Bittersweet Lullabies [M]

[Draconian]

(@Lion)

It was like any other day. Callista worked in the floral shop during the evening after she woke up, making bouquets, setting aside flowers for orders and generally just helping out. Sometimes there was a job for the night, sometimes there wasn't. There was tonight and after the sun had gone down, she'd gotten ready slowly, humming a little tune Carn taught her while she got dressed. It was as tight as it could get, black to hide any blood. Form fitting to keep it from snagging on anything.

The mask was put on, a simple black covering and the hood shortly followed. The dagger was placed in a sheath in front of her chest, a perfect view for the eye to watch for her. Usually there was no asking before she simply melted into the shadows. Carn kept his end of the deal when she did.

Just like the shadow's she turned into, she was simply gone from her room. The mark tonight wasn't far off. A minor but wealthy man, and he had... Enemies... That paid handsomely for his demise. Callista didn't care about the details - she'd never cared before - she was just told to go and so she did. Before long she'd slipped into the window of the bedroom, the night was young and she'd been told he was at a party.

She scoffed silently, looking around his bedroom. Pristine. Everything was in it's perfect place, the bed was made and she quickly went about removing Carn and placing him on the bedside table within arms reach. Then she removed her clothing, tucking the black cloth under the bed and rearranged herself naked over the covers and waited. There were great pains to cover the scars on her face and neck, adjusting her dark hair to cover things just so.

Tonight, Callista was a gift from a friend of the mans. Officially. To give him pleasure unlike any he'd dreamed of and then she was to help him to sleep. Forever. So, she waited, reclined on the bed, humming the lullaby her man eating dagger taught her and giving that same dagger an occasional glance, glaring at him ever so slightly when he looked at her with interest in his eye.

[Lion]

A minor noble.

Certainly the best role for him to assume for a man of his stature.  Rembrandt had played the part of innkeeper and bard, as droll as they were.  He hadn't been expecting much and if anything, he got what he intended to get out of it in the first place.  They were ordinary occupations that offered little merit other than their typical vocational duties.

But a nobleman.  Oh he could use that after last week's Company tour!

Rembrandt took the household of one Hendrick Winstead, a minor Serenian nobleman with a home in Arca and no major relatives to worry about.  He was engaged, to a bride to be he'd never met from somewhere up north, and most of his cousins found him to be at least a little bothersome.  Which was good for Rembrandt, because he didn't need any relatives coming to try and sniff him out.

He had money enough to live comfortably, and he enjoyed all the privileges of the rich and not-so-powerful.  And half of the worry. 

And was a man of some...peculiar taste.  Rembrandt wasn't a fan of prostitutes.  There was too much to worry about what with their general health or temperament.  Rem preferred the company of well-to-women.  They were usually of commendable pedigrees.  That was always a nice touch.

But Hendrick, apparently, had been assured this gift was credible and in thanks to a favor granted to some trade deal long before.  Well far be it from Rembrandt to turn down a gift.  It was Hendrick's doing after all.

"Good evening," Rembrandt murmured when he walked into the door, looking every bit as much as Hendrick would, portrait perfect.  "Care for something to drink?"

[Draconian]

There. Now she could get it over with and then go home and go to bed. Callista ran a hand over her breast when the man finally entered the room and... Offered her a drink.

"What."

Callista sat up from her reclined position on his bed, naked as a jay bird and just... Stared for a moment. The dagger got a brief glance, hidden out in the open as it were but it's eye was closed. It was being a gentleman and no rolling about. Another curious glance at the man, she felt... Well, as naked as she was.

Still, there was a job to do and perhaps this fellow enjoyed the company of less fair creatures. Which was okay. They didn't have to have sex for her to slip the dagger between his ribs. Just get him comfortable. Slowly, Callista gathered her wits and slipped off the bed, her bare feet quiet on the floor and she ran her fingers through her hair while she walked closer.

Hendrick's groin area got a long look and she flicked her eyes to look up at his, "Mmm... Yes I would." Her hands went to his belt, brushed over the front of his groin, "Are you offering me a sip?" Get him good and ready and then slip the dagger in. Get dressed. Leave. Go to bed.

Don't forget Carn.

Callista licked her lips and started to tug at his shirt, having a keen interest on getting this over with.

[Lion]

Boy, she was quick to get down to business. Rembrandt chuckled and pushed her hands away.  Honestly, have a little class!  "Slow down, darling," he said with another laugh.  "Just relax.  Have a drink.   Real drink of real liquid from a real glass."

He laughed and moved over to the set of decanters on the dresser beside the lounge and fixed them both two glasses of whatever it was that seemed to be Hendrick's poison.  A sniff later unearthed that it was brandy.  Good choice.

He offered her the glass and gestured for her to see.  "Please.  Relax.  Make yourself at home."

[Draconian]

Oh no.

It took all of Callista's will power not to roll her eyes and gag. These were always the worst type of man, the one that tried to treat her like a person instead of exactly what she was hired to do. Still, it wasn't his fault. She wasn't hired by him. She was hired for him. Callista suppressed a sigh when Hendtrick walked away, but she did roll her eyes and pray for patience.

There was a way these things went and if she just stabbed him while he was dressed it wouldn't go well. It would look like murder. He needed to be naked and under her for this to go well and so far, she had no luck. Callista followed him quietly, though making an effort for her footsteps to be heard as well as they could.

"I have made myself at home," She purred, gesturing to her very naked self before accepting the glass and giving it a sip. Callista grimaced, while she lived a hard life, she wasn't one to drink alcohol. Ever. Her tongue felt a little tingly already and she felt the heat in her throat. "You do know why I'm here, don't you?"  A lick of her lips and she took another sip. It still tasted awful, but she liked the heat it left behind.

"You don't seem surprised to see me buuut you don't seem interested." Callista moved closer, reaching out to tug at his shirt, "If you like, we can reschedule and have a man sent to you if that's what you prefer." Please, for the love of the gods have that be it, if he was going to be a gentleman and take his time, she'd really rather not do this at all!

[Lion]

It was clear to him, rather immediately, that she had a task and she was intent to complete it.  Rembrandt felt quite unnerved by this, because she was rushing.  And not even in a sexy way.  His hands immediately reaches for her sides, and he kept them there for a moment.  Though he was mentally alerted, his face remained placated.  And he kissed Callista, softly, then harder, intent on keeping his hands holding her wrists.

[Draconian]

Callista wouldn't be worried about his knowledge of her task. The main one was to get him off like she (Her owner) was paid to do. The rest however was worthy of worrying about. His hands on her wrists posed a problem but she pressed against him and tried to strain her hands away. Gently she pulled away, looking up at him after a few moments, leaning away from the kiss. "I'm here for your pleasure," her words were whispered honey and she pressed her naked self closer. Biting her lip and pouting.

"I can't do that if you won't let me," Slowly she looked at the cup in her hand, mostly empty. Part of her wanted the rest, it made bits of her nice and numb an unfamiliar feeling. "May I call you Hendrick? Or do you prefer... Something else?" For the love of the gods, why couldn't this man just get naked so they could do it and she could murder him.

What was with some of these men and wanting to get to know her or - gods above forbid - make love. Maybe this one would get a knife in the ribs, there had been an added bit to frame another acquaintances of his, but that had been a bonus, not strictly part of the deal. That would require the letter opener.

[Lion]

Rembrandt stared down at the girl in front of him, his hands still gripping her side.  He wasn't about to let her go, but neither was he going to allow her move so freely.  Drooping down to half-lids, he couldn't help watching her expression, even if a part of it seemed forced.  She was a very good actress, he might recommend her to his theatre company if her business in this sort of field fell through.

"Don't speak," he whispered and leaned in to kiss her again, taking his time and using one hand to remove his clothing, while keeping her close with the other.  He took his time about it, in a way he was sure that infuriated her, in whatever she was up to.  When he was naked, he pulled her up onto his hips, holding her against him and kissing her hotly.

He was content with getting something out of this ordeal, even if it was momentary sex.  Sitting down on the chair behind him, he pulled her up and over his thighs, his member yet to rise, but that wouldn't be a problem for long.

[Draconian]

Callista simply tilted her head and smiled up at him, giving into the kisses and nodding when he told her not to speak. Fine. Odd, but fine. Carn was all the way on the bedside table where she'd left him and there was a moment where her eyes went down and she stared down at the ground, resisting the urge to look at the dagger.

Like the dagger would help.

No, Carn wouldn't help.

Gently she bit at his lips and ran her hands over the exposed flesh as it became available. There was a surprised gasp when she was pulled against him and the warm kisses caught her off guard, the sudden heat was unexpected and like a proper call girl, she gave as good as she got. Just a little bit more.

Just a little closer.

Her hands trailed up his sides and before long they were sitting! On a chair.

Shit.

Shit shit shit.

He was a chair fucker.

That would mean he was going to watch her. A quick look around, pressing her hands to her breasts and tilting her head back, looking for anything that could be used as a weapon. Unfortunately it put the scars on her neck on full display but she had to find something or she'd have to suffocate him and while it was totally doable, he didn't seem too strong, it took longer and potentially made more of a mess.

Callista hooked her legs to the back of the chair and ground against his hips while she leaned back up.

Looked like she was gonna have to strangle him. She'd have to go back home to get the piece of fabric from that other noble man but... It was doable. Callista's hand snaked between them to his member giving it a few gentle strokes, smirking slightly. What happened to 'do you want a drink'?  What happened to 'relax'? There was a dark chuckle and she bit her lip, leaning into to give his chin a kiss.

At least at the end of the day, everyone reacted one of two ways to a naked lady. Really well, or really badly. Her hand snaked up from his groin to his neck, giving light scratches all the way until she got to the hollow of his throat, Callista leaned in and gave his neck a gentle bite before kissing at his collar bone. At least he'd get laid before he died, though that was never thrown in for free.

Some pleasure before he got sent to hell.

It was almost poetic. Almost.

Poetic if there wasn't a prostitute involved.

[Lion]

Something was wrong, and despite the prospect of getting laid, it unnerved him.  Rembrandt did moan to her touch and it wasn't long after those few strokes to harden his body.  He'd always been well-endowed, probably the second decent gift his father had ever given him.  After that little bit about changing his face.

He couldn't forget the image, however.  Forget the image and he would become himself again.  And all this was about being someone else wasn't it?

He didn't wait much longer, his hand slipping down between them and feeling along the moistness between her legs, testing the flesh. 

[Draconian]

Appropriately ready, Callista pulled his hand closer to her before she readied herself over him. How well-endowed he was didn't concern her, she'd never see him again after this. Probably hear about him. Perhaps get a thank you letter through her master. Maybe even get to keep a plant from the shop. Giving his cheeks a stroke she gave him a deep kiss while she sank down upon him, giving appropriately timed gasps and moans, nuzzling at his neck and looking as flustered as she could.

The mechanics of it all were boring and Callista found herself going through the movements like one would move through a repetitive dance. It was convincing, the noises, the gasps. The occasional jerk of her hips while she worked him. Leaning in to bite his neck, she moved to wrap her arms around his neck and stroke his back while she moved on him in the damn chair.

Why a chair.

Chair's were the worst!

Still, pressing a lingering kiss to his temple she gave a few perfunctory jerks of her hips, a lusty moan... And then she leaned back and pressed her hands around his neck as hard as she could, wrapping her legs around his hips and the chair so there were few chances to get away. A few minutes and he would be at peace. Just a few minutes.

Then she could get dressed, go home and maybe get some breakfast.

[Lion]

The moment her hands went around his neck, Rembrandt opened his eyes and the image was gone.  They were stronger than expected, and he immediately grabbed at her wrists.  Even if he was not of a warrior's build, he was no weakling and gripped hard.  He leaned back hard, tipping the chair until it fell backwards and smashed down on her legs.

The wood snapped and broke, but he was trapped beneath her and he did the only thing he could think of and reeled back, planting hard punch against her face.

[Draconian]

The punch whipped her head to the side and she gave a snarl, blood dripping down her chin, her hands back around his neck. It was all ruined. It was all...

Callista's eyes went wide and she stared down at the stranger. This was not Hendrick. This man wasn't part of who she was supposed to dispose of. Instantly her hands let go and she just stared, confused before she tried to get away from him. "CARN!" Her voice was shrill and she looked at the bedside table frantically, her legs were stuck between Not Hendrick, bits of chair and the floor and she lifted her hands up.

Who was this.

"Who are you! Where did Hendrick go?" She gave panicked little breaths, everything was going wrong, "I wasn't sent here to kill you." Suddenly she felt as naked as she looked and Callista moved to cover her breasts with her arms, though there wasn't much she could do about their collective groin area.

[Lion]

Her screaming only afforded her another smack to the face.  At least to keep her quiet.  Rembrandt snatched her wrists and held them roughly.  He turned over until she was on her back, pulling out and instead adjusting himself over her.  "Who are you!?" he demanded harshly.  "Why are you trying to kill me?  Or Hendrick, rather.  Since I am clearly not him."

  "Who sent you?"

[Draconian]

The smacking she was used to, the bloodied teeth and the hurting face were things that were familiar and she clung to the pain in her face like a security blanket. Callista knew the pain would ebb away eventually, but at least it was familiar. Something this situation was not. Who was she? "I'm nobody," Her voice trembled and she just stared up at him, still examining his features, "someone paid my master to kill Hendrick. It wasn't you. You're not the target. You're not supposed to be here." Callista moved to sit up, pulling her hands in small attempts to get away from him, staring again at the bedside table like the dagger would get up and walk towards her.

It was asleep, as it would remain while the strange man was here. "I'm nobody, please, forget this, forget you've seen me. You're not the target. You're not the..." Her eyes bolted to the door, then to the strange man above her, "Did you kill him? You were wearing his face."

[Lion]

"You're clearly somebody because you were trying to strangle me," he hissed back.  "Who are you?  It would be wise to answer, girl.  I don't want to hurt you, but clearly you're more than willing to hurt me."

[Draconian]

A snarl and she balled her hands into fists, "I'm not here for you." Angrily she bucked her hips and kicked out her legs and while she was trained to kill, that didn't afford the strength of being able to get out of being pinned down. "My..." Callista looked off to the side before squeezing her eyes shut, like telling him her name would be painfuly, "My n-name is Callista. I'm Callista."  Finally she made eye contact and stared at him, "I haven't hurt you since you've changed your face."

[Lion]

"Get out.  Get out and never come back!" Rembrandt hissed again.  Quickly he got off of her and snatched his hands back.  He was quick to put distance between them and threw his clothes back on.  "Go back where you came from and tell no one of this.  I mean it."

[Draconian]

Callista rose quickly, staring at him, confused. Angry now. "Where's Hendrick?" She hadn't bothered to get dressed, but she did make her way over to the beside table to stand beside Carn. "I can't go back there without finishing him," Her chest rose quickly with panicked breaths. The punishment. Callista couldn't do it, if she needed to... "You don't understand, where is Hendrick?"

[Lion]

Rembrandt looked between her and her hand and the something she was standing beside on the night table. " Get out," he hissed again.  "Why does it matter regardless?  Just leave!"