Phantoms of Hell [M] [Acheron]

[Wild]

Flavia smiled when he spoke of having no duties here. It was true that he was dressed like a gentleman and not as a servant. So it would be an insult to mistrust him. And it looked like the bride and groom had disappeared out of the room for some privacy shortly after the dance, so her duties here as the bride's best friend was over. Her husband would care for her now.

"I am done here for tonight too," she said. "The bride's maid has done her duty, delivering the bride to the groom. I think it will be okay for me to pop outside for some fresh air now. It is so terribly hot in this room..."

As Acheron opened the doors, Flavia thanked him and stepped out on the balcony. The night air felt cool and refreshing and she moved towards the stairs leading down to the garden below. A little stroll through the garden on a moonlit night could hardly hurt her, could it?

"Ah, this feels much better," she said as she enjoyed the fresh air, placing her fan back in her handbag. She wouldn't need the fan out here in the garden.

[Medievarad]

Acheron merely followed her outside, nodding. "You are welcome." He said as he stepped outside with a deep breath, smiling gently. "I can understand why you wanted to go outside. It became rather.. Suffocating." He said with a gentle smile as he followed the woman down the stairs. "A beautiful garden." He said as he walked with Flavia.

"Do tell me, lady Bathory-Syron.." Acheron chuckled slowly as they entered a more secluded part of the garden. "What if I were to tell you I had my eyes on you this entire evening." His face turned a tad colder. At last he could throw off this disgusting mask.

At last. It was time to claim his quarry.

[Wild]

Flavia smiled as Lord Whitemoore followed her outside, grateful for having the protection of a gentleman. He was dressed like a noble, he looked like a noble, and for the moment there was nothing in his appearance or his behavior that would make her believe he could be anything else. But then again, that was what she had thought about her husband too, the first time she met him. How wrong she had been then...

"Yes, the air was a bit... stuffed... inside," she replied as she enjoyed the fresh evening breeze and the sight of the silvery moonlight bathing the landscape. As a little girl she had been watching the stars for hours, marveling about the wonders of the universe....

Once she stood in the garden, she leaned down to smell the roses, so beautiful and fragile in the pale moonlight. "Yes, the garden is beautiful indeed," she agreed as she savored the scent of the roses. "Do you like flowers, Lord Whitemoore?"

She arched an eyebrow in surprise when Lord Whitemoore told her he had his eyes on her this entire evening.

"Why, Lord Whitemoore," she laughed nervously. "I am flattered of course, but I am a married woman. My husband would not like to hear of this... Perhaps we should return to the house..."

[Medievarad]

"Yes. I do like flowers. Though I prefer Nightshade." He said with a soft chuckle. Taking several steps closer to Flavia. Blocking her escape routes. Getting into her personal space.

He let out an amused chuckle. Properly baring his teeth for the first time in the evening. Showing sharp fangs he possessed as a vampire. Stopping as his own body pressed against Flavia's. "You can run and shout for help.. But no one will hear you.. Or see you. Run and everyone dies. I am not in the mood to play chase.." He whispered softly in Flavia's ear, raising his hand. "I just need to snap these fingers.. And they die.. Your well behaviour for their lives.. A fair trade, no?"

The razorsharp fangs brushed past her cheek, clenching at her throat, but not breaking skin yet. "Do tell me.. Everytime you looked at me.. You grew hornier and wetter like a common whore.. Was that because of my charm.. Or because it was because you saw me as a temporary.. Or even permament escape from your husband?" His voice sounded soft. Gentle and out of place with what he was actually saying.

[Wild]

Flavia's eyes widened in childlike disbelief when Lord Whitemoore claimed to prefer Nightshade, as she had read about this flower and knew it was poisonous. "Nightshade?" she asked. "But why would you prefer such a deadly flower?"

As she looked up at him she was surprised to see him so close. She stood up from her crouched position in front of the flowerbed, trying to keep some distance between him and herself. She didn't like her personal space to be invaded and tried to take a step back to avoid it.

Her eyes widened when she saw him baring his teeth, razor sharp fangs that caused her to gasp in horror. His body was pressed against her, and she tried to avoid the contact by taking another step backward. But for each step she found there were less places to run. She was trapped.

Her eyes widened in terror when he spoke of how everyone would die if she tried to run. Her best friend, looking like a princess in her wedding gown - and so happy with her husband. The children she had seen at the wedding, so sweet and innocent as they played around the wedding guests in their best outfits. Were they supposed to die because of her? She could see their little faces, their eyes brimming with tears, their lower lips quivering as if they were about to start crying....

"What do you want, Lord Whitemoore?" she asked. "Why such terrible threats to innocent lives? Please, don't hurt anyone. I don't want anyone to suffer..."

She shuddered as she felt the razorsharp fangs brushing past her cheeks, again making a move to try keeping at least some distance between him and herself. Her eyes widened with shock when she heard the language he used to her, her cheeks flushing with shock and anger. Nobody had ever spoken to her like this before!

"How dare you speak to me like this," she hissed, her eyes sparkling with suppressed anger by the humiliation of being compared to a whore - whatever that was. She could hear from his tone that it was not a compliment. "I will tell my father about your impertinence!"

[Medievarad]

"I want many things, Flavia." The vampire slowly chuckled as he released the vice grip of his maw around her throat. "One of them.. Being your blood." He followed up, letting another slow and gentle chuckle pass his lips.

"How dare I?" A slow smirk crept on his face. He raised his hand, treating the insolent woman to a rather brutal backhand. "You.. Nor your standing. Your family. None of those hold any power here. Is that clear enough for you?" He gently stroked a stray streak of hair away from her face. "I could outright kill you.. Consume you and leave as if nothing happened." He chuckled darkly. "Or I can make you a fledgling bound to my will.. That does seem the most amusing of the two. See how much.." He chuckled slowly. "Weight your claim carries.."

[Wild]

Flavia's eyes widened when the man spoke of wanting her blood. What would he want with that? There was nothing special about her blood, she was just a young girl who happened to be born into a noble family. After two years of marriage she was not a virgin either, so what use could she be to him?

"My blood?" she asked. "Why would you want my blood? Except from your giant fangs revealing your true nature... I wonder what the groom will say when he finds out..."

The brutal backhand threw her head backwards, and she gave a sharp yelp of pain, a warning that she would scream if he hit her again. She got that treatment often enough from her husband.

"I will have it known that my family are among the most powerful in this city," she said as she rubbed her cheek. "If anything happens to me, my father can make your future here very brief. His brother is the Captain of the City guard, and quite skillful in his job."

She frowned as he spoke of consuming her and leave as if nothing happened, glad that her uncle was such a good police investigator. So far he had solved all the murder cases he had received through his job, and she was certain that he would not hesitate to arrest Lord Whitemoore if he even suspected he was behind Flavia's murder.

"You will not get away with this," she growled as she looked around to find a way to escape. But she could see no way to get out of this. She was trapped. "Besides, it makes no difference to you what I choose. You will do what you want no matter what I say. You are just as cruel as my husband..."

Comparing someone to her husband was the worst insult Flavia knew.

[Medievarad]

His gaze went cold. "Do so, by all means. We will see who answers your call." He said, giving her another backhand, one with even more force behind it. A sick grin pulled over Acheron's face. "The most powerful?!" He chuckled slowly. Amused by this very sentiment. "And you think.. That you're the first woman I approached in this city? They know next to nothing.."

He put a finger on her lips. "Oh, my dear Flavia.. I will get away with this.. And you haven't seen the extent of my cruelty just yet." He let out a slow and gentle, yet evil laughter, grabbing her chin, his lips close to touching her ears. "I will destroy your mind.. This day.. Your husband.. Will merely become a pleasant memory.."

[Wild]

Flavia gave another sharp yelp of pain when Lord Whitemoore gave her another backhand. "Ouch!" she cried out, touching her cheek as her eyes brimmed with tears. "Do you have to be so brutal? Why must all men be such dirtbags? Are you so weak that you have to use violence towards women to show what a man you are? Are you that puny? Men who hit women do so because they are weak! They have no brains, no intelligence and uses their muscles instead of arguments."

She growled towards him. "I don't care how many women you have or what you do to them. But you will not treat ME like a common tart of the street, you hear me? I am of noble family and I demand to be treated as such!"

She glared at him as he grabbed her chin, another growl deep in her throat as he threatened to destroy her mind. So typical of men to think women had no brains of their own. But the threat about her husband made her will crumble. Perhaps it was her father's words that did it - the words about a war starting between her family and the family of her husband if she left Rasul's side. She could not stand the thought of being the cause of innocents dying.

"Fine," she growled at last. "I will do as you say - even if I despise your methods. I do not care for your threats or your use of force and violence, Mylord. It is not the way of a proper gentleman. If I am to do as you say, you will remember this and treat me as the Lady I am. Do you understand?"

[Medievarad]

His hand grabbed around her cheeks as she ranted about all men being scum of the earth. Normally. He would not care. But one thing had hurt his pride. Calling him dumb. Unforgivable. This common whore called him brainless. Oh. How delightful it would be to break her jaw and tear it off right now. His grip tightened, his nails digging into her cheeks. This bitch would pay for calling him dumb.

And yet, she remained annoying. "You annoy me.." Was what he growled. The hand on her cheeks went to her throat. Slowly applying pressure. So frail and weak.. Just one flick and her neck was broken. The woman growled something inaudible. Acheron sushed her slowly. "My dear.. Dear Flavia.. You are not in a position to make demands.. To me, you are nothing.. Nothing but an extensive piece of amusement.. A piece of meat that makes for dinner.. If I wish to call you a common whore.. I will."

With a slow chuckle, his hand ran up her cheek. "Now do answer my first question.. Were it my charms.. Or the opportunity of escaping?"

[Wild]

Flavia smirked as she felt Acheron's grip tighten. Men always became more violent when she had managed to hurt their pride. Her father had been that way, her husband.... and now also Acheron Whitemoore. She felt a small satisfaction that she managed to get under their skin for all they had done to her.

"The truth hurts, doesn't it?" she said calmly, her eyes peering into his.

She felt strangely cold and calm when he spoke of her not being in a position to make demands, and her lips curled in contempt.

"I make all the demands I want," she replied in an ice cold tone. And as long as you call me a common whore, I will choose to call you a stupid idiot. You are nothing to me either. I have had men a thousand times better than you."

She smiled when he returned to his first question. "It must have been the opportunity of escaping," she murmured. "For you have no charms...."

[Medievarad]

"What truth has left your lips?" He asked. Him being an idiot was not true at all. It was a pure and disgusting lie. Just the very word used in his presence was insulting. "You'd be best to tone it down, my dear Flavia.." He purred slowly, the grip changing to a soft and lingering touch to her cheek. A soft and warm tongue ran across the length of her neck. "Hm.. I must admit.. You do taste a tad different.. Sweat.. Perfume.. But also.." He chuckled slowly as he licked his lips. "You are enjoying these touches.."

The same hand on her cheek trailed down to her shoulder. "Ah.. That does say an awful lot about your resolve.. Does it not?" He chuckled slowly, the hand shooting up to her throat and squeezing it shut firmly. Not killing her but making her pass out again.

As she would wake up, she would meet the same dancefloor where the bride and groom were. Silent chatter and concerned looks down at her. A soft grip on her hand. Acheron's eyes looking down at her with great concern, his facial expression only affirming this.. "Lady Bathory-Syron. Are you alright?" It would seem like she had merely passed out during the dance.

[Wild]

She smirked when he asked what truth had left her lips. It was true her voice could be sharp and her words unkind, but she was merely a reflection of how she was treated. If anyone called her something she didn't like, she would call them something bad in return. She didn't like being called a whore, he didn't like being called an idiot. As long as none of the words were spoken, they could both be happy. She knew that one day her simple philosophy might get her into trouble, but it had worked so far.

"I am sorry, my dear Lord Whitemoore," she smiled. "I apologise, if you promise to do the same. I tend to have a sharp tongue when I am met with words I do not like..."

She had to admit he could be quite charming, especially when he changed his strategy to the soft, lingering touch. If he had touched her like this all the time she might even have fallen for him. But she knew better than to tell him that....

A soft gasp escaped her lips when he allowed a soft and warm tongue to run down the length of her neck, and she had to suppress a soft moan. She felt a strange craving inside her, a yearning for his touch - but she had a feeling that he would like this too much if she told him.

She blushed when he said she was enjoying these touches. She could not deny it, as her nipples had hardened by his light caresses, and it could be seen through the light materials of her exquisite dress.

A light squeeze towards her neck caused her to faint, and when she woke up, she was back in the ballroom, without any memories of what had happened only moments before. She opened her eyes and looked around her with confusion. Then she met Lord Acheron's eyes and smiled a bit embarrassed.

"I must have fainted," she said quietly. "I am sorry for causing such trouble..."

[Medievarad]

A sigh of relief escaped him as Flavia explained herself. "You said it was too warm.. When I was escorting you outside.. You fainted." He said as he helped her up with a gentle hand. "Perhaps it'd be better for you to call it a night." He said with the same gentle smile, the people around them tending to their bussiness again, having witnessed that Flavia was indeed alright.

Acheron looked into her eyes. "I can escort you home. If you please." He said with the same gentle smile. Yet his eyes were different. Aside from the lucent red on black that was oddly welcoming and friendly. Soft and warm. It seemed almost as if there was pity or sadness in them.

[Wild]

Flavia nodded when Lord Whitemoore told her she had fainted. She always did when the heat became too strong for her. She had never been physically strong. She gratefully took his offered hand, allowing him to help her back up on her feet.

"Thank you, Lord Whitemoore," she said, blushing from causing such a fuss in her best friend's wedding. "You are right, maybe I should call it a night... It is getting late after all..."

She looked into his eyes when he offered to escort her home, glad to be in his company for just a little bit longer. She had already forgotten the scenario in the garden, now she only saw his welcoming and friendly smile. "Yes please, I would be grateful if you escorted me home, Lord Whitemoore," she said. "My wagon should be waiting for me in the stable... My coachman Joe is there, tending to my horses..."

[Medievarad]

He nodded curtly as she accepted his offer, taking her arm into his and walking out with her. Acheron took a deep breath as they stepped out. "Ah. Fresh air." He said to himself before looking at Flavia with a friendly smile while escorting her to the stables. "Tell me, Lady Bathory-Syron. Have you forgotten yourself? I did not catch your answer earlier."

[Wild]

Flavia smiled when she allowed him to take her arm, and she followed him outside as they stepped out. The fresh air felt wonderful against her warm skin, and she closed her eyes for a moment to enjoy it.

"Wonderful," she smiled. "It was really stuffed in there... I am glad the party is over, though I enjoyed seeing my best friend getting married..."

She walked slowly towards the stables when Lord Whitemoore asked her if she had forgotten herself.

"I suppose I have," she admitted. "Being a Lady of a large Mansion craves all my attention, and I also have a husband to attend to. When he is busy with his work..."

She paused, unsure of if she should share with him that she also suspected her husband to have other women. 

"Well, I have always been told that a woman's duty is to look after her home. I rarely get time to think of myself, so I think I often forget myself..."

[Medievarad]

"I see.." He arched an eyebrow, nodding slowly. "That is a pity. A woman like yourself deserves no such treatment." He chuckled slowly as he stopped in his tracks, looking around. "He is cheating on you?" He asked, as if guessing her thoughts.

[Wild]

She lowered her head, feeling tears burning behind her eyelids when Lord Acheron kindly told her that a woman like her deserved no such treatment.

"Thank you," she said. "You are so kind. I wish more men could be like you..."

When he stopped in his tracks, she stopped too, looking up at him when he looked around. She blushed deeply when he asked if her husband was cheating on her.

"I think so," she admitted. "He says he will be gone on business meeting with certain persons, and then, when I go out shopping, I see the person he is supposed to meet with shopping with his wife at the market.... Why would he lie about a business meeting, thinking I wouldn't find out?"

There was a hurt undertone in her voice. Not heartache, as Flavia didn't love her husband. No, it was more hurt pride - that her husband obviously thought she would fall for his lies. She didn't know why she spoke so freely to Lord Acheron about her personal problems. Perhaps it could be the wine, perhaps it was his special powers that lulled her into a false sense of security, thinking she could trust him.

"I mean - there's no use pretending is it? He never loved me, and I weren't exactly thrilled either when our parents forced us together..."

[Medievarad]

"Hm. I see." Acheron put a hand on her shoulder as he turned to her. "And such a pretty thing.." He shook his head. "A pity." A soft finger trailed down Flavia's cheek. "But. Alas. There is no way for me free you.. Unless.." He started walking again. "Unless I can arra-" his talking was interrupted by a dry stomp. Acheron coughed as blood ran down his lips. His face paling.

His eyes went weak and faint as he looked at the assailant. Pulling away the knife wrenched in his gut. Flavia could identify the man as her coachman Joe. Before he darted away.