really?" His words caught her off guard, and she instinctively nestled closer, feeling the blankets cocoon over him, missing the subtle coolness of his unnatural skin. "Of course, I feel the same way. No amount of time with you could ever be enough." Her body grew warmer, a flush spreading over her skin as if she were running a mild fever, though it was simply the blush that colored her from head to toe. In this moment, she felt cherished, loved, and deeply wanted, as though he alone held the key to her heart. With each word, he seemed to reach further into her, drawing her down into the space he had carefully carved out for her, a place where she could fall - helplessly, willingly - only for him… a plan she was perfectly unaware of.

"Don't you think, we should make up for all the lost time?"​

Quiet. Silence fell between them, thick with unspoken understanding. Addy felt her heartbeat quicken, pounding in her chest with a thrilling mix of anticipation and nerves. She understood what he was hinting at, and it sent a rush of adrenaline through her, her stomach twisting in excitement. She’d never ventured into such intimate territory before - never exposing herself in this way, physically or emotionally, to anyone. But with Ethan, she felt safe enough to step beyond her usual boundaries, to let herself be vulnerable in a way she’d never dared. He had earned that trust, and she wanted to share parts of herself that no one else had seen, to give him a glimpse of her truest self.

"I agree, let’s make up for some lost time…" she whispered, her voice barely audible, as though someone might overhear, even though they were alone in the apartment. Emboldened by a mix of lingering courage from the drink and possibly the concoction she unknowingly drank, she shifted herself, pressing her palms into the bed to steady herself before moving to sit atop his lap, his form wrapped in the blanket’s. Her heart raced, but her gaze held steady, a quiet confidence sparking in her eyes as she closed the distance between them.

“I’ve never done this before,” she confessed softly, a hint of fragility in her voice. She hoped he wouldn’t tease her for her inexperience, though she knew deep down he wasn’t the type. Ethan had always been kind, understanding, and patient with her, and she felt sure he’d only cherish her more for trusting him with something so intimate, being able to take her virginity. "And I just want you to know... I won’t mind if you've done this before," she added, her voice barely a whisper, her tone gentle and reassuring. "I’d actually... appreciate some guidance… please?” Her hand moved to rest softly on his chest, her touch tentative but filled with trust. She hoped he’d understand her silent plea, that he’d take the lead and help her learn how to connect with him in this intimate way, showing her how to bring him pleasure in a way that no one else ever had.

ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ Lᴀᴛᴇ sᴜᴍᴍᴇʀ ᴀғᴛᴇʀɴᴏᴏɴs
0:00 ㅇ──────── 34:21
↻ ◁ || ▷ ↺​

The moment Twyla mentioned using her feminine charm to help, Arc's face twisted into a sour expression, making his feelings on the matter perfectly clear without a word. She understood immediately - he only wanted to protect her. Still, if it came to that, she was willing to do what was necessary. For now, though, she nodded in silent acknowledgment of his reluctance. After all, who could say what the night might hold? Anything could happen between now and then.

As he reached across the table to take her hands in his, Twyla glanced down at their joined hands, then looked back up at him, unfamiliar with such a gentle gesture paired with words of commitment to work together. Arc was every bit the gentleman, and despite his line of work - and his own admission to donning many faces to gain favor and do what needed to be done - there was an undeniable sincerity in his touch. She didn’t feel he was putting on a facade for his own gain; his emotions were genuine, raw with concern and hope for both of them. A soft smile tugged at her lips as she lifted one hand to rest atop his, her fingers curling around his in a firm, reassuring grip. Her voice was steady, underscoring her words. “Yes, we’re a team, fighting for the greater good. I’ll always have your back; you won’t be alone in this fight anymore.”

As she sat listening to his rundown of their plan for once they were inside the club, she made mental notes, determined to be the best team player and ensure the mission went off without a hitch. “Alright… track exits and entrances, keep tabs on the regulars in the VIP rooms, stay alert for anything suspicious, and be ready to fight if necessary. Got it.” To show she was listening, she repeated his instructions, ticking off each point with a finger as she went. “And, as you mentioned - though you might not want to admit it - you’re still healing. Going to such a chaotic place alone wouldn’t be wise. You’d practically be serving yourself up to the enemy.” Twyla pointed out the obvious, though she knew he was likely well aware of it himself.

"Also, I never showed you my special ability," she said, realizing it might be a good idea now that he had just revealed his own. It would also help her understand his power better, especially since she might need to rely on it often. With their hands still joined, her lilac eyes glowed softly for a brief moment - something she might normally conceal by closing her eyes, but she made no effort to hide it now as she absorbed Arc's power. As Arc’s power transferred to her, a faint, pale purple glow shimmered in Twyla’s eyes, mirroring the way his own eyes lit up during his commands. She looked deep into his gaze, her tone playful yet commanding. “Tell Valor he’s the best painter and vampiric chef in all the lands.” Her cheeks puffed with laughter, a grin breaking through as she held back giggles. It was a harmless, even silly command, but enough to show him the effect of her powers without crossing any lines.

As she released his hand, she laughed out loud at Val’s reaction to the unexpected compliment. “I can mimic others’ abilities and even turn them back on themselves,” she explained, “but it only lasts a few minutes with just a touch. If I drink someone’s blood, though, it can last much longer, sometimes even hours.” She paused, a hint of pride in her voice before she added, almost nonchalantly, “Oh, and I have a minor ability too. After interacting with someone, I can sense where they are for about fifteen minutes as long as they’re within a mile.” She shrugged, brushing it off as if it were nothing extraordinary. “Plus, I think my powers are naturally stronger because I’m a pureblood,” she added thoughtfully. “Val doesn’t believe he can fight well, but I know that if his life, or mine, were truly in danger, he’d be unstoppable. He just… doesn’t like to fight.” She glanced over her shoulder at Val, a smile forming as she took in his gentle demeanor before turning her attention back to Arc.

“Rave opens in a few minutes, wanna head that way?” Twyla asked as she scooted her chair back and stood, giving a small stretch. She glanced over at Val with a warm smile. “You wanna come too, Val? I’m not sure what you’ve got planned, but I wanted you to feel included.” She offered him the invitation with an easygoing tone, knowing he might decline, likely thinking it was more of a date between her and Arc. In reality, it wasn’t anything of the sort, but she wouldn’t be hurt if he opted out.

“Oh, and… it won’t hurt our budget if I pick up this outfit, right?” she asked, double-checking with a playful grin. If funds were tight, she could always just put it on their credit card, but she wanted to be sure first.

After Val responded, Twyla opened the door and held it for Arc, letting him pass through before closing it behind her. “Alright, let’s go!” she exclaimed, practically skipping down the hallway. As they moved out into public view, her form shifted subtly, taking on the appearance of Alora to conceal her identity. Fortunately, it was only a short fifteen-minute walk down the sidewalk to Rave. As they reached the entrance, she pushed the door open, and a soft chime rang out from the bells above, announcing their arrival to anyone inside.

“Good afternoon, and welcome to Rave! Is there anything I can help you find?” A tall man approached the duo, his professional smile spreading warmly across his face, clearly eager to assist them with whatever they needed.

"Yes, actually!" Alora replied, pulling her phone from her pocket and bringing up the outfit she’d shown Arc earlier. "We’re looking for this matching set. Could you point us toward where it is, and the fitting rooms?"

The man leaned in, squinting slightly as he examined the image on her phone. After a brief moment, he straightened with a nod, his expression conveying perfect understanding of her request. "I know exactly where that is, follow me," he said, gesturing for them to come along as he led the way through the store with ease, navigating the aisles like second nature.

Stopping at a rack, he shifted a few hangers aside before pulling out the male version of the outfit, then quickly found the female version as well. "Here you go!" he said, handing each outfit to them with a friendly smile before gesturing toward the back. "The changing rooms are over there. Feel free to call me if you need anything else, my name’s Axel." With that, he gave them a polite nod and, to grant them privacy, strolled off in the opposite direction, hands tucked casually into his pockets.

“You go first!” she urged, giving him a playful nudge. She was eager to see how the outfit would look on him before slipping into her own.

 

[Tenzai]

"I agree, let's make up for some lost time…"

Dragged further from the surface, Adelaide sunk into his abyss willingly.

She made the perfect prey
ɴᴏᴡ ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ: ᴄᴏʟᴅ ʙʟᴏᴏᴅᴇᴅ | ᴄʜʀɪꜱ ɢʀᴇʏ
↻ ◁ II ▷ ↺

Underneath her love, there's a blade
Lost inside her mind, it's a maze she's a
Disaster, I can't look away but she's
All mine, all mine

I know I should run, I should be terrified
Turn to stone if you look in his eyes
He won't stop until he's satisfied​

As Adelaide stumbled while mounting her lover, underneath the blankets, she could feel his outline press against her. His cool, vampiric form yearned to indulge into the sensations she offered, both of pleasure and of pain. "Oh, I would want nothing more than to make you mine, Adelaide." His hands traced over her thighs, his sanguine eyes admiring her flesh in the dark. With her body atop of his so close in proximity, he could hear her thumping heartbeats pounding in her chest. She was nervous. It was likely that this was her first time exposing herself so vulnerably like this. "You can trust me with your secret. I wouldn't want to share this side of you with anyone else." Selfish was the abyssal prince who sought to be her everything. To the one who's hunger was endless, there was nothing more satisfying than to be the sole reason her body could soar to the heavens and drown in its hell.

"I've never done this before," The vampire was amused at her sexual naivety. She was innocent and pure, untouched by another. The idea of being the one to take that innocence away and rob her of her purity had made him crave her all the more. With his mind slowly shifting away from his anxieties, she became his sole focus. Her body was his morsel, prepared after careful months of planning and scheming. 'How quaint. To have my prey be so willing to give herself up.' Despite his eyes being in the dark, they appeared blacker than the shadows. Without even biting her, his mind was already making claim to her body, swallowing her reflection whole as she further sunk into his icy oceans. "And I just want you to know... I won't mind if you've done this before, I'd actually... appreciate some guidance… please?" Fragile was her voice backed up by her heartfelt confidence. It was begging to be shattered.

"Of course, Addy. You can trust me. I'll show you how I want to be loved."
​

His hands reached to her waist, turning her to his side as he got atop of her. Slowly guiding his hands up her body, Ethan massaged her breasts, listening to the sounds of her heart respond to his carefully practiced motions. If he was to devour her for the first time physically, he was going to enjoy every inch of her. "My, to think you were hiding this beauty away underneath your clothes." His eyes traced across her form, following the beam of the rising sun that streaked across her figure as it broke through the nearby curtains. "Such a shame that I couldn't have seen this part of you sooner. But I suppose, there's nothing wrong with that. Passion requires patience to grow, right?" One hand stroked from her breast over to her arms, following the contour of her shoulders down to her wrist. Grabbing her hand carefully, he drew her digits to his chin while his other hand continued to play with her chest, divulging her where no one else had touched her before. "You've kept me waiting for a while, Addy. Do me a favor and show me that the wait was worth it." He teased, whispering lust into her ears as he drew his face closer to hers.

"I'm not a patient man. But for you, I will wait an eternity just for a taste..." Ethan's lips pressed against her, offering his thrall a taste of his saliva as his tongue embraced her own. It was a sloppy kiss, hinting at her inexperience being loved orally, though it was one that the vampire himself had found quaint. Given the energy she put back into him, he could tell that she was trying her best. It was this energy which hinted just how far she fell for him and his drug. However, before she had a chance to really melt into him and indulge in his flavors, he slowly broke away. "... Of your lips." He wanted to strike a spark in her, to make his prey crave him as much as he did her. As he pulled away, a bridge of their saliva had stretched between their mouths, meeting her skin as he pressed his lips again onto her neck and shoulder. "... Of your flesh." Grazing his teeth, he carefully avoided piercing her flesh too soon. Now was not the time to reveal just who he was. She needed more time to trust him. She needed more time to get addicted to his temptations.

Lifting his lips off of her, he brought his mouth down to her chest, kissing both breasts at their tips before drawing his mouth in between them to kiss her heart. "... Of your heart." Refusing to let up in his assault of her body, he kissed down her stomach before meeting her clit. "... And of your soul." With his tongue, he granted her slit the blessing of his touch before kissing her inner thighs. The expertise he wielded on her body was beyond that of most. It was a skill well practiced over years as a vampire, lifting other women just to drop them once they found euphoria. He was an addictive drug, a careful manipulator, and a toxic lover too addictive to escape. With her body left reeling from the overwhelming sensations she never felt before, he found amusement in her squirming and a longing from her sounds. "You taste perfect, Adelaide. All of you." Slowly picking himself up from between her thighs, his hands reached towards her, stroking her palms as he gave her his devilishly attractive smirk. "But I doubt you're only interested in letting me taste you."

Ethan's eyes followed hers, noting her attention to his body. From his torso barely masked by a well fitted t-shirt down to the wet imprint she left on the outline of his boxers, he pulled her hands towards his clothes, giving her an opportunity to explore her wanton curiosities. "You're curious too, aren't you? About what I look like underneath it all?" Wrapping his hands around hers from the back, he placed pressure on her knuckles to cause her to grip his clothes, each digit causing wrinkles on the fabric covering the body she fell in love with. "Go ahead and explore me. Touch me where you like. Taste me too, I don't mind one bit. Every inch of my body is yours to fall in love with." Before she pulled anything off however, he gripped her hands tightly, offering her a lewd warning.

"But don't rile me up and keep me waiting for too long. I'm an impatient man, Addy."

"I'm just as interested in your insides as I am your outsides."

Oh, she's wrapped around my body, gripping tight
She looks like temptation that I can't fight
She lives for the pleasure and the pain
Tried my best but I can't keep away

My heart's inside his hands, I feel him squeezing
I'll follow him as long as I'm breathing
I know that he wouldn't do the same
But I'd follow him to the grave​

---

"Valor. Your art is magnificent and your culinary works are a wonder to behold."

"You inspire me to protect your sister and your livelihood, and I intend to do no less than my best."
Calling upon his heart, Twy had summoned a confession through her magic.

ɴᴏᴡ ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ: ᴍᴇɴᴛᴀʟ ᴀᴄᴜᴘᴜɴᴄᴛᴜʀᴇ | ᴊᴀᴢᴢɪɴᴜꜰ
↻ ◁ II ▷ ↺​

Arc's magic was potent, using his own feelings as a conduit for commands. As Val heard Arc's truth, he blushed, dropping a glass only to fumble a bit before catching it. "O-oh wow. I didn't think you felt that way about me, Arc. Umm... Thanks!" Hearing the man who won his heart over once share his thoughts; Somehow, Val had felt as though he was won over again. Even if it was the product of some harmless silly command brought into reality through the powers of his sister, the vampire artist had found no lie in the words of his guest. They felt genuine. "I'll uh... Go over here while you guys talk." Behind the counter, Twy heard her brother whisper in excitement. "eeeeeeee." Unfortunately for Val, he did a terrible job at hiding his enthusiasm over Arc's compliment.

"Interesting." Arc smiled, finding her power quite useful. "To be able to turn the powers of others against them. I could see why the goddess had refused to engage you in direct conflict." He scratched his chin, forging connection in between his past master's orders and Twy's revelation. Even though it caught him by surprise, he didn't hold her use of her power against her. There were many ways at which she could have directed his power back on him, yet she chose a way that benefited her brother. Seeing her love extend so strongly for her family had caused his heart to ease further. They were much more alike than he thought. "I can mimic others' abilities and even turn them back on themselves, but it only lasts a few minutes with just a touch. If I drink someone's blood, though, it can last much longer, sometimes even hours."

If there was an expected window of time predictable via the transmission of her ability, the detective believed he could coordinate plans around it. "I suppose... If you need access to my ability, I wouldn't against you biting me for a taste of my blood. Maybe, I could even draw my own blood and put it into capsules for you to drink too, should the need arise." He thought of the many ways he could empower her. "Though, there is a caveat to the use of my ability, Twy. Whoever you use it on has to trust you, otherwise it won't work." Interestingly, while the detective had used this power sparingly, he was able to figure out that he could use it to determine whether someone else was on his side. By using his power to request simple gestures such as offering them a chair to sit among many, he was able to mask the use through mundane means. "But you'd be able to tell whether someone is willing to help you... And for that I have to apologize." He bowed politely.

"Remember when I asked if you and Mia could help us in our investigation?" Arc hinted at their first meeting. While it was not some obscene use of his ability like Thorne would have preferred, it was his way of collecting information which assisted in determining truth from lies. "I've used it then to tell whether I could rely on you for a witness testimony... I was concerned then about my sister and I felt a time constraint before another incident like that were to happen again." If she was going to trust him, he needed to air out his grievances now, even if he believed his reasons to be valid. "And I used it again at the hospital too when I invited you in to determine whether you were someone I could trust. As you could tell, confessing that you're a vampire to a new face is akin to playing with fire... But even then, after finding out that you trusted me, I was afraid that you would fear me, but I still took that chance. I didn't force you then because you were someone I could trust... As you could tell now." Arc smiled at her, his voice shaky and vulnerable as a result of his mask coming off. However, given the family that welcomed him, he felt as though he truly made the right choice.

"Thank you for giving me hope. I don't intend on letting you down."
​

Shifting his attention to her other minor ability, Twyla explained her sense of keeping location. "Useful. Doubly so if you could use it on me and the people we should be tracking." Listening to her speak, Arc took another sip of his glass, finishing it right as Val delivered him another one. "Val doesn't believe he can fight well, but I know that if his life, or mine, were truly in danger, he'd be unstoppable. He just… doesn't like to fight." He shook his head. "Unstoppable? No! That's not me. If you wanna see unstoppable, you should see how Twy fights! She kicks ass, Arc. So don't make her angry, okay? I like you too much!" Val chuckled, sitting beside the two as he joined the conversation. "I don't intend on it Val. Not when you could make drinks like this. Besides, you two look good together." He turned to Twyla, relaxing in their shared presence. "The sight of you both smiling by each other's side is one I hope I could keep returning to. That's for sure." She smiled at Val, before returning back to the job at hand. There was a task that needed to be done before the night.

"Rave opens in a few minutes, wanna head that way?" Arc nodded his head. "Sure thing, lead the way." Switching her attention over to Val, she asked him the same, stretching as she did. "You wanna come too, Val? I'm not sure what you've got planned, but I wanted you to feel included." Val shook his head. While he had art as an excuse, he didn't want to disturb them from sharing bonding time alone. "It's fine. I have to finish up the rest of that painting first before I could do anything else." He gestured over to the painting of Arc, unaware of the similarities between his subject and the man sitting across from him. "You two have fun. Or I mean..." His fingers curled, symbolizing air quotes. "You two handle your business." He chuckled, teasing her before running off to avoid getting choked out in front of his favorite guest.

"Oh, and… it won't hurt our budget if I pick up this outfit, right?" Arc pulled out his wallet, revealing a platinum card meant for work expenses. "Don't worry about that Twyla, everything will be on me." He placed a reaffirming hand on her shoulder, telling her that all her expenses would be paid. "Consider it a perk for working with me. The police force would have no qualms financing anything that is meant to bring justice to the vampires that seek to do harm." Placing his card back into his wallet, he stood up to stretch after a long morning of drinking and conversation. "Alright, let's go!" Opening the door for her as she skipped outside, he waved at Val. "After you, Twy. And don't worry Val, I'll be sure to have her back home before too long!" Closing the door behind him, he walked with her over to the Rave.

---

Within the confines of this urban space, he faced his hardest challenge. Straps.

'Gods, if Addy or Vega had seen this, they would never let me live this down.'

ɴᴏᴡ ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ: ᴛᴇʟʟ ᴍᴇ ᴡʜᴀᴛ ᴜ ᴡᴀɴᴛ (ɪɴꜱᴛʀᴜᴍᴇɴᴛᴀʟ) | ᴅɪꜱʟʏᴛᴇ ᴏꜱᴛ
↻ ◁ II ▷ ↺
​

Going first, Arc saw the outfit he was to contend with. It strayed far from the typical convention of his formal wardrobe. While others might struggle with donning the same suits that Archimedes did regularly, approaching his outfit without instruction felt as daunting as approaching the nightclub full of vampires itself. Though, instead of the risk of death, he felt a fear of embarrassment. Unfortunately for the vampire detective, his partner outside was looking forward to his new clothes. Finding it as another step to furthering his dream, he took a deep sigh before stripping himself down. If this was the cost of bringing about a reality where his sister and his new friends could live in peace, then it was a challenge he would overcome.

One by one, he looped his limbs through the holes of his clothes, feeling exposed where the tears in his outfit had exposed his skin. However, the more he looked at himself in the mirror, the more comfortable he was beginning to feel in his own body. Arc might not have been the most attractive person on the force, but given his particular physical appearance and build, he made the outfit look rather nice. Donning the straps next, he matched the image which Twyla wished to portray. "... I could get used to this." He muttered to himself, slipping his legs into the boots and tying the ropes together.

Pulling the straps had made the loose parts of his clothes hug his natural contours comfortably, revealing the attractive outline underneath it. Finding himself content with his appearance, he hung his past clothes over an arm, grabbing his shoes before opening the door with confidence. "How does it look, Twyla?" He posed similarly to the image she showed him, wearing the clothes she chose for him with pride. Either she was lucky or she had an eye for fashion. Regardless, he didn't want her to hold concern for her choice in partner and her choice in clothes. He wanted to build her faith and trust in him like she did when she came for him when he needed her most at the hospital. "I think... I really like it. Not that I intend on wearing it everywhere of course but... I think you have an eye for fashion."

"Wow." Axel clapped his hands, seeing Arc appear like a poster model for the brand in those clothes. "You look fabulous. Umm.... Gosh..." Admiring her friend, he looked at Arc from every angle. The right clothes perfectly fitting the right man had made his heart thump with admiration. Most people who came there did not choose clothes that fit them. Though for the vampire couple, they appeared to make a wonderful match. "Thank you for your kind words, and thank you for your choice Twyla." Hearing her reaction had brought a smile on his face. While compliments were not something he was unaware of, to hear it from someone he trusted was something he never knew he loved. "Don't compliment me too much. It was you who chose this for me after all. All I'm doing is following your recommendation." Turning to the staff member, Arc handed him his card. "I'd like to buy these and the clothes in her hands please. Thank you for helping us, Axel." The staff member nodded his head. "O-of course! Anytime! Feel free to stop by anytime!" His eyes shined upon seeing the platinum card, disappearing as he rushed towards the register.

"Your turn now, Twyla. I can't wait to see how those clothes look on you."
Waiting patiently outside, the detective couldn't help himself but blush thinking of her compliment of his clothes. It was flattering and pure.

'To think you were right about me, Vega. I guess I owe you now.'​

 

[Kitten]

ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ ᴘᴀᴅᴀᴍ ᴘᴀᴅᴀᴍ
0:00 ㅇ──────── 2:27
↻ ◁ || ▷ ↺
sʜɪᴠᴇʀs ᴀɴᴅ ʙᴜᴛᴛᴇʀғʟɪᴇs
ɪ ɢᴇᴛ ᴛʜᴇ sʜɪᴠᴇʀs ᴡʜᴇɴ ɪ ʟᴏᴏᴋ ɪɴᴛᴏ ʏᴏᴜʀ ᴇʏᴇs​

"Of course, Addy. You can trust me. I'll show you how I want to be loved."​

Everything unfolded so swiftly that Addy had no chance to steel herself for what was to come. One moment, she was straddling him, and the next, she found herself lying on her back, her hair fanned out like angelic wings against the sheets. The dim shadows of the room cloaked his features, leaving them a mystery as she gazed up at him. Her heartbeat thundered in her chest, the pulse echoing in her ears as if trying to escape her. She swallowed hard, her breath hitching as his hands descended with deliberate care, tenderly caressing her bosom.

“Mmph!” A soft, high-pitched moan slipped from her lips before she could stop it, her right hand flying up to cover her mouth in a wave of embarrassment. She flushed at the sound, unwilling to let such a vulnerable reaction escape her again. It wasn’t as if he had done anything overwhelming just yet, but the undeniable intensity of his touch on such a sensitive part of her body sent shivers through her, leaving her breathless.

"You've kept me waiting for a while, Addy. Do me a favor and show me that the wait was worth it."​

Before she could utter a single word, her lips were captured by his in a fervent kiss, his tongue pressing insistently against the seam of her mouth. The kiss was bold - hungry, demanding, and almost pleading for permission. The seal of her lips faltered under the pressure, parting to grant him access. His tongue slipped inside, exploring the warmth of her mouth with an intoxicating intensity, the slick brush of his tastebuds sending a shiver down her spine. Addy, though inexperienced, tried to match his rhythm, her tongue moving in hesitant counterpoint to his. She mimicked his movements as best as she could, striving to make their dance feel natural, all the while fighting not to betray the growing desperation in her own response.

Just as she was starting to find her rhythm in the heated dance of their tongues, he pulled back, leaving her breathless. A thin, glistening strand of saliva bridged the gap between their parted lips, lingering for a fleeting moment before snapping, a silent testament to the intensity of their kiss. “Ethan…” she breathed his name, her voice barely more than a moan as his lips began to wander over her delicate, porcelain skin. The cool touch of his mouth against her neck sent shivers coursing through her, but she couldn’t bring herself to pull away. Unaware of the truth about who - or what - he truly was, she foolishly tilted her head to the side, exposing the length of her neck to him in a gesture of blind trust. Vulnerable and unguarded, she unknowingly offered herself to the very danger she didn’t yet understand.

His touch grew more intimate, his hands and lips exploring her body in a way that sent a rush of vulnerability through her. A part of her wanted to shield herself, to push him away as insecurities about her feminine form crept into her mind. Will he find me enough? Will he approve of my body… even down there? The questions echoed in her thoughts, laden with a silent plea to meet his unspoken expectations. She longed to satisfy him, to prove herself worthy in a way that would erase the time they had lost.

Her body betrayed her apprehension as her nipples instinctively hardened under his touch, heightening her awareness of his every move. His words of devotion barely registered, their meaning lost as she fixated on the path his lips and breath traced along her skin, each touch lingering lower, stoking the fire burning within her. “Ah!~” A sharp, breathy moan escaped her lips, shattering the fragile silence as his tongue and lips found the most sensitive part of her body - her clit. Her hands instinctively shot down, fingers tangling in his raven-black hair, gripping tightly, though careful not to cause him pain. The sensation was overwhelming, a blend of tickling pleasure and raw intensity that sent electric currents coursing through her core, igniting a primal hunger she hadn't known existed.

But just as quickly as it began, it was over. Ethan rose above her, his dark, enigmatic gaze locked on her flushed and panting form. She stared up at him, disoriented, her chest heaving as though she had just awakened from the most vivid, intoxicating dream - a dream she wasn’t sure she wanted to end.

"But I doubt you're only interested in letting me taste you. You're curious too, aren't you? About what I look like underneath it all?"​

It was as though he had unearthed a secret she’d tried to keep buried, her cheeks deepening to a brighter shade of crimson. Yet, she couldn’t deny that he was right. Addy wanted to see him just as vulnerable as he’d made her feel - to strip away the barriers between them entirely. Her curiosity got the better of her, and her eyes hesitantly drifted downward. Her breath hitched at the sight of the damp spot on his boxers, the evidence of his arousal plain to see. The outline of his girth pressed against the thin fabric, leaving little to the imagination, and she found herself captivated, her mind swirling with a mix of nervous anticipation and undeniable intrigue.

“I do…” she murmured, her voice barely audible, yet heavy with intent as her eyes flicked back to meet his. They carried a haze of lust, a vulnerability mixed with determination. His commanding yet reassuring touch guided her trembling hands toward the hem of his shirt. When his fingers squeezed hers firmly, it sent a clear message - it was okay to explore, but there was an unspoken promise of more if she dared to tease him. “I’ll do my best, Ethan… Please, tell me if something pleases you,” she said softly, her voice carrying a mix of nervousness and sincerity. She wanted to return the pleasure he had given her, to make him feel just as desired. Her fingers tightened around the fabric of his shirt as she helped lift it over his head, the motion almost reverent. With a quick, flustered toss, the shirt landed on the floor, leaving her to admire the exposed expanse of his body, her breath catching at the sight of him.

“You’re so handsome…” she whispered, her voice tinged with awe as her fingertips lightly grazed his chest and abs. Her touch was tentative at first, tracing the defined lines of his chiseled physique as though committing every detail to memory. His body felt solid and warm under her hand, like a sculpture brought to life by the hands of a master artist. “Let’s change positions so I can give you the best pleasure,” Addy suggested softly, her voice laced with a mix of confidence and anticipation. She began to sit up, her palms pressing gently against his chest, guiding him to lie back. Her touch was firm yet tender, a silent invitation he couldn’t refuse.

As he complied, settling onto his back, she moved gracefully, reclaiming her place atop him. Straddling his hips, her hands braced against his chest to steady herself. Her head lowered as her lips wandered across his skin, trailing kisses and soft licks as she made her way down to his collarbone. She took her time, savoring the sensation of his chilled flesh beneath her mouth, her kisses reverent yet hungry. The subtle contours of his body fascinated her, and she let her mouth glide over them, careful not to linger too long in one spot as she moved further downward.

Her hands slid to cradle his ribs, steadying herself as she ventured toward an area she suspected might elicit a reaction. Tentatively, she extended her tongue, brushing it delicately over his right nipple before repeating the action on its twin. She listened intently for any response - a soft sound, a sharp intake of breath, or even the faintest shift in his body - to guide her efforts. Feeling emboldened, she let her lips continue their descent, her movements unhurried but deliberate. Her ultimate destination lay ahead, but she was determined to explore and learn him along the way, attuning herself to every nuance of his pleasure. Her lips moved across his abdomen, leaving a soft, lingering trail of kisses that seemed to ignite every inch of skin beneath her touch. With growing boldness, she let her tongue tease the sensitive area around his navel, tracing lazy circles that hinted at her intentions. If there had been any doubt before, it was now unmistakable.

Addy’s hands moved with purpose, taking hold of the waistband of Ethan’s boxers and shimmying them downward, unveiling him fully. Her breath caught as her right hand wrapped around his thick, throbbing length, the heat radiating through her palm sending a jolt of desire straight to her core. She took a moment to admire him, her eyes sweeping over him with a mix of awe and nervous anticipation. He was impressive, both in size and presence, and for a fleeting moment, she couldn’t help but wonder if he might be too much for her. “Do you want me to continue?” She asked as her mouth hovered over his sensitive tip, her warm breath teasing him, hinting at what was to come if he wanted her to move forward.

ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ ᴅʀɪᴠᴇ ᴍʏ sᴏᴜʟ
0:00 ㅇ──────── 3:22
↻ ◁ || ▷ ↺
ʏᴏᴜ ᴍᴀᴋᴇ ᴛʜᴇ ᴅᴀʀᴋɴᴇss ᴅɪsᴀᴘᴘᴇᴀʀ
ɪ ғᴇᴇʟ ғᴏᴜɴᴅ ᴡʜᴇɴ ʏᴏᴜ sᴛᴀʏ ɴᴇᴀʀ
ɪ ᴋɴᴏᴡ ᴡʜᴇʀᴇ ɪ ᴀᴍ ᴡʜᴇɴ ʏᴏᴜ ᴀʀᴇ ʜᴇʀᴇ
ᴍʏ ᴡᴀʏ ʙᴇᴄᴏᴍᴇs sᴏ ᴄʟᴇᴀʀ​

Twyla could sense Arc's unease as he stepped into unfamiliar territory. Despite his cheerful demeanor, the subtle tension in his posture betrayed his discomfort at the prospect of trying on clothes so far removed from his usual style.

"You'll look wonderful, I'm sure of it," she said gently, her tone warm and reassuring. "And there's no harm in just trying something on. If it doesn’t feel right, we don’t have to get it." Her words were paired with an encouraging smile, meant to ease his hesitation. Before he could protest further, she playfully shooed him toward the changing room, her laughter light and inviting as she gave him the nudge he needed.

Hearing the soft click of the latch, the brunette stepped back, clutching her own outfit as she waited for Arc to emerge. Her heart was caught in a mix of anticipation and concern, silently hoping he’d feel comfortable enough to show her how the new clothes looked on him. Deep down, she worried he might feel too self-conscious, but she resolved not to pressure him. Whatever he decided, his comfort was her priority. If he hesitated, she was ready to offer him the encouragement he needed, her gentle patience a quiet promise to support him no matter what.

The sudden sound of the door unlatching drew Twyla's attention back to the changing room. Her excitement was palpable as her top teeth pressed lightly against her lower lip, a nervous habit fueled by anticipation. A bubble of eager energy stirred within her, her mind racing with curiosity about how Arc would look and whether he’d finally stepped out of his comfort zone.

"How does it look, Twyla? I think... I really like it."​

Twyla’s sunny eyes widened in surprise, instantly locking onto the striking transformation before her. Arc looked as though he had just stepped out of a cyberpunk video game, the edgy clothing perfectly complementing his posture and build. "Arc... I have no words!" she exclaimed, nearly breathless as her gaze swept over him from head to toe. She was careful, though, ensuring her admiration didn’t linger in a way that might make him feel uneasy.

Closing the distance between them, she leaned subtly from side to side, her intent focus on inspecting every detail of his new look. Her thoroughness wasn’t just for show - she wanted to find the right words to convey just how much she admired his daring choice. "You look incredible," she finally said, her tone full of genuine praise. "This suits you more than I ever imagined! It’s loose enough to keep you comfortable, and it fits you so well!" Twyla’s enthusiasm spilled over as she took in every detail. "The boots tie the whole look together perfectly, and the straps add this edgy yet confident vibe... And - oh gosh." Her words faltered as her gaze unintentionally wandered to his exposed abdomen, a blush quickly blooming across her cheeks. Feeling suddenly flustered, she turned her head away, her voice softening.

"I mean, you’ll definitely catch some attention with, uh, your stomach exposed like that," she stammered, trying to frame her thoughts into a compliment without sounding awkward. "But it’s not a bad thing!" She offered a sheepish laugh, hoping he wouldn’t notice her momentary fluster. Before she could dwell on it, Axel’s approaching footsteps caught her attention. Her head swiveled toward him, relief and excitement mingling in her expression as she smiled at his approving comments on Arc’s outfit. It was clear she wasn’t the only one impressed. "See? I'm not just buttering you up… Axel agrees too!" Twyla chimed excitedly, her voice brimming with enthusiasm. She hoped their combined praise would boost Arc's self-esteem, reinforcing just how impressive he looked.

"And I’ll compliment you as much as I please!" she added cheekily, flashing him a playful smile. Twyla knew how rare it was for guys to receive this kind of attention - something so often reserved for girls - and she wasn’t about to let him miss out. Everyone deserved to feel admired and confident in their own skin, and she was determined to make sure Arc knew just how handsome he truly was. Her gaze softened as she added with genuine warmth, "You deserve this, and you better believe every word of it."

"I'd like to buy these and the clothes in her hands, please."​

"Hey, no!" Twyla protested, her lips forming a pout as Arc handed Axel his card. She whipped her head around to glare at him, her eyes narrowing with playful indignation. "At least let me treat you to something eventually! You've already done so much for me, and you barely even know me..." Her voice softened as she looked down, nudging the floor with her foot in faux defeat.

She began counting on her fingers, as if tallying his endless generosity. "First, you got me coffee - even though I couldn’t drink it properly but ended up loving it anyway. Then, you gave me money for Val. And now, you’re getting me clothes." Letting out a dramatic sigh, she stepped toward the dressing room, her expression a mixture of gratitude and frustration. Pausing in the doorway, she peeked her head out, her eyes locking with his. "Promise me you'll let me treat you to something, please?" she asked earnestly, her voice tinged with determination before disappearing behind the door, the faint click of the lock signaling the end of her plea.

Leaning her forehead against the door, Twyla let out a soft sigh before straightening her posture. She began shedding her clothing, folding each piece neatly on the bench. Her fingers grazed the fabric of the new outfit one final time as she carefully inspected it, trying to decipher how to slip into it without any trouble. Sliding one leg in, then the other, she pulled the outfit over her shoulders, adjusting it into place with the collar around her neck. The material was entirely see-through, its delicate netted mesh clinging to her form. Thankfully, it offered just enough coverage over her bosom and lower half to keep her modest, but it still left her feeling a touch too exposed.

Turning to the mirror, Twyla’s reflection gave her pause. She resisted the urge to gasp, a flush creeping up her neck as she took in her appearance. The style was bold, far more daring than what she was used to, and yet it suited the aesthetic she had researched perfectly. She had spent hours scrolling through images, making sure the outfits she chose matched the trend to a T - and this one was no exception. It was daring, edgy, and undeniably on point. Despite her initial hesitation, Twyla couldn’t deny the rush of confidence the outfit gave her. She twirled lightly, admiring the way the fabric accentuated her curves as she glanced over her shoulder to catch her reflection in the mirror. For a moment, she felt genuinely pleased with how she looked, though a shy blush crept up at the thought of showcasing it.

Clearing her throat to shake off her nerves, she moved on to the next pieces. Carefully, she slid on the latex-like boot stockings, pulling them snugly up to her thighs. The material clung perfectly, secured with an adhesive that ensured they wouldn’t slip down. For the finishing touches, she fastened a utility belt with multiple compartments around her waist, giving the look a practical yet punky vibe. Over it, she added a soft pink half-hoodie with two elongated straps that hung gracefully, adding a touch of playfulness to the ensemble. Standing back to take it all in, Twyla smiled softly. She felt daring, stylish, and maybe just a little outside her comfort zone - but in the best way possible.

Pushing her hair back to rest neatly against her shoulders, Twyla gave herself one final glance in the mirror. Taking a steadying breath, she unlocked the latch and stepped out of the dressing room, her eyes squeezed tightly shut as if bracing herself. Her hands balled into fists at her sides, her nerves clearly getting the better of her.

"H-How do I l-look?" she stammered, her voice wavering with uncertainty. It was the first time since the coffee shop that she felt so vulnerable, and it showed in the slight tremble of her words. She couldn’t shake the feeling of being out of place, the outfit almost too daring, bordering on over-sexualized. Yet, despite her nervousness, a small, unspoken part of her admitted she looked stunning. There was something thrilling about stepping out of her comfort zone, about embracing a boldness she rarely showed.

 

[Tenzai]

⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘
"I'll do my best, Ethan… Please, tell me if something pleases you,"

Knells of Passion and Obedience
"Of course, Addy. Promise."
⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘
ɴᴏᴡ ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ: ᴛʜᴇ ᴏꜰꜰᴇʀɪɴɢ | ꜱʟᴇᴇᴘ ᴛᴏᴋᴇɴ
0:00 ㅇ──────── 5:49
↻ ◁ II ▷ ↺

And you are a garden, entwined with all.
You are the silence on sacred shores.
You've got diamonds for teeth, my love.
So take a bite of me, just once.

I want to turn the page once again, oh
Take a bite
⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘​

His shirt was the first to be given up as offering; Another layer shed to avail themselves of the contemptuous barriers that lie between their skin. With their bed as his altar, his sanguine body allured her to her demise. Ethan's torso was a carved sculpture, each contour adding onto his divine shape. To the vampire, Addy was his imperfect tithe, a sacrifice that had yet to be devoured. Even the light of the moon itself had betrayed her, revealing her beloved from his finest angles. With her eyes focused below his collar, he was able to hide his glowing fervor. She was sinking further into his abyss, drawn by his physical features and won over by his apparent benevolence. Now trapped well within his lair, the monster taunted her sense of false security by flirting. "Love what you see?"

"You're so handsome…" Adelaide's warm breath tickled the surface of his chest as her fingers traced down his body. "It's only right that I am. Can't have a special girl like you just falling for anyone, can I?" Ethan teased while his prey treated his form with reverence. Inscribing every line, every section, and every shifting of his chest from each breath to memory, he realized just how far gone she had come once her underlying feelings of passion had mixed with his emotional drug. She was sensitive to his words and most likely sensitive to the emotional tones of her other senses as well. Sound was only but one sense to overwhelm her. With the feeling of his body against her fingers, the sight of his increasingly bare form revealed through his reflection in her eyes, the taste of his saliva still dripping from her lips, and even the smell of his scent now masking her body, Ethan knew he won. All that was left was to seal her place by his side through her neck. "Would be a shame if this is the last time you see my body too. Don't fear, love. We have the rest of eternity to make up for lost time."

"Let's change positions so I can give you the best pleasure," Addy gave her lover a polite request. Seasoned with tinges of a naive confidence and innocent pleading borne from an intense concoction of drug-induced longing and dangerously close chemistry, Ethan afforded her what she wanted. He was riding her momentum, following the lewd high granted by his adept hands and mouth. "Show me how you want to love me, Addy and I'll teach you how to make me want you more." Following the natural shifting of her hips and hands, Ethan laid back down to offer his girlfriend a chance to return the favor. The outline of his cock through his boxers had hinted at what's to come, their "love" mixing together and staining the last bastion of fabric that kept them apart. It was her time to prove her obedience and reward him for his efforts. It was her moment to offer herself as his sacrifice.

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If his bed was her where her dark consecration would begin.

His lap was her gilded throne.
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Now mounting her dark angel, a gasp had escaped his lips as he felt her entrance glide over his love-coated shaft. With every kiss drew another quiet hum, Ethan's body growing increasingly attentive to every oral stimulation of his nerves. It was feeding off her energy, longing further for her depravity. Her heart was beating faster with anticipation, booming like welcome thunder to his ears. Her lips had sent shockwaves; The lower her mouth had reached, the further he felt pleasure running up his spine. For his efforts and his perfect timing, he received wanton pleasure in her purity in exchange. Her inexperience had led to a craving to corrupt her. Doused with her rain, Ethan felt an increasing desperation to flood her the same; To assault and overwhelm her senses until she was nothing more than a needy husk begging to be consumed and defiled out of mercy. However, he knew her time had yet to come. There was still further she could fall.

Though, before he needed to wait any longer for his body to yearn for hers aggressively, Adelaide had removed his final barrier, leaving his perfect form completely bare for her eyes to indulge. With his cock gently slapping her cheek as she withdrew his boxers, she could feel his blood rushing against her skin as she pulled herself back and held it to better examine where Ethan was most sensitive. It glistened under moonlight, lubricated from a combination of their bodies' craving for intimacy. With her breath atop of it and her mouth looming so close, it grew harder, fully exposed and ready for what's to come. "Do you want me to continue?" Ethan chuckled at the naivety of her question. It was a curiosity so innocent and pure to ask. While he might have brought many partners into his room before, it was the first time someone paused to ask what he wanted before diving into the churning of passions.

"How about I give you your first lesson about how to please me, Adelaide?"
​

With one hand, Ethan guided her hand on his cock to stroke it and angle the tip towards her lips. Starting slow at first, he helped her find his preferred tempo, equally spreading their love across his shaft and tip. "On your knees. I want you to be looking up at me if you plan on servicing me with your mouth." Slowly pushing her into position while sitting himself on the edge of their bed, he spread his knees apart for her to comfortably kneel in front of him between his legs. "Much better. I love the way you look from down there." He pulled his hand off of hers, reaching towards her chin to lift it up so she could focus on his face with the outline of his cock shadowing her face in the moonlight. "But I want you to focus on my face. I want to see your eyes while you taste me."

Pulling her bangs away from her face with his fingers, he slowly cradled the top of her head to keep her face clear of distractions. "Now follow my lead and open your lips. Show me your pretty smile and what your cute little tongue looks like." Smiling as she followed every order to the best of her ability, he praised her. "Good job, Addy. You're better at this than you think." Carefully, he pulled her onto his tip, letting her saliva coat what was soon to pierce her elsewhere. "Swirl your tongue and bob your head... Just like that." Her prince avoided pulling her down too quickly, letting her grow accustomed to his taste. Pulling her back so she could breathe and lick shaft and tip, he guided her from the sides to his cock back to the tip, training her skill at worshiping him. "Mhmm. How does it feel to finally have a chance to explore me? To be the reason why I make these sounds." His face blushed from her response, stroking her head. "You know, you have quite a way of making me feel wonderful. Treat me this well and you'll have me looking forward to giving you so much more tonight.~"

⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘

Delicious temptation.
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With her mouth growing accustomed to his body, Ethan wasn't going to settle for any less. "Hold your breath for me, Addy. I doubt you'd want to settle with only the first inch, now do you?" Watching the rising blush paint her pale cheeks, he challenged her, calling upon the increasing courage from her heart. "Good. Now relax your throat. I'll be careful not to give you too much too soon." He tensed his grip on her hair, pulling her inch by inch until she swallowed the first half of his length. "You're doing great, just a little more." Finding her reaching her limits, he gave her another inch, satisfied at the depth she was able to entrust him with inside of her. Holding her still for a moment, he brought his hand down towards her chin, letting her linger for a bit as his eyes watched her own fade before pushing her back so she could breathe. "Your eyes are marvelous." With her saliva coating most of his cock, he traced a finger on her wet lips before stroking her saliva on himself as she gasped for air. "Wow. I love the way your warmth clings to my body, Addy. Look how far you reached. Be proud of that." His cock twitched, eager for more.

Sighing in relief, he lowered his hands back onto the bed for her to decide how to follow after his instruction. "Don't worry, we'll have a lot more time to practice, I'm sure of it. But for now, I want you to explore me as you wish, to test your limits and feel how I'd respond." Enjoying her motions, his head tilted back as he moaned tiredly, basking in the glow of her touch. "If this is what your mouth feels like, it makes me wonder how the other parts of you would feel too. Shit..." A bead of precum dripped from his tip in anticipation. Finding him falling into temptation too quickly, he bit his lip to draw some blood, tasting his own essence to return control back to his body. Ethan wasn't going to allow her any more control than necessary to further his goals with her. He just needed to give her enough to feel like this reality was a product of her own choosing.

"You seem tired, love. How about its time I teach your body a lesson next~"

⋅─────────⊱༺ ♰ ༻⊰─────────⋅
"Promise me you'll let me treat you to something, please?"

"But you're already done so much for me already, from your confession to choosing to work with me too despite knowing the risks. But, if you're still feeling so inclined...
I wouldn't mind spending time with you for non-work reasons after this too, Twyla."
⋅─────────⊱༺ ♰ ༻⊰─────────⋅
ɴᴏᴡ ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ: ʙʟᴜᴇʙɪʀᴅ | ʙᴇɴ ʙᴇᴀʟ & ᴋɪʟʟ ʙɪʟʟ
0:00 ㅇ──────── 2:54
↻ ◁ II ▷ ↺

I like that lilac on her chainlink
Purple tinted paintings
Waking up, I'll say what's up to you 'cause you're amazing
I might have a sweet side, if I had you by my side
You could be my iris
Look at where the time went
⋅─────────⊱༺ ♰ ༻⊰─────────⋅​

Her eagerness in returning the favor was endearing. Arc couldn't help but find it cute. After all that he had done for his sister, the vampire detective had created an unconscious behavior of spoiling the people he liked. Money was of little concern for him when it came to the cost of making priceless memories. After losing his chance once, he didn't want to waste the opportunity again. Still, he wasn't so above and beyond to deny someone the desires of their heart, even if it did include returning him the favor of being so generous. "Truth be told, I'm growing quite fond of your company. Ever since meeting you, I've been finding more reasons to smile." He scratched the back of his head surprised at his own words. "Heh, I wonder if you're using my own ability against me again or if it's just how you are that makes it easy to tell you the truth of how I feel. Regardless, I meant what I said. I like you, Twy. That's the main reason why I choose to spoil you so. I don't have to, but I want to."

Arc spoke confidence, unafraid of any misunderstandings that could erupt from his speech. He trusted that Twyla would understand the way he felt after figuring out how much they shared in common with their families and their values. To come from the hospital at his lowest state only to be given hope by a girl who showed him that he wasn't alone, it was only right in his mind to return the same in kind: To be a reason for her and her family's happiness and to give his best to her as well. "I don't need to know you completely to know that you're a person that I could trust. Your acts alone have spoken leagues about you. Your relationship with your friend, Mia, and your brother, Val, had told me everything I needed to know about how trustworthy you are. Hells," He looked at his outfit before turning to her own. "The way you spoke to me earlier and how you introduced me to something new that I didn't think I would have liked had shown how invested you are in me too. I mean, turning your idea back around; You don't know everything about me and yet you're still so kind."

"So why should I offer you any less, right? Especially after seeing you keep giving me your best."
​

Arc sat down on a nearby bench with his old clothes hanging on his arm. "I don't regret anything I've done for you. Judging from how you're willing to spoil me back too, I doubt you're going to give me any reasons to regret my decision either." The detective gave her a smile. "You keep giving me more things to look up to; Including how you look in those clothes. Go along and change. I'm excited to see how they look on you too." He waved at her, gesturing to her to go inside the fitting room. "And don't worry, I'm not going anywhere. I'll be right here, waiting to see what we look like standing side by side." As Twyla disappeared behind the door, Arc turned back to his phone. There was a lot he had in mind for the upcoming holidays. With Christmas and Thanksgiving around the corner, he had parties to look forward to with his new friends. Though, before he could indulge in these happy thoughts further, a growing cold had gripped his heart. Adelaide wasn't going to be there.

⋅─────────⊱༺ ♰ ༻⊰─────────⋅
'Paradise means nothing without you.'

'Is it truly alright to enjoy myself if you're not happy.'
⋅─────────⊱༺ ♰ ༻⊰─────────⋅​

To: Addy

---

Hey, its me again. How are yo|

---

'You're right. You were the one who should've died. Too bad that didn't happen.'​

His hands were quick to type up a message for her, only for them to stop in their place. Adelaide's words still stung, ringing in his head as it anchored him to the ground. Even if it might not have been a sin to feel happy for his newfound companions, the act of being happy alone felt as heavy as betrayal. Arc was the reason why she ended up living a life she hated in the first place. He was the reason why she left her friends back home. He was the reason why her family was gone. What was going to stop him from doing the same with Twyla and her family? Who was he to say that he was on the side of good when he's fighting for retribution instead of the sake and safety of others? Remaining quiet in thought for the moment, a tear had broken through his mask of confidence. He was an imposter, fated to serve the dark goddess willingly or not. Why else was he left to survive while his parents suffered a brutal death at the hands of their beloved son?

However, before he drowned in his overwhelming regrets, he heard the door open. The sudden noise took him out of his despair, his eyes now met with the sight of Twyla's daring outfit and nervous voice. "H-How do I l-look?" Arc's face turned red upon catching a glimpse of her exposed skin. With her name now inscribed into his heart, he was vulnerable to the emotional sways of his body. Though, out of everything else he paid attention to, her eyes were where his focus droned on most. "You've done a splendid job, Twy. You look amazing!" He walked over to her, observing her outfit from different angles. "You look like a natural in that outfit. That research you've done, you must have put a lot of time into it, haven't you?" Standing beside her, he posed similarly to the picture she showed him the morning before. "Wow. We really do look like a couple with these matching fits. Thank you for trying this out with me." He gave her body another pleasant look over, admiring her before meeting her eyes with his own flushed cheeks. To some extent, he couldn't help but see a reflection of himself on her. They were both nervous, yet they took comfort in knowing that neither was alone in this new experience.

"Oh... My... GOSH. YOU TWO ARE FABULOUS!" Inspecting the two, Axel clapped excitedly. It was rare to find a pair so fashionable yet so perfect for their outfits and each other. Being caught off guard, Arc blushed and smiled, waving his compliment away. "Axel, you're too sweet. Thank you for your words, they're really flattering." Instead of lowering the intensity of his energy, he doubled down. "You will ABSOLUTELY turn heads at the club. I'm jealous that I can't see what you guys look like out of it too." The cashier hinted at the party after, causing Arc to once again, chuckle. Though, before he could make his partner any more embarrassed, he switched conversations fast.

"Might I ask for your number? I had some questions for a club that we were planning on heading to and I want to make sure that my girlfriend and I are properly prepared for it." Axel nearly fainted upon hearing his Arc's lie. The detective lied as naturally as he breathed, wrapping an arm around her waist with his hand on her bare thigh to properly mimic the image of romance. "OF COURSE. Oh man. You two are gonna kill it, promise-promise. You're gonna make everyone jealous~" Taking Arc's phone, he tapped his number in. "If you have any questions or you need any advice, feel free to ask! I'm here to bring out your best!"

"Thanks Axel. I appreciate it." Arc turned towards Twy, speaking into her mind. [Apologies if this is unwelcome, Twy. If this place is frequented by people who might go to that nightclub, it might be useful to treat Axel as a resource, though we'll need to act like a couple in front of him, especially if he goes to that nightclub himself. Just do your best to follow my lead, okay? If we become memorable faces he might bring up with others, it would be good to build up our couple mask with him first.] He gave Twyla an exaggerated squeeze, ensuring that the cashier could see it.

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"Now let's get going, Twy. I have a private place in mind for us."

"That is, if you're still interested in treating me back."
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Across the pier from where the nightclub sat was a beach with a bench and a view of their target in the distance. It was a beautiful place overlooking the water off a trail rarely visited by other visitors, where he and Vega would often go to clear their mind. With the sun rising above the lake, the two vampires were given a chance to see the golden water rumble and roll over the sands. Still dressed in his nightclub outfit to break it in, Arc spoke up, breaking the monotony of the waves. "Hey, Twy. In the case something happens to me at the nightclub, I just wanted to tell you;"

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"Thanks for saving me from myself back in the hospital.

If it wasn't for you, I would've given up everything for revenge again."
⋅─────────⊱༺ ♰ ༻⊰─────────⋅​

 

[Kitten]

ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ 𝟷𝟻 ᴍɪɴᴜᴛᴇs
0:00 ㅇ──────── 1:53
↻ ◁ || ▷ ↺
sʜᴏᴡ ᴍᴇ ᴀʀᴏᴜɴᴅ ᴛʜɪs ᴘʟᴀᴄᴇ
ᴀɴᴅ ᴛᴀᴋᴇ ᴍᴇ ɪɴ ʏᴏᴜʀ ᴇᴍʙʀᴀᴄᴇ
ɪᴛ ғᴇᴇʟs sᴏ ʀɪɢʜᴛ ʙᴜᴛ ᴀɪɴ'ᴛ ɪᴛ sᴛʀᴀɴɢᴇ?​

"How about I give you your first lesson about how to please me, Adelaide?"​

Addy felt a deep sense of gratitude toward Ethan, appreciative of his kindness and patience as he guided her through this intimate exploration. It was her first time experiencing such closeness, and she was determined to learn, eager to please him with the utmost care and perfection. Her eyes shimmered with curiosity and an unwavering desire to do her best, her motivation etched clearly on her delicate features. Following his gentle direction, she adjusted her position, settling between his parted legs. Her right hand remained steady at the base of his cock, cradling it with a tenderness that spoke of her reverence and caution, as though even the slightest misstep might cause harm.

His fingers gently grasped her chin, guiding her gaze to meet his. The soft glow of his eyes captured her completely, the faintest streak of light illuminating the sharp yet captivating contours of his face. For a moment, she was utterly breathless, lost in the sheer intensity of the moment. Her wide-eyed stare carried admiration, as if she were a humble mortal beholding a divine being. Addy felt an overwhelming urge to worship him, to sing his praises, and to glorify him in a way no one else ever could or would.

"But I want you to focus on my face. I want to see your eyes while you taste me."​

"Anything for you..." Her voice carried a quiet, desperate plea, her words laced with longing as she silently begged for his guidance - to hear him moan her name, to become the sole thought lingering in his mind. Addy ached for Ethan to be consumed by her, to crave her like a lavish four-course feast, each moment more intoxicating than the last. Shaking off the haze of her desire before it overwhelmed her, she focused on his commands. Her ears perked as his soothing voice reached her, and she felt the gentle weight of his palm resting against the back of her head, guiding her with care and precision to align perfectly with what he enjoyed.

Positioning herself with deliberate care, Addy’s lips hovered just above the tip of his impressive length, a mix of nervous anticipation and eager determination tightening in her chest. The sheer size of him was daunting, yet the thrill of the challenge ignited her resolve. She longed to embrace every inch of him, knowing the strain would test her limits and leave her breathless. Slowly, she parted her lips, her warm, wet mouth inviting him in. The initial glide was smooth, the sensation emboldening her as she let her confidence guide her. With each inch she took, her focus sharpened, the ache becoming a testament to her unwavering desire to please him fully.

Her eyes widened as his girth stretched her throat, the sensation both overwhelming and electrifying. Yet, she quickly closed her crimson-like eyes, surrendering to the intensity of the moment and savoring every inch of him nestled deep within her gullet. The obscene melody of her saliva mingling with the rhythmic motion of his cock echoed softly, each sound a testament to her fervent dedication. The faint, salty sweetness of his pre-cum teased her eager tongue, drawing a muffled moan from her lips as she adjusted to his size with unyielding determination. Slowly, she lifted her gaze, her seductive eyes locking onto Ethan's, silently yearning to witness his reaction to the bold and sudden shift in their intimacy.

Her tongue swirled around him with deliberate precision, following his every command as if savoring the most exquisite champagne. Her eyes remained fixed on him, studying his every expression, drinking in his presence with an intensity that bordered on obsession. Subtly, she nodded in acknowledgment, a silent promise that his words were not only heard but obeyed. With a final glance, she closed her eyes, bracing herself for the challenge ahead. She knew he was about to push her limits, and she welcomed it. Taking a deep breath, she surrendered, feeling the undeniable stretch as his girth demanded her throat to yield, every inch a test of her endurance and resolve.

As Ethan guided her to take him deeper and hold her position, the burn in her lungs began to intensify, a searing ache from the absence of air. Yet, she refused to falter, her determination unwavering despite the strain. Each second without breath awakened something raw and primal within her, an untamed desire that had long been buried in the depths of her being. That ache, far from deterring her, ignited a fire, fueling a sense of exhilaration she had never experienced before.

The primal urge to breathe clawed at her, becoming an unrelenting need she could no longer ignore. Ethan must have noticed the struggle in her eyes, his expression shifting as he eased his hold, allowing her to pull back. She withdrew quickly, her lips releasing him as she gasped for air, her chest rising and falling like someone who had just emerged from the depths of a pool after holding her breath for too long.

A thick strand of saliva clung between her lips and his length, a testament to her efforts, but her cheeks flushed with embarrassment at the sight. Hastily, she wiped her mouth with the back of her hand, feeling self-conscious about the mess she'd made. Before she could spiral into discomfort, his reassuring words cut through her anxiety, soft and understanding. His kindness brought a small smile to her lips, and as she worked to steady her breathing, she felt her confidence begin to return, her earlier embarrassment fading into the background.

"You seem tired, love. How about its time I teach your body a lesson next~"​

"I'm not tired, no, far from it," she replied, her voice laced with quiet determination as she rose to her feet. Her gaze lingered on Ethan, still seated on the edge of the bed, his eyes locked on her with an intensity that fueled her resolve. Slowly, she lifted her right leg onto the mattress, her movements deliberate and confident. Placing a firm yet gentle hand on his chest, she urged him to recline, her silent command met with no resistance. As he settled onto his back, she followed suit, lifting her other leg to straddle him once again. The tip of his pirck pressed against her slickened pink folds, teasingly close, igniting sparks of anticipation between them. Her hands framed his face, her palms resting lightly on either side as she gazed down at him. Though her chest still rose and fell from exertion, her breaths were steadying, a serene calm washing over her as she took her time.

"I think we both know it's time, Ethan," she whispered, her words dripping with a daring edge that lingered in the charged air between them. Her right hand slid purposefully between their bodies, fingers curling around his length with confident intent. Slowly, she guided the tip of his member along her folds, the teasing friction sending shivers through her body. A spark ignited deep within her core, her need for him swelling into an ache she hadn't realized could run so deep. "I want you to own me," she murmured, her voice trembling with both vulnerability and longing. "To claim me in ways no one ever has before. Will you do that... please?" Her plea was hushed, a secret meant for him alone, though the quiet space around them carried her words as if the world itself paused to listen.
"Please fulfill those desires you've been harboring for me... I desire you too, and no one else," she whispered, her voice a delicate blend of yearning and nervous anticipation. The tremor in her words revealed her vulnerability, yet her resolve was unwavering as she prepared for the moment that would change everything between them. Addy's free hand rose, fingers softly curling against Ethan's shoulder, seeking both stability and connection. Her touch was firm enough to ground her, yet gentle, ensuring his comfort remained a priority. Her gaze locked with his, her eyes brimming with adoration and trust as they met the icy depths of his blue ones. She waited with bated breath, her body poised in readiness, as his hips began to move. The moment felt suspended in time, every heartbeat echoing in her ears as the barrier between them dissolved, marking the start of an intimate new chapter they would explore together.

Addy let out a muffled gasp, one eye squeezing shut as her brows knitted together in a mix of discomfort and profound emotion. The moment his tip parted her folds and entered her, a sharp pang accompanied the breaking of her hymen, marking the poignant loss of her virginity. The faint, metallic scent in the air was unmistakable, a subtle reminder of the significance of what they had just shared. It was undeniable proof - Ethan was the first and only man to ever know her in this way. Without hesitation, Addy's arms wrapped tightly around his neck, drawing him into a desperate embrace. Her chest pressed firmly against his, her heartbeat wild and erratic against his own. The pain began to ebb as her desire to be close to him took precedence, her voice a breathless whisper against his ear. "Hah... just like that... I'm yours, Ethan... all yours..." Her words were both a declaration and a surrender, leaving no doubt about the depth of her devotion to him.

The sensation of Ethan beneath her, his presence intimately connected to her own, brought a soothing calm that settled over Addy like a warm embrace. As their bodies remained entwined, she took a deep breath, her voice soft yet steady. "Let's take a moment to get used to this before you start to move," she suggested, her words filled with tenderness and care, ensuring they both had time to adjust to the depth of their newfound intimacy. Her focus shifted inward, attuned to the steady, rhythmic pulse of his cock within her. The feeling was both foreign and comforting, a mix of vulnerability and profound connection. Her soaked walls enveloped him gently, her body molding to his in a way that felt perfectly natural. In that moment of stillness, she let herself savor the closeness they shared, their breathing gradually synchronizing as their bond deepened in the quiet of their embrace.

ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ ᴏɴᴇ ɪɴ ᴀ ᴍɪʟʟɪᴏɴ
0:00 ㅇ──────── 2:40
↻ ◁ || ▷ ↺
ᴍᴀʏʙᴇ ɪ ᴍᴇᴛ ʏᴏᴜ ғᴏʀ ᴀ ʀᴇᴀsᴏɴ
ᴀɴᴅ ɪ ᴄᴀɴ'ᴛ ʙᴇʟɪᴇᴠᴇ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴡᴇ'ʀᴇ ʙᴏᴛʜ ᴀʟɪᴠᴇ
ᴀᴛ ᴛʜᴇ sᴀᴍᴇ ᴛɪᴍᴇ​

Arc's tender-hearted words lingered in Twyla's mind, their warmth echoing as she hesitantly turned to let him take in every detail of her outfit. A brief silence followed, thick with unspoken thoughts, making her wonder if he was carefully choosing his words - striving to offer her reassurance while gently hinting that she might need to reconsider her choice.

"You've done a splendid job, Twy. You look amazing!"​

"Wait, are you sure?" she asked, her voice tinged with surprise at his enthusiasm. The soft blush dusting his cheeks and the modest way his eyes lingered on her, paired with the warm smile tugging at his lips, caught her off guard. Clearing her throat, she stood still as he stepped closer, closing the distance between them. Mimicking her earlier actions, he gave her attire a careful, appreciative once-over.

"Oh, stop it!" Twyla protested, waving off his comments with a playful shoo. Her gaze faltered as she coyly looked away, feeling the heat rising to her cheeks. Straightening her posture as he stood beside her, she turned her eyes toward him briefly before glancing at their reflection in the full-length mirror before them. The sight was striking - they looked absolutely splendid together in their matching outfits, exuding an effortless harmony that could easily pass for a couple in perfect sync.

"Wow. We really do look like a couple with these matching fits."
​

Twyla’s head snapped up toward him, her eyes widening in surprise as if he’d just read her thoughts. The shock quickly melted away, her gaze softening as a genuine smile curved her lips. "It really does," she agreed, her voice warm and sincere. She gave their reflection another quick once-over, admiring how seamlessly they complemented one another, before a familiar voice interrupted the moment.

Turning her head over her shoulder, she met Axel's enthusiastic grin with a thankful smile of her own. His playful doting, complete with a round of applause, filled the air, lightening the mood and making her chuckle softly at his dramatic flair. "Heh, thank you!" she replied shyly, her gaze darting away as she tried to brush off the attention she wasn’t used to. Despite her coy demeanor, she reminded herself that confidence and a touch of cockiness were essential for the role she had to play at the club. Gathering her courage, she looked back at Axel, only to hear Arc respond.

However, Axel's risqué comment stopped her in her tracks, her eyes blinking in surprise. Did he just… she thought, stunned by his boldness - not just in front of her, but also including Arc in his daring suggestion. A small, awkward laugh escaped her lips as she tried to mask her discomfort, thankful that Arc stepped in to smoothly redirect the conversation. Twyla let out a silent sigh of relief, admiring how effortlessly Arc handled the situation - a skill honed, no doubt, by his profession. Taking the opportunity to compose herself, she paced quietly around to give them a moment before eventually finding her way back to Arc’s side, seeking the reassurance his presence always seemed to provide.

Arc’s hand slid around her waist in a possessive gesture, catching Twyla completely off guard. The firm yet unfamiliar touch was unlike anything she’d experienced from him - or anyone else. Startled, she froze for a moment, her body tense as her mind raced to process the sudden shift in his demeanor. Her hesitation must have been obvious, as her eyes darted upward to meet his, her expression laced with both concern and curiosity.

Before she could voice her confusion, his calm voice resonated within her mind, offering her the explanation she needed. Though his reasoning helped ease the initial tension, her heart refused to slow, continuing its wild rhythm. A fluttering sensation lingered in her chest, leaving her to wonder if Arc could sense the effect he had on her - the chaotic beating of her heart betraying just how deeply his unexpected action had unsettled and intrigued her.

Delicate fingertips glided over her skin, sending a soft shiver through her body as she instinctively tensed in response. It wasn’t that she disliked the sensation - far from it - it was simply unfamiliar, something she had never experienced before. The intimacy of the moment left her uncertain, unsure of how to respond or reciprocate.

Determined to follow his lead, she eased herself closer to him, her movements tentative yet sincere. Her hand came to rest gently on his chest, just over his sternum, feeling the steady rhythm beneath her palm. She cast a quick glance toward Axel, offering him a grateful nod for his presence, before her gaze returned to Arc. Her eyes searched his, a mixture of curiosity and nervous anticipation flickering within them as she tried to steady herself in this unfamiliar but strangely comforting closeness.

"Now let's get going, Twy. I have a private place in mind for us. That is, if you're still interested in treating me back."​

His seductive tone took her by surprise once more, her cheeks flushing a crimson as vivid as an apple as she struggled to remember to breathe. Swallowing the lump that had formed in her throat, she steadied herself, her lips curling into a sultry smile. Her fingers tapped lightly and rhythmically against his chest, a subtle display of confidence as her narrowed eyes glimmered with mischief. Biting her lower lip, she let her voice drop into a playful, teasing tone.

"Of course, I can't keep my man waiting. Take care, Axel," she replied, though her gaze remained fixed on Arc, her focus entirely on him. As they left strolled towards the door, their bodies remained close, the warmth of their proximity lingering as if neither wanted to break the connection they had forged. Once they were a safe distance from the building, Twyla pulled herself away from him, gasping as if she’d been holding her breath underwater. "Oh. My. GOSH!" she squealed, her voice high-pitched with lingering excitement and embarrassment. Her palms flew to her cheeks, giving them a few light slaps in an attempt to calm the fiery blush spreading across her skin. Instead, the effort only seemed to intensify the redness, making her groan softly at her own flustered state.

"I am so sorry if I crossed a line or did something foolish," she began to ramble, her words tumbling out in a rush even as she tried to convince herself that neither of them had done anything wrong. "And you didn’t do anything wrong either, of course. I mean, I know we’re supposed to get into character, so… I guess this is perfect practice, right?" She forced a crooked, uncertain smile, her eyes darting to his face in search of reassurance. Though she couldn’t quite read his expression, she assumed he agreed - it only made sense, after all. Still, her heart continued to race, her thoughts swirling with the memory of how close they had been just moments ago.

As they continued walking, the scenery shifted, and before they knew it, they had arrived at the pier. The freshwater lapped lazily against the rocks below, its rhythmic crashing blending with the distant calls of seagulls overhead. A gentle breeze danced through the air, caressing their skin and carrying the faint scent of the lake.

"Hey, Twy. In the case something happens to me at the nightclub, I just wanted to tell you thanks for saving me from myself back in the hospital. If it wasn't for you, I would've given up everything for revenge again."​

Soft, sincere words of gratitude slipped effortlessly from Arc’s lips, drawing Twyla’s gaze upward. Her eyes held a quiet admiration, the golden rays of sunlight catching them just right, making them shimmer as though they held their own light. The gentle breeze played with her hair, adding a touch of natural elegance to the moment of shared silence.

Breaking the stillness, her voice was calm yet filled with determination. "I know things have been rough for you, Arc, but I promise things will look up - even if it’s hard to see right now." Her words carried an unshakable warmth, one meant to reassure him. Lowering herself onto the wooden docks, she let her feet dangle over the edge, swinging them lightly as she sat. The water below rippled gently, a safe distance from their legs, and she allowed herself a brief moment of peace, feeling the soothing contrast between the open sky above and the endless depths below.

"Life can be unforgiving and rough," Twyla began, her voice soft but steady, "and it can make you question everything and drive you to do things you don’t understand. But with the right people by your side and a strong mind, anything is possible." If Arc chose to join her on the dock, she would lean gently against him, resting her head on his shoulder. The warmth of the moment settled over her, and her eyes fluttered closed as she allowed herself to fully savor the quiet comfort of their growing bond.

"You’ve already opened my eyes to so many new things in the short time we’ve spent together," she murmured, her voice tinged with a hint of wonder. "And I can’t shake the feeling that this is only the beginning." A sweet blend of her shampoo and lotion lingered in the air, a delightful mix of sugary watermelon and candy that was uniquely Twyla. At the same time, his own scent drifted toward her, warm and grounding, lulling her into an unexpected state of calm.

"It’s strange," she admitted softly, her voice carrying a thoughtful tone, "because I feel oddly at peace when I’m with you. Like... nothing could ever stop me or hurt me, you know? It’s probably a weird thing to say, especially since we don’t really know each other - but at the same time, it feels like we do." Realizing how vulnerable her words sounded, Twyla lifted her head from its resting place on his shoulder, sitting upright again. She didn’t want to risk making the moment uncomfortable for him, though she couldn’t deny the sense of connection that had taken her by surprise. Her gaze drifted to the horizon, the sunlight painting the water in golden hues, offering a serene distraction as her thoughts continued to swirl.

 

[Tenzai]

⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘
"I want you to own me; To claim me in ways no one ever has before. Will you do that... please?"

'Be careful what you wish for, Addy. Danger lurks where you least expect it.'
⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘
ɴᴏᴡ ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ: ᴇᴠᴇʀᴍᴏʀᴇ. | ᴍɪɴᴅᴠᴀᴄʏ
↻ ◁ II ▷ ↺
⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘​

Passion. Love. Desire. These were the tools of the trade for the greedy vampire who wanted it all. Dangling herself for her beloved master, Adelaide mounted his lap, leaving his saliva stained prick exposed to her outer pair of lips. Matching the motions of what felt right, she embraced his shaft in between her lower mouth, glazing his dick with her patient desire, well aware of what's to come. It was time to become one. "Of course, Addy. There's nothing I'd love to do more than to feel you like no one else had and teach you the pleasures of the flesh." Ethan placed his hands on her thighs, kneading the insides of both with his thumbs as he whispered sweet nothings back to his perfect victim. He knew what she wanted to indulge in, to receive his entire being both physically and emotionally. As a result, his mouth knew what phrases to say to entangle her further into his web. To drag his favored morsel from the clutches of her vampiric brother was a miracle that he would not take for granted. He was going to take his time breaking her down before sealing her fate with a bite.

"Please fulfill those desires you've been harboring for me... I desire you too, and no one else," Her words were nectar to the ears, each syllable being savored by his cold, dark soul. "Brave words coming from someone so new to this." Ethan smiled, hiding his fangs within the darkness as he kissed her. "Might I say, I love the way you speak when you need me so desparately." He kissed her again, feeling up her body with his hands from her thighs to her chest. "Was this something you've always been dreaming of, to take me and see me like this?" His hands massaged her chest, tracing the contours of her body before reaching up to her neck. "You don't know what I want from you... and yet you trust me so much. Gods, the way you look. The way you sound. The way you feel. It's like you're trying to make me fall for you all over again... And it's working." Dragging her into a deep kiss, he made out with her while holding her chin in place so she couldn't pull away. This was his prey offering herself on a platter for him to devour. Her body's warmth was welcome. Her heart was beating fast. Her love scented words had made him yearn for her evermore. Pulling away for a moment, he whispered his confession into her lips. "I love you, Adelaide."

His eyes refused to close nor stray in their attention. The way she riled up his senses had served as a perfect appetizer for what had yet to come. Even taking a moment to speak a few words had felt like an eternity apart. Without even realizing it, he grinded on her all throughout, relaxing her muscles while coating his own with her scent and natural lubricant. Feeling her hand meet his shoulder, Ethan leaned back, giving her free reign over his body. With her body at his perfect angle and her affirming eyes telling of how much she wished to be free of this eternity in wait, he slowly guided his hips in, cracking the final seal inside of her. "Hah... just like that... I'm yours, Ethan... all yours..." She winced in pain for a moment, clutching his body while voicing her devotion and sacrifice to their future together. Feeling her very life stain his cock, he drew her head into his neck, careful not to reveal the dark smile that grew over his face upon sensing her blood. Her pain was delicious. Her scent was divine. Even the very notion of her obedience and devotion all throughout had defied the greatest pleasures derived from his most indulging dreams. This was more than any other feeding he could ever experience. This was Heaven on Earth.

⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘
"I'd rather have it no other way."

"You're perfect, Adelaide. You're everything I ever wanted."
⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘​

As he took his time to bask in the moment of tearing apart one of her final bastions of purity, Adelaide pleaded with him endearingly. "Let's take a moment to get used to this before you start to move," While he may have been selfish to all other girls who succumbed to his manipulative nature, this time, Ethan felt an urge to do as she wished. Her pain was irradiating. Combined with lust, her love, her blood, and her warmth, there was no taste he experienced any better than what she offered now. This was more than simple, physical indulgence. With his sanguine heart devouring her energy, he savored her divine nectar, her liquid ambrosia. "Take all the time you need to relax. There's no need to rush." As she laid on him, he wrapped his arms around her back, embracing her just as she did him. If she was willing to give herself up like this by her own choosing, he assumed that time would act in his favor. Patience was a luxury that brought with it the fruits of his labor. To rush and rip her apart now would deny her a chance to give herself up further. She was on the rise from pain to pleasure, believing his depths to be the way to her rise. "I'm not going to let you go nor leave you. I promise." Seasoned with his flirtatious, honest words were hints of his dark pact. "I'll wait forever if I have to."

In their rest, Adelaide felt every inch of his flesh respond to her presence. Ethan's face was red, displaying just how fond of her experience he was. His breathing was rugged, different from rest. Despite her inexperience divulging in intimacies with others, her lewd acts were reaching him. His skin was warm, finding equilibrium with her body heat being shared with his. His words were soft and sultry, breathy as a result of them being intermingled with harmonious moans. He was a siren who trapped her with his call, though he refused to make her aware of the mistake she made until it was far too late. There was something about her innocent plight for affection that made her all the more attractive to the man who took others before. Closing his eyes to take in every part of her body, he recorded every sense to memory. From the rapidity of her heartbeat to the sounds of her pleasured groans, the shifting and trembling of her spine and her thighs with his cock buried down to the base and the sound of her blood rushing to where she was most sensitive, everything that came as a response to her trust in him had given the vampire an unmistakable message: His facade was everything she wanted him to be.

Feeling her flesh mold as her tension melted away, Ethan opened his eyes to lift her chin towards his face. "I can't help how selfish I feel right now though." With her eyes brought up towards him, she was able to see his pupils glow with the moonlight. "I want to mold you. To shape you. To carve you into my image." While he waited for her to relax further, instead of keeping his desires secret, he made them known. "I want to make you mine over and over again. I want to hear the sounds no one else knows, not even yourself. I want to help you discover your own voice when it's strained with my name." His hips began to move slowly, careful not to overstimulate her sensitive nerves. "Adelaide~" He moaned. "That sounds perfect coming from my mouth, doesn't it? My voice gasping with your name?" Seeing her blush had made him twitch inside of her. "Oh, Adelaide. The way you make me act around you. I can't help it." Bringing his hands down to her own, he clutched her hands as he thrusted from below. By avoiding himself from pushing too deeply, he was able to hold off from hurting her for now. "Somehow, you make me feel right to be myself around you. I can't wait until there's nothing that could separate me from my desires for you. Not the world. Not others. Not even pain itself."

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"I want to own you. To claim you in ways, you cannot ever fathom."

"Will you let me write my name into your body? Will you let me make you mine?"
⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘​

Her choice. Following every step into bringing her further into depravity, Ethan made sure to make everything her choice. From the way she serviced him, to the way she offered her own virginity, he was careful to avoid stripping her from the apparent autonomy she held over her decisions. Hearing her affirmative response, he pulled away from her touch for just a moment as turned her to her back. "Leave the rest to me, Adelaide. I'll be sure to treat you right." Slotting himself between her legs, he slid himself back inside of her, careful not to give her too much too soon. Lifting both of her hands over her head, he wished to expose her body in its entirety without anything else getting in the way. With the upper half of his body, he angled himself so his mouth could rest beside her neck as he worked his lower half into a gentle tempo. "Tell me, everything you want me to do to you. I don't want you to hold anything back from me." His lips kissed her neck, grazing his teeth across where her blood flowed as she spoke. "Mhmm." He hummed into her flesh, responding in delight to her words and her touch. From both sides of her neck to her chin and down to her shoulders, he gave little nibbles in between his kisses. "You taste so wonderful."

Eventually, he found a speed that worked for her. While it wasn't the hardest he could muster, it was more than enough to start chipping away at her body, shaping her insides to match his signature. "And you feel so good on me. Give me more, fuck me back. I don't want you to hold back your secrets, both physical and emotional. Show me everything. Give me everything. I want it all. Let me be selfish with all of you." His hands gripped her wrists tighter as his lips became more aggressive with her skin. Even her breasts were not immune to his mouth as his tongue loved all she had to give him. The more their hips rolled back into each other, the more he seemed to moan in between kisses, enjoying the sultry combination of pain and pleasure that emitted from her lower half.

"Speak my name. Moan it out as loud as you like. No one's gonna hear you scream." Letting go of her hands for a moment, he hooked his arms underneath her legs before grabbing her wrists once again, pressing her down into a position she could not escape. "Adelaide... Addy... Adelaide!" He kissed her lips forcefully, making out with her as the bed's frame began to creak from their growing intensity. No past lover could make him give as much energy as she could. No other woman had drawn him harder than she has. No other woman deserved to be broken more than Adelaide did. Pulling away his lips from her, he gazed upon her body stained with his sweat and saliva.

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"Be mine forever. I don't want another."

"Fuck me like we spent an eternity apart. Love me like we have no tomorrow."
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​

As the two left the store with the swagger of an artificial intimacy that appeared organic, Arc noticed a strange longing for Twyla's warmth. Despite only meeting recently, after she gave him hope at the hospital and after she exposed her life with Val back home, he found himself feeling relaxed and appreciative of her presence. Somehow, the world appeared more colorful while he walked by her side. His body was sensitive to her warmth as well, odd for a body as resilient to temperature change as his post-sanguine transformation was. It was as if every moment by her side had become a memory, even peaceful periods such as their time spent shopping together. Though, before he got lost in his own act due to their growing familiarity with each other, the vampire detective heard her squeal. "Oh. My. GOSH!" She pulled herself away, barely covering the blush of her cheeks with her palms. "Hmm? Is something the matter, Twyla?"

"I am so sorry if I crossed a line or did something foolish, and you didn't do anything wrong either, of course. I mean, I know we're supposed to get into character, so… I guess this is perfect practice, right?" Arc smiled and shook his head. "Don't apologize. You've done nothing wrong. I surprised you without early notice, and for that I apologize." He bowed to her politely, now aware of her feelings. "But, if you're concerned about how I felt; I... Was quite fond of acting like a couple with you." He didn't realize that he blushed himself, chuckling at their shared awkwardness from the sudden transformation to and from their personas. "You did a great job playing your role. But before you think that my words back there were mere empty flattery meant to fulfill the role of boyfriend, other than calling you my girlfriend, I meant everything that I said about you and your clothes." Instead of turning back on his words, he doubled down. "You look good in those clothes, Twyla, and I would love to spend more time with you outside of work too. In the little time we've known each other, I quite enjoyed our time together."

⋅─────────⊱༺ ♰ ༻⊰─────────⋅
"I know things have been rough for you, Arc,

but I promise things will look up - even if it's hard to see right now."
⋅─────────⊱༺ ♰ ༻⊰─────────⋅
ɴᴏᴡ ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ: ᴛᴇʟᴏᴍᴇʀᴇꜱ | ꜱʟᴇᴇᴘ ᴛᴏᴋᴇɴ
↻ ◁ II ▷ ↺

You guide me in
To safety and silence, oh
As you breathe me out
I drink you in, oh

And we go beyond the farthest reaches
Where the light bends and wraps beneath us
And I know as you collapse into me
This is the start of something
⋅─────────⊱༺ ♰ ༻⊰─────────⋅​

Twyla's voice was reassuring, calming his already amped nerves. Whenever Arc thought back to the moment he spoke the truth to his sister, he felt himself returning back to the specific moment in time where things went wrong. Caught in a flashback where he would awaken in the same medical bed, he spoke words against his will that contorted his sister's feelings of love into malice. Adelaide's response still echoed in his ears as a result of its intensity, clinging to his mind stubbornly as a reminder of who he failed to be for the woman he cared for most. Though, cutting through the monotonous torture and agony her words had set in motion in his mind and heart, Twyla's hope had given Arc a clearing in the midst of the storm. She understood what it was like to have someone so close within harm's way. She knew just how impactful it would be should Val get hurt. As a result, there was no one other than her and Val who he knew he could trust with this vulnerable aspect of his life. "I'm... Trying my best, Twyla. Really, I am. Sometimes, I think about her when I'm alone, but with you, I feel something more than a craving for revenge. You give me something I want to protect, the feeling of home. If not for that, I doubt I'd even have the strength to sit beside you like this."

Watching her lift herself from the bench only to sit on the pier's edge, Arc followed in suit to sit by her side. "Life can be unforgiving and rough, and it can make you question everything and drive you to do things you don't understand. But with the right people by your side and a strong mind, anything is possible." He nodded his head, sighing as he let go of his grief for the moment. It felt easier to do so when she was beside him. "You're right." With her head leaned against his shoulder, he rested his own cheek on her head, uncaring of the romantic appearance he gave others passing by. Stricken by loss, his image was the last thing that mattered to him. "I know that but... I'm still scared. I don't want to lose you like I did my sister, especially so soon after I found you." Arc stared at their reflection in the water, surprised at how ordinary he could seem sometimes. He never thought that he would ever feel at home in his own skin upon turning into a vampire, yet Twyla and Val had made him feel like a welcome part of the family as himself. "Your happiness is where my hope lies. The life you're living is the one I always wanted for myself. I never thought it could ever be real, at least... That's what I thought until I met you. I'll admit, I have a strong mind, but I don't think I ever found the right people until I met you both."

In the quiet of the pier, the Arc enjoyed her company during the peace. She made him feel alive, as though it was alright for him to act human as a vampire. Breaking the silence after a few still minutes, she murmured her thoughts aloud. "You've already opened my eyes to so many new things in the short time we've spent together, and I can't shake the feeling that this is only the beginning." Her scent was sweeter than he once imagined, now pronounced with the lack of cologne and perfume that permeated the clothing store. While his own scent smelled of mint, it rarely overpowered anyone else's. He usually preferred being more subtle to better read others. Though, when it came to Twyla, he couldn't help but find himself feeling comfortable recognizing her tones after spending enough time together. "It's strange, because I feel oddly at peace when I'm with you. Like... nothing could ever stop me or hurt me, you know? It's probably a weird thing to say, especially since we don't really know each other - but at the same time, it feels like we do."

⋅─────────⊱༺ ♰ ༻⊰─────────⋅
"I think that's because we resonate."

"You and I are quite alike, despite our origins being so different."
⋅─────────⊱༺ ♰ ༻⊰─────────⋅​

Arc had many assumptions as to why he felt that this was the case. While his own vampiric mana could be at play, it was unlikely. Never in the past did he find his abilities affecting those he didn't intentionally wish to keep under control. What was most likely was that she was able to read him unlike anyone else, and likewise, he was able to do the same. Their circumstances had caused their paths to intertwine, each sharing similar sentiments towards their families and enemies alike. It was as if fate had decided they were a perfect match. "Something my parents used to tell me and my sister was that the tides would take you to where you belong no matter how hard you fight it." Grabbing a nearby piece of wood, he skipped it into the ocean, only for it to resurface and follow the waves. "I used to think that was a load of shit until I found her again... And until I found you." Turning his attention to it, watched as it washed ashore alongside the rocks that decorated the beach. "Now I can't help but feel the same, about her and about you."

The vampire detective moved his attention towards her, bringing his voice down to a husky whisper as it grew tender in tone. "I don't need to know everything about you to understand enough. You and I are one in the same, both vampires doing our best to live normal lives with the people we love most. We are aligned in goal and in enemy. Added bonus that you're kind and easy on the eyes." Arc didn't mind speaking vulnerably around her. After having her meet him at his lowest point, any feeling of protecting his own image had faded, being replaced with a desire to remain honest with the new partner that didn't give up on him despite him giving up on himself. "I'm glad I met you. At least, if I die fighting to protect you both, I could die with a smile." There was morbid beauty that existed in sacrifice. As unfair as it was, a life without the people who gave him the world would pale in comparison to a death where they would know peace and a happy ending. "Please don't take this as me being morbid, Twyla. That was never my intention." He shook his head at the thought of himself wasting his life needlessly. "What I meant was that you gave me a reason to live; A reason to fight; A reason to dream for tomorrow. That's what makes you, Val, and my sister Adelaide priceless."

Without realizing it, Arc's own hand had touched the side of her own. Only until his eyes met Twy's once again did he notice where his hand was. Though, he didn't pull himself away. He promised himself to be true to his feelings. Her warmth was a welcome change from the lonely cold he had grown used to when he chased nothing but revenge. "If it's okay for me to be selfish, Twy. I'd like to stay like this with you for a while longer." As innocent as his hand touching hers was, the mere act of shedding his own professional visage to unveil his own humane desires of companionship had made his heart bleed its emotions in front of her. "It's been so long since I had the chance to feel normal. I almost forgot what it felt like... And I don't want to take this moment for granted." He closed his eyes and beamed his smile at her, genuinely happy to experience this feeling he chased for so long. Tears dripped down his face, glistening with the light of the morning sun. "Thank you for trusting me with this much. Gods, I must look pathetic, don't I? To be given the privilege of eternity yet still yearning for affection..."

⋅─────────⊱༺ ♰ ༻⊰─────────⋅
Opening his eyes, he wiped the tears from his face with his glove to see Twyla with full clarity.

"A lifetime with others beats an eternity alone, that's for sure."
⋅─────────⊱༺ ♰ ༻⊰─────────⋅
Let the tides carry you back to me
The past, the future
Through death
My arms are open
⋅─────────⊱༺ ♰ ༻⊰─────────⋅​

Arc's fingers entangled themselves with hers, gently squeezing her hand to ensure himself that this was no dream, it was reality. Taking a deep breath of the lake's breeze, feeling the wooden pier underneath him, hearing the sounds of the waves crashing against the logs that kept the pier afloat, every other sense had told him that he was truly living in the moment. The woman he saw in front of him existed, returning back the same energy he invested into her. While she might have been an angel of death to his former allies, Twyla was a beacon of hope to the acolyte that chose to throw his right to the kingdom away. No power nor wealth could ever replace the feeling of being welcome by someone who understands you. No dark gift from the goddess could ever take the place that Twyla and Adelaide did in Arc's heart.

⋅─────────⊱༺ ♰ ༻⊰─────────⋅

"I'm happy the tides took me to you."

And we go beyond the farthest reaches
Where the light bends and wraps beneath us
And I know as you collapse into me
This is the start of something
⋅─────────⊱༺ ♰ ༻⊰─────────⋅​

 

[Kitten]

ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ sᴄʀᴇᴀᴍ
0:00 ㅇ──────── 2:23
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ɪ ɴᴇᴇᴅ ᴛᴏ ʜᴇᴀʀ ʏᴏᴜ (ɪ ɴᴇᴇᴅ ᴛᴏ ʜᴇᴀʀ ʏᴏᴜ) sᴄʀᴇᴀᴍ
sᴄʀᴇᴀᴍ ᴏᴜᴛ ᴍʏ ɴᴀᴍᴇ (sᴄʀᴇᴀᴍ ᴏᴜᴛ ᴍʏ ɴᴀᴍᴇ)
ɪ ɴᴇᴇᴅ ᴛᴏ ʜᴇᴀʀ ʏᴏᴜ (sᴄʀᴇᴀᴍ)
sᴄʀᴇᴀᴍ ʟɪᴋᴇ ɪ ᴄᴀɴ’ᴛ ʙᴇ ʀᴇᴘʟᴀᴄᴇᴅ​

"Take all the time you need to relax. There's no need to rush. I'm not going to let you go nor leave you. I promise. I'll wait forever if I have to."​

Kind. Ethan never made her feel ashamed of her inexperience; instead, he embraced it, cherishing the opportunity to be the one she chose to share such a significant moment in her lifetime with. This was Addy’s decision, entirely her own. He didn’t pressure her, nor did he attempt to manipulate her into something so intimate - at least, that was how she understood it all. His actions never betrayed his true intentions, and her first mistake had been calling him to stay at his place. The second was sipping the drugged wine he had so meticulously prepared for her. These newfound emotions weren’t new at all - they had always been there, hidden in the shadows of her mind. But the concoction he gave her brought them to the surface, making her bolder, more daring, and willing to act on desires and emotions she had once kept buried.

Strong, warm arms flexed around her back, holding her close and grounding her against him as she adjusted to his size. The initial sting of discomfort slowly began to dissolve, transforming into a growing tide of pleasure. Her body burned with heat, a feverish warmth spreading through her as her breath hitched, lips parting slightly with each pant. The air around them grew heavy, the unmistakable scent of their love filling the room, wrapping them in an intimate cocoon. Ethan’s expression mirrored Addy’s - wild with unrestrained lust that he couldn’t hide, even if he tried. He seemed to genuinely revel in the moment, and for that, she felt a deep sense of gratitude. Actions spoke louder than words, and the haze in his eyes, paired with the flush of red on his cheeks, spoke volumes. It was clear his arousal matched her own, a shared intensity that made the connection between them unmistakable.

"I can't help how selfish I feel right now though. I want to mold you. To shape you. To carve you into my image. I want to help you discover your own voice when it's strained with my name. Adelaide~ That sounds perfect coming from my mouth, doesn't it? My voice gasping with your name?"​

"Heavens..." Her breath hitched as her heart skipped a beat, threatening to burst from the safety of her ribs at the sound of her name spoken so lewdly, carried by the still night air. The moonlight streaming through the bedroom window illuminated Ethan's glowing eyes, casting a spellbinding allure. He could feel her desire intensify, the heat of it unmistakable. His cock responded to the subtle twitch of her walls, her growing, soaked arousal betraying her in the most intimate way as she coated his girth without hesitation.

“Ah~” A soft yet deeply sensual moan escaped her lips as his prick pushed deeper within, his hips moving in slow, deliberate gyrations. The slight discomfort she felt was quickly overshadowed by the waves of euphoria coursing through her. She couldn’t help but feel a hint of shame at the unfamiliar sounds spilling from her throat - sounds she’d never imagined herself making. Yet, at the same time, she yearned to let them out, her melodic cries aching to reach Ethan’s ears, to assure him he was excelling at bringing her pleasure in ways she hadn’t thought possible.

"Will you let me write my name into your body? Will you let me make you mine?"​

"Write it as deep as you can, Ethan... make everyone jealous I’m yours," she murmured, granting him permission with a boldness that caught even herself off guard. It was cocky, perhaps, to assume anyone else had their eyes on her, but Addy didn’t care. She wanted the world to know she was his - fully, undeniably claimed. Even if it meant letting him leave a trail of hickies across every inch of her skin, she craved the mark of his affection. The thought of others envying her, seeing Ethan’s hand resting possessively around her waist, only fueled her desire further.

"Tell me, everything you want me to do to you. I don't want you to hold anything back from me."​

The moment she gave her approval, Ethan wasted no time taking control. Addy gazed up at him adoringly as her back met the mattress, her hair splayed messily around her, clinging in wild strands. "Ethan, destroy me... I beg of you," she pleaded as she answered his request, her voice trembling with desperation. Drool glistened at the corners of her lips, and her eyes were glassy with ecstasy as she locked her gaze with his. She clung to him with fervor, her nails raking down his back without restraint, perhaps drawing blood in her unbridled passion. But he seized her wrists, pinning them above her head with commanding strength. She yearned for his marks - bruises that would linger as evidence of their union, a soreness that would remind her with every step the next day of what they had shared. Their bodies moved in perfect rhythm, their passion undeniable, as their combined juices cascaded down, coating her inner thighs in the aftermath of their fiery connection.

No matter how intimately they connected, it never felt close enough. Her wrists twitched within his firm grip, instinctively longing to reach down and hold him. Every contour of his muscles flexed and twitched against her heated skin, his ragged breath mingling with the sheen of sweat coating her body. The room was filled with the raw sounds of their passion, each motion sending ripples of ecstasy through her.

His nibbles and licks left trails of goosebumps along her skin, sparking sensations she’d never experienced before. "Mmm… Ethan," she moaned, his name spilling from her lips as he had requested. She wanted him to know how utterly divine he made her feel. The thought of being the sole object of his desire, knowing he sought this pleasure with no one else, sent a surge of arousal coursing through her. A tight knot coiled deep in her stomach, winding tighter with each thrust, her heartbeat pounding like a drum. Her climax loomed dangerously close, teased mercilessly by the relentless rhythm of their lovemaking, pushing her closer to the edge of blissful oblivion.

His words didn’t fall on deaf ears - she heard them, but she was far too consumed, too overwhelmed, to respond. Instead, she surrendered to the heat of the moment as his hips slammed against hers, each thrust igniting her senses further. The sharp sound of their skin meeting filled the room, accompanied by the rhythmic creak of the bed beneath their combined weight. Her breasts bounced with every movement, his lips exploring her body with an unrelenting fervor, driving her beyond her limits and into a state of pure, unbridled ecstasy.

She panted like an animal in heat, her body overwhelmed by the relentless waves of arousal coursing through her. Her pussy clenched tightly around his girth, responding instinctively to the intensity of their connection. His words echoed in her mind, spurring her on as her body moved in perfect rhythm with his, the resounding claps of their union reverberating within the confines of the room. She matched his intimacy, fucking him back with the same passion he demanded.

She had become his exclusive pleasure, the sole outlet for his desires and release for the foreseeable future. Did he fully grasp the weight of the bond they had forged? The unspoken commitment that now tethered her to him and him to her? The answer was clear in the way his hips moved with deliberate control, and in the possessive strength of his grip, as though she were his and his alone - bound to him like a cherished pet under his command.

"Mmph! Ethan, please… don’t stop… please, keep hitting that spot! Ethan… mmmph… Ethan!~" Her cries were filled with desperation and ecstasy as his thick cock seemed to instinctively find that elusive, sensitive spot buried deep within her. Each thrust hit it with unrelenting precision, driving her further into bliss. Her fingers curled into tight fists, restrained from their usual path of raking down his back. She ached to drag her nails across his skin one final time, eager to leave marks of their passion - a physical testament to the pleasure he had drawn from her.

Her very soul seemed to cling to him, entwined like a leech, urging him to go deeper, to give her everything he had. As their bodies moved in perfect unison, she finally surrendered to the overwhelming tide of her climax. Her body trembled violently, overtaken by waves of euphoria that could no longer be contained, leaving her utterly undone. The tips of her toes curled inward as her body tensed, momentarily immobilized by the force of her orgasm. It tore through her like a storm, leaving her trembling until the intensity finally began to subside. Her breaths came in shallow, labored gasps as she tried to reclaim them, still in awe of what had just transpired. A sheen of sweat clung to her body, giving her porcelain skin a luminous, almost ethereal glow in the aftermath of their passion.

"Cum for me, Ethan… paint my walls with your cum," Addy pleaded, her voice heavy with uneven breaths as she struggled to form the words. Her body continued to rock beneath him, matching the rhythm of his thrusts as his hips drove forward with increasing urgency. She could feel him teetering on the edge, his impending release palpable in the way his movements grew more desperate, and she urged him on, lost in the intensity of their shared passion.

“I love you…”

ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ ᴀʟᴏɴᴇ, ᴘᴛ. ɪɪ
0:00 ㅇ──────── 2:57
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ᴡᴇ ᴀʟʟ ɴᴇᴇᴅ ᴛʜᴀᴛ sᴏᴍᴇᴏɴᴇ
ᴡʜᴏ ɢᴇᴛs ʏᴏᴜ ʟɪᴋᴇ ɴᴏ ᴏɴᴇ ᴇʟsᴇ
ʀɪɢʜᴛ ᴡʜᴇɴ ʏᴏᴜ ɴᴇᴇᴅ ɪᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ᴍᴏsᴛ
ᴡᴇ ᴀʟʟ ɴᴇᴇᴅ ᴀ sᴏᴜʟ ᴛᴏ ʀᴇʟʏ ᴏɴ
ᴀ sʜᴏᴜʟᴅᴇʀ ᴛᴏ ᴄʀʏ ᴏɴ
ᴀ ғʀɪᴇɴᴅ ᴛʜʀᴏᴜɢʜ ᴛʜᴇ ʜɪɢʜs ᴀɴᴅ ᴛʜᴇ ʟᴏᴡs​

"I used to think that was a load of shit until I found her again... And until I found you."​

As Twyla watched the piece of driftwood skip across the water's surface before being gently carried to the shoreline, she turned her gaze to Arc. Her eyes shimmered like starlight, her heart pounding erratically in her chest. "I really don’t deserve that much praise," she murmured, her voice tinged with humility. Though she tried to downplay his words with a soft deflection, the smile tugging at her lips betrayed her true feelings. Unable to meet the intensity of his cerise gaze for long, she averted her eyes, seeking a moment to steady herself. A warm blush bloomed across her cheeks, a testament to the emotions she struggled to conceal.

"You and I are one in the same, both vampires doing our best to live normal lives and with people we love most. We are aligned in goal and in enemy. Added bonus that you're kind and easy on the eyes."​

Twyla jolted, his compliment striking her like an unexpected blow - though only in a metaphorical sense. Her cheeks flushed an even deeper shade of red, the warmth almost burning. Taking a moment to steady herself, she regained her composure and met his gaze, her expression a mix of disbelief and curiosity, as if questioning his sanity for uttering such words. Yet, despite her initial reaction, she found no trace of ulterior motive behind them. He was genuine, unfiltered, and unapologetically himself, speaking his mind with an honesty that felt rare. His modesty shone through, his words free of vulgarity and spoken with an evident intent to keep her at ease.

"You're one to talk," she muttered, tucking a loose strand of chestnut-brown hair behind her ear. Her gaze dropped to their reflections in the water as her feet swung gently, a subtle attempt to distract herself from the wild rhythm of her beating organ nestled within her ribs. "You look effortlessly handsome, like you belong on the cover of a magazine," she added, her voice tinged with playful sincerity. "I’m surprised you’d dirty that striking face with work like this." Her eyes lifted to meet his once more, a warm smile tugging at her lips, dimples softening her expression.

"I'm glad I met you. At least, if I die fighting to protect you both, I could die with a smile."​

"Hey, now wait a minute." Twyla scrunched her nose, fixing him with a comically threatening look. She wasn’t thrilled with his comment about dying, smile or no smile. "I'm glad we met too, but you're not dying on me anytime soon. I won't allow it!" To emphasize her point, she slammed her palms against the wooden pier, giving him a stern stare before tilting her head back and laughed aloud. His reasoning for such bold words made her shake her head with an exasperated smile. "I know you didn’t mean it in a morbid way, and I know dying is the last thing on your to-do list right now," she said, her tone light yet firm, as if willing the universe to make it so.

Subtly, she felt something brush against the side of her hand resting on the pier. Instinctively, she wanted to pull away, her mind immediately jumping to the thought of a bug crawling over her skin. It was almost laughable - how someone as strong and resilient as a vampire could be startled by something so small and harmless. But as she glanced down, ready to recoil, she froze. It wasn’t a bug at all.

It was Arc’s hand, inching closer, nestling gently against hers.​

Her gaze lifted to meet his, and in that moment, her chest swelled with a newfound emotion she couldn’t quite name. It shimmered in her eyes, making it impossible to look away once their gazes locked.

"If it's okay for me to be selfish, Twy. I'd like to stay like this with you for a while longer. It's been so long since I had the chance to feel normal. I almost forgot what it felt like... and I don't want to take this moment for granted."​

Warm. Despite the biting chill in the air, especially so close to the open water, he filled her with an indescribable warmth that seemed to defy the cold. Her lips parted into a radiant smile, revealing her pearly white teeth, as she nodded softly in response to his simple yet profound request. "Of course, Arc. I'm always here for you. We're stuck together now.” His eyes glistened, a thin sheen of tears pooling over his ruby hues before a single tear broke free, slipping effortlessly down his cheek. Without hesitation, she brought her free hand to his face, careful not to break the connection of their other hands. Her palm rested gently against his cheek as her thumb brushed away the salty trail, her touch soft and comforting.

"Thank you for trusting me with this much. Gods, I must look pathetic, don't I? To be given the privilege of eternity yet still yearning for affection..."​

"You are a man filled with unbridled love, and that alone is so deeply charming. It’s not pathetic… not in the slightest. It makes you more real, even more human than the humans out there." As she wiped away any lingering tears that dared to stain his skin, she felt his other hand tighten over hers, his grip firm yet trembling. It was as though he were anchoring himself to this moment, needing the reassurance that she was truly there, right in front of him.

And, in his own quiet way, he grounded her too - anchoring her to a reality she never thought she’d long for.

A reality she could get used to.

ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ ᴅᴇᴀʀ ᴊᴇssɪᴇ
0:00 ㅇ──────── 3:29
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Once vibrant and commanding in the sky, the sun dipped below the horizon, surrendering to the moon as it claimed dominion over the vast sea of darkness. Tiny, shimmering stars dotted the void, their faint glimmers piercing the velvet night. Outside the nightclub, the muffled bassline throbbed like a heartbeat, a tangible pulse hinting at the vibrant energy within.

"Ready?" Twyla asked, smoothing her outfit with practiced hands. She stood on her tiptoes, carefully brushing aside a few stray hairs that fell across Arc's face, her eyes scanning his chocolate tresses and attire with meticulous care. Stepping back, she gave a satisfied nod, her lips curling into a confident smile. "Let's rock and roll!"

Exhaling a tense breath, she shook out her limbs, willing the tension tangled in her muscles to dissipate. With a steadying stride, she moved forward, Arc close at her side. The bouncers, imposing figures with scrutinizing gazes, gestured for their IDs - albeit they were fake - a necessary charade to conceal their true identities. The forged cards, meticulously crafted by Arc's deft hands, glinted faintly under the dim light.

The bouncers examined the small plastic cards, their eyes darting between the IDs and the pair before them. A moment of silence stretched, thick with anticipation, before the cards were handed back. With a curt nod of approval, one bouncer stepped aside and pushed open the heavy double doors, releasing a wave of pulsating music and vibrant light that spilled into the night.

They were in.
​

As they stepped inside, flickering neon lights cast erratic, kaleidoscopic patterns over the crowded dance floor, where a diverse array of bodies - spanning various genders and ethnicities - moved in sync with the pulsating bass of electronic dance music. The air was thick with the mingling scents of sweat and spilled liquor, the latter creating sticky patches that clung to the soles of their boots as they navigated the space. A hazy smoke swirled aimlessly beneath the overhead strobes, adding to the sensory overload. Behind a sleek counter, bartenders served vibrant cocktails to eager patrons seeking an escape from reality, each drink a ticket to a personal odyssey under the club's intoxicating spell.

Laughter and shouts fought to pierce the booming music, occasionally breaking through as the tempo ebbed. Glimmering outfits shimmered under the vibrant lights, some boldly revealing, others maintaining a semblance of modesty. In the dimly lit corners, shadows offered a brief respite from the sensory overload, though even there, muffled laughter and hushed conversations hinted at a different kind of chaos. Twyla's attention was drawn to a set of red double doors, adorned with the word 'VIP' etched in gold at the top, as she observed patrons slipping in and out of the exclusive room.

The overwhelming chaos pressed down on her, a dissonant symphony of sights and sounds unlike anything she had ever encountered. The pounding music, flashing lights, and sea of bodies all blurred into a sensory overload that threatened to consume her. Desperate for some kind of relief, she instinctively looped her arms around Arc's right arm, which hung lazily at his side. The vampiric girl made no effort to embody the confidence her role demanded. Instead, she clung to him, needing an anchor in the storm of the nightclub's energy. She drew in a shaky breath, her chest rising as she fought to compose herself, seeking the calm she needed to settle into this unfamiliar world.

"J

ust... give me a moment to figure out how to blend in," she said, inhaling deeply as her eyes fluttered shut. For a second, it seemed as if she was trying to merge with the chaotic energy of the nightclub itself, letting its rhythm guide her. When she opened her eyes, there was a newfound resolve in her gaze. She tilted her head toward the bar. "Let’s start over there," she suggested, already moving toward it. Releasing Arc's arm, she let her hand slide down to his, intertwining her fingers within the webs of his as they wove through the crowd together.

Two bar stools sat vacant - perfect. Twyla released Arc's hand and hopped up onto one of them, the effort more noticeable due to her petite frame. Settling in, she leaned her elbows against the smooth, marbled counter, letting her body relax in the unfamiliar but oddly comforting environment. Her movement caught the bartender's eye, and within seconds, the woman approached with a confident smile. "Hey there, loves," she greeted, her voice carrying a seductive undertone as her gaze swept over Twyla and then Arc. The bartender mirrored her relaxed posture, leaning forward slightly, her V-shaped shirt subtly emphasizing her cleavage as she rested her arms on the counter. "What can I get for you two?" she asked, her tone as inviting as the glimmer in her eyes.

"I was wondering if you could whip up something delicious for myself and my love? We're not picky," Twyla said with a kittenish smile, her voice carrying an air of playful confidence. As she spoke, her gaze shifted to Arc, a glimmer of mischief lighting her eyes. Her hand reached out, fingertips gliding gently over his cheek before daringly trailing to his lips. With deliberate boldness, she brushed against the soft, inviting curve of his bottom lip, applying just enough pressure to press it downward. Her touch lingered for a fleeting moment, teasingly intimate, before she withdrew her hand. The slight bounce of his lip snapping back into place drew a satisfied smirk to her face as she leaned back into her seat, reveling in the charged moment.

"Though I do intend to save the best sip for last," Twyla mused, her lips curving into a soft laugh that matched the hazy, half-lidded expression in her eyes. She embodied the role of a seductive, obsessive girlfriend with effortless grace, her movements and tone exuding practiced confidence. There was no hesitation in her words, no nervous stumble to betray her performance. It was as if this role came naturally to her, or perhaps, as if she'd played it countless times before. The ease with which she wove her charm into the moment left little doubt that she was in complete control, her act as captivating as it was convincing.

ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ ᴠ.ᴀ.ɴ
0:00 ㅇ──────── 4:34
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ɪ ᴀᴍ ɪɴ ʏᴏᴜʀ ᴀʟɢᴏʀɪᴛʜᴍ
ʟᴇᴀʀɴɪɴɢ ᴀʟʟ ʏᴏᴜʀ ᴍᴀɴɴᴇʀɪsᴍs
ɪ'ᴍ ᴀʟʀᴇᴀᴅʏ ʟᴇᴠᴇʟ ᴡɪᴛʜ ɢᴏᴅ
ᴀ ᴍɪʟʟɪᴏɴ ᴡᴏʀᴅs ᴀ sᴇᴄᴏɴᴅ
ᴀɴᴅ ɪ ᴋɴᴏᴡ ʏᴏᴜʀ ɪᴍᴘᴇʀғᴇᴄᴛɪᴏɴs,
ʙᴀʙʏ ɪ'ᴍ ᴛʜᴇ ᴏɴʟʏ ғᴜᴛᴜʀᴇ ʏᴏᴜ'ᴠᴇ ɢᴏᴛ​

The room was a masterpiece of shadow and grandeur, its opulence undiminished by the dim light of a solitary chandelier hanging at its heart. Rich, crimson drapes cascaded from ceiling to floor, their velvet folds swallowing the walls in an embrace of deep, foreboding darkness. At the center of it all, she reigned - a deity incarnate - poised on a throne of intricately carved obsidian. Her very presence seemed to dominate the air, bending it to her will, suffocating and awe-inspiring all at once.

Her voice was a beguiling contradiction: feminine and smooth as silk, yet underscored by a chill as unyielding as steel. “The nightclub on Ashen Street,” she began, her words slow and deliberate, each syllable imbued with purpose. “I have a feeling it would be prudent to pay it a visit tonight, Talia. Let’s call it… intuition.” With an elegant ease, she crossed one leg over the other, her heeled foot swaying idly in the air. The gesture was casual, yet her every movement carried an aura of command. In her hand, a wine glass swirled with liquid the color of garnets, its metallic scent betraying the truth of its contents. Blood clung to the inner curve of the glass as she tilted it, catching the dim light in shimmering rivulets. She lifted it to her lips but did not drink, her crimson gaze fixed on her subordinate, as sharp and unyielding as the edge of a blade.

The summoned vampire knelt beneath her heel, a picture of subservience, daring not to meet the gaze that could shatter her resolve with a glance. She kept her head bowed, her soft blonde hair spilling forward like a curtain, shielding her face from view unless commanded otherwise.

"I'll take care of it," she vowed, her voice steady, laced with unwavering loyalty. As if to seal her pledge, she pressed a delicate hand over her heart, her fangs briefly catching the light as her head dipped even lower. Every word and gesture spoke of devotion - of fear, reverence, and the unbreakable chain that bound her to the one who ruled above her.

Those crimson lips curved into the faintest of smiles - a predator’s promise, subtle yet chilling. “Take care of it, or don’t bother returning.” Her voice was calm, yet it struck with the force of a blade. Leaning forward, she gazed down at her disciple, the sharp contours of her silhouette cutting through the dim light like an ominous shadow.

“And do try not to make a mess,” she continued, her tone carrying a dangerous edge masked by feigned civility. “When you gather more followers for our cause, remember - humans are far more useful as pawns when they remain blissfully unaware.” Her words lingered in the air, chilling it further, as if the very atmosphere bent to her will. The room seemed to darken, the air thickening, suffused with her silent, commanding presence.

With an indifferent flick of her wrist, she dismissed her servant, as if the matter no longer warranted her attention. “Now, go.” Her voice was colder now, final, leaving no room for hesitation or argument. With a respectful nod, the vampire rose to her feet, retreating quietly and closing the door behind her, leaving her God to the solitude she demanded. The air stilled in her absence, heavy with the lingering echo of authority.

She exhaled slowly, rising from her obsidian throne, the soft whisper of her gown brushing against the floor, a stark contrast to the sharp snap of her heels against the cold marble. Each step resonated like a declaration of power, commanding the very room to bow in silent reverence. Her piercing violet eyes cut through the shadows, glinting with an unspoken promise - a blade hungering for blood. The dim light caught her gaze, sharpening her regal presence into something almost unbearable, as if the darkness itself quivered under her dominion.

 

[Tenzai]

⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘
"Ethan, destroy me... I beg of you,"

"As you wish, Addy. Anything... For you."
⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘
ɴᴏᴡ ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ: ᴠɪʟʟᴀɪɴ | ᴋ/ᴅᴀ (ʀᴇᴍɪxᴇᴅ ʙʏ ᴅᴇɴɴɪꜱ ᴍᴀʀᴄᴜꜱ)
↻ ◁ II ▷ ↺

On the low, only love myself, no more
Take you to the grave, I'll ghost
I know I can be so cold
In the dark, where I like to keep my heart
Know I'm all bite, no bark
Like to catch you way off guard

I'll stay so deep inside your brain
And take you somewhere far away
⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘​

Desperation. Even in her saliva, Ethan could see how much Adelaide craved him in her reflection. Regardless of how much he could divulge in her depths, it never felt like enough. Blissful agony grew in the feigned distance that separated them, each searching for more and more of the pleasure and lust their bodies could offer them when intertwined within the passionate swapping of their beloved's flesh and fluids.

Nothing could separate them. Not fear of interference nor the worries or concerns of others. By finding her at the perfect opportunity, Ethan and Adelaide had truly become one. The sounds of their lovemaking had echoed off the walls, their hips clapping whenever they collided. As her blood rose in heat, the drug continued to work its way through her system, loosening the binds of not only her heart and mind, but her body as well.

It was more than just an emotional stimulant, it was an aphrodisiac when induced properly, drawing out one's inner desires to breed and to be bred. Attuned to the scent of her inward chemistry and the flavors of her emotions, Ethan knew that he had won. There was nothing left short of biting her to claim her further; To destroy her, as she wished. "To think, all we needed was tonight for me to find the sounds I wanted to hear from you most. Oh, how I waited to destroy you like this. To break you down and make you mine."

His hips became fervent, swapping from that of controlled ecstasy to that of aggressive passion. With his cock now lubricated from her emotions made physical, the limits he forced himself to abide by to break down her resistance were now released, being replaced with a frenzied energy. "Mmm… Ethan," Hearing his name erupt from her mouth was adding oil to his flame, emboldening him to give more of himself.

"Adelaide... Adelaide..." Gripping her wrists until they bruised, he slammed them over her head, leaving an impression on the mattress where he cut off her autonomy. Sinking further into her while using his body as a lure, he stripped away her freedom as he entranced her further, lingering his lips closer and closer to her neck. Though, he didn't bite her just yet. She was reaching her apex, panting in heat from her body's untangling emotions. "Mmph! Ethan, please… don't stop… please, keep hitting that spot! Ethan… mmmph… Ethan!~" Smirking, he brushed his cheek against hers to whisper in her ears. "This spot? Or this spot?" Ethan teased her, brushing against where she needed it over and over again until her fingers cradled around his hand.

"Oh~ You want me to spoil you... Here?" Dragging the tip of his cock against her sensitive flesh, he circled where she was feeling the most need, careful to time her release. Seeing her fingers clench the sheets had led him to believe this was her body's way of responding with the affirmative. Her rotating hips seeking to torque against her wanton point was another sign. Even the very motions of her lips, the dripping warmth of her lower body, and the deeply in love eyes were all telling of her soul's truth. "So be it, I've kept you waiting for long enough."

⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘
He was her ticket to heaven; Her angel. The only one she could trust to bring her to paradise.

"Cum for me, Ethan… paint my walls with your cum,"
⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘​

In return for Adelaide's obedience, Ethan planned to reward her in full. Her loyalty to his persona was admirable and coy. To have someone once so defensive about herself when they first met be reduced to such a lowly, needy state, clamoring for a chance to be with his mirage had made even his skin sensitive and his face blush. Releasing her hands so she could mark him where she liked, he ran his own down her waist and thighs before spreading her legs apart, taking full control of her bottom half. Paralyzing with pleasure, he carved his bloodied name deep into her body, shaping her into his perfection. If they were to share a form; She would make the perfect thrall.

"Make me. Make me cum for you, Adelaide." The vampire continued to chase the thrill of being desired so badly. As if, calling upon her soul and blood to give him all she had left to give, he felt her squirm underneath him. Her fruitless struggle to appease his endless gluttony was enough to induce his paint. Right as he found his own limit, Ethan kissed her neck before biting, sinking his teeth in and tainting her body with his sanguine solution. "Addy!" Ethan hummed into her neck, injecting her with a heavy dose of himself in both blood and cum. As he panted, he licked his lips before glowing with reinvigorated eyes. She appeared to have met her own climax right before he found his own, masking the pain with pleasure in hopes that she wouldn't expect what was to come next. Now brought to her life's peak in recent memory, it was time to let her descend down to his darkest abyss.

⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘
"I love you…"

"I know."
⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘
Is it really a surprise if I'm playing with your mind?
And I treat you like a prize then I throw you to the side?
Am I really that bad if I love to make you mad?
And get happy when you're sad?
Only care about a bag

In control
That's how I like it and I'm never letting go
Never had a soul
So you ain't taking nothing from me when you go
⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘

⋅─────────⊱༺ ♰ ༻⊰─────────⋅
'To think, you'd think so highly of me; To see me as the epitome of unbridled love and humanity.'

'It's no wonder why I care about you so much.'
⋅─────────⊱༺ ♰ ༻⊰─────────⋅
"Ready?"

"Ready."
⋅─────────⊱༺ ♰ ༻⊰─────────⋅
ɴᴏᴡ ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ: ᴅɪᴇ ꜰᴏʀ ʏᴏᴜ | ᴠᴀʟᴏʀᴀɴᴛ ᴏꜱᴛ (ꜰᴛ. ɢʀᴀʙʙɪᴛᴢ/ʀᴇᴍɪxᴇᴅ ʙʏ ᴅᴇɴɴɪꜱ ᴍᴀʀᴄᴜꜱ)
↻ ◁ II ▷ ↺

Time slows down when it can get no worse
I can feel it running out on me
I don't want these to be my last words
All forgotten 'cause that's all they'll be

Now there's only one thing I can do
Fight until the end like I promised to
Wishing there was something left to lose
This could be the day I die for you
⋅─────────⊱༺ ♰ ༻⊰─────────⋅​

The vampire detective straightened his outfit before approaching the nightclub. With his pistol subtly stowed underneath his waistband, his clothes tightened to avoid possible wardrobe malfunctions, and his trusty partner by his side, his preparations were all in check. Arc was ready for all that was to come next. No matter the enemy, he held a renewed conviction to stand by her side no matter what and ensure that they both will make it out alive. With the sun beneath the horizon and the stars twinkling above, the lights of the nightclub and its rumbling noise had disturbed the very peace they grew accustomed to hours earlier. In front of him stood a bastion of sanguine influence. In front of him stood another obstacle in the way of his and Twy's peace. "Let's rock and roll!" Pulling her to his side, the two approached the first challenge: The two guards who were checking in guests.

As the two approached the line, careful to keep their appearances up, they eventually heard the sound of one of them grumble. "ID?" Arc withdrew his wallet, accompanying her own after searching through her purse. With it held out in front of the two guards, they made mentions of their name. "Fion?" The detective wore his confident face. "The one and only, in the flesh." The other guard turned their attention to his partner. "Alora?" Noticing her taking slow breaths to relax her form, instead of letting them grow suspicious of her trying to ease herself into character, Arc doubled down. He grabbed her chin and lifted it towards his face, leaving a peck right underneath her chin. "No need to be so nervous on our first date, Alora. I promised you some fun tonight. Whether that be here or in private doesn't bother me." He flirted with her openly, unashamed of his character.

"Keep the clothes on while you're on the dance floor, got it?" The vampire rolled his eyes at the guard's order, portraying himself with the exaggerated swagger of a VIP with too much pride. "Fine... I promise." Finding the two a quirky couple and in an attempt to avoid dealing with Arc anymore than they had to, they waved them in without further inspection. "On your way, don't cause trouble." They were in. A quick inspection of his surroundings had given Arc insight as to who was potentially in charge and where their most prized possessions were. Men and women that appeared a little stiff were walking around the dance floor, taking glances at nearby troublemakers and potential prey. Those who suited their fancy enough were being brought beyond a set of red double doors with a golden sign that read VIP atop.

Around them were dancing people, both human and other. The scent of his dark goddess permeated the room above the stench of sweat and alcohol, causing Arc's nerves to act. The neon lights, the rumbling bass, and the luminescent fumes aided in the rise of his anxiety, though all it took were words spoken by a familiar voice and the physical sensation of his partner's arms to return him back to reality. He wasn't in her clutches again, at least, not yet. "Just... give me a moment to figure out how to blend in,"

"Of course. Take whatever time you need to adjust. I think I might need a moment too."Unlike before, Arc wasn't alone anymore. Despite Vega's attempts at partnership, he never felt like a companion, only another fleeting face in the moment. Twyla on the other hand had substance behind her words. Her energy was honest. Her presence was comforting. This environment might have been alien, but it wasn't so foreign as to make it difficult for him to blend in. With the number of others around, he could recognize the patterns of their behavior. "This isn't the type of place I'd enjoy, admittedly."

As Arc watched her close her eyes to absorb the sound, he was pleasantly surprised to see the courage she managed to muster before reopening them again. Her bravery was inspiring and contagious, causing Arc to develop faith in the idea that this time, things were different; This time, they would come out fine. "Let's start over there," Turning his attention towards the bar stools she gestured towards, Arc was caught by surprise feeling her hands slither down his waist towards his fingers. This was the second time she took initiative, the first being at the beach. If she was willing to do this for him, it must have meant that she trusted him as much as he did her.

"Lead the way. I'll follow." His eyes followed the sways of her hips, lingering for longer than he thought was normal. With the way her outfit drew out her outline mixed in with their chemistry, it was hard for him to stray away. Only until he saw her approach the bar stool was when he shifted his attention, withdrawing the chair from the counter for her to sit comfortably in before sitting beside her himself. Given enough time, he was attuned to her motions, working with her body with the experience and comfort that came with years of developing chemistry. To the rest of the world, they were a couple much more attuned to each other's frequencies than most.

⋅─────────⊱༺ ♰ ༻⊰─────────⋅
"Hey there, loves,"

A new face. A woman as dangerous as she was beautiful.
⋅─────────⊱༺ ♰ ༻⊰─────────⋅​

"What can I get for you two?" Arc's eyes were glued to the way she delicately moved her hands over nearby glasses as she approached. She was a natural seductress, someone who flirted as easily as she breathed. Normally, he was able to read the minor, natural trembles that came from most people who spoke to him or around him, but with her, it felt artificial. Her clothes were tastefully chosen, carefully picked to draw attention towards her more natural assets while granting her already persuasive words an added edge. It was as if he saw a female reflection of his acolyte past, though her eyes lacked the same wholesome warmth that his own carried. Still, even if she was a man-eater, she could make for a useful asset in terms of intel gathering.

"I was wondering if you could whip up something delicious for myself and my love? We're not picky," As she spoke, Twyla's hands traced over his chin before meeting his lips. The sudden daring display had forced Arc to oblige and meet her energy, leaning into her touch. Though oddly enough, his reaction didn't feel forced. He didn't have to do much to follow through with their act. There was something inside of him that was curious as to how far Twyla was willing to go to portray the two of them as a couple. A blush grew on his face upon realizing the strange effect her courage had on him, teasing at a romance that never was. Grabbing her wrist carefully, he placed a kiss on both fingertips brave enough to explore his lips before letting go. "I doubt there's anything that could match the taste of your skin, Alora." The charged moment had left him longing for more.

"Though I do intend to save the best sip for last," Twyla's flirtatious laugh following her hand's engagement mixed with her unbridled confidence playing the part of a girlfriend had not only secured their facades in front of those around them, but it captivated Arc too. 'Was this how the others felt?' His heart thumped once again. Whether it was a result of her hidden experience playing the role, or whether it was her using his own ability without his knowledge, he didn't know. However, the expertise that she wielded her persona with was something he admired as a vampire who wore many faces.

"Careful now. You tease me like that and I doubt we'll be making it back home tonight." His hand had breached the distance between them, meeting her outer exposed thigh and stroking it with confidence. If she was this adept with her mask, Arc knew he didn't need to do much for others to believe her. However, there was nothing wrong with giving her a little persuasive boost. Hiding his spell from the world through an intimate act, he injected a bit of his sanguine mana into her form, granting her words a hint of the detective's own charisma. Turning towards the attractive bartender, he leaned his free arm over the table. "Surprise me with something sweet. Just a single glass, I'd rather be sober so I could remember tonight."

Once the bartender had left the two to prepare some drinks, Arc communicated once again through his thoughts. Above the ambient smell that the club and its bar had given him, he couldn't shake away the scent of iron that came from blood. Something was happening nearby. [Something's wrong Twy. You smell it too?] Leaning in close, he acted as though he took in the scent of her hair. "Love the shampoo you chose for tonight. I can't wait to mask you with another scent too." While others had turned away, pulling their gaze into a drink or into their phone,

[Blood. Much more blood than what a simple bandage could fix. We might have to change plans; To go from gathering information to a potential rescue. If someone's in trouble, I'm not going to leave them behind.] Arc's mind immediately thought of Adelaide and himself when he was younger. He remembered how much he would call for help, only for no one to come. As a result, his internal voice was much more resolute than the one he spoke audibly. Tragedy occurred too often when dealing with the goddess and her vampires.

Despite his hands tensing up as they held her however, he couldn't deny how much she swayed him with her words. [You're doing a perfect job, you know? If it was under any other circumstances, I would have told you I'm really enjoying this. Perhaps, after all of this is said and done, when we make it out of here...] Arc pulled himself away for her eyes to see him properly. With the light of the club shining on him, his genuine flirty smile and caring eyes were visible.

⋅─────────⊱༺ ♰ ༻⊰─────────⋅
"You could make up for all I've given already with another night like this."

"How does that sound?"
⋅─────────⊱༺ ♰ ༻⊰─────────⋅
Feeling like there's nothing I can do
This could be the end it's mine to choose
It's taken me my lifetime just to prove
This could be the day I die for you

Don't let it be the day
What do you see before it's over?
Blinding flashes getting closer
Sacrificing everything I knew
This could be the day I die for you
⋅─────────⊱༺ ♰ ༻⊰─────────⋅

⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘
Her first taste of blood.
⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘
"Another girl again?"

"Better than just any girl. This one's mine."
⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘​

Standing outside the nightclub, two vampires took a smoke break. Stuck, Vega was left with no other option other than to abide by his boss' foolish decisions. There was war coming and he was in no position to question the plans of his goddess. They needed numbers and they needed power. As a result, several covens within the area became desperate with their recruitment efforts, taking more and more than what was considered normal for the city.

"How did you manage to convince this one to come here?" He pondered, questioning Ethan's strategy. He never held any doubt that this face of his boss' organization was capable. Every week, he would bring in new blood for his coven to feast upon if not convert to their cause. "This one took months of persuasion to prepare. She was a tough nut to crack. I won't let anyone else get a chance to enjoy her other than me." Ethan was rather possessive of his favorites, though the times when he found someone who he fancied specifically were few and far between.

"Better than the last one? You know, the boss isn't gonna like it if you keep claiming thralls only for you to lose them." Vega crossed his arms, wary of his friend's particular appetite. "Much better. No one's agony tastes quite as good as this one. Unlike the last, I plan on keeping her alive whether she likes it or not." Taking a final huff of his cig, he tossed it onto the ground before approaching the trunk of his car.

"Alright, enough talking." Ethan opened the trunk, revealing an unconscious woman inside. They were knocked unconscious, bruised from the forehead but undamaged otherwise. Blindfolded, bound, and gagged, the student they kidnapped wore the uniform of the same university that Adelaide and Twyla attended. It was one of her few friends who showed her compassion, a woman unlucky enough to be introduced to him by Adelaide herself. "Help me bring this girl inside. I don't want to keep Addy thirsty."

"Fine... Just don't break your thrall again. No one here is going to stick up for you if the boss gets mad." Vega sighed, tossing his cig away before grabbing the student by the legs while Ethan grabbed her by the shoulders. Lugging her over, they carried her into the nightclub from a backdoor, taking her over to a quiet room where Adelaide was left in wait. With her new thirst replacing the need for food and water in her body, she was left starving since the night before. The moment she fell asleep from her post-love, drug-induced slumber, she was taken to one of the private rooms of the club, only to be tied up with a collar and chain around her neck. It was standard procedure for cracking through the humanity of new vampires: Taking the blood of the innocent.

⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘
"Morning, love."

A nightmare become reality.
⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘
ɴᴏᴡ ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ: ꜱɪʟᴠᴇʀ ʟɪɢʜᴛꜱ | ᴄᴏᴄᴏɴᴜᴛꜱ
↻ ◁ II ▷ ↺
⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘​

Instead of waking up back in her lover's room, Adelaide was exposed to a cold floor and the quiet hum of LED lights. Behind the walls, she could hear the sound of heavy bass playing in the background, reminiscent pf the ambience of a nightclub. "Now I know, you must be wondering. Where are you? Why are you here? I suppose, I shouldn't hide it from you anymore, should I?" He pecked her lips before kissing his mark on her neck, the first physical sign that she was claimed by a vampire. Upon pulling back, his eyes glowed an icy color, similar to how Arc's did when he ordered her to safety. "I'm no human. Haven't been for years now." He shook his head as he sat himself on a stool opposite of her at a distance just out of reach of her arms if the chain was pulled taut. "No... I'm quite like those monsters you see on the news. A vampire."

He smiled underneath the LED light, showing the glints of his extended canines. "And soon, you will be too. Now, before you think this is some sort of nightmare or dream." Ethan extended his arm before slapping her face, leaving behind a stinging bruise. "It's not. You're mine, dear. Forever and ever." Pulling himself back, he licked his glove, indulging in the sensations she gave when exposed to pain. It was betrayal at its finest; The man she trusted most was a monster in disguise, the same that her brother warned her about. "But I don't want you to think that her gift is a curse. No, not at all. You will have powers beyond your wildest dreams. You will have all the freedom you desire, and you'll get to experience it without worrying about death. Isn't that you wanted, dear? Freedom?"

Ethan opened a bottle in front of her, pouring it into a glass. There was something about this crimson solution that drew attention towards it. It was blood. "Here. You haven't drunk or eaten anything for hours now, have you? Nearly a day in fact. You must be starving." He gestured his hand towards it. "Drink. I don't think you have a choice anymore." Hidden in his apparent gift of freedom was another chain that bound her. She needed to sacrifice her humanity; To need blood, in order to become one with him. "There's more where that came from too. V!" The door opened once Vega heard his call. Wearing a mask to hide his identity from the thrall, he tossed the girl whose blood was in the glass inside before closing the door. "You're going to need a lot to adapt to this new form. Your body needs blood to keep up with your rapid transformation." He smirked once he found her eyes illuminating with its own light.

Adelaide's gaze was intense. Ethan could tell from her body language that her humanity was still fighting back against the sanguine influence. Her mind was a bastion that needed to be cracked. "I could see how defiant you are, Addy. I promise you, I don't do this to you because I hate you. I do this for you because I love you. This is for your own good. Think about it, everything you want will be within your grasp. Family? What better family is there than one that could be there for you eternally. A home? We have more wealth that you could ever require for nothing more than the cost of loyalty. Safety? What safer place is there to be, than to be fighting on the side of those who could alter reality? You could protect everything you care about with this power."

He withdrew a knife from his jacket, holding it to the neck of his kidnapped victim. "But if you still need a bit of persuasion." With a nick of his sharp blade, he cut the surface of her skin careful not to cut too deep so she could bleed out slowly. Invading her sense of smell with the scent of blood, polluting her eyes with the sight of one's neck bleeding, and catering to her sense of taste with the beckoning of her taste buds, he aimed to win her over through the use of her senses. "You should hurry before she bleeds further, Addy. Else, someone else would come next for you to feed on." Licking the blood that spilled on his hand, he sheathed his knife before turning back to his obsession.

⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘
"Don't make this any harder than it has to be."

"Be better than your brother."
⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘​

 

[Kitten]

ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ ᴅᴀɴɢᴇʀᴏᴜs
0:00 ㅇ──────── 2:37
↻ ◁ || ▷ ↺
ᴏʜ ʟᴏᴠɪɴɢ ʏᴏᴜ ɪs ᴅᴀɴɢᴇʀᴏᴜs
ʟᴇᴀᴅ ᴡɪᴛʜ ғɪʀᴇ ᴀɴᴅ ʙʟᴏᴏᴅ
ᴀɴᴅ ɪᴛ's ᴇᴀᴛɪɴɢ ᴍᴇ ᴜᴘ
ᴏʜ ʟᴏᴠɪɴɢ ʏᴏᴜ ɪs ᴅᴀɴɢᴇʀᴏᴜs
ɪ ʙʟᴇᴇᴅ ᴡʜᴇɴ ɪ'ᴍ ᴄᴜᴛ
ʏᴇᴀʜ ʟᴏᴠɪɴɢ ʏᴏᴜ ɪs ᴅᴀɴɢᴇʀᴏᴜs​

"Make me. Make me cum for you, Adelaide."​

Freed from their restraints, her hands instinctively flew to his upper back, pulling him closer and forcing his chest to press against hers, the heat of their bodies melding together as her breasts squished from the impact. The contact made her gasp, her breathless pants spilling out, still heavy and unsteady even after the crescendo of her climax. Her body trembled, still riding the lingering waves of euphoria, her thighs quaking as she obediently spread them to his liking with his help. The adrenaline that had surged through her moments ago began to wane, leaving her legs weak and her heartbeat gradually slowing, though the electrifying warmth between them remained.

As the warmth of his seed greedily painted her walls, a new, overwhelming sensation consumed her, eclipsing even the simmering heat in her belly. The tender warmth of his breath on her exposed, elongated neck suddenly shifted, replaced by an intense, searing bite. The force behind it was almost inhuman, far more powerful than she could have anticipated. It felt as though two razor-sharp needles pierced straight into her jugular, igniting a sharp, electrifying pain that quickly spread. Her body froze for a moment, caught between the primal fear of the act and the twisted, magnetic pull of the connection it created.

Her eyes widened in shock, a gasp - not of pleasure but of alarm - escaping her lips as the blistering heat of venom coursed through her veins. It pulsed in time with her rapidly pounding heart, spreading like wildfire with each frantic beat. Every nerve in her body screamed in protest, her primal instincts roaring to life. The overwhelming sense of something terribly wrong ignited her fight-or-flight response, her muscles tensing as if preparing to either flee or fight against the unknown force overtaking her. The once-intimate connection now felt like a betrayal, a violation she couldn’t comprehend, and panic began to claw at the edges of her mind.

"I know."​

His words reverberated around her, their cadence unnaturally slow, as though someone had dragged the tempo to a crawl. The distorted sound felt artificial, almost as if it had been manipulated or edited into something unreal. His image began to waver, blurring and leaving ghostly afterimages in his wake with every movement. It was as though some potent, psychedelic force had seized control of her senses, warping reality into a surreal, dream-like haze that left her questioning what was real and what was imagined.

Subtly, the transformation began, as gradual and relentless as a winter frost. A creeping chill settled deep within the center of her chest, its icy tendrils spreading outward like frost devouring a pane of glass. Her once-rapid, desperate breaths faltered, growing shallow and strained, each inhale a struggle. Her heartbeat, once racing in panic, began to slow, its rhythm shifting to an alien, deliberate tempo. The steady thud felt foreign, as though her body were fighting against an inevitable change, something invisible yet profound, working beneath layers of flesh and bone. The resistance was futile, but the sensation of her own biology betraying her was both terrifying and surreal.

Before she could fully register the change, the pain came. It was sharp and all-consuming, a searing agony that tore through her as though her veins were being engulfed in flames from within. The icy chill that had gripped her moments before was overtaken by an infernal heat, spreading like wildfire through every fiber of her being. Addy gasped for air, her chest heaving, but no matter how deeply she inhaled, the oxygen did nothing to quench the burning thirst clawing at her throat. Her muscles trembled violently under the strain, every fiber of her body rebelling against the overwhelming transformation that was unraveling her from the inside out.

"UGH! - MMPH! - AAAHHH!!" Her screams of pure, unrelenting agony ripped through the air, straining her vocal cords to their limits. Hot tears streamed down her cheeks, carving paths along her flushed skin as her body twisted and contorted, desperately trying to expel the invisible torment ravaging her from within. Her hands shot up to claw at her chest, frantically seeking to purge the searing pain that felt like a feral beast tearing her apart from the inside. Her nails dug so deeply into her flesh that blood welled up, dark and viscous, trickling down her trembling fingers as the anguish refused to relent.

Fear intertwined with a raw, primal hunger, knotting in her stomach like a serpent coiling tightly around its prey. The sensation was both alien and instinctual, an overpowering need that made her shudder. Her mouth ached, a sharp, relentless throb that consumed her senses. The pain built with a haunting intensity as elongated fangs forced their way through her gums, foreign and monstrous.

The pain was overwhelming, suffocating her and locking her body in a paralyzing grip. Her muscles tensed uncontrollably, trapping her in a state of helpless agony. Slowly, with immense effort, her head began to turn, trembling as she fought against the searing torment. She tried to look up at Ethan, her vision blurred by hot tears and distorted by the warped haze of her altered perception.

“E…Eth….Eth…” Her right hand struggled to lift, every fiber of her being willing it to reach him, to find comfort in his presence. But his image wavered, distant and obscured, slipping further away as her strength ebbed.

Finally, the unbearable pain overtook her completely. Her body gave in, collapsing into limp stillness on the very bed where she had once professed her endless love to Ethan. Her consciousness faded into darkness, leaving her fragile and motionless in the space they had shared so intimately.

ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ ᴇɴᴅ ᴛʜᴇ ʟɪᴇs
0:00 ㅇ──────── 2:46
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ᴀʟʟ ɪ ᴡᴀɴᴛ, ᴀʟʟ ɪ ᴡᴀɴᴛ
ɪs ᴏɴᴇ ᴍᴏʀᴇ ɴɪɢʜᴛ ᴡɪᴛʜ ʏᴏᴜ
ɪ'ᴠᴇ ɴᴇᴠᴇʀ ғᴇʟᴛ sᴏ ᴀʟɪᴠᴇ
sᴏ ᴛᴏɴɪɢʜᴛ, ɪ'ʟʟ ᴇɴᴅ ᴛʜᴇ ʟɪᴇs​

"I doubt there's anything that could match the taste of your skin, Alora."​

His lips were sweet, like sugar melting on her tongue, and soft as the skin of a ripe peach. The warmth of his touch lingered on her fingertips, radiating upward like a slow, burning electrical current that traveled through her arm and straight into her heart.

THUMP​

Was that the bass shaking the room or my heart pounding in my chest? For a fleeting moment, Twyla’s expression faltered, his words striking her like an expertly aimed love arrow, seeking any soft spot it could pierce. Each syllable dripped from his lips like sweet honey, the sound enveloping her ears with the intimacy of a symphony composed just for her. Though she reminded herself it was all part of an act, the sheer allure of his words made her question… Was this truly a performance, or did he mean every word he spoke? Yet, her exterior remained unshaken, her turmoil masterfully hidden beneath a veil of confidence. Her lips curved into a seductive smirk, her teeth grazing her lower lip with just enough tease to hint at her intrigue, even as her mind raced with the possibilities.

"Surprise me with something sweet. Just a single glass, I'd rather be sober so I could remember tonight."​

“What a wonderful choice! I’ll do the same, please.” Matching Arc's spur-of-the-moment request, Twyla spared the woman a brief glance, offering a polite nod of acknowledgement before returning her full attention to him.

"I've got the perfect selection. Give me just a moment, alright?"​

Nodding her thanks, Twyla's gaze followed the bartender as she sauntered back to her station. Her eyes lingered, watching each precise motion as the drinks were crafted, scrutinizing for anything unusual. The process appeared straightforward - no sly movements, no strange additives that could taint the liquor. Unless something was hidden within the alcohol itself, there was no sign of foul play. Twyla couldn't sense any malicious intent radiating from the woman either. If anything, she seemed like someone simply trying to make an honest living, blending into the club's shadows with practiced ease. Still, Twyla remained vigilant - appearances could be deceiving, especially here.

The strobe lights danced across Twyla’s features, casting fleeting shadows and highlights, her reflection caught in his gaze like a mirror. Her heart pounded in rhythm with the pulsing music, each beat reverberating through her chest as the thrill of their provocative exchange left her teetering on the edge of something unspoken. The sensation was strange, intoxicating, and entirely new - a heady mix of curiosity and exhilaration. She savored it, much like the drink soon to grace her lips, its allure as potent as the liquor itself. What is this feeling...? she wondered, the thought spinning in her mind and making her head swim. Yet, she welcomed it, letting it linger in the electrified air between them.

As if adding fuel to the already charged atmosphere between them, Arc's hand moved with deliberate intent, his fingers brushing against her thigh with care. The subtle stroke sent a ripple of sensation through her, goosebumps rising in its wake and spreading across her skin like a wave. Despite this being the second time he’d touched her like this, the unexpected intimacy still caught her off guard …yet, it wasn’t discomfort that made her pause - far from it. There was an unexpected solace in the touch, a quiet reassurance that left her craving more, though she dared not admit it aloud. Unconsciously, her focus narrowed entirely onto Arc, her surroundings blurring into irrelevance as if he were the only thing anchoring her in the moment

[Something's wrong Twy. You smell it too?]​

When his voice finally broke through the protective cocoon of her thoughts, it startled her. She jolted briefly, the reaction akin to being suddenly roused from a deep daydream or caught napping in class. Processing his words, Twyla closed her eyes briefly, drawing in a slow, steady breath to center herself. The nightclub’s usual cocktail of scents - liquor, sweat, and smoke - filled her senses, but something else lingered beneath the surface. It was faint at first, but with each deep inhale, the unmistakable tang of metal grew stronger. Her breaths quickened slightly as realization set in - it was blood, and not just a trace. The sharp, coppery scent told her it was fresh, almost too fresh, saturating the air around her. Her pulse quickened as she fought to maintain her composure, her mind racing to discern where it was coming from - and why.

"Love the shampoo you chose for tonight. I can't wait to mask you with another scent too."

[Blood. Much more blood than what a simple bandage could fix. We might have to change plans; To go from gathering information to a potential rescue. If someone's in trouble, I'm not going to leave them behind.]​

The sharp scent of blood nearly drove her to spring from her seat, every instinct screaming at her to hunt down its source - not to feed, but to help whoever it belonged to. Twyla had spent years honing her self-control, refining the art of restraint with the guidance and patience of Val and her adoptive parents. They had taught her that bloodthirst could be tamed, that she could rise above the hunger and live without succumbing to it. It hadn’t been easy - far from it. In her younger years, the cravings were wild, consuming, almost impossible to ignore. Every breath had been a test of her willpower. Yet, over time, with relentless practice and unyielding determination, she had transformed her nature. Now, resisting her impulses felt as natural as breathing, a second nature ingrained through discipline and love.

"Oh? And I do hope that other scent is yours. Let me have a taste, will ya?..." Her voice oozed honeyed seduction, seamlessly aligning with his flawless act. Every word was carefully measured, her tone and demeanor wrapped in a perfect veil of allure, ensuring no hint of their true intentions stirred even the slightest suspicion. Twyla leaned in toward his neck, her lips grazing just below his earlobe in a gesture of intimate allure. Her breath against his skin was warm, her movements slow and deliberate, ensuring their charade remained intact. While maintaining the guise of their expert performance, her voice slipped seamlessly into his mind, carrying the telepathic whisper of their latest clue.

[Yes, I can smell it now... It might be a regular occurrence here, but we still have to act… and fast. Just stay inconspicuous] she replied telepathically, her words slipping into the depths of his mind with ease. As her lips pulled away, she leaned in again, this time letting her teeth graze his earlobe in a playful nibble. Her eyes fluttered closed as she immersed herself in the act, a fleeting thought crossing her mind, Am I overdoing this? She couldn’t afford to not seem desperate, every move having to sell the performance of a lover entranced by his verbal promises. [I think the scent is coming from the VIP room, toward the back] she added, her mental tone calm but laced with urgency. [We need to find a way in.] Pulling back slightly, her cheeks flushed with warmth, a deep blush coloring her skin. The dancing rainbows from the strobe lights masked her embarrassment, painting her features with vibrant hues as she kept her expression cool and composed.

[You're doing a perfect job, you know? If it was under any other circumstances, I would have told you I'm really enjoying this. Perhaps, after all of this is said and done, when we make it out of here…]

"You could make up for all I've given already with another night like this. How does that sound?"​

[I feel the same - you’re honestly making my heart race, if I’m being truthful. I’m not used to this kind of talk, but with you, it almost feels... natural] Twyla replied, her tone laced with both sincerity and playful allure. Her words served a dual purpose: to assure him of how well he was leading their charade and to express her genuine appreciation for his ability to guide the exchange so seamlessly. A warmth settled over her as she realized he was just as invested in the act as she was. It eased her nerves to know he mirrored her sentiments, their roles blending so effortlessly that it was hard to tell where the performance ended and reality began. The line between feigned desire and something more had become tantalizingly blurred, leaving her wondering if their exchange carried a deeper truth beneath the theatrics.

"It sounds wonderful. I promise to give you a night you’ll never forget." Her voice was low and sultry, each word carrying a tantalizing weight. As if to emphasize her promise, she took his right hand and let her fingertips wander once again, claiming new territory as they glided over his abdominals - the very muscles she had complimented back at the shop. The sharp, defined curves of his physique pressed against her touch, drawing a subtle thrill as she traced them with deliberate intent.

Her fingers began to drift downward, inching closer to the hem of his pants, teasing the boundary between playful and provocative until...

"A Mai Tai for the lady and an Amaretto Sour for the gentleman... enjoy,"​

"Thank you so much." she said, her voice bright and cheerful, seizing the opportunity to break the volcanic tension that had been simmering in the air with Arc. She welcomed the brief reprieve, desperate for a moment to quell the heat rising in her chest that caused her heart to beat like war drums. Perhaps I’ve bitten off more than I can chew with this quest... she thought, a wave of self-doubt washing over her. I feel like such an idiot. What if he sees me differently after tonight, like I'm weird and trying too hard? The thoughts churned in her mind as she lifted the beverage to her lips.

Before taking a sip, she paused, inhaling lightly. It was a subtle gesture, easily played off as savoring the sweet aroma, but in truth, it was a precaution. She needed to ensure nothing sinister had been mixed into the drink, even if it meant masking her unease behind a carefully crafted act. "My, this smells wonderful! I've never had one of these before - thank you." Offering a warm, appreciative smile, she brought the glass to her lips, taking a small, polite sip. The flavors burst on her tongue, sweet and fruity, perfectly meeting every expectation they had requested. It was a delightful blend, and for a moment, it allowed her to relax.

Settling herself more comfortably against the counter, she turned her attention to the bartender, her demeanor shifting into playful ease. Her eyes lingered on the woman, a subtle glint of flirtation in her gaze as she engaged in light banter, testing the waters while maintaining her charming facade. “We’re new to these parts of town, and I couldn’t help but wonder… How can we get into those VIP rooms?”

For some reason, her question sparked a flicker of interest across her features - perhaps it was a familiar inquiry, one she’d grown accustomed to hearing from new patrons exploring the club. Shifting her posture slightly to lean into the conversation, she gave them her undivided attention, her demeanor warm and inviting as she embraced the small talk, knowing she had a moment to spare.

"There are plenty of ways to get inside, but most of the time, it’s by invitation only. Of course, if you’ve got cash to burn or are willing to make a ‘blood donation’ for the Red Cross, they might be open to negotiation."​

Just as Twyla opened her mouth to ask more questions, a guest a few seats down raised a hand, calling the bartender over and cutting the conversation short. Recognizing there was no room to press further, Twyla offered a polite nod. "Thank you for the details. I’ll look into it," she said, her tone gracious and understanding. Not wanting to interfere with her duties, she allowed the bartender to tend to the new patron, watching as she gracefully moved on to her next task.

"Name’s Becky, if you need anything else."​

With a sense of urgency, Twyla grabbed the glass and tipped her head back, downing the drink in one swift motion. As she set the glass back on the napkin, the faint imprint of her lipstick marked the rim, a delicate trace of her presence. Rummaging through her purse, Twyla quickly grabbed the cash she needed, securing enough to cover the tab along with a generous tip. Turning to Arc, her lips shimmered with the remnants of the drink, adding to her allure as she leaned in closer.

"Want to have some fun in the VIP room, handsome?" she purred, her voice dripping with playful suggestion. Her eyes sparkled mischievously as she added, "I'm still thirsty."

ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ ᴀɴᴏᴛʜᴇʀ sᴏᴜʟ
0:00 ㅇ──────── 3:47
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ᴀɴᴅ ɪ ᴛʜɪɴᴋ ɪᴛ's ɢᴏɴɴᴀ ᴅɪᴇ ᴛᴏɴɪɢʜᴛ
ᴛʜɪs ᴡᴏʀʟᴅs ᴅᴇsᴇʀᴠᴇs ᴛᴏ sᴇᴇ ᴛʜᴇ ʟɪɢʜᴛ
ʀᴜɴs ᴀɴᴅ ʜɪᴅᴇ ɪғ ʏᴏᴜ ᴍᴜsᴛ
ʏᴏᴜ'ʟʟ ʙʀᴇᴀᴋ ʙᴇғᴏʀᴇ ᴛʜᴇ ᴅᴀᴡɴ ᴛᴜʀɴs ɪɴᴛᴏ ᴅᴜsᴋ​

At first glance, the man before her seemed strangely off. His eyes methodically swept the room, not with the casual curiosity of a newcomer but with the calculated focus of someone searching for something - or someone - specific. It was the kind of vigilance she associated with someone checking for threats, not the typical unease of someone simply out of their element. While she had seen her share of nervous patrons adjusting to the charged atmosphere of the club, his demeanor was different - deliberate, purposeful, and entirely out of place for the bar station.

A subtle twitch of her eyebrow betrayed a flicker of curiosity, but she swiftly mastered the involuntary reaction, reining in her excitement. Beneath her composed exterior, a giddy thrill bubbled - she might have stumbled upon something valuable, something that could serve her Goddess.

"Surprise me with something sweet. Just a single glass, I'd rather be sober so I could remember tonight."

“What a wonderful choice! I’ll do the same, please.”​

"I've got the perfect selection. Give me just a moment, alright?" She offered a warm, sincere smile before pivoting on her heels and heading toward her station, where an array of bottles and mixers awaited her. Deciding on a Mai Tai for the woman and an Amaretto Sour for the man, Talia’s hands moved with practiced precision, though her mind was elsewhere. She’s acting a bit peculiar too... more nerves than anything, but still, she mused internally, her thoughts laced with suspicion. It wouldn’t hurt to keep an eye on her as well. The notion settled comfortably in her mind as she set to work, her outward calm belying the growing intrigue that simmered beneath the surface.

With a final flourish, she completed the drinks, adorning them with vibrant fruit garnishes. Each hand cradled a glass as she swayed her hips with an effortless rhythm, carrying the beverages back to the pair. Settling them neatly on pristine white napkins, she offered a sultry smile. "A Mai Tai for the lady and an Amaretto Sour for the gentleman... enjoy," she said, punctuating the statement with a playful, seductive wink.

“We’re new to these parts of town, and I couldn’t help but wonder… How can we get into those VIP rooms?”​

Ah... a curious little thing, Talia mused, her thoughts swirling with a growing confidence in her instinct to keep a watchful eye on the couple. Her suspicion wasn’t baseless - her curiosity spoke volumes, even if on the surface it could be dismissed as feigned ignorance. There was something else, though. Beneath the woman’s polite request, Talia sensed a faint thread of genuine interest, but it was laced with something she couldn’t quite place. It didn’t feel like the usual casual inquiries from the customers who drifted in and out of her orbit. No, this was different, subtle yet distinct, and it nagged at the edges of her mind, demanding attention.

"There are plenty of ways to get inside, but most of the time, it’s by invitation only." With a rhythmic tap of her right index finger against the polished countertop, she leaned in slightly, resting her left elbow on the surface. Her palm cradled her cheek as she spoke, her gaze flickering to their lips as they sipped her carefully crafted drinks, the subtle satisfaction in their expressions not lost on her.

"Of course, if you’ve got cash to burn or are willing to make a ‘blood donation’ for the Red Cross, they might be open to negotiation." It was one of the many fabricated tales fed to the patrons - a clever ploy wrapped in charity’s disguise. Blood donation stations weren’t unheard of in exchange for perks, and this setup offered the perfect cover to collect blood willingly, without coercion. The allure of the VIP room was irresistible to some, but what happened once they crossed that threshold was another story entirely. The head vampires, lurking in the shadows, decided their fate. Would it be a night to remember, filled with indulgent pleasures and intoxicating thrill? Or would the dawn never touch their faces again, their fates sealed within those velvet-draped walls?

As their conversation drew to a close, she pivoted gracefully to assist another patron. With a casual toss of her voice over her shoulder, she left them with a lingering thought, "Name’s Becky, if you need anything else." It was a lie, of course. Her true identity remained a closely guarded secret, veiled in the shadows of her devotion to the Goddess. She couldn’t afford for anyone - least of all them - to uncover who she really was.

ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ ᴜɴɢʀᴀᴛᴇғᴜʟ
0:00 ㅇ──────── 3:23
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ᴛʀʏɪɴɢ ᴛᴏ ᴛᴇᴀʀ ᴍᴇ ᴀᴘᴀʀᴛ
ʙʀᴇᴀᴋɪɴɢ ᴍᴇ ᴅᴏᴡɴ ᴛᴏ ᴛʜᴇ ʙᴏɴᴇ
sᴏ ʟɪsᴛᴇɴ ᴄʟᴏsᴇʟʏ
'ᴄᴀᴜsᴇ ᴡʜᴀᴛ ʏᴏᴜ ᴅᴏɴ'ᴛ sᴇᴇ
ɪs ᴛʜᴇʀᴇ's sᴛɪʟʟ ʙʟᴏᴏᴅ ɪɴsɪᴅᴇ ᴛʜɪs ʙᴇᴀᴛɪɴɢ ʜᴇᴀʀᴛ​

"Morning, love."​

"Mmph..." Addy's brows furrowed, her face contorting in discomfort as though she'd taken a hard fall, bruising every inch of her body before succumbing to unconsciousness. Slowly, her eyelids fluttered, the faintest signs of awareness creeping back into her expression. The world around her spun violently, disorienting her like the lingering effects of too much alcohol. Her stomach churned, and for a moment, she felt dangerously close to vomiting. She winced, her senses overwhelmed by the vivid glare of LED lights piercing through her fragile state. The brightness was unbearable, forcing her to squint as she struggled to reorient herself in the chaos of her own awakening.

Her cheek rested against the unforgiving ground, the rough surface pressing tiny pebbles of debris into her skin, leaving faint impressions from her prolonged stillness. A strange, muffled booming sound began to echo in her ears, faint and distorted. Is that... music? she wondered, her thoughts sluggish as her senses struggled to catch up. Slowly, she blinked, her lashes heavy, as the world around her began to come into focus. It was then that the realization struck - this wasn’t Ethan’s bed. The unfamiliar surroundings brought a new scent to her attention, sharp and alien, weaving its way into her nostrils and snapping her mind further awake. Confusion and unease settled over her as she tried to piece together how she had ended up here, far from the place she thought she’d be.

"Now I know, you must be wondering. Where are you? Why are you here? I suppose, I shouldn't hide it from you anymore, should I?"​

As Ethan leaned in, his lips found hers first, tender and deliberate, before trailing to her neck. She winced, a sharp sting cutting through the haze of her thoughts as his lips brushed over the fresh wound - an undeniable mark of what had transpired. The faint clink of metal drew her attention, the cold weight of the shackles around her neck suddenly grounding her in the present. The chill seeped into her skin, stark against the fleeting warmth his lips left behind as they pulled away. Lazily, her eyelids fluttered, her vision still clouded, but with each blink, clarity began to creep in. Her breaths quickened as fragments of awareness pieced themselves together. Slowly, the realization of her circumstances settled in, its weight as heavy as the chains she now felt binding her.

"I'm no human. Haven't been for years now. No... I'm quite like those monsters you see on the news. A vampire. And soon, you will be too. Now, before you think this is some sort of nightmare or dream.”​

SLAP​

Frantically, she jolted upright, her right hand instinctively pressing against the tender spot on her cheek where he had struck without care. The area burned under her touch, creating the illusion of a blush, though it was far from embarrassment or love. She could barely process the flood of thoughts crashing over her like relentless waves, threatening to pull her under.

Ethan was a vampire this whole time? The realization clawed at her mind. And he bit me... and now I’m... I’m... I’m! Her thoughts spiraled as her vision blurred, hot, salty tears pooling in her eyes. The one rich, dark brown of her irises was now overtaken by a glowing crimson hue that pulsed faintly with her anguish. The tears spilled over, streaking down her cheeks as the weight of what she had become settled heavily in her chest, suffocating her with its undeniable truth.

W-what's that smell? she stammered in her head, her internal voice trembling with confusion and dread. The overpowering scent of copper and metal consumed her nostrils, so potent it made her mouth water uncontrollably. Her glands overproduced in response, saliva pooling faster than she could manage, forcing her to swallow repeatedly in a futile attempt to keep up. Her body practically ached with desire, a primal hunger roaring through her veins, relentless and undeniable. Yet, strangely, her stomach remained silent, failing to gurgle or protest. The urge was something deeper, something foreign and unnatural, clawing at her very core.

Desperate to suppress the overwhelming instinct, she slapped a hand over her mouth as if it could somehow stop the flow of saliva or silence the gnawing hunger. But the scent was inescapable, the blood before her - poured like a gluttonous king’s feast of wine by Ethan - calling to her with an allure she could scarcely resist.

"Here. You haven't drunk or eaten anything for hours now, have you? Nearly a day in fact. You must be starving. Drink. I don't think you have a choice anymore."​

Addy's body rebelled against her fragile reasoning, her hands trembling as she fought against the overwhelming urge to reach for him, to take the glass that seemed to hold the only answer to her insatiable thirst. The craving was all-consuming, a primal need burrowing into her core, impossible to ignore. Her teeth bit down on her lower lip in frustration, but the unfamiliar sharpness of her fangs pierced the tender flesh, causing a thin stream of blood to trickle down her chin. The taste, even though it was her own, offered no satisfaction, no relief from the relentless hunger gnawing at her.

Then it hit her - the fangs. Her breath caught, a sharp gasp escaping her lips as realization washed over her. Her trembling fingers rose, hesitant yet desperate, to touch them, to confirm their existence. As her fingertips brushed the elongated teeth, a cold wave of truth settled over her, sending her reeling with the knowledge of what she had become.

The door burst open with a loud crash, jolting Addy from her internal struggle. For a fleeting moment, she welcomed the distraction from the alluring glass of crimson life before her - but what met her gaze was far worse.

Olivia was carried in, limp and unconscious, cradled in the arms of a man Addy didn’t recognize. Her face was a canvas of pain, marred by dark bruises and streaked with dried blood. Fresh wounds adorned her skin, their edges raw and angry, blood still seeping and staining her flesh. "What h-have you d-done?!" Addy choked out, her voice trembling with a mix of rage and despair. Her hands shot up to her hair, fingers tangling in her tresses as she gripped them tightly, pulling as if the pain might somehow distract her from the chaos inside her mind. Why? she thought, tears pooling in her eyes. What did I do to deserve this twisted hand of fate? The scent of Olivia's blood was unbearable, flooding her senses and making her mouth water despite her disgust. The rhythmic thud of Olivia's slow, faint heartbeat echoed in her ears, loud and relentless, like a predator zeroing in on its helpless prey.

As Ethan launched into his righteous speech, extolling the supposed grandeur of what she could have, Addy could barely focus on his words. Her attention was drawn instead to the knife in his hand, gleaming under the dim light as he moved with chilling precision. He delicately carved into her friend's flesh as though it were nothing more than a pumpkin about to be gutted for the holidays. The metallic tang of fresh blood filled the air, overwhelming her senses. Drool pooled in her mouth, uncontrollable and humiliating, escaping down the corner of her lips to dribble along her chin. Her gaze was fixed on the thin red line that appeared on her friend's skin, a single droplet forming before cascading downward in a crimson trail.

"Don't make this any harder than it has to be. Be better than your brother."​

The scent hit her like a drug, intoxicating and all-consuming, sending her instincts into a frenzied overdrive. Without thinking, her body lunged forward, desperate and feral - but the chains binding her snapped her back, holding her in place and forcing her to confront the horrifying truth. Addy froze, terror clawing at her chest. She had nearly attacked her own friend, driven purely by the insatiable hunger she couldn't suppress. "Shut the FUCK up!!!" Was she screaming at Ethan, or at the insidious voices clawing at her mind, urging her to give in? To feed on the prey Ethan had so graciously presented before her? The inner turmoil was unbearable, a war raging within her. Her body screamed to move forward, to sink her fangs into Olivia's flesh and drink until not a drop of blood remained in her veins.

But deep within her, a fragile fragment of humanity clung desperately to her heart, forcing her to hesitate, to resist the monstrous instincts threatening to consume her.

"When I get these shackles off, I'm going to fucking kill you!" she roared, her voice trembling with both fury and desperation. Her rage surged, veins bulging in her neck and arms as she fought against the chains that held her back. She poured every ounce of her strength into deflecting the primal hunger, wielding her anger like a shield. Her blazing eyes locked onto Ethan, her raw fury and determination shining through as she tried to piece her mind back together, clinging to the remnants of her humanity in a desperate battle for control.

 

[Tenzai]

⋅─────────⊱༺ ♰ ༻⊰─────────⋅
What if he sees me differently after tonight, like I'm weird and trying too hard?

"You know, Twy? You're cute when you're thinking aloud."
⋅─────────⊱༺ ♰ ༻⊰─────────⋅
ɴᴏᴡ ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ: ᴍᴇᴛᴇᴏʀ ꜱʜᴏᴡᴇʀ | ᴛᴏʙɪ ʟᴏᴜ
↻ ◁ II ▷ ↺

You should let me know
'Fore I have to let it go
For you, I would wage a war
But I know you already know
I'll be there for you
⋅─────────⊱༺ ♰ ༻⊰─────────⋅​

The more intense her thoughts and emotions got, the louder they were and the easier they got to read. Arc was no stranger to anxiety, able to detect it from both himself and others. The moment her nerves began getting the better of her, instead of letting her withdraw out of a fear of pushing his boundaries, he confidently kept her hands where they were by placing his own on them, clutching his fingers to prevent her from backing up any further. "Don't fret about tonight. Okay? I'm here with you. If I didn't want you getting this far with me, I'd stop you from getting anywhere near there in the first place." He whispered his truth in her ear, unafraid of her hands exploring his body. Unlike his previous partners, he trusted Twy enough to do not take advantage of him, only doing so for both of their benefit. "If this is you being weird, be as weird as you like."

Incoming footsteps had broke his narrowing attention. As the bartender approached the couple, Arc examined the concoctions she held within her hands. "A Mai Tai for the lady and an Amaretto Sour for the gentleman... enjoy," He took a gander at his drink quizzically, swirling it around to detect if there was any hidden particulates underneath its flavorful surface. "Thank you so much." Sensing none, he noticed Twyla take her Mai Tai first, confident that whatever drink the attractive woman prepared for them was free of anything unwelcome. "My, this smells wonderful! I've never had one of these before - thank you." It appeared that there were no immediate adverse effects.

"Thank you for the drinks." Sighing internally in relief, Arc followed in suit, enjoying his drink to avoid appearing odd to the woman who made it. As the alcohol made its way into his system, he felt a need to release it, to expel the foreign liquid from his body. However, one firm squeeze of Twyla's hand was all he needed to do away with the feeling of discomfort. They were on a mission. He couldn't afford to look like the drinks he asked for weren't welcome when Twy was going out of her way to appear as though they were a couple. Stomaching the invasive fluid, he gave the bartender his best smile. "My, that was a lot better than I expected. Thanks for the recommendation. Maybe I might ask for another again later tonight."

While he readjusted to the feeling of normality, Twyla was the first to engage the bartender with her questions. "We're new to these parts of town, and I couldn't help but wonder… How can we get into those VIP rooms?" Without pushback, she offered a timely response, appearing as though the question was an ordinary one often asked by new visitors to the nightclub. "There are plenty of ways to get inside, but most of the time, it's by invitation only. Of course, if you've got cash to burn or are willing to make a 'blood donation' for the Red Cross, they might be open to negotiation." Though, before she could gather anything more, Arc heard someone else call her over to serve them.

"Thank you for the details. I'll look into it," The bartender responded with an alluring statement, wielding her lie with the same skill she did with her drinks. "Name's Becky, if you need anything else." Arc nodded his head. "Nice to meet you, Becky. You've earned yourself this." Withdrawing a hundred dollar bill for a tip, he exposed to her that he had money on hand. Bribery was just another trick of his sleeve granted to him as a result of his work building rapport in his law enforcement division. It was one of many tools he came to the club with to gather information, though it didn't stop Twyla from paying for the tab. "You know I could have covered you, right?" Instead of taking another debt to pay, Twyla refused to acknowledge his generosity. "Want to have some fun in the VIP room, handsome? I'm still thirsty." He chuckled, finally relenting from his desire to spoil her.

"Of course. Maybe this is my chance to pay you back for everything you're giving me tonight~"

⋅─────────⊱༺ ♰ ༻⊰─────────⋅
The doors to the VIP room.

Another challenge to be overcome.
⋅─────────⊱༺ ♰ ༻⊰─────────⋅
ɴᴏᴡ ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ: ꜰᴀʟʟɪɴɢ | ᴏᴜʀ ᴍɪʀᴀɢᴇ ꜰᴛ. ᴛᴇʟʟᴇ ꜱᴍɪᴛʜ
↻ ◁ II ▷ ↺

I gave it all
But everything I gave was not enough
And as I fall, as I fall
The pain beneath begins to call
⋅─────────⊱༺ ♰ ༻⊰─────────⋅​

Red doors stood in the way of where the scent of blood had come from. While he might have accepted the explanation of a blood donation in a different life, he understood that the reality of these types of places frequented by vampires were much darker. It was likely that feeding happened behind hidden rooms, corrupted shadows inhabiting the very walls. As the two approached, a couple more guards stood at the entrance, this time dressed in much more wealthy attire. 'These two must be among the owner's favorites.' Arc thought to himself, scanning them while holding onto Twy's waist. "Alora, let me handle this." Giving her rear a gentle but provocative slap, Arc wandered himself over to their gaze, careful not to break character.

"You're not allowed in. Boss isn't expecting any more visitors tonight. Get lost." The guard stood taller than the vampire; Their shades masking their sanguine glow. Barely visible from the glow of the nearby flickering neon lights were their fangs, each tinted with a touch of red. They must have fed recently. Only with his enhanced vision in the dark were they visible. "You heard him. Bounce, unless you want to get hurt." Once one of them placed a hand on his shoulder, their eyes turned towards Twyla. "But your little girlfriend? She could come in for a price." They snickered to each other, finding her outfit pleasant to the eyes. "We just gotta inspect her before letting her come in, you know? Make sure she doesn't have any weapons hidden under her clothes." Their predatory gazes unstripped her clothes, seeking what flesh she hid underneath.

"Shame. You don't recognize me do you, Kairo?" Arc's tone had swapped to a different note, matching that of another acolyte. "H-how do you know my name?" The guard reached towards his gun, nervous at the sudden revelation. The moment his fingers brushed against Arc's body, he read his surface level secrets. "To think, the boss didn't let you know that I was coming. Don't tell me he's slipping, is he?" Bringing his hand towards the fabric that covered his neck, he drew it down to reveal the mark of his goddess. While it might have been a brand he was ashamed to wear on his body, he wasn't beneath using it to his advantage. Vampires typically recognized it on pureblood monsters; Predators near the top of the food chain. "My lady here isn't the biggest fan of people who can't recognize her, either." He showed no fear to the guard, placing a hand on the wrist that reached towards his gun. "Now, I'm going to be nice. You could draw that gun and leave it to your boss to clean your guts from the carpet... Or, you could greet us properly and let us in. We don't have to be enemies."

After spending years working alongside them, the vampire was able to mimic their tones to a tee. Some among his old counterparts were shapeshifters with personalities which commanded respect from their underlings. "Your choice. Choose wisely." Kairo mumbled to his friend before opening the door for the two of them. "Apologies, Umbra. I was mistaken." With their way to the VIP room now open, Arc tapped both guards on their shoulder. "Good boy. Don't make the same mistake again. I'm not the type to forgive complacency twice." As Kairo looked away to avoid keeping direct eye contact for any longer than he had to, his friend tried to stop Arc. "How do I know it's you? You could be some other fucking shapeshifter for all I know." The vampire detective chuckled, shaking his head. "Oh, aren't you funny? Maybe I'm not Umbra. Maybe I'm just some sort of vampire who decided that this tattoo was something pretty. Maybe it's just a lucky guess that I know your friend's name."

"How fucking stupid do you have to be to believe that?" Arc grabbed the vampire by his neck, pinning him against a wall hidden from view and tightening his grip with an aggression motivated by the feelings of losing his sister. He was charged, angry at the scent of blood being spilled within his presence. He would be damned if someone else met the same fate as him again. "Wouldn't it be a shame if you got me wrong? Wouldn't it be terrible if you failed to recognize one of the vampires who brought you to be?" He channeled his power, reaching into the guard's thoughts aggressively.

If these two were planning on using their perceived contrast in strength to take advantage of Twyla, it was likely that they did the same before to other innocent people. The mere thought of it alone was enough to make his spirit become inflamed. "Umbra, you could stop. He's new." The detective was losing it, seeing the people this guard had intentionally sacrificed in order to obtain his vampirism. Merciless in his vindication, his hand nearly took the life of this man, only to stop once he heard Twy call out to him. His blood was boiling, but he needed to cool. "Fine. Make sure he doesn't act on his assumptions again. Else it would be you or your wife who pays for it next." Taking Twy by the waist, he walked her inside the VIP room, going through several sets of doors before being exposed to a paradise of sin. Unlike the previous room, the chase for pleasure was much more obvious here. The scents that permeated the prior room were now nearly choking, being present in abundance.

⋅─────────⊱༺ ♰ ༻⊰─────────⋅
This was a place he never wanted to go; An abyss too dark for his liking.

An underground world he hoped, Adelaide would never become a part of.
⋅─────────⊱༺ ♰ ༻⊰─────────⋅​

Hell wasn't filled with fire and brimstone. It was a place on Earth coated in blissful neon. The thumping sounds of the giant speakers were disorienting. His surge of adrenaline had nearly taken him out of character. Combined with the discomfort of alcohol in his system, he couldn't help but feel out of his element. Finding a balcony that led outside, Arc took Twy through dark curtains to the open air deck to take a breath. "Sorry that you had to see me like that." He leaned over the railing, trying to calm himself down. It wasn't like him to feel so strongly while on the job. However, something about the way they spoke about her mixed in with the scent of blood had made him act beyond reason. He too was human, afraid of losing someone like Twy to the same vampires that took so much away. The mere thought of seeing her forced into a position where he saw many human women before was revolting.

"I'll be able to handle whatever comes next from here. Don't worry too much about me. I just lost myself for a moment there." The color on Arc's face was lost, hinting at how much playing the role of an acolyte in front of her must have affected him. There was a dark thrill that came with power, knowing that humans and even vampires would bow at the sound of his name. Despite his resilience against corrupting temptation, he could hear his goddess' whispers, her vain attempt at convincing him to return to her. Though, before he returned back inside, something tugged at his hand. "Alora? What's the matter?" He paused upon seeing the concern on her face. Even if there wasn't much time to spare before whatever happened would happen, the look of concern that displayed on her face was enough to stand his heart still for the moment. "I hope I haven't ruined the night for you."

⋅─────────⊱༺ ♰ ༻⊰─────────⋅
I gave it all
But everything I gave was not enough
And as I fall, as I fall
The pain beneath begins to call
⋅─────────⊱༺ ♰ ༻⊰─────────⋅

⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘
"Shut the FUCK up!!!"

"That's a shame. To believe I had higher expectations of you. Then again, a struggle makes things more fun."
⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘
ɴᴏᴡ ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ: ᴠᴏʀᴇ | ꜱʟᴇᴇᴘ ᴛᴏᴋᴇɴ
↻ ◁ II ▷ ↺

You have become the voice in my head
Only recourse we're left after death
Your viscera welcome me in, welcome me in

My life is torn, my bones, they bleed
My metaphors fall short in the end
Your flesh and bone welcome me in, welcome me in
Are you in pain like I am?
⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘​

The vampire didn't seem phased by her resistance. It was to be expected. Though, regardless of how much she could yell at her betrayer, he couldn't help but smile in delight. Her realization of his betrayal was a treat he savored, feeding him well beyond that of what her blood could have ever offered him. "When I get these shackles off, I'm going to fucking kill you!" He laughed as he sat right outside of her reach. "Oh? So you're going to kill the only person you have left? Wow, you're more heartless than I thought." Relishing in her emotional trauma, he knew of the power his words had on her. She willingly left her last chance at hope for the sake of something as simple as love, gambling her life with an image of a man who never existed. "Keep yelling at me, love. Keep fighting that collar on your neck. I love it when you do." His eyes glowed brighter the more she fought back.

"It's not going to change a thing. You've chosen this. Wanted me to be the one to break you and mark you as my own." Ethan grabbed her chin, holding her tightly until her skin bruised. "So I gave you what you wanted. What you always asked for. The least you could do is thank me for all I've done for you already. To think, I had to wait months to finally prepare you like this. Gods..." The dark smile grew across his face, cracking wider than anything he showed her before. He was a monster who wore the face of a human, but his teeth revealed him as anything but. "It was so worth it. To bring you up to your highest place only to taste everything once you crashed down." He licked his lips, letting go of her chin only to grab her neck with the same level of force. As he did, he used his strength and weight to pin her to the ground, eyeing at her from above like a master did his slave.

"Now I get to keep you as my prisoner forever; My thrall... My perfect slave... No one is going to come and save you, Adelaide. Not your brother. Not the police. Once the mole we have takes care of him next, soon, you'll have no one to turn to. Not even the gods you could pray to would listen to people with tainted blood like us." His grip continued to tighten as he strangled her vocal chords shut. Her struggling gasps gave him life, each breath being a gift of his mercy. There was so much more of her to break down if she was this stubborn. "Never have I found someone's resistance so delectable until I found you. Now I don't think I'd ever need to search elsewhere anymore. You are my perfect meal." He sunk his fangs painfully into her again, taking her against her will while she was in a weakened state as a result of her lack of fresh blood.

Ethan didn't care whether it was consensual or not anymore. In his mind, as his rights as a vampire who turned her, she forgone her rights in exchange for his blessing. He was her master, her god. This room was going to be painted red one way or another; Regardless of how it would end, he aimed to make his soon-to-be servant break over and over again until she had nothing more to give but her loyalty. However, before anything else, her humanity had to be the first to go. It was this stubborn element that many new vampires had to contend with; The one troublesome trait where few have wills strong enough to deny themselves to joys of sanguine taint. Draining her further, he aimed to make her thirsty by wielding her innate power of regeneration against her.

"But I need you to learn how to consume others. Don't keep me waiting for too long." Finally letting her go, he drew himself off of her after having a few scratches be inflicted on his skin. Though she might have sought to damage him in revenge, his wounds began to seal fast as a result of her negative energy. She was a buffet that kept on giving, a feast that never seemed to end. "If you're not going to be the one to give her a swift end, then I suppose I could always feed her to the others." His shadow was vast and long, overtaking her form in its entirety. "Maybe if she's lucky, they won't kill her but rather, they'll convert her. Keep her as their plaything for the rest of eternity like I plan with you." Ethan knew how to crawl under her skin. After spending enough time with her, he learned of her vulnerabilities and weaknesses for the purpose of using it against her like this.

"Though, I doubt they might want to. She's nowhere near as attractive as the other thralls are." Her boyfriend grabbed her friend by the hair, lifting her off the ground while she was unconscious in a painful and humiliating manner. "My thoughts? They'll consume her like they do the other sixes and below. Who knows, maybe they might leave a leftover for you." He dropped her, kicking her unconscious body within range of Adelaide's reach. "Your choice, Adelaide. Would you rather be the one to grant her the mercy of a swift death while getting your fill? Or would you prefer to leave her fate to the hounds guarding this place? I'm sure they would all want a piece of her."

The way he spoke with confidence suggested that he talked like this before. As a face of the organization who brought fresh blood in for his crew and boss to feast upon and enjoy, he turned the torture of the human psyche into a science, bringing forth his boss consistent and predictable results. Humans were nothing more than cattle brought to the slaughter. Only those powerful or attractive enough to be given a role within his goddess' kingdom were granted asylum within her ranks. "Oh, or maybe we should grab your brother next. Don't you hate him already? That should make it easy for you to feast upon him right?" Ethan carefully chose his words, swapping back and forth from speaking with her best intentions in mind to speaking as a cold observer looking in; A doctor looking at a specimen rather than an equal. "Don't think just because I'm a vampire means that I can't show you mercy, Addy."

⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘
"If it's easier for you to make up your mind if it's someone you hate..."

"Then by all means, I'll make it a reality."
⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘
Will we remain stuck in the throat of gods?
Will the pain stop if we go deeper?

So let's get swallowed whole
I want to go where nobody else will ever go

Walls of flesh, so warm again
We step into my suffering
My only need, welcome me in, welcome me in

There is always something in the way
I want to have you to myself for once
Follow me between the jaws of fate
So I can have you to myself for once
⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘

"No one is out of our reach, Addy. Not your brother and not even you."

⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘
"Arc?"

"Vega?"
⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘
ɴᴏᴡ ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ: ɪᴛ'ꜱ ꜱᴀꜰᴇ ɴᴏᴡ | ʜᴏᴛʟɪɴᴇ ᴍɪᴀᴍɪ ᴏꜱᴛ
↻ ◁ II ▷ ↺
⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘​

Within a crowd of unfamiliar faces, the detective and his partner quickly realized each other. "What the hell are you doing here?" The vampire approached Arc without a mask, breaking through the crowd as he reached him on the deck. "And who's this? A date?" He eyed Twyla up and down before giving him a playful nudge. "You know, you chose pretty damn good for yourself. Just never expected you to wear something like this." The sight of Arc in an outfit like this one surprised the vampire. However, if it was meant to look a part of a nightclub for a date, he understood.

Arc, now relaxed after a talk with Twyla, responded with a friendly pat on Vega's arm. "... You're right. I'm here on a date with Ally here." He didn't give him the full first name of his supposed counterpart, aiming to maintain her hidden identity. "I met her in the hospital and fell for her ever since." He shot off a pleasant laugh, confident in his revelation of half-truths. "Thank you for the compliment. She's a little shy when it comes to new faces, but I'm sure she appreciates it." The detective pulled her in close by his hand, giving her an opportunity to introduce herself to his partner. "She's the only girl who could ever convince me to dress up in something like this. What do you think?"

Vega gave a playful look of surprise. "Well, you look pretty damn good. Damn, didn't take you for the night life. It's nice to meet you, Ally." He shook her hand, pulling her close to whisper in her ear. "You chose pretty good for yourself too. Arc is the only man I genuinely respect. Treat him right, and he'll treat you right, yeah?" Letting go of Twyla after giving her reaffirming words in her choice of partner, he turned back towards the look of the club. "Though, I doubt you needed to take her to anything as fancy as the VIP section of this club to win her over. Why here out of all places? Why-" Before he had a chance to finish with his curiosities, another guard had approached them. "Mr.-" Though Vega cut them off. "Can't you see he's busy? Scram." The guard nodded his head, leaving the two alone to speak with him.

"Sorry about that, you two. It's a special day here so the guards around are a little amped over what's going on." Arc raised an eyebrow, curious as to whether what was going on was tied with the scent of blood. "Oh? Do you mean the blood drive?" For a moment, Vega hesitated to share his thoughts on the matter. However, he trusted Arc a lot more than he did his own kind. Arc wasn't the type to scheme without a reason. He wasn't the type to snoop around unless lives depended on it. If he believed that they were doing a blood drive here, then there was little reason to lie. Vega didn't want to get the vampire detective involved with something potentially dangerous while he was out with the girl he liked. "Yeah, but its nothing you have to worry about. Just focus on enjoying tonight. There's nothing too interesting going on but.. You know how it is."

⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘

"If there's blood around, everyone gets antsy."
⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘​

"That and we have someone important visiting tonight too." Realizing how much time he spent talking to them, Vega prepared his goodbyes. He was there to make sure that the transformations of Addy and several others went well. "You both have fun tonight, but don't try to hang around for too long. The guards don't like people who loiter close to closing." This was his hint at telling the both of them to leave before one of his own took too much of an interest in them. While he might have seen Arc as an enemy and a rival, he would be damned if Arc was done in by anyone else that wasn't Vega himself. Finally leaving the two behind, Arc looked towards Twy.

Holding her hand to speak with her telepathically, he guided her towards the railing so they could look up at the stars together. There was a meteor shower that decorated the sky, twinkling like ornaments in the night. "Thanks for joining me tonight Alora. I doubt I'd be having half as much fun here if not for you." He brought himself closer, dropping his grip on her hand before wrapping both around the back of her waist. [Someone important? Maybe the guards might have talked to each other about me... Or...]

As the music inside swapped towards something slower for the couples in the house, he took this opportunity to slow dance with her intimately. "Your eyes are like the stars, lighting up my night... And I have a hard time pulling away." [There's someone more dangerous working around us. If we play our cards right, we could collect information while on our rescue mission, or maybe we could take down a bigger threat too. Maybe...]

His face turned red, realizing how close they were becoming. With her warmth still lingering around his crotch and exposed abs, he couldn't help himself but be aroused at her fragrance and proximity. His blood became warm, intoxicated by her presence and her actions. Pulling her close to hide his own embarrassment, he failed to notice his mind speaking aloud. [Oh gosh. Why am I feeling so attracted to her right now? Calm down Arc. Deep breaths. You're meant to remain professional. Don't think of the delicious taste of her lips or the feeling of her soft hands. Don't think of how good her words feel or how she feels on you... Don't...] Despite his best attempts to maintain his look of professionalism, even he couldn't deny his desires for her chemistry. Whether he wanted to or not, his body refused to lie to her.

⋅─────────⊱༺ ♰ ༻⊰─────────⋅
[...What if this feeling isn't wrong?]

[Save it for after, Arc. The mission first before any reward.]
⋅─────────⊱༺ ♰ ༻⊰─────────⋅
ɴᴏᴡ ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ: ᴍᴇᴛᴇᴏʀ ꜱʜᴏᴡᴇʀ | ᴛᴏʙɪ ʟᴏᴜ (ᴍɪɴɪ ᴀᴄᴏᴜꜱᴛɪᴄ ᴠᴇʀꜱɪᴏɴ)
↻ ◁ II ▷ ↺

You should let me know
'Fore I have to let it go
For you, I would wage a war
But I know you already know
I'll be there for you
⋅─────────⊱༺ ♰ ༻⊰─────────⋅​

 

[Kitten]

ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ ʟ'ᴀᴍᴏᴜʀ ᴛᴏᴜᴊᴏᴜʀs
0:00 ㅇ──────── 5:00
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ɪ sᴛɪʟʟ ʙᴇʟɪᴇᴠᴇ ɪɴ ʏᴏᴜʀ ᴇʏᴇs
ɪ ᴊᴜsᴛ ᴅᴏɴ'ᴛ ᴄᴀʀᴇ ᴡʜᴀᴛ ʏᴏᴜ'ᴠᴇ ᴅᴏɴᴇ ɪɴ ʏᴏᴜʀ ʟɪғᴇ
ʙᴀʙʏ, ɪ'ʟʟ ᴀʟᴡᴀʏs ʙᴇ ʜᴇʀᴇ ʙʏ ʏᴏᴜʀ sɪᴅᴇ
ᴅᴏɴ'ᴛ ʟᴇᴀᴠᴇ ᴍᴇ ᴡᴀɪᴛɪɴɢ ᴛᴏᴏ ʟᴏɴɢ, ᴘʟᴇᴀsᴇ, ᴄᴏᴍᴇ ʙʏ
ɪ sᴛɪʟʟ ʙᴇʟɪᴇᴠᴇ ɪɴ ʏᴏᴜʀ ᴇʏᴇs
ᴛʜᴇʀᴇ ɪs ɴᴏ ᴄʜᴏɪᴄᴇ, ɪ ʙᴇʟᴏɴɢ ᴛᴏ ʏᴏᴜʀ ʟɪғᴇ
ʙᴇᴄᴀᴜsᴇ ɪ ʟɪᴠᴇ ᴛᴏ ʟᴏᴠᴇ ʏᴏᴜ sᴏᴍᴇᴅᴀʏ
ʏᴏᴜ'ʟʟ ʙᴇ ᴍʏ ʙᴀʙʏ ᴀɴᴅ ᴡᴇ'ʟʟ ғʟʏ ᴀᴡᴀʏ
ᴀɴᴅ ɪ'ʟʟ ғʟʏ ᴡɪᴛʜ ʏᴏᴜ​

"Alora, let me handle this."​

"Of course," she muttered softly against his ear - her breath as warm as his arms encircling around her waist, drawing her close along his side. Twyla was far from unprepared to what followed next - a firm, deliberate smack across her shapely rear that made her jolt in surprise. Yet… she couldn’t deny the thrill it sent through her. Gathering her composure, she squared her shoulders and matched his stride, though her thoughts lingered on the ghost of his touch and the electric sensation it left behind.

Ensuring she wouldn’t jeopardize his plan, she remained quietly by his side, careful not to appear overly affectionate in the presence of the guards in case he wielded a trick up his sleeve. Yet, their closeness left no doubt that they were together. Her faux golden eyes discreetly took in every detail, fixating on the guards’ prominent canines that gleamed with remnants of crimson under the flickering strobe lights. Vampires. No surprise there. The thought echoed in her mind, her voice a steady refrain as she etched their facial features into her memory, ensuring she’d recognize them if their paths ever crossed again.

Observing their already tense exchange, she wasn’t the least bit surprised by their hostility - even toward paying customers eager to glimpse whatever secrets lay beyond those double doors. Her brows knitted in disgust as their eyes roamed over her unapologetically, their vulgar comments loud enough to turn stomachs. But, she didn’t falter. It was typical of those drunk on power to speak so freely, as if their authority granted them impunity. Her right hand trembled, itching to smash the smug bastard square in the jaw, but before she could act, Arc’s voice sliced through the tension, delivering the ultimate trump card he had been holding in reserve.

It was undeniably satisfying to watch the tables turn so swiftly. The smug confidence the guards once wore dissolved into discomfort, their expressions now betraying unease. Arc stood taller than ever, exuding a level of confidence Twyla hadn’t seen before - though, to be fair, she hadn’t spent much time with him until now. They stammered, tripping over their words as their gazes fell upon the cursed mark etched into his flesh. Twyla didn’t flinch or waver. Instead, her lips curled into a self-satisfied grin, her expression silently declaring, Oh no, what happened? Lost your spark already?

Umbra wasn’t a name she recognized, but whatever game Arc was playing had the guards utterly captivated. Despite their initial circumspection, he maneuvered through the situation with calculated finesse, wielding his words like a seasoned puppet master to skillfully deceive them. Note to self: never get on his bad side, Twyla mused silently, grateful she wasn’t the target of his verbal onslaught.

Unexpectedly, his taunting escalated far beyond what she anticipated. In a flash, Arc lunged, his hand wrapping around the guard’s throat like a steel vise. He slammed the man against the wall with such raw force that Twyla couldn’t help but marvel that the guard’s windpipe hadn’t already buckled under the sheer power of his grip. “A-!” Her lips parted, the instinctive cry of his real name hovering on the edge of escape. Panic flared, but she caught herself at the last possible moment. Drawing a steady breath, she smoothed her voice into a soft, measured calm, every syllable carefully chosen to mask the turmoil beneath.

“Umbra, my love, save that energy for me.” Her voice was a silken plea, her arms threading gently around his free arm, pulling him back from the edge of chaos. The soft, grounding weight of her touch was an anchor, tethering him to the moment. [Arc, I want nothing more than to see their blood beneath my shoes, but we have to be careful. People are watching.] Her words slipped into his mind, steady and commanding, carried on the quiet thread of their telepathic link. Outwardly, she wore an amused smile, her expression perfectly composed, as if moments like this were as routine as idle banter in their shared world of deception.

Letting out a quiet sigh of relief as he finally released the man, Twyla felt his hand slip around her waist once more, a possessive yet grounding gesture. The guards, now visibly shaken, bowed in apology before granting them passage. On the surface, she remained unbothered, but beneath her calm exterior, her thoughts swirled with worry. She had never seen him so charged, his presence radiating an intensity so palpable it felt like the air itself had thickened, nearly suffocating.

Something had driven him to his breaking point, shattering the composed facade he typically wore like a second skin. Whatever it was, she was silently grateful that the persona of Umbra existed - an alter ego he could slip into like battle-worn armor, allowing him to reclaim his balance. As they moved down the exclusive VIP hallway, her eyes darted across their surroundings, attuned to even the slightest irregularity. The atmosphere here was a stark contrast to the frenetic chaos of the main club. The ambiance was hushed, with dim, inviting lighting casting elongated shadows, while the air carried a strange blend of luxury and an underlying metallic tang. It was a subtle but distinct reminder that this space operated by entirely different rules than the world just beyond its threshold.

For the moment, they walked in silence toward the balcony, Twyla giving him the space he needed to steady himself and regain control of his emotions. Yet, her presence was far from distant. Her hand slipped behind him, fingers curling firmly against his back in a silent gesture of reassurance - a grounding touch to remind him she was there, unwavering, even in the quiet.

”Sorry you had to see me like that. I'll be able to handle whatever comes next from here. Don't worry too much about me. I just lost myself for a moment there.”​

The anguish etched across his face as he leaned over the balcony stirred something deep within her, a pull she couldn’t ignore. Her chest tightened as she watched him, compelling her to draw closer. With measured steps, she approached, her presence quiet yet purposeful. Her arms gently encircled his waist, resting lightly against his stomach as she pressed her forehead against his back, offering silent comfort. Slowly, her right hand reached forward, brushing against his, a tender gesture meant to bridge the chasm of his pain.

"Alora? What's the matter? I hope I haven't ruined the night for you."​

After holding him in silence for a few moments longer, she slowly released him and stepped to his side, her hands settling gently atop his. “You didn’t ruin anything,” she muttered, her voice soft but steady. “I’m just worried about you.” Her gaze locked with his, searching his eyes as though trying to uncover the answers he hadn’t yet spoken aloud. The weight of his pain was unmistakable, layered with memories that clearly haunted him. “I know it couldn’t have been easy to reveal the mark on your neck,” she continued, her tone laced with quiet understanding. “I realize it serves a purpose, but being forced to confront a past you’re so desperate to leave behind must be unbearable.” Her fingers moved delicately over his hand, her touch an unspoken attempt to soothe him, to ease the invisible burdens clinging to him like an oppressive shadow.

"What the hell are you doing here? And who's this? A date?"​

The bittersweet moment was abruptly interrupted by Vega’s arrival, shifting the atmosphere and steering the conversation in a new direction. She gently withdrew from Arc, straightening her posture with a soft, composed smile, though she remained unsure of who this bold stranger was or what connection he had to Arc. His confidence was unmistakable, his gaze unapologetically trailing over her as he offered a string of compliments about Arc’s choice of company. Despite her uncertainty, she extended a hand toward him, leaning forward slightly in a polite gesture of respect. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, and goodness, enough with the compliments!” she said, a light laugh punctuating her words as a rosy blush crept across her cheeks. Flattery from all sides was not something she was accustomed to, and the effect was undeniable.

Still, Arc’s words lingered in her mind - particularly the mention of his affection, supposedly evident after just one visit to the hospital. The thought sent a small thrill through her, though she bit the inside of her cheek, wondering if there was any truth behind the sentiment or if it was merely another layer of the intricate facade Arc so skillfully maintained.

"It's nice to meet you, Ally. You chose pretty good for yourself too."​

With a bashful smile, she gently withdrew her hand from his, clasping both behind her back as she glanced downward, playing her shy role with deliberate charm. “He already treats me like a princess,” she said softly, her tone sweet but tinged with a playful edge. Her eyes lifted to meet his, giving him a knowing look before shifting her gaze back to Vega.

“When he told me he was single, I couldn’t believe it,” she added with a light laugh, her voice carrying just the right amount of teasing. “I even ran a background check to make sure he wasn’t lying to me.” Her laughter was easy and warm, her expression carefully crafted to appear friendly and approachable, the kind of woman who could laugh at herself and keep the mood light. Yet, beneath the surface of her jest, there was a grain of truth. Arc was undeniably striking - handsome, confident, and financially secure in a way that made him almost too good to be true. It still surprised her that someone like him was unattached, available to someone like her.

Yet, she was reminded. The entire interaction was nothing more than a carefully constructed facade, yet it pierced her heart like a sharp spike. Why did it affect her so deeply all of a sudden? Shaking off the sudden thought, she quickly composed herself back to the two in front of her.

Twyla had a talent for feigning ignorance, effortlessly slipping into the role of someone aloof or inattentive. But that couldn’t have been further from the truth. Beneath the surface, she meticulously analyzed everyone she encountered, and Vega was no exception - his connection to Arc didn’t grant him immunity from her scrutiny. Wearing her signature ditsy smile and standing idly as Vega conversed with Arc, her focus was entirely on the unfamiliar man, her mind dissecting every nuance of his presence.

His tone carried a hint of hesitation, as though Arc’s presence here was unexpected - perhaps even unwelcome. He seemed caught off guard, scrambling to justify the situation. He doesn’t want us here… it’s as if he’s trying to protect us, Twyla mused silently, her keen eye noting the unspoken tension in his voice. He attempted to mask it, brushing off Arc’s presence as an unnecessary gesture to impress her, but his façade cracked under closer inspection. What truly gave him away was his faltering response when Arc mentioned the blood drive. The slight quiver in his brow and lips, the involuntary clench of his jaw - it all betrayed him. To Twyla, he was an open book, his discomfort easy to read. But was it just as apparent to Arc? Judging by his submissive demeanor around him, she doubted he was privy to Arc’s plan. Whatever Arc’s intentions were, it was clear this man wasn’t a willing participant - at least, not knowingly.

"We have someone important visiting tonight too."​

…Who? she responded silently, the question echoing in her mind. However, she kept her curiosity carefully masked, her expression betraying nothing. Instead, she offered a polite nod and a small wave, her voice light and pleasant. “It was nice to meet you. We promise not to cause too much trouble.” As Arc’s hand slid back to her waist, reclaiming its place, she felt a familiar anticipation stir within her. She braced herself for his voice to fill her mind, her focus instinctively sharpening, ready to catch every word he chose to share.

"Thanks for joining me tonight, Alora. I doubt I'd be having this much fun here if not for you. Your eyes are like the starts, lighting up my night... and I have a hard time pulling away." [Someone important? Maybe the guards might have talked to each other about me... Or... There's someone more dangerous working around us.]​

Following his lead, her hands glided to rest around the nape of his neck as they moved in a slow, unspoken rhythm, gently spinning on the balcony. The soft pulse of the music cocooned them, isolating the moment as if it belonged only to them. “Thank you for inviting me,” she said, her voice a tender murmur. “I never expected to leave here loving you even more than I did before stepping inside.” She tilted her face upward, her grin warm and genuine as her eyes locked with his, catching the way the light danced in them like stars against the dim glow surrounding them. [Your friend is suspicious… I feel like he knows more than he’s letting on. It’s as if he’s trying to shield us from someone or something important.] Her telepathic words carried a calm but cautious edge, weaving seamlessly into the intimacy of their connection.

Their movements flowed effortlessly as they continued to twirl, her hips swaying in time with the distant rhythm. Her chest pressed softly against his, her legs occasionally brushing between his in a tantalizing dance of closeness. “Then don’t pull away,” she whispered, her voice low and inviting. “Keep staring into them, lose yourself in them.” [I think we need to figure out where Vega disappeared to. I have a strong feeling he knows what’s going on - and where.] Her telepathic words slipped through their minds, the urgency of her words allowed him to know she didn’t make this idea up on a whim.

As the gravity of their spoken words mingled with the tenderness of their shared glances, she felt the weight of emotion settle over them. Embarrassment bubbled up within her, forcing her to clear her throat awkwardly. Lowering her head, she let it rest gently against his chest, hoping to conceal the warmth spreading across her cheeks as she swayed against him, flustered by the depth of his presence. She felt the steady rhythm of his heart quicken beneath her touch, his breaths growing shallow and his body radiating heat despite its typically cool temperature. It was unmistakable - she was the cause. As she wrestled with the storm of emotions bubbling within her own chest, his voice suddenly echoed through her mind, cutting through her thoughts with a clarity that left her utterly speechless…

[Oh gosh. Why am I feeling so attracted to her right now? Calm down Arc. Deep breaths. You're meant to remain professional. Don't think of the delicious taste of her lips or the feeling of her soft hands. Don't think of how good her words feel or how she feels on you... Don't... ...What if this feeling isn't wrong? Save it for after, Arc. The mission first before any reward.]​

“You know…” she began, her breath quickening as she lifted her head to meet his gaze, her eyes locking onto his with a determination that belied her usual coyness. She hesitated, wrestling with her own uncertainty, but pushed through, knowing she had to respond to the unspoken thoughts she’d heard - thoughts she wasn’t supposed to. He must have let his guard down, feeling safe in her presence, and she wasn’t about to let that vulnerability go unanswered.

But as the silence lingered, she faltered. Was it right to address it now, especially after he’d decided to hold back and wait for a better moment? Logic told her to wait, to respect his decision. Yet, the weight of the mission pressed against her resolve. What if there was no later? What if this fleeting moment was all they had?

“We don’t have to let this end… once the mission is done, Arc,” she said softly, her words a quiet confession. She hoped he would hear the truth beneath her hesitation, the mirrored emotions she couldn’t deny. His words echoed in her mind, cementing her choice to speak them. Was it reckless? Perhaps. After all, they’d only just met. But that undeniable spark - raw and electric - left her certain it was worth the risk.

Without acknowledging the voices in her head, she let her actions convey what words could not. Her right hand slipped from the nape of his neck, gently rising to cup his cheek, her thumb brushing lightly against his skin. “We’re not promised tomorrow; we both know that,” she said, her voice soft yet steady, the weight of the truth reflected in her gaze as she locked eyes with his. “So, please,” she continued, her tone almost pleading, “Even if this is just a moment - just for tonight - let me have a kiss. Something to hold onto, a reminder of the good this night has brought me.” Her words lingered, bittersweet, as her expression faltered with the weight of what lay ahead. “Because I have a feeling that once we start digging, things are going to get messy.”

Without waiting for his verbal consent, she already knew his answer, felt it in the unspoken bond between them. Rising onto the tips of her toes to meet his height, Twyla closed the small distance between them, pressing her velvety soft lips to his. It was her first kiss - a moment she’d always feared, wary of the vulnerability love might bring. Especially since Mia often sent humans her way, steering her clear of connections that could complicate her life.

She had never imagined herself falling in love. No other vampires shared her morals, and being with a human felt far too dangerous. But Arc? He was different. He was perfect - the missing puzzle piece she hadn’t realized she’d been searching for. A warmth, more powerful than the sun, bloomed in her chest as their lips met. Her eyes fluttered closed, savoring the tenderness of the moment. His lips were impossibly smooth, his exhaled breath carried a scent that was nothing short of divine, and his overall presence was intoxicating. It was as though time had stopped, and she was suspended in the serenity of this kiss.

She didn’t want to let go - not now, not ever.

ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ ᴄᴏᴜʀᴛᴇsʏ ᴄᴀʟʟ
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ʜᴇʏ-ᴏ, ʜᴇʀᴇ ᴄᴏᴍᴇs ᴛʜᴇ ᴅᴀɴɢᴇʀ ᴜᴘ ɪɴ ᴛʜɪs ᴄʟᴜʙ
ᴡʜᴇɴ ᴡᴇ ɢᴇᴛ sᴛᴀʀᴛᴇᴅ, ᴍᴀɴ, ᴡᴇ ᴀɪɴ'ᴛ ɢᴏɴ' sᴛᴏᴘ
ᴡᴇ ɢᴏɴ' ᴛᴜʀɴ ɪᴛ ᴏᴜᴛ 'ᴛɪʟ ɪᴛ ɢᴇᴛs ᴛᴏᴏ ʜᴏᴛ
ᴇᴠᴇʀʏʙᴏᴅʏ sɪɴɢ, ʜᴇʏ-ᴏ
ᴛᴇʟʟ 'ᴇᴍ ᴛᴜʀɴ ɪᴛ ᴜᴘ 'ᴛɪʟ ᴛʜᴇʏ ᴄᴀɴ'ᴛ ɴᴏ ᴍᴏʀᴇ
ʟᴇᴛ's ɢᴇᴛ ᴛʜɪs ᴛʜɪɴɢ sʜᴀᴋɪɴ' ʟɪᴋᴇ ᴀ ᴅɪsᴄᴏ ʙᴀʟʟ
ᴛʜɪs ɪs ʏᴏᴜʀ ʟᴀsᴛ ᴡᴀʀɴɪɴɢ, ᴀ ᴄᴏᴜʀᴛᴇsʏ ᴄᴀʟʟ​

Keeping a steady gaze on the suspicious couple as they vacated their seats, Talia was careful to only glance sideways to avoid drawing attention to herself. A sly smirk curled her lips as she sauntered over to their abandoned area, casually collecting their glasses to bring it back with her. At the bar’s sanitizing station, she tilted one of the glasses just enough for the strobe lights to catch it, the flickering glow revealing faint lip marks staining the rim. Her eyes lingered on them, her smirk deepening. Perfect, she murmured, a wicked gleam in her eye as she slowly pressed her lips to the exact spot where Twyla’s had been.

Immediately, a rush of power coursed through her veins, electrifying her senses as she attuned herself to the DNA lingering in the glass. To amplify the connection, her tongue glided over the rim as though savoring a salted edge, extracting every trace of essence she could. A shiver of ecstasy rippled through her, and she exhaled shakily, her back strategically turned to avoid suspicion. To anyone watching, she appeared to be nothing more than a dutiful staff member cleaning up after careless patrons.

She’s... a vampire? Interesting. The thought lingered as she licked the final remnants from her lips, savoring the faint tang. With meticulous care, she placed the glass into the sink and turned just in time to see the couple disappearing through the double doors leading to the VIP section. Her brows furrowed in intrigue. How unusual. It normally takes much longer to gain access in there without prior approval.

Her curiosity now fully ignited, she moved with purpose. Sliding up beside a fellow staff member, she flashed a disarming smile. "Be a dear and take over my station for a while, would you? Something’s come up that I need to handle." She didn’t wait for a response. Shrugging off her apron and handing it over, she smoothed her uniform and strode toward the VIP area, her steps deliberate, her intent unwavering. Fortunately for Twyla, Talia couldn't uncover the full extent of her secret - her identity as a pureblood remained shrouded. Still, it was clear enough that Twyla wasn’t human, a detail Talia eagerly filed away. This is going to be so much fun! Talia’s exhilaration burned brightly in her gaze, her pupils almost alight with the thrill of her discovery. Approaching the VIP section, she offered the guards a casual flick of her wrist in greeting. Without hesitation, they stepped aside, their eyes catching the faint shimmer of the Goddess's mark behind her ear. Talia had strategically untucked her hair, revealing the mark just long enough for them to recognize her status and grant her passage. With an air of confidence, she strode past the threshold, her mind already plotting her next move.

Another advantage of her shapeshifting ability was the power to conjure phantom images of a person’s loved ones. These illusions weren’t just visual - they mimicked voices, gestures, and behaviors with uncanny accuracy, albeit only for a fleeting moment. Combined with the temporary nature of her shapeshifting, enhanced by the Goddess’s gifts, it was more than enough to make her plans for the night unfold seamlessly. As she strode along the hallway, a sudden sight halted her mid-step. Twyla and Arc. Their presence caught her off guard, and instinctively, she stepped back, retreating into the shadows to compose herself. She hadn’t anticipated encountering them so soon, and she needed a plan - a flawless one.

Closing her eyes, Talia reached out with her power, delving into the faint echoes of Twyla’s connections. Among the hazy impressions, she caught a glimpse of a woman - Mia. The vision sharpened, her image crystalizing in Talia's mind. Opening her eyes, a sly grin spread across her lips as she formulated her plan. With a subtle wave of her hand, she conjured a phantom image of Mia, dressed perfectly for the setting in a bold rave outfit. The illusion strode confidently toward Twyla and Arc, stopping with a dramatic gasp that cut through the ambient noise.

"Hey! Uhm... hello??? You never texted me back - what’s the deal?!" the illusion exclaimed, throwing her hands up in feigned exasperation. She shook her head, her expression quickly softening into a playful smile as she focused on Twyla. "We need to talk. Sorry, lover boy, I’m stealing her for a moment.” The conjured Mia gestured impatiently for Twyla to follow, her foot tapping in mock annoyance, every movement perfectly mimicking the natural energy of the real person.

"Hey! Uhm... hello??? You never texted me back - what's the deal?!"​

The sound of a familiar voice snapped Twyla out of her kiss with Arc, leaving her flushed and wide-eyed. Turning quickly, she froze, her gaze locking onto the figure before her. "M-Mia?" she stammered, her voice tinged with disbelief. The sight of her friend standing there, in the flesh, was startling. Twyla’s mind raced, trying to make sense of it. It wasn’t unusual for Mia to indulge her adventurous streak, but seeing her here - in the exclusive VIP section - was undeniably strange. The oddity of how Mia had managed to gain access briefly flitted through her thoughts, but it was quickly overshadowed by the sheer weight of her presence. The familiarity and warmth of seeing her friend dulled the questions that lingered in the back of Twyla's mind.

"We need to talk. Sorry, lover boy, I'm stealing her for a moment."​

"S-Sorry, Arc! Uhm... just give me a moment!" Twyla stammered, patting his chest awkwardly a few times before glancing up at him with an uncertain, flustered smile. Without waiting for a response, she spun on her heels and hurried after Mia, who was already walking away at a brisk pace. "Hey! How did you even get in here?" Twyla called out as she quickened her steps, finally catching up to her friend. Falling into stride beside her, she cast a curious, slightly incredulous look in Mia's direction.

Mia tilted her head slightly, flashing Twyla a sweet, innocent smile before turning her gaze forward again. "I hadn’t heard from you, so I went looking for you!" she chirped, her tone light and cheerful. Practically skipping as she moved, Mia’s carefree energy seemed almost out of place in the exclusive setting. Her steps carried her toward the opposite side of the VIP section, where two imposing guards stood watch over the doors. "I just wanted to check in on you, silly," she added, glancing back with a playful grin. "What are friends for?"

...Except, Twyla knew something wasn't right. Mia would know full well that Twyla wasn't the type to randomly venture out to a nightclub, let alone one as exclusive as this. And how could she have possibly known? Did Val tell her? No, that didn't seem likely. Twyla's mind raced, piecing together the oddity of Mia's presence. There was no GPS tracking on her phone - a precaution she'd taken to avoid unwanted surprises, especially when in her pureblood form. Her eyes narrowed slightly as she slowed her pace. "...But I didn't tell you where I was," she said, her voice tinged with suspicion. "And my phone doesn't have GPS tracking. So how did you know where to find me? And more importantly, how did you get past the guards into a restricted area like this?"

Now standing confidently before the guards, Mia didn’t bother answering Twyla’s pressing questions. Instead, she turned her attention to the imposing figures and spoke with an unsettling clarity.

"The Apostle of Lust sends you a gift."​

Before Twyla could process the words, Mia’s image began to dissolve, unraveling like smoke swept away by an invisible wind. Her form dissipated entirely, leaving no trace behind, as if she had never been there at all. Twyla froze, her breath catching in her throat as the surreal moment sank in. The truth hit her like a thunderclap - this wasn’t Mia.

It never had been.

"She never disappoints," one of the guards muttered in a low, husky voice, his eyes locking onto Twyla with the same unsettling intensity as the guards before. His gaze lingered, sharp and scrutinizing, as though sizing her up for reasons beyond her comprehension. The other guard gave a curt nod, a smirk curling at the corners of his lips. His expression betrayed no surprise, only a hint of amusement, as if this scenario was nothing out of the ordinary. Clearly, this was a routine occurrence for them, a game they played often - and they seemed all too comfortable with it.

Now wasn't the time to spiral into panic. Whatever had just unfolded made one thing clear - someone was onto them, and they weren't planning to waste any time getting rid of her. "Fellas, I think you've got the wrong idea!" Twyla said quickly, raising both hands in a defensive gesture, her smile stretching into something that she hoped resembled innocence. "She... uh... wanted me to get familiar with the guards to, um..." Her voice faltered as her mind scrambled for a plausible excuse. Words danced just out of reach, her thoughts too jumbled to land on anything convincing.

"Pft. Save it," the other guard sneered, stepping forward with an air of dominance. He outstretched his hand, aiming to grab Twyla's shoulder and steer her wherever he pleased. But just as his fingers hovered inches away from her -

CRACK.​

Twyla's hand moved like lightning, slicing downward in a sharp, karate-chop motion. Her strike connected with the guard's thick wrist, the impact reverberating with a sickening sound as the joint snapped out of place. His hand fell limp at his side, the severed nerves rendering it useless. The guard stumbled back, clutching his now-broken wrist, his expression contorted in shock and pain. The other guard's smirk vanished, replaced by wide-eyed disbelief. He hadn't expected such a dramatic reaction from what he assumed to be a mere human. But as the pieces fell into place, realization dawned - this girl wasn't a human.

It made sense that the guards were no ordinary human that would be capable of keeping rowdy vampires in line in a club like this - they had to be vampires. Her suspicions were confirmed when the guard's wrist snapped back into place with an unnatural speed, the sickening sound of bones realigning echoing between them. He flexed his hand, testing its functionality, before leveling a lethal glare at her. "You're gonna pay for that, you fucking bitch!" he snarled, his voice dripping with venom.

"Uhm… you sure you wanna test that out after all that? Are you out of your mind?" Twyla’s voice was calm, almost mocking, as she stared down the guards. There wasn’t a shred of fear in her eyes - only a glint of dangerous anticipation. Her lips curled into a grin, one that practically invited the fight she’d been itching for all night. It wasn’t just about self-defense; it was about channeling her vampire instincts, feeding the part of her that thirsted for justice instead of blood. "Don’t say I didn’t warn you," she said, her tone growing sharper as her stance shifted, ready to strike.

"But hey, it’s your grave you’re digging now."

ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ sᴀʀᴄᴀsᴍ
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ʏᴏᴜ'ᴠᴇ ɢᴏᴛ ᴍᴇ sʜᴀᴋɪɴɢ ғʀᴏᴍ ᴛʜᴇ ᴡᴀʏ ʏᴏᴜ'ʀᴇ ᴛᴀʟᴋɪɴɢ
ᴍʏ ʜᴇᴀʀᴛ ɪs ʙʀᴇᴀᴋɪɴɢ ʙᴜᴛ ᴛʜᴇʀᴇ's ɴᴏ ᴜsᴇ ᴄʀʏɪɴɢ
ᴡʜᴀᴛ ᴀ ᴄʏᴀɴɪᴅᴇ sᴜʀᴘʀɪsᴇ ʏᴏᴜ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ʟᴇғᴛ ғᴏʀ ᴍʏ ᴇʏᴇs
ɪғ ɪ ʜᴀᴅ ᴄᴏᴍᴍᴏɴ sᴇɴsᴇ ɪ'ᴅ ᴄᴜᴛ ᴍʏsᴇʟғ
ᴏʀ ᴄᴜʀʟ ᴜᴘ ᴀɴᴅ ᴅɪᴇ​

"Oh? So you're going to kill the only person you have left? Wow, you're more heartless than I thought."​

“You’re not a person - you’re a fucking monster!” Addy’s chains clattered violently as her body trembled with a fury she hadn’t known was possible. Not even when Arc confessed to what he had done to their parents had she felt this consumed by rage. But now, as her own mouth watered uncontrollably at the sight of her unconscious friend lying defenseless before her, the full weight of Arc’s torment began to dawn on her. If she was struggling against Ethan’s twisted games, she could only imagine the hell her parents endured - used as bait, their suffering flaunted cruelly in Arc’s face.

"You've chosen this. Wanted me to be the one to break you and mark you as my own. So, I gave you what you wanted."​

“And it never crossed your mind to tell me that doing this would turn me into this… this grotesque, savage beast?!” she snapped, her voice dripping with venom. She bared her canines, a deliberate threat, daring him to test her newfound strength. But her defiance was met with force; he seized her jaw, gripping it tightly, and tilted her face toward him, demanding her submission. Her eyes burned with fury, twin infernos blazing with the wish that her glare alone could obliterate him. “You knew I wanted to be your lover, not some pawn in this twisted fantasy you’ve conjured in that deranged mind of yours!” she screamed, her voice hoarse with fury. Strands of saliva clung to her bared teeth, and his wicked grin only deepened, fanning the flames of her hatred. Oh, he was savoring every second, utterly unfazed by her words, his amusement growing with her defiance.

“To hell with your plans, to hell with all of it!” she roared, lunging forward with a feral intensity. The chains rattled violently, only to tighten mercilessly around her wrists and neck, yanking her back and forcing her to the ground once more. She was powerless to do anything but endure his grand, self-important speech, her voice silenced as his elongated fingers slid from her chin to encircle the only vulnerable part of her neck. His grip was suffocating - just shy of the pressure needed to crush her throat entirely, a cruel reminder of how easily he could end her. Addy’s face burned as her blood flow constricted, the pressure mounting. Her mouth fell open in desperation, her shallow, futile gasps reduced to wet, gurgling sounds that barely escaped her lips.

The searing pain in her neck threatened to drown out his words, but he made sure his voice cut through, loud and deliberate, taunting her with the grim reality of her isolation. He painted a cruel picture: no one - not the police, and certainly not her brother, would come looking for her. His assertion about Arc wasn’t entirely wrong. She had pushed him away, shunned him from her life by her own choice.

…But Ethan underestimated one thing - she knew her brother. Arc wasn’t the type to let her slip away so easily. He would respect her need for space, yes, but she also knew his persistence, his ability to bide his time and act when least expected. Whether through his own vigilance or by sending someone else in his stead, Arc would never truly give up on her. That was where Ethan had made his fatal miscalculation. He didn’t understand the lengths Arc would go to for her.

Her lungs screamed in agony, desperate for the oxygen that was being mercilessly withheld. Her once-porcelain skin darkened, a sickly hue creeping over her as the blood struggled to circulate. Her eyes felt as if they were swelling, threatening to burst from their sockets under the relentless pressure of his grip. Just when she believed she might black out, he leaned in with chilling precision, his breath hot against her skin. Then, without hesitation, he sank his fangs into the opposite side of her neck - the same cursed bite that had turned her into this wretched existence. The pain was sharp and searing, not as unbearable as the first time but agonizing all the same, like liquid fire flooding her veins, the sting cutting through her weakening body like venom laced with alcohol.

A muffled, inaudible screech clawed its way from her throat, stifled by the firm grip of his hand. Yet even through her silence, his palm could feel the faint, futile vibrations of her anguish as the essence of her life seeped into his waiting mouth. Addy doubted this was for sustenance; no, this was a statement - a reminder of her helplessness. But knowing didn’t dull the agony, the searing pain that pulsed through her veins with every draw he took. Her hands, trembling with desperation, reached out. Her newly-formed talons extended, raking against his chest with an animalistic ferocity. She tore through fabric and flesh alike, her claws shredding him as though she were peeling the skin from a ripe orange. Yet Ethan didn’t flinch, his expression unmoved, treating her attack as nothing more than a bothersome insect on his skin. When he’d taken what he wanted, he released her with a sudden, callous motion. Her body hit the ground with a dull, unceremonious thud, like discarded trash tossed onto a crowded sidewalk, left to lie in the wake of his cruelty.

"COUGH -- COUGH" Gasping desperately, she clutched her throat with trembling hands, dragging in heavy, ragged breaths as her lungs greedily drank in the air she had been deprived of. Her chest heaved with each inhale, her vision blurred but slowly clearing. As she steadied herself, her eyes fell to the marks she had left on his chest. Blood stained his torn clothes, a stark reminder of her futile resistance. But, to her dismay, the wounds she’d inflicted had already vanished, leaving no trace of her struggle - no sign that she had hurt him at all.

The moment his lips left her flesh, a ravenous hunger surged through her, consuming her entirely. She could almost taste the metallic tang of blood on her tongue, the imagined warmth pooling in her mouth as she swallowed hard, desperate to suppress the craving. Her trembling hands covered her mouth in a futile attempt to hold back, but saliva trickled from the corners of her lips, slipping past her fingers like a dammed river breaking free. Ethan’s measured steps drew her attention as he approached her unconscious friend. Addy’s hands dropped to her sides, her voice rasping with desperation as she called out. "W-What are you doing?" Her words barely escaped her throat, raw from the struggle. Her wide eyes locked onto him as he gripped her friend’s hair, lifting her limp body like she was no more than a lifeless doll. "PUT HER DOWN!" Addy’s scream tore through the room, her body thrashing violently against the chains. With a ferocity she didn’t know she possessed, she lunged forward. The sound of metal groaning under pressure echoed as the chains snapped, yielding to the vehement, newfound power surging within her.

Whipping her head back, she caught sight of the chains beginning to give way, their strained creaks echoing through the room. For a fleeting moment, she froze. Can I control myself once I’m free? The thought lingered, heavy with uncertainty, as saliva continued to drip from her chin. Her hesitation shattered as her eyes snapped back to Ethan. He dropped her friend’s limp body with a cruel indifference, following it with a vicious kick that made her heart clench. It was as though he were taunting her, goading her into action - and it worked.

”Oh, or maybe we should grab your brother next. Don't you hate him already? That should make it easy for you to feast upon him right? If it's easier for you to make up your mind if it's someone you hate… then by all means, I’ll make it a reality."​

That did it.

"FUCK YOU!" she roared, her voice thunderous, rivaling the pounding music reverberating from beyond the doors. A surge of raw power coursed through her as she clenched her fists and strained against the unyielding chains. Her hunger, a gnawing, insatiable force, became her weapon, fueling her desperate struggle. The metal groaned in protest before snapping under her relentless will. She knew this surge of strength wouldn't last - it was a fleeting fire that would burn out, leaving her weaker than before. But in this moment, it was enough. The veins in her neck pulsed with the effort as she pushed herself harder, the last remnants of her restraints shattering under her sheer determination. With a final heave, she stumbled forward, the momentum carrying her into a graceless fall. She hit the ground hard, sprawling in an awkward, messy heap, but the taste of freedom was enough to push her to her feet, adrenaline coursing through her veins.

Her instincts took over, zeroing in on Olivia like a predator on its prey. Her body moved on its own, closing the distance in an instant. Hands outstretched, mouth wide open in anticipation, she lunged - but before her fingers could graze Olivia’s skin, she forced herself to stop.

With a guttural cry, she clamped her teeth down on her own forearm, biting hard enough to draw blood and crunch her bone from the force. The sharp pain snapped through the haze of hunger, and a fresh stream of crimson welled up, dripping onto Olivia's still form as it skated against her forearm. The blood splattered across her friend, a stark contrast against her pale skin, but she didn’t falter. Standing protectively over Olivia, she locked eyes with Ethan, her gaze searing with deadly intent. Her chest heaved, her lips curling back in a snarl as the pool of blood beneath her continued to grow.

She wasn’t just fighting for control - she was claiming it.

 

[Tenzai]

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"You know…"

"We don't have to let this end… once the mission is done, Arc,"
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ɴᴏᴡ ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ: ꜱᴛ. ᴄʜʀᴏᴍᴀ | ᴛʏʟᴇʀ ᴛʜᴇ ᴄʀᴇᴀᴛᴏʀ
↻ ◁ II ▷ ↺

You are the light
It's not on you, it's in you
Don't you ever in your motherfucking life, dim your light for nobody
⋅─────────⊱༺ ♰ ༻⊰─────────⋅​

"We're not promised tomorrow; we both know that," Hearing his name be called under the low hum of slow harmonics meant to induce a sense of calm and romance, Arc leaned closer to avoid having her need to speak any louder. "I know. But..." Tormented by the paralysis that came with over-analysis towards optimal decision-making for so long, he denied himself a chance to feel ever since his war against the vampires began.

Arc once imagined that it was a sign of weakness, a bond that the vampires can use to exploit against him like they did with his parents a lifetime ago and his sister recently. Though, no matter how much he could feel towards restricting his emotions when it came to acting, Twyla was an anomaly. She and the outcomes she delivered made it feel right. Finally shaking those thoughts he welcomed for so long out of his head, he chose to embrace the current moment. "... You're right."

"Tomorrow's never a guarantee... Not even tonight."​

"So, please," With Twy's eyes gazed upon his and her hands cupped on his cheek, Arc brought his own attention down from the party behind towards her own eyes, switching his focus from the mission and the vampires to her and the warmth she gave. She was a reminder that no matter how sanguine he could become, he was still "alive"; A human under vampire veil. "Even if this is just a moment - just for tonight - let me have a kiss. Something to hold onto, a reminder of the good this night has brought me."

Twyla's words did not come out with any hint of manipulation nor subterfuge; They were purity in passion made manifest. Lifting his hands from her own to draw her in by her waist, Arc whispered a quiet promise onto her lips as he descended to meet her on the same level. 'Just a kiss? You've earned so much more, Twyla. You've given me so much to hold on to already... I promise to make this night a happy memory.'

"Because I have a feeling that once we start digging, things are going to get messy-" Before giving her an opportunity to whisper another word, Arc's lips met hers, not as the mask he wore prior, but as himself. Who was to say that he wouldn't experience the same fate as his parents later that night? Was it so right to assume that he could continue to battle the vampire menace forever? The mere idea that he was able to stand against the tides of blood alone was hopeful conjecture, an ideal he knew realistically he would never be able to live up to.

Dropping the facade that he held everything in control, with a dangerous concoction of passion and chemistry mixed in with the fuel that came from knowing every day was a risk, he met her lips in the middle of the gap that once stood between them, breaching the relationship from one professional to one much more intimate.

Arc was tired of having to wear the mask in front of everyone, having to act as the hero the city needed to see. To finally let it go, even if for a moment, without concern of losing her like he did with Adelaide, he couldn't hold himself back. His embrace was sweet yet pulsing with alluring energy as his inherent ability coalesced with his heart. Their kiss tasted of sugar, blessed with the powder her brother used to make the thought of drinking normal drinks much more attractive. As her chest pressed against his and his arms held her back, he felt as though she clicked in place, fulfilling what the others in his cohort had suggested a perfect second half would.

As the mask melted away, Arc couldn't help but think that his goddess was right; That the woman in front of him was her biggest enemy, not as a result of her strength alone but because of her love as well. Her passion and hope was undoing the many strings that kept him tied to his past; Cutting away at his regrets and his thoughts of returning and replacing them with an added hope for tomorrow and a desire to fight for it. Pulling away for just a moment as a bridge of saliva reflected with the light of neon and the celestial bodies above, he spoke. "How was that?"

Taking a few deep breaths to cool himself off with the winter air, he hoped to still maintain the feeling of control. While his body felt urged to divulge into her more and forget about the night, there was still work to be done and people that needed to be rescued. Though, the idea of what came after alone had sparked a fire in him to do their job soon and well. "But I suppose you're right. Once we start digging into each other, things are going to get messy." Grabbing her own chin as a blush appeared on his own voice, displaying his true response to her affections physically alongside how his voice and mind did verbally and mentally. "Mind if I get a little selfish with you...?"

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"I never thought I'd find love. Never thought I needed it..."

"Until I met you, Twyla. You've taught me how to want for myself..."
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"Let me repeat our first kiss again. This time, I want to do it right for both of us." Pulling her into another kiss, this time, he wielded his lips with expertise, exploring her with full intention. As he began to make out with her, his hand slid down her chin towards her neck and down her shoulders before eventually reaching their final destination: Her hand. Interlocked, he massaged her fingers while his other hand traced her waist.

Closing his eyes, he envisioned every inch of her, recording every tactile sense of each kiss, touch, and breath to memory. No matter what fate was to befall them next, no matter what powers those who wish their worst could ever muster against them, Arc never wanted to forget this moment; The first moment since becoming a vampire where he got to choose something for himself.

Over and over again, Arc kissed her from different angles, blessing not only her lips, but underneath her chin, the most sensitive regions of her neck, and even the surface of her shoulder as well. With his heart beating fast as a result of one kiss alone, he nearly lost himself with his newfound freedom, only stopping in his affectionate assault once he heard the words of someone familiar: Her friend from the cafe, Mia. "Hey! Uhm... hello??? You never texted me back - what's the deal?!"

The sudden surprise jolted him back to reality. "Oh... Ahem." Arc coughed, trying to reset himself fast enough to maintain his previous visage as Umbra, the acolyte, undercover as the human, Fion before. "M-Mia?" Despite her similar form, Mia's choice of her words had an oddity to it that he couldn't quite put a finger on. He was good at recalling the little nuances in the speech patterns of witnesses he interacted with and vampires he interrogated in order to determine truth from lies, though, caught while vulnerable, his mind wasn't at the most ideal place yet to unravel it. "We need to talk. Sorry, lover boy, I'm stealing her for a moment." Leaning back, he finally put back on the mask he wore prior. "Don't worry Mia. Ally, you could go with her. I'll be here if you need me."

"S-Sorry, Arc! Uhm... just give me a moment!" As the two girls left, he thought about Twyla's prior words about his partner, Vega. [Your friend is suspicious… I feel like he knows more than he's letting on. It's as if he's trying to shield us from someone or something important. I think we need to figure out where Vega disappeared to. I have a strong feeling he knows what's going on - and where.] There was no doubt that Vega had a connection to this club; This was often a place he would frequent for drinks. However, the more he thought about it, the more he realized that his familiarity had bred complacency.

Vega might have been amazing at lying but he struggled when it came to convincing an observant Arc. Originally, the vampire detective assumed that his partner had demons too; Secrets so dark that they needed to avoid being brought up to keep someone so adept by his side. Though, the idea that there could be a connection between him and the vampires was hard to shake off. If he was so intertwined with the happenings at the club, it was likely that he knew more about what schemes occurred behind closed doors that he was willing to share.

Given minutes to concentrate on all that occurred around them, he realized what was amiss with Mia's greeting as well. She didn't appear to respond to the sudden shift in chemistry between him and Twyla. She didn't greet the both of them by name either. How much was known about their intrusion was unknown to the vampire, though, it was clear enough that they were suspicious to more eyes than he was immediately aware of. If they managed to make it this far as guests, what was likely was that they were getting close to whatever operation they were running behind closed doors. 'Shit! Twy!' His eyes darted around immediately as he walked back onto the dance floor, scanning for any sign of her and Mia. With the music beginning to return back to its usual rhythms, the unruly ambient energy had distorted his once clear view of the room as it filled with dancers and smoke alike.

Once again, he was caught off guard, forcefully separated by a lapse in his judgement. Cursing the circumstances that befell him, he bore his fangs in the dark, using his enhanced vampiric ability to better navigate the scents and sounds of the room. With an added cover of a mask decorated with graffiti that only appeared with the luminescence of pulsing, under-hanging black lights buried beneath the transparent floorboards, he was able to mask the most obvious of his change. Now was the time to act. He wasn't going to fail Twyla like he did his sister. His obsessions gave him strength, causing him to read the room, detecting differences between vampire and human. However, as he looked around for Twyla, his heightened senses caught a sliver of familiarity through the dissonance of sound.

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"FUCK YOU!"

Adelaide was somewhere here, hidden within the midst of Hell.
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Upon hearing her scream, the club's sound was brought to a screeching halt as a deafening silence overtook the vampire who lost it all once. If the demons had their way with her which was likely the case, then he had to be a monster to the monsters; A predator to the hunters. While persuading others through rapport and trust was his main method, there was nothing better than the two most primal feelings: Anger and fear. 'Forgive me, Twy. Forgive me Addy, for the monster I'll have to become... But I'm not going to let you down. Promise.'

What greater reason was there to fight than love? What point was there to tomorrow when the ones worth fighting for would not share that tomorrow with you? He learned the sting of loss; To experience it again would be heart-shattering. Without Twyla there to calm him down, he acted alone. Bumping through several dancing humans and vampires alike as he walked to the bathroom, he used his powers to influence those he recognized as his enemy. If the vampires here warranted sins such as what happened to Adelaide to occur, then they were beneath life itself. Their arrogance would become their undoing. Their belief that they were untouchable had brought them their downfall.

With sufficient numbers, Arc's eyes had illuminated the stall he enclosed himself in as the apostle of pride delivered his command. To the humans lucky enough to have been graced by his shoulders, they were ordered to leave the club now. One by one, they left, leading to odd looks being shared between the vampires as their prey and future allies vacated the premises. With his second command, he delivered another order: To find Adelaide and Twyla, regardless of the consequences. When they chose to align themselves with the forces of the dark, they forgone their right to their soul. They sacrificed their humanity in exchange for eternal life and power beyond all comprehension. To Arc, these monsters were beyond saving.

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"Whatever it takes."

"The apostle of pride sends his regards."
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I am just a box with the light of thunder in me
Gratitude sit under the hubris that's on my sleeve

Mama said I'm hmmm mm special i was hmm mm
Blowing shit up at home back in chromakopia hmmm hmmm

I don't, like the, way that this is lookin
mirror got me, thinking about my bookend

I just need this time to myself to figure me out out
Do I keep the light on or do I gracefully bow out?
⋅─────────⊱༺ ♰ ༻⊰─────────⋅

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Bang. Gunshots.

"What the fuck?"
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ɴᴏᴡ ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ: ᴡᴀᴛᴄʜ ᴛʜᴇ ᴘᴀʀᴛʏ ᴅɪᴇ | ᴋᴇɴᴅʀɪᴄᴋ ʟᴀᴍᴀʀ
↻ ◁ II ▷ ↺

I think it's time to watch the party die
This shit done got too wicked to apologize
It's different, get him whacked and disqualified
We even kill the killers 'cause they like taking innocent lives
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The moment he heard gunshots come from the VIP room, he saw a wave of humans run from the premises to avoid losing their life in the crossfire. "Shit, this isn't good." Vega withdrew his own pistol from his jacket, standing himself up from the poker table he was sitting at as he negotiated the next course of action when it came to the Crimson Dawn. With them now taking a part in the local balance of power, their topic was among the most critical pieces of discussion. They were known to decimate larger covens in the past; To have them so close was a risk to all vampires. "Handle it. What's a few rounds to a vampire anyways?" His boss seemed unphased by the eruption of violence in his own home. With the number of vampires on payroll around him, he held little doubt that this was a problem he could pay the local police force to turn a blind eye to.

"You, you, and you." Vega ordered three of the boss' closest vampires nearby. "Help me take care of this. Order whoever you can to get everyone to calm down and keep a lid on it while we handle it. We can't afford to have the Crimson Dawn finding out about this." The three vampires turned towards their boss who gave them a nod before accepting Vega's orders and leaving the room. "And you. We're not done here." The boss rolled his eyes. "Yes, we are. Until that issue is fixed, I have nothing more to say to the goddess' bitch. I'll wait until someone actually memorable comes here before I do anything." The detective's partner glared at him before leaving. Despite his connection to the goddess, his position was nowhere near that of an apostle.

Outside the boss' room, he saw the scene of kicked down tables with gunfire erupting through the smoke. Spilled alcohol, blood, and shells decorated the floor as lights and glasses were being shot left and right. The sound of clubs and other melee instruments were also present, mixed with sanguine strength to become lethal to even vampires themselves. Spells were thrown and used to buff and debuff to disrupt the typical power equalizer that guns brought with them. With vampire against vampire, staff against staff, it was difficult to determine friend from foe. With the red glint in Arc's thrall's eyes being so dull that they had to be seen up close in order to see them properly, the only way he was able to figure it out was from their relentlessness in their pursuit.

Charged with the same emotions that their master corrupted them with, they felt compelled to push through pain and injury to find his family and friend. This was no simple power of some rebelling delinquent. This was the power of an apostle. Immediately taking cover as gunfire erupted in his direction, Vega was forced onto the defensive as he took stock of the scene that befell him. Around him, he found quiet only among the dead and dying. Those who were still capable of fighting against their own kin were loud and vicious with their counter-assault. Instead of believing this situation was something he could handle alone, Vega began to call on nearby allies in the area. Those tainted within the town were given a deliberate order to come to the club's defense, less they be the ones to suffer this fate next. "Alright, backup will be coming soon! We just have to hold out until then!"

Its been years since Vega felt as though he was fighting from the back foot. Working as a detective, while rounds and spells flew in his direction, they were intentionally off to ensure the mole's survival. This time however, whichever vampire was on the other side seemed keen on murder, as though his death would avenge a sin committed on one of many past victims. Still, these enemies were lesser vampires who had little idea on who they were fighting. Reaching towards one of the dead bodies, his eyes began to glow the color of his soul as he beckoned the souls of the past to re-enter combat in exchange for a second life. "Deal with them. Don't stop fighting until they're all dust." Tossing his pistol at the undead vampire, regardless of how many bullet holes it was ridden with, it fought back without hesitation, returning the fight back to them. Even if his powers lacked the same scale as the apostles did, it was more than enough to make Vega a measurable threat against those who underestimated him.

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"Make them regret turning their fangs against us."

'If only he didn't fucking send those vamps, we wouldn't be dealing with this.'
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God, give me life, dear God, please give me peace
Dear God, please keep these lame ****** away from me
Dear God, keep me shining, the fuck do they really think?
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"FUCK YOU!"

"How terribly stubborn of you to show such resilience, Adelaide."
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God bless these words, dear God, bless how I think
Dear God, draw the line, they tryna confuse 'em with me
Dear God, please, forgive me, you knowin' how hard I tried
I think it's time for me to watch the party die
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No matter how much he could explain the benefit that came with throwing away her humanity, Ethan couldn't convince Adelaide. To the abyssal prince, she was as stubborn as her brother and twice as thick headed from what he heard about Arc before. Becoming impatient as a result of her words despite indulging in his meal, Adelaide began to see a side of Ethan that he rarely showed before: Pure, unbridled anger. "You think you're better than me by putting up this ignorant front?!" He shook his head, disappointed in her choices. Regardless of the freedom she gained by breaking free of the binds he forced on her, he wasn't stepping back in fear. "I'm offering you the world. Hell, an eternity by my side, Adelaide. How simple can it get? How foolish must you be to hold on to these bonds that would turn on you in time?!" He spat on Olivia, uncaring of the morsel he kidnapped for his princess.

"You think I would've gotten this far without this power? You think everything you'll do in this life would amount to anything? How fucking moronic." His fingers clutched into fists as she bit herself to maintain control of her own predatory instincts. "Let me tell you this one truth, Adelaide. There are two types of people in this world. Victims who only know how to give and monsters with the power to take." Using the emotions she fed him to empower him further, he turned on her, mounting her body as he forced her hands over her head with one hand and her neck back with another. "I've known what it was like all my fucking life to have monsters take away everything." Ethan forcefully gripped her neck harder, choking the very life away from his beloved. "My parents. My mentors. My... Friends. None of that mattered when all they knew was how to take. They take and they take and take until you have nothing left to give... And they get angry at you and take again... Perhaps, it's time to teach you just how weak you truly are; How bad it is to be a victim."

Binding her wrists and neck to the ground in chains as his eyes glowed, he stripped everything away from her, leaving her bare and exposed on the concrete floor. "What are you going to do if a monster wants to take everything away from you hmm? Are you going to plead? Are you going to beg?" Groping her violently, Ethan began to violate her as the security camera in the room recorded his crimes against her. Within the security room, with the vampires pulled out, Arc approached the many screens that showed the various rooms inside the club. Immediately, his ears picked up on the sounds of her struggling as he began to swap through the different cameras to find out which room was hiding his sister.

"Go on, try to fight back. Scream. Cry. See where that gets you when a monster finds you." The abyssal vampire taunted her mortality, forcing her to engage with those dark powers further and further. "The world isn't kind. You will not be saved. The only person who could save you is yourself." Seeing her thrash and resist further had made him blush. Her emotions were at her most pure, toxic and full of flavor. Opening his mouth, he sunk his teeth into her neck, biting deep into Adelaide to remind her of the night where her humanity was taken away. While the blood that came from her mattered little, it was the feelings he wrought with his bite that made her delectable. This time, he didn't care if the bite was painful. He didn't care if she was trying to fight him off. The balance of strength was in his favor and he knew, until she drank blood, it would remain that way. "God, you taste better like this than you did while in love."

"I wonder what the guys in the security room are thinking of this display. Go ahead Adelaide, smile for the camera." Forcing her to face the camera, by grabbing her chin, he displayed the scene to further embarrass her, taking joy in sharing the idea that the body she wishfully gave for him to treasure was in reality, something he cared very little about. Bruised, battered, and violated, as long as she was alive to feel the terrible emotion for eternity, Ethan didn't need to feed on anyone else. He was able to feast on her and her alone for as long as her mind was willing to fight back. As long as she was unwilling to submit, to have hope despite the odds, her flavor would be untainted. If she wasn't ever willing to join him, then she would serve a better purpose as an object meant to fulfill his sadistic fantasies. "Maybe I should write on you too. To let everyone who sees you know that you're mine and mine alone."

His fingers dug into her body as more chains split her legs apart. "Or maybe, I should wake your friend there so she could watch before letting her go. Maybe it would be nice to ruin your reputation so you have nowhere else to go? Now wouldn't that be fun?" He smirked demonically as he pulled her phone out to take pictures of her body. "Wouldn't it be a shame if all the last people who trusted you start thinking that you're no more than a common whore?" The shutter effect of her phone played as he thought of all the ways he could manipulate the narrative of who she was. "Humans can be far more heartless than any vampire, you know?" Distracted, the vampire failed to recognize the sound of the door opening behind him. "And there's nothing more terrifying to anyone... Than to be truly left alone when you need them most."

"I know that more than anyone." Immediately, Arc turned Ethan around and broke his nose with the butt of his pistol, sending him recoiling once he experienced pain. "Y-You'll pay for that!" Though, instead of fighting with anger, there was something cold about the vampire he chose to defile the sister of. His eyes lacked the taste of life as though he fully accepted what he became in order to do what he wanted. "I will, but you won't be the one to kill me." With his fist balled and his pistol in hand, he hammered down onto his sister's captor over and over again, not stopping even as blood spilled onto the floor below. Only when he saw that the fists he held tight become loose, until the chains that covered his sister were gone, did he relent in his vicious beat-down.

As Arc turned around, he walked over to where her jacket was held before clutching Addy in his arms, wielding her jacket as a blanket. Now that the threat was over for now, color returned to his eyes. "Thank goodness, I've made it on time." While it might have felt unfair at the time, Arc wasn't mad at her for what she said when she left him at the hospital. To some extent, he even agreed with her words, believing that death alongside his family was a much more acceptable outcome than kin-slaying. However, if it wasn't for that, he wouldn't have been able to save his sister. "Yell at me all you like later, but right now..." Tears ran down his face upon reuniting with her. "Just hug me back... Just for a moment... Please." He made his vulnerability known, tearing away the facade that he was some all-powerful hero when in reality, he was just a brother who cared for his family.

"I'm sorry that I couldn't make it any sooner. I'm sorry that you had to see... What it was like for me." Apology after apology, despite being separated only for a couple days, he missed her. She was all he had for years. To have that be stripped away had made every passing minute feeling like an emotional eternity. "I'm sorry that you couldn't have found a better brother... But that's all over now. You're safe and that's all that matters." Arc released her, giving her a smile. This time at least, he was strong enough to save her. "Let's get you out of here. This place is not a place for you-"

⋅─────────⊱༺ ♰ ༻⊰─────────⋅
You're right. You were the one who should've died. Too bad that didn't happen.

'Be careful what you wish for, Addy. Danger lurks where you least expect it.'
Bang.
⋅─────────⊱༺ ♰ ༻⊰─────────⋅​

Blood splattered all over Addy's jacket once Arc was brought down to a knee as a chunk of his leg being blown off his body. "So you're the apostle whose been giving me such a headache. To think, you were the detective too. Ha. Killing you takes care of two issues." Racking his shotgun again, he kicked the detective to the ground before stomping on his back. "Back up, darling. I don't care about your little boyfriend Ethan there. He's only useful if he's pretty and he's bringing girls in. Not like this. If you want to go free, then don't give me another fucking issue." He pointed his shotgun at Addy to back her up before aiming his weapon down at Arc's head. With the vampire holding his leg to attempt to staunch the bleeding, he kept his mouth shut. "Now I'll let you decide if you want to die quick or die slow. Are you working with anyone?"

Upon realizing the seriousness of this predicament, Arc believed that if he answered correctly, at least Addy and Twy would be given safe passage out. "I came here alone." He spoke through gritted teeth. "... Any other tricks you have planned that I have to worry about? Any bombs? Mics?" Arc shook his head, groaning as he felt the heavy vampire step on his wound.

Before Addy had a chance to open her mouth or attempt to move, he pointed his weapon at her again. "I said, back the fuck up. Don't test me unless you want to join him; Don't be stupid." Arc's strained voice escaped him. "Addy, it's fine. Let me handle this... I don't have anything. Strip my fucking corpse and you won't find anything there." By speaking slowly, Arc hoped that Twyla would be given ample opportunity to escape. This wasn't her fight; Only his sin alone to bear. "Final question. Why turn on her?"

"Because she was the reason my family died." The boss laughed. "So, the reason why you went on this stupid crusade? The reason you turned against your own kind and threw away all they could offer... Was for family? That's the stupidest reason I ever heard. Don't lie to me." The vampire pulled the trigger, shooting Arc's shoulder. "I changed my mind. I'm gonna make you die slowly. Maybe the goddess would find your sacrifice worth a raise." He continued to fire his weapon at Arc's body, giving breaks in between every shot as he aimed carefully not to damage anything vital too soon to prolong his suffering. "This is what you get for making my job frustrating. This is what you get for ruining my business. This is...." He kept delivering reasons for every shot he gave Arc.

⋅─────────⊱༺ ♰ ༻⊰─────────⋅
"We're not promised tomorrow..."

"...Not even tonight."
⋅─────────⊱༺ ♰ ༻⊰─────────⋅
Can you feel the light inside?
Can you feel that fire?
⋅─────────⊱༺ ♰ ༻⊰─────────⋅​

 

[Kitten]

ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ Pᴀʀᴀʟʟᴇʟ Wᴏʀʟᴅs
0:00 ㅇ──────── 2:50
↻ ◁ || ▷ ↺
Tʀᴀᴘᴘᴇᴅ ɪɴ ʏᴏᴜʀ ᴡᴏʀʟᴅ
ᴡʜᴇʀᴇ ʏᴏᴜ'ʀᴇ ʙᴜʀɴɪɴɢ ɪɴ ᴍʏ ᴇʏᴇs
Yᴏᴜ'ʀᴇ ʟɪᴋᴇ ᴀ sʜᴀᴅᴏᴡ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ɴᴇᴠᴇʀ ʜɪᴅᴇs​

Cerise liquid mingled with thick, globby saliva as it trailed down her forearm, her fangs continuing to delve deeper into her own flesh - suppressing the relentless pull of her bloodlust with every fiber of her being. Addy poured every ounce of willpower into shielding Olivia from further harm, even from herself. Glancing down over her arm, her gaze lingered down at her motionless figure, catching sight of her opened wound before sealing her eyes shut with tight force. Ragged and uneven breaths heaved from her chest, battling the suffocating weight of her altered existence. Despite having a maw full of blood - being her own - it did absolutely nothing to quell the gnawing hunger within the pit of her stomach. Knowing a more tempting feast was lying just within arm's reach left her testing the fragile boundaries of her restraint - and it was terrifying. Fortunately, Ethan's presence sliced through her internal turmoil, grounding her as his mocking smile - so cruel and calculated - molded her fury to be directed towards someone deserving of it. Addy knitted her brows together, serving him a justly awarded glare that flickered with loathing.

”You think you're better than me by putting up this ignorant front?!"​

Silence. Addy had a mouthful of words lingering on the tip of her tongue, but the risk of losing control once she allowed her canines to be freed from her flesh was far too great of a threat - more so than Ethan. Not only was she battling him, but she was at war with herself. Focusing on his taunts in lieu of her friend beneath her, she stared at him as a concoction of blood and saliva continued to dribble onto Oliva. Some of his words struck chords, eliciting her to bite down harsher on herself as her free hand curled inwards into a tight fist. He's trying to provoke you... Just hold your ground... It's not worth it... Breathe... Take in slow, deep breaths... That inner voice implored her to anchor herself, to maintain control. Addy forced herself to concentrate on the rhythm of her breaths, feeling her thrumming heart begin to gradually steady - though the adrenaline residing within her veins refused to relent.

Forcing her away from her friend, Addy's feet strived to root themselves firmly on the ground but her efforts were to no avail. She had to face the music, to accept that her body expended too much energy mere seconds ago. With a jarring impact, her backside collided with the ground, her hand forcibly wrenched out of her mouth as blood trickled from the corners of her mouth. The scene felt sickeningly familiar - mirroring the same position they shared the previous night under much different circumstances as her arms splayed above her head. Cold, heartless words flung from his lips like barbed steel. "If you know the pain, then why inflict it on others?! Especially the innocent!" Long fingers wrapped around her gullet like a vice, forcing her to wince as her windpipe constricted under the pressure. Already her skin was bruised from the relentless assault of having her throat being gripped over and over again, her breathing coming in quickened, shallow gasps. Writhing under him, her legs thrashed wildly like a feral stallion, trying to buy herself time.

"My parents. My mentors... My... Friends. None of that mattered when all they knew was how to take."​

The anguish strewn across his vocal cords was evident as they weighed down with his own torment... and it struck Addy right there - he was never a villain from the very beginning. No, he was molded into one through years of cruelty. It was a tragic story, but no amount of suffering led his actions to being inexcusable. That strength could've been wielded differently, could've helped more people instead of endangering them. To be a shield for others. Instead, he shaped it into a weapon that sowed pain and fear.

Materializing from the very shadows, new chains sprouted with his command, mercilessly snaking around her with calculated precision. Those large, red eyes broadened with fear as the unyielding chains immobilized her. Screaming for oxygen, her lungs cramped in a futile effort to drink any air that managed to leak inside. The chill of the night crept across her skin as he tore away the last remnants of cloth concealing her, stripping away her dignity once more. Goosebumps budded along her skin, her teeth chattering as her lingering sliver of humanity hung on tightly.

"What are you going to do if a monster wants to take everything away from you hmm? Are you going to please? Are you going to beg?"​

As Ethan's hands shifted elsewhere, the crushing weight he once applied on her gullet released, permitting Addy to drink in desperate breaths of air. Gasping loudly, her chest heaved as if resurfacing from drowning, sputtering and coughing as she struggled to breathe. The rawness embedded within her throat made it hoarse, yet that didn't deter her from responding with defiance. "You're that very monster!" Choking out her words she coughed, gasping before continuing. "You already did everything you could to me, what more do you want?!" What was the point of his scolding when he knew she was bound to the very cycle he preached? It was ironic, his lecture feeling like a cruel twist of the knife right in her gut, aware she had no power to resist his unrelenting control.

CRUNCH​

Another relentless bite sank into her already battered and bruised neck, his teeth branding fervent marks along her flesh to cruelly remind her of the subjugation. "AH!" Sharply she inhaled through clenched teeth, the searing pain of the bite and his venom coursing like a wildfire through her veins with each agonizing heartbeat. Even though his venom had long taken root of her, its fiery trail burned inside her veins, sending ripples of pain through every nerve ending in her body. Rationally, her mind shouted that resistance was futile, that no salvation awaited her in this fight... Yet she rebelled against the truth, challenging it. The fractured remnants of her humanity peeked through the cracks that hadn't yet been sealed off, her figure writhing beneath him as she thrashed and kicked wildly.

"I wonder what the guys in the security room are thinking of this display. Go ahead, Adelaide, smile for the camera."​

Disgusting. Realizing that she had fallen head over heels for such a manipulative, hollow tool churned her stomach - the mere thought of it filling her belly with sickening regret. What cut the deepest was the sting of her own naivety; raw, blind trust given freely without a second thought. Yet, even in her foolishness, she didn't trust him enough to betray Arc's secrets. Even if Ethan figured it out on his own, Addy still kept her lips sealed. Oh, Arc... I'm so sorry... I'm so sorry for not understanding you, for not seeing your side sooner... Unspoken apologies emanated from her heavy heart, refusing to grant Ethan any satisfaction to respond to him - so instead, silently she spoke to Arc within the safety of her consciousness. Endless conversations she yearned to have with him, so many things she wished she could have said - but not as many as the moments she wished she could rewrite.

But she knew it was too late now. This was going to be the end. The truth was cold, final, as it seeped into her chest.

I'm sorry that I told you that you should've been the one to die... I was angry, so angry to learn the truth of our parents. You can't blame me though... Right? Would you have behaved the same if the roles were reversed? Trying to block out the present moment, the cold, uncaring touch of Ethan's hands roamed over her exposed body in front of the unrelenting gaze of the cameras. Squeezing her eyes shut, she acted as if it didn't exist if she couldn't see it. Droplets of tears spilled from the corners of her tightly sealed lids, the liquid scalding against her chilled skin. I didn't understand you, Arc. I needed to be in your shoes to get it. And I do now. I finally get it... Addy's sniffles punctuated her outer silence, her inner voice causing more harm than any words Ethan could spit at her or the assault of his hands. You shielded me from so much without giving me a good explanation, and for that reason I was left to resent you - for taking my life away... Maybe if we worked together, to understand each other, we both would have come out without wounds... Opening her eyes, blurred with salty tears, she looked up at Ethan whose fingers clamped on her chin. Commanding her gaze to angle in the direction of the camera.

It wasn't his orchestrated control that ached the most - it was the words she would never say to her brother.

"Maybe I should write on you too. To let everyone who sees you know that you're mine and mine alone."​

"S-stop!" Addy's strained voice cracked under the pressure, feeling his invasive palms roam her body, her legs forced to spread for all to see. "Just kill me already, why go to such lengths?!" Her pleas fell on deaf ears, Ethan grabbing her phone as the device was now a tool for his twisted cruelty. Her wrists and ankles strained as they attempted to cover her, but the cold metal only tightened at her restraint, keeping her body forced in the degrading position he wielded upon her. Physically unable to escape, Addy closed her eyes again, hearing the shuttering echoes of her camera taking multiple photos. Retreating inwardly, she yearned to remove herself mentally from this reality. The only solace she had left was her conversation with Arc within her mind.

Vulgar words poured relentlessly from his mouth, each world dripping with a twisted sense of pride as he painted her into something she wasn't - a whore in his narrative he carefully crafted. Writhing against the restraints, Addy clenched her teeth, realizing that no words were left to say for him. There was nothing she could say that would silence the cruel boasting, let alone him reveling in the suffering he brought her. Every syllable of his venomous words cut deeper. Words of slaying her friend, of exposing her, chipping away and dismantling any hope she foolishly clung onto. "Just shut up! SHUT. UP!" Screaming, her voice breaking with anguish, the rawness of her emotion reverberating. Her cries only fueled his twisted satisfaction, threatening to overwhelm her entirely.

"I know that more than anyone."​

"...Arc? Is that really... No." Warring in her chest, disbelief and hope threaded through her trembling voice. Standing before her, the figure was her savior, her knight and shining armor - the same man she so thoughtlessly casted out of her life without a second thought. The dam that tried to contain her emotions faltered, tears streaking down her cheeks freely as she sobbed. Never envisioning seeing him again, especially when she needed him most, her spirit hardened.

Awareness overtook joy as the state of her vulnerability crashed down on her. "Please, look away!" Addy begged with a desperate voice, her head turning around to close her eyes in shame, yet that was the least of their worries. Arc's pent up frustration was unleashed, dissolving Ethan's once smug demeanor in a single blow. Witnessing him receiving his own medicine was nothing short of enthralling. Blood messily smeared across his once-handsome features, every strike causing crimson droplets to splatter, some even speckling her skin like tiny, red freckles. There was no room left for mercy, every blow a testament to a wrath that was buried back for far too long. A macabre symphony of retribution pulsated alongside the music from outside, the moment vindicating.

It was practically laughable how rapidly life could oscillate, transfiguring in the time it took for a single heartbeat. Ethan was once her everything - a person she adored, someone she would have travelled to the depths of hell and back for. But right now? Now, as he lay sprawled out a couple of feet away from her, with blood oozing from his vanquished form, she felt absolutely nothing. No pity, not even love - just an icy detachment. Truthfully, she wished Arc had killed him.

SNAP​

Finally, she was freed from the oppressive weight of the chains, her hands instinctively wrapping around herself to shield Arc the sights of her exposed state. Breathing in uneven gasps, she watched him as he carefully approached - his presence both comforting yet overwhelming. Her lips trembled, the words she once held tightly in her mind now scattering into silence. Tears brimmed within her hues, blurring his image as her chin quivered uncontrollably. Gazing up at him, she looked helpless, broken, and lost.

"Yell at me all you like later, but right now... hug me back... Just for a moment... Please."​

As the thin jacket draped securely over her trembling shoulders, Addy outstretched her arms - weakened and nearly defeated where she lay on the cold, hard ground. "Arc... I never thought I'd see you again..." Her voice broke into a sob with every word. "I'm so sorry... I'm so sorry..." Spilling like a broken mantra, Addy apologized profusely, her cries reminiscent of that of a wounded child seeking comfort in an adult. Her fingers clutched tightly against the fabric of his clothes, anchoring him in place as if to cease him from finishing up the business that awaited them. "Don't leave again... not now, not ever..." His own apologies were muffled by her sobs, her face burying into his chest as his clothes willingly caught the droplets of her grief. "I'm the one that should be sorry, Arc... Not you... Please forgive me... Please... I get it now..."

"Let's get you out of here. This place is not a place for you-"​

BANG​

Arc's weight shifted abruptly, collapsing overtop of Addy as she was forced to prop him up with her debilitated hands. Recoiling her head to catch sight of the commotion, her gaze stopped at a foreign man. It all happened so fast that her mind had no time to catch up. Ethan laid sprawled out on the floor, panting as his regeneration faltered against the endless wounds marring his body. Adjacently stood a man she never encountered, clutching a shotgun and leveling it at Arc to fire again.

And Arc - one leg was completely gone. The lower half, below his knee, was obliterated. Shredded connective tissue dangled grotesquely from the dehisce rip in his pants. Thick, coagulated blood freely poured from the lethal-looking wound. "ARC! No... No no no!" Her hands scrambled to act, flinging to his mangled leg as she desperately applied pressure. Addy tried to stanch the steady flow of blood, unknown if he would be able to heal from this injury or not after their apartment incident that left him hospitalized.

Loud, boisterous footsteps thundered towards the duo, each step powerful like an impending storm. Halting his stride behind Arc. His presence casted a gloomy shadow over their bodies. Helplessly she could do nothing but watch as her brother was delivered a brutal kick, forcing him to bow to the ground. Without skipping a beat, Addy tossed herself alongside him as she crawled over his figure - safeguarding him from further harm. Narrowing her eyes in defiance, a feral glare casted over the man's gaze as they locked eyes. Her newly-formed fangs glimmered threateningly; a desperate attempt to give him a primal warning, but it appeared more of a silent plea.

"Back up, darling. I don't care about your little boyfriend Ethan there. He's only useful if he's pretty and he's bringing girls in. Not like this. If you want to go free, then don't give me another fucking issue."​

Pressing her forehead unwaveringly against the cold barrel of the shotgun, she met his stare with unrelenting resolve, challenging him to pull that trigger with his index finger. Her voice quavered with panic, uncertain of the repercussion of her actions. “I’m not leaving without my brother." She declared, unwilling to move out of his way. "If you're going to shoot him, then you’ll have to shoot me too.” She spoke as if there was no room left for compromise, but she knew this man cared little for her life to make such a bold threat.

"I said, back the fuck up. Don't test me unless you want to join him; Don't be stupid."

"Addy, it's fine. Let me handle this..."​

“NO, it’s not fine! Please, just stop and put down your gun!” Her voice bled with desperation, but his mind had already been made. Another volley of bullets soared through the air, each one finding its mark precisely on Arc's body. Cherry-red doused against her jacket and skin, the warm liquid evidence to Arc's torment - his body jolting violently under the impact of the fresh wounds. Tossing her hands to his shoulders, she tried to steady him... but she could feel his strength waning beneath the press of her palms. “Arc, fight back, please!” Shouting, her voice was raw with fear as her gaze snapped on the man that continued to relentlessly fire shots. His focus was so singular that it was as if she didn't exist.

“I SAID STOP!” Without realizing the weight of her searing heartache and dismay, those dormant powers erupted to life. Her eyes illuminated with a deep, luminous cerise, glowing otherworldly in the dim chaos. The wounds that peppered all along her body - some self-inflicted while the majority was courtesy of Ethan - began to weep limitlessly. Its flow was unnatural but fueled by unbridled purpose. Pulsating as if it were alive, it writhed and twisted like sentient tendrils in odd directions. It slithered against the ground with eerie precision, encasing around her and Arc in a protective, threatening display. The sight alone caused a jolt of unease to grapple the boss, his feet propelling him to stumble backwards in confusion.

“What the fuck are you doing?” As he readied his shotgun to fire off another merciless round, the blood tendrils rocketed upwards with relentless ferocity, threading together to create a protective dome over the two of them. The stream began to coagulate and solidify, crafting a nearly impenetrable barrier. Tiny jagged spikes protruded from the surface, adding an additional layer of defense to the barrier. Tearing through the air, the bullet flew with lethal precision - but it was far too late. The crystalized blood barricade intercepted just in time. Embedding itself into the surface, it left the two of them unscathed.

Clutching her securely against her body, Addy braced herself as she anticipated to take the next blow in Arc's place. Sharply the echoes of the bullet filled their ears - yet, nothing happened. Hesitantly she lifted her head to see what had happened, her breath catching to see the intricate blood-forced structure looming overhead of them. At first, fear began to prick at her - witnessing her own solidified blood proudly hanging above them. It was unsettling, the girl blinking in disbelief to make sure what she was seeing was true, but that feeling quickly gave way to gratitude. It saved their lives.

"This probably... isn't going to last... much longer," Murmuring, her voice was unsteady as the boss cocked his gun again, this time ensuring his shot wouldn't miss. Faintly the sound of cracks spidering across the protective shield warned them of its weakening state. "We need... a plan to... get out of..." Addy's words faltered as the weight of the days trauma finally began to bore down into her. She hadn't fed, she used up all of her energy reserves, and now? She had unknowingly activated a power that wasn't meant to surface yet.

Betrayed by her body, she swayed unsteadily to the right, crumpling to the ground with a loud thud as she succumbed to the exhaustion. Desperately she fought against the heaviness dragging her eyelids down, willing herself to stay awake... yet her body hollered in protest. Every fiber urged her to remain conscious, warning her that if she were to surrender to sleep that the end would be certain. But the exhaustion was relentless, like an unforgiving tide striving to pull her under. A strong resolve meant nothing if her body was useless. Fluttering her eyes shut, the world around her began to fade away, Addy drifting into a deep, unyielding sleep.

ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ Dɪᴠɪᴅɪɴɢ Bʏ Zᴇʀᴏ
0:00 ㅇ──────── 4:57
↻ ◁ || ▷ ↺
Tᴀᴋᴇ ᴍᴇ ғᴏʀ ᴀ ʀɪᴅᴇ
I'ᴍ ᴛʜᴇ ᴏɴᴇ ʏᴏᴜ ᴘᴜsʜᴇᴅ ᴀsɪᴅᴇ
Bᴜᴛ ɪᴛ's ᴄᴏᴍɪɴɢ ʙᴀᴄᴋ ᴛᴏ ʏᴏᴜ
Yᴇᴀʜ ɪᴛ's ᴄᴏᴍɪɴɢ ʙᴀᴄᴋ ᴛᴏ ʏᴏᴜ, ʜᴇʏ!
Rᴜɴ ᴛᴏ ᴛʜᴇ sᴏᴜɴᴅ
Tᴀᴋᴇ ɪᴛ ʙᴀᴄᴋ ᴀɴᴅ ᴅᴏᴜʙʟᴇ ᴅᴏᴡɴ
'Cᴀᴜsᴇ ɪᴛ's ᴄᴏᴍɪɴɢ ʙᴀᴄᴋ ᴛᴏ ʏᴏᴜ
Yᴇᴀʜ ɪᴛ's ᴄᴏᴍɪɴɢ ʙᴀᴄᴋ ᴛᴏ ʏᴏᴜ​

Twyla's movements were fluid, instinctive, as the first guard lunged in her direction with a balled fist - aiming it squarely in the center of her face. Seizing the open opportunity, the second guard snapped his leg upwards in a swift kick meant to catch her off guard... but she was already two steps ahead in her motion. Excitedly her hands sprung out, grappling his rising leg with a vice-like force, eyes narrowing as she smirked in satisfaction. Without skipping a beat, she flung him aside with horrific ease, his muscular body hurling through the air like a shooting star in vast darkness. Roughly he collided with the wall in an explosive impact, the force of his body carving a deep crater into the concrete that encased them.

Debris clouded the air, shrouding the byproduct of the collision as Twyla unconcernedly placed her left hand over her right shoulder, rotating it in a slow, circular motion to ease any remaining tension within her muscles. "Sheesh, I didn't mean to go that hard, sorry buddy!" She quipped as her voice laced with a mock apology, a petty grin tugging at her lips. Shifting her stare into the remaining guard who stood frozen before her, she notated his widening eyes in disbelief at how quickly the situation unfolded in her favor. A sheen of perspiration gathered on his brow, his Adam's Apple bobbing as she swallowed the frog lodged within his throat.

"You alright?" Closing the distance with alarming ease, her body tilted to the side as her sharp gaze scrutinized his expression. Twyla's close proximity made him flinch reflexively, his composure faltering under her predatory stare. "You look like you've seen a ghost..." Teasing him, her vocal cords were tinged with a dark amusement. Clearly entertained by her own joke, she let out a soft laugh that bubbled outwards as she straightened her posture. Shaking her head as she suppressed a shit-eating grin, she knew it was wrong to continue toying with him in this manner.

"Who - no, what the fuck are you?" Boldly he demanded through a betrayed stutter, shaken by the overwhelming exhibit of her power. He attempted to size her up, his eyes skating against her petite frame. Though he loomed over her by a full foot, it still didn't amount to anything - her aura alone made it clear that she had him wrapped around her finger in an outmatched fight.

"But where's the fun in being able to know that?" Taunting him, her tone was light yet held a hint of malice. Softening her posture, she gave him the impression that she'd let her guard down - but it was nothing more than a trap. In an instant, her right hand bolted out, seizing his esophagus with a steeled grip. Her fingers reinforced their hold as she balanced on the tips of her toes, ensuring her grasp was firm despite their apparent size difference. The irony was laughably palpable - a girl half his stature held him completely at her mercy. "Now, be a good boy and just die?" Twyla hissed out her request, her words dripping with mockery. "Tsk. What a shame that they hired weaklings to guard this club." With a tug, she commanded him to bend forward to her level, those predatory eyes gluing to his exposed neck. Parting her lips to reveal her lethal weapon of choice, her head lunged down in a motion that was as swift as it was savage. Effortlessly her fangs sank deep into his flesh, sipping on his blood as she felt her body pulsate with newfound energy.

Unintentionally, Twyla had neglected to disclose to Arc about the true extent of her ultimate ability: If she drank a decent amount of blood from the vampire she killed with her own hands, their ability would pass onto her and become hers to wield - indefinitely. This man lacked anything particularly noteworthy in her eyes when it came to his power, his sole talent being able to mask his scent and evade any detection by smell. Regardless, a gain was a gain, and she wouldn't spoil an opportunity to waste.

She didn't necessarily enjoy the sensation of her victim writhing beneath her hold - it had a way of stirring an uncomfortable pang of guilt within her chest. Yet, her consciousness never failed to remind her of the harm they inflicted upon innocent humans - and just like that, all of her hesitations dissipated. Lifting her head away from his neck, her lips dripped with the stain of blood that wasn't her own. Before he had an opportunity to react, her hand launched like a dagger towards his chest, her fingers sharpened like talons. Plummeting them into the left side of his ribs with brutal exactness, Twyla tore through flesh and muscle until they reached the cavity where his heart resided.

Silently, a flicker of gratitude warmed inside her soul that Arc didn't follow and witness just how barbaric she could be. In a swift, premeditated motion, her hand drove into the man's thoracic cavity, fingers twining around his beating organ. It was almost surreal - the duality she exercised. To most of the world, she was a disarmingly sweet girl... yet here she stood, executing an act so inhumane it would make any level-headed person question her humanity. And the kicker? She enjoyed every second of it. It seemed extremely unfair how easily she snuffed out his life, but then again, the guard wasn't much of a challenge in the slightest. He was weak and unwilling to fight it. Truly, it was pitiful.

Almost.​

Unforgivingly she yanked, extracting his heart free from the connective tissue and discarded it without a second thought. It squished against the ground as if were nothing but worthless scrap, the muscle twitching momentarily from the aftermath. Lifting her leg, her boot came down mercilessly, stomping on the organ until a pulpy ruin remained, the disgusting squelching sounds echoing with each forceful crush. The very moment his heart was removed from his body, he crumpled into a lifeless heap, his weight striking the floor with a colossal thud. Scarlet rivulets of body fluid dripped from her fingertips, each droplet skidding against the curve of her elongated nails before falling to pool on the ground. Gradually, as if savoring the moment, Twyla lifted her hand towards her lips, her rosy tongue lashing out to taste the remnants of his life-force. The sharpness of the metallic tang rolled around her tongue, swallowing the liquid as her gaze flipped towards the second guard. Residing within the man-made crater, he laid sprawled out and unconscious, not even twitching a muscle. For now, she chose to let him be. He wasn't wroth the effort right now. What nagged her was Arc's absence in spite of her being the one to leave. Twyla was gone for quite a length of time, and his failure to follow suite to investigate himself was unlike him. It was unsettling as an unusual, gnawing sense of unease began to rest within her stomach.
As her legs moved willfully toward the balcony, another unnerving realization slid within her mind - everyone in the VIP section had left without a word. Churning with unease, her gut tightened, her pace quickening with urgency. Something's not right, muttering to herself, her eyes narrowed as they swooped over the eerily silent area that was usually bustling. Reaching the doorway to the balcony, her breath caught within her throat.

Empty.​

The space was devoid of Arc, almost as if he was never there as no traces were left behind - or any idea where he might have disappeared to.

BANG BANG BANG​

"Shit!" The keen snap of gunfire ricocheted from outside the VIP area, a disorderly choir of violence that caused the walls to rattle under its wrath. Panic flared up within her like a wildfire, seeping into her veins as her heart thrummed with horror. Something was wrong, terribly wrong. Immediately Arc's image pierced her mind... was he caught in the middle of the commotion? Think, Twyla... think! Thwacking herself on her forehead she hissed with clenched teeth, coercing herself to quell the rising tide of fear.

Snapping her eyes shut, she drew in a deep breath to anchor herself, attuning to the frequencies coursing throughout her body. She needed to find him. Delving inward, Twyla tapped into her second ability, familiarizing herself to the intangible vibrations encasing her. The air seemed alive as it hummed, visualizing the connection - the red thread that would guide her to Arc. Slowly, the world shifted at her will, materializing a misty red thread as it webbed through the chaos and into a room she had yet to investigate. Opening her eyes, the fear that had drenched them was now replaced with resolve. Without hesitation, her legs moved forward as they propelled her with purpose, carrying her with unhuman speed. Her lengthened almond hair streamed behind her like a banner, whipping around as she diluted the rest of her surroundings and only focused on Arc and his whereabouts.

Standing in front of the imposing double doors that separated Twyla from Arc, her right foot levitated and delivered a commanding kick. Groaning in protest, the thick doors flung open with a resounding slam, the sound echoing through the room as if she shot her own gun. Immediately her eyes skated across the scene, drinking in every detail with practiced precision. First, her pupils fell upon an abused and unconscious girl who laid on the ground. A few feet away, a vampiric man sprawled out in a pool of his own blood - his body unable to regenerate fast enough to stem the crimson overflow. A hulking man, someone of high tier, loomed dangerously in the center, a shotgun clutched threateningly in his palms.

Sinking, her heart throbbed as her gaze landed on a familiar face - the girl she had helped at the hospital the other day, battered and slumped on the ground... and nearby, finally, her eyes found Arc. On the verge of collapse, he protectively slanted over her, his own blood coating his body as fresh wounds bore into his flesh.

A piece of the puzzle began to click into place as her mind replayed the memory of the hospital visit. The unconscious girl... was she... Adelaide? Arc's sister? The resemblance was uncanny, from the angles of their jawline to the faint familial aura that practically drenched off from them. It was a feeling she new all to well with Val. It was beginning to align - the timing, the mere coincidence of seeing her at the hospital, Arc's explanation of their bad terms. But, a more serious question seared in her head - was Adelaide a vampire too? Why did Arc hide it from her? Or, did it just happen? Time was a luxury she couldn't afford.. The unanswered questions would have to wait. Right now, the only thing that mattered was getting Arc and everyone else who mattered out of this situation. And fast.

Turning his attention onto Twyla, his expression unreadable, the boss made his intentions thoroughly clear in the lethal precision of his calculated movements. Wasting no time with words, he made sure his actions spoke louder. Elevating the barrel of his shotgun, he aimed it head on at Twyla, firing with callous intent. Moving instinctively, she dodged the blast with expert dexterity. The roar of the gunshot pulsated in beat to the music, making impact with the wall behind her. Her eyes, however, avoided the man who had just tired to slay her. They were on locked on Arc. The scene made her stomach churn with sickness. His leg was missing, his body honeycombed with bullet holes. Blood merged around him like a morbid halo, his ambience shifting noticeably as his once-strong frame quivered under the tonnage of his lesions.

Then she heard it - a sound that embedded terror into her very soul. Faintly, the weakened rhythm of his heart thrummed against her sensitive eardrums, each beat seemingly slower than the last. If he continued to take hits it was obvious he wasn't going to be able to hold on much longer.

It was as though a dormant force had awakened inside of her after catching sight of Arc and Adelaide teetering on the thin line of death. A blazing inferno raged inside of her soul, evaporating all pretense of restraint and hesitation in and instant. Her alter ego no longer mattered as her brown tresses shifted into a snow-white in mere moments, gracefully falling against her shoulders like a ghostly veil. Those once warm, sunlit eyes now illuminated with an unearthly lavender light - power and fury radiation within them.

Crackling with intense energy, the air around her shifted with a flick of her wrist, feeling heavy and suffocating. A promise of destruction whirled around, the room itself seeming to tremble under that unspoken word of honor. She locked her fatal gaze on the suspect with an unyieldingly cold expression, the boss still cocking his gun with a deliberate calm. He was completely unaware of the storm he had just unleashed within her.

"And who in the fuck might you be, pureblood?" He sneered with a low chuckle, his voice ringing with equal parts derision and a piqued curiosity. Regardless of her transformation right before his eyes, the boss carried on an air of being unfazed. Maybe it was arrogance, or possibly he had witnessed too much to be easily shaken. Still, even for someone as desensitized as him, the mere sight of a pureblood displaying themselves was a rarity. It was a phenomenon that usually steeped with fear and mystery.

"Allow me to show you." Propelling herself forward, she lunged in the blink of an eye - a blur of motion that was so fast it was nearly imperceptible. Balling her right hand into a tight fist, her knuckles turned bone-white from the sheer force of her grip. Drawing that fist backwards, she soared it forward with unrestricting force, perfectly planting an uppercut directly in his gut. As expected, the impact was devastating as a choked gasp left his throat, accompanied by flying strands of saliva as the wind was effectively removed from his lungs. His abdomen convulsed from the impact, but his index finger stilled coiled around the trigger, pushing it downward.

BANG​

Ringing out, the bullet darted out of its barrel, grazing the edge of Twyla's left side effectively. Her outfit ripped where the projectile scraped her, shreds of cloth fluttering as it had no place to connect. A superficial wound was left, surfacing with blood as it absorbed into the fabric that grazed against it. This wound was nothing - it was a scratch compared to what she could've endured from that bullet.

Arc needed time, but they didn't have any to spare. Regenerating a missing appendage wasn't a quick process. It would take hours... no, days. How was he supposed to walk out of this mess in this condition with everyone? How could she protect him and every one, all while fending off this imposing man? For all she knew, more reinforcements could barrage in at any moment. Her attention couldn't afford to be divided. She had no choice even if she wanted to. The odds were stacked against her, and the uncertainty suffocated her. There were no allies to call on, no backup to help speed up the process.

They were all alone.

"Please, hang on for me." Sparing a moment to glance over her shoulder, she called out to Arc as her voice broke. "We still have so much to talk about." Turning her focus back on the imposing villain, her claws extended with malignant fidelity, lunging at him with a flick of her wrist. Managing to maneuver out in time, his speed and agility betrayed his size, evading her attack while countering it with a brutal set of knuckles to her right cheek. The momentum caused her head to snap to the side, pain blossoming from the impact of his fist. Shocked momentarily, her jaw tightened as her head whipped back to face him, those lilac eyes emanating with savagery. Swooping her leg upwards she delivered a formidable side kick, locking with his torso and sending him hurtling in the opposite direction. To Twyla's frustration, his figure twisted mid-air, landing skillfully on his feet like a seasoned gymnast. Slyly he smirked, seemingly proud of his save that mocked her efforts. Narrowing her eyes, Twyla sneered at him, the man thinking this was nothing but a game...

...but he was about to learn just how wrong his assumption was.​

 

[Tenzai]

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Numbness. Cold.

Signs of the end.
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ɴᴏᴡ ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ: ʀɪᴠᴇʀꜱ | ᴏᴜʀ ᴍɪʀᴀɢᴇ
↻ ◁ II ▷ ↺

I can't feel my head
I feel so numb, maybe I'm dead
There is a hole inside my soul that
Makes it easier for me to lose control
But at the same time something makes me whole
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"NO, it's not fine! Please, just stop and put down your gun!" 'That tone sounds familiar.' It was an echo of the final sound he heard at his final day at home. Despite the ringing in his ears and his fading consciousness, her brother remained reactive to Adelaide's words all throughout. It was the only source of strength he could muster when falling victim to the weapons of his enemy, succumbing to a fate the goddess' oracle had predicted long in advance. His regeneration speed was nowhere near fast enough to keep up with the damage he was taking, especially with his leg removed forcefully.

"Arc, fight back, please!" 'Why is she so worried for me? Did she really mean her apology? Is this all a dream?' With his brain failing to comprehend the level of pain and damage he was afflicted with, Arc felt nothing but a dull sensation that overwhelmed more and more of his body after every flash of the club boss' muzzle. 'Of course it's a dream. There's no way she could forgive me for what I've done. I've taken her life away. I should've died.'

The light behind his eyes began to fade as his surroundings blurred around him. Regardless of how close she was in proximity, Adelaide's sounds appeared distant. The crackle of gunfire blunted by her shield could only be barely registered by her brother's brain. His senses were the first to go as his body used whatever resources it had left to preserve his remaining life. To a vampire, blood was not only food necessary for sanguine strength; It was also the physical manifestation of a vampire's life force. Blood was a resource. It represented power, wealth, and influence. Without blood, they were nothing. Without a functioning heart and mind to circulate it or a sufficient enough quantity to maintain internal blood pressure and blood flow, whatever vampire once was would be nothing more than a lifeless husk; Another corpse to succumb to the natural elements.

As his body slipped into an unconscious state, Arc's hand reached out to the sounds of his sister's voice, only to find that she was well out of reach. His body wouldn't budge. He was so close and yet, still too far at the same time. 'If I wasn't around in the first place, Addy wouldn't be here.' Before hearing her body fall to the ground, he felt an odd but familiar feeling wash over his feet to his ankles; The waves of an icy ocean... Home.

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"This probably... isn't going to last... much longer, We need... a plan to... get out of..."

"Welcome home, Arc."
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"Mom? Dad?" As he spoke, Arc immediately noticed his voice taking on a much higher pitch, as though he returned to his youthful past as a boy. "What are you doing here?" Turning towards their sound, he saw the faces of his smiling parents with arms spread wide open, motioning towards him to hug them. Immediately, tears showered across his cheeks as the temptation to chase after their image had nearly overtook him. However, before he began to run towards them, he noticed something missing from their beach-side home. Adelaide wasn't here. That alone had made this family picture feel incomplete. Heaven wasn't heaven if his sister wasn't around to enjoy it with him.

The boy simply stood in place, letting the cold of the ocean ground him. It was often in the early mornings before all others had a chance to disturb him where he would walk on the shores next to home, finding his peace by the water. Though, while he refused to leave the ocean's embrace, his father breached the distance between them, eventually stopping within feet of him to wipe the tears from his face. "I see you missed us too." His dad bent his knees so he could meet Arc at his level. "Aren't you disappointed in me? I couldn't follow through with my promises to you. I hurt you... I hurt Addy... Even now. Even with you in front of me, I still can't follow orders. I'm terrible, aren't I?"

Arc looked down at the waves beneath him, seeing a lack of his reflection on the water. He forgot how he looked before, becoming too immersed in a sanguine world full of sin and violence to remember when he was once innocent. "Why would I be? I'm proud of you, son. You're the farthest thing from a disappointment. The farthest thing from terrible." The boy looked up at his father with curiosity. "Your mom and I told you before, that we'll never leave you. No matter how lonely you get, you and Adelaide will always have a family in here." His dad placed a hand on his chest, causing Arc's eyes to open wide as he felt his heartbeat. "It wasn't your fault that we're here, but you're the reason to blame when it comes to how proud you make us. You've grown up into someone special. Someone strong enough to protect the ones he loves. That alone is enough to make me proud."

His mom nodded her head. "And not only that, but you're doing your best to protect others as well. And to think, you found yourself someone special too! Ah, I wish I was around to see grandkids, but watching you from here is enough.." She followed after her husband, walking towards Arc instead of leaving him behind to freeze in the ocean. With her arms spread out wide, his parents drew him into a hug, giving him a feeling he never thought he'd ever had a chance to experience again. "You've given us nothing but things to be proud of you about, Arc. All I hope is that you could forgive yourself. We know you never meant to hurt us."

"But... I killed you. I... Why do I deserve forgiveness? It doesn't make sense! It's not fair to you!" Selfish in his unapologetic stance, Arc believed that he was nothing but a sinful child worthy of punishment. "I'm a monster! I'm one of them! Someone who's meant to take advantage and devour others! You've seen what I've done with Addy! I lied to her! I... I..." The boy broke out in tears once again, swatting away the comforting hands of his mother. Only until his father grabbed both of his arms were they able to finally give him the love he needed but never asked for. "Monsters don't help people, Arc. Monsters never sacrifice themselves to protect the ones they love."

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"Tell me. If you were such a monster, why do you go to such lengths to care for Adelaide?"

"To repent for what I've done to you-"
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His father reached his arm back and slapped his son hard enough to knock him into the water. "Wrong answer. Both you and I know you have another more meaningful reason." As if carefully watching their son from above, his father began to bring up all that Arc did that went beyond simply keeping her safe. "What about all the thought out gifts? The time you spent with her? You're going to tell me that all those smiles you shared? All those meals you made? All those memories you shared? All of that was out of repentance? Come on, Arc. You're smarter than this. You're a detective for God's sake. Least you could do is understand yourself like you do others."

Reaching out his hand, he pulled Arc out from the cold underneath him. This time, instead of a child being pulled up, it was the Arc of the present, still dressed in the nightclub wardrobe he chose out with Twyla. "You did that all because you care. Like you did for us, you did for her. Don't fucking put your name in the same place as those freaks that took us away from you. To even compare yourself to them is to do our family an injustice."

"Your father is right, honey." His mother kissed him on his bruised cheek, granting healing through her kindness. While their father was firm yet confident, their mother was the comfort that kept the family glued together even during the toughest of times. "Don't belittle your own efforts. All of what you've done was out of love." Her warmth was something he'd never forget; A light that ceased to be far too soon. "I've never known another man short of your father who would go this far for the people he loves. If anything, you inherited his passion and my love. You've grown up into a fine man, and I can't be any prouder to call you my son." Her reassuring smile cut through the icy barriers he built in between him and the outside world, reaching through the tough mask he wore all this time to touch him where he was coldest: His soul.

The vampire detective once assumed that he was beyond saving; That his efforts in fighting against the darkness were in vain. He understood that turning against a foe so powerful and numerous by himself was a death sentence, yet it was this scene that played out before him, of his family home with his parents loving him unconditionally, that reminded him of what he was fighting for in the first place. While he might not ever be able to relive the same with his parents, it wasn't too late to do so with his sister, or so he thought. He couldn't deny the fact that this all felt too real; He understood that these scenes that played out in front of him were what was often described as near death experiences elsewhere. If he got to see his parents again, it must have meant one thing. "... Thank you, mom. Thank you, dad." Finally embracing his biggest regrets, he looked to them for advice. "But what now? If I'm seeing you in a place like this, I must be dead right?"

"Not quite. I don't think it's your time to join us yet, Arc." The loud thump of a door shook the very sky above him. "It appears that you still have something left to do. Others to live for." Seeing their time coming to an end, his parents readied their final farewells. "Wait- What do you mean? Why are you acting like I'm going to leave you? I'm not gonna leave you again!" Pulling him into one last, deep hug, his father was the first to speak up. "Because you are leaving. This isn't the place where you belong yet. You belong by Adelaide and Twyla's side. They still need you, you know?" His mom kissed the top of his forehead, giving him her blessing. "Live on for us. Live the life you always wanted for yourself. Not the life that you think we want for you. You and Adelaide deserve a future free of pain." Her eyes sparkled with the twinkling of the sun on the passing waves, distracting him from the growing sounds of meat hitting flesh and gunshots. "Don't punish yourself for striving for that. And please do us both a favor and don't ever, ever forget.."

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"...that we never stopped loving you, Arc."

"Please, hang on for me."
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I'm alive as I open up my eyes
I feel the storm but the wolves are at my door
And the rain says that my life is not in vain
So the rivers forming from the storm will bring

Will bring me home again
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"And who in the fuck might you be, pureblood?"

"Allow me to show you."
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With a fist that shot out as fast as lightning, the momentum of her uppercut sent rippling waves through his body as his finger met the trigger, sending his body crashing into the ceiling before dropping back down on the floor. His aim now contorted by the punch, his nearly missed its mark, grazing her cheek instead of blowing her head clean off. As he recoiled from the pain trying to regain his breath through bruised lungs, it quickly became clear to the vampire that whoever this white haired vampire is was no mere pure blood. Even some acolytes lacked the same level of physical capacity that she seemed to wield expertly. As such, the smirk he wore on his face swapped to frown. This wasn't an opponent he could underestimate.

Lifting himself up from the ground, the vampiric boss noticed the sudden compassion the pureblood wielded towards Arc and his sister. She paused in her attack to observe the damage inflicted on the vampire detective's body. While the rounds may not have been particularly special on their own, it was the scale of damage that was worrying. Large parts of his body were damaged with some blown clean off. Interestingly, there was little damage done to Arc's heart and head, as though her enemy intended on letting him suffer first before dying; Believing a swift, painless death to be too kind a mercy for someone who ruined the reputation of the club and the boss as a whole. "Please, hang on for me. We still have so much to talk about."

"Ha... Hahaha!" He spat blood in her direction, uncaring about his laugh drawing her attention. His ego was still too thick to notice the effect her anger had on the air that surrounded her. "To think, you'd go all this way to make me your enemy just so you could play hero for a worthless vampire and his whore of a sister. What type of fucking fairytale bullshit is this?" He taunted her, aware that she was now forced to protect more than just herself.

Without hesitation, she clawed at him. Though, this time, he was more prepared for it. Using his agility to catch her by surprise, he countered her swipe with a punch of his diamond knuckle dusters, leaving an imprint of his fist on her face and rocking her jaw back only to be surprised by her resilience to pain and quick recovery. Sensing an opening, her head turned back to focus on her target before sweeping his legs, only for his feet to land back on the ground with grace. "Don't think you're stronger than me just because you have fancy tricks."

"You're not the only one who has tricks of your own." His eyes began to glow white, finding her an enemy that was worth the use of his power. Her landing blows on him that stung was a stain on his pride; A new scar on his ego. While it took much more energy than most other vampiric abilities to use, it was his reason why few other vampires below him dared to challenge his reign over his crime-filled dominion. Upon gripping his fist, his body began to take the physical properties of the material that made up his dusters. With a body as hard as diamond, he began to walk towards her, crushing the very floor with every footstep.

⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘

"Let's see how you long you could withstand me."
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Curling his hips inward for additional power, he loaded his fist before tossing out a punch that was choreographed, though upon the final release of it, it shot out faster than expected. Despite being dodged, his fist smashed a hole through the concrete wall behind her. "What? Afraid of getting hit now? What happened to you acting tough earlier? Hmm?" The vampire smirked, ripping his hand free from its concrete confine before slamming his foot down onto the ground to break a shard free. Immediately finding a large enough piece at an appropriate angle, the boss punched a shard of flooring towards her like a projectile only for it too to be dodged. However, this time, it was intentionally off its mark, nearly hitting both of the siblings as it collided with the floor between them. "Oops, nearly killed one of your friends there. Would be a shame if one of them were to get hurt while we fought, wouldn't it?"

While Twyla might have been a much more serious threat on her own, the vampire believed the lack of time and the dependence of her newfound allies on her limited her combat prowess. Her friends were nothing but cards that shifted the balance of power in his favor. Turning his attention towards Adelaide, the one who got in his way before anyone else, he used his reinforced body to resist Twyla's initial attempts to dissuade his attention from those who were more vulnerable. However, before he had a chance to place a hand on her, he heard his own weapon fire. Bang. His head rocked forward, forcing the vampire to turn towards the source of the gunfire. Behind him stood Ethan with eyes glowing the same color as Arc's, his shotgun held within the nightclub prodigy's hands. "After I took you in, this is how you repay me?!" The ground beneath the vampire shook as his patience was tested once again.

Twyla and Arc's resistance was to be expected; They were enemies of the dark goddess, foolish rebels that had yet to be stomped out. Though, he never expected the same from Ethan. With the boss' attention now turned towards his hireling, Twyla was able to find Arc's fingers moving, controlling Ethan's body as though he was an unconscious puppet. There was a reason for him to remain alive. He was a tool, a source of information, and most importantly, a willing body. [Can't have you be the only one that's fighting. I promised you my best, didn't I?] His voice played weakly in her head, now given some time to heal enough to regain consciousness.

Thanks to the efforts of Addy and Twyla working together, his body had enough time to heal in order to maintain a high enough level of blood pressure for him to be aware of his surroundings. After hearing own thoughts sound so tense, he played a strong front to encourage her, hoping she wouldn't dwell on the damage dealt to him too much. [Don't think I'm going to leave your side this easily... At least, before I make good on that promise of a date.] Despite the fighting, awaking to her by his side when he was weakest was a relief. [But thanks for coming back for me, Twy. I mean it.]

Despite his body being far from pristine fighting condition, it wasn't enough to discourage the use of his ability given such dire circumstances. Wielding Ethan's body as his own, he spoke through Ethan's mouth. "How dare you turn your hand against her!" Arc was able to hear enough of Ethan's conversation to replicate his attitude. "Against MY BELOVED!" The boss taking the bait, swapped his attention from the two back to Ethan. "I should have never let you choose a thrall for yourself." Another shot rang out, blasting the diamond vampire between the eyes to no avail. The strength of the around only served as a distraction. "I thought I taught you better than this, that love for others corrupts. I guess it was my mistake for trusting you in the first place."

---

───────────────── ࣪˖ ࣪ ⊹ ࣪ ˖ ─────────────────
"Leave none alive."

"The only good vampire is a dead one."
───────────────── ࣪˖ ࣪ ⊹ ࣪ ˖ ─────────────────​

While the fighting inside distracted the vampires, outside, the police stood aside as they let the vampire hunting mercenaries go to work. The situation was well outside what the local police force could manage themselves. They saw this sudden spree of violence as an issue that only brute force could amend. With the green light given by their boss, her men breached the first floor of the night club, converting all unlucky enough to escape into paste. Even if there wasn't a clear solution to what vampires were weak to as a whole, it was clear enough that inflicting significant enough damage in a short period of time was enough to do away with the lower tier vampires. Those strong enough to regenerate through the storm of lead were monsters to be dealt with by the higher tier hunters.

Leading the charge was Sheori, a daughter of the Crimson Dawn made responsible for handling the rising vampiric threat in this region. "Sweep the first floor. Scatter whoever remains. We'll let those stationed on the outside handle any that escape our grasp." With a headset on her head to order her men through an earpiece embedded in their helmet and a light set of armor that made her resilient to the spells of vampires, she inspired confidence in those she led, making this well coordinated pack of humans just as dangerous as a coven itself. Armed with shotguns, they made short work of the injured vampires that lay within. Even if the sight of wounded vampires was one she was used to, it was an odd observation to catch them off guard amidst infighting. Usually, their spats were handled quickly as a result of their empowered abilities, suggesting that whatever sparked all of this occurred fairly recently.

Seeing the men breach from the outside from a window, Vega ordered whichever few that remained within his control into a secret passage that led underground. There wasn't enough time to evacuate the prisoners nor the evidence of the crimes committed on the premises. However, he never cared about the boss enough to worry about whether he would be executed upon capture. All it would lead to was reassignment to another boss to order him around the same, though out of every other boss he had, he liked Arc the most. Arc never mistreated him nor took advantage of him. He always spoke to him with respect, being careful to listen to every suggestion he had in store. 'Maybe if he was half the man that Arc was, I'd give a shit.' He rolled his eyes before disappearing into the depths that hid underneath the club.

As the hunters made their way upstairs towards the VIP section, they were met with tougher resistance. Those who were assigned to this room were much tougher than the vampires that were stationed to watch the herd of humans outside. Only here was her equipment able to detect traces of stronger vampire power. "There's a stronger one around here. Potentially multiple. Keep up your guard and withdraw if necessary. Leave the strongest of them to me."

---

⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘
"You're one to talk. Your love... No, your lust for power made you vile."

"I wonder how it's like living such a sad and lonely existence."
⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘​

Using Ethan to give Twyla room to maneuver without fear of himself or Adelaide getting in the way, Arc hoped that she would be able to use his opening to her advantage. [If we can't beat him, we can always run. The main thing is that the person we rescued, my sister, is safe.] Withdrawing from the fight, the detective began to drag himself, Olivia, and Addy out of danger, pulling them both towards a corner of the room before resting both of their heads onto his lap. Scanning the room for a potential exit point, he noticed an open window that held a rooftop nearby. If they were to be thrown across, it was likely that it could be used to escape. Though, before he can hatch a plan together, through the eyes of another one of his puppets, he found an incoming threat making its way towards them: Vampire hunters. [Shit. We got hunters coming in. Many of them armed with shotguns making their way into the VIP section. We need to get a move on now, Twyla, before we have more to worry about.]

Slamming his fist against Addy's kidnapper, his boss crushed Ethan under the weight of his blow, ripping his head off his body with a single punch before clobbering the corpse on the floor. "If I knew you would turn traitor sooner, I would have made you an example in front of your girlfriend." Strike after strike, he turned Ethan into an afterthought, leaving nothing but pieces of his clothes and his body behind. He didn't care how cruel or grotesque his treatment of his past friend's corpse was. For the sin of betrayal, not even the afterlife of a traitor was worth respect. [We could use the open window to get out of here before they reach the room. Throw me if you have to, I won't be able to make the jump myself. But please make sure my sister and this girl get across safely.]

Click. Click. Click. Click. Following the source of the shaking, a pair of boots had made their presence known to the diamond vampire. Whichever room she set foot in, the gunfire there would cease before the sounds of clicking would follow. Sheori was efficient with her violence, preferring not to waste any more time than necessary when dealing with vampires. Unlike the other sadists in her cohort, she pursued speed with her operation, killing with precision and intent instead of prolonging suffering. "Oh? So you have backup coming in? Ha... Hahaha... So you were lying this entire time?!"

Filled with adrenaline, the vampire turned his anger towards Arc. As he grabbed the closest couch to throw at him, before he let go, his hand began to crack out of its diamond cover. A needle had penetrated a weak point in his armor, leaving his hand vulnerable. "So you're the one causing me all the headache." The vampire huntress glared at him through the open door with several more needles in hand from another room, unbeknownst to the others inside with him. "Thanks for ruining my vacation, asshole. Out of all the days you could've chosen to pull a stunt like this off, you choose Christmas. What a pain." She rolled her eyes, speaking to him like an annoying pest. "I wonder what type of drugs you, a puny human, would need in order to speak to a vampire like me with that much courage."

───────────────── ࣪˖ ࣪ ⊹ ࣪ ˖ ─────────────────
"Don't need any when you're nothing special to worry about."

"Be grateful my face will be the last you'll ever get to see."
───────────────── ࣪˖ ࣪ ⊹ ࣪ ˖ ─────────────────​

 

[Kitten]

ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ Aᴡᴀᴋᴇ ᴀɴᴅ Aʟɪᴠᴇ
0:00 ㅇ──────── 3:17
↻ ◁ || ▷ ↺
Iᴛ's ɢᴇᴛᴛɪɴɢ ʜᴀʀᴅᴇʀ ᴛᴏ sᴛᴀʏ ᴀᴡᴀᴋᴇ
Aɴᴅ ᴍʏ sᴛʀᴇɴɢᴛʜ ɪs ғᴀᴅɪɴɢ ғᴀsᴛ
Yᴏᴜ ʙʀᴇᴀᴛʜᴇ ɪɴᴛᴏ ᴍᴇ ᴀᴛ ʟᴀsᴛ​

”Ha... Hahaha! To think, you'd go all this way to make me your enemy just so you could play hero for a worthless vampire and his whore of a sister. What type of fucking fairytale bullshit is this?”​

Once his words turned sharp - insulting Arc and Adelaide with biting insults - Twyla's countenance obscured into an unamused scowl. The audacity of his inconsiderate false statements offended her, kindling a protective flame that roared internally within her chest. Insulting them meant he was insulting her, and whoever chose to pick a fight with them would have to answer to her as well.

This man didn't deserve a single syllable of her words, refusing to grant him the satisfaction of a verbal retort. Honestly? It would amount to wasted effort, being a long lost cause. Those ears were closed to any sense of reasoning, just as hers were to his crude insults. Her ultimate weapon would be silence, her opposition apparent by the way she unyielding stood with a resolute posture. If he wanted to fight, it would be with actions, not with words.

With newfound determination she sprang forward, her tight fists flying in rapid succession with ruthless force. Every unrelenting punch was met with skillful resistance as he evaded her strikes - his movements alone telling a story of being involved in many fights to the death - each maneuver smooth and thoroughly practiced.

Suddenly, the air thrummed with a stifling surge of energy around them, his eyes beginning to glow with an eerie, ghostly-white hue. The aura between them altered with an intensity that couldn't be explained, sending a chill down her spine that caused her to quickly withdraw. Assessing the situation as she retreated with a few steps backwards to create distance, Twyla sensed a greater danger than mere moments before. Once offensive, her stance changed into one of defense, her eyes carefully stationed on him as he morphed his fist into something otherworldly.

Closing the distance she had created for them, he jolted forward to deliver an all-out punch with her name written all over it. A flicker of fear crept into her chest, knowing she was cutting it close - far too close - to evading his retaliatory strike, yet managed to slip out of his targeted line milliseconds before impact. Shit, that was close! Hearing the echoing sounds of his impact was nearly deafening, but the true horror was glancing at the aftermath, prompting her breath to hitch within her throat. Effortlessly, the concrete wall bore the full brunt of his attack - a horrific reminder of the desolation she had just avoided by pure luck. To think, if she had been a second slower, that could have been her crumbling with the debris.

"What? Afraid of getting hit now? What happened to you acting tough earlier? Hmm?"​

Even if she wanted to respond back to his taunts, she was denied that luxury. Twyla's honed eyes soaked in the sight of the large chunk of concrete hurtling somewhat in her direction, and as it whizzed past her the realization set - it was meant for Arc and Adelaide, not her. It felt as if her heart was that very hunk of concrete, dropping like a stone into her stomach with the crushing weight of responsibility. It was overwhelming, the pressure to not only protect herself but knowing their lives depended on her too. It was too much to handle on her own.

Gritting her teeth with newfound resolve blooming in her chest, she decided on something. If it came down to it, she would take the next herself if it meant to shield them from the attack. Knowing she could withstand a few blows if it managed to buy them time, that would then mean that she was relying on Arc and Adelaide to save themselves - but it wasn't a feasible option. At least, not in their current state. Arc was teetering on the edge of losing consciousness, his motions uncoordinated and slow, while his sister laid like a doll on the cement - out cold with no signs of regaining responsiveness anytime soon. The odds were stacked against her as she was forced to choose herself or protect them - the answer being blatantly clear on choosing them.

His intentions were unmistakable as those ghostly white eyes locked onto Adelaide with a frightening focus, those lips tugging up into a cruel smirk. His speed was electric as he lunged at her, daring Twyla to prove just how far she was willing to push her limits on protecting what mattered most. In his eyes, this was a twisted game to him - not just a fight for dominance. Without skipping a beat, the pureblood's legs sprang into action as her feet propelled, snatching up a dust of debris from the force. Squarely she positioned herself in the crossfire of the attack, vowing to shield Adelaide even if the cost was a grave wound.

BANG​

Sharply the cracking sound of the bullet ricocheting against Twyla's eardrums prompted her instincts to go into overdrive. Reflexively she moved out of the way, eluding the projectile just in the nick of time - almost too close for comfort. Resolutely it zipped past her as it singed a few strands of her elongated hair, burning off the ends in an instant as the bullet straightforwardly hit the boss in the head. Confusion knitted in her brows as her head whipped around to catch sight of what had happened - just in case there was another foe in her path.

...but then - a voice she thought she might not ever hear again - echoed telepathically in her mind. A sudden flood of reassurance mingled with relief crashed into her like a tidal wave, her vision beginning to blur as salty tears stung her eyes.

[Can't have you be the only one that's fighting. I promised you my best, didn't I?]​

[Arc… Damn it, I thought I was going to lose you!] It was difficult to not be swept up into the bittersweet moment - yearning to rush to him and suffocate him into a protective embrace - but now wasn't the time, coercing herself to hold back until this battle was over. Shifting her gaze to the nameless man behind her, she started to catch on to what was transpiring. Arc commanded this man like a lifeless marionette, causing Twyla to wonder who this man was or what he did to deserve this punishment. She trusted Arc's judgement implicitly as he used him as a weapon, assuming he deserved it and would get the story behind it another time.

[Don't think I'm going to leave your side this easily... At least, before I make good on that promise of a date. But thanks for coming back for me, Twy. I mean it.]​

[I’m holding you to it, I’ll never abandon you… ever. You’re stuck with me now. ] Using the back of her hand to wipe away the warm tears that dotted her eyelashes, she was able to sigh a breath of relief once the boss's attention was redirected towards the man that wielded a gun under Arc's influence instead of instigating them. It granted her a moment to collect herself, being able to devise a proper plan to ensure everyone got out of here alive. With watchful eyes, Twyla was utterly captivated by how efficiently Arc could bend this man's will, forcing his lips to part and speak as if the actions were entirely his own. If she had not known any better, she may have believed that he was fully conscious and aware, behaving on his own accord.

Seizing the open opportunity to fall back, her body began to whirl around as her lilac irises caught sight of Arc. Twyla watched as his movements were labored, his brows furrowing in noticeable pain from his open lacerations, but his resolve to shield the two girls from further harm was commendable given the current struggle. As she took an adamant step forward to bridge their distance, an unsuspecting sound filled her ears, ceasing her legs from moving and rooting them to the floor. Unmistakably, the echo of approaching footsteps - a multitude of them heading straight towards their room - caused her eyes to broaden in fear.

[Shit. We got hunters coming in. Many of them armed with shotguns making their way into the VIP section. We need to get a move on now, Twyla, before we have more to worry about.]

[We could use the open window to get out of here before they reach the room. Throw me if you have to, I won't be able to make the jump myself. But please make sure my sister and this girl get across safely.]​

In a matter of seconds, so much chaos began to unravel right before them. Cut down without hesitation, the nameless man was finally silenced eternally, his viscera and crimson liquid strewn grotesquely against the floor. His body was no longer whole, instead it was violently dismantled, like a puppet who was torn at the seams. Easily, that could have been them on the receiving end of such unconstrained wrath if it weren't for Arc's quick thinking to avert that fate... at least for the moment. But now, with no other distraction to hold his focus, his eyes piercingly bore into them as he faced their direction.

"Shit, shit, shit!" Her panic was palpable as she dashed over towards Arc and the others, her hands urgently ushering them towards the window as her tympanic membrane caught the sound of the boss stirring - gripping a hold of the nearest piece of furniture within his vicinity. By a stroke of good fortune, Arc had already taken the initiative and brought them within reach to their escape point. Gingerly her hands scooped up the nameless girl within a secure cradle, leaning out of the opened frame before placing her on the cold steel balcony. With equal care and respect, Twyla rapidly turned to support Adelaide in her arms and set her down next to the girl.

“I’ll do the best I can.” She finally replied vocally to his request from earlier, her legs kneeling to a crouch as she gathered him into her arms. Paying no mind if he found this position awkward as she cradled him in a way that defied convention, she knew that the thought of traditional gender roles was the furthest thing from their main concern. Urgently she sat him on the opposite side, the walls of the building separating them as she was the only one left in the building.

SLAM​

"So you're the one causing me all the headache."​

A sharp, dramatic bang of the double doors bursting open destroyed Twyla's concentration, prompting her to glance over her shoulder to process what was happening. A female exuding an air of indifference strolled into the room as her heels snapped viciously against the ground - a mere human at that. Her unamused demeanor made it apparent that she would rather spend her time elsewhere, a frown tugging at her lips as she eyed the boss. Snatching this opportunity as her only opening to flee, Twyla presumed the Vampire Hunter wouldn't even spare her a second glance... but damn, she couldn't have been more wrong than in that moment. As she was beginning to slip through the window, her right foot planting on the balcony as her other was maneuvering over, a thin, needle-like projectile embedded within her left arm like a shot. Instantaneously, her appendage went limp, slumping down with a deep numbness that spread throughout her arm that rendered it completely useless.

Just before stepping completely through the window, her eyes took a moment to study the lone woman, committing her image to memory. She was as strikingly beautiful as she was threatening, her form impeccably groomed despite the stark contrast of the grim nature of her profession. Every movement and detail about her radiated control and a precision that was promised, her aura carrying an unmistakable warning - an unstated word of honor that treading with her would lead to harrowing consequences. Only briefly, their eyes locked for a chilling second, and in that instant Twyla knew - if she were to fall within her palms, there would be no guarantee of seeing tomorrows sun.

"We've gotta get the hell out of here." ...but how? One of her arms was completely useless, and she had not one, two, but three people to figure out how to get to safety. "Should... should I leave the other girl behind?" It was an idea that made her stomach churn with deep guilt, but what other option did she even have? These were vampire hunters, surely they would help her out, but them? They'd be doomed if they managed to capture them.

Wailing in the distance, the sirens amplified in sound as their echoes sliced through the lively night, the vehicles quickly approaching straight to the nightclub. Neon flashes of bright red and blue bathed the streets - much brighter than the strobe lights that scattered on the dance floor. Meeting Arc's gaze, silently they exchanged an unspoken agreement as his head gave a curt nod of approval. Clenching her teeth, she swiftly lifted the girl with her one good arm, her actions careful as she maneuvered the unconscious girl through the window. Ensuring to be hidden from view, her voice loudly rang out to capture the woman's attention. "Please, save her! That's all I ask!"

After placing her safely on the floor, Twyla rapidly ducked back, her backside pressing against the outside wall as she strategically stayed low to avoid anymore needles that yearned to pierce her flesh. "Get on my back." Leaving no room for argument, she crouched down and scooted closer to him, imploring Arc to climb onto her back and securely wrap his arms around her neck for stability. Awkwardly he shifted into place, his grip weak but it would have to work. However, Adelaide was an entirely different obstacle. Hoisting his sister apologetically over her shoulder like a sack of potatoes, her calves strained as she rose to her feet, yet the determination that seared in her veins steered her from the thought of how badly her muscles ached.

"We need to get to the hospital, tell me how to get there." Firm and commanding, Twyla was aware how domineering her voice came off, but there was no time for delicacy as their very life depended on her urgency. "Take the road from fifth to-" Arc gritted his mouth through the pain, seething as he sucked air through his teeth to relieve some of the pressure. "Fuck... Main. There should be a parking lot on the corner. I have a badge that we could use to get inside. Cameras are off so security won't be an issue." Silence. No words of response came from her lips. Instead, her legs moved like a thunderous flash of lighting, bolting to perch herself on the railing of the balcony in one fluid motion. Squatting to build up some momentum, the soles of her feet propelled them off to soar in the air, landing on the rooftop of a building that was adjacent to the nightclub. Lucky for them, the buildings were spaced closely together, granting her to pounce from one rooftop to the next, but when the gaps proved too wide she'd drop to the ground and navigate through shadowed alleyways with quick precision. It was true that their added weight slowed her, but that fact alone didn't dare to taint her determination, her focus locked on getting them the critical care they needed.

Lilac eyes scanned the streets, frantically searching for the street sign that had the name 'Fifth' engraved in it. Catching sight, she made a sharp turn, careful to hold on tight to Adelaide and adjust Arc on her back with a hop if he was beginning to slip. "Just hold on a little longer! We're almost there!" Twyla offered reassurance if his grip began to loosen, her legs frantically moving as fast as she could. Soon, the words 'Main' displayed in the distance on the street sign, followed by the dancing lights of the hospital - their beacon of hope. Running through the parking lot that was tucked in a corner - just as Arc had instructed - Twyla approached the back entrance as her feet skidded to a halt. Slightly she turned her heard over her shoulder, glancing at Arc in her peripheral vision. "The badge!" Her arm was still numb and incompetent, forcing to lean forward in a kneel to give Arc a chance to scan the badge himself. Once the soft chime of approval resounded in the night followed by the door swinging open automatically, she wasted no time. Her pace quickened, slithering inside as her legs stomped along the stairway.

Even in Adelaide's seemingly lifeless state, Twyla was able to discern her status - she was still alive. The faint rhythm of her heartbeat pulsated against her shoulder, accompanied by the steady in and out of her breath brushing against her ear. "She's okay for right now," Twyla stated with ragged breaths, having a feeling that Arc was worried on her condition. "What floor is the doctor on?" Already she was nearing the top of the first flight of stairs, her pacing relentless as she waited on his answer. Time was of the essence - if the doctor was on one of the upcoming floors, she needed to know now. "Second floor, 22B. Take a right then a sharp left." "Got it." Bursting out of the door at the top of the second flight of stairs, Twyla wasted no time to hurry down the hallway. Taking the right, followed by a sharp left, she narrowly avoided a collision with a passing nurse. Not offering an apology - out of character for the girl - she pressed on with unwavering focus, reaching the room that read 22B.

Already open, the door was left ajar, the pureblood slipping inside without even offering a knock. Using her foot, she kicked the door shut behind her, locking eyes with a confused Dr. Throne who idly sat frozen at his desk. His expression was a mixture of shock and confusion, the man rising to his feet with a newfound sense of urgency. Twyla found breathing to be a struggle, each gasp for air feeling heavier than the last as she finally had a moment to not move her legs. Leaning against the door for support on her left side, her decent arm violently trembled, aware that she pushed herself beyond her limits but still holding onto Adelaide. Tears obscured her eyes, sliding down her cheeks before dribbling down her chin.

"Please... please help them... I can explain later... just... help them..."

ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ Pᴜʟsᴇ
0:00 ㅇ──────── 4:57
↻ ◁ || ▷ ↺
​

Like a fragile thread unraveling, Addy's consciousness wavered as she slipped in and out of it. Icy to the touch, her body failed to tremble with shivers to fight the cold. Persistently a ringing reverberated in her eardrums, but oddly enough, it was painless - like the distant hum of a radio. It almost felt as if she were drifting alone in a vast, dark sea, untethered to anything as her body felt weightless. On a whim, the tides moved her, and without fighting them she insisted on floating with them, indifferent to where they decide to lead her.

What happened… to Arc… to Olivia? Addy's inner voice was weak yet persistent, the question echoing in her mind as she was vaguely aware of the chaos that unfolded before... but the lines were blurred, slipping out of reach with a true answer. She could feel her body jostle around, her head lolling as she could feel herself dangling over something - no, someone. Despite the uncertainty of what was happening with her body, fear didn't grip her. Instead, an inexplicable sense of calmness crashed into her. Whoever this person was, they were safe, ensuring no further harm would come her way.

An unbearable thirst gnawed at her even in her unconscious state, parched for something she knew she shouldn't drink. Dryly her tongue clicked against the roof of her mouth, her body silently pleading for a sliver of relief. Filling her nostrils, the earthy scent from the outdoors encased her, only to be replaced by the sterile tang of the hospital air once they entered inside. Jolting, her body bounced with each step as Twyla raced up the stairs, hearing her breathing grow heavy from the strain.

Where... am I? Lazily the thought floated in her mind, a faint sliver of awareness tugging at her as she realized they were somewhere new. Addy couldn't quite place where, but the air smelled strangely familiar, like a memory just out of reach. Noticing her body shifting, she no longer bounced but instead felt it be whipped around, the motion almost disorienting. Seconds later, muffled sounds reached her ears after a soft bang of something closing was sensed nearby.

"Please... please help them... I can explain later... just... help them..."

She sounds... familiar... The final thought hazily lingered in her head, her consciousness slipping away once more as she plunged back into the pull of the dark, endless sea.

ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ ᴏ.ᴅ
0:00 ㅇ──────── 3:56
↻ ◁ || ▷ ↺​

"That should do it!" Confidently Talia sneered, a self-satisfied grin prompting her lips to curl upwards as she rubbed her palms together to dust off her hands, as if brushing away any of the remnants of her handiwork and calling it a day. In the shadows, she watched as the unsuspecting girl was being led away into the direction of the guards, Talia nodding happily before turning on her heel to saunter back to the bar. Reclaiming her apron from the person she asked to stand-in, her fingers delicately reached behind her waist to tie a secured knot. "He'll come looking for her," muttering under her breath, there was a sadistic glint shimmering in her eyes ",and when he does, those guards will be sure to crush him too."

With those thoughts dancing around in her mind, her hands picked up a glass and began to polish it, the clinking sound of crystal against the microfiber cloth encasing the quiet moment. Talia had no inkling that her overconfidence would soon be her downfall, unsuspectingly facing herself against no ordinary foes. This was a pureblood with a retired apostle - none other than Pride incarnate... and she had unknowingly drawn their ire.

In a sudden sharp instant, the atmosphere shifted, the echoing crack of gunfire jarring the nightclubs walls. It was unclear where the source was, but the relentless rounds reverberated louder than the music booming above, the sounds growing louder as pure chaos erupted. Sweeping through the room like a wave, panic began to settle as a surge of bodied hurtled towards the direction of the exits, the humans desperate to escape with their lives still intact. Shrill cries of terror was drenched in the air, the frantic shuffle of fleeting feet blending with the other sounds as patrons hurried over one another in their mad rush to safety.

Standing frozen behind her station, Talia's eyes grew wide in disbelief, wondering what had gone so terribly wrong to shift the aura like this. Only a moment ago, the night had been a routine one - at least in her eyes. It was calculated and entirely under their control, but now? It spiraled into chaos that she couldn't comprehend or stop on her own. "Damn it! I don't get paid enough for this shit." Hissing under her breath through clenched teeth, Talia couldn't hear her voice over the cacophony of disorder. Not wanting to waste any more time, her body ducked out from the bar and weaved her way against the tide of panicked bodies.

Heading towards the direction of the hidden underground tunnel, she knew the contingency route was a weak move to make but her safety came first. Biting her lip as her mind raced, she assumed the police would inevitably arrive, but the worse part? The Vampire Hunters were sure to follow suit, the mere thought causing a chill to shoot down her spine. This type of uproar rarely ever happened in the club, wondering if a fool drunk on power pushed their luck and triggered this turmoil. The thought of it being the pureblood and the apostle didn't even cross her mind - knowing she took care of them herself... or did she?

 

[Tenzai]

───────────────── ࣪˖ ࣪ ⊹ ࣪ ˖ ─────────────────
'A pureblood running from a vampire? How quaint.'

"Didn't think I'd stumble onto a lover's quarrel."
───────────────── ࣪˖ ࣪ ⊹ ࣪ ˖ ─────────────────
ɴᴏᴡ ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ: ᴀɴᴛᴀʀᴇꜱ | ɴᴏᴠᴇʟɪꜱᴛꜱ
↻ ◁ II ▷ ↺

ᴄᴀɴ ʏᴏᴜ ʜᴇᴀʀ ᴍᴇ ʟᴏᴜᴅ ᴀɴᴅ ᴄʟᴇᴀʀ ɴᴏᴡ?
ᴡʜʏ ᴄᴀɴ'ᴛ ʏᴏᴜ ꜱɪɴɢ ᴀʟᴏɴɢ?
ꜱɪɴɢ ʏᴏᴜʀ ꜰᴜᴄᴋɪɴɢ ʜᴇᴀʀᴛ ᴏᴜᴛ
ɪ'ᴍ ꜱᴜʀᴇ ʏᴏᴜ'ʟʟ ᴍᴀᴋᴇ ɪᴛ ᴏᴜᴛ ᴀʟɪᴠᴇ
ʏᴏᴜ'ʟʟ ᴍᴀᴋᴇ ɪᴛ ᴏᴜᴛ ᴀʟɪᴠᴇ
───────────────── ࣪˖ ࣪ ⊹ ࣪ ˖ ─────────────────​

The huntress' eyes had found Twyla and her injured friends immediately upon entering the room. Though, without being given enough time to understand the situation, she hazarded a quick guess at who they were. Twy's hair was an unnatural color and the speed and strength she wielded when preparing to take her friends out of the situation were far more than an ordinary vampire's. If not for her diamond armored foe that stood before her, Sheori would have been more focused on capturing her. However, the mission at hand was to bring control to a situation that the police couldn't handle by themselves.

"Shame. If I had more time, I would've gotten to know you all better." Seeing the fist coming in advance, Sheori backstepped to avoid the crushing blow of the boss. "I'm gonna kill you!" His threat had brought a chuckle to her lips. "Oh, honey. I've known vampires twice as strong as you." Drawing a needle coated with paralytics, she aimed, not at the boss, but at Twyla's neck. If she wasn't to be given enough time to capture, the least she could do was weaken her should she become a threat to the living.

As she threw her dart however, she was forced to take another side step, causing it to miss its target and hit Twyla's arm. "You're a lot faster than you look, I'll give you that much." Pulling several more needles out of her bag, she tossed wave after wave of relentless attacks against the boss as the vampires had made their escape, shattering the very armor he used as his weapon. "But that's the only thing notable about you. Perhaps in the next life, you'll understand your place. Vampires like you are just prey for another predator, so far from the top of the food chain, yet so pumped with ego that you're blind to the truth."

As the vampire fell to his knees, unable to move the rest of his body, Sheori kicked him to his back and pressed her heel against his chest. "Fuck... you." He spat at her boot. "The least you could do for me is die memorable." Using her titanium heel, she slammed her foot against his chest, piercing his heart before he could mutter another word. Turning around, she walked over to the window to see Twyla and the others long gone, though a detail stood to memory. She heard rumors of a pureblood with white hair from the vampires she interrogated. "The angel of death. To think, the rumors about you were real."

Flicking out her phone, she shot a text back home to the higher ups who assigned her to this area. [Change of plans. I'll be staying in Riverview a lot longer to investigate the rumors about a vampire nicknamed the Angel of Death. Leave the investigation of the dark goddess to my brother instead.] Her position in the organization had given her enough power to dictate her own responsibilities and distribute orders to others. As her own men had made it into the room to give her the all clear, she zipped up her needle bag and turned towards the door. "Looks like our job's done here. Leave the cleanup and the paperwork to the cops. Oh, and prepare me a drink and a rag, please."

───────────────── ࣪˖ ࣪ ⊹ ࣪ ˖ ─────────────────

"I'd rather avoid having vampire stench ruin my evening anymore than it already has."
───────────────── ࣪˖ ࣪ ⊹ ࣪ ˖ ─────────────────

ᴛʜɪꜱ ᴘʟᴀᴄᴇ ɪꜱ ᴀʟʟ ᴡᴇ ʜᴀᴠᴇ, ʜᴇʀᴇ ᴀɴᴅ ɴᴏᴡ
ɪ'ᴅ ʟɪᴋᴇ ᴛᴏ ʟɪᴠᴇ ᴛʜɪꜱ ꜰᴏʀᴇᴠᴇʀ
ɪ ᴡᴀɴᴛ ᴛᴏ ꜰᴇᴇʟ ᴛʜᴇ ɢʀᴏᴜɴᴅ ᴏɴᴄᴇ ᴛʜᴇ ʙᴏᴛᴛʟᴇ ꜱᴏᴜɴᴅꜱ ʜᴏʟʟᴏᴡ
ᴛʜᴇ ꜱʜᴏᴡ ɪꜱ ᴏᴠᴇʀ
⋅─────────⊱༺ ♰ ༻⊰─────────⋅
"Just hold on a little longer! We're almost there!"

"Twyla, your arm..."
⋅─────────⊱༺ ♰ ༻⊰─────────⋅
ɴᴏᴡ ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ: ᴄᴀʟʟɪɴɢ ʏᴏᴜ | ᴏᴜʀ ᴍɪʀᴀɢᴇ
↻ ◁ II ▷ ↺

ɪ'ᴍ ꜱᴛɪʟʟ ᴄᴀʟʟɪɴɢ ʏᴏᴜ
ᴇᴠᴇɴ ᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜ ɪ ᴋɴᴏᴡ ʏᴏᴜ'ʀᴇ ɴᴏᴡ ɪɴ ꜱᴏʟɪᴛᴜᴅᴇ
ɪ ᴄᴀɴ'ᴛ ᴅᴏ ᴛʜɪꜱ ᴡɪᴛʜᴏᴜᴛ ʏᴏᴜ
⋅─────────⊱༺ ♰ ༻⊰─────────⋅​

Despite the damage done to the vampire's body, his eyes were focused on his two wounded companions. Adelaide had bruises on her exposed skin, namely her neck. Whatever happened to Adelaide, strangulation was a part of it. A vampire bite had also left its permanent mark as a scar, hinting at just how much had changed ever since seeing her last. Twyla on the other hand had her arm dangling from the side as she ran. While her injuries appeared far less severe on the surface, it was the mere fact that she got hurt that made him concerned.

Arc wasn't used to operating with others around him, spending many years working solo to undermine the schemes of the vampires. To see that there were others who felt just as strongly as him was comforting, but to see those same others get hurt fighting for a cause that they believed in was worrying. Fighting like this had consequences; That much he knew already. But the fact that the same people he swore to protect would remain in harm's way being alongside him was a tough pill to swallow. Still, if not for them, he wouldn't be alive.

Taking on the nightclub alone was a serious feat. Even with his apostle powers, he had doubt about his own ability to accomplish it, let alone save his sister as well. Regardless of how difficult it was however, Twyla had made the impossible possible. It was only right to help her too. "Here, let me help you with that." Leaning into her back to support her, Arc began to fill her up with the warmth of his sanguine energy, embracing her from behind to reduce the influence of whatever taint Sheori injected into her. What Twyla needed right now was support, not concern, when running through Riverview's streets. He coughed, feeling his low reserves being used to energize her. Arc understood that it was likely that he would come back to a lecture when Dr. Thorne would find him again, but it was this same understanding of the doctor's behaviors which helped recognize that the doctor would be proud of them too.

That nightclub was a sanguine hub of activity, a dark stronghold used to capture and take advantage of many innocent souls. Being able to bring an end to it while rescuing someone stood testament that there was value in these two working together. As he closed his eyes to rest, placing his focus on her body as a catalyst for the energy from his heart and soul, Arc heard Twy speak up. "The badge!" Tiredly returning back to reality, he was met with the view of the parking lot he spoke of earlier. They were moments away from the help they needed. "I got it. Just get me close to the panel." Reaching into his walled, he waved his card in front of the scanner before seeing the sliding doors open just for them. The shine of buzzing fluorescent lights had felt like the rise of the sun, greeting them after a long night. "Never in a hundred years would I ever have felt so happy seeing these white walls again."

While Twy sprinted her way through the hospital hallways, Arc's eyes were set on his sister. Her unconscious state had felt like a nightmare come true, especially after all she must have endured in the place he feared most. Thoughts of being too late had run through his mind, tormenting him. Through the growing chemistry that lay in between him and Twyla and his power being absorbed by her, it was growing abundantly clear what he was thinking about. He was worried that he didn't make it on time. Saving someone's life was one thing, but saving them from trauma was another. He didn't know whether she would be angry at him once the adrenaline stopped. As anxiety began to set in, he heard her reassure him. "She's okay for right now," The vampire brother took a sigh of relief, leaning his head on Twyla's open shoulder. "Thank you, Twy. For everything you've done for us tonight."

With her mind focused on getting them the help they needed, Twy's feet flew past nearby the few curious nurses assigned to the floor, all within Dr. Thorne's sphere of influence. "What floor is the doctor on?" Upon making it to the next set of stairs, Arc pointed towards the painted sign printed on a concrete wall that read Floor 1. "Second floor, 22B. Take a right then a sharp left." Without second-guessing, she was quick to move. "Got it." The world around him became a blur as she regained her momentum, moving fast enough to cause a gust of wind to follow in her wake. As she made it to the locked door, the strength she pulled it back with when mixed with the adrenaline had caused the lock to give in to her pressure, revealing a curious doctor with a portrait of his daughter in hand within.

⋅─────────⊱༺ ♰ ༻⊰─────────⋅
"Please... please help them... I can explain later... just... help them..."

"...Fine. Help me load them on a couple stretchers and I'll see to it that they make it. You too."
⋅─────────⊱༺ ♰ ༻⊰─────────⋅
ɴᴏᴡ ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ: ʟɪᴋᴇ ᴛʜᴀᴛ | ꜱʟᴇᴇᴘ ᴛᴏᴋᴇɴ
↻ ◁ II ▷ ↺

ᴛʀᴀᴘᴘᴇᴅ ᴜɴᴅᴇʀ ᴛʜᴇ ꜱᴜʀꜰᴀᴄᴇ ᴏꜰ ʏᴏᴜʀ ᴡᴏʀᴅꜱ
ᴛʜᴇʀᴇ ɪꜱ ᴀ ɴᴇᴡ ɪɴᴛᴇɴᴛɪᴏɴ
ɴᴇᴡ ᴡʜɪꜱᴘᴇʀꜱ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴏɴᴄᴇ ᴄᴏᴜʟᴅ ɴᴏᴛ ʙᴇ ʜᴇᴀʀᴅ
ᴄᴀᴛᴄʜɪɴɢ ʏᴏᴜʀ ɪɴᴛᴇɴᴛɪᴏɴ
⋅─────────⊱༺ ♰ ༻⊰─────────⋅​

Upon Twyla entering his private office, Thorne's eyes were quick on the uptake, examining the scale of their injuries. Arc was in the worst condition. His leg was gone. Large swatches of his body remained in ruin as the result of devastating shotgun blasts. His breathing was shallow and his heartbeat was slow. Even his ordinarily powerful mana signature was left on the verge of disappearing, though in spite of all that, he was alive. Adelaide on the other hand had suffered some more superficial wounds, though its placement did bring up some interesting concern. As Twy laid her out onto an examination bed near the office, he noted the signs of assault, all still fresh as though they were done to her the night of and shortly before.

Interestingly, Twyla's wound, while small, hinted at the influence of powerful drugs. Her veins were much more relaxed despite the signs of visible strain on her body as a result of running throughout the night and fighting through the vampires at the nightclub. Whatever happened to them must have been dramatic; If Arc was in the center of it all, then it was likely that it would have made the local news.

Still, he held a promise which would force his curiosities to wait. They needed his help now, not after an investigation. Wrapping his medical mask around his face and putting on some latex gloves to match, he went to work inserting the IVs into the most critically injured of them all, preparing a blood transfusion to help aid in his regeneration. Bandaging up the worst of his wounds and stitching what he could, he ensured that the most critical of work was done first before moving onto the others. "Assuming that you two are involved, were you attacked by vampires? Or... Did you attack vampires?"

Swapping his attention over to Adelaide to scan her for similar wounds under her clothes, the first thing he noted was the sight of a fresh bite. It lacked the depth of one meant to feed, suggesting that this was done instead to convert her. Piecing it together, Thorne began to apply pain-relieving ointment to the darkest of her bruises. "Oh... I see. Someone converted his sister, didn't they? From the looks of it."

The doctor opened her mouth to examine the growth of her canines. "It must have happened recently. I'm guessing this is a rescue attempt gone wrong, but since she's alive and here, you succeeded." Even if the doctor wasn't as observant as Arc was, he understood Arc's motivations enough to make accurate guesses. The vampire detective had put his loved ones above all things, similar to how the doctor felt himself. It was the strength of this love that made Thorne see Arc as someone more than an ordinary vampire: More than a monster to be eradicated. "I'll take care of her new thirst for now. But I'm going to need you to promise me that should she ever grow out of control, you'll take care of ending her yourself. Got it?"

The doctor didn't wait for a response before walking over to her to take a closer look at her arm. "Hmm... It isn't normal for a vampire to use poison or drugged weapons." He lifted her arm, feeling a lack of tension in it while her other arm was still shaking from all that happened. "Who did this to you?" As she responded, he linked up another IV into her veins with the aim of helping her flush the paralytics out of her system faster. If she was able to run this far with it, he doubted it was in a great enough concentration for him to worry about. However, with her heart pumping as it did, it was likely that whatever symptoms this attack was meant to accomplish would be exacerbated. "Clearly, whoever attacked you didn't plan on killing you using this. I just hope you both didn't get involved with vampire hunters."

With the worst out of the way, the doctor stood up to wipe the sweat from his brow, only for his true eyes to be revealed once he pulled his hand away. Keeping up his human form took a lot of stamina to maintain. Forced to operate quickly to avoid losing Arc, it was hard for him to keep up the full ensemble. "Hmm?" He noticed the shift in her gaze. "If you're concerned about me, I'm no monster. I don't need to feast on the flesh of the living like you all."

Realizing just what caused it upon seeing his reflection in the mirror in a glass behind her, he decided to let go of the mask he wore for now, showing the demon underneath it all. "You don't think that vampires are the only supernatural beings that exist in this world, do you? We just do a better job at hiding it than you." The demon chuckled, sitting across from them in a swivel chair. "Give the others some time to rest. I've done the best I can. Now it's up to you and time to figure the rest out."

Rotating his chair to the computer beside it, the doctor watched over the vitals of each of his patients. Despite them all being different from his ordinary patients, their medical ranges were predictable. Immediately, he scribed the numbers in his notebook, writing beside the observations of Arc at his base state what he was at his current as well as noting the numbers of the others. While most of the factors that indicated how much life he had left to give were all within lower ranges, he put a note beside them to show that these stats were survivable.

Arc was the first vampire he worked with at such a humanitarian level. Usually, the vampires that made it into his grasp were medical experiments used to show how far a vampire could be pushed before death to answer the question: How much it would it take to bring them down? Trials that he tried out before involved different methods of execution and attacks, each helping further advancements from combat data with the vampire hunters and less-than-legal vigilantes who worked with him. "And don't be too concerned about them. You've found the best doctor around for this."

⋅─────────⊱༺ ♰ ༻⊰─────────⋅

"I don't take my pride in my work lightly."
⋅─────────⊱༺ ♰ ༻⊰─────────⋅
ᴅᴏ ʏᴏᴜ ʟɪᴋᴇ ᴛʜᴀᴛ?
ᴅᴏ ʏᴏᴜ ʟɪᴋᴇ ᴛʜᴀᴛ?
ᴅᴏ ʏᴏᴜ ʟɪᴋᴇ ᴛʜᴀᴛ?
ᴅᴏ ʏᴏᴜ ʟɪᴋᴇ ᴛʜᴀᴛ?
⋅─────────⊱༺ ♰ ༻⊰─────────⋅

⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘
"Which one of you fucking idiots greenlighted the hit on the detective? The fucking face of the police department?!"

"What the fuck did you expect would happen if smoked him?!"
⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘
ᴘᴜꜱʜ ᴅᴏᴡɴ ɪɴᴛᴏ ᴍᴇᴍʙʀᴀɴᴇꜱ ᴀɴᴅ ʟᴀʏᴇʀꜱ
ᴄʀᴇᴀᴛɪɴɢ ᴀ ꜱʟᴏᴡ ᴅɪꜱꜱᴇᴄᴛɪᴏɴ
ɪ ꜱᴛᴜᴍʙʟᴇ ɪɴᴛᴏ ʏᴏᴜʀ ᴛᴀʀ ᴛʀᴀᴘ
ᴀɴ ᴀᴅᴅɪᴛɪᴏɴ ᴛᴏ ʏᴏᴜʀ ᴄᴏʟʟᴇᴄᴛɪᴏɴ
⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘​

Stuck in the middle of the dark with people he found incompetent, he let his anger be known. He was frustrated at their failure to heed his warnings. As a result of their fluke, they were attacked by vampire hunters, forced to flee into the darkness that they came from. "Did all of you lose your brains after getting converted? Did you seriously think that this would have all went well?" Vega punched the wall beside him, leaving cracks on the bricks that laid far underneath the surface. "You seriously couldn't have chosen another better target?" Though, while their egos were inflated, the other vampires could do nothing but remain subject to the vampire's berating. They felt in part responsible for what occurred on the surface tonight. Sighing, he leaned his back against the wall to take a smoke, though his shaky hands did not allow the light of his cig to be easy.

Before he had a chance to smoke, he heard footsteps come from the direction of which they came; Another vampire that held knowledge of the tunnels underneath. It was their bartender, one of the boss' favorite staff thanks to her appearance alone. "Oh, it's you." Her role within the nightclub had allowed her to escape becoming another target for his anger. To her, Vega was another face of the club, someone that the boss had hired to bring people in with charm and good looks. "I'm sure you could tell, the boss is fucking done for. Those hunters are no joke. Whoever's down here is whatever's left of his so-called kingdom." Finally meeting the end of his cig to the flame, he inhaled deeply before puffing the smoke out to calm his nerves. "I'm sure with a face like yours, you'll find another coven much more fitting for you. Maybe one that actually knows how to run their crew properly, unlike the last shithead we had to deal with."

Vega placed his hand on his forehead, shaking his head in disapproval. The ego of his master was his master's downfall. It was his willingness to start problems where problems weren't needed that made it difficult for him to function as a mouthpiece for the dark goddess' desires. "I'll see to it that these dumbasses don't get into any more trouble. Maybe I might start a coven of my own at this point if the others are run by idiots." The moment he brought up leadership, one of the disgruntled survivors approached him and snatched the cigarette out of his mouth. "Who the fuck said you could be boss? You're weak compared to-" The act alone was enough to get Vega to draw his pistol immediately, leading to his barrel being pressed against the vampire's throat. "Sure. Go ahead and follow your musclehead to hell. See if I care."

The detective's partner was a calculating type, one that wielded patience as a dangerous edge. "But I don't need muscle to be dangerous. Your choice. If you don't want to follow me, I'm sure your corpse would be just as happy to oblige." Vega rubbed his gun barrel into the vampire's neck, hinting at his impatience. "Tick tock. Don't keep me waiting now. I'm not one who appreciates disloyalty." Relenting to the sudden threat he posed, the vampire backed up. "Fine! You win! Can you put that away?" Though, Vega wasn't done. If he didn't make an example of this vampire, both in terms of representing power but also rewarding loyalty, it would be likely that the other vampires would follow in his footsteps. "Pick up the cig and dust it off. I'm not letting you waste it. Pick it up. Now." He pointed his pistol at the vampire's head, forcing him to abide by his order. Once he saw it was cleaned enough, he swiped the cig back before pulling the sights of his gun off of him. "Now. If you want to stay hiding in the dark for the rest of your eternity, stay here and don't follow me. I don't have any space for traitors. To all else who's looking for someone who knows how people work, follow me. I have a place in mind."

⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘
"Unlike your last boss, I know how to treat you right."

"I'm not the type to waste talent."
⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘
ᴅᴏ ʏᴏᴜ ʟɪᴋᴇ ᴛʜᴀᴛ?
ᴅᴏ ʏᴏᴜ ʟɪᴋᴇ ᴛʜᴀᴛ?
ᴅᴏ ʏᴏᴜ ʟɪᴋᴇ ᴛʜᴀᴛ?
ᴅᴏ ʏᴏᴜ ʟɪᴋᴇ ᴛʜᴀᴛ?
⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘

⋅─────────⊱༺ ♰ ༻⊰─────────⋅
A scene from a dream.

Her brother humming while preparing a drink for them both.
⋅─────────⊱༺ ♰ ༻⊰─────────⋅​

The morning after, while the other two were asleep, Arc had requested a wheelchair to go along the prosthetic prepared for him to greet the other girls by their bedside. While he first received a bit of backlash for pushing himself too hard too soon, eventually, the doctor was forced to relent to his demand on the condition that he would avoid combat in the future until he recovered. After being told of his accomplishments and seeing the events unfold on the local news, the doctor treated this show of grace as a reward for a job well done. It was the first good news in a while, a welcome change from what he was used to. Arc and Twyla were able to deliver a measurable blow against his biggest adversaries while surviving the consequences, making the idea of revenge feel that much more realistic.

As Adelaide woke up, she heard the sounds of Arc humming a tune from childhood. It was her favorite song from that era, accompanied by the sounds of a knife tapping against a cutting board on a counter nearby. Even if he wasn't able to cook her something, chopping fruits requested from the local cafeteria for the sake of making both women something to flavor blood with for a breakfast was more than enough to distract him from his injuries. While searching for a replacement for his leg, he was given an artificial prosthetic as a substitute in the meantime, though due to his inexperience with walking with them, he had crutches underneath his armpits to help his standing. "I wonder if Adelaide would appreciate this. I know Twy will."

It's been years since he last prepared something for Adelaide with her in the room. Ever since moving into Riverview from their old home, whenever he was around, she avoided sharing the kitchen and living room with him, only making an exception on the few rare days she ate in silence with him at the dining room table. As he turned around to spill some of the fruit juice into the three glasses beside them, he noticed her shuffling in her medical bed; A sign that she was awake. "Addy." He spoke with a soft voice, letting his crutches take him over to her side before wrapping his arms around her. He knew how surreal the feeling was when he woke up to see them both breathing and he had little doubt that Addy might feel the same too.

Dropping his crutches to wrap his arms around her, Arc leaned into her bed for support to hug her. "Don't worry. This isn't a dream. I promise." Her brother smiled, enjoying their quiet moment of reunion. Surrounding them was the room that she first left him in, now given a different tone serving as the background of them finding each other again. "My body still hurts like hell, but I'm alive. Twy's alive. You are too." Turning himself around so he could sit beside her on the bed, he looked at the three drinks on the counter he worked hard to make taste better. After texting Val to see what he did that worked and what didn't, Arc decided to follow in Twy's brother's footsteps to help Adelaide feel alive, even in her new body. "You might be a vampire, but it doesn't take away from what we are. We're more than monsters. I know it. What differs us from them is what we use our vampirism for."

⋅─────────⊱༺ ♰ ༻⊰─────────⋅
"And you used yours to save my life."

"Thank you, Addy."
⋅─────────⊱༺ ♰ ༻⊰─────────⋅​

Tears dripped from his cheeks as he held her close. His arms were much weaker than they were when they first embraced her at the night club, but he still did his best regardless to make her feel at home. "I'll admit. Sometimes, I do think of myself as a monster. Ever since you left me here, I was really hoping... I'd die. At least, it would mean I'd be able to fulfill your final wish for me. That I should've died in their place." Arc promised her that he would be honest from here on out. Even now, he planned on keeping true to his word. Ever since he met Twy, he's found company in the coldest places, and he hoped he could offer the same warmth to his little sister as well. "But now? I can't feel any happier just having you in my arms. Having a second opportunity to make things right was never something I'd ever thought I'd have the chance of doing ever again."

Carefully, he took his arms off of her, wobbling for a bit before finding his balance once he grabbed the side of the bed for stability. "I won't force you to stay around if you still feel the same of course. You deserve the right to choose your own family. But at least, if it's okay for me to ask and be selfish? Just for the moment, can you act like I'm your brother." As he turned to her, his eyes were full of regret. He wasted years of her life believing he did what was best for her all this time, hoping that one day, they could return back to the life they once had before everything turned dark. "Just so I could finally let you go properly? I never wanted to hurt you. Truly. I'm..."

⋅─────────⊱༺ ♰ ༻⊰─────────⋅
"I'm sorry."

"You deserved better of me."
⋅─────────⊱༺ ♰ ༻⊰─────────⋅
ᴀɴᴅ ɪ'ᴍ ᴄᴀʟʟɪɴɢ ʏᴏᴜ
'ᴄᴀᴜꜱᴇ ɪ ᴄᴀɴ'ᴛ ʙᴇ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴍʏꜱᴇʟꜰ ɪɴ ꜱᴏʟɪᴛᴜᴅᴇ
ɪ ᴄᴀɴ'ᴛ ꜱᴛᴀɴᴅ ᴍʏꜱᴇʟꜰ, ꜱᴏ ɪ'ᴍ ʀᴇᴀᴄʜɪɴɢ ᴏᴜᴛ ꜰᴏʀ ʜᴇʟᴘ

ɪ'ᴍ ᴀ ʟᴇᴛᴅᴏᴡɴ, ᴏʜ ʏᴇᴀʜ
ʙᴜᴛ ɪ ᴅᴏɴ'ᴛ ᴡᴀɴᴛ ᴛᴏ ɢᴏ ᴛʜᴇ ᴡᴀʏ ɪ ᴀᴍ, ɪ ꜱᴡᴇᴀʀ
ɪ ᴅᴏɴ'ᴛ ᴋɴᴏᴡ ᴡʜᴀᴛ ᴛᴏ ᴅᴏ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴍʏꜱᴇʟꜰ
⋅─────────⊱༺ ♰ ༻⊰─────────⋅​

 

[Kitten]

ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ Yᴏᴜ'ʀᴇ ᴀʟɪᴠᴇ
0:00 ㅇ──────── 6:08
↻ ◁ || ▷ ↺​

"...Fine. Help me load them on a couple stretchers and I'll see to it that they make it. You too."​

Breathless with unwavering determination, Twyla obeyed Dr Thorne's orders without giving him an ounce of protest. Since Adelaide was proving to be her greatest exhaustion due to her limp arm making the task too arduous, she made sure to prioritize setting her down first on the stretcher. Gingerly Twyla placed her on the nearest stretcher, ensuring she was respected even in her comatose state. Wanting to conceal her vulnerability, she draped the thin white blanket over her body, pledging to give her modesty even when Adelaide couldn't do so herself.

Next was Arc.​

Striding backwards towards the other stretcher, Twyla attentively eased him down, sensing his weight shift against her once he sat on the equipment. Her good arm was anchored against him, guaranteeing he was safely on the portable bed before retracting away. Lilac hues scanned his lacerated leg, noticing her oversight - in the heat of the moment, she failed to tie off the gaping wound to staunch the bleeding. Thankfully, his vampiric nature had partially reduced the river-like flow of crimson liquid with some minor healing, but it was far from over. His condition was grave, but she reassured herself that he was now at the right place to receive proper care. Dr. Thorne possessed skilled hands, Twyla knowing he would give Arc a fighting chance.

"Assuming that you two are involved, were you attacked by vampires? Or... Did you attack vampires?"​

Instead of collapsing onto a stretcher herself, her body sank and loosened in a nearby office chair, her chest heaving up and down as she strived to steady her breathing now that she had a fleeting moment to rejuvenate the air in her lungs. "We were... attacked by vampires...." She spoke barely above a whisper as she took another deep breath. "The club was crawling with them." It was obvious that Twyla was exhausted as she spoke between gasps, perspiration glistening against her porcelain skin that was beginning to cool. Observant eyes followed Dr. Thorne as he meticulously attended to both Arc and Adelaide with practiced precision, his expertise evident as his movements were fluid enough that he could carry on small talk without faltering in his medical duties.

"Oh... I see. Someone converted his sister, didn't they? From the looks of it. It must have happened recently."​

"I think so." She commented, her tone soft as she braced a weary palm against her knee, leaning forward as fatigue began to weigh heavily on her. Twyla pushed herself beyond her limits - even that of a pureblood. "She wasn't a vampire the other day, but I do not know what led to her turning into one." Unembellished and honest, her words held no lies. Adelaide held the answers to the mystery, wondering if she would withhold the details for now or speak on it right away. She could only imagine how traumatic her night was - to transform into a beast she had no intention of becoming.

"I'll take care of her new thirst for now. But I'm going to need you to promise me that should she ever grow out of control, you'll take care of ending her yourself. Got it?"​

Twyla blinked thrice, startled by the weighted tone in his vocal chords as she wondered if the demand was truly directed towards her. It felt unnaturally wrong for Adelaide's fate to reside within the palm of her hands. Surely Arc, her brother, should be held responsible... yet, an unsettling thought nestled into her mind. Dr. Thorne didn't seem to be one to act without a reason, and given his knowledge with Arc, perhaps he noticed something Twyla didn't - a logic behind entrusting her with this grave burden. It may have been that he understood that Arc wouldn't - or couldn't - do what needed to be done if she lashed out.

And yet, the thought of Arc and what would happen if she had to do the unthinkable crossed her mind. He was special to her, and if she ended up harming his one and only sibling... perhaps the fragile thread of their newly formed relationship would unravel, leaving nothing but regret in his wake.

“I understand.” She was left with no choice but to accept the responsibility. The weight pressed heavily on her chest as she swallowed hard, feeling the lump in her throat be forced down.

"Hmm... It isn't normal for a vampire to use poison or drugged weapons. Who did this to you?"​

“No idea… I think Arc did call them Vampire Hunters... So your suspicion is right, sorry.” As Dr. Thorne pivoted on his heel and turned his attention towards her, she offered no resistance, instead providing silent gratitude. His fingers moved with steady care and precision, carefully inspecting her limp arm before whipping around to retrieve the IV. Twyla stayed calm and stoic, her body unflinching as he embedded the needle deep into her skip, feeling it slide effortlessly into her vein with practiced ease. The cool rush of liquid coursed through her body, the administered drug almost numbing, yet she welcomed it. Briefly, her gaze lingered over the needle that disappeared into her flesh, a minor sting radiating against her miniscule wound as her eyes casually shifted back to Dr. Throne. There was faint comfort in knowing that this drug wasn't meant to intend harm right away, but the threatening effects were still just as petrifying. I need to message Val... Twyla echoed the thought in her mind as her breaths began to steady. Lifting her chin, her lavender hues roamed the doctor's features, probing for a trace of reasoning along his disdain for the vampire hunters that would inevitably meddle in their affairs. It left her question how she, a pureblood, had lived her entire life without hearing about them.

Twyla was so distracted in her thoughts that she failed to comprehend Dr. Throne's subtle appearance shift into something entirely different. Haze began to cloud her vision, prompting the pureblood to realize just how out of touch she had become from spacing out. Focusing her attention back onto him with an abrupt snap of her head, her eyes broadened as she took in his altered image. His eyes and hair have modified, and yet, his scent remained unchanged. Curiosity bloomed against her features like the petals to a flower in springtime, wondering how she had missed his transformation. The two were practically peas in a pod, after all, forcing her to withhold any judgement due to perfecting her own manipulation... but this was unexpected, especially coming from someone in his position - a medically licensed doctor. And the kicker? He wasn't a vampire.

"Hmm? If you're concerned about me, I'm no monster. I don't need to feast on the flesh of the living like you all... You don't think that vampire are the only supernatural beings that exist in this world, do you?"​

"N-no, it's not like that at all!" Twyla stammered as her uninjured hand quickly rose in protest. The other hand hesitated as the paralyzing agent started to wear off, but it moved enough to feel the pull of the IV. Immediately, her hand lowered, careful to not dislodge it and cause any further complications. In fact, she was intrigued to learn that different races existed out there, however, those questions would have to wait until everyone was healed. "Actually... this isn't the first time we've met..." Softening her voice, there was a noticeable tint of unease. Averting her gaze to fixate on the floor as a wave of hesitation promptly stopped her in her tracks, she managed to summon a flicker of courage, meeting his eyes once more. Transforming herself, her hair shifted into soft almond-colored locks, her eyes gleaming with a radiance as golden as the midday sun. Hopefully his memory served well - and if so - in an instant he'd be reminded of the same girl who had visited Arc just the other day. The same one that he had been so eager to usher away. Nervously, a playful smile graced her lips as her mouth parted to confess, "It's me... surprise! It appears we both have secrets... I'm... actually a pureblood. That same night, I told Arc my secret too." Feeling a twinge of relief after confiding her secret to Dr. Thorne, Twyla had a hopeful feeling that his medical expertise - paired with his unique abilities - would perhaps aide them and unraveling her genetic code. Hell, perhaps it could even uncover the key to defeating the ultimate foe that Arc had dreaded all these years.

"And don't be too concerned about them. You've found the best doctor around for this. I don't take my pride in my work lightly."​

As if he could sense the question forming on her lips as her eyes flitted quickly over Arc and Adelaide's forms, trying to quietly asses their well-being, she couldn't help but faintly smile. It was pretty transparent how her concern must have been written over her face. "That's a relief..." Murmuring as she exhaled a soft sigh, she reached into her nearly tattered pant pocket as she fumbled for her phone. She half-expected it to be missing, but to her surprise it was still safely secured. With her good hand, she tapped her passcode in, mindful to keep her other hand resting as it was healing. Twyla needed to update Val on how everything unfolded, and to finally get around to responding to Mia... but, Val came first right now.

To: Lil' Val-Pal

---

I'm okay, Arc is okay and so is his sister Adelaide.
We're at the hospital getting treated, please, stay home.
If you want, call me in the morning, if you're insistent on coming, ask for Dr. Throne.
I love you.

Honestly, she had no idea how Val would react to her cryptic words. Twyla pondered on his actions, wondering if he would rush over immediately, call her the moment he read her text, or respect her wishes and wait it out until the next day. She knew if the roles were reversed, she'd be by his side in an instance, no matter his words or demands. All she could do now was wait and hope he wouldn't make a scene by barging in - not like it was his style to, anyways. She wanted to avoid channeling Dr. Thorne's ire... or, perhaps, he wouldn't mind encountering another pureblood. After all, he didn't recognized her status when she arrived, so this must've been exciting information.

To: : MiaBear

---

Hey! So sorry for the late reply!
It's a lot to talk about, maybe we can get lunch and talk?

There was absolutely no way that Twyla was going to tell Mia the truth in everything that had transpired tonight - at least, not yet. Hoping to sate her cravings for answers right now with her raging curiosity, she vaguely promised to spill the tea later. And yet, as her thumb pressed over the 'send' button, a wave of guilt began to consume her. Twyla had never truly been completely honest with her best friend, let alone revealing her identity... she wasn't ready to get that off her chest yet. She was also well aware that the time was approaching when she'd have to trust Mia enough to tell her, but she wanted to hear Val and Arc's opinion on the matter first, especially Arc's. Readying people came like second nature for him, and to get his thoughts on if she was trustworthy with her secret or not would be a major determining factor.

Once her limp arm had healed enough to regain its natural movement, Dr. Throne insisted on keeping Twyla under observation for at least throughout the night, the pureblood given no room to protest and had to reluctantly agree. Being guided to her own room - separate from Adelaide and Arc - her eyes casted them a last glance, quietly inspecting them to see their condition before reluctantly following. She couldn't help but let her thoughts wander to what might've happened if they hadn't made it to the hospital, but she quickly dismissed those 'what-if's' as futile. They were now here receiving the care that they needed to heal, and were on the path to recovery.

Now, Twyla was alone in her room, the only sounds being that of the soft, rhythmic beeps of the machines from nearby rooms that echoed faintly down the hallway. Arc and Adelaide would eventually join her room once the Doctor was finished tending to them, but for now the silence was almost deafening - acting like an unwelcomed companion. Already, she found herself craving Arc's presence, missing him despite knowing it was best to let him rest. After All, he couldn't talk since Dr. Thorne had injected him with medication for him to rest, and he was undoubtedly exhausted from his wounds and the chaotic events of the night. The least she could offer him was time to recover. Slowly, the lids of her eyes grew heavier, the weight of her exhaustion overpowering her despite the frenzied thoughts that continued to churn inside of her mind. Reluctantly, she allowed herself to surrender to the rest her body craved, praying that sleep would bring some sort of measure of peace.

ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ Cʀɪᴄᴋᴇᴛs ᴀɴᴅ ғɪʀᴇғʟɪᴇs
0:00 ㅇ──────── 2:35
↻ ◁ || ▷ ↺
​

After going unconscious, Addy had no recollection of the events that happened to her or around her. It was as if she was embedded within a void, so silent and devoid of even the faintest memories of dreams. Time felt distorted, fake even, stretching endlessly yet it somehow slipped by in the blink of an eye. As the morning rays of sunlight slowly began to filter through the window pane and cast against her face, Addy's face scrunched against the light, her body rolling over instinctively to try and rid of the pestering rays. Gradually, her body began to stir and properly wake up, her senses slowly piecing together.

Firstly, she noticed the absence to her unusual thirst. There was no craving for that metallic tang, not even the slightest urge to think about its taste - a sensation so foreign it still felt wrong. As her body began to stir, so did her memories, crashing over her like a tidal wave. She wasn't a human anymore - no - she was a monster. A vampire. That stark reminder sent a jolt rippling through her, causing her body to sit up abruptly, only to be met with the sound of a familiar voice.

"Addy. Don't worry. This isn't a dream. I promise."​

Immediately, those cerise eyes locked into his features, staring at him as if she were seeing a ghost right before her eyes. The familiarity of his presence was jarring, but undeniably comforting. As his bandaged arms encased her within a comforting hug, tightly embracing her, her eyes widened. A waft of freshly cut fruit spilled in the air, her gaze shifting to his little workspace where slices of fruit meticulously laid out, their juices extracted and nestling in a glass cup. The scent was oddly serene, serving as an anchor to keep her in this soft, quiet moment with her brother.

"Arc..." Her lips began to tremble as his name slipped out from her mouth in a shaky whisper, the gentle brush of her protruding canines grazing against her lower lip catching her off guard. It served as a poignant reminder of her new reality, wondering if she would ever get used to the feeling. Salty tears welled in her cerise eyes, distorting her vision into a blur as she took in the sight of his battered appearance. "This is all my fault..." Her voice cracked under the burden of her regret, guilt heavily weighing on her chest. "I'm so sorry..." Burrowing into him, her forehead rested against his chest as her hot tears began to soak into his hospital attire. Her body shook as quiet sobs muffled against him, her brother holding her without uttering a word for a moment, allowing her to have this moment to release the weight of her emotions onto him. His presence offered a silent reassurance, not knowing that this moment was all she needed from the very beginning.

"My body still hurts like hell, but I'm alive. Twy's alive. You are too. You might be a vampire, but it doesn't take away from what we are. We're more than monsters. I know it. What differs us from them is what we use our vampirism for."​

"Twy?" Addy inquired, unfamiliar with the name and how significant it was. Her gaze began to shift, noticing someone else occupying the room in another bed beside her. Catching sight of a white-haired woman, she noticed her resting in her bed, still sleeping - or pretending to sleep. Questions about her began to stir, but her identity was the furthest concern in her mind at the moment. Right now, she wanted to focus on Arc, eagerly hearing the rest of his words as she processed how lucky they were.

"And you used yours to save my life. Thank you, Addy."​

"My body moved on its own, I know I had to protect you. I... can't lose you too." Softly she sniffled, attempting to suppress anymore tears as she hurriedly brushed them away with the back of her hand in a fragile attempt to regain composure.

"Ever since you left me here, I was really hoping... I'd die. At least, it would mean I'd be able to fulfill your final wish for me. That I should've died in their place."​

Addy's heart sank as it was pulled by the weight of her guilt for spewing out hurtful, venomous words in the moment of misguided anger. "Please, Arc... Please, forgive me..." Whispering her plea, her voice quivered as fresh tears began to flow again. Truthfully, she hadn't realized just how deeply her words had cut him, and the idea of him aching from her dagger-like tongue made the ache in her chest grow stronger.

"But now? I can't feel any happier just having you in my arms. Having a second opportunity to make things right was never something I'd ever thought I'd have the chance of doing ever again."​

"We'll make things right again, and this time together." Softly she spoke, her words directed as much to herself as it was for him. He reassured her, even if it was only minor, to now he no longer harbored a desire to die... yet, she was well aware that the wounds of their shared pain would still linger - his admission to slaying their parents and her own callous words were scars that would take many years to heal. Addy had to accept it, no matter how much it tore into her. Once she could reflect on her own struggles as a newly turned vampire, the more she could understand what Arc went through himself. Thinking about how he was forced to drink from their parents - much like how she was nearly forced to feed on Olivia - caused her stomach to twist with a sickening churn of disgust and hatred.

"I won't force you to stay around if you still feel the same of course. You deserve the right to choose your own family. But at least, if it's okay for me to ask and be selfish? Just for the moment, can you act like I'm your brother."​

"I'm NEVER going to leave again, I promise." As her brother attempted to get up, Addy gingerly guided him back down onto the bed, encircling her arms carefully around his fragile body as she held him close this time. Her embrace was firm but it was just as equally tender, silently begging for forgiveness. "I'm here now, and it'll be forever." Speaking above a whisper, she spoke against him as her head rested on his chest. "I didn't understand what you were going through... and I lashed out at you because you admitted to the truth of what happened to our parents." Pausing her words, she realized she was stirring old would that had long been buries, but now it needed to resurface once more. "How could a mere human possibly understand the struggles of a vampire? Of course I didn't get it, and that ignorance... it made it so much easier to get angry instead." Addy's voice faltered as her voice cracked, holding onto him tighter. She hoped that her honesty could begin to heal the rift that they both had unintentionally caused.

"I'm sorry. You deserved better of me."​

"And you deserved better from me." Quickly she snapped back with a retort, her tone firm as she acknowledged her part of their shared pain. "No more of this sad stuff, okay? We need to focus on our future now." Reaching out to him, her fingers grabbed his hands and held them within her own, grasping them tightly with newfound determination. Addy could see the heaviness of his sorrow faintly lingering within his eyes, and she knew he needed someone to pull him out of this. Even if it meant injecting every ounce of positivity she could muster, she would do it for the sake of him. "We'll always be together now." Her voice was resolute, her head nodding with this. "I love you so much... thank you for never giving up on me even when you should've." Entangled in her words was a promise, a simple reminder that she vowed to help them rebuild, no matter what it took.

ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ ɢ.ᴏ.ᴀ.ᴛ
0:00 ㅇ──────── 3:35
↻ ◁ || ▷ ↺​

"Oh, it's you. I'm sure you could tell, the boss is fucking done for. Those hunters are no joke. Whoever's down here is whatever's left of his so-called kingdom."​

Sharply, the snap of her heels echoed throughout the cemented escape tunnel, each step forward accompanied by the idle sway of her curvaceous hips. "Ah, that is no concern of mine in the slightest." Remarking dismissively, her wrist waved around as though she were swatting away an irritating fly. Halting her stride, she paused alongside Vega for a moment of chatter, her expression being unreadable. "Damn, and to think I was really starting to like this place." Sighing under her breath, her voice carried a hint of mocking regret. "What a shame we can't go back now, oh well. We'll find another place." Shrugging, Talia brushed it off, her attitude calm and collected as if this never concerned her to begin with. It happened before, where their joint gets ransacked, but they would learn to be careful yet again.

As another vampire closed the distance and interrupted their brief exchange, Talia dismissed Vega with a casual wave of her hand, not even sparing him a second glance as she resumed her stride. As Vega's voice rose behind her, passionately bringing up the bold idea of starting his own cover, the corner of her lips curved into an upward smirk as she let out a soft, amused laugh. "You know..." Muttering to herself as she walked, she spoke, "you have to get permission first before throwing around bold ideas like that." Clicking her tongue against the roof of her mouth, she was clearly entertained by his audacious confidence. A hint of amusement glistened in her eyes, the snap of her heels reverberating further down the tunnel.

Still, Talia would be lying if she stated she wasn't worried herself. The Goddess was not going to be pleased when she learned about the club being seized by the police and Vampire Hunters. Knowing they had to find a new location - perhaps even being ordered to do so - made her inwardly groan, hoping The Goddess would put someone else to the task. Starting this grueling process all over again was undeniably frustrating, but it was inevitable at this point now. Even though she as tasked with finding something interesting tonight - and she did - none of it could be brought back with her. Failure lingered on her tongue, a bitter taste that she didn't appreciate, though she masked her frustration with an air of nonchalance.

Once The Goddess learned that the Apostle of Pride made his grand appearance after so long, Talia knew she was bound to be pleased.

 

[Tenzai]

⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘
"Leave it to me to handle the mess of others."

"They'll learn what happens when their hubris makes them believe they could take on God."
⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘​

From: Eclipse

---

Making landfall soon. I promise not to fail.

ɴᴏᴡ ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ: ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ ɢᴏᴅ | ᴘᴏʟʏᴘʜɪᴀ
↻ ◁ II ▷ ↺
⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘
Buckle your seatbelts please, we are now arriving at Riverview Airport, Ohio.

We hope you enjoyed your flight.
⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘​

To take down one stronghold was a feat of unprecedented proportions, a reminder to the apostles that complacency would be their undoing. Even amongst the humans, there were standouts just as capable as them. Their livestock had fought back. Their cattle had successfully rebelled against one of their masters. To the apostle of Sloth, this was unacceptable. The peace he was offered in exchange for his servitude was at risk. If his enemies were to believe they stood a chance, he would soon become too busy to enjoy his life as an apostle, forced to uphold his responsibility to his dark Goddess as a guardian of her empire. Should humanity work together, his dreams of a quiet, eternal peace would come to an end, only to be replaced by strife and conflict he had little control over.

Gloved hands had gripped first class seat cushions as he stared outside the window towards the lands that rebelled against them. Scoffing at the world below for its insubordination, the ex-veteran rolled his eyes before taking a sip of his blood-wine in an attempt to ease his mind. He couldn't afford to let this issue slide, especially when the renowned vampire hunters were acting out against them. Even if it would end up as a draw, this was where he would take his stand. 'This will be their last victory.' He thought to himself before turning to his counterpart, a woman who appeared to recognize this place as her once home. "Juniper, something on your mind?" The apostle placed his focus on her instead of his own thoughts, curious as to what was drawing her attention. "Wait, wasn't this your home?"

⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘
"Mhmm. It was."

Juniper, The Chained Angel
⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘​

Taking off her shades, she looked down at familiar streets as the plane sunk further beneath the clouds. She once had a family that lived around there. Thoughts of whether they were still doing well had come to mind. Kidnapped years prior, she had doubts that they still believed she was alive. Though, it was hard for her to think of meeting them again. Not as she was now, joining the side of her captors. "Spent several years here as a nurse. Had a family." She avoided speaking too specifically about it, hoping that her master wouldn't pry in too deep. "I'm just hoping that they moved on from here." A tinge of empathy was present in her eyes. Unfortunately for her, her master noticed it. "Don't let your past deny you your bright future. You have an eternity ahead of you. A better family too. It would be a waste to dwell on those that will pass on before you, no?"

The apostle took another sip, swirling his glass as he pulled it away. "Should you see them again, I hope you'll understand then what you need to do." His loyalty to his sanguine heritage was unparalleled. Unlike the many underlings he was responsible for, he was given a taste of heaven. All else that existed aside from it were obstacles that were to be removed. While gracious as a master to those he deemed loyal, he was unmerciful to their circumstances beyond their goal of establishing his goddess' kingdom. "That family will come and go, and you'll be able to start another one when this is all said and done. Don't forget that." Juniper nodded her head. "I know. If I see them again, I'll be sure to put an end to them myself." Despite her conflicted heart telling her otherwise, the vampire had looked at her master with conviction as she voiced those words, aware of the weight that came with sacrificing her own flesh and blood for the sake of her cause. She couldn't afford to look disloyal now, not after spending so long gaining the trust of those who stole her away.

Juniper knew just how powerful they were behind the scenes witnessing the apostles' power for herself. She knew just how far their reign had extended. Even if she fought for her family's safety, there was little point in doing so when she would end up making an enemy of such a monstrous force, leading to a fate much less kind than the quick death she would have delivered in their place. "But leave them to me, Eclipse. Their death is my responsibility and my responsibility alone." Furthering her convictions, she placed a palm on her chest and pledged her promise. "Then you better hope that no one else stumbles upon them first." Eclipse placed his elbow on his chair's armrest, placing his fist underneath his chin to use as a rest. "But how about this? Since you are one of my favorites and it would be a shame to not give you a chance," A dark smirk had grown over his lips. "While I take care of dealing with the humans and the vampire hunters. You take care of your family. How does that sound?" Leaning forward, he offered her a hand to shake. "I'll give you a couple of my vampires to help and see to it that you remain true to your promise. Don't fail me, unless you want to suffer a worse fate than the humans that brought us here in the first place."

Gulping, she eyed his hand as she formulated her thoughts. "What? Nervous now? Should I let someone else handle them? Maybe the apostle of gluttony would prefer to deal with them. Last I heard, his appetite had remained unsated after the last many he consumed." Shaking her thoughts away, Juniper shook Eclipse's hand with feigned confidence. "No. They are my responsibility. I'll take care of them. Promise." Taking his chin off his hand, he lifted seven fingers up. "Seven days. I give you seven days to tell whether they're still here, and if they are, to deal with them. Don't lie to me now either, Juniper." The necklace that was gifted from another apostle had glinted in the morning sun as the plane had finally landed. "We can't afford any more disloyalty within my ranks. Pull anything on me and I'll be sure to make an example out of you."

⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘
"Even if you are my favorite."

Eclipse, the Apostle of Sloth
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"Much better."

Turning tragedy into happy endings.
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ɴᴏᴡ ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ: ʟᴜᴠ (ꜱɪᴄ) ᴘᴛ2 ɪɴꜱᴛʀᴜᴍᴇɴᴛᴀʟꜱ | ɴᴜᴊᴀʙᴇꜱ
↻ ◁ II ▷ ↺
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Standing alone in front of his finished canvas, the painter had felt incomplete when looking at his most recent work. Something didn't feel quite right about the central figure being alone. Instead of letting its future cement as the paint dried, Val had picked up his brush, following the whims of his heart until he felt content with the image he portrayed in front of him. With a couple brush strokes, the suited man in the center was accompanied by loved ones. Several more splotches of color above had symbolized fireworks, changing the once harrowing scene into that of beauty. "No one deserves to suffer alone." He muttered to himself, growing increasingly content as he did away with a tragedy, building atop of it to create a happy ending. Before he finished however, he heard a familiar voice speak through his phone, notifying him that a message was sent by his sister. "Val! Vaaallll! Did you see what I sent?"

From: Your One and Only Favorite Sis!

---

I'm okay, Arc is okay and so is his sister Adelaide.
We're at the hospital getting treated, please, stay home.
If you want, call me in the morning, if you're insistent on coming, ask for Dr. Throne.
I love you.

'Hospital?' Last her brother remembered, they were going on what appeared to be a date. Thoughts of an accident had made his mind anxious. Unfortunately, his worries were well founded as he opened the news to see a live occurrence of police investigating a shooting at a club. Both police and vampire hunters were investigating the bodies in the background as the news anchor made guesses as to what occurred within the building the night before. "Police currently don't know which culprit fired the first shot. However, rumors from the mercenaries suggest that it had begun from a disagreement within between two vampires. Whereabouts of the vampires who escaped during the fighting are currently unknown, but we do advise you to be careful about traveling alone at night." Val reached for his phone as he watched the camera pan over to the police chief.

An officer dressed in blue with armor covering his chest approached the mic angry, gripping it from the camera crew to hold it close to his face. Believing that one of the vampires was watching him at this very moment, he used this moment as a chance to taunt them. "Those damn vampires think the people of Riverview are going to standby and let them live within our midst? Nonsense! We will find you! The police force and its allies will work together to bring safety back to these streets, no matter the cost!" He gulped, growing concerned about this event potentially increasing suspicions of vampire presence on campus. Even if he and Twy had nothing to do with the violence committed on the local human populace, he doubted that those around them would offer them lenience due to their race. Though as he thought about what to do next, good news had just arrived.

On his phone sat a notification of a purchase for his latest piece. Upon posting progress reports of the painting he was creating, someone following him had decided to make his art their own, believing it to be a piece fitting for a gallery. The price he was offered for it had made him sigh with relief, easily being more than enough to cover their rent for a few months. However, while the idea of sitting at home wasn't a bad one, given their holidays coming up, an idea had sprung to mind. They needed to be out of the city while the heat had died down around home. With the timing of a vacation being appropriate and their newest guest, Archimedes, joining their little family, he sprung on this chance to make memories from a place of safety, typing a response out for her sister.

To: Your One and Only Favorite Sis!
New Attachment: PaintingProject.png

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Hey Twyla! Someone wants to buy my painting! The one with the pier on it!

So I was thinking, after you're better, why don't we use some of it for a little vacation! You, I, Arc, and maybe this Adelaide girl too! We've been getting ads in the mail for the ski resort that just opened up thirty mins from here. Saw that there were pretty decent reviews on the place. It has a spa too! I'd like to go there with all of us if that's fine! Let me know what you think!

Love you too. Stay safe out there.

Hitting send, the artist had already made a guess as to what his sister would respond with. Excited, he ran into his room to toss all of his warm clothes together in expectation and preparation for the vacation to come. After all they've been through and all they've done for him over the last year, Val was thinking about what he could do to spoil the both of them rotten, and there was no idea better than taking them outside of the city momentarily to spend time with them while giving them an opportunity to bond. Stuffing his suitcase to the brim with their clothes for warmth, hobby art supplies should he garner inspiration, and their favorite snacks, he struggled to zip the entire thing closed before settling on taking several bags. His minivan had more than enough space to haul the four of them alongside all he could fathom that warranted bringing.

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"... The last time we had a winter retreat was when we were kids."

"Hope the others could have fun too."
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Cogito ergo sum.

No matter how hard the vampires had tried to ruin them, they couldn't take away what they were, family.
The mere fact that they could think of a future together despite everything had made it all the more real.
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"I'm NEVER going to leave again, I promise."
ɴᴏᴡ ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ: ᴇɢᴏ ᴅᴇᴀᴛʜ | ᴘᴏʟʏᴘʜɪᴀ
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This time, Adelaide had a genuine chance to be honest. No vampires, no fighting, no hiding the truth would get in the way of her speaking her heart out to the brother who fought this war alone for so long. "We'll make things right again, and this time together." Her kindness had caught him by surprise. Originally, he believed that her warmth was just the result of her situation, that he was a savior for the moment and nothing more. However, the strength she held him with, denying him a chance to break apart from her again had left him stunned. No words had broken her line of thought. No questions had interrogated her reasons behind it. She was speaking truth, making it known just how much she loved him after nearly losing him again. "I'm here now, and it'll be forever." Despite how quiet her words had come out, he listened to each syllable as intently as he did the night she left. "I didn't understand what you were going through... and I lashed out at you because you admitted to the truth of what happened to our parents." His past was a reality he would never escape; No matter how much he could change in his direction, he couldn't deny that he was a monster capable of doing terrible things to the people he loved.

"How could a mere human possibly understand the struggles of a vampire? Of course I didn't get it, and that ignorance... it made it so much easier to get angry instead." Yet in spite of his scars reopening, Adelaide dragged him closer, as though she was telling him through body and not voice that he would accept him and his sins regardless. He opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out. No wounds could sting like losing the genuine love of another. No ailment could weigh as much as that of regret. Closing his eyes and leaning into her hug, he spoke what he believed to be right. "I'm sorry. You deserved better of me." But she wouldn't let that thought settle. He was not the only one to blame for what became of them. "And you deserved better from me." As quick as her words returned to him did his eyes open to reveal the sight of his beloved sister led by conviction to make things right. She wasn't the only one hurting from the truth. He was too, and he was willing to sacrifice himself over it.

"No more of this sad stuff, okay? We need to focus on our future now." Arc's fingers were warm as they interlocked with hers, sealing a promise to set his eyes on tomorrow instead of yesterday. While it was difficult to move on, if Adelaide was willing to let their past go in exchange of a happier future, who was he not to try the same. He accomplished the impossible for her before, how hard would it have been to do the same again? "Okay... I promise." He gripped her hands, attempting to muster a smile of his own, but surprisingly it came easy to him. The truth was that they were both safe. He was given a second opportunity to fix things again the way he wished to, and a large part of it to blame was Twyla. She had carved a path towards a happy ending through injecting hope where he had none. She had made the impossible feel possible, and now, his life was in her hands. She saved him again. "We'll always be together now." Finding resolve after seeing his own, she furthered their momentum. "I love you so much... thank you for never giving up on me even when you should've."

"I love you too, Addy." Freeing one of his hands, he wrapped his arm around the back of her head to pull her into a half hug, drawing her into his chest like he did so many years while protecting her before. "Besides, if there's anything you know your big bro for... Its that he's stubborn." Her brother teased, returning to a semblance of normal. His happiness was not a guarantee, he knew that now. But it was here, present in this room. Surrounded by family and a girl he could now consider a loved one, a smile had become easy to make. Hope was on the horizon, and as long as he fought alongside them, he felt like a peace after it all was possible. "I won't let go of you that easily, Addy. Not while I have breath in my lungs..." His eyes had illuminated like glimmering rubies.

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"And even afterwards now, as a vampire.

At least, we have an eternity to make up the lost time between us."
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Letting her go, he walked over to the opposite end of the room to grab a couple drinks he made for the both of them, leaving behind the last glass for Twyla herself. As he did so, the weight of what he endured had made itself known. His wounds were deep and his leg had a long road to make to recovery. "You know. I used to think I was a lost cause. That there was nothing left for me to live as a vampire." Letting his hand go off the crutch, he stirred her drink once more before grabbing both. "But then, I found you. Or I think, what's more fitting is that you found me." Turning himself around, he moved slowly to avoid spilling the drinks while he brought himself back to her side with his crutches. "You've treated me well. Made me feel at home even in... this body. To some extent, you've made me the happiest I could ever be."

Finally resting himself in the chair beside her, Arc set their drinks down on a nearby table. "It was wonderful while it lasted. Unfortunately... The vampires got a little too close to home. Nearly hurt you without you realizing it. Since then, I became paranoid, trying to protect the only light left in my life, you." A bit of regret had appeared in his eyes and tone. "But I locked you in and took the life you deserved to live. For that, I'm... I'm sorry." He shook his head, understanding that he was meant to move on from his past. However, this felt right for him to share. He needed to let go and he wouldn't be able to do so by hiding it. He was in the wrong.

"I promise, not to ever make you go through that again, if you promise me to learn how to use your new powers to keep yourself safe. The doctor here could help with that, but I'll be around to make sure that he isn't too harsh." Grabbing his glass, he clinked it to hers. "Cheers. Twy's brother had taught me how to make it, and I wanted to have you try it too. its good." Taking a drink alongside her, his taste buds were met with something sweet that drowned the metallic tang that came with blood. "Something about living like a vampire. You can't eat and drink normally anymore. All that's replaced with a need for blood." Blood packs from blood donors lined the room's fridges, showing how much the doctor had planned to work around Arc.

"But that doesn't mean we have to bite others to drink, thankfully. Just means we need to take steps around it." Smiling once he saw the blood go down her throat easily, he sighed in relief. He was able to replicate the recipe Val had taught him well enough for it not to taste too bad. "Oh! Yeah, I made some new friends while you were gone. Met Twyla here as a witness, only to find out that she's a vampire aligned in goal like me. She saved our lives at the club there. Hell, she saved my life more than once already. So when she wakes up, I hope you don't mind thanking her too." As Arc turned towards her, a blush had grown over his face unknowingly, hinting at his developing attraction towards his new partner in crime. "She's the one who gave me hope when I had none. The one who taught me that there was another way to live." His voice had eased as he spoke fondly about her. "And I want to live a happy life like she does with her brother... With you."

Placing his cup down, Arc held onto Addy's hand, looking up at her from his wheelchair. "No matter what comes next, know that we're not fighting this war alone. We have a family alongside us that we could trust, friends that feel the same way we do who could understand." Gripping her hand with all the warmth and hope he could muster, his sister got a glimpse of how Arc was like when he was human. "And I want to introduce you to all of them. You're not someone I'm willing to let go of." As he spoke, he heard Twyla shuffle in her slumber. "Mhmm. Let me get her drink." The moment she awoke, her eyes were met with Arc with a drink in hand that smelled like home. He was alive, standing no less. "Morning, Twy. Thirsty? Woah-" Before he had a chance to react, her body had clung onto his, hugging him as though she saw the ghost of a recently departed loved one. Upon entering the hospital room, there was no guarantee, even as an apostle, that he was going to recover, let alone recover so quickly. The pride the doctor held was more than just a bold claim; Underneath his confidence was substance.

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"I'm here, Twy."

"Still breathing, thanks to you."
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Wrapping his arms back around his savior and returning her kindness, the vampire had set her drink aside to welcome him into his arms. His heartbeat was much stronger than it was the night prior. His blood wasn't spilling out of him like rivers. Bandages and stitches may have covered his form, but he was breathing, still present in her life. "Did I scare you back there? Sorry about that." The vampire detective chuckled, stroking her head as she looked up at him. "If I had known I'd get blood on the clothes we just bought, I would've opted for something less expensive. Still, its thanks to you that my sister is safe... And that I'm still alive to think of a future with you." Bringing his head down for his eyes to meet hers, he gave her a gentle kiss on the lips to cement that what was spoken during their mission was true. He liked her, and he wasn't going to die without letting her know. "I guess that settles your debt to me, doesn't it? I'd still like to go on a date with you... Spare the guns and vampires and all." As Adelaide looked at her brother, chemistry had clearly formed in between him and the girl in his arms.

"Oh, I've yet to introduce you, haven't I?" Raising his hand, he gestured her attention towards Adelaide. "Twyla. This is my sister. Someone I'd even say would be my Val." He chuckled, using the parallel in between her relationship with her brother to suggest how close he was to her. "She's all I have left. A good soul, I promise." Turning to Adelaide, he brought his hand to Twyla. "And Addy, this is Twyla. The woman that gave me hope the night you found out about the truth. She came to me during my time of need... And you could say, the man you see in front of you now is all because of her and her brother's doing. I'll introduce you to him soon. Maybe we could stay there while we look for a new home since our last one isn't safe anymore." Having the two women that meant the most to him in the same room had shown the detective just how far he came in becoming honest. Lifetimes ago, he would have tried to keep the both of them apart for Addy's safety. But, with Twyla showing who she was behind the mask, he felt right to do the same. She saw him at his worst. The least he could do is hide nothing. As they spoke to each other, Arc received a text on his phone from Val as well, inviting him to the same vacation that he offered his sister.

From: The Better Val

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Hey, Arc! I heard you were in the hospital. Whatever happened, thanks for taking care of my sister. I know its a weird time and all, but I wanted to invite you and your sis, Adelaide, out to a ski resort that just opened up recently while we're still on winter break. Would be nice to enjoy a break from Riverview while the city's under lockdown. Lmk what you think!

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'Hmm... That's not a bad idea. A chance to heal and make memories?'

"Hey, are either of you interested in going on vacation during your Winter Break?"
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[Kitten]

ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ ᴀ ʜᴇᴀᴅ ғᴜʟʟ ᴏғ ᴅʀᴇᴀᴍs
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"I love you too, Addy. Besides, if there's anything you know your big bro for... It's that he's stubborn.."​

"I know you're stubborn, I even told them you'd come for me." She responded as she nestled closer to his chest, his embrace nostalgic like home - the warmth she had been yearning for from the very beginning, but was too stubborn enough to grasp it. "Honestly, I only said that to scare them and keep them at bay... but deep down, I wasn't too sure if I believed my own words myself. Especially after how I left you at the hospital..." Her voice faltered as it trembled, managing to push forward despite the intensity. "I thought I’d lost you. And yet, here you are. You came, just like you always promised you would."

"And even afterwards now, as a vampire. At least, we have an eternity to make up the lost time between us.”​

"I-is our life really that prolonged now?" She asked with uncertainty as the thought of living far beyond what she would've ever anticipated felt surreal. Did he truly mean eternity? Her ruby hues glanced at him, the realization beginning to sink in - ever since he had turned into a vampire, he hadn't aged a day. As the years continued and she grew older, he seemed to possess the same youthfulness, now making them look like twins despite their age difference. "Still..." Her resolve began to firm, "If it takes an eternity to atone for what has happened, then so be it. As long as you're by my side, I'm ready."

As Arc removed his hands from her to stand and retrieve the drinks, Addy quietly sat there as she watched him. Her ears attuned to the rawness that poured from his voice, speaking of how she had found him, and how she had treated him like home even as he bore this monstrous body. Yet, his words only caused her heart to pang in an uncomfortable ache. Addy found it hard, no, she wouldn't accept the credit he had doted all over her, not after everything. Originally she had shunned him, yearned for his death, and now, there he was, painting her as this hero in his story when she utterly didn't deserve it.

In spite of all this, she didn't interrupt. She allowed him the grace to speak as he laid bare his soul for her to hear, even if it stirred emotions she wasn't quite ready to face just yet. "I wish you'd stop apologizing, Arc." Her vocal cords took on a sharp edge, serious and tinged with irritation. It wasn't his apologies that began to grate her, it was the praise she felt she hadn't earned in the slightest, the weight of her guilt pressing on her chest. Realizing her tone, her gaze softened, yet her response was still firm. "Apologies don't mean anything until your actions back them up. Words are just... words. What matters is what you do to make them real."

Addy grasped at the glass with her hands, cradling it between both of her palms as her scarlet eyes met his vivid ones. Softly, a smile skated against her lips, resonating a warmth that could seemingly be felt. "I look forward to your promise, and I promise to never put you through that hell again." Gingerly, she clunk her glass against his, a subtle sense of relief beginning to envelope her. It was as if the shackles that clung onto her was beginning to break, and for the first time, she realized that she should've been honest with her feelings from the very beginning. The air felt lighter, freer, as though the path ahead was one that they could finally walk together, hand in hand.

"Cheers. Twy's brother had taught me how to make it, and I wanted to have you try it too. It's good. Something about living like a vampire. You can't eat and drink normally anymore. All that's replaced with a need for blood."​

Addy inspected the drink under the faint hint of light streaming through the curtainless window, tilting it ever so slightly. The liquid glimmered through the provoked movements, a dark, almost opaque hue reflecting back in her irises - it was similar to fruit juice but... something about it seemed different.

Trusting her brother and his reassuring words, her eyes began to close as she took a sip from the glass. Her taste buds were immediately met with the metallic tang, the taste sharp and unmistakable, but it was hastily overtaken by a burst of rich, fruity flavors that exploded on her tongue. The blend was a perfect match that balanced the two flavors delicately. Not only did it quench her thirst to feed but it also allowed her to feel as if she were still a human.

"Mmm!~ This is amazing!" She couldn't help but exclaim as genuine astonishment speckled against her features, pulling the glass back to reinspect the contents. Without a moment of hesitation, she eagerly finished the rest in one eager gulp, ravishing on every drop before letting out a satisfied sigh. "Ah… Can I please have more?" Almost ashamedly she asked, her eyes dazzling with an almost childlike innocence. Licking her lips, she ensured not a single trace was left to waste, the lingering taste of her drink leaving her to crave more.

”Oh! Yeah, I made some new friends while you were gone. Met Twyla here as a witness, only to find out that she's a vampire aligned in a goal like me. She saved our lives at the club there. Hell, she saved my life more than once already. So when she wakes up, I hope you don't mind thanking her too."​

"So that's Twy?" Addy murmured her thoughts aloud as her eyes drifted to the white-haired woman, watching she rested through their conversation. Slowly, a memory began to resurface as a fleeting image of cascading snowy hair drifted amongst the breeze crossed her mind, jolting her that the same woman who carried her was Twyla.

She was beginning to remember the scene so vividly now - the way Twyla moved with an intensity that struck her even as she was about to pass out. How her body radiated a warmth from overexertion and worry, but what lingered the most on Addy's mind was the way she smelled. Her scent was a sweet, soothing aroma that unintentionally dissolved all of her fears and anxieties as it cocooned her in a sense of safety and comfort.

"I will." Addy agreed to show her thanks once she woke up, her gaze returning to the empty glass as her cheeks began to speckle with a delicate shade of pink. For the first time in a long time, she felt a kind of affection she wasn't quite used to. It was something entirely different from the bond she had shared with Arc. What she got from Twyla was tender, unexpected, and she wasn't entirely sure what to make out of it right now.

"No matter what comes next, know that we're not fighting this war alone. We have a family alongside us that we could trust, friends that feel the same way we do who could understand."​

"I'm excited to meet Val too, and to start this new adventure with everyone," she was being honest, not feigning her happiness. "Especially if they’ve earned your seal of approval." There was no trace of jealousy within her expression, only genuine contentment as their new life was already beginning. Actually, come to think of it, Arc had never introduced her to a girl before. Addy didn't even know if he had ever dated before. For her brother to casually bring someone like Twyla into their small life spoke volumes, filling her up with excitement that couldn't be put into words. It honestly wasn't even about the relationship, it was about seeing him open up and bloom in a way she had never seen before.

"We're... finally going to have our own family again, aren't we?"

ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ sᴘᴀᴄᴇ
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Fluttering open like butterflies, the lids of her eyes blinked away the haze that was distorting her vision upon hearing the soft sounds of a knife cautiously cutting fruit. Laying as still as a corpse, her curiosity had been piqued, her gaze lingering against Arc's back as she traced the subtle movements of his shoulders alongside the deliberate rhythm of his hands as they worked with quiet dedication. It was noticeable that his pace was rather slow, yet his focus remained unwavering as each movement was purposeful, hearing the blade of the knife meet the harder cutting board. Briefly, she considered stepping in to assist him, but something insisted on holding her back - perhaps it was the desire to not disrupt the intent behind his actions, to let him work without interfering,

In silence she chose to observe him, noticing how Arc was meticulously following Val's recipe to the letter. Since when did they have enough time to talk about drinks... let alone how to make them? Pondering over this peculiar action, she couldn't recall when they had shared enough time to discuss the finer details for him to be able to perfect his craft so expertly. Then, it hit her... she left them alone briefly when she went to change the other day. Perhaps that was when they conversed or exchanged numbers. A soft, quiet grin tugged at her lips as a radiant warmth blossomed within her chest, feeling as if Val's presence lingered beside her in this room. OH, Val! In the midst of her thoughts, she remembered she had fallen asleep before getting the chance to check her phone if he replied. A flare of worry briefly plagued her, but she hastily calmed herself in an effort to not disrupt Arc's quiet focus. She could read his message later, after all.

Observing him sprinkle his final touches to their drinks, rapidly Twyla closed her eyes before peeking through her barely parted lids - just enough to see without revealing being awake. Soundlessly she watched Arc limp towards his sister, gentle as he stirred her awake from her slumber. It almost felt intrusive to witness their heartfelt conversation as they began to confess their emotions, almost considering removing herself to offer them privacy. Yet, if Arc honestly felt uncomfortable, she was certain he wouldn't have engaged in such a vulnerable exchange within her presence - even if he assumed she was asleep. That willingness to be raw with his sister, despite Twyla being nearby, spoke volumes about the deeply rooted trust he had with her. With that thought, Twyla remained as motionless as a corpse, her breaths slow and steady as she continued her charade of sleep.

Twyla had to wrestle with her instinct to protest, gasp, and avoid drawing in sharp breaths of air or exhaling too loudly as she listened to Arc and Adelaide work throughout their feelings. They admitted their faults, but most importantly, expressing just how much they adored, loved, and appreciated one another. It tugged at Twyla's emotions almost too much - the urge to sob for them was strong, witnessing their shared bond and the endless pain they had to endure. Even without words, she knew how deeply Arc loved his little sister, the sole purpose that kept him going for all these years despite the feelings not being reciprocated. But now, she got to witness the two grow closer through their shared trauma, the overwhelming emotions causing a lump to grow in her throat.

It made her want to crush Val until she could practically hear his bones snapping under the weight of her love-aggression, her mind replaying images of him and how she would react if she lived in Arc's shoes. Ugh, I'm going to absolutely squeeze him when I get home! Fiery determination welled in her chest as she imagined the moment she would unleash her affection-fueled wrath on her poor, unsuspecting brother.

Despite the roaring thoughts and emotions that began to overwhelm her, she remained still, her performance as a sleeping observer flawless. It was so convincing that she momentarily entertained an idea of pursuing acting - having to play different roles recently as she improvised as different people. Just when Arc was wrapping up with Adelaide, his feet dragging as he made his way towards her bed, Twyla realized she couldn't take it anymore. Her emotions were building up like a flood, desperately needing to expel the pressure of her sentiments, and quickly.

"Morning, Twy. Thirsty? Woah-"​

Bolting upright from her bed, Twyla's arms impulsively snaked around the nape of Arc's neck in a fierce but gentle bear hug, being strong enough for him to feel the depth of her yearning, but attentive to not cause him any further pain. Streaming down her face, hot tears released in an unrelenting torrent, streaming over her rosy cheeks like a summer storm in the middle of June. Sniffling as she brawled to catch her breath, her chest heaved with an intense weight - so many things she couldn't put into words in this moment. She clung to him as if he would vanish right in front of her eyes yet again, pouring all of those unspoken feelings into her loving embrace.

"I'm here, Twy. Still breathing, thanks to you. Did I scare you back there? Sorry about that."​

“Yes… Yes, you scared me so much, Arc!” Trembling, her voice was unwilling to cooperate as her fingers clutched securely onto the fabric of his outfit, grounding her against him as her forehead pressed against his chest. Her tears began to soak into his garments as her cheek pressed just above where his heart melodically thrummed steadily beneath. That rhythmic tune reassured her that he was indeed alive, here in this moment, with her. "Please... don't ever be so reckless again." Twyla pleaded, her voice cracking as her vocal cords strained to get the words out. "Adelaide needs you... Val needs you... I need you. You've entangled yourself too deeply into our lives that it's impossible to go now. No, I won't let you go, I can’t."

Instead of using words, Arc decided on silencing her in the gentlest way he knew. Those warm, chapped lips gingerly glided against her own, cutting off her anxious rambling as he planted a tender kiss. A quiet stillness replaced her faltering words, Twyla yielding to the intimacy of the moment as his unspoken reassurance lingered in the way he exhaled against her, breathing in his air as if it were replenishing her very soul.

Conscious of his sister's presence in their shared room - feeling her eyes linger on them - Twyla reluctantly retracted from his mouth, the warmth of their kiss still lingering despite never wanting to release from him to begin with. “Ahem…” Clearing her throat steadily, she hoped the small gesture might dispel the awkwardness that hung in the air, a red hue etching its way along her face in a fit of embarrassment.

"Twyla. This is my sister. Someone I'd even say would be my Val."​

“Yes, we’ve met before,” Twyla lifted her chin as her gaze shifted towards Adelaide, a reassuring smile skating against her lips. Her lilac hues softened as they skimmed against Adelaide's face, a quiet kindness behind her expression. Shifting into her human appearance to allow her words to make sense, she had hoped she would catch the hint, realizing it was the girl from the other day. "We met the other night when you were leaving the hospital. I gave you some clothes... but back then, I had no idea you were Adelaide, Arc's brother." Shifting her gaze towards the window, she watched as dark gray clouds blanketed the sky as raindrops tapped rhythmically against the roof like a distant melody. Sighing faintly, she continued, "If I would've known the trouble you were about to get into, I would've stopped you right then and there... but, there's no sense in dwelling on the past. You're safe now, and I vow my life to protect you both." Her tone was steady with resolve, her expression serious as she turned her attention back onto her, then Arc.

”And Addy, this is Twyla. The woman that gave me hope the night you found out about the truth. She came to me during my time of need... And you could say, the man you see in front of you now is all because of her and her brother's doing. I'll introduce you to him soon. Maybe we could stay there while we look for a new home since our last one isn't safe anymore."​

“Oh, stop it!” Protesting bashfully, she shook her head as if to deflect Arc's sincere words. Faintly a warm flush consumed her cheeks as she struggled to accept his praise. "You gotta take some credit for yourself. We're all strong, okay? We managed to get out of this mess together." Reaching forward, her fingers gently sprawled before clutching onto the glass of the beverage that Arc had crafted for them. Pressing her lips against the rim of the glass, she tilted it back as she took a hearty sip, feeling the refreshing rush of flavor greet her taste buds in surprise. Her throat bobbed as she swallowed its contents, her hand pulling the glass back as she inspected it, astonished.

"Wow! You're certain Val didn't come in here to make this for us?!" She couldn't help but tease him, though the spark that glistened in her eyes betrayed the playfulness in her tone. Obviously she knew Val didn't make the drink since she watched Arc the entire time, but there was no way she was about to admit that. “I can’t wait to tell him how amazing you did!” Grinning, Twyla extended her arm to reach for her phone that rested on the nearby stand, her fingers unlocking the screen as her eyes soaked in Val's message.

From: Lil' Val-Pal
New Attachment: PaintingProject.png

---

Hey Twyla! Someone wants to buy my painting! The one with the pier on it!

So I was thinking, after you're better, why don't we use some of it for a little vacation! You, I, Arc, and maybe this Adelaide girl too! We've been getting ads in the mail for the ski resort that just opened up thirty mins from here. Saw that there were pretty decent reviews on the place. It has a spa too! I'd like to go there with all of us if that's fine! Let me know what you think!

Love you too. Stay safe out there.

Each word reflected within her irises as she read his response, gazing at the new piece he crafted in silent admiration before her fingers started to craft a response.

To: Lil' Val-Pal

---

WOW! You always amaze me with your art, it changed so much since I last saw it! I’m so proud of you, Val!!!

Arc made your drink, you'd be so proud, it's like you made it!

I’d love to go on a vacation with everyone, we all need it after this adventure… I never went skiing, but I’m willing to try it! Let me ask the others.

I’ll be home soon, love you so muchies! Mwauh! ~

"Hey, are either of you interested in going on vacation during your Winter Break?"​

“Wait, did Val message you too with the idea?” Raising a curious brow, Twyla glanced from her phone back to Arc, suspicious he either read her message or got a replica from Val. "He sent me the same message, he mentioned a ski resort. But we're going to have to wait until you guys recover and Adelaide gets a good idea on how to control herself." Her tone wasn't meant to be harsh, just honest. She was responsible for her safety as well as the public around her, and she couldn't ignore the risks until she felt confident that everything was under control. Taking Adelaide out into a bustling, unpredictable crowd wasn't an option until then, but she had a feeling it wouldn't take very long for her to get accustomed to her lifestyle.

"Please... call me Addy." Interjecting softly, Addy's voice carried a tinge of vulnerability. Once she realized her words left her mouth, she began to hesitate, her head quickly whipping to glance away and fixing her gaze on the wall instead. Doubt began to creep in, wondering if she should've kept quiet and not have said anything at all. Suddenly, the room felt quieter, and she couldn't help but think she may have overstepped.

"Addy it is, then!" Twyla's voice rang out as it filled the room, rising from her bed with a small bounce. Her resilience was clear as she moved with surprising ease despite her injuries, knowing she had it easy compared to Arc and Addy. As she moved past Arc, her palm rested briefly on his back as she reassuringly patted him before making her way over towards Addy. Without hesitation, Twyla perched herself on the edge of Addy's bed, the motions causing them both to rustle for a moment. "I hope you didn't think I was mean when I said I didn't trust you. It's not like that, honestly." Tilting her head to the right slightly, Twyla's hues searched Addy's gaze, hoping she could spot out a hint of understanding. The last thing she wanted was to be taken the wrong way. "You're new to this life, and I want to make sure you're safe, and that you can handle yourself if someone unexpectedly bleeds in public."

"No... I get it, honestly." Addy replied, relief evident in her tone as she grinned gratefully. She appreciated that Twyla didn't see her comment was weaseling her way into her and Arc's conversation, the tension in the air she created easing as she exhaled. "I know I have a lot to learn, and I’m lucky to have you, Arc, Val, and the doctor to help me figure it all out." It was almost too overwhelming with how much warmth the room radiated. It was unfamiliar to be surrounded by so much love and respect, it was nearly suffocating. And yet... Addy welcomed it. She finally felt as if she belonged, like this could be her new normal, forever.

Cerise eyes scanned toward Twyla once more, curiosity evidently flickering in her stare. "So... uh... how did you change your appearance like that earlier?" She asked as a tentative index finger motioned over Twyla's hair and eyes, her hair now a hazel color with her eyes holding a sunny brown. It fascinated her, marveling at her ability to change her appearance just like that.

"Oh! I'm a pureblood!" Twyla declared as her tone exploded with an air of pride, her radiant smile mirroring her confidence. "That means I was born this way, unlike how you and Arc became vampires. Val’s a pureblood too." Casually, her legs swung over the edge of the bed as they carried a playful energy to her movements. Grabbing at Addy's empty glass, she hopped up and strolled over towards the pitcher, pouring in a generous amount of Arc's carefully crafted beverage until it nearly touched the rim. Returning to her, she handed it back to Addy with an easy, gracious gesture. "I take on this form to blend in better with humans."

"Oh, I see..." Muttering, Addy accepted the full glass as she cradled it cautiously with both hands. Slowly, she sipped, ensuring there was no chance of it spilling due to being so full. Immediately, she felt a wave of vitality wash over her internally, her body being replenished with every sip. Addy was immensely grateful for this solution, having blood that didn't require anyone to be harmed for her own well being. It eased the guilt that she had been wrestling with since her transformation, feeling a bit at ease to have a different way to nourish herself.

Pausing for a brief moment, her brows knitted together as a thought came into her mind. "Hey, do you guy's know what happened to Olivia?" Asking, her tone was tinged with concern. The memory of Olivia’s capture flickered in her mind, hazy from the moments before she had passed out, not remembering what had happened once her eyes closed. She glanced between Twyla and Arc, searching for answers to her question.

 

[Tenzai]

"Wait, did Val message you too with the idea?" Arc gazed curiously at her phone, immediately finding her nickname for Val to be quite adorable before reading the contents of his message. "He did. Here." Showing her what he received, it was clear that her brother was planning on using this as a moment to separate them from the conflict at hand, all the while creating a moment for them to share in peace. "And lil Val pal?" A chuckle had cut through the pain he felt on his body, made redundant in combination to the power her lips had in giving him warmth. "He sent me the same message, he mentioned a ski resort. But we're going to have to wait until you guys recover and Adelaide gets a good idea on how to control herself."

"I'm taking that as not a no?" As they spoke, he forwarded the message to his doctor to get an estimate on the length of time between his recovery and when they could take their vacation. "Not going to lie, I do like the thought of spending time with you both, separate from all of this." Placing a reassuring hand on both their shoulders that he was still physically there, present with them; Arc began to understand why his parents had sought out so many trips with him and Addy while they were alive, there was never a guarantee of tomorrow. Given his near-death circumstances over the course of the last few days, that message had never been more clearer. Even as a vampire, tomorrow was not promised, not even tonight. "I've messaged the doctor about how feasible it is. Don't worry." Thoughts of what could occur on their snowy retreat had distracted him from the lack of feeling in his lost limb. "No matter how long it'll take, I'll do whatever it takes to enjoy this outing with you."

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Through truth, his sins were washed; His soul made clean like falling snow.

Hope for the future, not the regret of the past, was what he wished to live for.
ɴᴏᴡ ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ: ʟᴇᴛᴛᴇʀ ᴛᴏ ꜰᴜᴛᴜʀᴇ ʏᴏᴜ | ᴀᴢᴀʟɪ
↻ ◁ II ▷ ↺
⋅─────────⊱༺ ♰ ༻⊰─────────⋅​

In truth, the vampire had found the scene that played before him hard to believe. Like a dream come true, his two worlds collided with such perfect interaction that, to say it was the outcome of fate or destiny was not too difficult to believe. They were what each other needed at the moment, friends in dark places offering acceptance into a new life that was never theirs to begin with. Of being granted an eternity to rectify the sins of the past with his only family to being shown deliverance through a hope for what the future would offer with Twyla and Val by their sides, a pang of peace had left its imprint of Arc's heart, slowly overtaking the once gloomy facade he unknowingly wore with his smile and replacing it with a shine as bright as the one he revealed to Twy after shushing her anxieties with one content kiss.

This was the life he fought so hard for;​

A life of blessed infinity, of fangs with no secrets, of peace with no end, of chosen, content mundanity. Though it was thanks to the efforts of the pure blood siblings that he didn't need to die for it to ever get a chance of experiencing it when he was living the life right now. As the two spoke, Arc gave them their moment of privacy as he turned his attention to making more of the drinks that Twy had graciously complimented his skills about. While he took pride in his accomplishment of mimicking Val's feats, he knew that it was the product of him standing on the shoulders of giants.

No other vampire had sought a normal life as hard as Val did, leading to him and him alone accomplishing what many had deemed impossible: A drink that didn't sacrifice the consumer's humanity to indulge in. Cooled just right, instead of feeling like the liquid was once a part of someone else's life, it tasted instead like its own separate drink. Stirred well in combination with fresh fruit juice, the texture had lacked its thickness and the metallic tang that would have disturbed his tongue was cut through with the sweetness or pungency of one's chosen fruit. How he must have come to this conclusion must have taken trial and error, his passion for feeling normal leading into a food science where he conducted experiments while he waited for his paintings to dry. To the detective, Val was just as impressive as his sister was.

[They loved it, Val. They didn't waste even a single drop. Twy even said it tasted like you were the one who came by and made the drinks.] Arc smiled as he tapped his fingers on the keys, letting Val know what became of his texted recipe. Taking a couple more pictures of the drinks he prepared as seconds, he sent the text over before returning back to Addy's and Twy's side. Given Addy's growing chemistry, made verbally manifest through the offer of the use of her nickname instead of her full first name, he sighed in relief seeing them get along together while he sat right beside them once again, resting his legs over the corner of the medical bed. "Here, for the both of you since you liked it so much." Taking a moment to look at his own reflection in the sanguine red of his aromatic drink, Arc turned to both of them. "Even with rest, after all that occurred from the night before, I'm sure we're all exhausted. So drink up, yeah? Doctor Thorne had made sure we had enough blood for everyone." Lifting his glass and clinking it alongside the others, he offered to cheer. "To tomorrow and the many years we'll be spending together. Cheers."

Before he had the opportunity to drink, Adelaide asked a question. "Hey, do you guy's know what happened to Olivia?" Seeing the look of concern on her face, her brother sought to ease her stress instead of immediately indulging in the salve to his exhaustion. "If she managed to end up in the hands of the vampire hunters, she's more than likely safe." The image of Sheori has sprung to his mind. Deadly efficient and confident in her ability to put down people like Twy and Arc, if not for the presence of Olivia, it was likely that she would have pursued them further. However, dealing with the doctrine of saving humanity from the vampires, her priorities had lied within the hostages. Should something have happened to Olivia, it would have likely sprung an outrage against them. They were meant to be humanity's saviors, the few that, quote on quote, redeemed those lost to the darkness.

Scrolling through his phone, an image of Olivia being taken into an ambulance with the help of police and vampire hunters had immediately reached the top of his page following a news article saying that hostages were saved in a shootout last night with vampires. "Ah. Looks like she might even be in this hospital too. There aren't many in Riverview." Turning his phone around and placing it in her hands, Addy was met with the same image of her friend bandaged up with IV drips running towards her arms. Interestingly, there was a play button that appeared over the image. Upon being pressed, she heard the news reporter speak of the events that occurred as well as an interview with one of the vampire hunters who saved her, Sheori Tsukioka.

"So what happened in there? Were you hurt?" The interview threw a torrent of questions at the hunter, only for the camera to pan on her giving an annoyed look and a muttering to herself. "White hair. Hmm..." Turning her attention towards the camera with her arms crossed and her mindset on something else, she responded to the questions. "Apparently, this nightclub was an organized den for vampires. A place for recruitment and feeding. Thankfully, we disrupted their operations here and took down the one leading this local coven." She gestured her hands towards a set of nearby parked ambulances being made into an impromptu medical bay, for injured hunters and hostages alike. "No casualties and all hostages found are safe. Until the threat here is carefully eradicated, we'll most likely be deployed here until further notice." Leaving the camera to speak with her men, the news reporter turned the cameraman's attention back towards her. "And you heard it here first. Riverview 5 News. The station with the fastest response to anything Riverview."

"Hopefully that's enough to ease your concerns for now, Addy." Arc reached back for his phone before returning it to his pocket. "The vampire hunters only hunt vampires and vampire sympathizers. While they might not be a threat to someone like Olivia..." The thought of them questioning her post rescue had come to mind. It's likely that they would ask questions as to who the vampire could be. Though, as he turned to Twyla, while she might have known Adelaide and Ethan, it was unlikely that she would recognize her with her nightclub outfit on. "...Us on the other hand is a different story. We'll have to be careful about our interactions with them." While many of the scars that decorated Arc's body were inflicted by other vampires, some among them were a result of his run ins with hunters during his projects of sabotage. "Oftentimes, they employ methods that are just as monstrous as the vampire's themselves."

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"But we should be fine if we keep out of their way."

"The hunters swarm like flies, drawn to undue violence and hubs of sanguine predation."
⋅─────────⊱༺ ♰ ༻⊰─────────⋅​

"And some among them hunt vampires like vampires do to normal humans." Seeing her concern grow on her face over the arrival of a new predator, her brother began to pet her head, making a small mess of her hair like he did as humans during their childhood. It offered comfort when she needed it most and it gave control when Arc had felt powerless. "But you don't have to worry about that, Addy. I don't plan on getting you in harm's way like that again." Pulling her into a hug, this time, he aimed to keep to his promise. "Our war is with the vampires who did this to us. The ones who took our family away specifically. Not every vampire is our enemy, and definitely not the vampire hunters."

Stroking her back, he pulled away to give her a brave look on his face. "Whatever issue we face, whatever problem arises, whatever enemy we need to fight, we'll handle them together. We're not in this fight alone anymore, and we'll never deal with this alone again, not while I still have breath in my lungs and hope in my heart." Smiling, his powers began to infuse with her own, granting her courage where she had little in the past. "If we have to run, we'll run. No fight or pride is worth our future." Arc finally let go, giving her the space to enjoy her drink and relieve her exhaustion. "Not when we still have so much to make up for. Especially with how much more we have to look forward to. Our future has yet to be made history."

Sitting beside Twyla, his hand had gravitated towards her own, being placed atop hers before interlocking becoming one. There would be a time for kisses and whispered words later, but for now, he was content with just this. Worlds had fallen apart for him to have met her. Endings were made real, shaking the detective to the very core, and yet he still had his humanity. He still had a future. He still felt alive, and it was because of the woman that didn't give up on him when he wanted to give up on himself. "Hey Twy, thanks for everything. For saving my life again, and for making this... All of this... Possible... And real." A glimmer had appeared in his eyes, making them look like shining rubies as he returned her smile and blush. His hope was ever present in his orbs, giving her crimson reflection the allure of the stars. "Every single time, you win me over. You always find a way to one up yourself. It's a bonus that you're beautiful too."

"Both sides of you. Inside and out."​

After leaving the three behind to recover, the doctor had decided to visit his daughter with a tray of blood packs in hand for breakfast. It's been a while since he felt like he saw her last. After being so absorbed in ensuring Arc and his company's safety, the past couple days had flown by. Taking the elevator up to her floor, he walked through crowded halls of nurses attending to the sick, eventually making it to the end of the hallway where her suite stood. Taking a deep breath and closing his eyes, upon entering the door, his white hair had shifted to the same color of the flowers that sat in her bedside vase.

⋅─────────⊱༺ ♰ ༻⊰─────────⋅
"Morning, sunshine."

"How's the most beautiful girl in the world doing today?"
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Unlike the ordinary confidence and control he spoke with when talking with Arc, when it came to talking with his own flesh and blood, he couldn't help but become soft and sweet in her presence. She was the only light in his darkness; His ray of sunshine that peered through the cracks left behind his beloved's disappearance. Sitting right beside her, her rested his hand against her head while she slept, doing his best not to disturb her slumber. "I managed to save the vampire you thought so highly of before, Archimedes. This time, he brought company along. Good company." Brushing a thumb against her cheek, he slowly stirred his daughter awake, smiling upon seeing the very eyes he fell in love with inherited by his daughter.

"Have sweet dreams? Hope so." Placing the tray that rested in his lap on her own, he offered her a feast of blood mixed with nutrients infused in to help her upkeep her strength. "Here. As fresh as it could be, dear. Don't rush, daddy's not going anywhere for a while. Just take your time." The doctor's face eased upon seeing his daughter drink, sighing in relief. A large part as to why he chose to keep this job in the hospital instead of pursuing the same aggressive acts that Arc did was to ensure he would be able to feed her without question, writing off the blood packs as a medical need in his journal while maintaining the benefits of being able to be by her side nearly 24/7. "Like it? Archimedes actually recommended something to me to help it taste better. I know how much you don't like the taste of blood, but at least this way, you won't have to suffer the flavor any longer. Maybe once everything cools down, I could take you out somewhere nice. The restaurant you've been looking forward to nearby is opening up and-"As he spoke, he felt his phone buzz with a notification. It was Arc.

From: Archimedes

---

Hey, Doctor. Do you know when I'd be able to walk out of the hospital again? I've been invited to go out of the city for a vacation with the others and I don't want to miss it. Here's the link that I was sent which leads to the resort in case you were curious.

'Hmm...' Upon opening the link and scrolling through, an idea popped up in his mind. Right now, with all the activity happening in Riverview, the doctor understood that it wasn't too safe for them to remain out and about in the city for long. Vampire suspicions were at an all time high, especially with the hunters insinuating that not every vampire that was present at the nightclub was hunted down. Believing that a trip outside the city would serve them well, the doctor believed it would be a perfect opportunity for him and his daughter to venture the world outside, surrounded by people he could trust that aren't working for the enemy. "Hey, how would you feel if I took you out somewhere in the snow?" The doctor often found his daughter staring outside her window, watching the snow fall slowly from the sky. "Archimedes and his friends are planning on heading out of town to some sort of resort, and I know you've been interested in exploring more than just the immediate surroundings."

Handing her his phone that displayed the details of the location, seeing her precious eyes light up upon reading the information of their destination had made the opportunity feel worth the risk. "Maybe we can use this as an excuse for us to spend time outside of here. Making memories like we used to." After hearing her reaction, the doctor had begun to tap his fingers on the keys.

To: Archimedes

---

Arc. I think the vacation is a fantastic idea. It'll let the heat die down and give you some time to recover. I'll let you go ONLY under four conditions. One, I will oversee your recovery. That means, I want you to check in with me for every day we spend there. Two, it won't be just vacation. You and I will make your sister someone capable enough to defend herself and use her abilities effectively. Three, no combat unless I tell you. Don't instigate fights while you're out there. Four, you and the others help me keep my daughter safe while we're out of the hospital. Deal?

Knowing Arc's personality enough to gauge his reaction, the doctor gave his daughter the look of reassurance. "Looks like we got something to look forward to." Taking her empty tray, he swept away the empty bags sitting atop into the trash. "I'll go ahead and get your clothes all ready. Oh, and it would be nice for you to make friends too." Despite his suspicions about Twyla's true intentions, there was something he couldn't doubt: Her presence made Arc happy and efficient. Her presence was a boon that made him see Arc for more than just a tool. Combined with his daughter's fondness for him, instead of wanting to throw him out, Doctor Thorne believed that this was the best opportunity to invest in his future. If Twyla is the pureblood she says she was and Adelaide could be made into a deadly weapon, then through them, his revenge could be carried out in full.

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"So this is the place, huh?"

"It's a lot bigger than I thought it would be. Those coupons really came in clutch!"
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After four hours driving on a road trip north, the vampires had finally reached their destination, a massive lodge with several cabins sitting around for those who planned on staying there for longer than a night. With reservations made for three rooms, as the van had come to a stop in the parking lot, the thought of how the rooms would be divided up had become the primary thought in mind. "Addy and I will get the stuff out the back. Just text us to let us know where the rooms are." Opening the door, the pair of siblings were met with a frigid cold that rocked the very inside of the van. Though surprisingly, it lacked its bite. Being a vampire had steeled their nerves to the ice outside, making them resilient to the weather that swept over these mountaintops.

Before Val had a chance to leave to follow the doctor and his daughter who left the van next, Val grabbed her hand. "So uh. Twy. How do you feel about Arc? Like him? See him as a friend? Or..." Her brother had sensed a shift in their chemistry upon returning back from their mission. While she might have been able to conceal her feelings from the rest of the group, Val on the other hand was sensitive to the subtle changes in his sister. To him, it was incredibly obvious when she "liked someone." He was sure that when Mia caught up with them once she was finished with work, she'd say the same exact thing.

"I booked a cabin with three bedrooms for a reason. One for the doc and his daughter. One with three beds... And a lover's suite. Shhhh." He placed a finger on her lips immediately after saying those words, scanning the location around them to ensure that he was outside of the ears of those they were driving with. "Bag your boy. If you need me to cause a distraction for Addy or the doctor, I'll make one. Whatever it takes." Her brother appeared intent on playing matchmaker. Seeing her get into a relationship with someone she loved were among the primary goals of Mia and Val, nearly listed alongside important others like finding a career and graduation. Her best friend and blood were romantic schemers underneath their kind facade. "Well- That is, unless you're uninterested in him. Then you, I, and Mia could share a room and he and his sister could share that suite. I'm sure he'd take the couch or something."