#TO SATIATE AND ALLOW US TO //SEE// THEM HAPPY EVEN IF THINGS AREN'T

[toa-arania]

"Good evening, darling. I hope you slept well."

A light clicks on, and a comfortable room comes into view. Across from you, a woman you recognise sits with one leg crossed over the other, glass of wine in hand. As you properly come to, you realise you've been handcuffed to a chair. Of course she has handcuffs.

"You must have so many questions. I can't answer all of them, but you deserve an explanation of sorts. I'm sorry to tell you it won't ever leave this room. I don't suppose you know what I am, do you? I should hope not. My… contemporaries, let's call them, wouldn't like that. I'm sure you'll work it out as we go."

She hums in amusement as she watches you struggle. If there's emotion in those eyes, you can't see it. Just that inscrutable fucking smile she always wears.

"Tell me something, darling - do you consider yourself to be cruel? I won't judge you. Under the circumstances, it's hardly my place. But it interests me. Many people like us don't think of themselves as cruel. We do what we must in order to stay on top. To maintain the way of things. Some would say that is cruel. Some would call it natural. What do you think, hm?"

She gestures at you expectantly. When you don't answer, she rolls her eyes. She stands, starting to wander around the room. She downs her wine with practiced, showy technique. It doesn't even seem to affect her. She walks back towards you slowly, as if trying to build anticipation for something.

"Personally, I try not to be cruel. I'm very careful, you see, about a great many things. I maintain my life as the Silver Siren with the utmost precision. The picture of decorum and style. Worthy of my name and reputation. The same goes for my "other" life. After all, I have many responsibilities; Mistress Harpy of Bristol, Whip of Clan Ventrue... I suppose you don't know what any of those words mean, darling. I must be perfectly composed. Utterly unflappable. I take pride in it, and even greater care. A single mistake could be my undoing in more ways than one. I've had my brushes with the edge of grace, but I've never fallen, and that is because I show restraint."

She tilts your chin up with the tip of her finger. You aren't sure why you don't resist. She gives another one of those hums and walks around behind you, trailing her finger along your shoulders and behind your neck.

"That must not sound that difficult to you, darling. You mortals have to keep your tempers in check all the time. It's different for us. Inside every one of us, even me, there is a Beast. A cruel, savage monster, an urge to harm, wound, torture. An instinct that, if you allow it, will define you. Many of my kind bow to it often, and allow it to dictate their lives. Some are even subsumed by it entirely. I survive and I build my life by taming it. By controlling it."

She runs a fingernail up your neck. It's strangely gentle, given your treatment so far. You struggle again, and she presses just a little harder into the base of your skull. She almost breaks skin before she steps back into your view, caressing your cheek.

"You know, darling, there are many people I see who enjoy pain, and I'm all too happy to facilitate that. Those little tastes help me satiate my Beast… but they aren't enough, truly. I must still show restraint when I feed. The Kiss makes it simple so long as I do not lose control. But constant discipline is not possible, darling. If I try, the Beast will claw its way out and I will lose myself to it. Every so often I need something a little more... indulgent."

There's a different look in her eyes now. She hides it well, but her self control is slipping. You see hunger. Ravenous, barely suppressed hunger. When she opens her mouth, you could swear you see fangs that weren't there before.

"I try not to be cruel, darling. I do not kill, for my own safety. I follow my ambition but I do not inflict suffering without purpose... and yet when I allow myself to punish someone, I relish it like nothing else. If it's any comfort, I've enjoyed our trysts these last few months. It isn't your fault that your disappearance will simply be blamed on your rivals. This truly is nothing against you; I just need someone. I respect you enough to give you one last gift."

She leans in close to whisper in your ear.

"I will make your agony beautiful."

#vtm #oc: evelyn d'argent #wodtober #if you looked at evelyn from a distance you'd be forgiven for assuming shes a toreador #but nope. ventrue #this is more “the monster in me” than “animal instincts” but clearly i was a bit late on that #i also considered waiting until “object of desire” but this felt like it worked better